By Tom Scalisi | Updated Mar 25, 2021 9:01 AM

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Weed eater heads see a lot of abuse. Spinning at thousands of RPMs, bumping against the pavement, and plunging deep into damp, inhospitable terrain all take a toll. If yours just won’t cut it anymore, it’s time for an upgrade.

Yes, believe it or not, you aren’t stuck with the head that your string trimmer or weed eater came with for weed whacking. There are many products on the market for replacing or upgrading your weed eater head and bringing it back to tip-top shape. Keep reading to learn more about the best weed eater head for you.

Before setting out to purchase the best weed eater head, you’ll need to consider a few factors. This section explains each key consideration and provides a bit of background on what goes into replacing a weed eater head. Be sure to give this section a thorough look to choose the best head for your weed whacker.

Unless you purchase directly from the weed eater’s manufacturer, you’re going to need to find a universal head. Many universal heads come with adapters that attach to nearly any weed eater.

Beyond the size of the head itself, the size of the weed eater string is a consideration, too. Many universal heads can handle string thicknesses between 0.065 inch and 0.095 inch, and heavier-duty models might tolerate 0.105-inch string or thicker. If you’re using a powerful gasoline-powered model, you might consider trading up to a larger diameter string, as it’s less likely to break while trimming.

There isn’t always a difference between weed eater heads for electric and gas-powered models, but when there are, it’s usually a deal-breaker. Many electric or battery-powered weed eaters use proprietary heads that snap onto the shaft, while weed eater heads for gasoline-powered models screw onto the shaft, in most cases.

If you’re able to put a screw-on head on your electric or cordless trimmer, it’s important to choose a light-duty model. Heavy-duty replacement heads put a lot of stress on the weed eater’s motor and may shorten the weed eater’s lifespan. This is far less of a concern with torquey gasoline-powered models.

As the string on a weed eater spins and bumps into stones, stumps, landscaping blocks, and other objects, it breaks and needs replenishing. How the weed eater head feeds out more string depends on the model. When you replace your weed eater head, you get to choose the line-feed method.

There are three main types:

Automatic feeds are obviously the most convenient, but fixed heads have fewer moving parts, which makes them potentially more durable.

Some of the best weed eater heads feature blades in place of string. Blades cut through heavy brush and undergrowth faster than string, and they’re less likely to break. Most weed eater blades are plastic. Metal blades are also available, though they are less popular since they can easily damage landscaping and trees.

You may also find a wire brush rather than plastic or metal blades. These models are designed for trimming along driveways and stone paths. They’re heavy and best suited for gas-powered weed eaters.

You’ll probably replace your weed eater head with a universal-fit model. These heads work with most weed eaters, regardless of size or brand, as long as the weed eater has a reverse or left-hand thread shaft.

A reverse or left-hand-thread shaft requires the user to spin the weed eater head counterclockwise to tighten the head in place. It’s important to ensure the model you’re replacing also has reversed or left-hand threads. If not, you will have a hard time finding a replacement head for your unit.

Also, it’s worth noting that most replacement heads are designed to work with straight-shaft weed eaters only. Very few models work with curved shafts.

With a bit of background on the best weed eater heads, choosing the ideal model is far less complicated. Below is a selection of some of the best weed eater heads on the market. Be sure to compare each one carefully in order to make the best decision when choosing a product for your weed whacker.

As a note: All of the following models feature left-hand threads.

Anyone looking to replace the string head on their weed eater should consider Oregon’s 55-265 Trimmer Head Speed Feed replacement head. This product includes multiple adapters to work with a variety of straight-shaft weed eaters. It also supports string diameters of up to 0.105, which makes it a heavy-duty option.

Oregon’s “semi-matic” trimmer head attaches and feeds easily. To fill it with string, feed a length of 2 or 3 feet into one end and out the other until the head is in the middle. Simply hold the collar in place with one hand, and twist the head with the other, winding the string into place. The head automatically feeds string as needed.

When it comes to a replacement head that fits almost any weed eater and budget, Weed Warrior’s Push-N-Load 3 Blade Head is worth a look. This three-bladed head fits almost every weed eater, and its nylon blades make quick work of heavy grass and brush.

The kit comes with the necessary adapters for mounting the head to almost any weed eater, including models from Ariens, Echo, Green Machine, Homelite, Husqvarna, and more. It also comes with six nylon blades. And replacing those blades is easy: Just push the button holding the old blade in place, slide the old blade out, and slide the new one in its place.

A high-quality replacement head for a curved-shaft weed eater isn’t easy to find. MaxPower’s PivoTrim Universal Replacement might be the answer. It comes with adapters to fit most weed eaters, curved or straight. It also features three swiveling string mounts for attaching 0.080-inch or 0.095-inch string.

MaxPower’s head doubles the string over to create six cutting surfaces instead of the standard two or three. Replacing the string is easy: Push the old string through the swivel, and thread a new length through. And, because it’s so lightweight and straightforward, it works with electric weed eaters that have screw-type shafts.

Weed Warrior’s Brush Cutter replacement head includes three metal blades that swing out from the head. The blades’ serrated edges dig into thick stalks and other obstructions with ease. The blades are both durable and easy to replace. Just unscrew the three screws holding the two halves together, remove the old blades, replace them with new blades, and reassemble the halves.

The kit includes the hardware to attach the head to most gas-powered trimmers as well as electric models with screw-type shafts.

Some say less is more, and with Weed Warrior’s EZ Lock Head, that might be true. This simple, rugged weed eater head replacement features a straightforward, doubled-over string design, free from moving parts or complicated replacement procedures. Simply feed the string into the unit, double it over, and send it back out to lock it in place. It accepts line sizes between 0.08 inch and 0.095 inch.

The Weed Warrior is a universal-fit replacement for electric, cordless, and gas-powered trimmers with straight and curved shafts. This includes models from Echo, Stihl, Husqvarna, Redmax, Ryobi, and many more. It comes with the appropriate adapters for each.

For yards that alternate between brush and grass, a hybrid option like Pivotrim’s Rino Tuff Universal Hybrid String and Bladed head might be the tool for the job. This replacement head combines the best of both worlds, as it trims with both 0.095-inch string and three plastic blades. To absorb impact without breaking, the string swivels and the blades feature a pivoting design.

This hybrid kit comes with all the adapters necessary to fit most gas trimmers, including Ariens, Craftsman, Cub Cadet, Echo, Homelite, Husqvarna, Ryobi, Snapper, Stihl, and many more. While it could attach to a cordless or electric weed eater, it may be too heavy to work properly.

Not all weed eater heads can stand up to heavy-duty brush and growth. Grass Gator’s Brush Cutter is specially designed for these scenarios. Its three steel blades swing out from the cutter head and slice through heavy grass and growth with ease. The three heavy-duty steel blades are easy to replace once they become worn out or dull.

According to the manufacturer, Grass Gator’s brush cutter works with 99 percent of straight-shaft gas trimmers, and hardware for attachment is included. While this unit fits most weed eaters, it works best on gas-powered trimmers with 25cc engines or larger.

Now that you know a bit more about the best weed eater heads, you might have some unresolved questions. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about weed eater heads.

Fixed-line trimmer heads don’t automatically extend new trimmer line and don’t feature bump-releases. These units require the user to replace the string manually.

A universal trimmer head is any trimmer head that fits a variety of models. Typically, they come with several adapters in order to fit as many models as possible.

Replacing your weed eater head is easy:

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