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Sure, a lawn mower handles most of your grass-cutting duties, but it isn’t designed to tackle the detailed work that gives your lawn a finished look. That’s where a battery string trimmer comes in.
These cordless tools create neat and tidy lawn edges around walkways, driveways, and along fences. And, with advancements in cordless tool technology, most are more than powerful enough for the average homeowner’s needs. Some are even capable of cleaning up knee-high weeds and brush almost as well as gas-powered models.
Read on to find out which features you should consider when shopping for one of these power tools and check out our reviews for the best battery string trimmers we recommend.
The Best Battery String Trimmers
Best Overall: Husqvarna 330iKL Combi Switch Battery String Trimmer
Most Powerful: Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Cordless Trimmer
Best Value: Greenworks 24-Volt 13-Inch Telescopic Shaft Battery String Trimmer
Best for Heavy-Duty Jobs: Echo eForce 56V Cordless Battery String Trimmer
Easiest to Use: Ego ST 1623T String Trimmer
What to Consider
Speed
A cordless trimmer’s ability to knock down weeds is based on two factors: the trimming line’s thickness and the speed at which the head and line spin around. Battery-powered models that spin at around 5,000 RPMs trim grass and light weeds. Higher-end models that reach speeds of 6,200 RPMs or more are capable of taking down denser brush.
Motor
Of course, the size of the motor impacts how fast the string trimmer head spins. Hedge trimmer motors range in size from 20-volt models up to large 80-volt monsters. A 20-volt trimmer may be adequate for small trimming jobs on a quarter acre or less, but for taller weeds, we suggest investing in a model with 36 volts or more.
Battery Capacity
Cordless mowers use lithium-ion batteries that range in capacity from around 2 Ah up to 5 Ah or more. The greater the battery capacity the longer the estimated runtime you’ll get. Whereas a 2 Ah battery might get you 40 minutes of estimated runtime a larger battery may provide enough juice for an hour or more.
Line Thickness
The maximum thickness of the line the trimmer uses also determines its weed-cutting ability. Trimmers with thinner 0.065- to 0.080-inch-diameter lines are fine for grass borders, but for slicing through thicker weeds and brush a 0.095-inch line or larger is the way to go. A thicker line also holds up better for trimming along walks, driveways, and other surfaces that wear out small-diameter trimmer lines more quickly. Keep in mind that thicker lines require more power to spin, which decreases a cordless trimmer’s runtime.
Cutting Width
Trimmers with a wider cutting width cover ground more quickly. Trimmer cutting widths typically range from about a foot for smaller, light-duty models up to 16 inches for heavy-duty trimmers. If you’re using your trimmer as a companion to your mower to edge around landscaping and fences, then a narrower cutting width will suffice. But if you’re using a trimmer to manage a slope or wider area, go for a trimmer that cuts a broader swath.
Keep in mind that a wider cutting width demands more power and hence a larger motor to turn the head at a high enough rate to slash through grass and weeds.
Line Feed
How a trimmer feeds out line can determine how quickly you get the job done. Some trimmers have a manual feed that requires you to stop the trimmer and manually pull out more line as it wears out, which can slow you down if you’ve got a lot of ground to cover. With a bump-feed trimmer, all you have to do is tap the head on the ground to feed out more line. There are also trimmers that have a button on the handle that releases line as you go. Higher-end trimmers have an automatic feed that senses when the line is wearing out and automatically releases more.
If you only have light trimming to do, you can usually get away with a manual-feed trimmer. For bigger trimming jobs or those that involve edging, which wears out line faster, go with a bump, press-button or automatic system—all of which eliminate the need to stop and manually feed line.
How We Selected
We used a mix of testing and product research to make our selections of the the best battery string trimmers. For products we tested, we put them to work on common lawn grasses to see how they performed for the average yard before taking them into wilder environments to test them on thick, knee-deep weeds and brush. We also spent time edging along sidewalks. The focus of our testing was on cutting power, runtime, and ease of use.
For products we did not test, we relied on our own extensive experience with these machines while comparing specs for each model. We also read through dozens of customer reviews to see how others who bought and used these machines on their lawns felt about them. Our list runs the gamut, from light-duty string trimmers for small yards to heavy-duty models that can handle everyday use.
330iKL Combi Switch Battery String Trimmer
We’ve had the chance to test drive a few Husqvarna battery string trimmers and, like its chainsaws, they don’t disappoint. The 330iKL was a beast during testing. We used it to thrash through knee-high weeds running along a paved path. Vegetation was no match for its 36-volt battery and 0.95-inch line. With its 18-inch cutting width, it cuts the broadest swath of any cordless trimmer we tested.
With a cooling system that extends battery life, we were able to trim for an extended time before needing to pause for a recharge. And when we ran out of line, loading a replacement was fast and easy thanks to Husqvarna’s quick-switch head. The 3iLK is pricey, but it’s also the highest performing string trimmer out there that doesn’t have a gas engine.
24-Volt 13-Inch Telescopic Shaft Battery String Trimmer
Cordless string trimmers can cost upwards of $300, which may not make sense if your trimming needs are relatively small. Greenworks gives you a lot of bang for your buck with this model.
