Every homeowner faces challenges when it comes to keeping a nice clean lawn. There are always a few pesky weeds around to ruin an otherwise spotless yard.
With that in mind, we decided to review the best cordless string trimmers on the market for 2024. Below you’ll find our picks for the top 7 battery-powered trimmers available today.
Here are the best cordless string trimmers 2024:
- Greenworks ST80L210
- Black+Decker LCC222
- Toro PowerPlex 51482
- Greenworks 21362
- Ryobi P2060A
- Dewalt DCST970X1
- Worx WG170
1. Greenworks ST80L210
In any product category there’s always one item that rises above the rest of the pack. When it comes to cordless string trimmers, the Greenworks 16-inch 80-volt trimmer is that machine.
The voltage it can draw from is 3 or 4 times that of most other trimmers in this category. It actually rivals gas-powered trimmers for shear cutting power. At more than $200, it is a little pricier than other models in this category, but it’s not an unreasonable price to pay for a premium product.
There are some nice innovations that come packaged with this trimmer as well. It has a dual line bump feed head and a brushless motor for extra power.
In addition, it has a straight shaft design, which we prefer because it allows you to get into tighter spaces. The ST80L210 also features a split shaft that you can fold for easy storage so it won’t take up much space in your garage or shed.
The battery is advertised to last up to 45 minutes on one charge. That’s enough time for the average home owner to get the job done, but it’s still not enough for commercial purposes. If you’re a professional landscaper, you’ll probably still want to stick with a gas powered model – or at least have a secondary battery for back up so you can swap it out when needed.
Other common criticisms of this machine focus on the clipping guard and the strange placement of the battery. By many accounts, the guard does not do a good job of keeping lawn trimmings off the user. The problem with the battery is its placement. It’s set at the end of the trimmer making it feel awkward and unbalanced.
What we like (and don’t like) about the Greenworks ST80L210:
- Powerful 80-volt battery.
- Charge lasts up to 45 minutes.
- Straight, split shaft design.
- Brushless motor.
- Still not enough charge for commercial use.
- Clipping guard doesn’t work well.
- Battery placement is awkward.
There may be a couple of minor design flaws with this machine, but the ST80L210 is still our choice for best overall string trimmer. This machine has few rivals for power and the battery lasts long enough for most homeowners to get the job done with time to spare.
2. Black+Decker LCC222
Black+Decker is a leader when it comes to cordless power tools and their LCC222 20-volt trimmer easily lives up to their strong reputation.
This powerful machine rivals its gasoline competitors for trimming prowess and it has a sweeper option. When you add in the fact that it retails for under $90, it’s lightweight and it’s quiet, it is worth considering the switch.
Anyone that has ever used a string trimmer knows how annoying it is repeatedly bumping the machine on the ground to release more string. That’s not an issue with this machine – it’s equipped with an automatic feed spool that takes care of this for you. It’s a feature that will save you a lot of time and frustration.
The LCC222 has a standard straight shaft design, which is good for getting into small areas. The handle isn’t as impressive. There’s a trigger section for one hand and a small knob handle for the other. It’s useable, but it can feel a little awkward and uncomfortable in your hands.
Perhaps the biggest criticism leveled at this machine is how it handles feeding the string line. Many consumers have problems keeping the feed working. Having to constantly open the bottom of the machine to realign the string is definitely a pain, but it’s not an uncommon problem with budget machines.
What we like (and don’t like) about the Black+Decker LCC222:
- Decent 20 volt battery.
- Affordable – under $90.
- Lightweight and quiet.
- Straight shaft design.
- Automatic feed spool.
- Sweeper option.
- Small knob handle.
- String feed doesn’t always work properly.
Overall, the Black+Decker LCC222 is a good cordless string trimmer for under $90. It does have some design flaws, but it’s a relatively reliable machine for the money. You won’t want to use this on major yard clearing projects, but for weekly trimming it will do just fine.
3. Toro PowerPlex 51482
The Toro PowerPlex 51482 is a good mid-range cordless string trimmer with some great features. The 40-volt battery is included with this model and it’s priced under $200. If you’re looking for something with a little more power without breaking the bank this Toro machine is a good choice.
