The best battery string trimmer for most homes is the Greenworks ST80L210, a brushless 80V kit with a 14 or 16 inch swath and a quick recharge, though its 2.0Ah pack is small. On my 3.7-acre orchard I trim tree-row strips, fence lines and the lawn around the house, and I judge each kit by the minutes a pack gives me and the weight in my hands at the end of a long edge.
The Greenworks Pro 80V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer leads nine cordless kits I rank, and I then show how to choose one and how to charge and use it safely.
Best Battery String Trimmer 2026: 9 Cordless Picks I Put to Work
These nine kits cover a lawn edge, a fence line, a tree row and a long boundary, on batteries from 18V to 80V. Every review says who should skip the tool.
1. Greenworks Pro 80V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer Best Overall
The Greenworks ST80L210 is the battery trimmer I recommend first, because it pairs a brushless 80V motor with a 14 or 16 inch swath, 7.1 lb without the battery and a pack that Greenworks says recharges in 30 minutes. It suits a homeowner with a lawn, a fence line, a few beds and a row of trees to edge, and it is the best battery string trimmer on this page for most of those yards.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
It earns first place because it gives a homeowner a brushless trimmer with a real 16 inch swath and a charger that does not hold up the afternoon. The small pack is the price of that speed. If your longest edge is more than one pack covers, buy a second pack and keep one on the charger.
Greenworks Pro 80V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer Specs
Key Features:
- Brushless 80V motor: Greenworks says it needs virtually no maintenance, so upkeep comes down to clean vents and fresh line.
- 14 or 16 inch swath: With the battery out, a half turn of the guard’s cut-off blade changes the cutting circle, so one tool covers a narrow strip and an open lawn.
- Variable speed trigger: More squeeze gives more speed, so you can ease along a fence and open up on a lawn edge.
- Bump feed head: Tap it on bare ground and the line advances, then the guard’s blade trims it to length.
- 30 minute recharge: Greenworks gives that time for the kit charger, and a three-light gauge on the pack shows what is left.
- Straight aluminum shaft: The two pieces lock at a coupler, and the straight line lets the head reach under a fence rail or a hedge base.
- 4 year warranty: It covers the tool and the battery for personal use, which is longer than most kits on this page.
The swath was the first thing I changed. The trimmer ships set at 14 inches, and turning the guard’s cut-off blade 180 degrees gives 16. I switch off, wait for the head to stop and take the battery out before I touch the blade. On the lawn edge beside the house I use 16, and in the tree-row strips I drop back to 14, where I would rather take one more pass than clip a trunk. If I force the head into thick growth, the motor stops until I back off, and it restarts once the load is gone.
Greenworks says up to 45 minutes on the 2.0Ah pack and gives no test conditions, so I read it as a ceiling. The three-light gauge on the pack is what I watch, and the quick recharge means the pack is ready again before I have finished clearing the path. At 7.1 lb without the battery it feels heavier toward the end of a long edge than the figure suggests, because Greenworks does not publish the weight with the pack on.
The second job was the edge where the lawn meets the concrete work pad and the packed gravel. Stone, brick, curbs and wood wear nylon line quickly, as the manual warns, and the line shortened faster there than along the soft strip edge. I tap the head on bare soil and never on the gravel, which would chew the head. The manual says to cut from right to left so thrown debris goes away from you, and I follow it, but it has no edging mode, so I never turn it on its side to cut a trench.
Switch off, wait for the head to stop and take the battery out, then open the head. Load a single piece of 0.080 in. line, up to 25 ft, and bend it at the midpoint into the slot in the center of the spool. Then wind it clockwise, and keep the line off the ground while you do.
Switch off, let the head stop, then remove the battery before you turn the blade for the swath, clear grass from the head or change line. Greenworks asks for safety glasses with side shields marked ANSI Z87.1 and for bystanders, children and pets to stay at least 50 ft away, so I stop when someone walks closer and wear ear protection, long pants and sturdy boots as well.
The pack charges between 45 and 104 F, and if it is warm after work I let it cool outside the charger before I plug it in. The manual says no rain, no damp and no charging in wet places, so the trimmer lives in the tool shed on a dry shelf. Greenworks says the same 80V pack fits more than 75 of its tools, which matters only if you buy into that line. The line is the limit: the head takes only 0.080 in. or thinner, so there is no heavier line for the woody weeds along the ditch.
This is the one for a house lawn with fences, beds and a tree row, where a wide swath and a quick recharge save more time than a big pack would. Skip it if you want attachments, a heavier line for woody weeds, or a large pack in the box. The warranty does not cover rental or commercial work.
FINAL VERDICT
The ST80L210 suits edging done in sections, where a fast recharge counts for more than a big pack. It gives up a large pack and attachments for a brushless motor and a swath you can set to the job.
It is the battery trimmer I recommend to most homeowners.
2. Milwaukee M18 FUEL QUIK-LOK String Trimmer Kit Best Premium
The Milwaukee 2825-21ST is the premium pick because one M18 FUEL power head with a trimmer attachment already in the box can later take Milwaukee’s edger, hedge trimmer and pole saw attachments. The kit comes with an 8.0Ah pack and a Rapid Charger. It is for someone who wants a trimmer today and a modular tool kit tomorrow.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Second place goes to it for the QUIK-LOK coupling and the XC8.0 pack in the box. The coupling and the big pack are what you pay for. If you will never use a second attachment, you are paying for a feature you do not use.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL QUIK-LOK String Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- QUIK-LOK coupling: The trimmer attachment locks onto the power head, and the same head takes Milwaukee’s edger, hedge trimmer and pole saw attachments.
