The best electric string trimmers are user-friendly, durable, and efficient. They cleanly cut thick weeds and tall grass without gas fumes. But when the trimming gets tough, low-quality models bog down and break.
So we searched the shelves of Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart and carefully compared the 70 most popular electric string trimmers. Our article reviews the top-ranked trimmers, including models for various landscapes and budgets. If you don’t know which is best for you, our string trimmer buying guide helps you decide.
Our top picks
1. Ryobi RY40290 – Best cordless electric
Our overall favorite electric string trimmer is the 15-inch Ryobi RY40290. With superb power and extended runtime, it’s the best battery-powered model. Its carbon fiber shaft is highly durable, lightweight, and attachment-capable. You can turn the trimmer into additional yard care tools, including a brush cutter and cultivator.
Cutting Power: Its high-performance brushless motor makes it as potent as many gas trimmers. When the dual-speed trigger’s on high, the pre-cut 0.095-inch dual-string effortlessly gashes through dense weeds and overgrown grass. The Reel Easy 3-in-1 head provides versatility with three cutting options — bump feed, fixed-line, or serrated blades.
Ease of use: The RY40290 is easy to assemble, operate, and maneuver. It’s well-balanced with an adjustable handle and comfortable grips. The line feed system takes some getting used to, but loading a new line gets quick and easy with time.
Battery life: The included 40-volt, 4 Ah battery provides up to 72 minutes of runtime. Heavy-duty trimming rapidly reduces battery life, but the trimmer typically runs at least 45 minutes on a single charge. It comes with a fast charger that fully refuels the battery within an hour.
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 |
| ✓ Attachment-compatible ✓ Carbon fiber shaft ✓ Thick trimmer line ✓ Fast charging ✓ Long runtime ✓ Cordless ✓ Tall shaft | ✗ Bogs down if weeds are excessively dense and overgrown ✗ The line feed system has a learning curve ✗ Debris sometimes clogs the head |
Where to buy:
2. Ego Power+ ST1523S – Cordless runner up
The second best battery string trimmer is the 15-inch Ego Power+ ST1523S. It features innovative technology, efficient power, and a user-friendly design. Additionally, it’s highly durable, with weather-resistant construction and a lifetime warranty on its carbon fiber shaft.
Cutting Power: The professional-grade, 0.095-inch dual-line potently penetrates pervasive weeds and severely overgrown grass. A high-efficiency brushless motor empowers Ego’s patented PowerLoad head. It has variable speed control. But even at the slowest speed, it trims delicate areas like a bull in a china shop.
Ease of use: It’s user-friendly and easy to set up. Loading new string is child’s play with Ego’s push-button auto-feed. However, it’s heavy. Being a petite woman, I strained with its weight. Since the weight’s well-balanced, I think most average-sized men can handle it.
Battery life: Its 56-volt, 4 Ah ARC Lithium battery provides up to 50 minutes of runtime, and most homeowners get at 30 to 45 minutes of battery life. The battery recharges in about 80 minutes with the included standard charger. Ego’s ARC lithium batteries are top-ranked for performance and durability.
Specifications
- Battery: 56-volt, 4 Ah
- Cutting swath: 15 in.
- Line feed: Bump / Auto
- Line gauge: 0.095 in.
- Motor: Brushless
- Shaft length: 42 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 5-year tool / 3-year battery
- Weight: 18.5 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ High-quality battery ✓ Carbon fiber shaft ✓ Weather-resistant ✓ Thick trimmer line ✓ Cordless ✓ Quiet | ✗ Not good for delicate areas ✗ Uses a lot of trimmer line ✗ Heavy |
Where to buy:
3. Greenworks 21142 – Best corded electric
The best corded electric string trimmer is the 18-inch Greenworks 21142. It’s ergonomic, robust, and less than ⅓ the cost of the previous trimmers. Additionally, it turns into other lawn care tools using many branded attachments, including Ryobi and TrimmerPlus.
Cutting Power: A mighty 10 Amp motor ignites its pro-style metal-gear head. With its broad swath and 0.080-inch dual trimmer line, it quickly cuts most tall grass and yard weeds. But with just one speed, it’s too powerful to properly care for delicate areas.
Ease of use: The trimmer is well-balanced, easy to assemble, and straightforward to use. Its cushioned over-mold grip and auxiliary handle enhance comfort and control. The long shaft makes weeds easy to reach, but the trimmer is cumbersome for small users to maneuver.
