Our pick for the best string trimmer overall in 2026 is the WORX 20V WG163, backed by the largest body of owner feedback in the category, two included batteries, push-button line feed and an edger conversion that takes seconds. If you want the strongest single machine regardless of outlay, the EGO POWER+ ST1623T takes second place with its 16 inch swath and automatic line feed. Below, we break down the 12 best string trimmers for post-mow cleanup, fence lines, flower bed edges and overgrown weeds, and we name the best options for small yards, heavy brush and lighter budgets.
A string trimmer, also sold as a weed eater, weed whacker or whipper snipper, spins nylon line at high speed to cut what a mower cannot reach. Without one, the corners of your yard stay ragged and the strip along a fence or wall stays overgrown, which makes it the second tool that matters after the mower itself.
We spent weeks with these machines on a suburban property with stone wall, split-rail fence and a hillside the mower cannot climb. Every spec below, from cutting width to amp-hour rating to spin speed, comes from the manufacturer’s published data, and every rating and review count is copied exactly as buyers left it.
Not sure where to start? Tell us your yard size, whether you prefer battery or gas, and whether you already own tools from a particular brand. That single answer narrows this list from 12 choices to two or three.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best String Trimmers for 2026
WORX 20V 12 inch WG163
- 2 in 1 trimmer and edger
- Command Feed line advance
- 2 batteries included
BLACK+DECKER 20V LST522
- Automatic Feed Spool
- 2.5Ah extended runtime battery
- Wheeled edger conversion
Our Top 12 String Trimmers at a Glance (October 2026)
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| WORX 20V 12 inch 2 in 1 WG163 |
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Check Latest Price |
 BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LST300 |
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Check Latest Price |
 BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX LST136 |
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Check Latest Price |
| BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LST522 |
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Check Latest Price |
 WORX 20V 3 in 1 WG170 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Greenworks 40V 12 inch |
|
Check Latest Price |
 EGO POWER+ 15 inch ST1502SA |
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Check Latest Price |
| EGO POWER+ 16 inch ST1623T |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Greenworks 80V 16 inch |
|
Check Latest Price |
 RYOBI 40V attachment capable |
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Check Latest Price |
 DEWALT 60V MAX DCST970B |
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Check Latest Price |
 CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST901M1 |
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Check Latest Price |
How We Tested and How We Picked
We ran every trimmer on the same three jobs: post-mow cleanup along a stone wall, a full pass along a split-rail fence line, and a hillside patch that had gone to seed. We paid attention to four things that decide whether a trimmer is pleasant or frustrating.
Cutting strength under load. We noted whether the motor bogged in stalky growth, whether the head stalled when it hit thick weeds, and how the tool behaved on woody stems.
Line handling. We timed how long a full line change takes, whether the head feeds line consistently, and what happens when the line wears down unevenly on one side.
Balance and fatigue. We checked the weight of the bare tool, whether the battery changes the center of gravity, and how the tool feels at the end of a long pass.
Control and safety. We noted throttle response, variable speed behaviour, the debris guard’s coverage and how clippings land relative to the operator.
We did not test every unit for the same number of hours, and we never adjusted a manufacturer’s published figure. Where a runtime or charge time is stated below, it comes from the product data, not from our own stopwatch. We buy our own equipment and the site earns a commission when you buy through our links, which does not change the ranking.
1. WORX 20V 12 Inch 2-in-1 WG163 – The Best String Trimmer Overall
WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163
12 inch swath
7600 rpm
5.5 lbs
2 x 20V 2.0Ah batteries
Pros
- Largest review base of any pick here at over 28000 ratings
- Trimmer to edger conversion in seconds
- Command Feed button advances line without stopping
- Two batteries cover the whole PowerShare platform
Cons
- 12 inch swath is narrower than 15 and 16 inch models
- Spacer and flower guards add bulk to a compact tool
The WORX WG163 is the trimmer we recommend to most people, and the reason is the volume of owner history behind it. At more than 28500 ratings it is the most reviewed string trimmer in this roundup by a wide margin, and owners consistently point to the same two things: the edger conversion is genuinely quick, and the line feeds without fuss.
In the yard it handled fence lines and the strip under a low hedge without complaint. The 7600 rpm motor had enough bite on dandelions and chickweed to clear them in a single pass, and the 12 inch swath is wide enough to keep a residential cleanup moving.
Two 20V maxLithium batteries and a charger come in the box, which is unusual at this tier. Both slide into any other tool in the WORX PowerShare platform, so if you already own a WORX mower, saw or drill, you have spare batteries on hand today.
The head uses a push-button Command Feed system. You tap the button while the tool runs and the line advances, which removes the most common daily irritation of bump-feed heads where you have to stop, tilt and knock the spool.
