Gas trimmers are loud and heavy and force you to mix fuel, while corded electric models tie you to an outlet and leave a cord to trip over. That is why so many homeowners now reach for the best battery powered string trimmers instead.
Modern lithium-ion tools have closed the power gap, so you no longer trade muscle for convenience. Today’s cordless weed eaters run quiet, produce no emissions, and still chew through a weekend’s worth of overgrown grass.
I compared the current market to find eight battery powered string trimmers worth buying right now. Whether you need a strong tool for thick weeds or a light one for quick touch-ups, there is a pick here that fits your yard.
Our Top Picks
- Up to 60 minutes of runtime
- POWERLOAD one-button line winding
- 16-inch dual-line cutting swath
- Accepts various line sizes
- Ergonomic design comes in handy
- Powerful but quiet tool
- Convenient command feed spool system
- Comes with two versatile batteries
- 90-degree tilting head for working on hills or angles
- Includes a 390 CFM leaf blower
- Weighing less than eight pounds
- Equipped with a variable speed trigger
- Converts from trimmer to edger
- 180-degree adjustable handle
- Stabilizer wheel for straight edging
- Versatile trimmer and edger combo kit
- Automatically feeds the trimmer line
- Shows the remaining battery life
- High-torque PowerDrive transmission for thick grass
- Automatic feed spool, no bumping the head
- Converts to an edger by rotating the shaft
- Folds down for compact storage
- Automatic line feed
- Two 2.0Ah batteries and a charger included
Our Review Criteria: Cutting power relative to weight decides this category, because a trimmer that bogs down in thick grass forces a second pass and drains the pack doing it. So voltage, amp-hours, and the swath the head actually clears get weighed together with how the tool handles ten minutes into a session, never in isolation. The line feed system is the next filter: an auto-feed spool that advances line when it is not needed burns through string, and a bump head that jams wastes the same time, so feed behaviour in verified owner reports counts alongside the published spec sheet. Battery platform is the third: a pack that also runs a blower or hedge trimmer keeps earning after the trimmer wears out, while a closed off-brand cell strands the tool the day it dies, and any pick running one gets that flagged in its drawback box. Specs are matched against the manufacturer listing for that exact model number, and a figure the maker does not publish is marked “Not listed” rather than estimated. Every pick is rechecked for current availability and swapped when a model is discontinued, so the list stays buyable.
What to Look For
Every yard is different, so the perfect tool for your neighbor might be wrong for you. Keep these specific criteria in mind to find your match.
Product Reviews
I compared voltage platforms, dug through spec sheets, and read owner reports to see which tools hold up in real yard work and which fall short. My picks weigh runtime, cutting power, ease of line loading, and overall value. Whether you have a quarter-acre lot or a small patio garden, there is a trimmer here for you.
Here are the picks that made the cut.
EGO POWER+ 16-Inch LINE IQ String Trimmer
Best Overall
The EGO POWER+ 16-inch trimmer earns the top spot because it pairs near-gas cutting power with genuinely useful convenience features. For most homeowners with a medium to large yard, it removes the usual reasons to hang on to a gas machine.
Its 56V battery drives a wide 16-inch dual-line head and delivers up to 60 minutes of runtime on the included 4.0Ah pack, so a full session rarely needs a mid-job recharge. The telescopic carbon fiber shaft adjusts to your height, and a two-speed selector lets you conserve power on light grass or open it up on heavy growth.
What We Like
POWERLOAD Line Winding
Restringing a trimmer is the chore everyone dreads. With POWERLOAD you feed the line through the head, press a button, and the motor winds it for you. There is no spool to pull apart.
LINE IQ Auto-Feed
LINE IQ senses the line length and feeds it automatically as you work, holding a full 16-inch cut without bumping the head on the ground. It keeps you moving across a large yard.
Long 60-Minute Runtime
The 56V 4.0Ah battery runs up to an hour on a charge, and the same pack fits every tool in EGO’s 56V lineup. Adding a blower or mower later needs no new batteries.
Carbon Fiber Telescopic Shaft
The shaft is light, stiff, and adjusts to your height, which eases back strain over a long session. EGO backs the tool with a five-year warranty, longer than most cordless brands offer.
