Best Cordless String Trimmer Reviews 2019

Here at ElectroSawHQ, we simply love string trimmers; we truly believe that cleaning up your yard is a lot easier with a string trimmer. Thanks to improvements in battery technology, a cordless string trimmer can save you from dragging around long extension cords or remembering which gas can is for the two-stroke engine. We invite you to check out the features of the products listed below, and to learn how to choose the best cordless string trimmer of 2018 for your yard!

Picking the Best Weed Wacker For Your Yard

String trimmers work by spinning a multi-edged high density plastic piece of string very fast so it will cut whatever greenery it brushes against. If you're just trimming grass along a sidewalk, driveway or fence, a single-string head will likely serve your purposes and save you reloading string. 

However, if you've got a lot of brush to clear or an especially large yard, a double string head will be faster. As the string gets worn away it advances, so eventually you'll run out and need to reload the tool. Carefully review your manual to make sure you get the right cutting string and load it correctly so it advances. If you're not comfortable with learning this process, you can buy new, pre-loaded heads for many tools. This may be more expensive, but the best cordless string trimmer is the one you can use quickly, not the one hanging in the garage with no string remaining.

Gas vs. Electric Weed Eaters

There are two types of weed eaters: gas and electric. The difference resides in how they’re powered. Gas-powered weed eaters require gasoline. You often have to mix gas and oil in the appropriate measurements or get a premixed product. Gas weed eaters are typically more powerful, but they also are loud and release polluting fumes.

Electric weed eaters are subdivided in two different varieties: corded and cordless.

Pros and Cons of a Cordless Weed Eater

Several differences make a cordless string trimmer stand out from the competition. Remember,  you can’t have a one-size-fits-all with these types of tools! You have to weigh the pros and cons to decide which would be the best cordless trimmer for your particular needs.

What Features Should the Best Cordless String Trimmer Have?

Once you decide that this is the type of electric string trimmer you want, you have to look at the features that matter the most to you. Gardening and lawn care can be hard work even under the best circumstances. You want to find a top trimmer that will make your life as easy as possible.

There are several features that you’ll find matters when making your decision. The answers aren’t one size fits all. The features that matter to you may not matter as much to someone else. You need to consider your lawn size, shape, and details, along with your wants, when making a final selection.

Battery Life

When you decide you want a cordless string trimmer rather than a gas trimmer, battery life is a huge factor to consider. The average battery will last between 30 to 60 minutes of continuous use.

You also have to look at how long it takes to charge the battery. It takes on average from 30 minutes to two hours to get a full charge. Some people prefer to have several batteries on hand and swap them out. One thing to know is that lithium ion batteries will discharge slowly if left inside of the device that they charge. You need to remove the battery when it is not in use!

The amount of battery life you need depends on how much property you need to trim. For example, someone with ¼ of an acre will spend, on average, 20 minutes running their weed eater. If you have an acre of land, you might have over an hour of trimming, so you need something that allows you to swap batteries or lasts longer!

The other option is a curved shaft trimmer. These are great for those who need a trimmer for open areas. The design of a curved shaft doesn’t allow for much maneuverability. However, these are not commonly found in the trimmer world.

The length of the shaft matters as well. You don’t want to have to hunch over for an hour or two while working. For those who are taller, an adjustable shaft is an extremely beneficial feature that will prevent your back from aching. A telescopic shaft lets you make the shaft as long or as short as you need to be comfortable. That is an ideal feature!

String Features

Trimmers can be difficult to restring, and some offer different feeding capabilities. There are weed eaters with single and dual feed lines. For most homeowners, a single line head is perfect. However, adding an extra line gives you more strength as you swipe. So, for those who battle tough weeds each week, a dual-line head could be a better choice.

Unfortunately, a dual-line head requires more maintenance. Unwinding a dual-line head when it is tangled is much harder!

You also want to consider the width of the cutting path. You want a cutting path that can clear away large spots with each sweep. At the same time, you don’t want it so wide that you can’t use it in tight spaces. A cutting path that is too wide also decreases the precision in which you can cut weeds down. 12 inches tends to be the average cutting path.

