Quick verdict
A 22cc two-cycle curved-shaft trimmer with a 17-inch cutting width, a twin-line Tap N' Go head, a low-noise engine, Smart Start and an air purge bulb. It suits a homeowner with a tidy lot who wants gas reliability without gas weight. The caveat is that a curved shaft does not reach under shrubs well and cannot take attachments.
Strengths
- 22cc engine Husqvarna describes as low noise
- Smart Start and air purge for easier pulling
- Twin-line Tap N' Go head feeds with a bump
- 17-inch cutting width covers ground quickly
- Curved shaft is compact and easy around obstacles
Weaknesses
- Curved shaft cannot take attachments
- Two-cycle engine needs mixed fuel
- Weight and line diameter not stated in the listing
- 22cc is modest for heavy weeds
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Who this trimmer is for
Plenty of homeowners want a gas trimmer for the simple reason that it runs as long as there is fuel in the tank and it is not tied to a battery platform. The Husqvarna 122C is the light end of that market: a 22cc two-cycle engine, a curved shaft and a 17-inch cutting width, built for trimming edges, fence lines and bed borders on a typical lot rather than clearing a field.
This review is based on the maker’s published specifications and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run this product ourselves.
What you get
The listing covers the trimmer with its Tap N’ Go twin-line head under part number 966712703. Husqvarna states a 22cc two-cycle engine it describes as low noise, a 17-inch cutting width, Smart Start, an air purge bulb and a head that spins counterclockwise. Weight, line diameter and fuel tank size are not given in the listing; the manual on Husqvarna’s site has them, and it is worth a look if you are choosing between this and a battery model on weight alone.
Cutting and the Tap N’ Go head
A 17-inch swath is wide for a 22cc engine, and the twin-line head does the work of two strands at once. In weekly grass along a sidewalk or around a mailbox that is plenty, and owners describe the head feeding reliably with a tap on the ground. Where 22cc shows its limit is in thick, wet or woody growth: the engine note drops, the line wears fast and the sensible move is to take narrower bites. The counterclockwise spin throws clippings to the left, so keep the right edge of the swath to the fence and the debris falls away from your legs.
Starting and running
Two-cycle trimmers earned a reputation for hard starting, and Husqvarna’s Smart Start and air purge are aimed squarely at that. The purge bulb pulls fuel into the carburetor so the first pulls are not wasted drawing it up, and Smart Start reduces the effort on the cord. Owners report the usual routine of a few pulls on choke and one off, which is normal for the class. Mix the fuel fresh, run the carburetor dry before a long layoff or use a stabilized premix, and the engine will keep starting for years.
Build, handling and ergonomics
The curved shaft keeps the head close and the whole tool short, which makes it easy to swing around planters, posts and vehicles. The trade-off is reach: a curved shaft does not get under low shrubs or over a slope edge the way a straight shaft does, and it cannot take attachments. Husqvarna is a maker with a dealer network and parts supply behind it, which matters more for a gas tool than a battery one; carburetors, primers and heads are all serviceable.
Living with it
Expect the chores that come with any two-cycle engine: mixed fuel, a spark plug every season or two, an air filter to tap out, and the Tap N’ Go head to rewind when the spool runs out. Keep spare line of the diameter the manual specifies. Noise and exhaust are part of the deal, so hearing protection and daylight hours apply. Husqvarna publishes a consumer warranty for the 122 series; check the current terms on the product page.
Alternatives to Consider
The Husqvarna 122LK is the same 22cc engine on a straight shaft that takes attachments, for anyone who wants an edger or pole saw later. The Echo SRM-225 is a straight-shaft 21cc trimmer with a strong reputation for starting and longevity. If the fuel mixing puts you off, the EGO Power+ ST1511T is a 15-inch battery trimmer that covers the same lot with a 2.5 Ah pack.
Verdict
Buy the Husqvarna 122C if you want a light gas trimmer from a brand with real dealer support, your lot is tidy rather than wild, and you value a short curved shaft that is easy to swing around obstacles. Skip it if you need to reach under shrubs, want attachments, or would rather plug in a battery than mix fuel.
Full specifications
Husqvarna 122C 22cc 2-Cycle 17-Inch Curved Shaft Gas String Trimmer FAQs
It is a two-cycle engine, so it runs on gasoline mixed with two-cycle oil. Husqvarna small engines typically use a 50:1 mix; confirm the ratio in the manual and use fresh fuel.
No. The curved shaft is a fixed trimmer. Husqvarna's attachment-capable models are the straight-shaft LK series, such as the 122LK.
Husqvarna states the head spins counterclockwise. That throws debris to the left, so work with the right edge of the swath along the fence and clippings fall away from you.
Husqvarna calls the engine low noise but does not publish a decibel figure in the listing. Any two-cycle trimmer is louder than a battery model, so hearing protection is still sensible.
