Best Cordless String Trimmer For A Crisp and Neat Lawn

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Your lawnmower can only do so much. When it comes it cutting down those overgrown patches of weeds and grass, you'll need a different gardening tool altogether.

Having the best cordless string trimmer is essential for proper lawn care. It ensures that you're able to trim those pesky weeds and keep them in line. These strings trimmers are lightweight, easy to use, and powerful. They'll have your lawn looking crisp and neat in no time.

Whether you're looking for a gas-powered model, battery-powered string trimmer, or electric string trimmers, having a quality cordless weed eater/weed whacker can make your mowing life easier.

We picked out the best cordless string trimmers and outlined features to consider when buying them.

Best Cordless String Trimmers

1. WORX GT3.0 Cordless Trimmer

Sale
WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12" Cordless String...
  • [TRIMMER & EDGER 2-in-1] Easily converts from a string trimmer to...
  • [INSTANT LINE FEED] Innovative push button Command Feed spool...
  • [DO IT ALL WITH THE SAME BATTERY] Worx Power Share is compatible...
  • [BATTERIES INCLUDED] 2 powerful and lightweight 20V Power Share...
  • [HEAD TILTS 90°] So you can trim and edge on sloped terrain, and...

The electric string trimmer holds a 0.065-inch thick string that can tackle thicker grass and weeds than most battery-powered models.

The battery-powered string trimmer is versatile enough for any yard. It has a variable speed control that delivers additional runtime. The trimmer head pivots from 0 to 90 degrees to provide any angle needed for trimming and edging. This allows you to trim the tight spots and uneven terrain.

The battery-powered weed eater features a set of removable, in-line wheels for an easy transition between professional trimming and precise edging. All you do is push the trimmer-to-edger button, which enables a seamless transition.

Pros:

  • Easily switches between trimmer and edger.
  • Lightweight design reduces fatigue during use.
  • Command Feed system allows for instant line feed.

Cons:

  • Limited cutting width may require more passes.
  • Battery life can be shorter than expected for large areas.

2. Greenworks 40V Cordless String Trimmer + Leaf Blower Combo

Sale
Greenworks 40V Cordless String Trimmer + Leaf Blower...
  • 40V COMBO KIT: This string trimmer + blower combo kit allows you...
  • 12” STRING TRIMMER: Powers through the toughest grass and...
  • LEAF BLOWER: Provides powerful clearing performance featuring 390...
  • LIGHTWEIGHT: Ultra lightweight design, along with superior...
  • EASY TO USE: Push button start. Included 2.0Ah battery

This is the best cordless string trimmer for homeowners on a budget.

The 2-in-1 trimmer/edger costs about $170 and is equipped with a high-performance 40V MAX lithium-ion battery.

The battery-powered string trimmer is versatile and convenient in that it converts to an edger. It features an automatic feed spool, which eliminates constant stopping and starting while trimming by smoothly feeding trimmer line with no bumping required.

The weed whacker runs for about 40 minutes on a single charge. This is actually quite impressive for a battery-powered string trimmer.

Pros:

  • Lightweight design enhances maneuverability.
  • Instant start with push button functionality.
  • Efficient battery charging keeps us working longer.

Cons:

  • Best for light residential use, not heavy-duty tasks.
  • Battery life may limit longer jobs.
  • Some assembly required to set up the kit.

3. JAGROM 12-inch Cordless Trimmer

JAGROM 12-inch 20V Cordless String Trimmer with Fast...
  • [Trimmer and Edger] JAGROM 2 in 1 Cordless String Trimmer...
  • [60Mins Powerful Battery Life] JAGROM string trimmer comes with...
  • [Multiple Adjustment for Use] JAGROM uses a more ergonomic...
  • [Automatic Line Feed and Cut] Our grass trimmer have the...
  • [Portable Installation & Effective] It only requires simple...