What We Don't Like
Heavy at the Head
At about 12.6 pounds it is one of the heavier trimmers here, and owner reviews consistently report the weight sitting toward the cutting head. You will feel it in your arms after thirty minutes, so a support strap helps on big jobs.
Line Feed Has a Learning Curve
The POWERLOAD head works best with EGO’s round twist line; square line can jam the winding mechanism. A few owners also had to reset LINE IQ before it fed correctly out of the box.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 56v lithium-ion battery (4.0Ah) |
| Battery Life | Up to 60 minutes |
| Cutting Swath | 16 inches |
| Line Diameter | 0.095 inches |
| Weight | 12.6 pounds |
DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX String Trimmer
Most Powerful
If you have stayed on gas because you doubt battery power, the DeWalt FLEXVOLT is the one to try. Its 60V FLEXVOLT pack and gear-drive transmission deliver torque close to a professional gas trimmer.
It is built for tough environments. Whether you are battling tall grass, thick weeds, or neglected fence lines, the gear-drive transmission powers through without bogging down. It also features a variable speed trigger and a high/low speed switch, giving you complete control over performance and run time.
What We Like
Versatile Line Capacity
This trimmer accepts both 0.080-inch and 0.095-inch line. Switching to the thicker 0.095 twist line turns this tool into a brush-clearing machine.
Ergonomic Design
Despite the high power, it weighs about 12 pounds. The straight shaft design and adjustable handle provide excellent reach and leverage, reducing back strain during big jobs.
Surprisingly Quiet
You get commercial-grade power without the ear-splitting whine of a 2-cycle engine. Your ears (and your neighbors) will appreciate the decibel drop.
Brushless Efficiency
The high-efficiency brushless motor maximizes run time and durability. There are no brushes to wear out, meaning less maintenance over the life of the tool.
What We Don't Like
Stock Head Issues
The included “Quick-Load” spool head receives mixed reviews. Some users find it jams easily or is difficult to load. Many owners eventually upgrade to a third-party head like a standard SpeedFeed.
Heavy Over a Long Session
This kit does include a 3.0Ah FLEXVOLT battery, but the trimmer weighs about 12 pounds with the pack fitted. That is fine along a fence line and tiring across a full yard, and a spare 60V FLEXVOLT pack costs a good deal more than a typical 20V battery.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 60v lithium-ion, 3.0Ah battery |
| Battery Life | About 40 minutes |
| Cutting Swath | 15 inches |
| Line Diameter | 0.080 and 0.095 inches |
| Weight | 12 pounds |
WORX 20V Trimmer & Edger
Best Lightweight Pick
At 5.5 pounds, the WORX GT 3.0 suits anyone who finds a standard trimmer too heavy to hold steady, and it takes the lightweight slot for what comes with that weight: two 20V batteries in the box and a wheeled edger conversion, so a light tool still covers a full session and a second job.
The standout feature is the tool-free conversion. You can flip the head 90 degrees and deploy the integrated wheels to turn it into a walk-behind edger. It supports your weight and rolls along the sidewalk, giving you a crisp edge without the arm strain.
What We Like
Command Feed Button
Forget bumping the head on the ground. This model features a button near the handle; press it, and the motor briefly stops to extend fresh line instantly. It saves time and frustration.
Free Spools for Life
WORX offers a “Spools for Life” program where you just pay shipping. It is a nice perk that lowers the long-term cost of ownership.
PowerShare Compatibility
The kit includes two 20V batteries that work with any other WORX PowerShare tool. Having two batteries means you can keep one on the charger while you work.
Fully Adjustable
The shaft telescopes to fit your height, and the front handle adjusts to your preferred grip. The head also tilts 90 degrees, allowing you to trim under decks and lawn furniture easily.
What We Don't Like
Light Duty Only
This uses a thin 0.065-inch single line. It is perfect for grass, but it will struggle against thick weeds or woody stems. The line tends to break quickly on hard surfaces.
Limited Battery Life
Each of the two 20V batteries gives about 15 to 20 minutes of trimming, so roughly 30 to 40 minutes if you swap packs mid-job. That is plenty for a townhome or small lot, but do not expect to clear a large property.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 2 20v MaxLithium batteries |
| Battery Life | 15-20 minutes per battery (two included) |
| Cutting Swath | 12 inches |
| Line Diameter | 0.065 inches |
| Weight | 5.5 pounds |
Greenworks 40V Trimmer Blower Combo
Best Trimmer and Blower Combo
This Greenworks kit lands here for a concrete reason: one box holds a 12-inch string trimmer, a leaf blower, and the 40V battery and charger that run both, so there is no second tool and no second battery platform to buy later.
