5 Best Lightweight Weed Eater | Small Weed Wackers. Battery powered trimmer edger

Best Battery-Powered String Trimmers of 2023 [Reviews]

Battery-powered lawn care essentials, such as string trimmers, grow more popular every year because they are convenient and eco-friendly, but which one is right for you?

To help you choose a battery-powered string trimmer, we have compiled our top 10 picks, complete with detailed reviews, specs for you to compare, and advice from people who’ve already used these products.

String trimmers — sometimes called weed eaters, weed wackers, weed trimmers, or grass trimmers — are necessary for a truly polished lawn. Battery-powered models are quiet, clean, and easy to use, but they have their disadvantages, too.

In our comprehensive buyers guide, we’ll help you decide if battery-powered is the best option for you and give tips on choosing the right model. But first, let’s dig into the best battery-powered string trimmers of the year.

Best Battery-Powered String Trimmers

WORX WG191 56V string trimmer/edger

Best Overall

WORX WG191 56V string trimmer/edger

Our overall champ, the WORX WG191, is a cordless electric string trimmer with the power of gas.

With its powerful 56-volt battery, the WORX WG191 delivers a gas-like performance for taking down especially thick or tall grass. You can tell this trimmer is meant for heavy-duty work because it even comes with a commercial-grade 0.08-inch trimmer line.

Plus, with a cutting head that pivots and an extended-reach straight shaft design, this weed eater can get into all your yard’s nooks and crannies.

Whether you need to cut down a patch of weeds or give your lawn a clean edge, the WG191 has you covered. You can convert the tool from a weed trimmer to an edger and back by simply pushing a button and twisting the shaft.

It’s versatile for different grass conditions, too, with the variable speed control feature. Using the variable speed trigger, you can up the torque for overgrown spots in your lawn and decrease it during easy parts to extend battery life.

While many users reported that the WORX WG191’s power is indeed comparable to that of a gas string trimmer, they also noted some drawbacks.

On one charge (which takes about 90 minutes), the trimmer runs only for about 15-20 minutes. That should be enough time to trim around a typical yard, but it may not be long enough for larger properties.

Also, this trimmer runs louder than many other battery-powered tools.

✓ Powerful battery rivals a gas engine ✓ Variable speed control to extend battery life✓ Converts to wheeled edger with the push of a button

✗ Unimpressive battery run time✗ Users reported it runs loud for an electric model ✗ expensive than many other options

BLACKDECKER LST140C 40V MAX

Best Budget Pick

BLACKDECKER 40V MAX

The LST140C from BLACKDECKER packs a whole lot of power for a relatively small price (around 100).

The LST140C from BLACKDECKER is the best cordless string trimmer for homeowners on a budget. Here’s why: Even though this 2-in-1 trimmer/edger costs about 100, it has a high-performance 40V MAX lithium-ion battery, which is twice as powerful as the other budget picks on this list.

Though it isn’t quite as beefy as a gas trimmer, 40 volts should be more than enough power to tackle the usual weeds around a house.

Aside from being powerful, the LST140C is versatile and convenient. Like our top pick from WORX, this BLACKDECKER model converts to an edger, so you can get more jobs done with one tool.

The LST140C also features an automatic feed spool, which means you don’t have to bump the cutting head against the ground to release string as you do with most other string trimmers.

Unlike our top pick, users praised the BLACKDECKER LST140C’s battery run time. On one charge, it runs for about 40 minutes, which may not seem like much but is actually quite impressive for a cordless string trimmer.

Keep in mind that battery life varies greatly depending on specific working conditions, so the trimmer probably won’t run for that long every time you use it.

✓ Inexpensive✓ Long battery life✓ Powerful battery compared to others in the same price range✓ Converts to edger

✗ Uses flimsy line and only has one (opposed to a dual line), which limits performance in thick grass and weeds✗ No guiding wheel for edger mode

BLACKDECKER LST201 20V MAX

Most Affordable

BLACKDECKER LST201 20V MAX

BLACKDECKER’s LST201 has many of the same features as the LST140C but at a lower price. Bonus points? It’s lightweight.

BLACKDECKER’s LST201 model is essentially a smaller, less powerful, and less expensive version of the LST140C. At around 80, this is the most affordable cordless string trimmer of all our top picks.

With a relatively weak 20-volt battery and small 10-inch cutting head, this trimmer certainly isn’t the best choice for large yards. However, if you only need to do light work around a small lawn, the LST201 will serve you well.

One substantial benefit of the BLACKDECKER LST201 is that it’s super lightweight — just 4.5 pounds. It should be easy for anyone to carry for long stretches of time working in the yard, even those with limited upper body strength such as seniors.

This model also has the same convenient automatic feed spool and edging capabilities as our other pick from BLACKDECKER.

Though most users were satisfied with the performance of the LST201 for its intended light-duty work, they reported some issues that you should be aware of before you buy.

One is the trimmer’s shaft length, which some users reported was too short for them to use comfortably, which meant hunching over while working and causing back pain. Another concern is the battery’s short run time, which is usually about 15 minutes or less on one charge.

✓ Inexpensive✓ Lightweight✓ Converts to edger

✗ Relatively weak battery✗ Unimpressive battery life✗ Small cutting swath✗ Shaft is too short for some users✗ Automatic feed feature doesn’t always work correctly

WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V String Trimmer Edger

The WORX WG163 is lightweight, affordable, and great for small yards. What really impressed us is this string trimmer’s versatility.

The WORX WG163 is another lightweight, easy-to-use budget pick suited for small yards. This trimmer “kit” is even more of a bargain because it comes with not one but two 20-volt lithium-ion batteries.

With the extra, you can have one battery charged at all times, so even if you run out of juice while trimming your yard, you can switch out the batteries and keep working. Plus, the batteries are compatible with all WORX PowerShare tools.

Even though its 20 volts of power isn’t anything to write home about, the WG163 makes up for it with impressive versatility:

• It converts easily to an edger with rubberized wheels for traction and guidance, resulting in smoother cuts, including on uneven terrain.
• The trimmer head pivots 90 degrees, and the shaft is telescoping, so this trimmer can fit into all the tight spots in your yard.
• An adjustable spacer guard protects your flower beds and other landscape features while you trim around them.

Another notable feature of the WORX WG163 is the “command feed” spool system. Instead of automatically feeding the line, this trimmer gives you complete control over the string’s length with a button on the handle.

✓ Inexpensive✓ Lightweight✓ Telescoping shaft for greater reach✓ Converts to wheeled edger ✓ Comes with extra 2.0Ah battery

CRAFTSMAN V20 string trimmer/edger

What the CRAFTSMAN V20 lacks in power it makes up for with a wider cutting head that will cut the time you spend trimming.

