The best corded string trimmer is the BLACK+DECKER BESTA510, which has the widest cut path and the highest amp rating of the five below, as long as your edges stay within an extension cord of an outlet. I trim the house lawn, the concrete path and the gravel yard edge beside our orchard, and I ran each of these along those edges.
Below are five plug-in trimmers, led by BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 14-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger, each with its limits and who should skip it. A plug-in tool never runs flat. It also never goes past the end of its cord.
Best Corded String Trimmer Reviews 2026 With 5 Models I Put to Work
Here is my 2026 shortlist: five corded electric string trimmers, from a light 5.1 lb tool to a 14 in tool with a 6.5 amp motor. Each block gives the maker’s figures, what I noticed in use and who should skip the trimmer.
1. BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 14-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Best Overall
BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 14-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger is the corded trimmer I reach for first, because a 14 in cut path and a 6.5 amp rating are the largest on this page and clear an edge in wide, steady passes. It runs from a 120 V outlet, so there is no battery to charge and nothing to run flat halfway along a row. The box holds the trimmer, a spool and a guard but no cord, so you buy an outdoor-rated extension cord. It suits a small to mid-size lawn that stays within reach of an outlet.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I put this one first for its 14 in cut path, its wheeled guide and its cord retainer. The wheel and the retainer are the two parts I notice every time, and neither needs a battery or a charger. I hand it to anyone with a lawn, a path and an outlet in the shed, as long as the work stays within the cord.
BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 14-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Specs
Key Features:
- Cord retainer: the extension cord doubles through a slot in the handle, so a tug on the cord does not pull the plug apart mid-edge.
- 14 in cut path: the wide swath runs a long lawn edge or a tilled tree-row strip in broad passes.
- 6.5 amp motor: the highest current rating on this page, with the same 0.065 in line and the manual’s height limit.
- Automatic feed spool: the head feeds line as it wears, and the manual says never to bump it on the ground.
- Wheeled edge guide: turn the housing 180 degrees and the wheel rides the edge of a walk or a bed.
- Adjustable shaft: loosen the collar and slide the upper housing to fit your height.
- Auxiliary handle: the second grip in the box gives you both hands on the tool for control.
Hold the head at a 5 to 10 degree angle, work with the tip of the line and keep at least 24 in between the guard and your feet, as the manual says. The 14 in path matched the tilled strips under my plum row, where long straight passes follow the edge of the strip without stopping to reposition. The manual puts the limit at growth under 12 in, cut from the top down, so this is a tool for lawn edges and light weeds, and tall growth waits for something stronger.
Reach is what ends the job, and it ends it at the end of the extension cord. My outlet is in the shed, so the far corner of the house lawn means a long run of cord laid out behind me. The manual asks for an outdoor-rated cord of adequate gauge, plugged into a GFCI-protected supply, and it forbids use in rain or damp ground. Before I start I double the cord through the retainer, about 8 in from the plug end, and drag the cord out of the line’s path after every turn.
The second job is the concrete work pad and the path to the house door. With the housing rotated 180 degrees, the edging wheel rides the pad’s edge and I only steer. What surprised me was how much steadier that wheel made a straight line against the concrete than freehand trimming does. The manual says edging works best on edges deeper than 2 in and never for cutting a trench, and the automatic feed may not work correctly without the wheeled guide, so the guide stays on.
Keep the cord on the side of your body away from the cutting line, and walk the lawn so the cord trails behind you. If you reach the end of a run, release the trigger, wait for the head to stop and unplug before you re-route instead of tugging.
Before you touch the head, release the trigger, wait for the line to stop and pull the plug. Wear ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, long pants and sturdy rubber-soled boots every time you run it.
Upkeep is light. With the trimmer switched off, the head stopped and the plug pulled, the manual asks you to blow dirt out of the air vents with clean dry air at least weekly with eye protection on, to dry a wet tool for at least 48 hours and never to hose it, and to store it indoors, away from fertilizer and chemicals. The warranty is two years and covers home use only. What annoyed me was the cord snagging on the corner of the vegetable bed, which is why I lay the run out first.