Who this works well for
Homeowners with a small to medium suburban yard who already own a WORX battery, or who want a kit that ships with two batteries rather than one. It is also a good first trimmer because there is nothing to mix, nothing to prime and no cord to trip over.
Anyone doing routine post-mow cleanup, sidewalk edging and light weed work will find it fast enough. The wheeled edger conversion gives you a clean line along a driveway without buying a second tool.
Where it falls short
A 12 inch swath means more passes than a 15 or 16 inch machine on an open property, and the head is not built for woody stalks or brush. If your worst case is brambles or an overgrown field, step up.
The adjustable spacer guard and flower guard are good for protecting plantings but bulk up an otherwise compact tool. Remove the flower guard when you are working open ground and it feels noticeably lighter in the hands.
2. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LST300 – The Best Budget Starter Trimmer
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and Edger 2 in 1, Cordless Weed Wacker with Auto Spool Feed, Battery and Charger Included, 12 Inch Steel Deck, Reduced Vibration (LST300)
12 inch swath
6200 rpm
5.7 lbs
1 x 20V 2.0Ah battery
Pros
- Automatic Feed Spool advances line without stopping
- Lightweight and quiet with no cord management
- Converts to an edger in seconds
- Wall mountable charging base included
Cons
- 6200 rpm is the lowest spin speed in this group
- 20V pack limits runtime on larger properties
The BLACK+DECKER LST300 is the pick for a first-time owner or a small yard, and its standout feature is the Automatic Feed Spool that ships with it. The system advances line while the head is spinning, so you never bump the head against your leg to get more cutting length.
It is quiet enough for early morning work, which matters if you have close neighbours or a quiet-hours rule on your street. At 5.7 pounds it is comfortable for anyone who finds a full-size trimmer tiring.
Owners of this trimmer describe the same pattern: plenty of happy first impressions on a small lot, and a limit reached once the grass gets away from them. The 6200 rpm POWERDRIVE transmission is the reason. It is the slowest spin here, and slow spin shows up first on thick, stalky weeds.
A wall mountable charging base is included, which is a small touch that matters if you store the trimmer in a garage rather than a shed.
Who this works well for
Apartment and townhouse owners, or anyone tending a patch of lawn under a couple of thousand square feet. It also makes a sensible secondary trimmer for a garden bed or a side yard if your main tool is heavy.
First-time buyers who want the fewest moving parts. There is no fuel, no primer, no oil mixing and no extension cord to manage.
Where it falls short
This is not the trimmer for a half-acre of neglected grass or a hillside thick with weeds. The motor has no headroom there, and the 2.0Ah pack will not cover a long property on one charge.
If you want more reach and still want automatic feeding, the BLACK+DECKER LST522 in this roundup adds a larger battery and a wheeled edger at the same voltage class.
3. BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX LST136 – Best for 40V Power and Reach
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 13 in String Trimmer Edger Cordless with Adjustable Telescoping Pole, 2 in 1 Weed Wacker Lawn Edger, Includes Battery and Charger (LST136)
13 inch swath
8500 rpm
7.8 lbs
40V MAX 2.0Ah battery
Pros
- 8500 rpm POWERDRIVE is among the fastest spin speeds tested
- PowerCommand dial trades power for runtime mid job
- State of charge indicator on the battery
- Folding telescoping pole suits different users
Cons
- 7.8 pounds is heavy for a 13 inch cordless trimmer
- 13 inch swath still trails 15 and 16 inch models
The BLACK+DECKER LST136 is the step-up pick when a 20V trimmer feels like it is working too hard. Its 8500 rpm POWERDRIVE transmission is one of the highest spin speeds in this group, and on our fence line pass it visibly moved through thicker weed growth without the bogging you get from smaller motors.
The PowerCommand dial is the feature we would keep if we could only keep one. Turning it down extends runtime for long stretches of light grass; turning it up gives you speed when the growth is dense. Most competitors give you two fixed speeds, which is a worse version of the same idea.
A charge indicator on the 40V MAX battery shows remaining capacity, which takes the guesswork out of a long session. The included fast charger restores a full charge in two hours or less, and an auxiliary handle gives you a second grip point for taller work.
The telescoping pole adjusts to different heights, and the 13 inch swath sits in a useful middle ground between the compact 12 inch tools and the wide 15 and 16 inch machines.
Who this works well for
Owners of other BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX tools, who can reuse batteries and the same charger. It is a solid choice for a medium lot with mixed grass and weed conditions, or for anyone who wants one dial instead of two speeds.
It suits users of different heights well because the pole telescopes and the auxiliary handle can be repositioned.
Where it falls short
At 7.8 pounds it is on the heavy side for a cordless trimmer, and that weight sits ahead of you while you work. Anyone with shoulder or back issues should consider a shoulder strap or a lighter 12 inch model.
The 40V battery included is 2.0Ah. For genuinely large areas, plan on a second pack so you are not waiting on a charge mid-session.
4. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LST522 – The Top Rated Cordless Pick
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 12 Inch Weed Eater Cordless String Trimmer and Wheeled Edger Lawn Tool with Spool, 2.5Ah Battery and Charger Included, Lightweight, 2 Speed PowerDrive (LST522)
12 inch swath
2.5Ah battery
Two speed control
5.7 lbs
Pros
- Highest average rating in this roundup
- Automatic Feed Spool keeps you working
- 2.5Ah battery gives 66 percent more runtime than the standard pack
- Micro textured soft grip handle
Cons
- Listed 100 rpm figure is misleading against real no load speeds
- Wheeled edger kit handles light edging rather than heavy edging
The BLACK+DECKER LST522 carries the highest average rating of anything we shortlisted, at 4.5 stars across more than 6500 ratings, and owners explain why in plain terms. It balances a 2.5Ah battery, automatic line feed and light weight without dropping any of the three.
The extended runtime battery is the quiet hero here. At 2.5Ah it delivers 66 percent more runtime than the standard pack in the range, and in practice that is the difference between finishing the back fence line and stopping to charge.
The Automatic Feed Spool advances line while the motor runs, so the tool stays at full cutting length through a whole session. Two speed control lets you drop to the low setting for light grass and hold full speed for weeds.
The wheeled edger conversion handles sidewalks and driveway edges cleanly. The micro-textured soft grip is a modest detail that matters more than it sounds over an hour of work.
Who this works well for
Anyone who wants a full-day cleanup on one charge, or who is tired of bumping a head to feed line. It is a strong pick for owners of other 20V MAX tools, since the battery and charger are shared across the range.
For a medium suburban yard where the main jobs are post-mow edges, fence lines and flower beds, this is the trimmer we would buy first.
Where it falls short
The published speed figure of 100 rpm on this model does not reflect the true no-load output of comparable tools, so do not use it when comparing against machines that publish a real rpm number.
The edger wheel is for a tidy line on hard surfaces, not for cutting a thick grass bank. The wheeled conversion on this model is for tidying hard landscaping edges, not for a heavy bank of grass along a fence.
5. WORX 20V 3-in-1 WG170 – Best Multi-Tool Value
WORX 20V 12″ 3-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer/Lawn Edger/Mini Mower, WG170
3 in 1 conversion
7600 rpm
5.5 lbs
2 batteries and 3 spools
Pros
- Trimmer edger and mini mower from one body
- Seven handle positions and six head rotation settings
- Command Feed line advance
- Two batteries and three spools included
Cons
- Mini mower mode suits only very small lawn patches
- Five hour charging time is slow against fast charging rivals
The WORX WG170 is the one to buy if you want to stop carrying four tools to the yard. It converts from a string trimmer to an in-line edger to a small mower without buying anything else, and the price gap over a plain trimmer is modest for the versatility.
Fit and reach are handled unusually well. Seven handle positions and six rotating head settings let you get the geometry right around a tight flower bed or under a shrub, which is where most trimmers frustrate you.
The box includes two 20V maxLithium batteries, three spools and a charger. Owners consistently mention that line supply is a non-issue after unboxing, and that the Command Feed button makes topping up mid-job a two-second operation.
At 5.5 pounds with a 7600 rpm motor, the cutting performance matches the compact 12 inch class rather than exceeding it.
Who this works well for
Small yards, townhouse gardens and anyone with awkward planting beds. If you also want to tidy a small patch of lawn without a full mower, the mini mode covers it.
WORX platform owners get the usual benefit here. The batteries are shared across the PowerShare range, which includes tools you are likely to buy next.
Where it falls short
Treat the mini mower as a finishing tool. Owners frequently describe it as a novelty for a tiny patch of grass rather than a mower replacement.
The five hour charging time is genuinely slow. If you plan to work far from an outlet, budget for that overnight turnaround or keep a second battery cycling.
6. Greenworks 40V 12 Inch Trimmer – Best for Balanced Handling
Greenworks 40V 12 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
12 inch swath
0.065 inch dual line
7500 rpm
3 year warranty
Pros
- Variable speed trigger gives precise control on light patches
- Auto feed advances line during operation
- Battery works across other Greenworks 40V tools
- Owners report it handling thick weeds and small saplings
Cons
- Assembly instructions are unclear and the handle clamp needs pliers
- Factory line is sometimes wound too tightly and needs rewinding
The Greenworks 40V 12 inch is the trimmer owners most often describe as a capable replacement for a gas machine, and its variable speed trigger is why. On light grass you can feather the throttle down, which cuts noise and sips the battery, and on dense weeds you can hold it wide open.
The auto feed system advances line while the head runs, so you maintain a consistent 12 inch cutting path instead of watching the line shorten in uneven stages.
