The Best Weed Burners For Gas And Electric Weeding
Six gas and electric burners for clearing weeds from paths and patios without reaching for a spray.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best weed burner is the Parkland 2000 Electric Weed Burner, a well-built electric model whose directional cone puts the heat onto a weed in a paving joint without scorching the slabs either side, with a stand to rest it on between patches. If you've no outdoor socket and a large area to clear, the Green Haven Weed Wand runs on clip-on gas canisters with no cable to drag.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Parkland 2000 Electric Weed Burner
- Check price of Green Haven Weed Wand
- Check price of Gloria BIO Professional PLUS
Best Professional
Gloria BIO Professional PLUSLarge gardens and long sessions on a refillable gas cylinder
- Check price of High Street TV Bionic Weed Burner
Easiest To Use
High Street TV Bionic Weed BurnerAnyone with a bad back who wants to weed standing up
- Check price of Draper 68696 Weed Burner
- Check price of Amtech U9010 Garden Weed Burner
Best Budget
Amtech U9010 Garden Weed BurnerTrying a weed burner for the first time on a small budget
Distance from a socket splits this list in two. Electric burners need no refills and give no naked flame, so they suit patios and paths close to the house, while gas frees you from the cable for long drives and big gardens. Handle length is the detail people overlook, as several burners leave a tall user stooping for the whole job.
Deep-rooted weeds such as docks will need more than one pass with any of them. We've used these on our own paths and paving, and the six cover both types from budget to professional.
Putting Gas And Electric Weed Burners To Work
Our first choice for a big weed problem is still a weed killer, but there are spots where we won't spray. Anywhere children or pets play gets the burner instead.
We've used both gas and electric burners in our own gardens and at the Airbnbs and rentals we manage, on everything from cracks in concrete paths to the joints in block paving. The photos below show one of each in use.
Each burner was judged on the same handful of things:
- Heat settings: whether there was a choice of temperature and how quickly it got hot
- Attachments: the nozzles supplied and how well they suited cracks, joints and open patches
- Ignition: on gas models, how easily the flame lit and how well it held
- Handling: weight, handle length and whether it could be used without stooping
- Build quality: how solid the wand, nozzle and stand felt in use
The warranty and the price against what you get counted towards the final order too. For figures such as temperatures, cable lengths and warranty terms, we've used the manufacturer's details.
Our Six Weed Burner Picks
The list below mixes mains-powered and gas burners, and each write-up says which kind it is. Electric models suit smaller patios near a socket, while gas suits long drives and bigger gardens.
Best Electric
Parkland 2000 Electric Weed Burner
Best for: Patios and paths within reach of an outdoor socket
Check Price On AmazonThe Parkland 2000 is the electric burner we'd recommend to most people. It's reasonably priced but built to a better standard than many cheap burners, and it comes with a set of attachments so you can switch between a narrow cone for single weeds and wider nozzles for patchier areas.
There are two heat settings, which Parkland lists as 60°C and 650°C. The higher setting is the one for weeds, while the lower one is handy for gentler jobs. The directional cone lets you put the heat right onto a weed in a paving joint without scorching the slabs either side.
The feature we liked most during testing was the stand. You can set the burner down between patches without the hot nozzle touching the ground. The handle detaches for storage, and the whole thing is easy to put together.
What we like
- Cone nozzle puts heat exactly where you aim it
- Two heat settings of 60°C and 650°C
- Built-in stand keeps the hot tip off the ground
- Detachable handle for compact storage
- Quick and simple to put together
What to know
- The 2 metre cable means you'll need an extension lead
Our verdict
Most homes with a patio or path near a socket are well served by the Parkland 2000. The stand was our favourite detail and the cone makes neat work of paving joints, so it's an easy burner to live with, and it's built better than its price suggests. The 2 metre cable is short, so budget for an extension lead or look at the Green Haven gas wand for distant corners.
Best Gas
Green Haven Weed Wand
Best for: Gardens and drives too far from a socket for an electric burner
Check Price On AmazonThe Green Haven wand runs on butane canisters that clip straight onto the handle, so there's no hose and no cable. You can walk the full length of a drive or along the back of a garden border without dragging anything behind you.
Lighting gas burners can be fiddly, but this one has a Piezo ignition that made lighting the flame much easier than on the older gas tools we've used. A control knob on the wand adjusts the flame, so you can turn it down for weeds near plants you want to keep. It's light to carry, and the shaped handle is designed for comfort over long periods.
The wand could be longer. Anyone on the tall side will find themselves bending slightly to get the flame onto the weeds. You can buy it with or without gas canisters.
What we like
- Piezo ignition lights the flame at the press of a button
- Flame size adjusts with a knob on the wand
- No cable or hose to drag around
- Sold with or without butane canisters
- Comfortable handle and light to carry
What to know
- Wand is on the short side for taller users
- Canisters need replacing on bigger jobs
Our verdict
The Green Haven wand suits anyone with weeds spread across a large area or no outdoor socket. The ignition makes it far less of a faff than older gas tools. For a big garden where you'll be burning for long stretches, the Gloria BIO Professional PLUS runs from a larger gas cylinder.