Buy it if your lawn, beds and paths sit within an extension cord of an outlet and you want a trimmer that is ready every time you pick it up. I call it the best corded string trimmer for a lawn that stays within cord reach. Skip it if you trim far from power, cut thick or woody growth, or need a tool that takes attachments.
FINAL VERDICT
The BESTA510 handles lawn edges, walks and beds from one outlet with the widest cut path and the highest amp rating on this page. Lay the cord out before you start and keep the head to growth under 12 in.
It is the widest corded trimmer with a wheeled edge guide.
2. Scotts ST00213S 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer with Telescopic Pole Best Premium
Scotts ST00213S 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer with Telescopic Pole is my Best Premium pick because it carries the most on this page: a telescoping shaft, a 3-year limited warranty and the upper end of the page’s price range. It is a 13 in, 4 amp corded electric string trimmer at 5.51 lb, built for a house lawn and its beds rather than for rough ground. The box holds the trimmer, the front handle, the guard and the manual, with no battery and no charger. You need an outdoor-rated extension cord, a GFCI-protected outlet and a Phillips screwdriver to fit the guard.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
It takes second place for what the top of this page’s price range buys. A telescoping shaft sets one tool to a tall or a short user, and no other trimmer on this page adds a 3-year warranty to it. The head is simple, the cord has a retainer and the tool edges, so it is the premium pick for light work with long cover.
Scotts ST00213S 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer with Telescopic Pole Specs
Key Features:
- Telescoping shaft: unscrew the locking collar, slide to your height and retighten.
- 3-year warranty: household use only, and line, spool covers and power cables are excluded.
- Trigger line feed: release the trigger, wait two seconds and press again for about 1/4 in of line.
- Turn-to-edge head: rotate the handle end 180 degrees until it locks and fold the wire edge guide down.
- Cord retainer: a built-in retainer on the housing holds the extension cord.
- Adjustable front handle: set its height so your front arm stays straight, shorter users lower it and taller users raise it.
- 13 in cut path: the maker lists a 9000 RPM no-load speed on a 4 amp motor.
The shaft is the first thing I set. I unscrew the locking collar, slide the shaft to my height, lock the collar and then move the front handle until my left arm is straight, with the rear handle at about hip height, as the manual asks. A shaft that fits your height keeps your wrist level from the first pass. At the house lawn edge I keep the head clear of the ground and cut with the tip of the line, so the hub never drags.
The line feed asks for a habit. At the hedgerow base the line wore short, and the manual’s fix is to release the trigger, wait two seconds and press again, which gives about 1/4 in of line each time. Never bump the head on the ground, because the manual says bumping voids the warranty. Lift the head clear for the stop and restart, and rewind only with 0.065 in line, the one size it allows.
Reloading the spool is the second job, and the order matters. Release the trigger, wait for the head and lines to stop, unplug the tool, then push in the tabs on the spool retainer, lift it off and take out the spool. Load two lines about 6 in past each slot and refit the retainer before you plug in again. At the shed bench I lay the parts out first so nothing is lost in the grass. A rewind from bulk line takes two pieces of about 9 ft, with at least 1/4 in left between the wound line and the edge of the spool, so do not overfill it.
Where a flowering strip meets the lawn, I turn the head to edge mode and fold the wire guide down, so the cut stays on the lawn side of the strip.
Release the trigger, wait for the head and lines to stop, then unplug the tool before you touch the head, change line, clear a jam, clean it or carry it. Wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles marked ANSI Z87.1, hearing protection, rubber gloves, long pants and substantial footwear, and tie up long hair. Keep children and pets back and stop the tool when anyone comes closer, because stones and metal can be thrown at speed even with the guard on.
Size the cord to the manual: for this 4 amp tool it lists 18 gauge up to 7 ft, 16 gauge from 8 to 30 ft and 14 gauge from 31 to 45 ft, and the table stops at 45 ft. Use it dry, above 50 degrees F, with the guard on and away from electrical wires. The 4 amp motor is a light-duty one, and the manual forbids any blade or attachment.
