Your lawnmower can only do so much. When it comes it cutting down those overgrown patches of weeds and grass, you'll need a different gardening tool altogether.
Having the best cordless string trimmer is essential for proper lawn care. It ensures that you're able to trim those pesky weeds and keep them in line. These strings trimmers are lightweight, easy to use, and powerful. They'll have your lawn looking crisp and neat in no time.
Whether you're looking for a gas-powered model, battery-powered string trimmer, or electric string trimmers, having a quality cordless weed eater/weed whacker can make your mowing life easier.
We picked out the best cordless string trimmers and outlined features to consider when buying them.
Best Cordless String Trimmers
1. RYOBI 40-Volt
- Attachment capable: accepts RYOBI expand-it attachments and other...
- 40-Volt lithium-ion high capacity battery and 90-minutes charger...
- 13 in. to 15 in. adjustable cutting width for longer run time or...
- Reel-easy bump-feed string head for fast and easy reloading
- Variable speed trigger for cutting control
The Ryobi RY40250 is the best cordless string trimmer as it saves your money and storage space. The battery-powered weed eater features an attachment capable that accepts RYOBI expand-it attachments and other universal gas attachments.
The battery-powered string trimmer combines a mid-range battery power level with premium features that make the tool more versatile and convenient. Its equipped with a 40-Volt lithium-ion high capacity battery and comes inclusive of a 90-minutes charger.
The cordless electric string trimmer features a variable speed trigger for cutting control and an adjustable trimmer head that ranges from 13 to 15 inches wide for longer run time and a wider cutting path. This helps improve battery efficiency and makes it the best battery-powered string trimmer for open and tight spaces.
The battery-powered string trimmer features a Reel-easy bump-feed string head for fast and easy reloading. It's similar to the one used for most gas-powered models.
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2. BLACK+DECKER 40V String Trimmer
- High-performance 40V max Lithium ion Battery with state of charge...
- Power drive high-torque transmission gives you cutting power at...
- Automatic feed Spool - afs which automatically feeds trimmer line...
- Converts from trimmer to edger in seconds
This is the best cordless string trimmer for homeowners on a budget.
The 2-in-1 trimmer/edger costs about $100 and is equipped with a high-performance 40V MAX lithium-ion battery.
The battery-powered string trimmer is versatile and convenient in that it converts to an edger. It features an automatic feed spool, which eliminates constant stopping and starting while trimming by smoothly feeding trimmer line with no bumping required.
The weed whacker runs for about 40 minutes on a single charge. This is actually quite impressive for a battery-powered string trimmer.
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3. WORX WG191 56v
- Gas-like performance with zero emissions. Line diameter: 0.080...
- Variable speed control delivers additional runtime and powerful...
- Innovative Command Feed spool system offers on-demand line...
- Professional-grade trimmer line handles the toughest tasks
- Long-lasting MAX Lithium power with battery indicator
A 56 Volt lithium-ion battery powers the WORK191. The electric string trimmer has a gas-like performance with zero emissions.
The electric string trimmer holds a 0.08-inch thick string that can tackle thicker grass and weeds than most battery-powered models.
The battery-powered string trimmer is versatile enough for any yard. It has a variable speed control that delivers additional runtime. The trimmer head pivots from 0 to 90 degrees to provide any angle needed for trimming and edging. This allows you to trim the tight spots and uneven terrain.
The battery-powered weed eater features a set of removable, in-line wheels for an easy transition between professional trimming and precise edging. All you do is push the trimmer-to-edger button, which enables a seamless transition.
The WG191 cordless electric string trimmer gives you more control with the “Command Feed” line release feature, which allows you to let out more line and how much to let out with a button on the handle.
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4. EGO Power ST1521S
- High-performance 40V max Lithium ion Battery with state of charge...
- Power drive high-torque transmission gives you cutting power at...
- Automatic feed Spool - afs which automatically feeds trimmer line...
- Converts from trimmer to edger in seconds
The battery-powered string trimmer is pretty remarkable in that it's the industry's first trimmer with powered string rewinding. EGO refers to this functionality as Powerload. All you do is feed a precut length of string through the head and press the rewind button at the end of the shaft. Then, the string zooms into the head in seconds.
The cordless electric string trimmer is powered by a lithium battery and features a dual-line. The weed eater also has a variable speed control that allows you to control the 15-inch cutting swath easily.
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Features To Consider When Buying Best Cordless String Trimmers
a) Power Source
The power of cordless string trimmers is measured depending on its source. When looking for the best cordless string trimmer, you need to consider its power source as gas-powered tools are different from battery-powered string trimmers.