- XC8.0 battery: The kit includes an 8.0Ah M18 pack and a Rapid Charger, so you can start work out of the box.
- Rear-mounted motor: Milwaukee puts the motor at the rear of the shaft for balance, so the head end does not feel heavy.
- Two speeds with a variable trigger: The speed button picks Low, up to 4,900 rpm, or High, up to 6,200 rpm, and the trigger varies speed inside each.
- Two line sizes: The head takes 0.080 in. or 0.095 in. spiral line, so you can match the line to lawn edges or to a fence line.
- Easy Load head: Milwaukee says the line loads in under 30 seconds, with no disassembly of the spool.
- Overload and heat protection: The REDLINK PLUS electronics guard the tool and the pack from overload, overheating and over-discharge.
Milwaukee’s manual says to hold the head just above the ground, swing side to side and keep the angled head at least 12 inches from any part of your body. I use Low, up to 4,900 rpm, along the flowering strips and the lawn edge, and High, up to 6,200 rpm, for the dense stand by the hedgerow. In long growth I make several shallow passes. To change the swath from 14 to 16 inches, I switch off, wait for the head to stop, take the battery out and turn the line cut-off blade 180 degrees.
Milwaukee gives no run time or weight for this kit, so I quote neither. The kit’s XC8.0 is an 8.0Ah pack, and the motor sits at the rear. That balance is the first thing I noticed in the hands: the head end stays light when I reach under the hedgerow base. The manual asks for the shoulder strap, an accessory, with the larger-capacity packs, and I clip it on for the long rows.
The line size is the detail I use most. I load 0.080 in. spiral line, 25 ft of it, for the house lawn, and 0.095 in., 20 ft, along the fence line where the weeds are stiffer. Both are on the maker’s list, and any other size can degrade performance or damage the trimmer. Milwaukee says to avoid ornamental trees, shrubs, siding and fence posts, so I keep the head off the bark of the young plum and apricot trunks, and it is not an edger, so I never tilt it to a right angle to the ground.
Check that the exposed line does not reach past the cut-off blade on the guard. Longer line than the blade allows loads the motor and shortens the swath you can trust.
Before you change line, turn the blade or clear the head, switch off, wait for the head to stop and take out the battery. The manual asks for ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, hearing protection, heavy long pants, long sleeves, boots and bystanders at least 50 ft away, and I keep the guard and front handle on and never fit a blade.
Milwaukee says never to bump the spool too hard or drag the cover along the ground, so I tap it gently on bare soil. After about 50 hours of use the attachment gearcase needs up to 0.4 oz of Type Y grease, and the manual asks you to return the tool, battery and charger for inspection after six months to a year of use. Keep it indoors and dry, away from fertilizer and chemicals, and never hose it down. The attachment list is short and Milwaukee-only.
It fits an owner of M18 tools, or one who plans to be, who wants one power head for trimming plus other attachments, with a large pack in the box. Skip it if you want edging from the trimmer itself, attachments from other brands or a mid-range price. The attachments are extra purchases.
FINAL VERDICT
The 2825-21ST is the trimmer for an owner who sees the power head as the investment. You pay premium for the pack and the coupling, and you get a balanced trimmer that grows into a hedge trimmer or a pole saw.
It is the premium trimmer I keep for the M18 shelf.
3. CRAFTSMAN V20 RP 5.0Ah String Trimmer Kit Best Value
The CRAFTSMAN CMCST930P1 is the best value battery string trimmer on this page for a household that wants a large pack in a mid-range kit: it comes with a 5.0Ah V20 battery, a charger and a swath you can set to 11 or 13 inches. CRAFTSMAN states up to 75 minutes on that pack, a figure it gives for no load, low speed and the 11 inch swath. It is a plain, honest lawn trimmer, and it is not an edger.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Third place goes to it because a 5.0Ah pack in a mid-range kit is a hard offer to beat for a home lawn. Value here means a large pack in the box for a modest outlay. It is built for household trimming, so it does not edge, takes no attachments and CRAFTSMAN lists no heavy-growth rating.
CRAFTSMAN V20 RP 5.0Ah String Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- 5.0Ah battery in the box: It is the largest pack CRAFTSMAN sells in this trimmer kit, which gives you longer between charges than a 2.0Ah starter pack.
- 11 or 13 inch swath: Moving the guard’s line cut-off blade to the other position changes the cutting circle, so you can use a narrow setting at the strip edge.
- Two speeds: LO is for larger jobs and longer run time, HI is for heavier growth, and HI shortens run time.
- Push-button line feed: Hold the button while trimming to put out more line, and the head stops cutting while the button is pressed.
- 0.080 in. twisted line: It is thicker than the 0.065 in. line of the older CRAFTSMAN models, so it holds up better on a fence line.
- Battery gauge: Press and hold the button on the pack and LEDs show the charge level.
- Wall hook: The tool carries a built-in hook that works with CRAFTSMAN’s VERSATRACK wall system, sold separately.
I put the push-button feed to work along the house lawn and the ends of the tree rows. You press the button, line comes out and the head stops cutting while you hold it, so I press in short bursts until the line reaches the guard and not past it. Overfeeding eats line quickly, and the manual says the same.