A house lawn and its beds within an extension cord of an outlet suit this trimmer, especially when two people of different heights share it or the warranty length matters. Skip it for thick weeds, for edges beyond the 45 ft of cord the manual covers, for wet weather and for anyone who wants attachments.
FINAL VERDICT
The ST00213S is the corded trimmer for a household that wants one shaft to fit every user and three years of cover on light work, and rough ground calls for a different class of tool.
It is the premium corded trimmer with a telescoping shaft.
3. BLACK+DECKER BEST935 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Best Value
BLACK+DECKER BEST935 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger is my pick for best value, scoped to light trimming and edging on a small lawn within reach of an outlet. It sits at the budget end and still gives you a 13 in cut path, an automatic feed spool, a cord retainer and a turn-to-edge head, with a 4 amp motor behind them. The box holds the trimmer and a spool, and no cord, so you need an outdoor-rated extension cord. The maker pitches it at household trimming and edging, and that is the work I give it.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
It takes third place as a budget-tier way into a corded trimmer that edges. The retainer and the auxiliary handle make it easier to live with than the price suggests. It is a light tool for a small lawn, and the best value for that job.
BLACK+DECKER BEST935 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Specs
Key Features:
- Budget price: it sits at the budget end of corded trimmers, which is why it takes the Best Value label here.
- Automatic feed spool: the maker says it feeds line as you need it, so there is no bump head to tap.
- Turn-to-edge head: press the convert button, rotate the motor housing 180 degrees and use the edge guide along a path or bed.
- Cord retention: the extension cord doubles through the built-in retainer, so the plug stays in during a pass.
- Auxiliary handle: a built-in second grip lets you steer the head with both hands.
- AF-100 spool: the manual names one replacement spool, and a spool change ends when you hear the line cut to length.
- 2-year warranty: the maker gives two years limited, for home use.
Along the wood-chip paths beside my vegetable plot, the 13 in head took the grass fringe in a clean strip without throwing mulch far. The manual sets the cutting angle at 5 to 10 degrees, with the tip of the line doing the work and at least 24 in between the guard and your feet. Growth should stay under 13 in and be cut from the top down. Keep the cord away from the rotating line, and replace a damaged cord before the tool runs again, as the manual says.
Thick growth shows the limit. At the shed corner where the mower cannot reach and the grass stands tall, the 4 amp motor slowed and the thin 0.065 in line wore short. The manual allows only that round line, because heavier or serrated line overloads the motor and makes it overheat, and a wire or picket fence wears line faster and can break it. Use it on lawn edges and soft weeds, and leave the rough corners to a stronger tool.
Edging along the gravel yard is a different job, because the edge mode throws stones and metal at speed. The manual says to keep people and pets at least 100 ft away, to work away from walls and steps to reduce ricochet and to clear wire, rocks and glass first. I wear eye protection to ANSI Z87.1 and hearing protection, and I look at where the debris goes before I start along the crushed stone. Edging works best on edges deeper than 2 in, and before the first pass I walk the strip and pick up stones, wire and glass.
Before you trim along the strip edge, lift the drip lines clear of the head. A cord and a drip line both lie on the ground there, and the line cuts whatever it reaches.
Release the trigger, wait for the head to stop and unplug the tool before you change the spool or clear a jam. The manual asks for ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, ANSI S12.6 hearing protection, gloves, long pants and sturdy rubber-soled boots.
Upkeep means a spool change now and then and a weekly blow-out of the vents with clean dry air, always after you switch off, wait for the head to stop and unplug it, with eye protection on and no solvents, and a damaged cord gets replaced before the next use. After a spool change the line should stand about 5-3/8 in out of the housing, and the guard blade cuts it to length at start-up. It is a light-duty tool, with a 4 amp rating and a 13 in swath.