Best Professional
Gloria BIO Professional PLUS
Best for: Large gardens and long sessions on a refillable gas cylinder
Check Price On AmazonGloria's burner connects to a full-size gas cylinder through a hose rather than a small canister on the handle. You give up a little freedom of movement, but you get a much bigger supply of gas, so you can work for longer and the running costs come down over time.
The hose is 5 metres long, which means the cylinder can stay in one spot while you clear a decent stretch of patio. Build quality is the best in this list, with chrome-plated, corrosion-resistant parts. There's an integrated stand for resting the hot head while it cools, and the handle is comfortable for long spells.
Gloria's listing doesn't mention an igniter on this burner, so keep a lighter handy to get the flame going.
What we like
- Chrome-plated parts that resist corrosion
- Runs from a full-size cylinder for long sessions
- 5 metre hose lets the cylinder stay put
- Integrated stand for resting the hot head
- Handle stays comfortable over long periods
What to know
- No igniter listed, so you need a lighter
- Hose limits how far you can roam from the cylinder
Our verdict
Long sessions and a lot of paving are what the Gloria is built for, with the best build quality here and a full-size cylinder that keeps going far longer than a canister. It's expensive and the hose ties you to the cylinder, so an average patio doesn't need it. For weeding other people's gardens or a large property, it's the one that will last.
Easiest To Use
High Street TV Bionic Weed Burner
Best for: Anyone with a bad back who wants to weed standing up
Check Price On AmazonThe Bionic's party trick is a pair of wheels at the bottom. They hold the nozzle at the right height above the ground, so instead of hovering the burner over each weed you roll it along the path and stop where it's needed. That's the part that makes your arms and back ache on other burners, and the wheels take it away.
It's a mains electric model and very light, with two attachments supplied for different types of weeds. According to the brand, it heats up in under a minute.
Those wheels do add to the cost. It's the most expensive electric burner in our list, so it's worth it if comfort is the priority rather than as a general choice.
What we like
- Wheels keep the nozzle at the right height
- Saves stooping or holding the burner in mid-air
- Very light to push along
- Two attachments for different weeds
- High Street TV says it heats up in under a minute
What to know
- Dearest of the electric burners we've included
- Still tied to a socket by its cable
Our verdict
Bending and holding a burner steady are the hardest parts of weeding with heat, and the Bionic's wheels take both away. That makes it the kindest burner here on your back along a long path. It's the most expensive electric model in this list, so if comfort isn't the issue, the Parkland 2000 does the job for less.
Best Value
Draper 68696 Weed Burner
Best for: Small patios on a budget from a well-known tool brand
Check Price On AmazonDraper is a well-known tool brand, and the 68696 is its low-cost electric burner. It's simple to use, with two heat settings and a nozzle that swaps over quickly when you move from paving joints to a wider patch.
The soft-grip handle is comfortable for longer sessions. The warranty stands out at this price, as Draper covers parts for 24 months and labour for 12 months.
The catch is the cable. It's shorter than on the other electric burners here, so you'll need a good outdoor extension lead for anything beyond the area right next to the socket.
What we like
- Nozzle swaps over quickly
- Soft-grip handle for comfort over longer jobs
- Choice of two heat settings
- Draper covers parts for 24 months and labour for 12
What to know
- Shorter power cable than other electric burners
Our verdict
The Draper suits anyone who wants a dependable burner from a trusted tool brand without paying much. Factor in an extension lead. If the budget is tighter still, the Amtech U9010 costs less and has a longer cable, while the Parkland 2000 is the step up if you want a stand.
Best Budget
Amtech U9010 Garden Weed Burner
Best for: Trying a weed burner for the first time on a small budget
Check Price On AmazonThe Amtech U9010 is one of the cheapest electric weed burners we'd still recommend. Its two heat settings cover the same 60°C to 650°C range as the Parkland, so you're not giving up any heat by spending less. Two burner nozzles come in the box, and a simple control switches it on and off.
Its 3 metre cable is a metre longer than the Parkland's, which gives you a little more room before the extension lead comes out. The 46 cm extension handle is built in, though taller users will still find themselves stooping slightly.
Amtech backs it with a two-year warranty, which is good to see on a budget tool. The hot air also strips flaking paint and gets a charcoal barbecue going, so it isn't a tool that only comes out for weeding.
What we like
- Two nozzles in the box
- Integrated 46 cm extension handle
- Heat range of 60°C to 650°C
- 3 metre cable outreaches the Parkland and Draper
- Doubles as a paint stripper or barbecue lighter
What to know
- Handle length leaves taller users stooping
Our verdict
The Amtech U9010 earns its place if you want to try a weed burner without spending much, or you need a cheap tool for the odd patch. It doubles up for stripping paint too. For a better-built burner with a stand, step up to the Parkland 2000.
