The best battery-powered string trimmers save homeowners time and stress, but low-quality models are flimsy and inefficient. So, we searched the shelves of Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart to find the top trimmers.
After carefully testing each trimmer’s performance and ease of use, we found the top tools for cutting tall grass and weeds. Our top picks include cordless electric weed eaters for every budget, and our string trimmer buying guide helps you find the perfect product for your yard.
Our top picks:
| Best Battery-Powered String Trimmers |
| 1. Best overall: Ryobi RY40290 |
| 2. First Runner up: Ego Power+ ST1523S |
| 3. Second runner up: Husqvarna WeedEater 320iL |
| 4. Best telescopic: Ego Power+ ST1511T |
| 5. Best light-duty: WORX WG154 |
| 6. Best bang for your buck: Skil LT4818-10 |
1. Ryobi RY40290
The best battery-powered string trimmer is the 15-inch Ryobi RY40290. It’s reliable, versatile, and efficient. The carbon fiber shaft is lightweight, durable, and attachment-compatible. Using RYOBI EXPAND-IT attachments, you can turn the trimmer into additional tools, including an edger, leaf blower, and pole saw. Additionally, its cutting swath adjusts from 13 to 15 inches.
Power: Its high-performance brushless motor is powered by a 40-volt, 4 Ah battery, making it as mighty as many gas trimmers.
Runtime: The battery provides up to 72 minutes of runtime, and the rapid charger refuels the battery in about an hour. Keep in mind that heavy-duty trimming and rugged terrain reduce runtime.
Cutting performance: The Ryobi RY40290 doesn’t disappoint. It features a 2-speed trigger. On high, it quickly cuts through thick weeds and tall grass. The Reel Easy 3-in-1 head lets you choose between bump feed, fixed-line, or serrated blades. The trimmer comes with a pre-cut 0.095-inch dual-line and also works well with 0.080-inch trimmer string.
However, it has its limits. If you have dense sections of stout weeds, we recommend taking breaks. This gives the motor a rest so it doesn’t bog down and gives you time to remove excess debris from the trimmer head.
Ease of use: The Ryobi RY40290 is user-friendly and comfortable. It’s easy to assemble and lighter than most 15-inch cordless trimmers. The head is relatively easy to load, but it has a learning curve. The trimmer is well-balanced. It has an adjustable front handle and ergonomic grips. Its long shaft effortlessly reaches hard-to-hit weeds.
Specifications
- Battery: 40-volt, 4 Ah
- Cutting swath: 15 in.
- Line gauge: 0.095 in.
- Line feed: Bump / fixed
- Motor: Brushless
- Shaft length: 50.5 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 5-year tool / 3-year battery
- Weight: 11.5 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Heavy-duty trimmer line ✓ Attachment-compatible ✓ Carbon fiber shaft ✓ Adjustable swath ✓ Fast charge time ✓ Long runtime ✓ Long shaft | ✗ Somerimes you have to stop to clean the trimmer head ✗ The line feed system has a learning curve ✗ Bogs down when overworked |
Where to buy:
2. Ego Power+ ST1523S
Our second favorite string trimmer is the 15-inch Ego Power+ ST1523S. Like the Ryobi RY40290, it’s durable and efficient. Its carbon fiber shaft is fit as a fiddle and has a lifetime warranty. Although heavier and less adaptable than the Ryobi model, the ST1523S compensates with sound engineering and user-friendly features.
Power: Its brushless motor is highly efficient and reliable. It comes with a 56-volt, 4 Ah ARC Lithium battery. Ego’s ARC Lithium batteries are top-ranked in performance, durability, and efficiency. Additionally, the fan-cooled charger prevents the battery from overheating.
Runtime: The battery provides up to 50 minutes of runtime and fully recharges in about 80 minutes with the included standard charger. Purchasing Ego’s rapid charger cuts the charge time in half.
Cutting performance: Like the Ryobi RY40290, the Ego ST1523S has superb cutting power. Ego’s dual-feed, 0.095-inch professional cutting line easily trims weeds well over 1 foot, as long as they aren’t too dense. We trimmed some as high as 3 to 4 feet.
But when it comes to detailing delicate edges, it’s like a bull in a china shop. It has variable speed control, but even the slowest setting is overkill for light-duty tasks.
Ease of use: It’s effortless to operate. With the push of a button, Ego’s patented PowerLoad head automatically winds the included spiral twist string. It’s also quiet and simple to assemble. But it’s heavy, and small users will likely have trouble handling the weight.
Specifications
- Battery: 56-volt, 4 Ah
- Cutting swath: 15 in.
- Line gauge: 0.095 in.