This trimmer suits a small lawn, the fringe around a bed and a gravel or path edge near an outlet, for a buyer who wants a budget-tier tool and no battery. It does not suit thick weeds, a long run far from power or anyone who needs a published noise or vibration figure. If the lawn is small and the budget is tight, it does the job. Fit a fresh spool before the season and it stays ready for the next edge.
FINAL VERDICT
The BEST935 is the budget corded trimmer that still edges, feeds its own line and keeps the plug seated. Choose it for a small lawn and light growth, and plan on a stronger tool for anything thick.
It is the budget corded trimmer for a small lawn.
4. CRAFTSMAN CMEST900 12-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Best CRAFTSMAN Corded
CRAFTSMAN CMEST900 12-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger carries the Best CRAFTSMAN Corded label because it is the only CRAFTSMAN corded string trimmer on this page. It has the narrowest cut path and the lowest amp rating here, 12 in and 3.5 amps, and a 3-year limited warranty, so I treat it as a light household trimmer for a lawn edge, a walk and a few beds. The box holds the trimmer, a prewound spool and a guard, and no cord, so you need an outdoor-rated extension cord.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I rank it fourth as the CRAFTSMAN pick on this page. The head is simple, with one speed and one switch to learn, which suits a small lawn and a small budget, and three years of cover sit behind it.
CRAFTSMAN CMEST900 12-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Specs
Key Features:
- 3-year warranty: three years from purchase, excluding wear, abuse and repairs by others.
- Automatic feed: the head advances line as it wears and the guard blade trims it, so you never bump the head.
- Turn-to-edge head: rotate the motor housing 180 degrees and a wire edge guide supports the cut.
- Cord retainer: the extension cord doubles through a built-in slot so the plug stays seated.
- 12 in cut path: the narrow head fits tight beds.
Along the 4-foot concrete path to the house door, the 12 in head is wide enough to finish the edge in one pass and narrow enough not to chew the bed beside it. The manual says to work at a 5 to 10 degree angle with the tip of the line, with at least 24 in between the guard and your feet. Edging suits edges deeper than 2 in and never a trench. The wire guide has no wheel, so the straightness of the edge depends on my wrist, and I go slowly where the concrete meets the bed.
The motor is the limit. At 3.5 amps, brushed, it has the lowest current rating on this page, and the manual caps growth at about 13 in, cut from the top down. Along a fence line the line wore short fast, which is what the manual warns about for wire and picket fences, where line can wear unevenly and even break.
When the spool runs out, the last few inches can leave the housing at once. Stop when the cut gets ragged.
Release the trigger, wait for the head to stop and unplug the tool before you adjust the head, change the spool or clear a jam. Wear ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, long pants and sturdy rubber-soled boots every time.
Switch off, wait for the head to stop and unplug it, then blow dirt out of the vents with clean dry air every week, with eye protection on. The manual gives two bystander distances, 30 ft in the general warnings and 100 ft in the edging section, and I keep people and pets 100 ft away.
A small lawn, a walk and a few beds near an outlet suit this trimmer, for a buyer who wants cover behind a low-cost tool. It has the narrowest swath and the lowest amp rating on this page, so skip it for thick weeds, a long run far from power or work that needs a bigger swath.
FINAL VERDICT
The CMEST900 is the CRAFTSMAN corded string trimmer with a 3-year warranty and a head that is easy to learn. Pick it for a small lawn edge and keep growth under 13 in.
It is the CRAFTSMAN corded trimmer for a small lawn.
5. Sun Joe TRJ13STE 13-Inch Corded Trimmer and Edger Best Lightweight
Sun Joe TRJ13STE 13-Inch Corded Trimmer and Edger is my pick for best lightweight, and the label rests on one figure: 5.1 lb in the manual, the lowest weight on this page. It is a 13 in, 4 amp lightweight electric string trimmer and edger with a telescoping pole and a tilting head. The carton holds no battery and no charger, so you need an outdoor-rated extension cord and a GFCI-protected outlet.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
It takes fifth place as the lightest way into a trimmer that tilts and edges. It is the lightest tool on this page, and the maker limits it to lawns and bed borders, so it suits a small to medium lawn with beds.
