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The best cordless string trimmer is going to have stellar battery life and a powerful motor. But with so many options available, where do you start?
Well, you can put your worries to rest. Today, we’re ranking the 10 best trimmers to make your hunt easier. Our entries detail what goes into making the perfect cordless string trimmer. After reading our reviews, we’re sure you’ll find one to fit your needs.
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There are a lot of great trimmers ranked, but DeWalt’s DCST920P1 came out on top as the best overall. It boasts great battery life, plenty of power, and quiet operation.
If you’re looking for a trimmer that’s easy to use, GreenWorks’ 2101602 is your best bet. It’s easy to start and gives you plenty of control as you trim.
Now that we have those covered, let’s move on to discuss each entry in greater detail. Whether you need a trimmer for light yard work or professional-strength, we have a model for you.
If you’re in need of weed-whacking power with longevity, DeWalt has you covered. Their DCST920P1 runs quietly thanks to its brushless motor. If you operate a lawn service, this definitely the cordless trimmer for you.
It’s a bit heavy, especially once you pop the battery in. But it’s not much heavier than many gas-powered trimmers. With the money you will be saving on costly fuels, what’s a little extra weight? To get the kind of power found in this DeWalt cordless trimmer, the added weight is understandable.
It runs on a peppy 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery. If you have other DeWalt tools that use this battery, you can interchange them. The great thing about this battery, though, is that you get up to a solid hour of run-time out of it.
This is easily accomplished on the trimmer’s low setting. You’ll affect the battery life on higher speeds. There’s a variable-speed trigger on the unit that lets you adjust how much power you get.
DeWalt’s patented gear-drive system allows the trimmer to reach RPMs of anywhere between 4,600 and 6,000.
You get a respectable 13-inch cutting swath. This is made possible thanks to the dual lines. You can only use 0.080-inch string, so make sure you take that into consideration. New line is fed through with a traditional bumping system.
With the raw trimming power you get from the DCST920P1, it would have been nice to see a large guard in place. This trimmer kicks back a lot of debris while it’s cutting. So you will most certainly need to dress accordingly.
At 14 pounds, this is a pretty heavy trimmer. You’ll likely want to give your arms a rest on occasion. It would have made a big difference had DeWalt included a shoulder strap to help you out.
Boasting decent battery run-time and ample cutting power, GreenWorks’ 2101602 cordless trimmer delivers where it matters.
You don’t get a brushless motor on the 12-inch model, which helps to bring the weight down compared to DeWalt’s DCST920P1. GreenWorks’ trimmer weighs about the same as a gallon of milk.
It may not sound like a lot, but you’ll begin to feel it after a while. It’s just fine for short tasks, though. This unit is well-balanced, too. This helps you manage jobs a lot easier.
GreenWorks went with a 40-volt lithium-ion battery this time around. You can expect to get around 30 minutes of run-time on a single charge. This battery is interchangeable with over 25 other GreenWorks power tools that use the same type.
The motor provided offers plenty of power to make short work of small to moderate brush. You get a dual-line system that cuts a 12-inch swath. This is a nice amount of trimmed area and should help move along your yard work at a decent clip.
When you need line, theirs is no bumping required. GreenWorks’ auto line-feed system provides extra line as you need it.
As easy as this model is to operate, it makes a great entry for first-time users. You get just the right balance of power and function so that nearly anyone can use it.
The auto line-feeding system lets you focus on the task at hand instead of bumping the unit. And with 30 minutes of total run-time, you can get more work done with less charging.
If you want a great value, WORX’s WG163 GT 3.0 delivers. Not only do you get a cordless trimmer, but it doubles as an edger. This will help you take care of you hard and driveway in no time flat.
Operation is smooth and quiet. You’ll be able to get work finished without disturbing your neighbors. The motor isn’t brushless, but it is powerful enough nonetheless.
Switching over to the edger mode is fast and efficient. The head tilts 90 degrees and it works quite well, too. A helpful feature is the inclusion of the Command Feed button. As its name suggests, this puts you in command of how much line is fed through and when.
Powering the unit is a 20-volt MaxLithium battery. It can be used with other 20-volt WORX power tools that are in the Power Share family.
The GT 3.0 is capable of hitting 7,600 RPMs. It gives you a trim swath of 12 inches. The cutting line measures 10 inches and uses a 0.065-inch string.
With this kit, you get an additional MaxLithium battery as well as a quick charger. This comes at a phenomenal value that you’d be hard-pressed to beat.
The only real downside to WORX’s GT3.0 lies in its construction. It’s not the most solid of units, with materials that leave much to be desired. Had they went with a higher-grade plastic, this would likely be the ultimate 2-in-1 trimmer.
It’s pretty versatile, actually. Since it weighs about just a little over eight pounds, you should have no trouble using it to trim and edge.