CRAFTSMAN’s V20 string trimmer represents a happy medium between our more premium picks and budget picks. It still isn’t the most powerful, with a 20-volt battery, but it has a wider cutting head to help you trim your yard faster, and it uses a thicker, more durable 0.08-inch string that can manage more dense growth.

Also improving on 20V trimmers from other brands, this CRAFTSMAN model has variable speed control. You can easily switch to the high setting for more torque or the low setting for better battery efficiency as needed. The V20 gives you control over more than just the speed, since it features a push-button line feed system similar to the WORX WG163.

Customer Комментарии и мнения владельцев: A few reviewers reported problems with the line feed system not working, meaning they had to manually pull the string out, which can be a pain. Users also reported that this model tends to eat through line quickly.

✓ Larger and better at cutting thick grass than other 20-volt trimmers✓ Variable speed control to extend battery life✓ Converts to edger

✗ Relatively weak battery✗ Push-button line feed doesn’t always work✗ Can go through trimmer line too quickly

Ryobi RY40250 40V string trimmer

The Ryobi RY40250 is versatile and convenient. Its adjustable cutting head makes it easy to trim open spaces and tight spots.

Ryobi’s RY40250 40-volt string trimmer combines a mid-range battery power level with premium features that make the tool more versatile and convenient. Perhaps most importantly, this trimmer is compatible with Ryobi’s full line of “expand it” attachments, which can save you money and storage space by letting one tool do the work of many.

With additional purchases, you can convert the RY40250 to a hedge trimmer, pole saw, cultivator, and other lawn care tools.

Even if you use the RY40250 only as a string trimmer, it has merits that make it stand out.

To extend the battery’s run time, the trimmer has variable speed control and an adjustable trimmer head that ranges from 13 to 15 inches wide. Why this is important: Being able to change the cutting head’s size not only improves battery efficiency but also makes the tool perfect for both open spaces and tight spots.

There’s something else that’s special about the RY40250’s cutting head: It features a bump-feed line release system similar to the ones used for most gas string trimmers.

This trimmer is close to commercial-grade, with its 40-volt battery, 15-inch cutting swath, and heavy-duty 0.08-inch line. But that capability comes with a major downside: weight. The RY40250 weighs more than 11 pounds, which is most likely too heavy for the average homeowner to carry for an extended period of time.

For similar power output with a more manageable size (and price), try the BLACKDECKER LST140C.

✓ Converts to other tools with Ryobi attachments (sold separately)✓ Variable speed control to extend battery life✓ Adjustable cutting head size

✗ Heavy✗ expensive than many other options

Kobalt KST 2580-06 80V MAX string trimmer

Power Pick

Kobalt KST 2580-06 80V MAX

This Kobalt string trimmer’s higher power delivers gas-like performance with a long run time.

The price point for our final pick, the Kobalt KST 2580-06, jumps significantly, and the power level jumps to match it.

With an impressive 80-volt battery, this trimmer can provide gas-like power for up to a full hour. If you have a large, unruly property of more than an acre but you want an electric string trimmer, this might be the string trimmer for you.

In addition to a brushless motor that provides enough torque to power through even the thickest patches of grass, this Kobalt trimmer can hold a 0.095-inch, professional-grade trimmer line. That’s usually the thickest line you can find in a residential trimmer, and you’d be hard-pressed to break it.

Similar to the Ryobi RY40250 and gas string trimmers, you release more line while working by tapping the cutting head against the ground.

Even though the Kobalt KST 2580-06 could be all about power, it isn’t. It’s also versatile, with high/low variable speed options and an adjustable cutting head that goes from 14 to 16 inches.

This trimmer is the largest and most powerful on our list, and the obvious tradeoffs follow. It’s also the heaviest and (by more than 100) the most expensive option out of our top picks.

✓ Powerful battery offers gas-like performance and long run time✓ Holds extra durable, commercial-grade trimmer line✓ Variable speed control to extend battery life✓ Adjustable cutting head size

✗ Much more expensive than other options ✗ Heavy ✗ Users reported restringing is difficult✗ Replacement parts are hard to find if you have problems down the road

Buyers Guide

How does a string trimmer work?

A string trimmer (aka grass trimmer, weed trimmer, weed wacker, or weed eater) consists of a long curved shaft or straight shaft with a cutting head on the end. The cutting head is, as its name suggests, the part that cuts down grass and weeds. It spins a single line (usually a nylon string) or dual lines fast enough to create a blade-like effect that slices through growth.

The point of string trimmers is to reach the overgrown grass and weeds in tight spaces where a lawn mower won’t fit, such as the area around flower beds or other landscape features. Since most string trimmers can easily convert to an edger, you can usually use them to create clean edges around your lawn, too.

Pros and cons of battery-powered string trimmers

Just like gas string trimmers and corded electric string trimmers, battery-powered string trimmers have their advantages and disadvantages. Use these pros and cons to decide if battery-powered is the way to go for your yard:

✓ Environmentally friendly, no emissions ✓ Quieter than gas models✓ Lighter than gas models✓ Easy to start and operate✓ Low maintenance✓ maneuverable than corded electric models

✗ Most can’t compete with gas in terms of power✗ expensive than comparable gas and corded electric models✗ Limited by battery’s run time, usually about 15-30 minutes✗ Have to buy new batteries about every two to three years

Ultimately, battery-powered string trimmers are best for small yards rather than large yards because of their time limitations. They also are suited for lawns without too much thick grass and weeds, since they tend to lack in power and torque.

What the specs mean for you

When you’re looking at different battery-powered string trimmers — either here on this list or on various retailers’ websites — you’ll find a lot of specs. In this section, we’ll help you understand what some of these measurements mean and how you can use them to figure out which trimmer is best for your yard.

These are the factors we used to rank the best battery-powered string trimmers of the year:

Voltage: Most of the time, the first thing you’ll notice about a cordless string trimmer is the voltage of its battery. That voltage tells you the trimmer’s power output, with higher voltage meaning more power.

powerful batteries produce more torque, so trimmers with high voltage are necessary to cut through thick, tall grass and weeds.

Cutting swath: A trimmer’s cutting swath, sometimes called cutting width, is the area of grass it can cut at once. With a larger cutting swath, you can cover more ground in less time and finish trimming your yard faster. A smaller cutting width might be necessary for tighter spots.

That’s one reason string trimmers with adjustable cutting heads, like a few of our top picks, can be so handy.

Line diameter: Line diameter measures the thickness of the trimmer line a given string trimmer can hold. The thicker the string, the more durable it will be and the denser growth it will be able to cut through.

Most residential string trimmers hold a 0.065-inch line, which should be sufficient for your needs. Some can use 0.08-inch string, which straddles the line between amateur and professional-grade, or even 0.095-inch string, which is good for especially heavy-duty work.