Sun Joe TRJ13STE 13-Inch Corded Trimmer and Edger Specs
Key Features:
- 5.1 lb: the manual weight, with no battery to add.
- Tilting head: it sets to 0, 15, 30 and 45 degrees.
- Telescoping pole: 41 to 50 in according to the manual.
- Flower guard: it folds down with the edger guide to shield plants.
- Auto feed: release the trigger, wait two seconds and press again for about 1/4 in of line.
Along the drainage ditch bank the tilting head earned its place. I could set the head to sit with the edge and keep my wrist straight. At 5.1 lb with the pole set to my height, my arms tired late. Take small bites, working from the top down, as the manual says.
Starting takes two actions: hold the safety lock button with your thumb, then squeeze the trigger, and release the lock once the motor runs. I find the two-step start easy to learn and hard to trigger by accident. Wait for the line to stop, then unplug, before you touch the head or anything else, because it keeps spinning for a few seconds after switch-off.
I walk backwards along the house bed with the flower guard folded down. First switch off, wait for the head and line to stop, then unplug; next flip the edger guide and flower guard down, pull up the edging coupler, turn the rear handle counterclockwise and rotate the whole unit 180 degrees.
Keep children, bystanders and pets at least 50 ft away, and wear eye, hearing and head protection, gloves and safety footwear. Switch off, wait for the line to stop and unplug the tool before you change line, clear the head or move it, and never cross a road or gravel path while the line runs.
Plan the cord: the manual lists 16 gauge up to 50 ft and 14 gauge from 50 to 100 ft, allows no cord over 100 ft and asks for a breaker of at least 10 A. Use it dry and above 50 degrees F. Its 4 amp motor and 0.063 in line suit lawns and bed borders, and the maker gives no noise or vibration figure. Hang it by the upper handgrip with the guard touching nothing.
This trimmer suits a small to medium lawn and its beds near an outlet, and anyone who values low weight and a tilting head. It is not for thick weeds or brush, for long runs far from power, for wet or cold days or for commercial use.
FINAL VERDICT
The TRJ13STE is the light corded trimmer for a lawn with beds, and it asks nothing of you beyond a cord and a dry day.
It is the lightest trimmer on the page with a tilting head.
How to Choose the Best Corded String Trimmer
Six checks decide a corded string trimmer, and the motor comes first. I work down the same list for every trimmer: amps, swath, cord, line and feed, edging, then weight and warranty. Each factor says what to look for and the mistake to avoid.
Motor Amps and What They Cut
The amp figure is the current rating of the motor, and on a 120 V outlet this class runs from 3.5 to 6.5 amps. Read it next to the line and the height limit, not on its own, because every trimmer here takes only the thin line its manual names, 0.065 in on four and 0.063 in on the Sun Joe, and the BLACK+DECKER and CRAFTSMAN manuals set a height limit of about 12 to 13 in for growth cut from the top down. For thicker growth, my list of the string trimmers for any yard covers gas and battery models too.
- 3.5 and 4 amps: four of the five picks, which the makers pitch at household trimming and edging.
- 6.5 amps: the highest current rating on this page, on the same line and the same height limit.
- Any rating: growth above the height limit waits for a stronger tool.
I size the motor to the growth on my own edges: the lawn fringe and the soft weeds along the vegetable plot, never saplings or brambles. The best corded electric string trimmer for that work stays inside its manual’s height limit and line size and still reaches every edge from the outlet.
Cutting Swath and Edge Length
The swath is the circle the line draws, and corded trimmers run 12 to 14 in. A wide swath takes a long edge in broad passes, and a narrow one slips into tight beds. Match the swath to your longest edge, because a head too wide for the beds takes the flowers with the weeds. My Black and Decker BESTA510 vs Craftsman CMEST900 comparison shows how the 14 in and 12 in swaths compare.
| Cut path | Suits |
|---|---|
| 12 in | Tight beds, a short walk, a small lawn edge |
| 13 in | A small lawn with beds and a path |
| 14 in | A long lawn edge or a tilled tree-row strip |
Along the long edge at the hedgerow base I want the wide head, and around the house beds I want the narrow one.
