The best cutting heads
A worn or awkward head makes trimming a chore. A good tap-and-go head feeds line effortlessly and lasts. Here are our picks — plus how to match one to your machine.
A budget universal bump-feed head with multiple adaptors — a cheap way to replace a worn head on most brush cutters.
- TypeTap-and-go (bump feed)
- FitmentMulti-adaptor (universal)
- LineTypically up to 2.4 mm
A lightweight tap-and-go cutting head for entry-level Husqvarna trimmers, built for everyday grass and lawn-edge trimming.
- TypeTap-and-go (bump feed)
- ThreadHusqvarna small-shaft OEM fit
- LineUp to 2.4 mm
A tap-and-go trimmer head for grass and light growth, best suited to homeowners who want simple line reloading without stopping to rewind a spool.
- TypeTap-and-go semi-automatic head
- Line diameter2.4-2.7 mm
- FitmentThreaded fit, common Husqvarna/Jonsered trimmer shafts
An M10-threaded bump-feed trimmer head with reinforced metal eyelets, aimed at owners whose plastic eyelets keep wearing through from line friction.
- TypeTap-and-go (bump feed) line head
- EyeletsMetal-reinforced, not plain moulded plastic
- Thread fittingM10, right-hand thread
A simple tap-and-go trimmer head that auto-feeds line on a tap, ideal for casual and homeowner strimmers needing an easy reload.
- TypeTap-and-go (bump feed)
- Line diameterUp to 2.4 mm
- FitmentUniversal thread adaptors included
A universal tap-and-go trimmer head with a wide-fitting adaptor kit, ideal for owners who aren't sure which fitting their strimmer takes.
- TypeTap-and-go (bump feed)
- FittingJet-Fit universal adaptor kit (multiple shaft types)
- Line diameterUp to 2.4 mm
A compact 109mm tap-and-go bump-feed head for light trimmers, giving quick line reloads without stopping to rewind a spool by hand.
- TypeTap-and-go (bump feed)
- Head diameter109 mm
- Line diameterUp to 2.4 mm
An M10 trimmer head that auto-advances a short length of line each time you ease off the throttle, saving you from having to bump it on the ground.
- TypeSemi-automatic (throttle-release) line head
- ThreadM10 x 1.25, check direction before fitting
- Line diameterUp to 2.4 mm
A dual-line bump-feed trimmer head with a pre-wound spool system, aimed at owners who want fast reloads without hand-winding line.
- TypeBump feed (tap-and-go), dual line
- Line diameterUp to 3.0 mm (.095"–.120")
- LoadingPre-wound spool or manual wind
A budget bump-feed line head loaded for 3mm cord, letting you release fresh line by tapping it on the ground rather than rewinding by hand.
- TypeBump-feed (tap & go) line head
- Line diameterUp to 3.0 mm
- Line capacityTwin-line spool, around 4 m per side
A budget bump-feed line head with an M10 thread, letting you release fresh line by tapping it on the ground rather than rewinding by hand.
- TypeBump-feed (tap & go) line head
- ThreadM10 x 1.25, check direction before fitting
- Line diameterUp to 2.4 mm
A durable aluminium bump-feed cutting head for brush cutters, aimed at owners who want a tougher, longer-lasting alternative to plastic heads.
- TypeTap-and-go (bump feed)
- HousingAluminium alloy
- LineTypically up to 2.4 mm
A bump-feed trimmer head that lets you feed fresh line by tapping it on the ground, suited to owners who want quicker reloading than manual-wind heads.
- TypeBump-feed (tap & go) line head
- Head diameter130 mm
- Line diameterUp to 2.4 mm
A rotary steel wire brush head fitting a strimmer or brush cutter shaft, aimed at owners clearing moss and weeds from paving rather than cutting grass.
- TypeRotary steel wire brush (not a blade or line head)
- Bristle materialSteel wire
- FitmentUniversal thread, adaptor-dependent
Tap-and-go is what you want
The best everyday head is a tap-and-go (bump-feed) type — tap it on the ground and it releases fresh line automatically, so you never stop to fiddle. A genuine OEM head (like the Husqvarna T35) lasts longest; a universal head is the cheap fix for an older or non-branded machine.
Check the thread and line size
Heads attach via a threaded shaft that varies by brand (M10×1.25, M12×1.75 and others). Universal heads bundle adaptors, but confirm your machine's thread before buying. Also check the head's maximum line diameter — most take up to 2.4 mm. See our trimmer line guide to pair them up.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tap-and-go (bump-feed) head?
A bump-feed head releases fresh line automatically when you tap it on the ground — no stopping to pull line manually. It's the most convenient and popular type for regular use.
Will any cutting head fit my brush cutter?
No — heads attach via a threaded shaft, and the thread varies (e.g. M10×1.25 on many Stihl, M12×1.75 on Husqvarna). Universal heads include adaptors, but always check your machine's thread first.
How do I know what line thickness a head takes?
Each head has a maximum line diameter, usually printed on it or in the manual. Most take up to 2.4 mm; heavier-duty heads take 3.0 mm. Don't exceed it or the line will jam.
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Which one for which need
Sparing a low-powered machine
Thinner line puts less strain on the engine and feeds more freely. On a light machine, that is what stops it labouring.
Taking thick line
The line diameter the head accepts decides what you can fit, independently of the machine's power.
Who each type suits
- Ordinary use
- A bump-feed head is the standard. It reloads in a few minutes and forgives mistakes.
- Fast reloading
- Automatic-winding heads reload without full dismantling. That is a real saving over a large area.
- Very abrasive ground
- Heads taking pre-cut free lines avoid any winding at all. They use more line and remove the jams.
The trade-offs to weigh
- Universality against fit
- Universal heads come with a set of adaptors covering several threads. The adaptor adds a weak point an original head does not have.
- Bump feed against free lines
- Bump feed pays out automatically and can jam; free lines never jam and are replaced one at a time, more often.
- Sturdiness against weight at the end of the shaft
- A massive head resists impacts and is felt at the end of the pole over a long session. Weight at the tip tires you more than it seems.
Questions buyers ask
Can the thread be reversed?
On many brushcutters, yes: the shaft has a left-hand thread so the head tightens as it turns. Forcing it the wrong way damages the thread permanently.
How do I lock the shaft to remove the head?
Through the locking hole provided, with the pin or key supplied. Locking any other way deforms the shaft or the housing.
The head unscrews while running, why?
Unsuitable thread direction, or a head fitted on a badly tightened adaptor. A head that unscrews while spinning is a projectile.
Why does the line no longer feed when I tap?
Line welded to itself, an overfilled spool, or a tired return spring. All three causes are common and can be told apart by opening the head.
Does the inside of the head need cleaning?
Soil and plant debris build up in there and jam the mechanism. A clean at every reload is enough to prevent it.
Do the exit eyelets wear out?
The line notches them progressively, and a sharp edge then cuts the line every time it feeds. They can be replaced separately on many heads.
Can a head be fitted to a machine set up for a blade?
If the thread matches and the appropriate guard is fitted. The blade guard is shorter and does not cut the line to length.
What to remember
The thread is often left-handed: forcing it the wrong way destroys the shaft permanently. A head that unscrews while spinning becomes a projectile, and when the line no longer feeds, open the head — welded line, an overfilled spool or a tired spring can be told apart immediately.