Battery-powered garden care necessities, resembling string trimmers, develop extra standard yearly as a result of they’re handy and eco-friendly, however which one is best for you?
That will help you select a battery-powered string trimmer, we now have compiled our high 10 picks, full with detailed opinions, specs so that you can evaluate, and recommendation from individuals who’ve already used these merchandise.
Reading: Best cordless string trimmer 2020
String trimmers — typically known as weed eaters, weed wackers, weed trimmers, or grass trimmers — are obligatory for a very polished garden. Battery-powered fashions are quiet, clear, and straightforward to make use of, however they’ve their disadvantages, too.
In our complete consumers information, we’ll enable you to resolve if battery-powered is the most suitable choice for you and provides recommendations on choosing the proper mannequin. However first, let’s dig into the perfect battery-powered string trimmers of the 12 months.
Table of Contents
1. WORX WG191 56V string trimmer/edger
With its highly effective 56-volt battery, the WORX WG191 delivers a gas-like efficiency for taking down particularly thick or tall grass. You may inform this trimmer is supposed for heavy-duty work as a result of it even comes with a commercial-grade 0.08-inch trimmer line.
Plus, with a chopping head that pivots and an extended-reach straight shaft design, this weed eater can get into all of your yard’s nooks and crannies.
Whether or not it’s good to minimize down a patch of weeds or give your garden a clear edge, the WG191 has you coated. You may convert the instrument from a weed trimmer to an edger and again by merely pushing a button and twisting the shaft.
It’s versatile for various grass circumstances, too, with the variable velocity management function. Utilizing the variable velocity set off, you may up the torque for overgrown spots in your garden and reduce it throughout simple elements to increase battery life.
Whereas many customers reported that the WORX WG191’s energy is certainly corresponding to that of a gasoline string trimmer, additionally they famous some drawbacks.
On one cost (which takes about 90 minutes), the trimmer solely runs for about 15-20 minutes. That ought to be sufficient time to trim round a typical yard, however it will not be lengthy sufficient for bigger properties.
Additionally, this trimmer runs louder than many different battery-powered instruments.
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Specs:
- Voltage: 56 volts
- Reducing swath: 13 inches
- Line diameter: 0.08 inches
- Weight: 6.3 kilos
Execs:✓ Highly effective battery rivals a gasoline engine ✓ Variable velocity management to increase battery life✓ Converts to wheeled edger with the push of a button
Cons:✗ Unimpressive battery run time✗ Customers reported it runs loud for an electrical mannequin ✗ Dearer than many different choices
2. BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V MAX string trimmer/edger
The LST140C from BLACK+DECKER is the perfect cordless string trimmer for householders on a finances. Right here’s why: Though this 2-in-1 trimmer/edger prices about $100, it has a high-performance 40V MAX lithium-ion battery, which is twice as highly effective as the opposite finances picks on this checklist.
Although it isn’t fairly as beefy as a gasoline trimmer, 40 volts ought to be greater than sufficient energy to deal with the same old weeds round a home.
Except for being highly effective, the LST140C is flexible and handy. Like our high choose from WORX, this BLACK+DECKER mannequin converts to an edger, so you may get extra jobs performed with one instrument.
The LST140C additionally options an automated feed spool, which implies you don’t need to bump the chopping head towards the bottom to launch string as you do with most different string trimmers.
In contrast to our high choose, customers praised the BLACK+DECKER LST140C’s battery run time. On one cost, it runs for about 40 minutes, which can not look like a lot however is definitely fairly spectacular for a cordless string trimmer.
Remember the fact that battery life varies drastically relying on particular working circumstances, so the trimmer in all probability gained’t run for that lengthy each time you utilize it.
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Specs:
- Voltage: 40 volts
- Reducing swath: 13 inches
- Line diameter: 0.065 inches
- Weight: 6.4 kilos
Execs:✓ Cheap✓ Lengthy battery life✓ Highly effective battery in comparison with others in the identical value vary✓ Converts to edger
Cons:✗ Makes use of flimsy line and solely has one (against a twin line), which limits efficiency in thick grass and weeds✗ No guiding wheel for edger mode
3. BLACK+DECKER LST201 20V MAX string trimmer/edger
BLACK+DECKER’s LST201 mannequin is actually a smaller, much less highly effective, and cheaper model of the LST140C. At round $80, that is probably the most reasonably priced cordless string trimmer of all our high picks.