What sets this kit apart is not noise, since every pick here runs on a quiet electric motor instead of a two-cycle gas engine. It is the second tool: the 390 CFM axial blower clears grass clippings off a driveway once the trimming is done, and it runs on the same 40V pack as the trimmer.
What We Like
Value-Packed Combo
You get two lawn tools and a 40V battery platform in one box, which is why it lands here on value. The blower handles hard surfaces like driveways and patios once the trimming is done.
Featherweight Design
The trimmer weighs 7.8 pounds. Combined with the low vibration of the electric motor, it stays easy to steer through a long session without your arms tiring.
Simple Auto-Feed
The single-line auto-feed head advances line automatically as you stop and start the trigger. It eliminates the need for bumping, simplifying the process for beginners.
One Battery For Both Tools
The trimmer and the 390 CFM blower run off the same 40V pack, so you charge one battery and swap it between the two tools instead of buying and storing a second battery platform.
What We Don't Like
Single Line Cutting
The 0.065-inch single line limits cutting efficiency compared to dual-line models. You might have to make two passes over dense patches of grass.
Battery Capacity
The included 2.0Ah battery is on the smaller side, and the 30-minute figure assumes trimming alone. Run the blower and the trimmer back-to-back and you will likely want a second battery to finish the job without waiting on a recharge.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 40v lithium-ion battery |
| Battery Life | About 30 minutes of trimming; less if you also run the blower |
| Cutting Swath | 12 inches |
| Line Diameter | 0.065 inches |
| Weight | 7.8 pounds |
VARSK 12-Inch 2-in-1 String Trimmer and Edger
Best for Small Yards
The VARSK 20V trimmer is the one to reach for on a small or mid-size lot where a full-size machine is more tool than the yard needs. It switches between grass trimming and lawn edging with no tools, so one light unit covers two jobs.
Press the rotation button and turn the shaft 90 degrees to drop into edging mode, where a built-in stabilizer wheel rolls along the pavement for a straight, controlled line. At just 5.3 pounds, with a 180-degree adjustable handle and an 80-degree pivoting head, it reaches under bushes and along fence lines that stiffer trimmers miss.
What We Like
True 2-in-1 Design
A single button rotates the head between trimming and edging, so you are not buying or storing a separate edger. It suits a townhouse or a compact suburban lot that does not need a full-size machine.
Automatic Line Feed
There is no bumping the head to release line. The feed advances the string each time you restart the motor and trims off the excess, so the cut width stays consistent.
Easy To Carry and Control
At 5.3 pounds it is a light tool to hold steady, which matters if reach or arm strength is a concern. The adjustable handle and pivoting head help you find a comfortable angle.
Two Batteries and Spare Spools
The kit ships with two 2.0Ah batteries, so you can swap in a fresh pack and keep working, plus six replacement spools that cover a full season of light trimming.
What We Don't Like
Light-Duty Only
This is a maintenance trimmer, not a brush cutter. The 20V motor and thin line handle lawn grass and edges well, but they bog down in tall weeds or woody stems.
Off-Brand Battery Platform
VARSK packs do not fit the major tool ecosystems, so the batteries are useful only with this trimmer. Long-term parts and warranty support are less certain than with an established brand.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 2 20v lithium-ion batteries |
| Battery Life | 30+ minutes |
| Cutting Swath | 12 inches |
| Line Diameter | Not listed |
| Weight | 5.3 pounds |
Black+Decker Sweeper and String Trimmer
Most Ergonomic
Black+Decker is a household name for a reason: they make accessible, easy-to-use tools. This kit focuses entirely on user comfort.
The trimmer uses an AFS (Automatic Feed Spool) system that keeps the line at the right length with no bumping the head, and it converts to an edger without tools. Between the adjustable soft-grip auxiliary handle and the battery charge indicator, it is the least fussy tool here to set up and run. Read the weight carefully, though: the 11-pound figure in the specs below is the shipping weight of the whole kit, trimmer plus sweeper. The trimmer alone is the lighter half of that, but it is still heavier in the hand than the WORX and VARSK picks.