VonHaus provides its own 2-in-1 trimmer and edger model. It’s a capable unit that has enough nice features to warrant a look.
The head rotates 90 degrees and trims with a 9.8-inch path. You get a respectable amount of power, but with less than a 10-inch swath, you’ll be wishing you had something bigger.
We found that the EasyFeed trimmer works wonders on small properties. But if you have a lot of land to cover, this probably isn’t the one for you.
The overall weight isn’t bad and it has a really nice balance. Edging with the unit is highly effective. It quickly buzzed through grass and weeds thanks to the powerful motor. It isn’t brushless, but it still made relatively little noise when in use.
VonHaus used high-quality materials on the EasyFeed Trimmer. Everything feels solid and sturdy and held up quite well.
You get RPMs anywhere between 8,000 and 9,000. There’s a safety guard and edge guard in place to prevent debris from kicking up while you trim and edge. This also serves to protect delicate vegetation from getting damaged.
A powerful 40-volt lithium-ion battery delivers between 30 and 45 minutes of run-time. Recharging the battery to full takes just 75 minutes.
This is a compact trimmer that is ergonomic and easy to handle. It’s a breeze to maneuver around the yard, too. You’ll just want to make sure it’s adequate for the size of yard you’ll be using it on.
It’s a nicely-balanced trimmer that’s easy to manage thanks to its ergonomic design. The handle uses a soft grip to make use comfortable.
The BLACK+DECKER LST136W is a highly-capable entry. It features excellent cutting power and long battery life in a lightweight body.
You get a nicely-sized swath of 13 inches that will make any job go faster. And, the handle is equipped with a two-speed trigger that allows you to adjust how much power goes into each job. You can set it either MAX power or MAX run-time.
The LST136W is definitely one of the lightest units among our rankings. At only 6.8 pounds, you’ll have no trouble getting your yard work finished in a timely manner. If you’re looking for a trimmer that’s easy on your body, this is the one for you.
A huge bonus here is the easy transition from trimmer to edger. All it takes is a quick twist to change modes. It’s a fairly versatile cordless trimmer that enables you to get the most out of it in as little time possible.
If you’re not in need of a commercial-strength trimmer, BLACK+DECKER’s entry should serve you well. Small to medium jobs are handled with ease thanks to the lightweight 2-in-1 design.
The construction of this unit stands out. You can tell a lot of heart went into crafting a quality trimmer. It holds up well and never feels cheap or flimsy.
You get a 40-volt lithium-ion battery to power the unit. You should get a little under an hour of use on the trimmer’s lowest setting. At its highest, you’re looking at around 15 minutes. That’s a pretty wide margin.
Nearly anyone can manage the lightweight design. This makes BLACK+DECKER’s LST136W trimmer the perfect choice for those with trouble lifting.
Toro uses a brushless motor in the PowerPlex 51482 and it shows. You get a great deal of power that chews through stubborn brush with relative ease.
This usually means the motor will last longer and run quieter. A durable cast-aluminum head serves to increase the trimmer’s life, as well. Controlling the brushless motor is done by using a variable-speed trigger. You can adjust to get either more power or a longer running time.
The unit is powered by a 40-volt lithium-ion battery. You can expect to get around 40 minutes of use on a single charge. When it comes time to recharge the battery, the quick charger will top it off in just 60 minutes.
You get an adjustable handle to make controlling the trimmer easier to fit your preference. This helps to give the unit great balance, as well. A nice bonus here is the folding shaft. It allows you to fold it completely in half for easier storage.
This isn’t the most powerful trimmer out there, but it’s certainly adequate in getting some light trim work done around the house. It has a huge swath of 14 inches. And the battery life is commendable, too.
Nice balance, an adjustable handle, and good battery life. It sounds like a winning combination. If you aren’t looking for a powerhouse, this may be a great choice for you.
Makita makes the list with a long-running trimmer in the XRU09PT. This model is powered by two 18-volt LXT batteries for 36 total volts.
You get two speed options on to give you either more power or longer run-time. It’s a nice trade-off that lets you decide the best route for each job.
The XRU09PT is capable of delivering a total of 60 minutes of running time. With longevity like this, you’ll be able to easily complete most tasks on time. To help with this, Makita gives you a wide 13 ¾-inch trimming swath to work with.
Makita’s trimmer runs anywhere between 5,000 and 6,500 RPMs, depending on your preferred setting. Its constant speed control system works to minimize reduced motor speeds. This ensures that you get steady performance at all times with no drop in power.
Makita went with an outer-rotor BL brushless motor with a direct-drive system. This is what gives you such high performance and quiet operation. And when you need extra line, just use the built-in bump-feed system.
With its variable-speed control, you get to decide how much power goes into each task. And with up to 60 minutes of run-time, getting yard work done is quicker and easier than ever.