With a comparatively weak 20-volt battery and small 10-inch chopping head, this trimmer definitely isn’t the only option for big yards. Nevertheless, in the event you solely have to do gentle work round a small garden, the LST201 will serve you nicely.
One substantial advantage of the BLACK+DECKER LST201 is that it’s tremendous light-weight — simply 4.5 kilos. It ought to be simple for anybody to hold for lengthy stretches of time working within the yard, even these with restricted higher physique power resembling seniors.
This mannequin additionally has the identical handy automated feed spool and edging capabilities as our different choose from BLACK+DECKER.
Although most customers had been glad with the efficiency of the LST201 for its supposed light-duty work, they reported some points that you need to be conscious of before you purchase.
One is the trimmer’s shaft size, which some customers reported was too quick for them to make use of comfortably, which meant hunching over whereas working and inflicting again ache. One other concern is the battery’s quick run time, which is often about quarter-hour or much less on one cost.
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Specs:
- Voltage: 20 volts
- Reducing swath: 10 inches
- Line diameter: 0.065 inches
- Weight: 4.5 kilos
Execs:✓ Cheap✓ Light-weight✓ Converts to edger
Cons:✗ Comparatively weak battery✗ Unimpressive battery life✗ Small chopping swath✗ Shaft is simply too quick for some customers✗ Computerized feed function doesn’t all the time work accurately
4. WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V string trimmer/edger
The WORX WG163 is one other light-weight, easy-to-use finances choose fitted to small yards. This trimmer “kit” is much more of a discount as a result of it comes with not one however two 20-volt lithium-ion batteries.
With the additional, you may have one battery charged always, so even in the event you run out of juice whereas trimming your yard, you may change out the batteries and hold working. Plus, the batteries are suitable with all WORX PowerShare instruments.
Though its 20 volts of energy isn’t something to write down house about, the WG163 makes up for it with spectacular versatility:
- It converts simply to an edger with rubberized wheels for traction and steerage, leading to smoother cuts, together with on uneven terrain.
- The trimmer head pivots 90 levels, and the shaft is telescoping, so this trimmer can match into all of the tight spots in your yard.
- An adjustable spacer guard protects your flower beds and different panorama options whilst you trim round them.
One other notable function of the WORX WG163 is the “command feed” spool system. As an alternative of routinely feeding the road, this trimmer provides you full management over the string’s size with a button on the deal with.
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Specs:
- Voltage: 20 volts
- Reducing swath: 12 inches
- Line diameter: 0.065 inches
- Weight: 5.3 kilos
Execs:✓ Cheap✓ Light-weight✓ Telescoping shaft for higher attain✓ Converts to wheeled edger ✓ Comes with additional 2.0Ah battery
Cons:✗ Comparatively weak battery
5. CRAFTSMAN V20 string trimmer/edger
CRAFTSMAN’s V20 string trimmer represents a contented medium between our extra premium picks and finances picks. It nonetheless isn’t probably the most highly effective, with a 20-volt battery, however it has a wider chopping head that will help you trim your yard quicker, and it makes use of a thicker, extra sturdy 0.08-inch string that may handle extra dense development.
Additionally enhancing on 20V trimmers from different manufacturers, this CRAFTSMAN mannequin has variable velocity management. You may simply change to the excessive setting for extra torque or the low setting for higher battery effectivity as wanted. The V20 provides you management over extra than simply the velocity, because it incorporates a push-button line feed system just like the WORX WG163.
Buyer feedback: A number of reviewers reported issues with the road feed system not working, which means they needed to manually pull the string out, which generally is a ache. Customers additionally reported that this mannequin tends to eat by means of line shortly.