Weight: It seems basic, but weight is an important number to pay attention to when shopping for string trimmers or similar power tools. If you get a trimmer that’s too heavy, you probably won’t be able to carry it long enough to finish working on your yard.

Know the limits of your upper body strength and choose your string trimmer accordingly. Some trimmers can attach to shoulder straps to lighten the load on your arms and back.

Price: As we mentioned before, battery-powered tools are usually more expensive than their gas or corded counterparts. That doesn’t mean there aren’t affordable options, though, and you’ll notice that all our top picks cost less than 300.

Higher-end models can run closer to 500, so don’t be surprised if you see higher while shopping around. Keep in mind that sometimes, the trimmer comes without a battery and charger, which you’ll then have to buy separately.

Most of our top picks include a battery and charger, though, so you might not have to worry about factoring the extra cost into your budget if you choose one of these.

FAQ About Battery-Powered String Trimmers

You need to clean the cutting head and guard regularly to remove caked-on dirt and grass clippings that could slow your trimmer down. You’ll also have to replace the trimmer line eventually. When that time comes, make sure you follow the correct instructions for your specific model.

Soaking trimmer line in water can help it retain its flexibility, which means it won’t break as easily and will last longer.

It’s hard to say how many years a battery-powered string trimmer should last, since these tools haven’t been around for very long. Other string trimmers typically last five to 10 years with proper maintenance.

Conclusion

If you want your lawn to look its best, you can’t go without a string trimmer. Many homeowners opt for battery-powered string trimmers because they don’t produce harmful emissions like their gas counterparts but aren’t tethered to an extension cord, either.

For people who decide a battery-powered string trimmer is right for them, our top picks are the best options that fall within the average family’s budget.

LawnStarter participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other retailer affiliate programs. LawnStarter may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.

Note: Amazon star ratings and the number of reviews for the products listed above may have changed since that material was collected.

Jordan Ardoin

Jordan Ardoin is a writer, editor, and classical literature student based in Colorado. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys goofing off with her cats and spending time in nature.

Best Lightweight Weed Eater | Small Weed Wackers

Heavy-duty yard tools are not ideal for every situation, sometimes a lighter touch is needed.

When I want to quickly clean up small areas of grass, or green yard weeds a small lightweight weed eater is perfect. I can quickly pull it out, shoot through and trim, and be done in a fraction of the time.

No need for my heavy-duty weed eater or to push out the lawnmower. Now… I thought I can’t be the only person who prefers to do this, so I decided to take a full-on review of the best lightweight weed eater available.

Best Lightweight Weed Eater

If you are in a hurry, here are the best small lightweight weed eaters available, then see the two products below. Each of them has been tested and compared to offer a high-quality product under 10 lbs in total weight.

Worx GT 3.0 PowerShare 20V

Ultra-lightweight string trimmer lawn edger combo. Excellent run-time of 40 minutes. 2 x 2.0 Ah batteries included.

BlackDecker 20V MAX

Weighing just 4.5 lbs a great 2-in-1 lightweight small trimmer and lawn edger. 30-minute run-time.

Choosing the Best Small Lightweight Weed Eater

Before you buy a weed eater, there are a few essential things to know. These will help you choose a lightweight and small weed eater that has all the functionality you need.

Overall Weight Balance

The weight and balance of a weed eater are particularly important aspects to consider for this review. However, it needs to be appreciated that in the process of manufacturing to reduce weight, often means reducing materials or components.

This can result in more fragile lightweight plastic castings or smaller battery capacity. So, there is often a trade-off.

The lightest machines can weigh as little as 5 lbs, but I have limited all products to under 10 lbs in total weight including the battery unit.

A well-balanced trimer can often handle and feel lighter than its actual weight. So, I have considered ‘real feel’ and excluded any machine that was off-balance or awkward and may have put a strain on your wrists.

Electric Corded Weed Eater

Electric corded weed eaters, as the name implies, are powered by a 120V mains electric power cord. This design often has more power than a battery-powered model, plus the advantage of not requiring charge time.

However, the drawback to this design is the need to plug them into a fixed electrical outlet reducing mobility. Oftentimes you will also need to purchase additional extension cords to get the required distance to use the tool across your yard.

If you have a huge area to cover then an electric corded weed eater might not be the ideal choice for you.

Alternatively, an electric model can be an excellent choice if you have a small to the medium-sized yard, in this scenario, it will offer relatively high power at a low cost.

Motor Power (Amps)

Most electric corded weed eaters have a motor power between 1 and 10 amps. While a higher amp measure does indicate a more powerful motor, this is not always necessarily translated into higher torque and RPM.

Given our objective is to identify a lightweight weed eater, it seems fair to presume we are not doing to get heavy-duty performance from it. So, for most lightweight trimming applications around four amps of power will be adequate; for trimming grass, edging, light weeds, and so on.

Moveability

One drawback of electric corded weed eaters is the lack of moveability compared to battery-powered designs. There is always a trade-off. A battery has a limited run time, and a corded weed eater has a limited distance of travel due to being tethered to a power outlet.

Each model will have a different cord length, so be sure to check out your needs and purchase a suitable length of extension cord, to make sure all of your yard is accessible with your new weed eater.

Battery-Powered Weed Eater

Battery-Operated Weed Eaters bring a different set of advantages and disadvantages when compared to a corded product. They are often more expensive to purchase, as lithium-ion battery cells, or expensive to manufacture.

Batteries are heavy items, so when you add a battery to the lightweight battery-operated weed eater, it can add a notable amount of weight to the overall design and potentially cause an imbalance in the feel of the trimmer. But don’t worry…I will detail this under the product reviews section later in this article.

They also have a run-time limited to the storage capacity of the battery (I will talk more about this shortly). But you can always purchase more than one battery cell and simply switch it out and re-charge them on rotation.

However, there is one huge advantage to a battery-weed eater, unrestricted mobility. You can weave around your yard without getting in a tangle. In fact, you can throw your weed eater in your vehicle and take it anywhere you need to use it.

Battery Run Time (Ah)

Ampere-hours (Ah) is a measure of the lithium-Ion battery storage capacity. For example, you may have a battery of 2.0Ah, which means the battery will discharge 2.0 amps over one hour of use.

Think of it like this. If you have a battery that will discharge 2.0 Amp over 2 hours, and you use it on a weed eater that consumes 4.0 Amp per hour. You will get 30 minutes of charge time from a 2.0Ah battery for that particular weed eater.

In general, the higher the Ah the longer the machine will be powered. But…we are looking for lightweight weed eaters, right? So I have only selected products with lower Ah ratings and have converted this into run-time in minutes for easy comparison.