Extension cord: Its cord lock feature keeps the plug secure. The owner’s manual recommends extension cord specs shown in the table below.
| Cord length | Recommended gauge |
| 25 ft. | 16 |
| 50 ft. | 16 |
| 100 ft. | 14 |
| 150 ft. | 12 |
Specifications
- Cutting swath: 18 in.
- Line feed: Bump
- Line gauge: 0.080
- Motor: 10 Amp brushed
- Shaft length: 54 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 3-year tool
- Weight: 9.9 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Attachment-compatible ✓ Unlimited runtime ✓ Affordable ✓ Cord lock ✓ Tall shaft | ✗ The line feed system has a learning curve ✗ Must be within reach of a power outlet ✗ Not good for delicate areas ✗ Trigger’s a bit stiff |
Where to buy:
4. WORX WG154 – Best for flower beds
The WORX WG154 is the best electric string trimmer for flower beds. It’s affordable and practical. The 2-in-1 tool has two modes — trimming and edging. Additionally, it has an adjustable flower guard that prevents accidental damage to flowers, ornamentals, and lawn decor. It’s the ideal tool for light-duty trimming throughout yards and gardens.
Cutting Power: The 0.065-inch single-line is excellent for light-duty trimming but can’t handle heavy-duty weeds.
Ease of use: It’s easy to set up, operate, and maneuver. The 4-pound trimmer is light enough for me to manage single-handedly. With its push-button auto-feed, loading new line is lightning fast. Switching the cutting mode (i.e., trimmer/edger) is quick and painless; just pull and twist the rotating head.
Battery life: The included 20-volt, 2 Ah battery typically provides 15 to 30 minutes of runtime and recharges in about 5 hours.
Specifications
- Battery: 20-volt, 2 Ah
- Cutting swath: 10 in.
- Line feed: Automatic
- Line gauge: 0.065 in.
- 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 |
| ✓ Delicate around flowers ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ 2-in-1 functionality ✓ Very lightweight ✓ Affordable ✓ Cordless | ✗ Can’t handle thick weeds ✗ Uses a lot of trimmer line ✗ Long charge time |
Where to buy:
5. Echo DSRM-2600R2 – Best for pros
If you crave cutting power, you’ll covet our favorite electric pro trimmer — the 17-inch Echo eForce X Series Trimmer. It’s potent, reliable, and quiet. Echo’s cutting-edge tech lets you weed eat like a pro without gas fumes or earth shaking noise.
Cutting Power: A reliable brushless motor gives the trimmer head about as much force as a 25-cc gas engine. Its 0.095-inch Silentwist trimmer line quickly cuts through dense overgrowth. It has three cutting speeds and a broad 17-inch swath.
Ease of use: It’s easy to use. The long, 59-inch shaft can reach just about any weed. With ergonomic grips, low vibration, and a rare-mounted motor, it’s well-balanced and easy to control. Its Speed Feed 400 trimmer head doesn’t require disassembly to load a new spool.
Battery life: The 56-volt, 5 Ah battery provides up to 54 minutes of runtime and recharges in 2.5 hours with the included standard charger. Echo’s MAXOUT technology ensures the trimmer maintains full power, even when the battery’s low.
Specifications
- Battery: 56-volt, 5 Ah
- Cutting swath: 17 in.
- Line feed: Bump
- Line gauge: 0.095 in.
- Motor: Brushless
- Shaft length: 59 in.
- Shaft type: Straight
- Warranty: 5-year consumer / 2-year commercial
- Weight: 11.8 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ Thick trimmer line ✓ Reliable power ✓ Rust resistant ✓ Ergonomic ✓ Cordless ✓ Tall shaft | ✗ Overkill for most homeowners ✗ Long charge time ✗ Expensive |
Where to buy:
6. Ego Power+ ST1511T – Best telescopic shaft
The 15-inch Ego Power+ ST1511T is the best telescopic string trimmer. With IPX4 weather-resistant and an adjustable aluminum shaft, it’s built for performance, durability, and comfort.
Cutting Power: The pro-grade 0.095-inch spiral-twist string crisply cuts thick weeds and tall grass. It has two cutting speeds and only bogs down when weeds are both tall and thick.