What We Like
Sweeper Combo
The included sweeper is lightweight and quiet. While it won’t move wet piles of autumn leaves, it is perfect for blowing dry grass clippings off your driveway and sidewalk after trimming.
Simple Ergonomics
The top handle and adjustable auxiliary handle are coated in a soft-grip rubber. It reduces vibration and provides a secure hold, even when wearing work gloves.
Battery Status Indicators
The batteries have built-in charge indicators. You can check how much charge is left with the press of a button, so a pack does not run dry halfway down the fence line.
Tool-Free Edger Conversion
The head rotates into edging position by hand, with no tools to find and no second machine to store. You can trim a border and then cut a clean edge along the same driveway without stopping to swap machines.
What We Don't Like
Plastic Build
To keep the weight and price down, the construction is almost entirely plastic. It is durable enough for normal use, but it won’t survive being tossed around like a professional tool.
Small Spool Capacity
The spools are small and run out relatively fast if you are trimming against abrasive surfaces like brick or concrete walls.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 40v lithium-ion battery |
| Battery Life | 25-30 minutes |
| Cutting Swath | 13 inches |
| Line Diameter | 0.065 inches |
| Weight | 11 pounds (kit: trimmer and sweeper) |
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX String Trimmer
Best Affordable Pick
If you want more cutting power than a 20V tool without paying premium-platform money, the BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX is the sensible middle of this list. It ships as a kit with the 40V MAX battery and charger in the box, and that pack fits the rest of the BLACK+DECKER 40V outdoor line, so it also feeds a blower or hedge trimmer later.
The high-torque PowerDrive transmission sends more torque to the head, so the line keeps its speed in thick grass instead of bogging down. Rotate the shaft and the head drops into edging position, and the pack has a charge indicator, so you can check what is left before you start a border.
What We Like
Automatic Feed Spool
The AF-100 spool feeds line on its own, so there is no bumping the head on the lawn to get more string. You keep trimming instead of stopping to coax line out.
High-Torque Transmission
The PowerDrive transmission raises cutting force at the head, so the string holds its speed in dense patches that stall lighter 20V trimmers.
Trimmer and Edger in One
The shaft rotates to convert the tool into an edger, which gives you a clean border along a driveway or walkway without buying a second machine.
An Established Battery Platform
Spools, chargers, and replacement 40V MAX packs are easy to find, and those packs fit the other BLACK+DECKER 40V yard tools, so the money you spend on batteries keeps working for you.
What We Don't Like
Mostly Plastic Housing
The shaft and body are largely plastic to hold the weight and the price down. It handles normal lawn duty, but it will not shrug off the knocks a metal-shafted tool takes.
The Smallest Pack in This Roundup
The kit ships with a single 1.5Ah 40V pack, so it runs shorter per charge than the larger packs in this roundup, such as the 3.0Ah battery in the DEWALT kit. A larger yard means a spare pack or a break to recharge.
Auto-Feed Can Be Eager
Owners report the auto-feed sometimes advances line when it is not needed, which burns through spools faster than a bump-feed head would.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 40v lithium-ion, 1.5Ah (included, with charger) |
| Battery Life | Not listed |
| Cutting Swath | 13 inches |
| Line Diameter | 0.065 inches (AF-100 spool) |
| Weight | Not listed |
KOMASTY 20V Cordless String Trimmer and Edger
Best Budget Starter Kit
If the budget is the whole brief and the yard is small, the KOMASTY 20V kit is the cheapest way onto this list. It arrives ready to run with two batteries and a charger in the box, so nothing else has to be bought before the first pass.
The 12-inch cutting swath clears lawn grass and light weeds, the shaft folds down so the tool tucks into a closet or a crowded garage, and the head and handle adjust for edging a border or reaching under furniture. Treat it as a maintenance tool for a small lot, not a substitute for the name-brand picks above.
What We Like
Low Cost of Entry
This is the least expensive route to a cordless trimmer here, and it still includes the batteries and charger that budget tools often leave out.
Folds for Compact Storage
The shaft folds for storage, so the tool tucks into a corner, a closet, or a full garage. That matters in an apartment or a home short on space.
