Husqvarna 128LD VS Echo SRM 225 - What’s the Better String Trimmer?

Husqvarna 128LD VS Echo SRM 225 – What’s the Better String Trimmer?

If you have a lot of trees, hardscape features or rock features in your yard then having the right string trimmer in your lawncare arsenal is essential.

But finding the right string trimmer is the challenge. There are a lot that are made for commercial use but these may be too powerful and too expensive for the average homeowner.

So in the following comparison review, we will be taking a look at a couple of string trimmers that would work well for residential use: the Husqvarna 128LD and the Stihl SRM-225.

Husqvarna 128LD VS Echo SRM 225 Overview

The Husqvarna 128LD and Echo SRM 225s are both gas-powered string trimmers.

However, the main difference between them is power. If you have hearty grass to trim or even scrub and small saplings to trim, the Husqvarna 128LD has a more powerful engine that can take care of them.

The engine of the Husqvarna 128LD has a displacement of 28cc’s while the SRM-225 has a 21.2cc engine. Other than that though, both of these trimmers perform similarly. But there are other design details that you should know about.

Quick Facts

	Husqvarna 128LD	Echo SRM 225
Cutting Width	17 inches	17 inches
Engine	28cc	21.2cc
Weight	10.8lbs	11.5lbs

Key Differences Between the Husqvarna 128LD and the Echo SRM225

The most important difference here is power.

The Husqvarna 128LD is more able to cut down tough grass and weeds. While the Echo SRM225 can cut down most weeds, it takes a few passes whereas the Husqvarna 128LD chops them down in one go.

There is another key difference though: storage. You can actually detach the shaft of the Husqvarna 128LD so it takes up less space and is much easier to store.

Husqvarna 128LD Key Features

Tap N Go Line – All you have to do to release the line is tap the head against the ground.
Detachable Shaft – The Husqvarna 128LD features a tooless coupler that detaches the shaft from the trimmer head.
Auto Return Switch – With this feature you can turn the engine off while keeping it in the “on” position for easier starting.

Husqvarna 128LD Pros & Cons

Pros:

Very easy to store
Lightweight
It has a powerful engine
Great for large yards
Easy for beginners to use

Cons:

A bit more expensive than the Stihl SRM-225
Takes a few cranks to start

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Echo SRM 225 Key Features

Accessible Air Filter – You can access and replace the air filter without the use of specialty tools.
Anti-Vibration System – The Stihl SRM-225 doesn’t vibrate much and is overall very easy to handle.
59 Inch Shaft – The 59 inch straight shaft is long enough for most operators to reach tough edges and around trees.

Echo SRM225 Pros & Cons

Pros:

A bit more affordable than the Husqvarna 128LD
Very light
Easy to operate
Changing the line is easy
Good for smaller properties

Cons:

It’s not as powerful as the Husqvarna 128LD
You can’t detach the shaft

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Who Should Buy Each One?

While similar in performance, we would recommend the Husqvarna 128LD for use on properties with native grasses, a lot of thick weeds and shrubs. The Stihl SRM-225 would be better for smaller properties with light, normal grasses.

Price Comparison

There is only about a $10 difference between these trimmers. The Husqvarna 128LD costs about $240 and the Stihl SRM-225 usually sells for around $230.

Weight & Handling Comparison

Both of these trimmers feature a straight edge and there’s not much difference in terms of weight. The Husqvarna 128LD is slightly lighter at 10.8lbs and the SRM-225 is 11.5lbs. However, the SRM-225 features a more comfortable, padded front handle.

Plus, the Stihl SRM-225 has a longer reach – 59 inches as opposed to the 40” reach of the Husqvarna 128LD. This is what contributes to the extra weight but we found the extra pound negligible considering the better reach.

Power Comparison

The Husqvarna 128LD is slightly more powerful with a 28cc engine compared to the 21.2cc engine of the Echo SRM 225.

Line Comparison

Both the Husqvarna 128LD and the Echo SRM 225 trimmers take a .095” line.

Efficiency Comparison

As you can imagine, the smaller engine on the Echo SRM 225 is a tad more fuel efficient than the Husqvarna 128LD – it’s the advantage you get from having a less powerful motor.

Durability Comparison

We really liked the hefty build of the Husqvarna 128LD. The Echo SRM 225 uses mostly plastic parts and it just feels a bit more delicate in the hands.

On the other hand, the Husqvarna 128LD feels like you can drop it, knock it against the wall or throw it in the back of your truck and it wouldn’t be any worse for the wear.

Other String Trimmers to Consider

Husqvarna 324L

This is a more powerful string trimmer that would be great for commercial use. It weighs 17 pounds and has a cutting width of 18 inches. And it is built as well as the Husqvarna 128LD.

Overall Score: 98/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Husqvarna 329L

This trimmer is another great one for home use. It has a 17” cutting width and weighs only 16 pounds.

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

DeWalt 20V Max String Trimmer

This is an electric, battery-powered string trimmer with a 14 inch cutting swath so it’s great for small gardens and cleaning up your flower beds. It has a variable speed control trigger and weighs 11 pounds.

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Final Assessment

The $10 difference in price and the slight weight difference didn’t really mean much to us and we can imagine it won’t mean much for most consumers.

What did matter was cutting power and convenient storage. The Husqvarna 128LD wins in both those departments.

We liked the comfortable handle, low vibration and better reach of the Echo SRM 225; but in the end it wasn’t enough to win us over. So for this comparison, we would recommend the Husqvarna 128LD for home use.