Is there a difference between Round, Square or Twisted Trimmer Line? {Best Shape for Weedeater String}

Cut through the confusion:

Choosing the best trimmer line shape

If you have been in the lawn care business for more than a week…You have seen that there are many unique shapes of weed eater string. But does the shape actually make a difference?

Do some shapes perform better than others? And how?

Well, the answer may surprise you! 

Here is what you need to know about the shape of trimmer line and how it affects the cut.

How much does shape matter in commercial trimmer line?

It’s no secret, there is no shortage of shapes when it comes to weed eater string. There are nearly as many shapes of weed eater string as there are letters in the alphabet. 

But in general, there are 4 different types of trimmer line:

• Round

• Twisted, 

• Star-shaped,

• And Multi-sided (square, triangle, etc). 

So does the shape of the trimmer line determine how well the string performs? Yes, it certainly does. 

And finding out which trimmer line works best is an essential part of getting the right gear for your company. 

The shape of the string can change 3 major factors while operating your weed eater. 

1. Sound levels,

2. Quality of the cut,

3. Longevity of string.

Which weed eater string shape offers the best cut?

★Star Shaped Line Offers Cleanest Cut★ 

There is a lot of debate over which string is the best for commercial use. And ideally, you want a line that cuts grass cleanly, without tearing or harming the grass. 

But bear in mind. That depending on your needs, the sharpest is not necessarily the best line. Especially when it comes to cutting larger weeds down.

Pro Tip! What a string offers in sharpness it frequently gives up in strength and longevity. 

According to Research, Star Shaped Line Offers Cleanest Cut

According to a test done by the YouTube channel Smarter Everyday, star-shaped line offers the cleanest cut. This reduces damage to the grass blade, and will likely result in a healthier lawn. So if your goal is an incredibly healthy, perfectly manicured lawn. Star-shaped trimmer line may be your best bet. 

However, our research suggested that lawn care professionals greatly prefer ECHO’s Black Diamond (⬥), and Stihls X-line (x). While the test performed by Smarter Everyday determined that Cyclone’s star shape created the sharpest cut. It did not test X-line or Black Diamond. And it is possible that one of these shapes may actually offer a sharper cut of the grass. 

For the Sharpest Cut We Recommend: 

• ECHO’S Black Diamond (⬥)

• Stihl’s X-Line (x)

• Or Cyclone Line (★)

So which trimmer line shape is quietest?

🌪️Twisted Line is the Quietest🌪️

When it comes to the sound put off by your string trimmer, it largely comes down to the type of string you use.  

In general, the less air resistance, the less noise a string makes. 

Twisted trimmer line is generally the quietest. This is due to the fact that the twisted line offers less air resistance. This may make twisted trimmer line a good option if you have a lot of properties in small residential areas where sound may be a concern. 

However, round lines like Husqvarna’s Titanium Blend are also much quieter than other string shapes. 

For the Quietest Cut We Recommend: 

• Shakespeare’s Ugly Twist (🌪️)

• ECHO’S Black Diamond (🌪️)

• Generic Twisted Line (🌪️)

Which weed eater string shape lasts the longest?

◍ Round Strings Typically Last Longer ◍  

It’s simple, round string typically offers the best longevity of any shape. 

Think about it, .095 is a measure of the thickest part of a trimmer line. So a .095 star-shaped trimmer line is much less dense, than a round .095 line. As a result, star shaped or similar multi-sided lines are going to break apart faster. 

Round line will last the longest as it is as thick as possible all the way around.

It's true, a .095 round line is truly .095 all the way around. BUT, the round shape does not provide the best structure for actually cutting grass. And creates a rather abusive cut. 

It’s a toss-up which brands round line will last the longest. And it will largely depend on the type of grass, weeds, or brush you are cutting. 

For example, tests by the Youtuber Project Farm have shown that Stihl’s Premium Round line (◍) lasts longer on brush than all the others he compared in the test, but performed poorly when exposed to concrete. 

Inversely, Husqvarna’s Titanium Blend (◍) outperformed the competition when it came to exposure to concrete, and performed poorly on cutting brush. 

The Exception to the Rule- Wire Fencing

There always has to be an exception to the rule. And when it comes to wire fences, round line may not be the longest lasting. According to research by Project Farm. The two longest-lasting strings when it comes to wire are Max Power (🌪️) and Weed Warrior (▲). 

It appears wire fencing changes the playing field substantially when it comes to string longevity. Perhaps it is because a stiff string will attempt to wrap around the wire and inevitably break. Whereas a flexible line will not be stiff enough to wrap around, and will instead brush past. 

Whatever the case, Husqvarna's Titanium Blend (◍) did come in at 3rd in tests against wire fencing. So it still does well, but for one reason or another other shapes appear to work better. 

So if you have to trim around a lot of wire fencing, you will likely want to consider this.

For the Longest Lasting Line We Recommend: 

• Stihl’s Premium Round line (◍)

• Husqvarna’s Titanium Blend (◍)

• Generic Round Line (◍)

Why the Sharpest Cut Matters

Look, you probably already know this but, when your lawn mower blades are dull. They tear rather than cut the grass. This can lead to damaged grass blades, and may even create an opening for fungus or other grass diseases to enter your client's lawn. 

The same is true when it comes to your weedeater string. If your line is not cutting the grass, but rather is tearing it. You are not providing the optimal cut for your clients. While this may not matter to many lawn care companies. The fact of the matter is, if you are after a premium quality cut, you should consider a good weed eater line that will assist you on your mission.
Quick Summary: Choosing the Best Trimmer Line Shape 

The Best Trimmer Line Shape

Often there is a toss-up between the sharpness of the cut and the longevity of the line. 

Which may be why ECHO's Black Diamond is so highly rated among lawn care pros. Its diamond/square design makes it nearly as thick as round line, but it provides a cutting side which gives it a literal edge over round line. Additionally, Black Diamond is twisted, making it run quieter. 

However, choosing the best shape will greatly depend on the circumstances you find yourself in while cutting lawns. 

Now that you are armed with the best trimmer line, it's time to make sure you have a great commercial-grade weed whacker.