For us, using the JAGROM 12-inch Cordless String Trimmer has been a welcome adjustment. We like that the handle and cutting head have two adjustable angles, and its lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver. When dealing with confined areas surrounding flower beds, this feature is quite useful.

The dual-battery setup is revolutionary. The fact that we can work for a long time without worrying about running out of power is something we love. Another benefit is the fast charger, which quickly prepares our batteries for additional yard labor.

Pros:

  • Lightweight design for effortless handling.
  • Easy adjustment features for custom angles.
  • Fast charger and extra batteries make it user-friendly.

Cons:

  • May struggle with thicker weeds.
  • Battery life can be inconsistent under heavy use.

4. Black+Decker Cordless String Trimmer 

BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX String Trimmer / Edger, 13-Inch...
  • High-performance 40V max Lithium ion Battery with state of charge...
  • Power drive high-torque transmission gives you cutting power at...
  • Automatic feed Spool - afs which automatically feeds trimmer line...
  • Converts from trimmer to edger in seconds

The battery-powered string trimmer is pretty remarkable in that it's the industry's first trimmer with powered string rewinding. EGO refers to this functionality as Powerload. All you do is feed a precut length of string through the head and press the rewind button at the end of the shaft. Then, the string zooms into the head in seconds.

The cordless electric string trimmer is powered by a lithium battery and features a dual-line. The weed eater also has a variable speed control that allows you to control the 15-inch cutting swath easily.

Pros:

  • Good battery life
  • Easy to use
  • Has plenty of cutting power
  • Durable

Cons:

  • A little heavy

5. SUNCHERS Cordless String Trimmer

SUNCHERS 12-inch 20V Cordless String Trimmer with...
  • [Trimmer and Edger] SUNCHERS 2 in 1 Cordless String Trimmer...
  • [Powerful Battery Life] SUNCHERS string trimmer comes with two...
  • [Multiple Adjustment Design] SUNCHERS uses a more ergonomic...
  • [Automatic Line Feed and Cut] Our grass trimmer have the...
  • [Portable Installation & Effective] It only requires simple...

The SUNCHERS 12-inch cordless string trimmer wowed us with its ability to be used as both an edger and a trimmer during our recent test. We were able to quickly switch between functions with a simple adjustment, which made it easy to tackle different parts of our yard. A considerate innovation, the protective spacer guard made sure we didn't inadvertently harm our plants when pruning.

The battery life was really noticeable. We discovered that, with two 2.0Ah batteries, we could work on a fully charged device for more than 30 minutes. As a result, we were able to finish our cutting requirements without having to stop frequently to charge. That second battery is a nice addition, and it will be especially helpful if we have a bigger project planned.

Pros:

  • Versatile 2-in-1 design functioning as both trimmer and edger.
  • Good battery life, allowing for consistent yard work.
  • Ergonomic adjustments make it user-friendly.

Cons:

  • May struggle with thicker vegetation.
  • String retraction can be cumbersome at times.

Features To Consider When Buying Best Cordless String Trimmers

a) Power Source

The power of cordless string trimmers is measured depending on its source. When looking for the best cordless string trimmer, you need to consider its power source as gas-powered tools are different from battery-powered string trimmers.

For gas-powered string trimmers, cubic centimeters (cc) refer to the engine's size. This directly impacts power output.

For battery-powered trimmers, the power output is measured based on the battery's voltage.

A larger engine(cc) or higher voltage battery (volts) will produce more power. This means that it can drive the string through thicker weeds and grass without getting bogged down.

Thus, the best battery-powered string trimmers tend to have higher voltage batteries. The same refers to the best gas models.

b) Weight 

Grass trimmers can weigh more than 10 pounds which can be quite challenging for homeowners with limited upper body strength, such as seniors.

When searching for the best cordless string trimmers, it's essential to pay attention to the weight. You don't want to buy one that's too heavy and end up wearing yourself down every time you want to trim or edge the yard. You can do this by reading other customer reviews and seeing what they had to say on the weight.