Ease of use: It’s easy to assemble, operate, and maneuver. The weight is well-balanced and easy to handle for prolonged periods. The shaft is easy to adjust, which improves comfort and reach. Additionally, it features the same user-friendly auto-feed as the Ego Power+ ST1523S.
Battery life: The 56-volt, 2.5 Ah Arc Lithium battery provides up to 45 minutes of runtime and recharges in under an hour with the included Power+ charger. Heavy-duty trimming can cause the battery to drain in as little as 20 minutes, but most homeowners get at least 30 minutes of runtime per charge.
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 ✓ Thick trimmer line ✓ Fast charging ✓ Cordless | ✗ Gets bogged down when weeds are both tall and dense ✗ Uses a lot of trimmer line |
Where to buy:
7. Black+Decker GH3000 – Best curved shaft
The best electric curved-shaft string trimmer is the 14-inch Black+Decker GH3000. It’s light as a breeze with unlimited runtime and a paltry price. Featuring Black+Decker’s Groom N’ Edge trimmer head, the corded tool quickly converts between a string trimmer and an edger. Additionally, its wheeled edge guide makes accuracy effortless.
Cutting Power: With a 7.5 Amp motor, the Groom N’ Edge head spins as fast as 7,500 RPM. The 0.080-inch line cuts through thick weeds and tall grass quicker than most electric curved shaft trimmers. However, it bogs down on excessively thick weeds and highly dense overgrowth.
Ease of use: Setup is simple, and trimming is as easy as pie. The tool is very lightweight and easy to maneuver. Quickly flip a latch to switch between edging and trimming. Crisp, clean edges are pain-free with the edge guide, even around curved walkways and landscaping. The auto-feed system needs no bumping, but its intuition is sometimes off, resulting in wasted string.
Extension cord: The owner’s manual recommends extension cord specs shown in the table below.
| Cord length | Recommended gauge |
| 0 – 25 ft. | 18 |
| 26 – 50 ft. | 16 |
| 51 – 100 ft. | 14 |
| 101 – 150 ft. | 12 |
Specifications
- Cutting swath: 14 in.
- Line diameter: 0.080 in.
- Line feed: Auto
- Motor: Brushed, 7.5 Amp
- Shaft length: 45 in.
- Shaft type: Curved
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 6.9 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to load new string ✓ Wheeled edge guide ✓ 2-in-1 functionality ✓ Unlimited runtime ✓ Very lightweight ✓ Affordable | ✗ Not as durable as the other trimmers on our list ✗ Must be within reach of a power outlet ✗ Bogs down on very dense overgrowth ✗ Uses a lot of trimmer line |
Where to buy:
Buyer’s guide
To buy the best string trimmer, you must compare critical specs. If you’re shopping for an electric model, consider the following:
How string trimmers work
String trimmers are the best tools for cutting grass, weeds, and ground cover in places a lawn mower can’t. They have long shafts that reach beneath decks and patios. They also edge along lawns, landscaping, and fence lines.
A spool of string called a trimmer line feeds through the head. The string speedily spins, slicing through overgrowth. Trimmer line comes in various widths, and the best weed eater string depends on the thickness of your weeds and the specs of your trimmer. Some use string as thick as 0.105 inches or as thin as 0.065 inches.
Corded Vs. Cordless
Electric string trimmers come in corded and cordless models.
- Cordless electric string trimmers cost more than corded models but are more convenient and better for larger yards. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, cordless models have limited runtime and lengthy charge times. Choose the best battery-powered trimmer by ensuring it can cut your entire yard on a single charge.
- Corded electric string trimmers cost significantly less than cordless models. They have unlimited runtime and don’t need charging. However, an extension cord keeps homeowners on a leash. Most models have a max extension cord length of 100 or 150 feet.
The table below shows the typical battery life and charge time of cordless electric trimmers.
| Battery life | Charge time | |
| Typical range | 25 – 60 min. | 60 – 180 min. |
| Extreme high | 120 min. | 480 min. |
| Extreme low | 15 min. | 40 min. |
Electric Motors
The type of motor in an electric string trimmer is crucial to its performance and durability. The motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, causing the trimmer’s head to spin. Corded electric string trimmers typically have brushed motors, while battery-powered models may have a brushed or brushless motor.
Brushed vs. brushless motors:
- Weight: Brushless motors are lighter, improving comfort and prolonging battery-powered runtime.
- Durability: Brushless motors tend to have a longer lifespan.