Compatible Accessories

While this feature may not be the biggest deal, many homeowners prefer to have a string trimmer that also is compatible with other accessories. You might be able to get several of your garden maintenance tools in one! You might be able to use it with a hedge trimmer or a brush cutter. Versatility is a big perk!

A popular option is an edger. Many models allow you to turn the head of the weed eater, creating a cordless edger. This feature is convenient, letting you cut with precision.

Balance

Before you purchase your new weed eater, you want to feel it in your hands. No matter the type, whether it is gas, cordless or corded, you want it to feel balanced in your hands. The weight should be evenly distributed from top to bottom.
It might be slightly heavier at the top, but you don’t want the majority of the weight there. If it is, you won’t be able to hold it steady. You will waste valuable energy and tire yourself out. No one wants that! Make sure it feels balanced in your hands.

Warranty

The last thing you should consider is the warranty that the company offers to users. The typical standard warranty for an electric string trimmer tends to be one year. You don’t want any warranty less than a year. Skip right over those 90-day warranties!

Ideally, the weed eater you select will meet or exceed the one year warranty. It should also have great customer service. You want to be able to contact customer service, whether by email or phone if a problem arises with your trimmer.

Is an Automatic Spool Feeder Really Necessary?

As you complete your research on weed eaters, you’ll notice a lot of people want an automatic spool feeder. If you’ve never used a trimmer, it is simply a button or trigger on your trimmer that will feed some of the spools. As you go about cutting weeds, the string will break. If you aren’t paying attention, you can end up with no string to cut the weeds down.

A majority of the trimmers you encounter on the market today do release some spool each time you pull the trigger. Some want you to “bump” the head of the trimmer to release more spool.

This feature is more for convenience rather than necessity. You can have a manual trimmer that works perfectly for you. Automatic feeders do tend to save you time, but don’t let it change your mind if it’s the only con for the trimmer you truly love the most!

Safety Considerations

No matter which string trimmer you select, there are some basic safety considerations to review and put in place before you use this tool. This video offers several great safety recommendations for using your string trimmer.

Weight and Length Consideration

Since you are going to carry this weed eater across your property, the overall weight matters. Cordless weed eaters typically are lighter than gas trimmers because you don’t have the additional weight of the gasoline and oil mixture. However, if you have a lot of property, you might want to pick the lightest model that still offers you the other features you want. Who wants their arms going numb or being sore for two days after an hour of work?

Time of use is critical when determining which string trimmer will suit your setting best. The heaviest string trimmer in this review article is about 15 pounds; the lightest is under 10 pounds. For fifteen minute projects, this amount of weight is probably not a concern. If you're using it for an hour, an extra 5 pounds can mean a lot. The best cordless trimmer is the one you and your family can use safely and comfortably.

Additionally, string trimmers don't offer a uniform length. If you're of average height, any of these will probably work. For those over 6 feet, the Craftsman is probably not the best choice. For those 5'3" and under, the Makita will be too long. If the users of this tool run the gamut from tall to short, the Worx has a telescoping handle! The best cordless weed eater is the one everyone understands and can use safely.

Consider who will be the primary user of the string trimmer and make your choice based on their capabilities. Invest in the proper safety equipment for each user, and make sure everyone is trained on safe usage. Window replacement is bothersome and expensive.

To Bump or Not to Bump?

Many string trimmers have a bump feature, or a disc on the bottom of the trimmer that you can bump on the ground to feed more line. This is in contrast to the automatic feeding mechanism.

If you've got heavy brush to clear, the automatic feeding feature may not work. Working with a long cutting line on tidy, even grass can be very effective, but if you've got tall weedy plants to try to cut away with your string trimmer, a long trimming line can make for a tangled mess. With a bumping mechanism, you can control the length of the trimming string more easily and work shorter in heavy weeds.