Ryobi’s RY40220 trimmer is a rather unique entry. It is able to take attachments using Ryobi’s Expand-It system. You can turn your trimmer into an edger, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, and more.
It’s an interesting system that can make your trimmer much more versatile. We’re here to talk about the trimmer, though. So, how does it stack up?
Well, there is no brushless motor, so you’ll see a reduction in power compared to other brands. You do get the benefit of Ryobi’s Reel-Easy system, and it is very fast and effective. Just bump the trimmer to get extra line on the fly.
You get an impressive 15-inch cutting swath. The largest among our listings, this is sure to help speed up your work with its massive line.
You can expect to get a little more noise since there is not a brushless motor on this unit. It’s not the worst out there, but it’s definitely a bit louder than other entries.
Ryobi includes nice warranties with the trimmer. You get five years of limited coverage on the trimmer, and three years on the battery.
Simple button-starting lets you get right to work. Ryobi’s trimmer is a bit on the heavy side when the battery is attached, but it’s still under 12 pounds.
Kobalt is back with the 80-volt version of their cordless trimmer. It’s a respectable entry that boasts plenty of power and great running time. It’s just a bit on the pricey side. If it wasn’t for that, this unit would rank higher.
You can look forward to 60 solid minutes of run-time thanks to the huge battery that comes with the trimmer. It’s nice that you can adjust the swath to either 14- or 16-inches.
A powerful brushless motor provides strong cutting power. It can easily take care of thick brush and weeds.
Kobalt went with the bump-feed system here and it works quite well. It can use either 0.080- or 0.095-inch line.
With a variable-speed control, you get to choose how much power is used. More power will drain the battery faster. But at least you get onboard lights to let you know when it’s time to recharge.
Kobalt includes warranties for both the battery and charger. You get a five-year limited trimmer warranty and a three-year limited battery warranty.
With the cutting power of a gas trimmer, Kobalt’s 80-volt unit is a beast. This model is recommended for those doing commercial and heavy-duty work.
WORX makes the list again, this time with the WG191.9. It packs a 56-volt battery, which you think would provide plenty of power. Sadly, it’s only adequate and best used for small jobs.
The WG191.9 is capable of both trimming and edging. But due to the short battery life, you’ll often find yourself needing to recharge between jobs.
If you don’t have a great deal of work to complete, this may serve you well. Anything larger, though, and you’ll want to steer clear.
So, why did it make the list? It’s very affordable. It’s not a bad budget trimmer if you don’t have a lot to trim. But it will struggle with thick brush and weeds.
It does have a nicely-sized cutting swath of 13 inches. So you’ll be able to take care of your light trimming in quick order.
This is also due to the fact that WORX went with a single-line trim system instead of dual. It has decent noise control and is comfortable to hold. It’s also lightweight, weighing in at just nine pounds.
Its lightweight body and ergonomic design make the WG191.9 easy to maneuver. If you’re only going to be doing occasional light trimming, this unit should serve you well for its price.
You’ve decided to maintain your lawn, but you don’t want to drag a massive cord behind you. Cordless string trimmers are an excellent choice, but there are too many of them on the market.
Finding the best one can be a tedious task that could waste a couple of days of your time.
Fortunately, we have spent plenty of time researching cordless string trimmers. We have gathered all of the relevant data and presented it for you.
Before you go out and buy a new cordless string trimmer, you need to know that you have two choices.
Before you can purchase a new cordless weed whacker, you need to make an important decision.
There are two types of trimmer shafts on the market.Straight shaft string trimmers, and curved shaft string trimmers.
Straight shaft models are common, and you won’t have any problems finding them. They are excellent for reaching under the fence and other tight spaces. Another useful feature is a telescopic shaft. If you need more reach, simply adjust the shaft and you will be good to go. Straight shaft string trimmers are suited for tall people. The design of the shaft allows tall people to do their work without the need to bend over.
Curved shaft string trimmers aren’t as common as their straight-shaft counterparts. Reaching small corners with a curved shaft can be tricky, but it is possible. Curved shafts are good when you want to trim weed and grass in open areas. Short people will find cordless string trimmers with curved shafts easy to use. They allow short people to keep the cutting head at a 90-degree angle to the ground.
There are two different systems that feed the string to the trimmer. The bump-feed allows you to tap the head of the tool on the ground, which provides you with more string.
An automatic-feed does all the work for you. As soon as the string breaks off, the string feed system delivers more string out of the spool.
There is nothing wrong with any of the two feed systems, but the string needs to be delivered smoothly. You should look for a weed whacker that has an easy-to-replace spool, or a spool that allows you to easily load a new line.
Now that you know which type of a trimmer suits you, as well as which shaft is the right one for you, you only need to know a few more things. Consider the following few things, and you will be able to find a good cordless string trimmer.