- Line feed: Bump / Auto
- Motor: Brushless
- Shaft length: 42 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 5-year / 3-year battery
- Weight: 18.5 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Weather-resistant construction ✓ Heavy-duty trimmer line ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ High-quality batteries ✓ Carbon fiber shaft ✓ Quiet | ✗ Not good for delicate trimming ✗ Uses a lot of trimmer line ✗ Heavy |
Where to buy:
3. Husqvarna Weed Eater 320iL
The 16-inch Husqvarna Weed Eater 320iL is one of the best cordless electric string trimmers. Although light as a feather, it’s no small fry. Husqvarna’s gas-powered chainsaws put them on the map, but their battery-powered cutting tools are quickly capturing the market. The trimmer features innovative engineering with a user-friendly design.
Power: Its brushless motor is powered by a 40-volt, 4 Ah battery. An active cooling system extends runtime and maintains consistent power.
Runtime: A single charge typically powers the trimmer for 20 – 50 minutes. The battery recharges in about 2 hours.
Cutting performance: The 320iL is the king of versatility. It gently edges around flowers and mulch at low speed, but on turbo, it has no trouble taking out tough weeds. The cutting head repositions, so users control the direction in which clippings fall. While the Ryobi RY40290 and Ego ST1523S have more power, the 320iL’s 0.080-inch string cuts typical weeds like butter.
Ease of use: The trimmer is lightweight and well-balanced with intuitive touchpad controls. It’s easy to assemble, and loading a new spool is quick and straightforward.
Specifications
- Battery: 40-volt, 4 Ah
- Cutting swath: 16 in.
- Line gauge: 0.080 in.
- Line feed: Bump
- Motor: Brushless
- Shaft length: 41 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 10 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Wide range of cutting speeds ✓ Positionable cutting head ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ High-quality batteries ✓ Touchpad controls ✓ Low vibration ✓ Lightweight | ✗ Gets bogged down if weeds are too dense ✗ Turbo mode quickly drains the battery ✗ Long charge time |
Where to buy:
4. Ego Power+ ST1511T
The best battery-powered telescopic string trimmer is the 15-inch Ego ST1511T. It’s quiet and comfortable. The high-quality aluminum shaft adjusts to suit reach, and its durable construction is IPX4 weather-resistant.
Power: Its high-efficiency brushless motor and 56-volt, 2.5 Ah battery give the trimmer plenty of power.
Runtime: The battery provides up to 45 minutes of runtime and recharges in under an hour with the Power+ charger. If your yard is challenging to trim, the battery may die in as little as 20 minutes.
Cutting performance: The professional-grade trimmer line slices through wildflowers, tall grass, and thick weeds. It only gets bogged down if the weeds are both tall and dense.
Ease of use: It’s lightweight and user-friendly. The shaft is simple to adjust, and the POWERLOAD trimmer head effortlessly loads the 0.095-inch trimmer line.
Specifications
- Battery: 56-volt, 2.5 Ah
- Cutting swath: 15 in.
- Line gauge: 0.095 in.
- Line feed: Bump / Auto
- Motor: Brushless
- Shaft length: 42 in.
- Shaft type: Telescopic
- Warranty: 5 years
- Weight: 10.6 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easily adjustable shaft length ✓ Heavy-duty trimmer line ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ Weather-resistant ✓ Fast charge time | ✗ Gets bogged down on densely overgrown weeds ✗ Uses a lot of trimmer line |
Where to buy:
5. WORX WG154
The 10-inch WORX WG154 trimmer/edger is the best light-duty string trimmer. It’s easy to use and only weighs 4.2 pounds (with the battery). This affordable 2-in-1 tool is ideal for trimming around flower beds and ornamentals. It even has a retractable flower guard that prevents accidental damage.
Power: A 20-volt, 2 Ah battery provides consistent power to the trimmer’s brushed motor.
Runtime: The battery typically runs 15 to 30 minutes on a single charge and recharges in 5 hours. If you attempt to trim dense overgrowth, the battery dies even quicker.
Cutting performance: With a 0.065-inch single-line feed, it’s excellent for light-duty trimming and delicate edging. However, it isn’t suitable for heavy-duty weeds.
Ease of use: It’s easy to assemble and very lightweight. I’m a petite woman (4’11”), and I can lift it single-handedly. Getting fresh string or switching functionality (edging/trimming) only takes seconds.
Specifications
- Battery: 20-volt, 2 Ah
- Cutting swath: 10 in.
- Line gauge: 0.065 in.