The 51482 has a brushless motor for extra power and it has a dual line bump feed as well. Perhaps our favorite feature though is the ability to adjust your speed at the flick of a finger. This machine allows you to control the speed using a trigger mechanism – you can slow it down for longer use, or kick it up to high gear to power through those longer weeds.
The battery is designed to last about 40 minutes on one charge, but that will vary depending on what speed you choose. With its adjustable straight shaft, this really is a nice little machine. It’s relatively compact design makes it ideal for simple storage as well.
The Toro 51482 does have some critics though. The spool can be hard to change, so if you’re not the patient type you may not be satisfied with this trimmer. Also, the batteries have a reputation for wearing out relatively quickly.
What we like (and don’t like) about the Toro PowerPlex 51482:
- 40-volt battery.
- Reasonably priced.
- Dual line bump feed.
- Adjustable feed.
- Adjustable shaft.
- Approximately 40 minutes per charge.
- Spool difficult to change.
- Batteries don’t have a reputation for longevity.
This Toro trimmer is a good midrange choice. There are more powerful machines on the market, but this machine holds its own against most competitors. We really liked the adjustable speed option and the adjustable shaft is nice as well.
4. Greenworks 21362
We’re a fan of the Greenworks brand, especially in the cordless trimmer category of products. That why we found it hard to resist including more than one machine from this company. They’ve developed a great line of trimmers and the Greenworks 14-inch 40-volt trimmer is no exception.
This isn’t just a budget cordless trimmer though – it actually has some nice features. First off, it’s compatible with different attachments making it a versatile machine. It also has a brushless motor for extra power and a longer lasting battery.
Depending on how you use it, Greenworks advertises that this machine will run up to an hour on each charge, although most users say 40 to 45 minutes is more realistic.
It also has a straight shaft design, which allows for easier operation in tight spaces. It has a 13-inch cutting path and weighs in at just 15 pounds making this the ideal string trimmer for homeowners that want a quality battery-powered cordless trimmer that doesn’t break the bank.
Like any product, this trimmer isn’t perfect. It’s not always easy to load new string and it doesn’t hold as much line as some of its competitors. The battery has also been known to behave a little erratically in hot, humid climates – it just won’t hold a charge as long in these types of conditions.
- Good 40-volt battery.
- Compatible with different attachments.
- Brushless motor.
- Up to 1 hour of operation per charge.
- String isn’t easy to reload.
- Doesn’t hold enough string line.
- Battery performance is inconsistent in warm weather.
What we like (and don’t like) about the Greenworks 21362:
There aren’t too many things to complain about with the Greenworks 40-volt trimmer. It’s a versatile machine at a good price, with good battery life. It could hold more string, but that’s not the end of the world. It’s definitely worth serious consideration if you’re in the market for a cordless weed eater.
5. Ryobi P2060A
The Ryobi One+ 18-volt string trimmer is one of the more innovative products on the market today. It’s not the most powerful at just 18 volts, but it gets the job done.
This trimmer is designed to be user-friendly and that makes it perfect for the homeowner. It’s not meant for heavy-duty use so if you’re looking for something to be used for a lawn care business there are better choices.
In a market where it’s hard to distinguish one product from the next, the One+ stands out. It actually allows you to adjust the cutting width – you can choose between 11 inches and 13 inches. For wide-open spaces, that extra cutting width comes in handy, but being able to shorten things up for small spaces is a nice feature to have.
This trimmer also allows you to adjust the speed of the machine using a trigger mechanism. If you put it on high speed you just have to be aware the battery will run out quicker.
In ideal conditions, the battery will last about an hour and it takes about 2.5 hours to charge fully. If you have a large yard, you may want to consider purchasing an extra battery just in case.
We do have a couple of concerns with this machine. Over time the spool head can become a bit loose, which makes operation of the unit a little more difficult. It also makes it harder to change the string when you need to.
What we like (and don’t like) about the Ryobi P2060A:
- Reasonably priced.
- Adjustable cutting width.
- Variable speed trigger.
- Up to 1 hour of cutting time.
- String spool loosens with use.
- Changing string can be difficult.
- Takes 2.5 hours to charge.
