Best String Trimmers Sorted by Swath, Line Feed, Runtime Claims and Weight

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The best string trimmer for most homeowners is a cordless one that is light enough to carry around the whole yard, cuts a wide enough path to finish the fence line in a few passes, and feeds new line without constant stopping. Gas trimmers still exist, but every model that qualified for this guide runs on a rechargeable battery, so there is no fuel to mix and nothing to pull-start.

We compared six cordless trimmers using only their Amazon listings: cutting swath, line size, how the line feeds (push-button, automatic or a quick-reload head), whether the head turns for edging, listed weight and the runtime each brand claims. Runtime and power figures are the makers’ own numbers, so we attribute them. We also cover the safety gear the manuals call for, because a spinning line throws stones as readily as it cuts grass.

Our Top String Trimmer Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. EGO Power+ ST1502SA 15-Inch Trimmer: Best Overall

EGO’s ST1502SA is a 56-volt cordless string trimmer with a 15-inch cutting swath and professional-grade 0.095-inch cutting line, sold as a kit with a 2.5Ah battery and the CH2100 charger. EGO pitches it for yard clean-ups that go beyond a light weekly trim, and the heavier line is the clue: thicker line generally holds up better against tough stems and woody weeds.

Day to day, you clip in the battery, set the variable speed to match the job and work along beds, fences and the mailbox post. When the line runs short, EGO’s Rapid Reload head is designed so you can load new cutting line quickly and easily, without taking the spool apart. EGO says the 2.5Ah battery delivers up to 45 minutes of runtime and recharges in about 50 minutes on the included charger.

The motor is brushless, which EGO credits with low vibration, increased reliability and a long lifespan. The battery is part of EGO’s 56V ARC Lithium platform, so it also runs the brand’s mowers, blowers and other tools. The listing states a 5-year tool warranty and a 3-year battery warranty, and the item weight field reads 7.4 pounds.

It suits homeowners with a bigger lawn, long fence runs or patches of overgrown weeds who want one trimmer that won’t feel underpowered. If you mostly tidy a small patch and need an edger as well, the listing doesn’t describe an edging mode, so plan to use the head on its side or pair it with a dedicated edger.

Why we like it

• 15-inch swath
• 0.095-inch line
• 5-year tool warranty

Watch out for

It is the priciest pick here, and the listing says nothing about an edging mode.

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2. WORX WG163 20V Trimmer & Edger: Best Lightweight 2-in-1

WORX’s WG163 is a 20-volt cordless string trimmer that converts into a wheeled lawn edger in seconds. It cuts a 12-inch diameter with 0.065-inch line, and WORX lists a 7,600 rpm no-load speed and a 5.5-pound machine weight. The kit includes two 20V Power Share batteries, a charger, a spool, support wheels and a safety guard.

Line management is push-button: WORX calls it a command feed spool system for instant line feeding, so you press a button rather than bump the head on the ground. WORX also advertises free spools for life. The head tilts 90 degrees for sloped ground and hard-to-reach spots, and an adjustable spacer guard helps keep the line off plants, landscape features and lawn ornaments.

Switch to edging mode and the rubberized wheels support and guide the tool, which WORX says gives straighter lines and cleaner cuts along driveways and sidewalks. The batteries belong to the WORX Power Share family, which the listing says works with WORX 20V and 40V tools, so you can share packs with a blower or hedge trimmer from the same line.

It suits homeowners with small and medium lawns who want trimming and edging from one light tool and like having a spare battery on the charger. The listing doesn’t give battery capacity or a warranty term, so check both on the packaging before the return window closes.

Why we like it

• 5.5-pound machine weight
• Wheeled edging mode
• Two batteries in the box

Watch out for

Battery capacity and warranty aren’t stated on the listing, and the 12-inch swath means more passes on big lots.

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3. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX Trimmer/Edger: Best Auto-Feed Trimmer/Edger

BLACK+DECKER’s LST300 is a 20V MAX cordless string trimmer and edger with a 12-inch cutting swath. Its headline feature is the Automatic Feed Spool, which BLACK+DECKER says feeds trimmer line automatically when needed with no bumping required. The brand also lists a POWERDRIVE transmission and a 6,200 rpm figure for getting more power to the cutting string.

In use, you trim with the head flat and rotate it to edge along a sidewalk or driveway; the listing says it converts from trimmer to edger in seconds. An adjustable handle and height positions let you set it to your stance, and BLACK+DECKER describes it as quiet and easy to start compared with a gas trimmer. The battery charges on a wall-mountable base, which keeps the garage shelf clear.

The kit comes with one 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery, which BLACK+DECKER says gives 33% more runtime per pack than its previous LBXR20 battery. Its instruction manual calls for .065-inch round line and warns against bumping the head on the ground, since that disrupts the automatic feed. The listing gives a 2 year limited warranty and a 5.7-pound weight.

It suits homeowners with small to medium yards who want hands-off line feeding and a tool light enough for quick weekly touch-ups. If your lot takes more than one battery to finish, budget for a second pack.