Battery Weight

A 2.0Ah battery cell can add 2lbs to a machine and a 4.0Ah battery 3lbs. If weight is a concern for you then it is often better to keep your battery size small and possibly buy an additional battery cell for longer run times.

Gas Weed Eater

A gas weed eater is traditionally powered by a 2-cycle engine. While there are advantages to this, like very high-power output, many people don’t like using them because they emit unpleasant fumes and a lot of noise.

But I can keep this section short. If our goal is to find a lightweight weed eater for residential use, then we can skip over gas-powered machines and stock with electric technology. It is easier to maintain, quieter, cleaner, and of course lighter.

Straight or Curved Shaft

Weed eaters may have either straight shafts or some shaped like the letter J. This shape can affect not only comfort and balance but even performance and weight distribution.

Controls Features

In addition to the regular features of a weed eater, some models have unique features. These can include anything from interchangeable heads to make cutting in tight corners to various power settings easier. So, let’s take a look at some of the more common features.

String Trimmer Line Cut Path

The cut path (cutting path) refers to the reach of the string trimmer line in both trimming material and ejecting debris. Essentially it is the cutting diameter of the rotating trimmer blade or string.

Most lightweight weed eaters intended for domestic use have a cut path between 10 and 14 inches. This is simply a matter of where you are going to use it. Go for smaller sizes if you have intricate areas, to trim or obstacles to cut around. Larger sizes will obviously clear more areas faster.

Lawn Edger Function

Traditionally, a lawn edger is an entirely separate garden power tool from a weed eater. However, many modern designs combine the two functions. Making them a great choice if you’re looking for versatility and value.

A lawn edger is a tool designed to sculpt the edge of your lawn. It cuts back grass growing over the edge of the lawn edging. If this isn’t a priority for you, you can decide whether you want this feature in a weed eater or not.

Interchangeable Head

Some weed eater models are designed so that you can switch the head out for different tools. These can vary in terms of the material they can handle (brush, grass, bushes, etc.), the amount of power they use, and the type of shaft they complement.

While people with straightforward yard work needs probably don’t need them, they can be beneficial for avid landscapers. But my recommendation is not to worry about this multi-functional type of weed eater, as the lightweight products are just not powerful enough to get value from this type of feature. It is really intended for high-powered brush cutters.

Line Feed Type

Weed eaters use plastic or composite string-like cutting lines. With use, the line will break off when it wears through, or maybe hits concrete paving. When this happens, you will need to feed a new section of line off the line spool and off you go again.

There are three methods of feeding line:

Manual Line Feed: This requires the operator to stop the machine, power it off, and feed new line by hand

Bump Line Feed: The operator can literally bump the head off the weed eater on the ground during operation, and a spring button will release a new length of the line.

Automatic Line Feed: The trimmer will identify when the line has snapped and automatically feed out a new length of the line during operation, allowing uninterrupted operation of the machine.

Speed Control

Some weed eaters have various speed control settings. At their most basic, these range from high efficiency/high power usage to lower efficiency/lower power usage.

Handles

Weedeater handles can vary in grip, comfort, and other features. You may want to compare different grips before buying to decide which is most comfortable for your needs.

Best Lightweight Weed Eater Reviews

The aim of this review is to find the best lightweight weed eater. For the test criteria, every weed eater is required to weigh less than 10 lbs with a battery. Product build quality, cutting performance, and additional features such as Edger function, are key benefits identified within the comparison.

Finally, for battery-operated trimmers, run-time, and battery charge time are also taken into consideration.

The 5 Best Cordless String Trimmers of 2023

After researching 60 different cordless string trimmers, we bought the 9 best models on the market today and tested them head-to-head to find out which ones eat up weeds best. We tested their weed slashing performance in a series of comparative tests, cutting through dense patches of grass and burly weeds, and making precision cuts around obstacles. We also measured how noisy each model is, as well as maximum runtime, plus ergonomics and ease of use. To find out which weed eater cut through the competition, which is your best bet on a budget, and which models will work with your existing cordless tool batteries, check out the rest of the review below.

In addition to string trimmers, our team can be seen in the field testing top-tier cordless leaf blowers and the best cordless lawn mowers, among many other electric tools. We’ve tested over 135 electric power tools over the last several years. This gives us unique insight into performance over an entire line of electric tools, so if you’re enticed by the performance of a Makita string trimmer you can check out how a Makita cordless circular saw or chainsaw stacks up before you commit to a brand and its batteries. Don’t forget, of course, about our curated list of the best tools on the market.

Editor’s Note: We updated this revised on November 21, 2022, sharing more info on our scoring metrics.

Best Overall Cordless String Trimmer

Makita XRU15PT 36V

For the cordless string trimmer that does it all exceptionally well, look no further than the Makita XRU15PT 36V. The amount of strength and ability to manipulate even the most resistant weeds and plants is highly impressive. This machine handles detailed work with ease, helping to straighten lawn edges quickly and effectively. Cycling through the three speed settings enables the user to operate the trimmer at its ideal speed for the job at hand. It’s easy to use and comfortable to wield, thanks to its ergonomic grip. In addition, it has a long runtime and isn’t overly loud compared to some other models.

Considering all the attributes, our complaints with this model are minor. However, they are worth noting. For instance, we had to reference the instructions to figure out how to replace the line after it had run out. Once we did, the process was about as easy as it could be. Although there is more weight to handle on this trimmer, the weight is so well-balanced with the ergonomic grip that we didn’t find it to be an issue. If you want a robust cordless trimmer that can handle all of your weed-eating needs, we wholeheartedly recommend the Makita XRU15PT 36V.

Best Bang for Your Buck

BlackDecker LST136

If you’re looking to stretch your dollar with a string trimmer purchase, check out the BlackDecker LST136. We were impressed with this small machine’s abilities as its work stood up to considerably more expensive models that we tested. It’s one of the lightest and easiest to handle, all while running much quieter than some of the top trimmers. The six different operating modes help meet a variety of weed trimming scenarios, and it boasts a healthy runtime.

Unfortunately, this trimmer did get a little overwhelmed when working through very thick weed patches or tough-stemmed plants. It also has one of the larger guards, which can get in the way when making detailed cuts — though it is quite effective at stopping plant and weed debris from getting thrown back at you. Ultimately, if you don’t need a serious beast of a weed-eater, this is one of our favorite budget options for a cordless trimmer.

Craftsman V20 Weedwacker

The Craftsman V20 Weedwacker is an excellent, effective tool for keeping your small or medium-sized yard looking great, as well as light-duty brush clearing. It’s lightweight and easy to break out for quick jobs or cleaning up what your mower missed and replacing the spring when it runs out is a simple and easy process. The spool head will receive a lot of abuse as it’s dragged and bumped against the ground, and Craftsman even offers a very affordable replacement.