The 3 year warranty on both tool and battery is longer than most of the value trimmers in this group, which matters if you are hard on your equipment. The included 2.0Ah battery works with other Greenworks 40V tools.
One practical caution straight from owners: check the factory-wound spool before you start. Several buyers report the line pre-wound too tightly, which starves the head until you rewind it by hand.
Who this works well for
Owners of other Greenworks 40V tools, and anyone who wants variable speed control without moving up to a larger platform. It suits a medium yard with mixed conditions.
Users looking to cut thick weeds and small saplings report this model going through growth that stopped lighter trimmers, so it is a safe pick for a neglected back corner.
Where it falls short
Assembly is the weak point. The instructions are poorly written and the handle clamp may need pliers, so allow ten extra minutes at setup.
Preloaded replacement spool quality varies. Buying your own bulk line and winding it yourself is the fix, and it costs almost nothing per refill.
7. EGO POWER+ 15 Inch ST1502SA – Best for Pro-Grade Line
EGO POWER+ 15″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1502SA
15 inch swath
0.095 inch line
Up to 45 min runtime
7.4 lbs
Pros
- Brushless motor cuts woody weeds well despite the 5800 rpm rating
- Rapid Reload head makes line changes quick
- Low vibration and no fumes
- 5 year tool warranty and 56V platform compatibility
Cons
- 2.5Ah battery gives roughly 30 to 45 minutes of work
- Rapid Reload head is difficult to re-wind after a jam
The EGO POWER+ ST1502SA is the pick if you want pro-grade line diameter and EGO’s platform. It runs 0.095 inch line across a 15 inch swath, which is a heavier setup than most battery trimmers and the reason it holds up in woody weed growth.
The brushless motor is the surprise. The published no-load figure is 5800 rpm, the lowest in this group, yet owners consistently report it cutting woody weeds with ease, because brushless motors deliver torque where it matters rather than raw spin speed.
The Rapid Reload head threads line through the spool without opening the housing, which turns a two-minute spool change into a quick top-up. Variable speed control lets you match output to the job.
Warranty is 5 years on the tool and 3 years on the battery. The 2.5Ah battery takes about 50 minutes on the CH2100 charger and yields up to 45 minutes of work.
Who this works well for
EGO platform owners, and anyone who runs into stems and woody weeds rather than just lawn grass. The 15 inch swath also covers more ground per pass than the 12 inch compact models.
It is a comfortable introduction to EGO if you already have 56V ARC Lithium packs. It is also the model to buy if you want the 5 year tool warranty without buying the flagship machine.
Where it falls short
The 2.5Ah battery is the constraint. On a large property you are looking at roughly 30 to 45 minutes per charge, so a second pack changes how the day feels.
The Rapid Reload head is the one component owners complain about most, specifically when it jams and has to be rewound by hand. If automatic feeding matters to you, the ST1623T handles it without the manual step.
8. EGO POWER+ 16 Inch ST1623T – Best for Automatic Line Feed
EGO POWER+ 16″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1623T
16 inch swath
4.0Ah battery
Up to 60 min runtime
7.5 lbs
Pros
- Line IQ and Powerload remove bumping and rewind line in seconds
- 4.0Ah battery is the largest capacity here with up to 60 minutes of run time
- Telescopic carbon fiber shaft fits a wide range of user heights
- 76 percent five star share across its ratings
Cons
- Fixed 16 inch geometry is less maneuverable in tight beds
- Most expensive option in this roundup
The EGO POWER+ ST1623T is the trimmer we would call the best string trimmer overall if you are buying one machine for everything. Line IQ monitors the head and feeds line automatically to hold a continuous 16 inch swath, and Powerload winds fresh line through the head with a button press instead of a spool-winding chore.
That line system is the reason this machine sits at the top for heavy use. On a long fence line you are never stopping to bump the head, and when you do need line, the reload takes seconds rather than opening a housing and threading a spool.
The included 4.0Ah battery is the largest in this roundup and gives up to 60 minutes of run time, charging in about 55 minutes with the CH3200 charger. That figure is what makes single-charge coverage realistic on a large lot.
The telescopic carbon fiber shaft adjusts to your height and is lighter than aluminium in the hand. A digital variable speed selector sits on the handle, and the brushless motor keeps vibration low through a long session.
Who this works well for
Anyone who fights line feeding, works large properties, or wants one tool that handles edges, weeds and heavy growth without changing tools. It also suits EGO owners who already run the 56V ARC Lithium platform.
The shaft adjustment makes it a good fit for a household with more than one user, since a single length does not suit everyone.
Where it falls short
This is the most expensive machine on the list, and for a small yard you are paying for capacity you will not use. A compact 12 inch model does the same work on a quarter of the acreage.
A 16 inch head is wide for a narrow flower bed. Between two closely planted shrubs, the wider geometry is harder to control than a 12 inch head.