CRAFTSMAN states up to 75 minutes, and that figure is for no load, low speed and the 11 inch swath, the lightest work the pack will ever do. I do not plan an afternoon around it. HI speed shortens the run, so I keep LO for the long, easy edges and check the gauge on the pack between jobs.
The 0.080 in. twisted line is better suited to the fence line than the thinner line on older models. The manual allows only that line, and it warns against serrated or heavier line, which overloads the motor and causes overheating. The line wears faster along sidewalks and in heavy weeds, and wire and picket fences can break it, which is a limit I accepted. A hub clogged with sap or debris can jam the line, and the fix is to switch off, wait for the head to stop, take the battery out, then remove the spool cap and clear the spool.
Keep the string roughly parallel to the ground, tilted no more than 10 degrees, and at least 24 in. between the guard and your feet. Cut with the tip of the line, and in long growth work from the top down and not above 13 in. in one go. Spare spools for this model are CRAFTSMAN’s own 0.080 in. spool, so keep one in the shed.
Adjust the swath, change the spool, clear a jam or clean the head only after you switch off, let the head stop and remove the battery. CRAFTSMAN asks for ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, since everyday eyeglasses are not safety glasses, hearing protection, long pants and sturdy rubber-soled boots, and its manual gives bystander distances of 30 ft in one warning and 100 ft in others, so I use the larger.
Charge only between 40 and 104 F, and for storage keep a charged pack out of the charger. CRAFTSMAN says its WeatherGuard design protects the tool, not the battery or the charger, from moisture and dust. Never hose or pressure wash it, let it dry for 48 hours if it gets wet, and blow out the vents with clean dry air every week, eye protection on. The manual says it is not an edger and must not be tilted to a right angle to the ground.
It suits a house lawn, row ends and a short fence line when you want the big pack without the premium price, and you already use or will buy V20 tools. Skip it if you want to edge, tackle thick or woody growth, or need a confirmed weight with the battery fitted.
FINAL VERDICT
The CMCST930P1 is the sensible buy when a large pack in the kit matters more than extras. It will not edge and it will not take attachments, and it keeps a family lawn and a fence line tidy for a modest outlay.
It is the value trimmer I would hand to a first-time buyer.
4. EGO Power+ 16 Inch Line IQ String Trimmer Kit Best Auto Feed
The EGO ST1623T is the best auto feed string trimmer on this page, because its Line IQ head feeds line by itself and a button winds a fresh spool, so you never tap the head on the ground or wind line by hand. It suits a yard with a gravel edge, where bumping a head is a poor idea.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
The reason it ranks fourth is that nothing else on this page spares your hands the line chores. The head is more complex than a plain bump head. A cracked head needs an impact wrench to replace.
EGO Power+ 16 Inch Line IQ String Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Line IQ automatic feed: The head releases line when an end is shorter than about 7 in., so the swath stays steady and you do not bump.
- POWERLOAD: A button winds the line onto the spool, and EGO says a full spool takes about 12 seconds.
- Two-speed switch: A light on the tool shows low or high, and low gives more control and a longer run.
- Carbon fiber shaft: It is height-adjustable and hinged, and you set the length before you start.
- 4.0Ah kit: The pack and a 320W charger are in the box, with EGO’s up to 60 minutes as its claim.
Because the head feeds on its own, I trim along the gravel edge without tapping the head against stones. The manual says you may feel a slight tremor when the head releases line, and I did, a small flutter in the grip that was gone a moment later. Only 0.095 in. nylon twist line goes in, and heavier line makes the motor stop or overheat.
EGO claims up to 60 minutes with the 4.0Ah pack, with no conditions stated, so I plan by the low-speed light and not by the number. Low speed is the one the manual says lasts longer. The manual lists 7.67 lb without saying whether the pack is counted, so I set the shaft to my height and keep the front handle inside its mounting zone, which may need moving after a length change. My EGO ST1623T review covers Line IQ feed and the POWERLOAD winding button in full.
If the line gets pulled up into the head, switch off, wait for the head to stop and take the battery out, then open the lower cover and reload it by hand. Do not press POWERLOAD repeatedly in quick succession, because EGO warns that it can damage the motor.
Touch the head or the line only after you switch off, wait for the head to stop and remove the battery. EGO asks for ANSI Z87.1 eye protection and hearing protection, and the manual gives no distance for bystanders, so I keep people and pets well clear and stop when someone comes close.
Avoid trees and shrubs, because the line strips bark, siding and fence posts. Stone, brick, curbs and wood wear line fast, and wire and picket fences can break it, so I expect it to feed often there. Store it with the battery out, in a dry place.
Pick it if you dislike tapping the head or hand-winding line and your edges run along gravel or paving. Skip it if you want attachments, a lighter tool or a thicker line, because it takes 0.095 in. line only.
FINAL VERDICT
The ST1623T is the trimmer for a buyer who wants the line to look after itself. It costs more than a bump-feed kit, and in return it never asks you to tap the head or wind the spool.
It is the trimmer I keep for the gravel edge.