For bigger jobs where thick grasses and brush have really taken over, the light and relatively quiet V20 Weedwhacker does not have enough power. It does a better job of maintaining the yard rather than transforming it. During testing, the battery life averaged only 35 minutes. Although this isn’t very long, it should suffice for edging along smaller lawns. While the guard effectively shielded us from debris, it was a little too large for detailed work. There are certainly more powerful models with even longer battery life, but we feel this cordless string trimmer is the best choice for the average homeowner on a budget.

Best for Large Areas

Husqvarna 115iL

If you need to clear large areas of vegetation, then the Husqvarna 115iL is a great option to consider. This string trimmer had one of the longest runtimes of all the products we have tested to date, cutting weeds and plants long after other models needed to stop and recharge. The Husqvarna 115iL also offers a slow and fast mode to provide you with an awesome amount of control, whether cutting around delicate objects or clearing wide swathes of grass. It isn’t particularly loud and supplies a decent amount of power when cutting through tougher plants with thicker stems.

On the downside, the Husqvarna can be a bit more cumbersome to use than some of the other products. It has a shorter neck that forced our testers to stand closer to the cutting head than they would have liked. It can also be a pain to hold vertically. The guard is on the smaller side, which is nice when making precise cuts since it doesn’t obstruct your view, but it’s far less effective at stopping flying debris than other products. Despite these flaws, it’s hard to beat the Husqvarna if you have tons of weeds and plants to clear and don’t want to buy extra batteries to get the job done.

Best for Dense Vegetation

Ego Power STA1500 Attachment

If you need a string trimmer that can handle dense plants and grass without a struggle, then it’s worth checking out the Ego Power STA1500 string trimming attachment for the Ego Power Power Head. It is easily one of the most powerful string trimmers of the group and sliced through dense weeds and tall grass without difficulty. It can clear areas that would have stopped other products dead in their tracks. We also think it’s fairly comfortable to use and a compact way to add a cordless string trimmer to your arsenal if you have the aforementioned Power Head.

However, it can be quite a pricey purchase if you don’t already have the Power Head and this trimmer can feel like it has too much power for average yards. The guard didn’t prevent freshly-cut weeds from getting flung back at us, and precision work can be quite difficult. It’s hard to avoid cutting trenches, and the Ego Power STA1500 can be brutal on things like birdbaths, outdoor lights, or the side of your house if you aren’t careful when using it. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a great option if you need heavy-duty string trimming capabilities and plan to get other Ego cordless tools.

Why You Should Trust Us

To say we put each string trimmer through its paces would be an understatement. We implemented 72 individual tests between the 9 trimmers in the review, running each through the same 8 tests to comparatively assess aspects ranging from weed-eating power to noise levels. This allows us to rank each in accordance with its performance in each metric and make special recommendations for the specific needs of homeowners or anyone looking to improve their yard. We paid retail price for each model to ensure an unbiased assessment of these string trimmers.

Our expert string trimmer testing and review team is lead by Michelle Powell and David Wise. Michelle has made a career of evaluating products side-by-side, comprehensively testing, and scoring the smallest details, and differentiating factors on everything from coffee grinders to cordless power tools. Additionally, she also brings extensive lawn care experience to the table. David has formal training as a mechanical engineer with extensive experience in lithium batteries and electrical power systems, which he gained from working on electric vehicles and underwater robots.

Analysis and Test Results

In total, we conducted a dozen distinct tests that we divided among four weighted rating metrics. Each of these metrics — Weed Eating, Ease of Use, Battery Life, and Noise — are weighted proportional to their importance to overall string trimmer performance. The score for each metric is determined by the performance of each trimmer in the tests composing each metric.

Which Cordless String Trimmer Offers the Better Value?

If you’re shopping for a bargain weed eater, then two models stand out: the BlackDecker LST136 and the Craftsmen V20 Weedwacker. These typically cost about half as much — or even a little less — than our top-scoring model, the Makita XRU15PT, and both are solid string trimmers, costing about the same.

The BlackDecker model is a bit more powerful than the Craftsman, and it also has longer battery life. Deciding between the two will likely come down to the size of your yard. Both are lightweight and great for quick clean-up tasks. While neither is up to snuff for professional operations, both are worthy of consideration for the average homeowner.

Which String Trimmer Cuts Weeds the Best?

Weed-eating performance composes the greatest share of a product’s overall score. To rank and compare the weed eating skills of each string trimmer, we looked at the effectiveness of each model when it came to clearing weeds from an area and how each handled dense and hard-to-cut vegetation, as well as how much precision you have for trimming edges and cleaning up small areas.

A pair of trimmers tied for the top spot when it came to eating weeds; namely, the Makita XRU15PT 36V and the Ego Power STA1500 Attachment. Both are exceptionally effective at eliminating weeds, cutting through pretty much any grasses, weeds, shrubs, and bushes we pitted them against smoothly and effectively. They both tackled tall grass and dense weeds with ease, even cutting through burly stalks and stems without showing any sign of a struggle.

The Ego Power STA1500 has just a bit more power than the Makita XRU15PT — almost to the point where the Ego Power STA1500 might be overkill for typical lawn care. While this extra power is handy for the toughest of weeds, it can be difficult to edge or trim precisely. You can angle the head to get into small spaces, but it can be hard to cut near anything delicate without damaging it or cutting inadvertent trenches into your lawn. This excessive power is made much worse by the Ego Power STA1500’s sensitive trigger, making it difficult to maintain a consistent speed.

Although the Makita XRU15PT can’t quite match the Ego Power STA1500 when it comes to raw power, it is superior in close quarters. It has a slow setting and feels very nimble to control, allowing you to make carefully angled cuts or clear areas around sprinklers, lawn ornaments, and other items without damaging them.

The Husqvarna 115iL and the BlackDecker LST136 both performed decently for their string trimming performance. The Husqvarna 115iL was easily sliced through most patches of weeds and grasses, but it occasionally stalled when we tried to tackle dense vegetation clusters.

The Husqvarna 115iL has a comparatively small guard and is lightweight, making it one of the more maneuverable models when it comes to removing weeds from tight spaces. However, it doesn’t have a very long reach, so you need to get fairly close to the end to see exactly what you are trimming.

The BlackDecker LST136 doesn’t have quite as much power as some of the top models, but it can cut through most weeds and plants without issue. It can stall when cutting through the thickest stems and plants, but we rarely found this to be an issue with typical yards.

The lower speed setting also works great for making detailed cuts, but we found that it works better when used in a sweeping side-to-side motion rather than cutting in a straight line. We also like that it is one of the easiest models to replace the cutting line on.

