How to Choose the Right Strimmer Head A strimmer (also called a grass trimmer) is a valuable tool to keep your garden tidy and lawn edges crisp and neat. But to get the best performance out of your strimmer, it’s important to have the right strimmer head to do the job. An incorrect head will mean poor cutting performance and productivity, wasted time and in some cases, damage to the strimmer. If you need to replace a worn line head, or choose a specific head for certain tasks, here’s our guide to help you get the right head to fit your machine, with recommendations for each of Mowshop’s five best-selling strimmers. Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Strimmer Head? There is no such thing as a universal strimmer head. They come in different sizes and with different thread fittings. Line thickness, head style and type (line or blade) all differ and can affect your trimming tasks. A mismatched head will cause inefficiency at best, but more likely unnecessary engine load, wear and fatigue on your trimmer, and possible damage to your machine. It can also lead to: Pulling or scalping the ground Extra stress on the motor Line jams and breakages Safety risks Selecting the right head for your machine and job is important. Types of Strimmer Heads Before we get into each model’s recommended strimmer heads, here’s a quick overview of the main types available: 1. Bump Feed Heads Tap the head on the ground to release more line as needed. Great for convenience, and useful in medium-duty trimmer work. 2. Auto Feed Heads Release line automatically during use, but more prone to jamming with low-quality line or incorrect line thickness. 3. Manual Feed Heads Stop the machine and manually feed more line through. Simple but reliable, and typically best for light-duty trimming. 4. Blade Heads / Brushcutter Blades For cutting thick brambles, tall grass and woody plant material. Blades can be plastic (suitable for tougher grass) or metal. Things to Consider When Choosing a Strimmer Head To find the best strimmer head, consider: Compatibility – Design of the head and whether it fits your specific machine? Check the thread size and mounting type. Type of Cutting Task – Trimming lawn edges, nettles, brambles, or woody plant material? Ease of Use – Convenience of bump-feed heads or control with manual trimmer heads? Line Thickness – Will your strimmer unit work with the line thickness required for your cutting job? Top 5 Strimmers Sold on Mowshop, and Compatible Heads Below is a quick guide to the five most popular strimmers on Mowshop (in UK sales order) and their recommended compatible line heads: 1. Stihl FS 55 R Brushcutter Best For: Domestic use. It has a curved shaft, making it easy to use around lawn edges and light vegetation. Compatible Head: Stihl PolyCut 6-2 (plastic blade head) Tip: The FS 55 R has a smaller spindle so always check the head is suitable for a curved-shaft machine before buying. 2. Stihl FS 55 Brushcutter Best For: More robust cutting and heavier tasks than the FS 55 R, and with a straight shaft and bike handle. Compatible Head: AutoCut C 26-2 mowing head Tip: For clearing tough patches or woody vegetation, the PolyCut or brush knife options are best. 3. Stihl FS 40 Grass Trimmer Best For: Light trimming and cutting in small gardens. Compatible Head: Stihl AutoCut C 6-2 – bump feed and a lightweight choice Stihl PolyCut 6-2 – for longer grass and weeds Tip: As this is a compact and lightweight machine, it works best with small and lightweight strimmer heads. Avoid heavy-duty and metal blade options. 4. Stihl FS 70 C-E Brushcutter Best For: Semi-professional and heavier home use. Compatible Head: Stihl AutoCut 26-2 – the standard bump feed head. GrassCut 230-2 metal blade for denser brush and thicker grass Tip: With a more robust gearbox and overall design, this model handles tougher cutting tasks and is great for adapting multiple head options. 5. Stihl FS 91 Brushcutter Best For: Professional-grade machines for large gardens, estates, farms. Compatible Head: Stihl AutoCut c 26-2 Stihl Autocut 27-2 Stihl PolyCut 18-2 (Heavy grass) Stihl PolyCut 28-2 (Heavy grass) Tip: This heavy-duty brushcutter is compatible with all types of metal and plastic blades with the correct guard. Tips to Make Your Strimmer Head Last Longer Clean it out after use – A buildup of grass and dirt can affect performance. Use genuine replacement parts – It’s particularly important to use the correct and genuine line and blades. Regularly check the wear levels – Worn bump knobs and eyelets on heads will reduce line cutting efficiency. Don’t overload the head – Thick line types on a lightweight or small trimmer head will cause stress and possible damage. Final Thoughts Strimmer heads are not universal and so it’s important to select the right head for your machine and task. Each of Mowshop’s five best-selling strimmers support two or three types of heads to allow you to cut grass around flower beds, manage thicker vegetation like brambles, or trim estate grass. By following this guide you will know how to make an informed choice and extend the life of your strimmer.