5. EGO Power+ MHC1603 Multi-Head Trimmer and Edger Kit Best Trimmer and Edger Kit
The EGO MHC1603 is the best cordless string trimmer and edger on this page because one power head carries both tools: a 16 inch trimmer attachment and an 8 inch blade edger, with a 4.0Ah battery and charger in the box. It suits a yard with lawn borders that need a trimmed edge and a cut line.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
It ranks here because it turns one tool investment into two jobs. The edger is a real blade, with the hazards of one. If you only trim, a lighter single-purpose trimmer is the better buy.
EGO Power+ MHC1603 Multi-Head Trimmer and Edger Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Trimmer and edger in one kit: The STA1600 trimmer attachment and the EA0820 edger attachment both fit the PH1420 power head.
- 8 inch edger blade: A depth knob and a guide wheel set the edge.
- POWERLOAD: A button winds the line onto the spool in about 12 seconds, per EGO.
- Two speeds: Low gives control and a longer run.
- Shoulder strap in the kit: It takes weight off the hands.
I swap the attachment at the shed door, not in the yard: switch off, wait for the head or blade to stop, remove the battery, then loosen the wing knob on the coupler, line up the arrows, push the shaft in until it clicks and tighten the knob. The trimmer then works the lawn edge and the edger cuts the line between lawn and path. If the blade bogs down, you are edging too fast.
EGO claims up to 45 minutes of trimming and up to 75 minutes of edging on low from the 4.0Ah pack, with no test conditions stated. The trimmer set is about 9.56 lb without the battery, from the manual’s part weights, and the edger set is heavier, so the strap in the box earns its place on a long border.
Never use the edger on or near gravel. EGO’s manual says so, so I keep it on the lawn and path edge and use the trimmer, with eye protection on, along the gravel yard.
Change an attachment, clear the edger guard or touch the line only after you switch off, wait for the head or blade to stop and remove the battery. Clear rocks, glass, nails and wire first, wear ANSI Z87.1 eye and hearing protection, keep bystanders, children and pets at least 50 ft away, and replace a cracked edger blade at once, since EGO warns it can shatter.
The edger guard clogs in wet or tall grass, so I switch off, wait for the blade to stop, take the battery out and then clear it. POWERLOAD works only on the PH1420 power head, and repeated winding can damage the motor.
Choose it if your lawn has hard edges to cut and you want a power head that can take more EGO attachments later. Skip it if you want a light trimmer, plan to edge near gravel or do commercial work.
FINAL VERDICT
The MHC1603 is the kit for a yard that needs both a clean line and a cut edge. It is heavier and more costly than a plain trimmer, and it replaces two tools with one power head.
It is the two-tool kit I keep for lawn borders.
6. Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Brushless String Trimmer Kit Best Lightweight
The Makita XRU23SM1 is the best lightweight battery string trimmer on this page, because Makita lists 5.2 lb without the battery and 6.6 lb with it. It suits a small to medium lawn with light weeds, where arm fatigue is the real limit and not the thickness of the growth.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Sixth place is earned by one thing: it is the one I carry without thinking about it. The limit is the 13 inch swath. Makita lists it for grass and light weeds only, and I take it at its word.
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Brushless String Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Light build: At 6.6 lb with the pack on, per Makita, it is the one I hold longest before my wrist asks for a break.
- High and Low speeds: One tap on the power button switches between 6,000 and 4,500 rpm no load, and the trigger varies speed in each.
- Electric brake: The head stops quickly when you release the trigger, and Makita says to have the tool serviced if it does not.
- Protection stops: The indicator light shows which protection stopped the tool: a green blink for overload, solid red for heat, a red blink for over-discharge.
- Rapid Load head: You align, feed and twist the line in, and tap the head on the ground to feed more.
I take it to the vegetable plot, where the raised paths are packed soil with wood-chip mulch and the edge between path and bed needs a clean cut. A 13 inch swath is narrow enough for that edge, and the loop handle lets me hold the head low without bending. The line is 0.080 in. and Makita says never to use heavier line, wire or rope,.
Makita says up to 1 hour with the 4.0Ah pack, with no conditions, and the kit has one pack, so I treat the hour as a ceiling. A tap on the power button switches between speeds: I use Low for the long path edges and High for a tuft that stands up. My review of the Makita XRU23SM1 covers this brushless trimmer with its 13-inch cutting swath.
If a locked head or a tangled weed trips the overload stop, release the trigger, switch off, wait for the head to stop and take the battery out. Clear the debris and check that the head turns freely, then refit the battery and start again with your hands clear of the head.
Before you clear it, change line, clean it or carry it, switch off, wait for the head to stop and remove the battery. Makita asks for goggles, hearing protection, no one within 50 ft and a 10 to 20 minute rest every hour, and I never cut above waist height. I wear long pants and sturdy boots too.
Charge between 50 and 104 F, let a hot pack cool and do not store the pack at 122 F or more. Keep the vents clear of cut grass so the motor does not overheat.
It is right for small and medium lawns, path edges and beds where a light trimmer matters more than reach. Skip it if you have thick weeds, tall grass, a long fence line or an edge that needs more than one pack.
FINAL VERDICT
The XRU23SM1 is the trimmer to pick when weight decides. It has a 13 inch swath and Makita lists it for grass and light weeds, and it lets you finish a bed edge without a tired arm.
It is the light trimmer I take to the vegetable plot.