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Specs:
- Voltage: 20 volts
- Reducing swath: 13 inches
- Line diameter: 0.08 inches
- Weight: 6.7 kilos
Execs:✓ Bigger and higher at chopping thick grass than different 20-volt trimmers✓ Variable velocity management to increase battery life✓ Converts to edger
Cons:✗ Comparatively weak battery✗ Push-button line feed doesn’t all the time work✗ Can undergo trimmer line too shortly
6. Ryobi RY40250 40V string trimmer
Ryobi’s RY40250 40-volt string trimmer combines a mid-range battery energy stage with premium options that make the instrument extra versatile and handy. Maybe most significantly, this trimmer is suitable with Ryobi’s full line of “expand it” attachments, which may prevent cash and cupboard space by letting one instrument do the work of many.
With extra purchases, you may convert the RY40250 to a hedge trimmer, pole noticed, cultivator, and different garden care instruments.
Even in the event you use the RY40250 solely as a string trimmer, it has deserves that make it stand out.
To increase the battery’s run time, the trimmer has variable velocity management and an adjustable trimmer head that ranges from 13 to fifteen inches huge. Why that is essential: With the ability to change the chopping head’s dimension not solely improves battery effectivity but additionally makes the instrument excellent for each open areas and tight spots.
There’s one thing else that’s particular concerning the RY40250’s chopping head: It incorporates a bump-feed line launch system just like those used for many gasoline string trimmers.
This trimmer is near commercial-grade, with its 40-volt battery, 15-inch chopping swath, and heavy-duty 0.08-inch line. However that functionality comes with a serious draw back: weight. The RY40250 weighs greater than 11 kilos, which is almost certainly too heavy for the common home-owner to hold for an prolonged time frame.
For related energy output with a extra manageable dimension (and value), attempt the BLACK+DECKER LST140C.
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Specs:
- Voltage: 40 volts
- Reducing swath: 13-15 inches
- Line diameter: 0.08 inches
- Weight: 11.3 kilos
Execs:✓ Converts to different instruments with Ryobi attachments (offered individually)✓ Variable velocity management to increase battery life✓ Adjustable chopping head dimension
Cons:✗ Heavy✗ Dearer than many different choices
7. Kobalt KST 2580-06 80V MAX string trimmer
The value level for our last choose, the Kobalt KST 2580-06, jumps considerably, and the ability stage jumps to match it.
With a formidable 80-volt battery, this trimmer can present gas-like energy for as much as a full hour. You probably have a big, unruly property of greater than an acre however you need an electrical string trimmer, this is perhaps the string trimmer for you.
Along with a brushless motor that gives sufficient torque to energy by means of even the thickest patches of grass, this Kobalt trimmer can maintain a 0.095-inch, professional-grade trimmer line. That’s often the thickest line you could find in a residential trimmer, and also you’d be hard-pressed to interrupt it.
Just like the Ryobi RY40250 and gasoline string trimmers, you launch extra line whereas working by tapping the chopping head towards the bottom.
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Though the Kobalt KST 2580-06 may very well be all about energy, it isn’t. It’s additionally versatile, with excessive/low variable velocity choices and an adjustable chopping head that goes from 14 to 16 inches.
This trimmer is the most important and strongest on our checklist, and the apparent tradeoffs observe. It’s additionally the heaviest and (by greater than $100) the most costly choice out of our high picks.
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Specs:
- Voltage: 80 volts
- Reducing swath: 14-16 inches
- Line diameter: 0.095 inches
- Weight: 11.7 kilos
Execs:✓ Highly effective battery gives gas-like efficiency and long term time✓ Holds additional sturdy, commercial-grade trimmer line✓ Variable velocity management to increase battery life✓ Adjustable chopping head dimension
Cons:✗ Way more costly than different choices ✗ Heavy ✗ Customers reported restringing is tough✗ Alternative elements are exhausting to seek out in case you have issues down the highway
Patrons Information
How does a string trimmer work?
A string trimmer (aka grass trimmer, weed trimmer, weed wacker, or weed eater) consists of a protracted curved shaft or straight shaft with a chopping head on the top. The chopping head is, as its identify suggests, the half that cuts down grass and weeds. It spins a single line (often a nylon string) or twin traces quick sufficient to create a blade-like impact that slices by means of development.
