Likewise called weed wackers, weed eaters, lawn trimmers (and often even yard edgers), cordless string trimmers have come a long method over the last couple of years, going from troublesome tools that ran out of battery power quickly to the brand-new lightweight, nimble turf cutting makers that provide nearly as much “oomph” as a corded or gas powered weed wacker.

As performance has improved, there’s likewise been a boost in the variety of brands contending for your lawn care dollars, including some you might not have become aware of previously.

Provided the myriad of string trimmer designs, brand names and features offered today, how do you pick the best one to fulfill your needs?

In this post, we evaluate the functions to consider when purchasing a cordless string trimmer so that you’ll understand what to look for in picking a quality product.

If you’re just thinking about the different types of trimmers and our recommendations for the best battery powered models, scroll down to the Buying Guide.

>> See our FAQs About Li-Ion Batteries
About Cordless String Trimmers
The best cordless electric string trimmers have an unique advantage over both gas and corded alternative of the past: they’re light, portable, budget-friendly to run, and simple to require to each and every corner of your garden. There is no gas or oil to mix and pour, and carburetors to clean out. They likewise differ from their counterparts in a few methods.

Advantages and disadvantages of Cordless String Trimmers
In lots of aspects, cordless turf trimmers resemble gas-powered and electrical variations– they have a manage, shaft, cutting head/motor and string dispenser. The biggest distinction is that cordless designs operate on batteries, but there are a couple of other differences to be knowledgeable about.

Pros
Benefit– Just push the “on” button and start whacking weeds. Cordless trimmers also need less upkeep than gas-powered ones and don’t offer off toxic fumes. And some designs even fold up or collapse to make them much easier to keep.

Portability– Cordless weed eaters can go anywhere you desire them to. Without the cord, there’s no requirement to stop, unplug and switch from outlet to outlet. Plus, the majority of are light-weight, making it simple to carry them anywhere they’re required.

Quietness– Most cordless battery-powered grass trimmers operate listed below 80 db, indicating that they don’t need ear protection throughout usage. Aside from the trimmer heads whirling and the string( s) slicing through lawn and weeds, there’s virtually no sound. Still, we advise that you utilize ear defense while utilizing any kind of power equipment– extended exposure to louder sounds isn’t a good thing.

Cons
Less Power– Unless you pick a high adequate voltage model, you may not have as much power as you would with a gas powered grass trimmer. For a lot of usages, this isn’t a concern. But when dealing with longer turf and tougher weeds, that extra power comes in handy.

Shorter Run Time– Battery-powered string trimmers can just run as long as the battery has a charge. When it runs out, you have to put it back on the charger for a while (which is why we suggest having two or more batteries).

More expensive– Most of the time, the very best cordless string trimmers will cost more than a standard gas powered model. Once again, you do not have the expense of gas, oil and engine upkeep so the somewhat greater preliminary purchase rate might be offset those continuous costs.

Important Considerations When Buying a Cordless String Trimmer
The best design for you is one that satisfies your distinct needs. Do not be swayed by all the bells and whistles, glowing evaluations or reports of “gas-like efficiency”– search for something in your rate variety that’s comfortable for you to utilize and will manage the kind of work you require it to do.

Yard Size
Many homeowner do not require a pricey, professional-grade string trimmer. One of the more recent battery powered lawn trimmers will most likely do the job simply fine for the majority of city and rural backyards. But if you’ll be doing a great deal of trimming, you may be much better off with a gas-powered model.

Weight
You’ll bear the full weight of a string trimmer, so it’s crucial to pick one that’s comfortable to bring and navigate around your yard. Shoulder straps are offered for some models to assist carry the burden but if it’s too heavy it could cause shoulder pressure.

Battery Life
Cordless string trimmers are powered with a lithium ion battery and typically run for between 15 to 60 minutes of constant usage. As soon as released, the battery will need to be recharged– depending upon whether or not you have a quick charger (typically an upsell), charging will take from 30 minutes to about 2 hours.

