Pick Your String Trimmer by Engine Type
The Wild Badger string trimmer lineup splits cleanly by engine technology, not just by gas vs cordless. The 2-stroke gas, 4-cycle gas, and brushless cordless systems all serve different yards and different upkeep preferences. Here is what each engine class is built for.
2-Stroke Gas String Trimmers (26cc & 52cc)
2-stroke gas string trimmers are the workhorses of the lineup. The 26cc 4-in-1 string trimmer is the most popular size for typical American yards because it balances cutting power with low shaft weight — 17-inch cutting width, ships with 4 attachments. For ditch lines, woody stems, or rural acreage, the 52cc 3-in-1 string trimmer steps up to an 18-inch cutting width and holds line speed under heavy load. Both run on a 50:1 oil/gas pre-mix, so plan for a 2-stroke fuel can.
4-Cycle Gas String Trimmer (31cc, No Fuel Mixing)
The 31cc 4-cycle is the odd-engine-out, and the reason some homeowners pick Wild Badger over competitors. The 31cc 4-cycle 2-in-1 string trimmer runs on straight gasoline like a lawn mower — no fuel mixing, no 50:1 ratio to remember, simpler storage, and noticeably quieter and lower-vibration than 2-stroke engines in the same displacement class. Trade-off: a few extra pounds on the shaft because of the oil sump. Best fit for users who already keep a gas can on hand for the mower.
Brushless Cordless String Trimmers (20V & 40V)
The cordless platform skips fuel entirely. The 40V brushless 4-in-1 string trimmer uses a 6,500 RPM brushless motor — same torque profile as a 26cc gas at much lower weight and noise — and ships with string trimmer, edger, hedge trimmer, and brush cutter heads. The 40V cordless string trimmer + leaf blower bundle is the most accessible entry point, sharing one 40V battery between trimming and cleanup. Brushless motors run cooler, last longer, and recover full torque under load — important when you hit a thick patch mid-cut.
String Trimmer Features That Actually Matter
Beyond engine type, three features separate the Wild Badger string trimmers from each other: line feed system, multi-tool attachments, and the Gen2 full-crank upgrade. Match these to how you actually cut.
Auto-Feed Line Heads (No Bump, No Tap)
Most Wild Badger string trimmers use a bump-feed head — you tap the head on the ground to release more line. The 40V 2-in-1 string trimmer with auto-feed edger is the exception: an auto-feed mechanism advances line automatically as it wears, so you never stop cutting to tap the head. Worth it on long sessions or anywhere bumping is awkward (steep slopes, around obstacles). Combined with the brushless 6,500 RPM motor and an auto-edger flip, this is the lowest-fuss string trimmer in the lineup.
4-in-1 Multi-Tool Sets (String + Edger + Hedge + Brush)
Four-in-one string trimmers swap the trimmer head for an edger blade, hedge trimmer, or brush cutter on the same shaft using quick-connect couplers. The 26cc 4-in-1 gas string trimmer ships with all four heads in the box. The 26cc 4-in-1 with wheeled edger swaps the standard edger head for a wheeled version that walks straight along driveway lips. One engine to fuel, one tool to store — instead of a garage shelf full of single-purpose machines.
Gen2 Full-Crank Series (Heavy-Duty Daily Use)
The Gen2 line is Wild Badger's upgraded gas-engine generation: full-crank engines (longer bearing life under load), padded shoulder straps (essential for sessions over 20 minutes), extra trimmer line in the box, and tightened mechanical tolerances. See the Gen2 26cc 3-in-1 for half-acre yards and the Gen2 52cc 3-in-1 for properties with serious overgrowth. For a deeper edging walk-through, see our blog on string trimmer vs lawn edger.