Bionic Trimmer

About Bionic Trimmer

By Derek Lakin

Published on: May 3, 2019

The lightweight, portable, and handheld Bionic Trimmer uses a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery to spin its replaceable zip ties at 10,000 RPM, which the company advertises will make trimming your lawn quicker, easier, and hassle-free.

Despite its battery-powered operation, the website tells us it boasts the power of a conventional trimmer, an adjustable extension pole that makes it comfortable for anyone to operate, an ergonomic handle, and a metal bar that works as a protective shield between the zip ties and solid objects. And all of this without having to worry about toxic fumes.

Together, the company advertises Bionic Trimmer will take all the stress and strain out of trimming, and leave your yard looking neat and trim in no time.

But, is this what you can realistically expect after handing over your hard-earned money? Even then, does Bionic Trimmer have any competition, and might they deliver more bang-for-your-buck?

We’ll answer all of your important questions here, starting with basic functionality details and specifications you should know in advance.

How Does Bionic Trimmer Work?

It seems to be the case that we know fewer crucial details about Bionic Trimmer than what the manufacturer tells us on the website. Here are some of the most pressing:

• What size Lithium-ion battery does Bionic Trimmer use?
• How long will it run per charge?
• How long does it take to recharge fully if empty?
• How long is pole when retracted? When fully extended?
• How much does the trimmer weigh?
• Does it work with any standard zip ties or only the ones included with each order?

We called the customer service number listed on the Bionic Trimmer website, and a representative advised us that they only ship the garden tool. Instead, they instructed us to reach out to 800-423-4248 x233 for additional information.

With these details in mind, based on the information provided on the website and in the commercial, Bionic Trimmer works a lot like a standard trimmer, with a throttle located on the handle, a long pole that extends toward the ground, a spinning head, and a protective guard.

The most significant difference between it and standard trimmers, though, is that instead of a spool of line, Bionic Trimmer’s head accepts zip ties on opposite sides of one another.

This way, the company says, you don’t have to fuss with automatic feeds and the jams and tangles they can cause.

The question then becomes: Compared to line spools, will you achieve better results and faster, more convenient operation using Bionic Trimmer’s zip ties?

Are Stringless Zip Tie Trimmers More Convenient and Cost Effective?

Depending on your setup, you might be able to strap zip ties to your existing trimmer and try it out yourself, as this Instructables user did.

Granted, this will likely take longer and require more elbow grease than what’s advertised by Bionic Trimmer, but it can at least give you an idea of what you might expect from a zip tie-only trimmer before committing to a more significant purchase.

With this said, Samantha Burns at RunAmukAcres.com tested out a homemade zip tie setup on their weed whacker and reported it didn’t cut vegetation as cleanly as spooled line, and the ties broke quickly when encountering a hard surface. She noted it was also meaningfully louder.

“In a pinch, you could certainly use the zip ties,” she says. “If you have just a lawn to maintain and were only using your weed-whacker to trim things up after you’ve mowed, this would work just fine,” she adds. “(But, if) you have a large area to manage, a large garden, and more, and you have weeds that sometimes get unruly, I feel like the weed-eater line is still the better option.”

Furthermore, a package of 100 heavy-duty (120 lb. tensile strength) zip ties will cost you about $10, whereas a 40-foot spool of traditional trimmer line comes with an average price of about $5.

How Much Does Bionic Trimmer Cost?

The Bionic Trimmer is currently available at the following retailers:

• Amazon: $17.89
• Bed Bath & Beyond: $29.99
• Home Depot: $39.99
• Walmart: $26.50

Are There Other Stringless Rechargeable Trimmers Like Bionic Trimmer?

The bottom line is that we didn’t encounter anything designed exactly like Bionic Trimmer during our research. So, if you’re looking to match its combination of zip ties, extendable pole, ergonomic handle, and cordless Lithium-ion battery, it’s currently your only option.

If your main goal is to get rid of the spool and line, though, there are several popular options potentially competing for many of the same customers as Bionic Trimmer. These include:

With so few details to go on, we can’t confirm the claim that Bionic Trimmer delivers similar power as a conventional trimmer, or as the corded Sun Joe model above. However, Bionic’s pole appears meaningfully shorter than the others, and it only comes with a 30-day warranty/refund policy.

Still, the Sun Joe is $10 more expensive, although the AeroFlex head comes with the same price and doesn’t require that you purchase an entirely new tool.

Craftsman’s Hassle-Free lineup also only requires that you purchase a new head, and replacement line sections are $7 per package, compared to nearly $20 for a bag of heavy-duty zip ties.

Granted, putting a new head on your existing gas trimmer doesn’t address the “toxic fumes” mentioned on Bionic Trimmer’s website if this is the main goal you want to achieve.

But, even if you’re looking to achieve cordless, line-free operation using all of the features provided by Bionic Trimmer, does it necessarily represent a value-laden option?

Our Bottom Line About Bionic Trimmer

I know when I’m trimming my average-sized yard, I probably have to let out the extra line from my bumper-feed weedwacker 15 to 20 times per session.

Granted, a spooled line might take a little extra work up front, but as long as my trimmer’s head is in good working order, I might not have to touch it again for a couple of weeks.

Comparatively, even if zip ties were twice as strong as traditional line—which they don’t appear to be, based on online user feedback—I can’t imagine how inconvenient it would be to stop what I was doing each time a zip tie broke, remove the worn one, and replace it with a fresh one.

Together with the bare-bones information we’re provided from the manufacturer, along with the limited support offered by customer service and the steep cost of heavy-duty replacement zip ties, it doesn’t seem like Bionic Trimmer will live up to its advertising claims of making trimming faster, easier, neater, or less expensive than traditional line.

» See Also: 5 Tips for Achieving the Greenest Grass on the Block This Spring