For gas-powered string trimmers, cubic centimeters (cc) refer to the engine's size. This directly impacts power output.
For battery-powered trimmers, the power output is measured based on the battery's voltage.
A larger engine(cc) or higher voltage battery (volts) will produce more power. This means that it can drive the string through thicker weeds and grass without getting bogged down.
Thus, the best battery-powered string trimmers tend to have higher voltage batteries. The same refers to the best gas models.
b) Weight
Grass trimmers can weigh more than 10 pounds which can be quite challenging for homeowners with limited upper body strength, such as seniors.
When searching for the best cordless string trimmers, it's essential to pay attention to the weight. You don't want to buy one that's too heavy and end up wearing yourself down every time you want to trim or edge the yard. You can do this by reading other customer reviews and seeing what they had to say on the weight.
Some cordless weed eaters feature a shoulder strap (which is often sold separately) that allows you to lighten the load on your arms and back.
c) Trim Width
Also known as the “swath width,” refers to how wide a path the cordless trimmer will cut through weeds in a single pass.
Many weed trimmers on the market today feature swath widths of 10 to 18 inches. The wider the width, the more power the weed whacker has, which often means that the trimmer will be heavier, requiring a larger and more powerful battery.
Cordless models with a large cutting head and swath mean you cover more ground in less time, allowing you to finish the work faster.
Gas models tend to have larger cutting swaths than electric models.
A smaller cutting head can, however, be helpful when maneuvering tight spots.
d) Line Diameter
Line diameter refers to how thick a string of a trimmer can hold. Thicker string tends to more durable and can cut through thicker and taller grass and weeds. The best cordless weed eaters tend to use thicker string. Ideally, if looking for a string trimmer for residential needs, a line that's 0.065 to 0.08 inches is sufficient. If you plan on doing heavy-duty work, then you may want to consider a professional-grade 0.095-inch or one that's even thicker.
e) Battery Type
It's all about power when it comes to running a string trimmer. Most battery-powered string trimmers run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, while a few accept nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more powerful, but NiCad batteries are less expensive. Lithium-ion batteries are smaller and tend to hold the charge longer.
The downside of NiCad batteries is their “memory effect,” which means that if the battery is used before it is fully charged—or if it’s recharged before its power depletes—it will remember the charge levels and won’t hold a longer charge in the future.
Thus, if you opt for a battery-powered string trimmer that has a NiCad battery, it's best if you let it charge fully before you use it and drain completely before charging.
Many users, however, prefer string trimmers with a Lithium-ion battery.
f) Voltage
Another important consideration is how much operating power the battery has. This is measured in volts. Rechargeable batteries tend to average from 18 volts up to 60 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the more powerful and expensive it is.
String trimmers that require higher voltage batteries tend to sell without them or battery chargers. Hence the user is required to purchase them separately. Lower voltage batteries are sufficient for powering many cordless trimmers, and one or two batteries tend to be included in the purchase.
g) Noise
Battery-powered string trimmers are quieter compared to gas trimmers. Gas trimmers tend to emit an average of 90 decibels, roughly the same loudness that a motorcycle makes when it passes by at a distance of 25 feet. In comparison, a cordless string trimmer emits approximately 77 decibels, comparable to the loudness of living room music.
h) Battery Life
Another crucial factor to consider is how long a cordless trimmer can run on one charge. Ideally, anything above half an hour is good, while some battery-powered tools can give you an hour or more without the need to be plugged in. Always think of the work you need to do and decide if the battery life of the unit you are considering will be enough.
i) One String or Two
Weed eaters can have either one cutting string or two. For heavy-duty work, consider the best cordless weed eater with dual strings as it will make it easier and faster to cut through tough grass and weeds.
Frequently Asked Question About Best Cordless String Trimmer (FAQ)
What is the difference between gas string trimmers and cordless trimmers?
Gas Trimmer
Gas-powered trimmers are considered the most powerful, even though other string trimmers are now beginning to catch up. They are, however, noisier, heavier, and tend to be more expensive in the long run as they require more maintenance. They are also not environmentally friendly since they burn gas.
Gas-powered trimmers are still the first choice for commercial-grade use but not homeowners.
Cordless String Trimmer
They are quiet and easy to use. They can be battery-powered or electric string trimmers. The beauty of cordless is not being attached to an extension cord. This makes it convenient and gives you a greater range.
The downside is that for battery-powered string trimmers, the batteries can sometimes not last very long. This means you have about 15 minutes of use. However, it depends on the model, as others can give you 30 minutes while others even more. They do tend to have rechargeable batteries.
It's a great option if you're looking for an option that's not noisy, not restrictive, and too heavy.