The purpose of string trimmers is to achieve the overgrown grass and weeds in tight areas the place a garden mower gained’t match, resembling the world round flower beds or different panorama options. Since most string trimmers can simply convert to an edger, you may often use them to create clear edges round your garden, too.
Execs and cons of battery-powered string trimmers
Identical to gasoline string trimmers and corded electrical string trimmers, battery-powered string trimmers have their benefits and downsides. Use these execs and cons to resolve if battery-powered is the way in which to go in your yard:
Execs:
✓ Environmentally pleasant, no emissions ✓ Quieter than gasoline fashions✓ Lighter than gasoline fashions✓ Straightforward to begin and function✓ Low upkeep✓ Extra maneuverable than corded electrical fashions
Cons:
✗ Most can’t compete with gasoline when it comes to energy✗ Dearer than comparable gasoline and corded electrical fashions✗ Restricted by battery’s run time, often about 15-Half-hour✗ Have to purchase new batteries about each two to a few years
Finally, battery-powered string trimmers are greatest for small yards reasonably than massive yards due to their time limitations. In addition they are fitted to lawns with out an excessive amount of thick grass and weeds, since they have a tendency to lack in energy and torque.
What the specs imply for you
Once you’re taking a look at completely different battery-powered string trimmers — both right here on this checklist or on varied retailers’ web sites — you’ll discover a number of specs. On this part, we’ll enable you to perceive what a few of these measurements imply and the way you should utilize them to determine which trimmer is greatest in your yard.
These are the elements we used to rank the perfect battery-powered string trimmers of the 12 months:
Voltage: More often than not, the very first thing you’ll discover a few cordless string trimmer is the voltage of its battery. That voltage tells you the trimmer’s energy output, with larger voltage which means extra energy.
Extra highly effective batteries produce extra torque, so trimmers with excessive voltage are obligatory to chop by means of thick, tall grass and weeds.
Reducing swath: A trimmer’s chopping swath, typically known as chopping width, is the world of grass it could actually minimize directly. With a bigger chopping swath, you may cowl extra floor in much less time and end trimming your yard quicker. A smaller chopping width is perhaps obligatory for tighter spots.
That’s one motive string trimmers with adjustable chopping heads, like just a few of our high picks, might be so useful.
Line diameter: Line diameter measures the thickness of the trimmer line a given string trimmer can maintain. The thicker the string, the extra sturdy will probably be and the denser development will probably be capable of minimize by means of.
Most residential string trimmers maintain a 0.065-inch line, which ought to be adequate in your wants. Some can use 0.08-inch string, which straddles the road between beginner and professional-grade, and even 0.095-inch string, which is sweet for particularly heavy-duty work.
Weight: It appears fundamental, however weight is a crucial quantity to concentrate to when purchasing for string trimmers or related energy instruments. Should you get a trimmer that’s too heavy, you in all probability gained’t be capable to carry it lengthy sufficient to complete working in your yard.
Know the bounds of your higher physique power and select your string trimmer accordingly. Some trimmers can connect to shoulder straps to lighten the load in your arms and again.
Value: As we talked about earlier than, battery-powered instruments are often costlier than their gasoline or corded counterparts. That doesn’t imply there aren’t reasonably priced choices, although, and also you’ll discover that every one our high picks price lower than $300.
Larger-end fashions can run nearer to $500, so don’t be stunned in the event you see larger costs whereas purchasing round. Remember the fact that typically, the trimmer comes and not using a battery and charger, which you’ll then have to purchase individually.
Most of our high picks embody a battery and charger, although, so that you may not have to fret about factoring the additional price into your finances in the event you select one in every of these.
FAQ About Battery-Powered String Trimmers
Conclusion
In order for you your garden to look its greatest, you may’t go and not using a string trimmer. Many owners go for battery-powered string trimmers as a result of they don’t produce dangerous emissions like their gasoline counterparts however aren’t tethered to an extension wire, both.
For individuals who resolve a battery-powered string trimmer is correct for them, our high picks are the perfect choices that fall throughout the common household’s finances.
Primary Photograph Credit score: Andrewa, / CC BY-SA 4.0 / by way of Wikimedia Commons
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