- Line feed: Automatic
- Motor: Brushed
- Shaft length: 41 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 4.2 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Affordable ✓ Very lightweight ✓ 2-in-1 functionality ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ Delicate around flowers | ✗ Struggles with thick weeds ✗ Uses a lot of trimmer line ✗ Long charge time ✗ Brushed motor |
Where to buy:
6. Skil LT4818-10
The Skil LT4818-10 is the battery string trimmer that gives you the best bang for your buck. We were impressed with the power it provides at such a low price. It costs less than most 14-inch trimmers and is the lightest in its class. We recommend this model if you have tough weeds and a tight budget.
Power: Its digital brushless motor is efficient and robust. It comes with a 40-volt, 2.5 Ah PWR CORE battery. Skil’s PWR CORE batteries use advanced cooling technology to extend their runtime.
Runtime: It typically runs 25 – 60 minutes on a single charge. The battery fully recharges in less than an hour with the included charger.
Cutting performance: Its 0.080-inch line gets through most tough weeds but struggles if weeds are excessively thick.
Ease of use: It’s lightweight and straightforward. Loading a new spool is super fast, and maneuverability is effortless. However, it’s awkward to hold the safety button while cutting.
Specifications
- Battery: 40-volt, 2.5 Ah
- Cutting swath: 14 in.
- Line gauge: 0.080 in.
- Line feed: Bump
- Motor: Brushless
- Shaft length: 41 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 5 years / 3-year battery
- Weight: 6.8 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Affordable ✓ Very lightweight ✓ Fast charge time ✓ High-quality batteries ✓ Easy to load new string | ✗ Holding down the safety button is cumbersome ✗ Can’t handle excessively thick weeds |
Where to buy:
Buyer’s guide
The best cordless string trimmers make lawn care a breeze. But to buy the best one, you must consider the following:
How string trimmers work
String trimmers help homeowners refine their lawns and landscaping. They have long shafts to reach weeds, groundcover, and tall grass in places a lawn mower can’t reach, including:
- Along lawn edges
- Along fence lines
- Beneath trees
- Around patios
- Around pools and pool cages
- Under decks
- Within garden beds
The trimmer head is attached to the shaft. A spool of string called a trimmer line feeds through the head. The head rotates, and the string speedily spins, sharply slicing weeds.
Electric motors
The motor is essential to a battery-powered weed eater’s performance. It turns the battery’s electric energy into mechanical energy, which is what makes your trimmer’s head spin.
Brushed vs. brushless motors:
- Weight: Brushless motors are lighter
- Life span: Brushless motors typically have a longer life span
- Maintenance: Brushless motors require less maintenance
- Cost: Brushed motors are more affordable
- Noise level: Brushless motors are quieter
Cutting swath
A string trimmer’s cutting swath is its cutting width. Trimmers with a broader swath cut more with each pass, so you finish quicker.
| Average swath of a battery string trimmer | 14 in. |
| Typical range | 12 – 16 in. |
| Extreme low | 10 in. |
| Extreme high | 17 in. |
The following table shows the cutting swath most homeowners prefer by lawn size.
| Lawn size | Preferred cutting swath |
| < ½ acre | ≤ 15 in. |
| ½ – 1 acre | 15 – 18 in. |
| > 1 acre | 18 – 20 in. |
Battery power
Most cordless electric string trimmers run on lithium-ion batteries. When comparing batteries, please consider the following:
- Are they included? Some models come with a battery and charger, while others don’t. A few models include extra batteries.
- Voltage (Volt) describes how much power a battery can supply to the motor. Most battery string trimmers run on a 20- to 56-volt battery. But some run on a battery as weak as 12 volts or as potent as 80 volts. Larger trimmers need higher voltage to have the same cutting power.
- Amp-hours (Ah) relate to a battery’s runtime. Most string trimmer batteries are 2 to 6 Ah. But some are as low as 1.5 Ah, while others have two 8 Ah batteries. Batteries with higher voltage require more Ah to run for the same period.
- Battery life varies, but you can buy extra batteries to increase runtime. Most string trimmers run 25 minutes to an hour on a single battery charge, but some die after just 15 minutes. There are a few trimmers with 1 to 2 hours of runtime. Ideally, you want to complete your yard on a single charge.
- Charge times can be as quick as 40 minutes or as long as 8 hours, depending on the charger and the battery. Most string trimmer batteries take 1 to 3 hours to charge. Battery trimmers may come with a standard, fast, or no charger — the higher a battery’s Ah, the longer the charge time.
- Costs vary by brand, volts, and Ah, but the average power tool battery costs $205. Most string trimmer batteries cost $60 to $350. However, some string trimmer batteries are as cheap as $40, while others cost as much as $600.