Choosing A Weed Burner For Your Garden
All weed burners work the same way, by heating the weed until the cells in its leaves rupture. The differences come down to what powers them, how you hold them and how they cope with the weeds in your garden.
Gas Or Electric
Electric burners plug into the mains, so there's nothing to refill and no naked flame. They suit patios, paths and small front gardens within reach of a socket or an extension lead. Most have two heat settings and several nozzles.
Gas burners use a flame and run from either a small butane canister on the handle or a larger cylinder on a hose. Canister models are light and cable-free, which makes them ideal for long drives and big gardens. Cylinder models give you far more burning time for heavy use.
Nozzles And Heat Settings
A narrow cone puts the heat into a single paving joint, while a flat slotted nozzle like the one in our testing photo runs neatly along a crack. Wider heads cover patchy areas faster. Two heat settings give you control near plants and timber, and a burner with a stand saves you resting the hot tip on the ground.
Reach And Comfort
You'll spend the whole job with the nozzle a few centimetres off the ground, so handle length matters. Several burners here are short for tall users. Wheeled models like the Bionic take the weight off completely, and a long cable or hose means fewer stops to move a plug or cylinder.
What A Burner Will And Won't Kill
A burner kills what it touches. Annual weeds in paving joints die off after a pass or two, but deep-rooted weeds such as dandelions and docks regrow from the root and need repeat treatments through the season. For those, or for weeds you want gone in one go, a systemic weed killer for driveways and patios is more effective.
Once the weeds have died back, a scrub with a pressure washer for patios and paths clears the debris and the dirt they were growing in. Our guide to cleaning block paving and re-sanding the joints covers how to slow new weeds from coming back.
Safety Around The Garden
Never use a burner near dry grass, hedges, fence panels, sheds or anything else that can catch fire, and take extra care in a dry spell. Keep the hot tip away from plastic edging and hoses, let it cool on its stand before you put it away, and keep children and pets well back while it's lit.
More Questions About Weed Burners
Do weed burners kill weeds permanently?
Weed burners kill the top growth of a weed but not always the root. Shallow-rooted annual weeds die off for good after a pass or two. Deep-rooted perennials such as dandelions, docks and bindweed regrow from the root, so they need burning again through the season or treating with a systemic weed killer that travels down to the roots.
Is a gas or electric weed burner better?
An electric weed burner is better for small patios and paths near a socket, because there's nothing to refill and no open flame. A gas weed burner is better for long drives and large gardens, since it has no cable to limit how far you can go. Both kill weeds equally well when used properly.
How long should you hold a weed burner over a weed?
Hold a weed burner over each weed only until the leaves change colour and wilt, which takes a few seconds. You don't need to burn the weed to a crisp. The heat bursts the plant cells and the weed dies back over the next day or two. Burning longer wastes gas or power and risks scorching the paving.
Can you use a weed burner on gravel?
You can use a weed burner on gravel, and it's one of the easier places to use one because there's nothing nearby to catch fire. Keep the flame or hot nozzle clear of any membrane underneath and plastic edging, as both can melt. Rake the dead weeds out afterwards so they don't rot down into the stones.
Which weed burner would you buy for a patio?
The Parkland 2000 Electric Weed Burner is the one we'd choose for most patios and paths. It has two heat settings, a cone nozzle that puts the heat exactly where you aim it and a stand that keeps the hot tip off the ground. The only catch is the 2 metre cable, so budget for an extension lead.
Is the wheeled High Street TV Bionic worth the extra money?
It's worth it if comfort is the priority, because the wheels hold the nozzle at the right height and you roll it along the path instead of stooping. It's the most expensive electric burner in our list, though. If your back isn't the issue, the Parkland 2000 does the job for less.
Will I need an extension lead for an electric weed burner?
Yes, because the cables are short. The Parkland 2000 has a 2 metre cable, the Amtech U9010 has 3 metres and the Draper 68696 is shorter than the other electric burners. Anything beyond the area right next to the socket needs a good outdoor extension lead. Gas models such as the Green Haven Weed Wand avoid the problem.
Is the Gloria BIO Professional PLUS worth it over the Green Haven wand?
Only for big gardens or long sessions. The Gloria runs from a full-size gas cylinder on a 5 metre hose and has the best build quality in our list, but it's expensive and has no built-in igniter. The Green Haven clips a butane canister onto the handle and has Piezo ignition, which suits an average garden.
The Weed Burners We'd Buy
For most patios and paths, the Parkland 2000 is the burner we'd choose, since it puts the heat exactly where you aim it and rests on its own stand between patches. If you've got a long drive or no outdoor socket, the Green Haven Weed Wand gives you a reliable gas flame with nothing trailing behind you.
Archie is our gardening specialist. He started out as an apprentice at a gardening firm, built up his own knowledge from there and now writes most of our garden content.