7. Makita XRU15PT1 36V Brushless String Trimmer Kit Best for Large Yards
The Makita XRU15PT1 is the best cordless string trimmer for large yards on this page, because the kit holds four 5.0Ah packs and a dual-port charger, so one pair can work while the other pair charges. Makita claims up to 1.5 hours of run time on 5.0Ah packs. It suits a buyer with a long fence line, a ditch bank or a big lawn.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
It ranks seventh because the four-pack kit is made for a long working day. The cost is weight and a premium price. If your yard is small, a lighter trimmer is a better fit.
Makita XRU15PT1 36V Brushless String Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Four 5.0Ah packs: Two run in the tool and two charge, so you swap pairs instead of waiting.
- Three speeds and ADT: Low, medium and high are 3,500, 5,300 and 6,500 rpm no load, and Automatic Torque Drive adjusts speed and torque to the grass.
- Reverse button: It spins the head backward to throw off wrapped weeds.
- 15 inch swath: It cuts a wider circle than the 13 inch kits, so a long edge takes fewer passes.
- Electric brake: The head stops quickly after you release the trigger.
I take it to the drainage ditch bank and the fence lines, where growth is thicker and the work is long. ADT sets the speed and torque for me, and I drop to Low only at the edge of a flowering strip. If weeds wrap the head, the reverse button clears many of them. For anything it does not clear, switch off, wait for the head to stop and take the batteries out first.
Makita lists 7.6 lb without the batteries and 10.4 lb with the two packs fitted. That is a heavy trimmer on a long job, and the manual says the shoulder harness must be used if one is supplied. I follow the manual’s rest of 10 to 20 minutes every hour, and the four packs let me work a long boundary and swap pairs at the shed.
The tool needs two packs at a time, so label your pairs and rotate them.
Clear a blockage, check the head, change line or transport it only after you switch off, wait for the head to stop and remove the batteries. Makita asks for goggles, hearing protection and 50 ft of clear space, and warns that the head keeps rotating after the motor is switched off, so I never cut above waist height.
The head takes only 2.0 to 2.3 mm line, and Makita says never to use heavier line, wire or rope. If the head hits a stone or a hard object, switch off, wait for the head to stop, take the batteries out and inspect it before you carry on. Charge between 50 and 104 F, let a hot pack cool first and remove packs from the charger when not in use.
Take it for a big lawn, a long fence line or a ditch bank, and for a day’s work from one kit, especially if you own Makita 18V LXT tools. Skip it if you want a light trimmer, attachments, edging or a low price.
FINAL VERDICT
The XRU15PT1 is the trimmer for the largest job on this page. It carries weight and cost, and it keeps working while a second pair of packs charges.
It is the trimmer I take for the long boundary.
8. Greenworks 40V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer Kit Best 40V
The Greenworks ST40L414 is the best 40V cordless string trimmer on this page, because a 16 inch swath and 0.095 in. line sit on a 40V battery, with a 4.0Ah pack and a shoulder strap in the box. It suits a large lawn with fence lines and tall grass, and an owner who may add Greenworks attachments later.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Eighth place rests on one fact: it is the only 40V kit here. The voltage names a platform and promises no extra power. If you own Greenworks 40V tools, it joins the line, and if you do not, it earns its place on swath and line.
Greenworks 40V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- 16 inch swath with a 14 inch setting: Turn the guard’s cut-off blade 180 degrees to change it, and Greenworks suggests 14 in. for more run time.
- 0.095 in. line: It is the heavier of the two common sizes, which holds up better on a fence line and tall grass.
- Two speeds with a variable trigger: A switch picks low or high, so you can match power to the growth.
- Shoulder strap: A carabiner clips to the carrying ring, and you set it about a hand’s width below your right hip.
- Attachment capable: Greenworks lists an edger, hedge trimmer, pole saw, cultivator and blower as add-ons.
Greenworks tells you to cut tall grass from the top down, no more than 8 inches in each pass, so grass does not wrap around the head. I follow that on the long grass by the hedgerow, where one deep pass would stall the head. I use low for the easy stretches and high for the thick stand. If the motor overloads, it recovers once you pull the head out of the growth.
Greenworks says up to 60 minutes and gives no test conditions, and it advises the 14 in. setting for more run time. On long jobs I use the 14 in. setting. The pack takes about two hours to charge, per Greenworks, so a spare pack would matter on a big yard. At 8.8 lb without the battery it is heavy for a battery trimmer, and Greenworks says to wear the harness whenever you operate it.
Switch off, wait for the head to stop and remove the battery before you load line. Load no more than 15 ft of line at a time, then tap the head on firm bare ground to feed it. The guard’s blade trims the line to the right length.
Stop the trimmer, wait for the motor to stop and remove the battery before you clear the head, change line or store it. Greenworks asks for safety glasses with side shields marked ANSI Z87.1, no blade on the machine and bystanders at least 50 ft away, and I add hearing protection, long pants and sturdy boots every time.
Charge between 39 and 104 F. Wire and picket fences wear line, and stone and brick walls wear it quickly. The five attachments are separate purchases from Greenworks’ list.
Reach for it on a large lawn, fence lines and tall grass, and if you already own Greenworks 40V tools. Skip it if you want a light trimmer, a tool that edges by itself or a charger faster than about two hours.
FINAL VERDICT
The ST40L414 is the 40V kit for the owner who wants reach and a heavy line. It is heavy and slow to charge, and it adds attachments when the lawn is done.
It is the 40V trimmer I strap on for the fence line.
9. DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V MAX 15 Inch String Trimmer Kit Best for DeWalt Owners
The DeWalt DCST970X1 is the best DeWalt cordless string trimmer on this page, and the reason is the battery: its FLEXVOLT pack runs 60V MAX tools and also works in DeWalt 20V MAX tools, according to DeWalt. It suits a buyer who owns FLEXVOLT packs, or who wants the FLEXVOLT pack that comes in the kit, and a 15 inch trimmer with a LO and HI switch. Ordinary 20V MAX packs do not run this 60V MAX trimmer.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Last place has a clear reason: it is built around the FLEXVOLT battery, and the battery is the feature. The kit’s pack runs this trimmer, and DeWalt says it also works in its 20V MAX tools. With FLEXVOLT packs already on the shelf, the trimmer is a good fit.
DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V MAX 15 Inch String Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- FLEXVOLT battery: The pack works as a 60V MAX pack in this tool, and as a 20V MAX pack in DeWalt’s 20V MAX tools, per DeWalt.
- LO and HI switch: LO extends run time for larger jobs, HI is for heavier growth, and the variable trigger works inside each.
- 15 inch swath: The guard’s cut-off blade keeps the line at the right length.
- Two line sizes: The head takes 0.080 in. line, and DeWalt says 0.095 in. line may be used.
- Brushless motor: DeWalt describes a brushless motor with a gear drive.
I work the tree-row edge with it at the 15 inch swath and keep the head off the young trunks. DeWalt says the line can damage bark, siding and fence posts, and my plum and apricot trunks are thin-barked at the base. For the strip edge I use LO, and for a weedy corner I switch to HI, which runs the pack down faster. I keep the line roughly parallel to the ground.
DeWalt gives no run time or weight, so I judge the kit by how it feels over a row and how often the pack needs a swap. The kit has one 3.0Ah pack, so for long jobs I plan a spare. I keep the guard at least 24 in. from my feet and cut from left to right so debris goes away from me. My review of the DeWalt DCST970 covers the FLEXVOLT kit in more detail.
DeWalt says line dries out in storage, so keep spare line in a sealed bag with a tablespoon of water, and use only DeWalt’s spiral line.
Change line or clear the head only after you stop the trimmer, wait for the head to stop and remove the battery. DeWalt asks for ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, hearing protection and heavy long pants, and wants bystanders and pets at least 100 ft away, which a small yard makes hard to meet.
Charge only between 40 and 104 F, and best at 65 to 75 F. With the battery removed, blow the vents out with clean dry air once a week, eye protection on, and touch up the guard’s line cutter with a file when it dulls. Never hose it down.
Choose it if you own FLEXVOLT packs and want a 15 inch trimmer with two speed settings. Skip it if you want attachments, an edger, published run time and weight, or a small yard where the 100 ft rule is hard to follow.
FINAL VERDICT
The DCST970X1 is the trimmer for a buyer who wants a DeWalt FLEXVOLT pack to do more work. It gives no run time or weight, and it makes the most sense with FLEXVOLT packs already on your shelf.
It is the trimmer I keep for the FLEXVOLT pack.
How to Choose the Best Battery String Trimmer
Seven checks sort the field, and the first is the battery platform. I run them in this order, because a wrong answer to the first one locks you into one maker’s packs. Gas and corded models sit outside this page, and my pick of the best string trimmer covers all three power types.
Battery Platform and Pack Size
The best battery operated string trimmer is only as flexible as the battery it takes. A voltage on the box is a platform name, and a pack fits the tools its maker lists, never every tool of the same voltage. The Ah figure is the size of the tank, so a 5.0Ah pack holds more than a 2.0Ah pack of the same voltage.
| Name on the box | What the footnote says |
|---|---|
| 20V Max | Maximum initial voltage without a load is 20V; nominal voltage is 18V |
| 60V MAX | Maximum initial voltage without a load is 60V; nominal voltage is 54V |
So I never compare a “20V” label with a “56V” label as if they were the same kind of number. Before I buy a trimmer I count the packs I already own, because the best electric cordless string trimmer for me is the one that shares a battery with my other tools. My EGO ST1623T vs Makita XRU15PT1 comparison shows what a platform switch means with two real kits.
- Check the maker’s list of tools the pack fits.
- Look at the Ah of the pack in the box, not the pack on the photo.
- Confirm that a charger is in the kit, since a bare tool has neither.
Run Time Claims and What They Leave Out
Makers print an “up to” number, and the number depends on the pack, the speed and the swath. One maker states its figure at no load, low speed and the narrowest swath, which is the kindest setting. A figure with no conditions is a ceiling, and a figure that is missing is a reason to buy a spare pack.
| How it is stated | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Pack, speed, swath and load named | A ceiling you can compare with the same conditions |
| Minutes with no conditions | A ceiling you cannot compare |
| Not published | Plan a spare pack and judge by use |
Key Takeaway
Plan the job in minutes and the pack in pairs, and treat any run time as a ceiling.
I plan the house lawn and the tree-row ends in sections, with a pack on the charger between them, because the number on the box never matches my edge. My ranking of the best string trimmer for large yard covers the long-run kits.
Cutting Swath and Line Diameter
The swath is the circle the line draws, and a wider one needs fewer passes. The swaths in this roundup run from 11 to 16 inches, and several kits change it by moving the guard’s cut-off blade. Line diameter is set by the head, so use the size the manual names, because a heavier line overloads the motor.