It’s equipped with a 24-volt battery and a 4.0-Ah battery, which gives it enough juice to run for up to 45 minutes—ample time for most quarter-acre properties. It has a bump line feed and the handle twists, making it as easy to use as an edger. There’s also a variable speed control trigger, so you can cut the speed depending on what objects and plants you’re working around.
Sure, it uses a thinner.080-inch trim line and has a narrower 13-inch cutting width. But if you only need to trim borders around your lawn and cut down light weeds, it’s a worthy, affordable option.
M18 Fuel String Cordless Battery Trimmer
Milwaukee produces some of the most powerful and well built cordless power tools in the business, so it comes as little surprise that its M18 Fuel string trimmer is one of the best 18-volt models you can find.
With two 18-volt batteries powering it, it cuts a 17-inch-wide swath and reaches speeds of up to 6,200 rpm. Couple that speed with its 0.095-inch diameter line, and the Milwaukee packs a powerful punch. Just keep in mind that you’ll need two chargers if you want to recharge the batteries quickly.
Other notable features include a trimmer head that makes loading line a breeze and a variable speed trigger that lets you slow the trimming speed when working around wood fencing, trees, and landscaping.
Just be prepared to get a workout as the M18 Fuel string trimmer weighs a hefty 17 pounds with batteries.
eForce 56V Cordless Battery String Trimmer
When we put the 56-volt Echo cordless string trimmer to the test, we admittedly had high expectations given this brand’s reputation for making professional-level yard care power tools. We weren’t disappointed.
We went to town on dense tall weeds and the Echo sliced through everything from tall grass to thick briars. It runs for a long time too, with a 5.0-Ah battery that gives it nearly two hours of estimated runtime.
The Echo can finesse trimming as well, thanks to a two-speed design that allowed us to throttle back to avoid slicing into bark while trimming around a few trees.
Sure, at 12 pounds with the battery, the Echo is nearly as heavy as a gas-powered trimmer. But if you’re looking for a battery string trimmer that can handle heavy-duty use, this is the one.
ST 1623T Battery String Trimmer
Feeding out string and reloading it is easily the most frustrating part of using a string trimmer. Ego makes both easy with its 1623T model. Line automatically feeds out as you go, so you don’t need to manually pull it out, tap the head, or work a button. And when it’s time to replace more line, all you need to do is feed it into the head and press a rewind button on the shaft to load it in seconds.
This trimmer doesn’t chinch on power either. During our tests, we had no trouble slicing through grass and weeds alike thanks to its powerful 56-volt brushless motor and heavy-duty 0.095-inch line. We also appreciated the two-speed selector on the handle that allowed us to slow the head while trimming around delicate shrubs.
That power coupled with those user friendly features make the Ego worth its steep price tag.
Power Share GT 20-Volt Max 12-Inch Battery String Trimmer
Spending hundreds of dollars on a battery-powered string trimmer for a small yard doesn’t make much sense. This Worx model can get a job done at a fraction of the price of other battery string trimmers.
No, this 20-volt trimmer, with its small diameter.065 line and narrow cutting width isn’t going to approach the weed-thrashing power of the higher end string trimmers on this list, but it can handle trimming grass along borders between landscaping or a sidewalk.
Plus, it costs less than $100 and weighs just 5 pounds, so it’s easier on your wallet and your back. Plus, it has user-friendly features that aid in feeding line or twisting the handle for edging. It’s the perfect budget option for light-duty jobs.
80-Volt 16-Inch Straight Shaft Battery String Trimmer
Lowe’s in-house brand has made a name for itself by putting out cordless tools with tons of power—and this string trimmer is a great example of that. Equipped with a massive 80-volt battery and 0.095- inch trimming line, it’s robust enough to hack through thicker vegetation.
With the included 2.5-Ah battery, you get a max 60 minutes of estimated runtime. The Kobalt also gives you versatility with the cutting head. Go with the wider 16-inch setting for max coverage or narrow it to 14 inches to maximize cutting speed. There’s also a rapid reload feature on the head that makes trading out line a faster process, plus a hi-low speed switch for trimming around trees.
If you want power at a reasonable price, this battery string trimmer is the model to get.
40-Volt Brushless Cordless Carbon-Fiber String Trimmer
Ryobi’s string trimmer may not be quite tough enough to qualify as a heavy-duty level tool, but it’s darn close. After a brief warm-up trimming grass, we put it to the test on some denser and taller weeds to see how much it could handle. Turns out it handled a lot.
It slashed through weeds effortlessly thanks to a 40-volt motor that puts out great torque and a beefy.095-inch trimming line. Reloading the line using the included rewinding tool that fits over the bump feed head was easy. We also appreciated the Ryobi’s comparably lighter weight, made possible by its carbon fiber drive shaft tube.
It’s also compatible with Ryobi’s Expand-It line of attachments, so you can convert it to work as a hedge trimmer, pruner, and other pieces of outdoor yard equipment by purchasing these accessories.
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