9. Greenworks 80V 16 Inch Trimmer – Best for Raw Cutting Power
Greenworks 80V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery
80V platform
16 inch swath
0.080 inch dual line
16 lbs
Pros
- Brushless motor and 80V platform cut tall grass saplings and woody weeds
- Battery charges in about 30 minutes which is among the fastest here
- 16 inch swath covers wide ground quickly
- Owners report a quarter acre including all edging on one charge
Cons
- 16 pounds is a heavy load with no shoulder strap included
- Bump feed head often fails to advance line and needs head disassembly
- Supplied 0.080 line wears fast on hard surfaces
The Greenworks 80V 16 inch is the brute-force option. When owners describe it, the word that comes up is power: tall grass, small saplings and woody weeds are all within reach, and several buyers say it replaced a gas trimmer outright.
The battery is the other headline. It reaches a full charge in about 30 minutes, among the fastest here, and owners report finishing a quarter acre including all edging on a single charge. The brushless motor and 80V platform deliver gas-class torque at the string.
The 16 inch swath with 0.080 inch dual line means you cover a lot of ground per pass. A variable speed trigger lets you dial back for light growth and hold full output for brush.
Reviews on this one split sharply, and the split is worth understanding before you buy. Owners who get a well-functioning head call it the most powerful cordless trimmer they have owned. Owners fighting the head call it frustrating. The head uses bump feed, which is the most likely point of failure.
Who this works well for
Large properties, vacant lots and anyone replacing a gas trimmer who wants battery power without giving up cutting strength. If your property is an acre or more, this class makes sense.
It suits buyers who already run Greenworks higher-voltage tools. Note that 80V packs do not interchange with the 40V or lower packs, which matters if you were hoping to share batteries.
Where it falls short
At 16 pounds it is the heaviest tool here, and no shoulder strap is included. For a full day of work, budget for a strap or plan frequent breaks.
The bump feed head is the recurring complaint. When it fails to advance line, you end up opening the head by hand, and the supplied 0.080 line wears quickly on concrete and brick edges. The guard also does little to stop clippings, and the edging guide can pop loose.
10. RYOBI 40V Attachment Capable Trimmer – Best for Attachment Compatibility
RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable String Trimmer, 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Inc
Attachment capable shaft
13 to 15 inch width
4.0Ah battery
13.9 lbs
Pros
- Power head runs RYOBI expand-it and universal gas attachments
- Adjustable 13 to 15 inch cutting width trades swath for runtime
- Handles thick grass ferns and blackberries
- Older RYOBI gas attachments fit the battery platform
Cons
- 13.9 pounds is awkward on a long shaft for some users
- Battery drains faster than advertised in tall dense growth
- Guard can loosen unless tightened with a screwdriver
The RYOBI 40V attachment capable trimmer makes the most sense if you already own RYOBI attachments or plan to buy a small outdoor tool ecosystem. The power head accepts expand-it attachments and universal gas attachments, so one battery and charger can drive a leaf blower, a hedge trimmer and a cultivator.
The adjustable 13 to 15 inch cutting width is a genuinely useful feature. Narrow the swath for control in tight beds or a fence line, widen it when you are covering open ground.
Owners who already committed to the platform rate the power highly, reporting it handles thick grass, ferns and blackberries. The 4.0Ah battery and 90 minute charger are included, and real-world runtime on tall dense growth is closer to 30 to 40 minutes than the advertised hour.
There is one important compatibility fact: older RYOBI gas attachments fit the battery platform, which is a rare bridge between a previous gas setup and a cordless one.
Who this works well for
RYOBI owners, and anyone who wants one power head to grow into. The variable speed trigger and bump feed head are conventional, which means parts and spools are easy to find.
It is a good match for property maintenance where you already expect to add a blower or a hedge trimmer to the same battery.
Where it falls short
At 13.9 pounds on a long shaft it is demanding, and some users find it awkward to manoeuvre. That is the trade for the attachment capability.
Real runtime falls short of the advertised figure in tall dense growth, and the guard can loosen unless you tighten it with a screwdriver. There is also an isolated report of the motor overheating and taking a good battery with it.
11. DEWALT 60V MAX FLEXVOLT DCST970B – Best for Existing DeWalt Batteries
DEWALT DCST970B FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Cordless String Trimmer, Tool Only
60V MAX FLEXVOLT
15 inch swath
Tool only
12 lbs
Pros
- High torque handles brush clearing and 1 inch stems
- Very low vibration compared with gas trimmers
- Quiet instant start with no fuel mixing
- Folding shaft for compact storage
- Battery bubble works as an under-elbow rest
Cons
- Sold as tool only so battery and charger cost extra
- Motor sits low where cooling screens clog with clippings
- 12 pounds is heavy and no shoulder strap is included
The DEWALT DCST970B is the pick for anyone already invested in the 60V MAX FLEXVOLT platform. It ships as a bare tool, so if you own FLEXVOLT packs you can start trimming today with what is already on your shelf.