For small lawns, beds and paths, a narrow swath and a light line are the sensible match, and the best cordless string trimmer for small yards is rarely the widest. For a fence line or a long boundary, a wider swath and a thicker line save more time than they cost in weight. I pick the swath by the width of the strip I trim, not by the biggest number. My ranking of the best string trimmer for small yard covers easy-to-handle models for tidy lawns.
Weight With and Without the Battery
A trimmer feels light at minute five and heavy at the end of the row. Makers state weight on different bases: a bare tool is not a tool with its pack. One maker lists 5.2 lb without the battery and 6.6 lb with it, and another lists 7.6 lb without batteries and 10.4 lb with two packs fitted. My ranking of the best lightweight string trimmer models compares them by stated weight.
- Compare figures that share a basis, bare with bare and loaded with loaded.
- Treat a missing weight as a reason to handle the tool or read the strap advice.
- Use a shoulder strap when the manual asks for one.
Every cordless trimmer feels heavy at the end of a long row, so I carry a trimmer along a whole row before I trust its weight figure. My Makita XRU23SM1 against EGO ST1521S comparison lines up weight, reach and run time.
Bump, Push-Button and Automatic Feed
The head feeds line in one of three ways, and each has its own rule. Never use one maker’s rule for another maker’s head, because tapping a head that feeds automatically can disrupt its mechanism.
| Head | How it feeds | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Bump feed | Tap the running head on bare ground | Do not tap it in tall grass or on stones |
| Push-button feed | Hold a button while trimming | Cutting stops while you press it |
| Automatic feed | The head senses short line and releases it | Do not bump the head to feed it |
I choose automatic feed for gravel edges, where tapping a head on stones wears it, and bump feed where bare soil is easy to find. For a comparison of two 16-inch models, see my EGO ST1623T vs Greenworks ST60L413 article.
Brushless Motors and What a Maker Can Claim
A brushless motor swaps the brushes and commutator for an electronic controller that switches the current, usually guided by Hall-effect sensors (1). In small brushed motors, brush wear is a main factor in life and reliability, and the arc at the commutator erodes the brush (2).
That is a reason to prefer brushless, but it is not a run time number. Read the maker’s spec table for the motor type, and judge a kit by its pack, swath and weight.
Attachments, Kit Contents and Warranty
An attachment system is one maker’s list, and a trimmer is attachment capable only for that maker’s own tools. Kit contents decide the real cost: a pack and a charger in the box, or a bare tool that needs both. My DeWalt DCST970X1 vs EGO MHC1603 comparison puts two cordless trimmer kits side by side.
- Attachments: only the maker’s list, never “fits most”.
- Kit: battery Ah, charger and the line size in the box.
- Warranty: the term and what it excludes, such as rental and commercial use.
Pro Tip
Read the warranty term and its exclusions before you buy, because rental and commercial use are often left out.
I want a spare pack and a spare spool of the right line in the shed before the season starts.
Trimmer and Edger Combos and What the Kit Includes
A trimmer is not an edger because its title says so. The manual decides: one maker’s manual says its trimmer must not be tilted to a right angle to the ground, while a kit with a real edger attachment carries a blade and its own rules. My ranking of string trimmers for edging covers models with a real edge mode or an edger kit.
The EGO MHC1603 is the trimmer and edger kit I ranked: its separate edger attachment ships in the box, with a depth knob and a guide wheel. EGO’s manual says never to use the edger on or near gravel, and that blade needs a guard and the same care as any blade tool.
A trimmer without a manual-approved edging mode stays a trimmer, and a tilted head is never a substitute for an edger. On my gravel yard I trim the grass side of the line and keep a blade edger on the lawn and path edge.
Battery Care and Safety for String Trimmers
A trimmer throws what it hits. In US emergency-department data, an estimated 81,907 lawn trimmer injuries were treated from 2000 to 2009, and the eye accounted for 42.5 percent of them (3). Wear ANSI Z87.1 eye protection every time, with hearing protection, long pants and boots.
Line trimmers also hurt bystanders: published eye trauma cases include people standing near the operator (4). Makers give 50 ft or 100 ft, so I use the larger distance and stop when someone walks closer.
- Order: switch off, wait for the head to stop, remove the battery, then touch the head.
- Charging: within the range in your manual, and let a warm pack cool first.
- Storage: battery out, tool dry and indoors, away from fertilizer and chemicals.
In a laboratory simulation with two participants, gloved hand vibration was 3.5 to 5.8 m/s2 on a grass trimmer and 1.1 to 2.0 m/s2 on a backpack blower, and gloves lowered hand vibration on grounds equipment (5). I wear gloves and take the breaks the manual asks for.
Battery tools also spare your ears and lungs. In NIOSH sampling of 80 landscaping workers, fuel-powered leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws gave significantly more noise and carbon monoxide exposure than battery versions (6). If you still prefer an engine, my gas string trimmer picks rank five models on power, weight and warranty.
Safety Warning
Never run a trimmer without its guard, and never fit a metal blade to a head or tool that the maker does not rate for one.
My Overall Verdict
I ranked these nine on swath, pack, weight, feed, safety rules and what each does on my own edges. The top three suit three different owners. For overgrown ground, my ranking of the best string trimmer for tall grass is the place to start.
1. Greenworks Pro 80V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer Best Overall
For a homeowner with a lawn, a fence line and tree-row edges who values a quick recharge.