To avoid waiting while the battery charges, I advise investing in an extra battery or two, especially if you have a bigger lawn or run several tools with the same battery.

While lithium ion batteries do not have a “memory,” they do gradually drain over time, especially if they’re left on the string trimmer (even if it’s off). We advise getting rid of the battery from the trimmer when not in use and, if you can, keeping it inside. If it’s been a few weeks since you last utilized it, you’ll most likely require to recharge it.

Lithium ion batteries do have a finite lifespan– most will last about 3 to 5 years prior to they require to be replaced.

Interchangeable Batteries
The majority of batteries nowadays are created to be utilized interchangeably with other cordless tools from the very same manufacturer and with the same voltage. Inspect to see what other devices are available from the maker that would work with the battery in the string trimmer, such as leaf blowers, chainsaws and pole saws.

Battery Voltage and Amps
High-voltage batteries will provide you more power. The more power it has, the tougher the tasks it can take on.

Convenience & Adjustability
If the trimmer isn’t comfortable to utilize, or does not fit you well, then you’re not likely to use it. Look for one that has an adjustable manage, shaft length, and cutting head angle.

Make sure the controls run smoothly and are easy to reach when utilizing the trimmer.

String Feed System and Reloading
String trimmers have one of two systems for feeding string to the trimmer: bump-feed (tap the head on the ground and more string is delivered) and automatic-feed (as string breaks off, more is immediately fed out of the spindle). Both systems are fine, as long as the line is provided smoothly as it’s needed. Look for a model with a spindle that’s simple to replace or load with brand-new line.

If you need to remove rowdy weeds and high yard, look for a string trimmer that’s equipped with dual nylon lines. Lines that are.08 inch or thicker enable you to cut through harder greenery.

String Cutting Path
Try to find a turf trimmer with a cutting course broad sufficient to clear large areas with each sweep, yet narrow enough for you to utilize the trimmer in tight spaces. The typical cutting path is 12 inches broad. A 10-inch trimmer will do the job but it’ll take longer if you have more location to cover.

Balance
An excellent string trimmer, whether it’s gas-powered, corded or cordless, should feel well balanced in your hands when kept in the cutting position, with the weight evenly dispersed from top to bottom or a little heavier at the top. If the majority of the weight remains in the cutting head, you’ll have a hard time holding it steady and will end up being rapidly tired out. Models with a top-mount motor typically have much better balance than those with the motor near the cutting line.

Variable Power Output/ Speed
Some models allow you to vary the speed at which the head/string spins– lower speed for light-duty weed whacking and greater speeds for harder weeds or long yard. You’ll normally discover cordless trimmers with speeds in the 5000 to 9000 RPM range. Greater speed (RPM) will drain pipes the battery more rapidly.

Straight vs. Curved Shaft
In terms of efficiency, there isn’t much distinction in between these two designs of string trimmer. Eventually, the option normally comes down to which design you find most comfy to utilize.

Models with a curved shaft tend to be lighter and simpler to manage. Models with a straight shaft provide a longer reach, they tend to be much better for tall users and for reaching below bushes and other shrubs, they put a higher distance between you and the particles flung up by the trimmer.

Safety
String trimmers can kick up debris, often in unpredictable directions. While the guard at the bottom of the string trimmer is suggested to safeguard users from flying debris, constantly wear shatterproof glass, gloves, long trousers, and boots. And, although cordless trimmers are quieter than other models, we still advise that you use hearing defense.

Also, try to find models in which the starter switch is safeguarded (e.g., a trigger lock) so you can’t mistakenly start the string trimmer.

Highly Recommended Cordless String Trimmers
Below are the battery-powered trimmers that we most advise.

Keep in mind that there are different classes of weed eaters represented in the table below– for example, the 120v models are closer to a professional grade tool, while the 20v and 40v units are more light-weight. We compare tools within their relevant class when identifying scores (so, for instance, we’re not comparing a 20v vs a 120v tool).