The tool itself earns its rating. Owners report high torque that handles one inch blackberries and general brush clearing, and they consistently single out the low vibration, which makes a long session far easier than a gas machine of the same output.
The variable speed trigger has high and low settings, the spool head has clear locked and unlocked labels, and the folding shaft makes storage in a garage shelf straightforward. The battery bubble doubles as a forearm rest, which several owners mention as a comfort detail.
There is a well-documented saw blade conversion discussed widely by owners for larger jobs, using standard metric adapters to fit a brush blade.
Who this works well for
DeWalt owners with FLEXVOLT batteries and a charger already in the garage. The economics only make sense if you skip the battery purchase.
Anyone who wants gas-like torque without the noise, the fuel mixing and the vibration. It is also a strong choice for thick brush on a medium or large lot.
Where it falls short
The most serious recurring complaint is mechanical. The motor sits low in the cutting zone, where cooling screens clog with clippings, and several owners report that this leads to burned motors over time. Clean the vents regularly.
At 12 pounds with no strap included, this is a heavy tool to hold up. It is also loud enough that many users wear hearing protection, which undercuts the quiet-operation argument for going cordless in the first place.
12. CRAFTSMAN V20 13 Inch CMCST901M1 – The Best Value Kit
CRAFTSMAN V20 String Trimmer and Lawn Edger Kit with 4Ah Battery and Charger, 13 in. Cordless Weed Wacker with Up to 63 Minutes Runtime, Lightweight (CMCST901M1)
13 inch swath
Up to 63 min runtime
4.0Ah battery
2 speeds
Pros
- Pairs a 13 inch swath with a 4.0Ah battery in one kit
- Lightweight and assembles with a Phillips screwdriver
- Turn-To-Edge conversion handled overgrown sidewalk edges well
- Works with the CRAFTSMAN V20 battery platform
Cons
- Weakest light-duty line which is not ideal for edging
- Battery drains quickly on the higher speed setting and charging takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours
- Small review base of 159 ratings
The CRAFTSMAN V20 13 inch kit is the strongest feature-to-spec ratio here. It pairs a 13 inch cutting swath with a 4.0Ah battery, and the published run time of up to 63 minutes is the longest in this roundup on a single included pack.
Owners highlight how simple it is. Assembly takes a Phillips screwdriver, the motor delivers 52 percent more power than the previous generation, and two speed settings let you choose between runtime and cutting power.
The Turn-To-Edge conversion rotates the head so you can run along a sidewalk or driveway edge, and owners report it handling overgrown edges that lighter trimmers skip. The V20 platform battery is compatible with other CRAFTSMAN V20 tools.
The honest caveat is the evidence base. At 159 ratings this is the least-reviewed product we list, so treat the rating as promising rather than proven over years of ownership.
Who this works well for
New buyers who want a large battery and a wider swath than the entry-level 12 inch kits without moving up a platform. It suits first-time owners and anyone replacing a ageing gas trimmer on a medium yard.
CRAFTSMAN V20 owners can reuse batteries and chargers, which is the same logic that makes the DeWALT bare tool attractive.
Where it falls short
The supplied line is on the light side, which makes it a poor choice if a lot of your work is edging against concrete. Buy heavier line for that job.
Battery drain above the first speed setting makes a second battery advisable for anything beyond a small yard, and charging takes roughly two to two and a half hours. One buyer also reports a unit failing after a single season, which is worth weighing against the small review base.
String Trimmer Buying Guide: Power, Line Feed and Swath
Most buying mistakes come down to three decisions: cordless or gas, how the line feeds, and how wide a swath you need. Get those right and the rest is preference.
Cordless, corded or gas. Every trimmer in this roundup is cordless, and for most yards that is the right answer. Reviewers on r/lawncare generally settle on cordless for anything under roughly an acre and gas or commercial grade above that, because battery runtime and charging become the limiting factor on big properties. A corded electric trimmer is now an outlier: the cord is a trip hazard and the extension cord management outweighs the quiet operation.
Line feed systems. There are three, and each has a failure mode. Bump feed advances line when you tap the head against the ground; it is the simplest and cheapest, but it usually requires stopping or tilting and fails on clogged or badly worn heads, which is exactly the complaint pattern reported for the Greenworks 80V. Push-button feed gives you on-demand advance at the handle. Automatic feed keeps the diameter constant with no input from you, which is the most convenient and also the most expensive to engineer, as the EGO ST1623T demonstrates.
Cutting swath. A wider head covers more per pass, which is less work. A narrower head is easier to control in a tight bed or between two shrubs. The 12 inch models here suit small yards and delicate work; the 15 and 16 inch models suit open ground and heavy growth.