2. Milwaukee M18 FUEL QUIK-LOK String Trimmer Kit Best Premium
For an owner of Milwaukee batteries who wants one power head for more than trimming.
3. CRAFTSMAN V20 RP 5.0Ah String Trimmer Kit Best Value
The best battery string trimmer for the money here, for a household that wants a 5.0Ah pack in a mid-range kit and does not edge.
Match the swath to your widest edge, count your longest job in minutes, and buy the pack size that covers it. For most homes, the Greenworks ST80L210 is the best battery string trimmer on this page.
Why Greenworks Pro 80V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer Might Be the Best Choice
I put the Greenworks Pro 80V 16 Inch Brushless String Trimmer first because it gives a homeowner a brushless trimmer with a wide swath and a charger that does not hold up the afternoon. It cuts 14 or 16 inches and weighs 7.1 lb without the battery. My review of the Greenworks ST80L210 takes a closer look at this 80V brushless trimmer.
The trade is a small pack. Greenworks gives a 2.0Ah battery in the kit, so a long edge needs a second pack.
What puts it first:
✓ Motor: brushless 80V.
✓ Swath: 14 in. or 16 in. after a blade turn.
✓ Charging: 30 minutes, per Greenworks.
✓ Warranty: 4 years on tool and battery.
✓ Weight: 7.1 lb without the battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are battery-powered grass trimmers any good?
Battery-powered grass trimmers are good for home lawns, beds and light weeds, and better kits now carry brushless motors and packs of 4.0Ah or more. They run without fuel and with less noise than gas tools, so check the maker’s run time against your longest edge before you buy one.
Which is the best cordless trimmer?
The best cordless trimmer for most homeowners on this page is the Greenworks ST80L210, with a brushless 80V motor, a 14 or 16 inch swath and a quick recharge. If you already own Milwaukee, Makita or DeWalt batteries, check that the maker lists your exact pack for the trimmer before you choose a brand and a kit.
What is the best grass trimmer string?
The best grass trimmer string is the line your manual names, because each head accepts only the sizes and types its manual approves, and a heavier line overloads the motor. The kits here take 0.080 to 0.095 inch line, and some accept only one size, so match yours before you buy a new spool of line.
What is the best cordless string trimmer?
The best cordless string trimmer for most yards on this page is the Greenworks ST80L210, with a brushless motor, a 14 or 16 inch swath and a quick recharge. Pick another ranked model when the job decides: a lighter tool for small beds, or a four-pack kit for a long boundary.
Who makes the best battery powered string trimmer?
Greenworks makes the best battery powered string trimmer on this page for most homes, and Milwaukee, EGO, Makita, CRAFTSMAN and DeWalt each lead a particular job. Stay with a platform you own only when its maker lists your exact battery for the exact trimmer, since a 20V MAX DeWalt pack does not run the 60V MAX trimmer.
References
- Gamazo-Real JC, Vazquez-Sanchez E, Gomez-Gil J. Position and speed control of brushless DC motors using sensorless techniques and application trends. Sensors. 2010;10(7):6901-6947.
- Sawa K, Ueno T, Nakano K, Toya K. Effects of brush spring force on brush wear and arc behaviors of small DC motor. 2023 IEEE 68th Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts (HOLM). 2023:1-6.
- Leinert J, Griffin R, Blackburn J, McGwin G. The epidemiology of lawn trimmer injuries in the United States: 2000-2009. J Safety Res. 2012;43(2):137-139. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2012.03.001
- Lubniewski AJ, Olk RJ, Grand MG. Ocular dangers in the garden. A new menace: nylon line lawn trimmers. Ophthalmology. 1988;95(7):906-910. doi:10.1016/s0161-6420(88)33076-9
- Oh J, Chen N, Boyd C. Laboratory evaluation of occupational exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) during grounds maintenance equipment operations. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2023;30(2):384-389.
- Alexander BM, Graydon PS, Pena M, Feng HA, Beamer BR. Hazardous exposures and engineering controls in the landscaping services industry. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2025;22(3):189-202.
Safety Note: Read your manual first. A string trimmer or brush cutter throws debris with force, so clear stones, glass and wire from the area before you cut. Wear impact-rated eye protection with side coverage that meets ANSI Z87.1, hearing protection, gloves, heavy long pants, long sleeves and sturdy slip-resistant boots (steel-toe where your manual says so). Keep people and pets at least as far away as your manual says (50 feet in some manuals, 100 feet in others), and stop if anyone comes closer. Keep the correct guard fitted, use only the cutting attachments, handles and harness the maker approves for your exact tool, and never replace trimmer line with wire. A blade can kick sideways when it hits a stump or a thick stem, so fit the handlebar and harness your manual requires for blade work, hold both handles firmly and keep secure footing. Before you clear a jam, clean the tool or change line, a blade or an attachment, switch it off, wait for all movement to stop, then remove the battery, unplug the cord or disconnect the spark plug wire. Refuel a gas model outdoors with the engine off and cool, away from flames or sparks, and move away from the fueling spot before starting, as far as your manual says (often 10 to 30 feet); never run it in a garage, shed or other closed space. For a battery model, use only the maker’s battery and charger, charge it within the temperature range in your manual and never use a damaged or swollen pack. For a corded model, use a GFCI outlet, keep the cord clear of the cutting line and avoid wet conditions.