Best Cordless String Trimmers

Best Cordless String Trimmers for 2026

The best cordless string trimmer for most homeowners is a 40V–56V model with a 15- to 16-inch cutting swath, a brushless motor, an adjustable handle, and a bump-feed head that accepts readily available 0.095-inch line; the right choice changes if you already own batteries, maintain a large property, or regularly cut thick grass.

Battery platform is the first decision. A trimmer sold as a bare tool can be economical when its battery already powers your mower or blower, while a kit is usually the better value for a first purchase. For ordinary residential edging, 18V/20V systems can work well, but 40V and higher platforms generally provide more sustained power in tall, wet, or dense grass.

Our top picks

Top pickEGO POWER+ 15" Cordless Weed Trimmer with

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Best cordless string trimmers compared

Weights vary according to whether the manufacturer includes the battery, guard, or harness, so compare “ready-to-use” weight before buying. A 2Ah battery can make a trimmer feel dramatically lighter than a 6Ah or 8Ah pack, but it will normally provide less runtime.

Head-to-head: which platform makes the most sense?

Best all-around choice: EGO Power+ ST1521S

The ST1521S offers a useful middle ground: 56V power, a 15-inch swath, a brushless motor, and a Rapid Reload head that simplifies line replacement. It is easier to maneuver than many commercial-style 16-inch trimmers while still handling ordinary tall grass and weeds. Choose it if your lot is moderate in size and you want a capable tool without moving to the heaviest battery class.

Its main ownership consideration is platform commitment. EGO batteries are not interchangeable with other brands, and replacement packs are a significant part of the total cost. General kit pricing commonly falls in the roughly $250–$400 range, depending on battery capacity and promotions.

Best for large areas and thick grass: EGO Power+ ST1623T

The ST1623T’s 16-inch swath removes a wider strip on each pass, and its variable-speed control lets you reduce power around delicate beds or increase it in dense growth. The wider head can reduce work on a large property, but it also consumes line faster and places more load on the motor when the line is kept fully extended.

This is a strong choice for frequent mowing, overgrown edges, and users who prefer a two-shoulder or more substantial grip. It is less attractive for a small yard where low weight and easy storage matter more than maximum productivity.

Best for DeWalt tool owners: DeWalt DCST972X1

The 60V FlexVolt system gives the DCST972X1 substantial cutting power, especially when grass is thick, wet, or mixed with coarse weeds. Its dual-voltage FlexVolt battery can also operate compatible 20V Max tools, which may improve the value of the kit for an existing DeWalt owner.

The trade-off is weight. A high-capacity FlexVolt battery adds noticeable mass, and a full 15-inch head can feel front-heavy during long edging sessions. It is best when power takes priority over fatigue, not when the trimmer is used for five-minute touch-ups.

Best compact option: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3016-21

The M18 Fuel trimmer is a practical choice for smaller properties and users already invested in Milwaukee’s M18 system. Its adjustable cutting width is useful: a narrower setting improves control near fences and planting beds, while a wider setting speeds up open grass.

An M18 pack generally gives less cutting endurance than a large 40V or 56V battery, but the tool is easier to store and carry. For light weekly maintenance, that balance can be more useful than maximum voltage.

Best lightweight maintenance tool: Makita XRU23Z

Makita’s XRU23Z is aimed at lighter trimming rather than clearing a neglected field. Its 18V LXT compatibility and relatively low bare-tool weight make it comfortable for edging sidewalks, trimming around trees, and maintaining a small lawn.

Its 0.080-inch line is appropriate for ordinary grass but is less resistant to abrasion and breakage than 0.095-inch line in rough weeds or along masonry. Do not choose it solely because the tool is light if your regular workload involves dense, waist-high growth.

Decision matrix by yard and user

Cutting swath, line size, and thick grass

A wider swath is not automatically better. A 16-inch trimmer covers about 6.7% more width per pass than a 15-inch trimmer, assuming identical overlap. On a 600-foot edging route, however, the actual time saving may be modest because corners, obstacles, reloading, and walking speed dominate the job.

For general grass, 0.080-inch line is light and efficient. Move to 0.095-inch line for thick grass, stiff weeds, and occasional rough ground. Larger line can improve durability, but only if the trimmer head and motor are rated for it. Installing oversized line can reduce speed, increase vibration, overload the motor, and shorten battery runtime.

In thick grass, use the outer tip of the line rather than burying the entire head into the vegetation. Sweep in an arc, keep the motor speed high enough to avoid bogging, and take two passes through very dense growth. Letting grass wrap around the head is a more common cause of overheating than ordinary cutting.

Runtime: a useful way to estimate battery needs

Runtime depends on line diameter, grass density, throttle setting, temperature, and battery age. A rough planning estimate for a modern brushless trimmer is:

Usable energy ≈ battery voltage × amp-hours × 0.8.

For example, a nominal 56V, 5Ah battery contains about 280 watt-hours on paper, or approximately 224 usable watt-hours after allowing for conversion losses and the fact that manufacturers do not always expose the entire rated capacity. If a trimmer averages 500 watts during demanding work, the theoretical operating time is about 27 minutes:

224 watt-hours ÷ 500 watts = 0.45 hours, or about 27 minutes.

Actual trigger time may be longer during light edging because the motor is not continuously loaded. For a 30-minute weekly job, a 4Ah–5Ah battery is usually a sensible starting point. For clearing thick growth or trimming a large property, a second battery is often more convenient than waiting for one pack to charge.

Line-loading systems and adjustments that matter

• Bump-feed heads: Proven and inexpensive, but they require tapping the head on the ground. Excessive tapping damages the spool and guard.
• Rapid-load or speed-feed heads: Faster to reload because line can be wound through the head without fully disassembling the spool. They are convenient, but replacement heads and parts may cost more.
• Automatic-feed systems: Convenient for beginners, although they can release more line than necessary and increase consumption.
• Adjustable shafts: Helpful for storage and for sharing the tool between users, but telescoping joints should be locked firmly before operation.
• Adjustable handles: More important than a few ounces of tool weight. Set the handle so the cutting head stays level without twisting your wrist.

Ownership realities: what wears first

Line is the main consumable. Expect more frequent breakage near concrete, stone, chain-link fencing, and metal edging. Keep spare line in a cool, dry place; old line becomes brittle and snaps more readily. Replace line with the diameter specified for the head, and wind it in the marked direction with even tension.

The second common trouble spot is grass wrapped around the gearbox or spool. Stop the tool, remove the battery, and clear the wrap before it reaches the seal. After use, brush grass from the guard and air vents. Avoid spraying water directly into the motor housing, and do not store a battery in the trimmer during long periods of nonuse.

Inspect the guard, line-cutting blade, spool, and shaft locking points at the start of each season. A dull guard blade leaves excessive line hanging from the head, increasing both noise and energy consumption. If vibration suddenly increases, stop rather than continuing: an unevenly wound spool, damaged head, or bent shaft can worsen quickly.

Bottom line

Choose the EGO Power+ ST1521S for the best balance of power, weight, and simple line loading. Choose the EGO ST1623T or DeWalt DCST972X1 when thick grass and larger areas justify a heavier high-voltage platform. Choose the Milwaukee M18 Fuel or Makita XRU23Z when compact storage and an existing battery collection matter more than maximum endurance. Above all, match the battery system to the tools you already own, the line diameter to the vegetation, and the trimmer’s ready-to-use weight to the amount of time you spend holding it.