Extension Cord, Retainer and Reach
The cord is the part buyers forget. Each manual tells you to plug in an extension cord rated for outdoor use, so measure the walk from the outlet to your farthest edge and compare it with the cord length and gauge your exact model’s manual allows. A plug-in electric string trimmer is ready every time you pick it up, and the cord you can safely use sets how far it goes. When a cord runs out before the job does, see my picks of string trimmers for large yards.
- Cord gauge: follow the manual’s table for the thickness and length of the cord.
- Retainer: on the BLACK+DECKER and CRAFTSMAN models, double the cord about 8 in from its end, pass it through the slot and hook the loop, so the plug does not pull out. The Scotts and Sun Joe have their own cord restraint, so follow their manuals.
- GFCI: use a GFCI-protected outlet, which the manuals advise.
- Dry ground only: no use in rain or on wet ground, and no hose or pressure washer.
- Cord behind you: keep it away from the line and replace a damaged cord before the next use.
My outlet is in the shed, so I measure a job by how far the cord has to run from it. When the outlet is too far, my list of battery string trimmers covers cordless options.
Line Size and Automatic Feed
Four manuals allow 0.065 in (1.65 mm) line and the Sun Joe manual names its 0.063 in line, and none allows heavier line, because it overloads the motor. None of these trimmers takes a blade or an attachment. Four manuals tell you never to bump the head on the ground, and none of the five needs it. Three feed line automatically as it wears, and the Scotts and the Sun Joe extend it when you release the trigger, wait two seconds and press again.
- Fences: wire and picket fences wear line fast and can break it.
- Hard edges: sidewalks and abrasive surfaces wear it faster.
- Heavy weeds: thick growth wears it faster too. My list of string trimmers for thick weeds covers tougher growth.
Line wears short along the gravel edge and the fence, so I keep a spare spool in the shed.
Edging With a Corded String Trimmer/Edger
Every trimmer here is a corded electric string trimmer and edger in one. Release the trigger, wait for the head and line to stop and unplug the tool before you touch the housing or any guide, then follow your manual’s conversion steps: some models turn the housing 180 degrees, one turns the handle end and one needs its coupler, rear handle and a turn of the whole unit. One has a wheel, the others have a wire or flip-down edge guide and one adds a flower guard. The BLACK+DECKER and CRAFTSMAN manuals say edging works best on an edge deeper than 2 in and never for cutting a trench. My picks of string trimmers for edging cover other power types with a real edge mode.
| Step | Manual guidance |
|---|---|
| Cutting angle | 5 to 10 degrees |
| Guard to feet | At least 24 in apart |
| Growth height | About 12 to 13 in, cut from the top down |
| Edge depth | Best deeper than 2 in, never a trench |
| Bystanders while running | People and pets 100 ft away; the Sun Joe manual says 50 ft |
I edge the concrete path right after the mower and the gravel edge last, because stones fly there.
Weight, Vibration and Warranty
Makers state weights on different bases, and the lowest manual figure here is 5.1 lb, so I judge balance in the hand and read the warranty. In a laboratory test with two participants, a grass trimmer gave the highest hand vibration of the grounds tools tested, 3.5 to 5.8 m/s2 in gloves, against 1.1 to 2.0 for a backpack blower (1). None of the five makers publishes a vibration figure, so plan rest breaks. My best lightweight string trimmer roundup compares seven models by their stated weights.
Warranties here run two to three years limited, and they leave out wear, abuse and accessories, so read the exclusions. After a long edge my hands tell me more than any weight figure, so I stop and rest them.
Working Around the Cord and Staying Safe
A trimmer throws what it cuts, and the manuals warn that edging can throw stones and metal at high speed. US emergency departments treated an estimated 81,907 lawn trimmer injuries from 2000 to 2009, and the eye accounted for 42.5% of them (2). In a Taiwanese series of 26 lawn trimmer open-globe eye injuries, 57.7% involved an intraocular foreign body, most often metal (3).