If you're studying cordless weed trimmer reviews to make your final selection, consider the amount of time you want to put in replacing string and maintaining this tool. String feeds can be confusing and it takes time to learn how to load the feeder. For users who need to pick up this tool and go, getting a product that offers replacement spools is probably the best option.

Get an Extra Battery

Many cordless products feature interchangeable batteries that you can move from one tool of that brand to another. Even if this is your only cordless tool for now, invest in a second battery and keep it charged while the original battery is loaded in the tool. Downtime due to dead battery is a frustrating waste.

Best Cordless Weed Eaters of 2018 Reviews 

When researching tool purchases via cordless weed eater reviews, be sure and check the terrain. Many users with large areas to clean up or especially rough ground love this tool.

This tool offers a lot of power and makes reloading the string head a breeze. You have control of the string length thanks to the bump feature. 

Greenworks created a powerful cordless string trimmer with user-friendly features. One of those top features is the telescopic shaft. Shafts shouldn’t be one size fits all because not everyone is the same height. You can adjust the length of the shaft up to 67 inches, making it ideal for those who are taller!

Another fantastic feature is the pivoting head that allows you to use this trimmer and edger as well. It is perfect for those areas where you need to have precision. A trimmer edger is beneficial for all property owners! This trimmer also has the capabilities to attach a blower or vacuum so that you can blow away all of the trimmings. What a handy feature!

Users also love how quiet this trimmer is compared to others. It runs at 9,000 RPM, but it doesn’t feel as loud. At that RPM, you can tear through most weeds.
Unlike other cordless string trimmers, the GreenWorks battery lasts an average of 50 minutes. It charges fast, so you don’t have to wait long to finish your yard work. When you purchase it, you get to select the choice between a 20, 24 and 40-volt battery, so you can determine the right power that you need.

The GreenWorks Pro ST80L210 is equivalent to a 32cc gas engine and weighs just under 10 pounds. You have some flexibility on the handle length of around 65 inches.

The DeWalt product line is known for durability and long use, and this tool continues that tradition.

Users love the double 0.080” line that is fed by a lump feed system. It is well loved by most!

Due to the brushless motor used by Dewalt, you will find that the runtime is longer than other choice. Another reason to love the Dewalt trimmer is that the motor will allow it to last longer than other choices. You can expect the lifespan to be three times longer than other options.

Dewalt created their best cordless trimmer to have two distinct powder modes. You can select the maximum amount of RPMs it can reach. The range goes from 4,600 to 6,000 RPMs.

This trimmer is 14 pounds of a 13" cutting swath, though it offers bump feed if you need to work shorter in rough conditions, and the variable speed control will help. This unit comes with a 20v lithium ion battery and charger.

This tool is under four feet in length and is just under 7 pounds. When studying cordless trimmer reviews, it's important to note which tools are rated for professionals and which for home use. This is an ideal tool for small yards but will struggle in high weeds.

Worx WG163 GT 3.0 20V Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger with Command Feed, 12"

This trimmer features bump-less line feeding and a telescoping shaft for adjustable length. It's only five pounds and is a great choice for small projects and simple trim jobs.

This product includes 1 battery and a charger. When you're ready to load new string, you can either purchase a new spool head or just buy standard replacement string.

Adjusting the height of the telescopic shaft is easy. All you have to do is release the lever and slide it to the height you want, whether that’s an increase or decrease.

Worx uses a 20-volt cordless lithium-ion battery. You might think it is gas powered because of its strength and power to cut through almost anything. You can expect the battery to last around 45 minutes if you are using it on high power. After you drained the battery, it only takes about an hour for it to charge completely. Ideally, it is best for a smaller to medium-sized year.

Unlike other trimmers, the Worx has three different speeds and a rotating head. The head guarantees precision cutting. Worx has a 12-inch cutting diameter that will cut a wide radius, reducing how much time you need to spend trimming. At the same time, you can precisely trim around sidewalks and garden beds.

Users love the automatic spool feeder because it lets out small amounts of string each time you pull the trigger. You never have to worry about feeding additional string, which saves you time and annoyance.