Straight versus curved shaft. A straight shaft keeps the head at a consistent distance from your body and transfers vibration more directly, which is why professionals often choose them. A curved shaft keeps the head under you and is easier to swing in confined spaces. This is a real fork in the road for buyers, not a detail.
Weight and balance. Published weight matters less than weight with the battery installed and where that weight sits. Greenworks 80V at 16 pounds and RYOBI at 13.9 pounds are noticeably heavier than the 5.5 pound WORX models. If you are older or have back issues, budget for a shoulder strap.
Noise. Cordless trimmers run roughly in the neighbourhood of 80 decibels, while gas machines sit above 100. That gap is the difference between working at seven in the morning and not. Check your local ordinances, since some municipalities restrict gas-powered lawn equipment outright.
Debris guard. The guard defines how much of your legs gets covered in clippings and how far debris flies. This is the single most common complaint on lighter trimmers. A guard is not a luxury.
Spin direction. Most trimmers spin clockwise when viewed from the motor, which sends clippings forward and to your right. If you are trimming next to a driveway or a flower bed, that decides which side you stand on. A reversible head lets you choose.
One last naming note, because the terminology trips people up. A string trimmer cuts grass and light weeds with line. A weed whacker, weed eater or whipper snipper is the same machine under a different name, usually with a heavier head for thicker growth. And an edger or a hedge trimmer is a different job entirely; if your trimming has moved from the yard to the bathroom cabinet, you want a roundup of the best beard trimmers rather than anything on this page.
Trimmer Line Diameter Guide: 0.065 vs 0.080 vs 0.095 inch
Line diameter is the fastest lever you have on a trimmer you already own. Thicker line cuts more and lasts longer, but it needs a more powerful motor and a spool sized for it.
0.065 inch line is the default for light duty and small yards. It suits 20V and 12 inch trimmers, spins up faster, uses less battery, and is the right choice for flower beds, light grass and weekly tidy-ups. Both the WORX WG163 and the Greenworks 40V run 0.065 inch.
0.080 inch line is the all-rounder. It handles thicker grass, fence lines and moderate weed growth without straining a mid-voltage motor, and it is the most common diameter in general purpose trimmers. This is the diameter we would run most often.
0.095 inch line is the pro-grade option for woody stems, brush and overgrown fields. It needs a brushless motor and a genuine high-voltage platform; a weak motor will stall the head and burn line. The EGO ST1502SA uses it, and the EGO ST1623T ships with pre-cut 0.095 inch dual colour line.
On length, line should extend roughly 3 to 4 inches beyond the spool on each side. Too long and you waste line and lose cutting speed; too short and the head overheats. If your line shortens within minutes, you are almost certainly grinding it against concrete, brick or stone edging, which is the single most cited cause in homeowner troubleshooting threads. Trimming along a hard edge is exactly what most people buy a trimmer for, so buy the heavier diameter if your yard is full of it.
Soaking line in water before installation does come up repeatedly. Hydrating nylon line reduces brittleness and extends usable life in dry conditions, and the practice is cheap. It is a preference rather than a necessity, and it will not rescue line that is abrading on a hard surface.
Battery Platform Compatibility: Start With What You Own
The most common regret in cordless lawn care is not the trimmer. It is buying a trimmer from a brand that does not match the batteries and charger already sitting in your garage. Check this before anything else.
WORX PowerShare covers the WG163 and WG170 in this roundup, and both are cross-compatible with the wider WORX tool range. BLACK+DECKER separates 20V MAX and 40V MAX, so an LST522 battery will not run an LST136. Greenworks runs separate voltage families, and the 80V pack in the ST80L210 does not interchange with the 40V pack in the smaller trimmer.
DeWALT is the clearest case. FLEXVOLT batteries work across 20V, 40V and 60V tools, so a DCST970B bare tool plus one 60V pack covers the whole range. That is exactly why it is listed as a tool only. EGO runs a single 56V ARC Lithium platform across the range, and RYOBI attaches to its expand-it line and to universal gas attachments.
If you own no batteries yet and are not loyal to a brand, the kits that ship with two packs, like the WORX WG163, give you the most flexibility for the least planning.
What Lawn Care Professionals Actually Use
Professionals answer this question more consistently than the marketing pages do. Across lawn care forums, the recurring gas answers are the Echo SRM-225, the Stihl FS 56 and Stihl FS 131, and the Husqvarna line, with crews citing durability, parts availability and dealer support as the deciding factors rather than price.
The Echo SRM-225 comes up most often as a direct replacement for a Ryobi 2-stroke that owners were tired of, and professional forums weighing the Stihl FS 240R against alternatives focus on low-end torque, weight, swing speed and anti-vibration rather than headline power.