The Ryobi One+ 18-volt trimmer makes our cordless string trimmer reviews because of its innovative nature. We really like the fact you can adjust the cutting path. There aren’t many other products on the market that offer this feature.
It does have a couple of minor issues, but it also comes with a 3-year warranty, so you can be confident you’ll get your money’s worth with this product.
6. Dewalt DCST970X1
When we were deciding which trimmer would top our list as the best cordless model around, the Dewalt DCST970X1 was a close second to our eventual top choice.
It’s our choice as runner up and that’s because it has a lot going for it. With a 60-volt battery it offers more than enough power for most jobs and at a price of around $250-270 it’s not overly expensive.
In our opinion, an article on battery powered weed eater reviews wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of a product from Dewalt. They have a reputation for creating heavy duty and durable power tools and this trimmer is no exception. It’s designed for heavy duty use and that’s why it’s backed by a strong 3-year warranty.
The DCST970X1 is equipped with a brushless motor for longer life and more efficient operation. It also has an impressive 15-inch cutting swath. That makes it one of the leaders in the cordless trimmer category and it enables the operator to get the job done in less time.
It also has an automatic bump feed head, so you don’t have to continuously stop operation to feed more line – you can just bump and go.
There isn’t much to criticize about this trimmer, but one major concern is the small size of the deflector shield – you will get covered in clippings as you go. You’ll definitely want to wear pants while operating this machine.
Another issue is the run time. While you can use it for up to an hour on one charge, that’s only if you’re using it on low power and in ideal conditions. In truth, you’ll be lucky to get 30 minutes of use on one charge.
What we like (and don’t like) about the Dewalt DCST970X1:
- Powerful 60-volt battery.
- 15-inch cutting path.
- Brushless motor.
- Automatic bump feed.
- 3-year warranty.
- Small deflector guard.
- Charge only lasts 30 minutes with heavy duty use.
The Dewalt DCST970X1 is a great cordless trimmer. Its powerful 60-volt battery is impressive and it holds up well with heavy-duty use. The 15-inch cutting path it offers is better than most of its competitors.
We do have some concerns with the battery life so you may want to purchase a spare, but other than that this is a great machine that’s worthy of the title best runner up cordless string trimmer.
7. Worx WG170
If you’re looking for a good budget cordless string trimmer, the Worx WG170 is worth consideration. This machine retails for under $120 and has some good design features. It’s 20-volt battery isn’t the most powerful around, but it’s more than enough for the typical home owner.
One of the best features of the WG170 is that it’s actually 3 machines in one. It quickly converts from a string trimmer, to a garden edger and even a mini lawn mower.
That versatility makes it a good choice if you have a small lawn and you don’t have a lot of storage space. It also allows you to choose between 7 different handle positions for maximum comfort and 6 different head positions.
This Worx trimmer has a telescoping handle so the user can adjust it for their own height and it has a straight shaft for getting into tight spaces. The clipping guard is a generous size as well, which makes it easier to keep clippings off the user while the machine’s in operation.
One other feature worth mentioning is its command feed system. It allows you to continue with your work without worrying about manually pulling out more string as you go.
What we don’t like about this trimmer is its build quality. This is a budget trimmer and it feels like it. It’s not meant for heavy-duty operation – at least not if you want to get more than a year of use out of it. Also, the battery doesn’t hold a charge for long. You’ll be lucky to get more than 20 minutes of use out of it so you have to work quick.
What we like (and don’t like) about the Worx WG170:
- Priced under $120.
- 3 machines in one.
- Adjustable handle and head.
- Telescoping handle.
- Large clipping guard.
- Command feed system.
- Poor build quality.
- Limited battery life.
The Worx WG170 is a decent trimmer for the price. It has some innovative feature and with its telescoping shaft and adjustable handle its comfortable to use. It’s just too bad it isn’t a little more durable and the battery life could definitely be better.
For the price, it’s a good budget option for someone that really has their heart set on a battery-powered cordless string trimmer.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to make the change to a cordless string trimmer, you should have a good idea what your best option is after reading our reviews above. There’s something for just about any budget here.
Without a doubt, our top choice is the Greenworks ST80L210. This is a powerful machine with some innovative features. No matter what you, choose though, you can’t really go wrong with any of the trimmers in these reviews.