Multi-purpose tools are often a compromised solution—they can do multiple things decently, but perhaps not as well as a dedicated tool. The compromise with the Ryobi Expand-It system is having a tool base that runs a variety of different implement heads, saving space compared to having all of those implements as separate, dedicated tools. If storage is at a premium in your garage, Expand-It and similar systems offer a flexible solution.

With the grass finally starting to grow, I tested out the Ryobi Expand-It string trimmer to see if it could hold up to the rigors (okay, that may be exaggerating a bit) of maintaining my half-acre suburban property.

Once assembled, the Expand-It string trimmer is a full-length straight-shaft string trimmer. Two string ends emerge from the head, and the line is advanced with a strong bump of the head onto the ground. This is how most other trimmers work, those used by regular homeowners and professionals alike.

I haven’t used a ton of string trimmers in my life, but replenishing string in this machine is easy and takes just a few steps.

1. Remove the battery for safety.
2. Turn the head’s cap to align a couple of marks with corresponding ones on its base
3. Feed your line into the hole on one side and out through the other (aligning the marks in the previous steps lines up the winding mechanism with the holes that the string emerges from).
4. Pull your line out so that you have about 4 feet on each side—if you are feeding from a bulk package, you’ll need to cut the line once you’ve reached the desired length.
5. Turn the head cap in the direction listed to wind the string in.

I use a string trimmer to trim grass along the perimeter of my property, along my fence, and around my garden beds, with either direct transitions to mulch or with a stone border. I also edge along my driveway and where my grass meets the road. For these purposes and in these scenarios, I was impressed with the capability of this tool. The string whips around quickly and forcefully. It’s strong enough that, if you’re not careful, you could cause damage to fencing or wooden barriers.

The Expand-It trimmer made quick and easy work of my edging and did a nice job trimming around my lawn border areas. Never once did I feel like this tool was a compromise in any way. Additionally, the 40-volt battery platform the tool runs on is plenty powerful, and you can fit any capacity battery depending on what you have and how much work you are doing.

If you are a homeowner with limited space for yard tools and don’t need a ton of big equipment, the Expand-It system is a good option. I think this setup would be especially handy if you own a townhouse, where you likely don’t have a ton of property but do have some that needs to be maintained, and storage space is at a premium.

With this system, you can get attachments like a hedge trimmer, pole saw, and gutter blower, among others. And when winter comes, you can slip on the electric snow shovel attachment to clear off your walkway or patio.

There’s value in not dedicating all of your storage space to lawn and garden tools, and Ryobi’s Expand-It system capitalizes on that. Fortunately, you can save some space and still have a top-quality string trimmer that can handle whatever you put it up to.