Why we like it

• Automatic line feed
• Edger conversion
• 2-year limited warranty field

Watch out for

Only one 2.0Ah battery comes in the box, and the listing doesn’t give a runtime in minutes.

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4. CRAFTSMAN V20 13-Inch Trimmer/Edger Kit (CMCST901M1): Best for Long Runtime Claims

CRAFTSMAN’s CMCST901M1 kit pairs a V20 cordless string trimmer with a 4.0Ah battery and charger. It cuts a 13-inch swath on 0.065-inch line, and the listing title advertises up to 63 minutes of runtime. CRAFTSMAN also claims 52% more power from the motor; both figures carry asterisks on the listing, so treat them as the brand’s test conditions rather than a promise for your yard.

Two speed settings let you choose between runtime and power: low speed for routine grass along beds, high speed for thicker growth. An adjustable handle can be set to your height, and Turn-To-Edge functionality rotates the head so the same tool edges a driveway or walkway.

The battery is part of CRAFTSMAN’s V20 system, so a pack from a CRAFTSMAN drill or blower will fit, and this one can move to other V20 tools. The kit contents are listed as the trimmer, one spool that feeds 0.065-inch line, one CMCB204 4.0Ah battery and a charger. The listing describes the tool as lightweight but doesn’t give a weight, and the warranty field is empty.

It suits homeowners whose trimming takes longer than a quick lap, and anyone already invested in V20 batteries. Weigh it in the store or check the manual before buying if your shoulders tire easily, since the listing leaves that number out.

Why we like it

• 4.0Ah battery included
• 63-minute runtime claim
• Turn-To-Edge mode

Watch out for

No weight or warranty term appears on the listing, and it doesn’t say how the line feeds.

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5. Greenworks 40V 12-Inch String Trimmer: Best Dual-Line Trimmer

Greenworks’ 40V string trimmer cuts a 12-inch path using 0.065-inch dual line, meaning two line ends spin instead of one. Greenworks says that setup delivers clean, consistent trimming for grass and light weeds around lawns, sidewalks and landscaping. The kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and charger.

The auto feed line system advances line during operation, which Greenworks says eliminates the need for bumping and keeps trimming smooth and uninterrupted. A variable-speed trigger lets you ease off for precise work near beds and edges and squeeze harder when the grass is thick. Greenworks describes the design as well balanced and ergonomic to reduce fatigue.

One listing bullet promises a 3-year limited warranty covering both the trimmer and battery, while the warranty field reads “2 Year”, so check the paperwork in the box. The weight field reads 12 pounds, which seems high for a tool the listing calls lightweight and may include packaging; the listing doesn’t clarify.

It suits homeowners doing routine weekly trimming on an average lot, especially anyone who already owns a Greenworks 40V mower or blower and wants to share batteries. For thick, woody weeds, the brand itself describes the line setup as aimed at grass and light weeds.

Why we like it

• Dual-line head
• Auto feed
• Shares 40V batteries

Watch out for

The listing’s warranty and weight fields don’t match its own bullets and description, so verify both.

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6. HEYWORK 20V 12-Inch Trimmer & Edger: Best Budget Two-Battery Kit

HEYWORK’s 20V cordless trimmer is a 12-inch trimmer and edger sold as a kit with two 20V 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries, a dedicated charger and eight pre-wound replacement spools. HEYWORK claims an 8,000 rpm upgraded motor and says it switches between trimming and edging modes for lawn edges, flower beds, driveways and general weed removal.

An automatic line feed system releases new line as the old line wears short, so you don’t stop to tap or bump the spool. The listing describes it as weighing only 6.3 pounds, with an adjustable comfortable grip meant to cut down on arm and back fatigue during longer sessions.

With two 4.0Ah packs, you can keep one charging while the other runs, which HEYWORK pitches for finishing larger lawns and gardens. The extra spools mean you won’t need to buy line for a while. The listing promises customer service help but doesn’t give a warranty term, and the line diameter isn’t stated, which matters when you eventually buy refills.

It suits budget shoppers, renters with a small yard and anyone who wants a backup trimmer for a second property. Since the brand is less established than the big names, keep the receipt and register the tool if the box offers a way to do so.

Why we like it

• Two 4.0Ah batteries
• Eight spare spools
• Auto feed plus edging

Watch out for

No warranty term or line diameter is stated, and the brand has the lowest sales rank here.

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How We Chose the Best String Trimmers

We read each trimmer’s Amazon listing and spec fields and kept only what they state:

• Cutting swath and line size: wider paths and thicker line suit bigger lots and tougher weeds.
• Line feed: push-button, automatic or a quick-reload head, in the brand’s own words.
• Edging mode: whether the listing says the head turns or converts for edging.
• Battery and runtime: voltage, amp-hours and any runtime claim, attributed to the brand.
• Weight and warranty: as listed, with empty or conflicting fields flagged.
• Availability: every pick was in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when we checked, one pick per brand.