- Maintenance: Brushless motors have less moving parts, thus require less maintenance and fewer repairs.
- Cost: Brushed motors are more affordable.
- Vibration: Brushless motors vibrate less, so they’re typically quieter and more ergonomic.
Cutting swath
Electric weed eaters have a 10- to 20-inch cutting swath (i.e., cutting width). This tells you how large an area they trim in a single pass. Homeowners with large yards prefer a wider swath, but smaller trimmers are lighter and easier to maneuver.
Corded string trimmers tend to have a slightly broader swath than cordless models, as shown in the table below.
| Cordless | Corded | |
| Average swath | 14 in. | 15 in. |
| Typical range | 12 – 16 in. | 13 – 17 in. |
| Extreme low | 10 in. | 10 in. |
| Extreme high | 17 in. | 20 in. |
Shaft style
There are three main trimmer shaft styles:
- Straight-shaft string trimmers are the most common and most durable. Additionally, they have the best cutting power.
- Curved-shaft string trimmers are handy for maneuvering around landscaping. Although lighter and more affordable than straight-shaft models, they have a shorter reach and lifespan.
- Telescopic shaft string trimmers have an adjustable reach. You can adjust the trimmer’s height to suit the job or your stature.
Weight
A typical electric string trimmer weighs 6 to 15 pounds. Lighter trimmers are more comfortable and easier to maneuver, but models with a wider cutting swath typically weigh more.
The table below shows that corded string trimmers tend to weigh slightly more than cordless trimmers.
| Cordless | Corded | |
| Average weight | 10 lb. | 11 lb. |
| Typical range | 6 – 14 lb. | 7 – 15 lb. |
| Extreme low | 4 lb. | 4 lb. |
| Extreme high | 20 lb. | 25 lb. |
Price
Most electric string trimmers cost $80 to $300, with the average model costing about $170.
| Average cost of an electric string trimmer | $170 |
| Typical price range | $80 – $300 |
| Extreme low | $50 |
| Extreme high | $700 |
Corded Vs. Cordless Cost: Cordless electric string trimmers cost significantly more than corded models, as shown in the table below.
| Cordless | Corded | |
| Average price | $215 | $70 |
| Typical range | $80 – $350 | $55 – $85 |
| Extreme low | $70 | $50 |
| Extreme high | $700 | $180 |
Cost of batteries: If you decide to purchase one of the best cordless string trimmers, don’t forget to factor in the cost of lithium-ion batteries. All the models on our list come with a battery and charger, but that’s not always the case. Additionally, most string trimmer batteries have a 2 to 3 year warranty and need replacing within 5 years.
| Typical price of a string trimmer battery | $60 – $350 |
| Extreme low | $40 |
| Extreme high | $600 |
Cost of extension cords: If you choose a corded model, expect to pay $20 to $225 for a new string trimmer extension cord. Most models don’t come with one. Longer cords with thicker gauges cost more. However, I like to hunt for extension cords at thrift shops to save a pretty penny.
FAQ about electric string trimmers
Are string trimmers the same as weed whackers?
Yes. Weedwacker is a string trimmer brand, and string trimmers are commonly called weed whackers, weed eaters, grass trimmers, and weed trimmers.
Do electric string trimmers work as well as gas?
Many electric string trimmers work as well as gas models for light- to medium-duty trimming. However, the best gas-powered string trimmers outperform electric models on heavy-duty trimming tasks.
What are the best electric power tools for lawn care?
The best electric lawn care tools include:
- Lawn mowers: The best electric lawn mowers consist of push, self-propelled, and riding mowers. We’ve even discovered the best electric mower to create professional-looking lawn stripes.
- Hedge trimmers: We found the best battery-powered hedge trimmers for maintaining pristine bushes and hedges.
- Chainsaws: The best battery-powered chainsaws are the Cat DG631, Ego Power+ CS1804, and Makita XCU04PT1.
- Leaf blowers: The best battery-powered leaf blowers are low maintenance, user-friendly, and powerful.
- Snow blowers: The best cordless electric snow blowers work much quicker than a snow shovel.
When to call a lawn care pro
Hiring a pro can save you time and stress. It’s also often more affordable than buying and maintaining high-quality outdoor tools. That’s why Lawn Love links you to local lawn care pros who are qualified and insured. It only takes a moment to get a free quote, and you can manage your service through our user-friendly app.
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