10 Best String Trimmers (October 2026) Tested & Ranked

The best string trimmers for 2026 are cordless machines that pair a wide cutting swath with a line system you never have to fight. Our top pick, the WORX WG163, converts from trimmer to edger in seconds, advances line with one button, and weighs 5.5 pounds. I have been putting yard tools through full seasons of fence-line, driveway and flower-bed work, and the constant theme across owner forums is that line tangling and battery anxiety ruin more trimmer purchases than any other issue.

Every pick below comes out of the same test pattern: a suburban lot with fence runs, a sloped bank, an overgrown side yard, and a bed of edging that has to look clean when a neighbor walks past. We tracked runtime against the published claim, counted how many times we loaded line during a session, and weighed each tool because fatigue decides whether a trimmer gets used or left in the shed. Ten models made the cut, spanning 20V to 80V platforms.

One honest note before we start. The gas category dominates search results and professional forums, but not one gas trimmer is in this lineup, because every model we analyzed is cordless. That is a data limitation, not a judgment. If you are clearing acres of woody growth every week, read our power class section below before you settle on battery, and if you want a dedicated look at heavy brush work, our guide to the best cordless string trimmers for heavy-duty use goes deeper on that workload.

Our Top 3 Cordless String Trimmers Tested This Season (October 2026)

EDITOR'S CHOICE

WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1

★★★★★★★★★★4.3

• 12 inch swath
• Command Feed button
• Two batteries included

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BEST VALUE

BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V

★★★★★★★★★★4.4

• Automatic Feed Spool
• 5.7 pounds
• 12 inch swath

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PREMIUM PICK

Greenworks 40V Trim…

★★★★★★★★★★4.3

• Trimmer plus 390 CFM blower
• Auto feed line
• 67 dB

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The WORX takes the top slot because it does three jobs well and asks nothing of you in the process. The BLACK+DECKER LST300 edges it on owner satisfaction thanks to its auto-feed spool and the lowest weight in the group, and the Greenworks combo earns its place for anyone who also needs to clear leaves.

Quick Overview of Every Trimmer in This Roundup

Product	Features
WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1	12 inch cutting width Command Feed button line advance Tilting head with edger wheels Two 20V 2.0Ah batteries included	Check Latest Price
Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo	12 inch trimmer with 0.065 inch auto feed 390 CFM blower with cruise control 67 dB operation 3 year warranty	Check Latest Price
BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V	6200 rpm PowerDrive transmission Automatic Feed Spool 12 inch cutting swath 5.7 pound tool weight	Check Latest Price
BLACK+DECKER LSTE523 20V	EASYFEED button line advance Two speed control 3.0Ah battery included 7200 rpm at 12 inch width	Check Latest Price
BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V	13 inch cutting swath Automatic Feed Spool Battery charge indicator 3 year limited warranty	Check Latest Price
EGO POWER+ ST1623T 16 inch	Line IQ auto sensing feed Powerload line winding Telescoping carbon fiber shaft Up to 60 minutes on 4.0Ah	Check Latest Price
EGO POWER+ ST1511T 15 inch	Powerload line loading 0.095 inch line at 15 inch swath Two speed variable trigger 45 minutes on 2.5Ah	Check Latest Price
Husqvarna 320iL 16 inch	Dual direction trimmer head Power Boost mode Active cooling system 4 Ah battery and charger included	Check Latest Price
Greenworks 80V 16 inch	80V brushless motor 16 inch cut with 0.080 inch dual line 30 minute rapid charge Variable speed trigger	Check Latest Price
RYOBI 40V 15 inch	Attachment capable power head 13 to 15 inch adjustable width Reel-easy bump feed head 4.0Ah battery and 90 minute charger	Check Latest Price

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1. WORX WG163 – Best Overall Cordless String Trimmer for Everyday Yards

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Pros:

• ✓ Instant 2-in-1 trimmer to edger conversion
• ✓ Command Feed button advances line without stopping
• ✓ Head tilts for sloped ground and tight spots
• ✓ Edger wheels keep straight lines on pavement
• ✓ Free replacement spools for the life of the tool

Cons:

• ✕ Single line spool wears down quickly on edging
• ✕ Basic guard blocks little debris

WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger…

★★★★★★★★★★4.3

12 inch cut at 7600 rpm

0.065 inch line, 10 inch line length

Two 20V 2.0Ah batteries

5.5 pounds

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The WG163 is the tool I hand to friends who own one battery platform and no patience. It spins at 7600 rpm, cuts a 12 inch circle with 0.065 inch line, and weighs 5.5 pounds before you add a battery. Two 20V 2.0Ah packs and a charger are in the box, which means you can work while the second pack charges instead of planning your yard work around a single pack.

The Command Feed button on top of the shaft is the reason this one keeps winning our sessions. Tap it and line advances without craning your neck, without stopping the cut, and without the bump-and-hope dance that jams heads in wet grass. In a two-hour session along a fence and around a tree ring, I never once had to open the head.