Ease of Use

Like the Weed Eating metric, Ease of Use also constitutes 30% of the total score for each cordless string trimmer. Here we compared the weight and guard design of each trimmer, as well as how comfortable and balanced they are to hold. We also compared the ease of replacing and feeding the line and noted if there was a shoulder strap attachment.

The Makita XRU15PT 36V again earned the top score in this metric. It is exceptionally well balanced, with the battery end of the trimmer only slightly heavier than the head, making it easy to carry one-handed and to wield through fields of grass. The molded, ergonomic grip makes it easy to keep a good grip without working too hard. We also liked the guard on this model because it doesn’t detract from your ability to do precise cuts while maintaining an equivalent degree of protection. The Makita XRU15PT includes a shoulder strap attachment as well.

This trimmer employs a bump feed to dispense more string, but it’s a little more difficult to replace the string than some of the other models. There aren’t alignment indicators on the spool, which forced us to consult a manual, but it was straightforward once we became familiar with it. This minor drawback should only be an issue once or twice, after which you’ll get the hang of it.

The Ego Power STA1500 Attachment by Ego, Craftsman V20 Weedwacker, and the BlackDecker LST136 all scored well regarding convenience and ease of use. The Ego Power STA1500 has a very straightforward mechanism for adding more line. The line threads into the part you remove, so you don’t need to be as careful about making sure everything lines up properly when you reassemble the head.

The Ego Power STA1500 has a bump feed to dispense more line, and we found it quite comfortable to carry. It has a cushy handle and is very well-balanced, but the guard didn’t seem to be as effective as other models, with debris flying back at us on a semi-regular basis depending on the type of cut. However, this model does not have a shoulder strap attachment.

The BlackDecker LST136 and Craftsman V20 Weedwacker are both very simple to pick up and use right away, scoring quite equally in their user-friendliness. Both are very lightweight, making them easiest to handle and finesse in tight areas around obstacles. They’re fairly comfortable to use for long periods, even without a shoulder strap, and their grips are easy to hold. Line replacement is also very straightforward.

Battery Life

Our next metric focused on the battery system of each string trimmer, and this accounts for 25% of each product’s final score. We based the bulk of this score on the maximum runtime for each product and awarded extra points to models with different speed settings because it allows you to maximize the battery life by throttling down when extra speed is unnecessary. We measured the runtime for these weed eaters when they weren’t actually eating weeds, so you’ll probably get lower numbers if you’re chewing through dense vegetation or particularly stubborn weeds.

The Greenworks 14-inch 40V, the Makita XRU15PT. and the Husqvarna 115iL all tied for the first place position in this test. These all lasted for around 90 minutes before the batteries gave out, and they each have a series of different speed settings.

Performance dropped a bit with the remaining trimmers. The Snapper XD 82V clocked in at 48 minutes of runtime and has two operating modes, but we didn’t notice a huge difference between the two modes except for the amount of noise produced. The low power mode still seems plenty powerful to chew through pretty much anything with the line we used. However, the difference between the two modes might be more noticeable with a different line.

Noise

Our final metric focused on the amount of noise that each cordless string trimmer generated while in use. To determine scores, we used a sound level meter to measure the noise from each cordless string trimmer at a distance of 3 feet and had a panel of judges rate how annoying the sounds were at the same distance and from 50 feet away.

The Makita XRU15PT took home the top spot in this metric. Our meter recorded 85 decibels when this model was in use. We noticed, however, that it has a particularly high-pitched whine on startup that is rather irritating. The Craftsman V20 Weedwacker registered 84 decibels, but also suffered from an annoying, high-pitched whine.

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The BlackDecker LST136 trimmer registered sound levels of 85.9 decibels on our meter when it was placed about 3 feet away, though we did find that it has a bit of a high-pitched whine.

The Husqvarna and the Snapper both followed. We recorded sound levels of 88.5 decibels for the Snapper XD. The Husqvarna is very loud on startup, registering 105 decibels, but this quickly drops to around 95 decibels while operating the string trimmer. The Snapper has a whine that can be quite grating, while our judges believe the Husqvarna’s sound is one of the least annoying; it’s just loud.

Conclusion

Whether you need a powerhouse trimmer to tackle the toughest weeds or a lightweight budget model for some minor yard maintenance, we hope this analysis and review has helped you find the perfect cordless string trimmer to match

We Tried Amazon’s Best-Selling Cordless String Trimmer

Family Handyman

If you need a lightweight cordless string trimmer that’s easy to use, this 12-inch model from Worx is perfect for the average yard.

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In case you’re not up with the popular memes on social media, there’s a common one about middle class dads who love lawn care constantly batting around Instagram and other outlets. It’s not one I identify with. I’m not a fan of lawn care. In fact, one great selling point for me about living in the desert after years in the Midwest is that I don’t have to mow a lawn anymore. But I do have to run a trimmer regularly to keep things tidy so as not to incur the wrath of the neighborhood association.

I don’t have much space to take care of, so when it was time to replace my unwieldy corded trimmer, I wanted a cordless yard tool that was also easy to run and maintain. I decided to give the Worx 12-inch string timmer a try. After all, it’s Amazon’s best-selling string trimmer with a 4.5-star rating after more than 21,000 reviews.

What Is the Worx String Trimmer?

Well, like it says, it’s a string trimmer. But it’s actually more than that, too. It converts to an in-line lawn edger with a turn of the head, which makes it easy to quickly take care of grass and weeds growing over your concrete sidewalk or other areas were you might want a crisp line.

The head tilts a full 90 degrees, and the telescoping body can be adjusted with a quick-release lever. That makes it ergonomic to use, and also lets you make necessary adjustments to run it on a hill or squeeze into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. And it weighs less than six pounds.

It comes with two batteries and a charger, which is a nice bonus for a piece of equipment that’s very reasonably priced at just over 100.

How We Tested It

I used it to trim the property around my house over the course of six weeks, so about four times thanks to some surprising summer rains that came a little early.

Right out of the box, set up is easy. It took me less than five minutes to snap the few parts together. After that, I put one of the batteries onto the charger and let it get a full charge before using it.

Performance Review

Family Handyman

I started with a long stretch of green space between the sidewalk and the street. It’s not a landscaped section, by any means, just a random collection of Bermuda grass and desert weeds. This was the first cut of the season too, probably a week or so past due for a trim, so everything was getting a little bushy. You don’t have to have the power of a gas trimmer to take care of that space, but some of those weeds are tough enough to chew through string and get a cheap trimmer twisted up. The Worx trimmer had no problems with them. I didn’t even have to let out more string while I was cutting them.

Next, I moved over to a part of my yard where grass grows up between the large landscaping rocks. There’s not a lot of stuff to cut there, but it can be tricky for a trimmer with the stones. Again, no problems with the Worx trimmer. It got in as close as I needed it to against the rocks and wacked the weeds, without leaving me a tiny nub of string once I finished. Along the sidewalk, the in-line edger was helpful for making a nice even cut.