On the battery side, working technicians describe EGO as the standard for cordless, and note that first-generation DeWalt and RYOBI trimmers are still running years later. The practical takeaway is simple: if you intend to buy more tools, stay inside one ecosystem rather than chasing the single best trimmer.
Small mechanical differences matter to crews, including Honda’s lack of a fuel mixing step, which is why it attracts attention from owners tired of two-stroke maintenance.
Safety, Noise and Maintenance
Before any session, walk the line and check for stones, wire, sprinkler heads and bottle caps. A nylon line that catches metal will throw debris hard enough to injure, and this is the single most preventable trimmer accident.
Wear eye protection and hearing protection, closed shoes and long trousers, and keep the debris guard fitted. Kickback awareness matters on the heavier gas-class machines: if the head snags, do not fight it, release the trigger and let the line clear.
On noise, cordless models run roughly 80 decibels and gas machines above 100. That is why early morning trimming is realistic with a battery and restricted with gas, and why local ordinances on gas lawn equipment are worth checking before you buy.
For gas models, use a 50 to 1 fuel mix for a two-cycle engine, run the fuel out or drain the tank before storage, clean the air filter and spark plug, and check the fuel lines for cracks. For cordless models, clear clippings from the motor vents after every session, particularly on machines with a low-mounted motor where blocked cooling screens are a reported failure mode.
Store cordless tools on the charger in a dry location with the battery off the tool if you are leaving them for months, and expect capacity to fade in cold weather. If your yard is small enough to fit in our compact tool roundups, a smaller trimmer is often the smarter long-term purchase anyway, and the same battery logic applies there as it does in the yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best string trimmers according to consumer reports?
Our best overall pick is the WORX WG163, which pairs the largest base of owner feedback in the category with two included batteries, a push-button line feed and a quick edger conversion. For heavy growth and the widest swath, the EGO POWER+ ST1623T is the strongest alternative, combining 16 inch cutting width, automatic Line IQ feeding and a carbon fiber shaft.
What string trimmer do professionals use?
Across lawn care forums, crews most often name the Echo SRM-225, the Stihl FS 56 or FS 131, and Husqvarna models for gas work, and EGO for cordless. The deciding factors are durability, parts availability, dealer support and vibration control rather than headline power, and many professionals standardize on one ecosystem across all their tools.
Is Echo or Stihl better?
Both are professional standards and the choice usually follows your dealer and your attachment ecosystem. Echo is widely cited as a straightforward, durable replacement for a tired two-stroke trimmer, while Stihl is favoured for low-end torque, weight and anti-vibration, and the KombiSystem gives more shared attachments. Service proximity usually decides it.
Which string trimmer is better, EGO or Milwaukee?
EGO has the deeper attachment range in this category and a carbon fiber shaft on the ST1623T, while Milwaukee trades on a compact M18 platform that many already own. If you already run Milwaukee packs, an M18 trimmer avoids buying a second ecosystem. If you are starting fresh, EGO offers the wider selection of yard attachments.
What diameter trimmer line is best?
Use 0.065 inch for light grass and small yards on 20V tools, 0.080 inch as the general-purpose choice for fence lines and moderate weeds, and 0.095 inch for woody stems and brush on a brushless motor and a high-voltage platform. Match the diameter to the spool size, since forcing thicker line onto a small spool causes poor feed.
Which battery string trimmer has the longest run time?
On published figures, the CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST901M1 is rated at up to 63 minutes on its included 4.0Ah battery, and the EGO POWER+ ST1623T is rated at up to 60 minutes on a 4.0Ah pack. The EGO ST1502SA runs up to 45 minutes on its smaller 2.5Ah battery. Real runtime varies with growth density and line diameter.
Why does my string trimmer line shorten so fast?
The usual cause is abrasion against concrete, brick or stone edging while you trim. Heavy line wears faster, so switch to 0.080 or 0.095 inch for hard edges, keep the line at the correct 3 to 4 inch extension, and check the head for a bent spool or a dull blade in the guard. Overloading the head with too much line also causes it to burn off quickly.
The Best String Trimmers for 2026
Our pick for the best string trimmers in 2026 is the WORX 20V WG163, because it carries the largest body of owner feedback in the category, ships with two batteries, changes line without stopping and converts to an edger in seconds. It handles the fence line, bed edges and post-mow cleanup that most yards actually need.
If you want the strongest single machine and do not mind paying for it, the EGO POWER+ ST1623T wins on cutting width, automatic line feed and published run time. The BLACK+DECKER LST522 is the top-rated pick for routine use on a medium yard, and the CRAFTSMAN V20 kit gives you the most battery capacity for the least outlay.
Whichever you choose, buy the battery that matches the platform you already own, buy line heavier than you think you need if your yard is full of concrete and brick edges, and check the head before every session. That single habit prevents more broken line than any feature on any machine.