Bystanders are hurt too: published eye trauma cases from line trimmers include onlookers as well as operators (4). That is why the manuals ask for ANSI Z87.1 eye protection every time. I keep people and pets 100 ft away whenever one of these runs, and I stop the tool if anyone comes closer.
- Release the trigger and wait for the head to stop.
- Unplug the tool.
- Then touch the head to change the spool, clear a jam, clean or carry it.
Before I trim, I lift the drip lines and keep the head off the bark of the young plum trunks, since a line strike strips thin bark.
Cord and Water
Never use a corded trimmer in rain or on wet ground. Keep the cord away from the rotating line, and replace a damaged cord before you plug in again.
My Overall Verdict
Match the trimmer to the work first: the length of the edge, the growth you cut and how far the cord must run. These five cover a small to mid-size lawn near an outlet, and each suits a different job. For a small lawn, I compare nine easy-to-handle models in my picks of string trimmers for small yards.
1. BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 14-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Best Overall
The BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 is for a lawn with long edges that wants a wheeled guide for straight cuts.
2. Scotts ST00213S 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer with Telescopic Pole Best Premium
The Scotts ST00213S is for a house lawn where one shaft must fit several users and a 3-year warranty counts.
3. BLACK+DECKER BEST935 13-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Best Value
The BLACK+DECKER BEST935 is for light trimming on a small lawn at a budget-tier price.
For a lawn that stays within cord reach, my pick is the BLACK+DECKER BESTA510, the best corded string trimmer on this page.
Why BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 14-Inch Corded String Trimmer Edger Might Be the Best Choice
I picked it first for its 14 in cut path, its wheel and its cord retainer. The wheel and the cord retainer make a corded trimmer pleasant to use. The trade-off is reach, since the cord decides where I can trim. I take a closer look at this 14-inch corded trimmer-edger in my full BESTA510 review.
It has the widest cut path and the highest amp rating on this page, and the maker backs it for two years at home.
Here is why it comes first on my list:
✓ Cord retainer: the plug stays in through a pass.
✓ 14 in cut path: the widest swath on this page.
✓ 6.5 amp motor: the highest current rating on this page.
✓ Wheeled edge guide: straight cuts along a walk or bed.
✓ Automatic feed: no bumping the head.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best corded electric string trimmer?
The best corded electric string trimmer on this page is the BLACK+DECKER BESTA510, which has a 14 in cut path, a 6.5 amp motor and a wheeled edge guide. It suits a lawn that stays within reach of an outlet, and a smaller or lighter job calls for one of the other two picks above.
Which electric lawn edge trimmer is the best?
The best electric lawn edge trimmer on this page is the BLACK+DECKER BESTA510, because it is the only one here with a wheeled edge guide that rides the edge of a path or bed. The others use a wire or flip-down edge guide, which supports the head and leaves the straight line to your wrist.
What is the best electric string trimmer?
The best electric string trimmer depends on where you work: a corded one suits edges near an outlet, and a cordless one suits yards far from power. For a lawn within cord reach I pick the BLACK+DECKER BESTA510, which never runs flat and stops only at the end of its cord.
Is a corded or cordless string trimmer better?
A corded string trimmer is better when your edges sit within reach of an outlet, because it never runs flat and has no battery to charge or replace. A cordless trimmer is better for yards far from power, and the five corded picks on this page suit a small to mid-size lawn near an outlet.
Can a corded string trimmer edge?
A corded string trimmer can edge when it has a turn-to-edge head, and all five picks on this page do. Release the trigger, wait for the head to stop and unplug the tool first, then follow your manual’s steps to convert the head so it runs vertically along a path or bed.
References
- 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.
- 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
- Zhang JR, Hsieh TC, Chang FL, He MS. Lawn trimmer-related open-globe injuries in Taiwan. Retina. 2022;42(5):973-980. doi:10.1097/IAE.0000000000003402
- 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
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.