The table below shows the typical battery specs for string trimmers.
| Battery spec | Typical range |
| Volts | 20 – 56 |
| Ah | 2 – 6 |
| Runtime | 25 – 60 min. |
| Charge time | 60 – 180 min. |
| Cost | $60 – $350 |
Features
The best string trimmers have user-friendly features. When shopping for a string trimmer, carefully consider the following features:
- Line feed: Trimmers may have a bump, fixed, or automatic line feed. Bump line feeds take the longest to load but use the least string. Auto feeds are the quickest but waste much string. Fixed feeds are between bump and auto in speed and string consumption.
- Dual-line: Dual-line grass trimmers are faster and better for heavy-duty cutting. But single-line trimmers are easier to load.
- Telescopic shaft: The height of a telescopic string trimmer adjusts for comfort and reachability.
- Curved shaft: They’re easier to maneuver around landscaping beds. But they tend to have a shorter reach, less cutting torque, and a limited lifespan. Very few curved shaft trimmers run on battery-power. Most models have a straight shaft.
- Line gauge: Thicker lines cut through thicker weeds. The average battery-powered string trimmer uses a 0.08-inch line, but some use trimmer lines as thick as 0.105 or as thin as 0.065. The best trimmer line cuts through tough weeds like butter.
- Attachment capable: Some models work with attachments that turn them into additional tools. Popular attachments include a hedge trimmer, brush cutter, cultivator, and pole saw.
- Shoulder strap: The weight of a trimmer is easier to manage with a shoulder strap.
Weight
The average battery-powered string trimmer weighs 10 pounds, but some are as light as 4 pounds or as heavy as 20 pounds.
| Average weight of a battery string trimmer | 10 lb. |
| Typical range | 6 – 14 lb. |
| Extreme low | 4 lb. |
| Extreme high | 20 lb. |
The weight of a string trimmer affects the following:
- Comfort: Lighter trimmers are more ergonomic. But well-balanced weight reduces user fatigue. In other words, sometimes you have to pick it up and see how it feels.
- Runtime: All else is equal, lighter weed trimmers run longer on a single charge.
- Durability: Heavy-duty materials often weigh more, but some substances (e.g., carbon fiber) are lightweight, heat resistant, and durable.
- Cutting swath: Trimmers with a broader cutting width tend to weigh more, but the weight differential decreases with 16- and 17-inch models.
The table below shows the average weight of battery trimmers by cutting swath.
| Cutting swath | Average Weight |
| 10 in. | 5 lb. |
| 12 in. | 6 lb. |
| 13 in. | 8 lb. |
| 14 in. | 10 lb. |
| 15 in. | 13 lb. |
| 16 in. | 12 lb. |
| 17 in. | 13 lb. |
Price
Most battery-powered string trimmers cost $80 to $350, but some are as cheap as $70 while others cost as much as $700. Broader trimmers cost more, so homeowners pay a premium for heavy-duty 17-inch models.
| Average cost of a battery string trimmer | $215 |
| Typical price range | $80 – $350 |
| Extreme low | $70 |
| Extreme high | $700 |
The following table shows the cost of battery-powered weed eaters by cutting swath.
| Cutting swath | Average cost | Typical range |
| 10 in. | $83 | $70 – $100 |
| 12 in. | $105 | $90 – $140 |
| 13 in. | $145 | $100 – $200 |
| 14 in. | $180 | $130 – $250 |
| 15 in. | $255 | $160 – $500 |
| 16 in. | $265 | $230 – $300 |
| 17 in. | $490 | $330 – $700 |
FAQ about battery-powered string trimmers
How often do you replace a string trimmer’s battery?
Most power tool batteries come with a 2- to 3-year warranty and need replacing within five years.
Who makes the best electric trimmers?
The brands that make the best electric string trimmers (including corded and cordless models):
- Ego
- Ryobi
- Husqvarna
- Worx
- Greenworks
- Makita
Do battery-powered string trimmers work as well as gas?
How well a battery trimmer works depends on the size of your yard and the toughness of trimming:
- Light-duty: Battery-powered string trimmers work at least as well as gas trimmers and typically cost less.
- Medium-duty: High-performing battery models work as well as gas trimmers, but tend to cost more.
- Heavy-duty: The best gas string trimmers outperform battery models on heavy-duty trimming tasks. Even the mightiest motors can’t compete with high-performance gas engines. However, you can reduce heavy-duty weeds with the best pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides.
When to call a lawn care pro
Consider hiring a pro if you want a pristine lawn without the work. Lawn Love links you to affordable and insured lawn care pros. Get a quick instant quote, then manage everything through our user-friendly app. If for any reason you aren’t satisfied, we’ll give you your money back.
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