String Trimmer Buying Guide

Best Cordless String Trimmer: Voltage, Amp-Hours and Runtime

Voltage numbers (20V, 40V, 56V) describe the battery platform, not a direct measure of cutting power, and amp-hours (Ah) describe capacity. Runtime claims come with fine print: EGO says up to 45 minutes from its 2.5Ah pack, and CRAFTSMAN says up to 63 minutes from its 4.0Ah pack. The WORX, BLACK+DECKER and Greenworks listings give no minutes at all. If you already own batteries from one brand, staying on that platform usually saves the most money.

Best Battery Weed Eater for Thick Weeds

Swath and line size are the two numbers to compare. The EGO cuts a 15-inch swath with 0.095-inch line, the CRAFTSMAN 13 inches, and the rest 12 inches with 0.065-inch line where stated. Thicker line generally handles woody stems better. For brush with real stems, a trimmer is the wrong tool; our chainsaw guide covers cutting limbs, and our hedge trimmer guide covers shrubs.

Bump, Push-Button or Automatic Line Feed

Bump feed means tapping the head on the ground to release line. Push-button feed, like the WORX command feed, releases line when you press a button. Automatic feed, on the BLACK+DECKER, Greenworks and HEYWORK, advances line on its own; BLACK+DECKER’s manual specifically warns not to bump its auto-feed head. EGO’s Rapid Reload head is about loading new line quickly. Whatever the system, buy the line diameter the manual names.

Best String Trimmer for Homeowners Who Also Edge

An edging mode turns the head vertically so the line cuts a clean border along a driveway or walk. The WORX, BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN and HEYWORK listings all describe one, and the WORX adds guide wheels. The EGO and Greenworks listings don’t mention edging.

Best Lightweight String Trimmer

Weight matters more than most specs once you carry a trimmer around the whole yard. The WORX lists a 5.5-pound machine weight and the BLACK+DECKER 5.7 pounds; HEYWORK’s description says 6.3 pounds; the EGO is listed at 7.4 pounds. The Greenworks weight field reads 12 pounds and the CRAFTSMAN listing gives none, so check those in person if weight is your top concern.

Best EGO String Trimmer and Other Platforms

EGO sells several trimmers on its 56V ARC Lithium platform; we chose the ST1502SA kit because it was in stock and sold by Amazon.com, while some longer-shaft EGO models were listed as low stock or backordered when we checked. Keep your mower’s cut clean too: our lawn mower blade sharpener guide covers the other half of a tidy lawn.

Trimmer Safety: Eyes, Ears, Legs and Flying Debris

A string trimmer’s line throws whatever it hits. The basics, from sources we read:

• Wear safety glasses every time. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says lawn mowers and trimmers can throw dirt and debris into the air, lists using a power trimmer or edger among yard tasks that need eye protection, and urges every household to keep at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear.
• Dress for it. BLACK+DECKER’s LST300 manual tells users to wear heavy long pants, substantial rubber-soled footwear and safety glasses or goggles, and never to trim barefoot or in open sandals.
• Clear the area and keep people back. The same manual says to remove wire, cord or string-like objects before trimming and warns that in edging mode stones and metal can be thrown at high speed, so other people and pets should be at least 100 feet (30 m) away.
• Protect your hearing. The NIDCD lists lawn mowers and leaf blowers among harmful noises at home and says long or repeated exposure at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss; the LST300 manual also calls for hearing protection.
• Thrown stones and coverage. If a trimmer flings a rock through a window, whether your policy responds depends on its terms, so ask your agent. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best string trimmer for most homeowners?

The EGO Power+ ST1502SA is our overall pick for its 15-inch swath, 0.095-inch line, up to 45 minutes of claimed runtime and a 5-year tool warranty on the listing. For a lighter tool that also edges, the WORX WG163 is the best seller here.

What is the best cordless string trimmer for edging?

The WORX WG163 converts to a wheeled edger, and the BLACK+DECKER LST300, CRAFTSMAN CMCST901M1 and HEYWORK kits also list an edging mode. The EGO and Greenworks listings don’t describe one.

Which battery weed eater runs longest?

On the listings, CRAFTSMAN claims up to 63 minutes with its 4.0Ah battery and EGO claims up to 45 minutes with its 2.5Ah battery. Real runtime depends on grass thickness and speed setting; the other listings don’t give minutes.

What is the best lightweight string trimmer?

The WORX WG163 lists a 5.5-pound machine weight and the BLACK+DECKER LST300 is listed at 5.7 pounds, the two lightest stated weights in this guide.

Do I need safety glasses for a string trimmer?

Yes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says trimmers can throw dirt and debris, and BLACK+DECKER’s manual says to wear safety glasses or goggles at all times when the battery pack is installed, along with heavy long pants and sturdy footwear.

The Bottom Line

The EGO Power+ ST1502SA is the best string trimmer for most yards, with the widest swath, the thickest line and the longest stated warranty here. The WORX WG163 is the light, best-selling trimmer-and-edger, the BLACK+DECKER LST300 takes bumping out of line feed, and the CRAFTSMAN V20 kit makes the longest runtime claim. The Greenworks 40V suits 40V households, and the HEYWORK kit is the budget pick with two batteries.

Wondering how your policy treats yard-work accidents or damage from thrown debris? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.