I’ve used it four times, at about 20 minutes per session, since getting the trimmer, and the battery is still holding its initial charge. That’s an added convenience I appreciate about the Worx trimmer.

The caveat to this is that I don’t have a lot of yard to take care of, so I can’t speak to how well this product would do for large yards or those with a particularly stubborn weed patch that’s gotten out of control.

What Others Are Saying

“Awesome little weed eater! I bought this after struggling over and over to start and restart our gas-powered weed eater,” said Aggie, a verified Amazon purchaser. “This one is so lightweight and literally starts with the push of a button!”

Kimber, another verified purchaser, had this to say: “So how does it perform? I love it. A friend stopped by the other day and complimented me on how nice the yard looked. The trimmer is lightweight, and I have a health issue that causes chronic pain at forty-something. The weight, or lack thereof, is a huge relief compared to the gas trimmer collecting dust and spider webs in the garage. I realize the batteries will lose some steam, but right now I have enough to take care of my yard. It is so easy to feed line to that a child could do it.”!

Final Verdict

This is a solid cordless trimmer that gets the job done for most yards. It might not be as powerful as traditional gas-powered string trimmer, but it’s easier to use and doesn’t require the same kind of upkeep. Its feather weight makes and adjustability make it accessible to more users too.

Where to Buy

via merchant

The Worx 12-inch cordless string trimmer is available from Amazon.

Worx WG184 40V Power Share Cordless Trimmer and Edger Review

Need some help with weeding and edging your lawn, but you’re not prepared to work with a hefty, gas-powered piece of lawn equipment?

The lightweight, cordless Worx WG184 Power Share 2-in-1 40V Trimmer/Edger could solve your issues.

This model is battery-operated, weighs 8.6 pounds, and will run for 20 to 30 minutes before you’ll need to recharge it.

It features a variable speed throttle that an average adult can operate with one hand on the trigger, and an innovative command spool feed system, so it’s simple to feed more line with the press of a button.

It’s easy to use and cost-effective, as long as you stick with the type of tasks this piece of Worx Power Share lawn equipment was designed to handle.

How can I say all this for sure? I’ve been conducting a trial of this cordless electric model on my property.

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And while I’m married to a professional lawn care guy and asked him dozens of questions about weed eater-ology along the way, I have used this particular trimmer/edger myself.

I was able to assemble it without much ado, using just a Philips head screwdriver, charge the batteries with the included charger, insert them, and get to work.

I used this model to complete tasks like clipping the weeds below our thorny rose bush, and edging the untidy grass along the walkway in our side yard.

I couldn’t be more pleased with the independence I have gained via this battery-operated tool.

I’m looking forward to sharing more of the advantages of the Worx WG184, available on Amazon, along with just a couple of potential drawbacks you’ll also want to consider before settling on a model for your own household.

Advantages of a High-Power Cordless Trimmer and Edger

I’ll start out by telling you why I favor cordless electric trimmer/edgers in general, and then move along to give my opinions of the Worx WG184 specifically.

A battery-operated weed eater makes sense for people who are aiming to complete a specific type of lawn work. If you just want to slice weeds that are encroaching on the edges of your lawn or walkways, this type of equipment is an appropriate choice.

It eliminates the need for long extension cords which are required for the plug-in models, and you can dispense with the noise and fumes associated with gas-powered trimmers, too.

But there are certain situations where trimmer/edgers really won’t advance your progress at all, even if they’re powered by gasoline or attached to cords. So before we go any further, I want to spell out a few things about weed eaters.

They’re trimmers, not bushwackers. The idea is to use them for repetitive or hard to reach weeding chores.

A few examples of what the WG184 can accomplish include clearing crabgrass that constantly reappears in the driveway, tidying the edges of ivy or other creeping landscape plants, weed-whacking the tender ground covers that mound up a modest hillside, or cutting the liriope back in spring when it’s threatening to take over the whole yard.

I’m sorry if this is going to burst your bubble, but that’s all, folks. You’ll quickly destroy a trimmer by trying to use it for hardcore jobs like clearing brush from a gulley or cutting scrub from a quarter-acre that hasn’t been mown for years.

Nor should you use these types of tools to cut thorny canes, dry tree branches, entire lawns that are larger than 100 or so square feet, or overgrown vegetable gardens at the end of the season.

As my husband relayed to me based on decades of experience, a tool like the WG184 might survive one of those jobs, but the duress would run through the battery charge really quickly and use up spool after spool of weed eater line.

Trimmer/edgers are built for keeping the edges of the lawn tidy, and weeding spaces where you would be spending hours on your hands and knees and returning to do it again next week if you weren’t using a weed eater.

They aren’t for clearing lots – yours or your neighbor’s.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the key features that set this model apart from the competition.

Key Features

I want to start by mentioning that Worx has a good thing going with its Power Share line.

This collection of more than 75 models of lawn equipment and power tools can all be powered by the same Worx batteries, be they 20-, 40-, or 80-volt.

This value-add can give you more range for using any number of tools longer before returning to the house for recharging. It also allows you to buy this or other models without springing for new batteries if you already use them to power another piece of equipment.

Like most lithium ion batteries, you can anticipate that the two that come with the WG184 will last two or three years before they won’t recharge anymore and you’ll have to purchase new ones.

You can buy replacement batteries direct from the manufacturer or via Amazon.

Another helpful feature is the dual charger that you may receive with your purchase or buy separately.

It has a function available for charging a single battery, but it’s best to charge both at once since the power turns off if either battery runs down – they operate together as a unit in this trimmer.

If you plan to charge the batteries outdoors, note that this charger works only at temperatures between 32 and 110°F. It stops immediately and flashes red once the temperature exceeds or falls below that range.

Indicator lights on the charger flash green while charging is in progress, rest on green when the batteries reach 100 percent, or flash red to indicate that one or both batteries are defective.

With the two 20-volt batteries working in tandem to deliver 40 volts of power, this particular weed eater is more powerful in comparison to other smaller electric cordless versions available today, in some cases twice as much.

That translates to longer sessions between recharging, as well as boosted performance within larger areas or when dealing with taller weeds.

The WG184 runs for 20 to 30 minutes on a single charge, which the manufacturer considers ample time to trim or weed-eat the edges of a half-acre property.

It’s pretty easy to be safe with this model, too.

It features a two-stage start, so a “lock off” button keeps the tool from starting unless you first press the lock off button and then pull the trigger that starts the action.

The 13-inch safety guard attaches near the business end of the trimmer and prevents debris from flying up to injure the operator. It also covers a blade that keeps the weed eater string to a certain length.