Automatic Line Feed
The auto-feed head dispenses line as it wears instead of making you bump the head on the ground, which keeps setup friendly for a first-time user.
Two Batteries Included
Two 2.0Ah packs come in the box, enough combined runtime to finish most small-yard jobs before a recharge.
What We Don't Like
Small-Yard Tool Only
The 20V motor and short runtime suit quick touch-ups, not a large or overgrown lot. Push it into thick weeds and the motor slows while the battery drains fast.
No-Name Brand Support
KOMASTY is not an established brand, and its packs fit no major tool ecosystem, so replacement spools, spare batteries, and long-term warranty help are harder to count on than with the BLACK+DECKER above.
Product Specs
| Battery Type | 2 20v lithium-ion batteries |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 minutes |
| Cutting Swath | 12 inches |
| Line Diameter | Not listed |
| Weight | Not listed |
| Product | Best | Battery Type | Battery Life | Cutting Swath | Line Diameter | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO POWER+ 16-Inch LINE IQ String Trimmer | Overall | 56v lithium-ion, 4.0Ah | Up to 60 minutes | 16 inches | 0.095 inches | 12.6 pounds |
| DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX String Trimmer | Powerful | 60v lithium-ion, 3.0Ah | About 40 minutes | 15 inches | 0.080 and 0.095 inches | 12 pounds |
| WORX 20V Trimmer & Edger | Lightweight Pick | 2 20v MaxLithium batteries | 15-20 minutes per battery | 12 inches | 0.065 inches | 5.5 pounds |
| Greenworks 40V Trimmer Blower Combo | Trimmer and Blower Combo | 40v lithium-ion battery | About 30 minutes (trimming only) | 12 inches | 0.065 inches | 7.8 pounds |
| VARSK 12-Inch 2-in-1 String Trimmer and Edger | For Small Yards | 2 x 20v lithium-ion batteries | 30+ minutes | 12 inches | Not listed | 5.3 pounds |
| Black+Decker Sweeper and String Trimmer | Ergonomic | 40v lithium-ion battery | 25-30 minutes | 13 inches | 0.065 inches | 11 pounds (kit) |
| BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX String Trimmer | Affordable Pick | 40v lithium-ion, 1.5Ah (included, with charger) | Not listed | 13 inches | 0.065 inches | Not listed |
| KOMASTY 20V Cordless String Trimmer and Edger | Budget Starter Kit | 2 x 20v lithium-ion batteries | Up to 30 minutes | 12 inches | Not listed | Not listed |
How To Maintain a Battery Powered Trimmer
Cordless tools require less maintenance than gas engines, but they are not maintenance-free. Follow these steps to keep your trimmer running for years.
- Manage Battery Health: Store lithium-ion batteries indoors. Extreme heat (sheds in summer) and freezing cold (garages in winter) will permanently degrade the battery cells.
- Clean the Air Intakes: Grass clippings love to clog the motor vents. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clear them out after every use to prevent the motor from overheating.
- Scrape the Guard: Wet grass cakes onto the underside of the safety guard. If you let it dry, it becomes like concrete and throws off the balance of the machine. Scrape it clean while it is fresh.
- Check the Spool: Before storing, check the spool for tangles. If the line looks melted or fused together, unspool it and rewind it smoothly.
- Lubricate (If Applicable): Some straight-shaft models have a grease point near the head. Check your manual; a squirt of grease once a season can extend the life of the gears.
- Remove Battery for Storage: Never store the tool with the battery inserted. If the trigger gets bumped accidentally, it could start the motor or slowly drain the battery.
Battery Powered String Trimmers FAQs
In Conclusion
The right pick comes down to the size of your yard. For a medium to large lot, the EGO POWER+ has the runtime, the 16-inch swath, and the one-button line loading to replace a gas trimmer outright, and the DEWALT FLEXVOLT is the one to choose if your problem is thick weeds rather than lawn grass.
For a townhouse, a small suburban lot, or anyone who wants a tool they can steer one-handed, the WORX and VARSK picks weigh about five pounds and still edge a driveway cleanly. If money is the constraint, the BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX gives you real torque on a battery platform you can find anywhere, and the Greenworks combo adds a blower on the same charger.