Some cordless weed eaters feature a shoulder strap (which is often sold separately) that allows you to lighten the load on your arms and back.

c) Trim Width

Also known as the “swath width,” refers to how wide a path the cordless trimmer will cut through weeds in a single pass.

Many weed trimmers on the market today feature swath widths of 10 to 18 inches. The wider the width, the more power the weed whacker has, which often means that the trimmer will be heavier, requiring a larger and more powerful battery.

Cordless models with a large cutting head and swath mean you cover more ground in less time, allowing you to finish the work faster.

Gas models tend to have larger cutting swaths than electric models.

A smaller cutting head can, however, be helpful when maneuvering tight spots. 

d) Line Diameter

Line diameter refers to how thick a string of a trimmer can hold. Thicker string tends to more durable and can cut through thicker and taller grass and weeds. The best cordless weed eaters tend to use thicker string. Ideally, if looking for a string trimmer for residential needs, a line that's 0.065 to 0.08 inches is sufficient. If you plan on doing heavy-duty work, then you may want to consider a professional-grade 0.095-inch or one that's even thicker.

e) Battery Type

It's all about power when it comes to running a string trimmer. Most battery-powered string trimmers run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, while a few accept nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more powerful, but NiCad batteries are less expensive. Lithium-ion batteries are smaller and tend to hold the charge longer.

The downside of NiCad batteries is their “memory effect,” which means that if the battery is used before it is fully charged—or if it’s recharged before its power depletes—it will remember the charge levels and won’t hold a longer charge in the future.

Thus, if you opt for a battery-powered string trimmer that has a NiCad battery, it's best if you let it charge fully before you use it and drain completely before charging.

Many users, however, prefer string trimmers with a Lithium-ion battery.

f) Voltage

Another important consideration is how much operating power the battery has. This is measured in volts. Rechargeable batteries tend to average from 18 volts up to 60 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the more powerful and expensive it is.

String trimmers that require higher voltage batteries tend to sell without them or battery chargers. Hence the user is required to purchase them separately. Lower voltage batteries are sufficient for powering many cordless trimmers, and one or two batteries tend to be included in the purchase.

g) Noise

Battery-powered string trimmers are quieter compared to gas trimmers. Gas trimmers tend to emit an average of 90 decibels, roughly the same loudness that a motorcycle makes when it passes by at a distance of 25 feet. In comparison, a cordless string trimmer emits approximately 77 decibels, comparable to the loudness of living room music.

h) Battery Life

Another crucial factor to consider is how long a cordless trimmer can run on one charge. Ideally, anything above half an hour is good, while some battery-powered tools can give you an hour or more without the need to be plugged in. Always think of the work you need to do and decide if the battery life of the unit you are considering will be enough.

i) One String or Two

Weed eaters can have either one cutting string or two. For heavy-duty work, consider the best cordless weed eater with dual strings as it will make it easier and faster to cut through tough grass and weeds.

Frequently Asked Question About Best Cordless String Trimmer (FAQ)

What is the difference between gas string trimmers and cordless trimmers?

Gas Trimmer

Gas-powered trimmers are considered the most powerful, even though other string trimmers are now beginning to catch up. They are, however, noisier, heavier, and tend to be more expensive in the long run as they require more maintenance. They are also not environmentally friendly since they burn gas. 

Gas-powered trimmers are still the first choice for commercial-grade use but not homeowners.

Cordless String Trimmer

They are quiet and easy to use. They can be battery-powered or electric string trimmers. The beauty of cordless is not being attached to an extension cord. This makes it convenient and gives you a greater range.

The downside is that for battery-powered string trimmers, the batteries can sometimes not last very long. This means you have about 15 minutes of use. However, it depends on the model, as others can give you 30 minutes while others even more. They do tend to have rechargeable batteries.

It's a great option if you're looking for an option that's not noisy, not restrictive, and too heavy.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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