If it gets too long, the blade cuts the end off before the line begins to strain the motor.

The included spool of copolymer nylon resin and synthetic weed eater string is another handy feature, and it’s considered pro grade.

The spool is already wound and you simply click it into place after opening the chamber with a push button.

The shape of the spool is designed to minimize drag so the WG184 can make cuts more effectively, which also promotes longer battery life during operation.

You can purchase replacement spools with 20 feet of line at Home Depot or two-packs of spools for a total of 40 feet of line from Amazon.

Its push button Command Feed spool system is another innovative bit of technology you’ll see on the WG184. This proprietary feature is one of my husband’s favorites.

It allows you to feed more line merely by pressing a button.

You do this while the machine is running until you hear a clattering sound that indicates the line is being cut to the proper length.

The WG184 will safely halt the mower when the feed is engaged, and then restart once the line has been cut and is in place for more trimming or edging.

When assembled and fully loaded with batteries, the WG184 weighs 8.6 pounds and is 65.77 inches long by 13.75 inches wide by 9 inches high at the housing.

While it’s not as light as some of the other Power Share power tools manufactured by Worx, most users will be able to lift it readily. I found I started getting tired of holding the trimmer only towards the end of my first 20-minute weed eating session, and I’m not able to lift more than 40 pounds at a go.

A D-grip handle is another ergonomic feature of this model. You can use it to position the trimmer so you can hold it long enough to complete the task at hand.

A pivoting head allows you to trim and edge on uneven terrain, like you might find alongside certain driveways. To change the angle of the head, you put your foot on the safety guard and pull up or down on the shaft to position the head at the desired angle.

The WG184 also includes a set of detachable edger wheels. They clip on to the main rod of the trimmer easily, making it possible to stand upright and cut a straight edge while you roll the trimmer down a hard surface next to the vegetation you’re trimming.

I’ve left the most fun feature for last. This edger includes a variable speed throttle.

You can press the trigger to increase the speed when you’re faced with a rougher patch, and then release it bit by bit to decelerate and preserve battery power.

That’s a fun activity, and you may find yourself indulging in unnecessary revving the first couple times you use the WG184. I know I did!

Pros and Cons

For my money, the main benefits of the WG184 include its ergonomic features, its relatively long-lasting batteries, its safety features, and the technology that allows you to feed more line using only a push button.

I also value the safety features, including the two-step starter and the safety guard. And I appreciate the two-year warranty that can be extended to three years by registering online within 30 days of purchase.

The only two potential drawbacks I found are not a big deal. The first pertains to where the motor is located.

Having it installed at the end of the trimmer that reaches the vegetation, instead of near the handle, makes it just a wee bit harder to control the motion you use to swipe the trimmer back and forth.

If this was a big, heavy, gas-powered trimmer and edger, it would be impossible to maneuver if the motor was close to the ground like that. But since this model weighs less than nine pounds, it’s not much of an issue.

Also, that extensive, 13-inch safety guard enhances the reach of the WG184, allowing it to cut in a 13-inch circle without tossing debris into the air.

But this can also make it hard to see what you’re trying to cut, since it covers so much area.

Again, I’m willing to live with the obscured view for safety’s sake, but it can be a drawback if you can’t remember to first carefully determine where you’re cutting and how much power you’ll need from that fabulous throttle ahead of activating the tool.

Specs

Need a recap before you reach any conclusions about the WG184? Here’s a summary of the specs for this product:

• Dimensions: 65.77 inches (L) by 13.75 inches (W) by 9 inches (H) assembled, plus 13-inch diameter safety guard
• Accessories included: Spool of 20ft weed eater line, edger wheels, 2 20V MaxLithium PowerShare batteries (optional), charger (optional)
• Safety features: 13-inch safety guard, 2-stage start
• Trimmer/edger weight with batteries installed: 8.6 pounds
• Total product weight with battery charger: 10.7 pounds
• Battery power type: Lithium ion
• Battery amp hours: 2.0 Ah
• Battery life: 20-30 minutes, depending on use
• Recharge time: Around an hour
• Engine type: Electric motor
• Power level: 40V
• Manufacturer’s warranty: 3 years with online registration within 30 days
• Cutting diameter: 13 inches
• Line diameter: 0.08 inches
• Shaft type: Fixed
• Head type for terrain: 90 degrees rotating
• Edging capability: Rotating shaft with optional wheel guide
• Power type: Cordless
• Start type: Electric
• Speed: Variable speed throttle

Extra Oomph from a Battery-Powered Trimmer/Edger

As someone who thoroughly enjoys helping with the yardwork but who can’t lift heavy equipment or contend with gas fumes, I really appreciate getting to use this WG184 to weed-eat the small jobs without a lot of hassle.

It helps me to be more independent, sure, but it’s also gratifying to watch it make a clean cut along the ragged edges near our walks and driveway, or beneath the Knock Out rose bushes where the mower can’t reach.

And I don’t have to wait for assistance with minor edging and trimming chores, which eliminates a common source of frustration.

My favorite feature is the ease with which you initially assemble the edger using just your hands and a Phillips head screwdriver. One screw? I’ve got this!

I also value the push-button ease of engaging the automatic feed on the spool system.

My husband will still be using bigger gas-powered models in his lawn care business, but he also loves having this lighter, more environmentally-friendly weed eater to use for the smaller jobs at our house.

And he surprised me by being the one to note how lovely it is to trim the edges of the lawn without the usual uproar from a gas-powered motor. “We can even have a conversation while we work,” he added.

The hum of the electric motor sounds much like one of our space heaters, and even the whinging of the string as it whirls about slicing vegetation is acceptable.

And when I mentioned this model on a Zoom call with my six adult siblings, we all agreed that the interchangeable Power Share batteries were just the kind of practical touch a frugal family like ours can really appreciate.

If you’d like to get tidy results on the edges of your lawn, walkways, or gardens, without the heavy lifting or gas fumes, I would definitely recommend the Worx WG184 for an average adult who does their own yard work.

You can purchase this model via Amazon and with free shipping from Walmart.

Choose from tool-only or with two 20-volt batteries and charger included.

If you’re considering investing in other lawn and garden hand tools and equipment, or you just want to check out the possibilities, Gardener’s Path can provide expert advice to guide your decision.

5 Best Cordless String Trimmer 2023 [The Only 5 You Should Consider Today]

We’ve got consumer info and reviews of hand tools and equipment that run the range from extra-simple to contractor-quality – and cover options that are battery- or gas-operated, or that run off of electrical cords or good old human muscle power.

To learn more about our favorites, check out these gardening gear roundups and reviews next:

Photos by Rose Kennedy © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Home Depot and Worx. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Test model provided by the manufacturer.