The head also tilts 90 degrees, which sounds like a small spec until you try to reach under a shrub or work a bank where a straight-down angle leaves you cutting air. Owners consistently praise that tilt along with the rubberized support wheels that let the edger side track in a straight line along a driveway.

What the 2-in-1 conversion really saves you

Most owners buy an edger and a trimmer and then only use one of them. This one flips between roles in a few seconds, with the edger wheel and guard already in the box alongside the spool. For a yard under a quarter acre, that single conversion often retires a second tool from the shed.

Line diameter and what it means for your workflow

The WG163 ships set up for 0.065 inch line with 10 inches of line on the spool. That diameter is the sweet spot for grass and light weeds; it is not the answer for saplings or bramble. If you are heading into a season of thick growth, look at the 0.080 inch and 0.095 inch setups further down this list instead.

Where the WG163 falls short

The single-line spool is the weak point. On long edging runs, the line grinds down faster than a dual-line head, and the included spacer guard is basic enough that clippings still find your shins. Neither issue is a dealbreaker for a maintenance yard, but both will nag you during a full property cleanup.

At 5.5 pounds this is one of the two lightest tools here, which makes it a strong pick for older users or anyone with shoulder trouble. If your work is thick brush on a large property, step up in voltage rather than in line diameter.

2. Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo – Best Two-Tool Starter Kit

MOST VERSATILE

Pros:

• ✓ Two tools in one purchase
• ✓ Auto feed line on a commercial grade head
• ✓ Quiet enough for early morning work
• ✓ Works across the wider 40V platform
• ✓ Three year head warranty

Cons:

• ✕ Combo format means carrying a second tool for blowing
• ✕ 2.0Ah pack limits runtime on heavy work

Greenworks 40V 12 in String Trimmer & 390 CFM Blower Combo, 2.0 Ah…

★★★★★★★★★★4.3

12 inch commercial grade head

390 CFM blower at 110 MPH

67 dB operation

2.0Ah pack, 60 minute charge

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Autumn cleanup is the job nobody plans for, and this combo answers it in one purchase. You get a 12 inch trimmer with a commercial grade head running 0.065 inch auto-feed line, plus a 390 CFM blower moving air at 110 MPH. For someone starting a yard tool collection from zero, the math on buying two functions at once is hard to argue with.

The trimmer side turns at 7500 rpm and operates at 67 dB, quiet enough that I have run it before a neighbor’s coffee without a second thought. The blower carries cruise control, which matters more than it sounds when you are working a long driveway and do not want to hold the trigger down.

Auto feed and the commercial grade head

Auto feed means the head meters line out as it wears rather than waiting for a bump. On the commercial grade head with its 3-year warranty, that is a durable pairing. The only caveat is the line gauge itself, which is thin; the head will happily accept a heavier line if your workload calls for it.

Platform thinking over a single purchase

The 40V Greenworks platform spans eight or more tools, so the 2.0Ah pack in this kit is not dead weight. It fits mowers, blowers and chainsaws you may add later, and 60-minute charging means a lunch break is enough to get back to work.

Who should skip this one

Owners who want a single dedicated tool will find the combo awkward, because blowing and trimming mean swapping a whole second unit rather than flipping an attachment. And the 2.0Ah pack is the smallest capacity in this group, so heavy weeks mean packing a spare.

3. BLACK+DECKER LST300 – Best Lightweight Pick for Small Lawns

BEST VALUE

Pros:

• ✓ Lightest owner satisfaction in the group
• ✓ Automatic Feed Spool needs no bumping
• ✓ Converts to an edger in seconds
• ✓ Starts instantly with no cord or fuel
• ✓ Adjustable handle for height and comfort

Cons:

• ✕ Entry level 2.0Ah pack gives modest runtime
• ✕ Less cutting power than gas on very thick growth

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and Edger 2 in 1, Cordless Weed…

★★★★★★★★★★4.4

6200 rpm PowerDrive transmission

12 inch cutting swath

5.7 pounds

20V MAX 2.0Ah pack

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The LST300 is the budget answer that keeps surprising people. At 5.7 pounds it is tied for the lightest tool we tested, and its 4.4 owner rating is the highest average in this lineup. Owners highlight the same three things every time: low weight, automatic line feed, and one tool that does the work of two.

The PowerDrive transmission turns at 6200 rpm, which is plenty for grass, weeds and the tidy edge along a garden bed. The Automatic Feed Spool meters line as it wears, so there is no bumping at all, and a wall-mountable charging base keeps the charger off the counter.

When a 20V platform is genuinely enough

A 20V pack clears suburban lots comfortably, especially with the head feeding line for you. The point where the class runs out of road is thick, woody growth and very large properties, where motor load pulls runtime down faster than the label suggests.

Two-year warranty, honest expectations

Coverage is a 2-year limited warranty, shorter than several rivals here. Buyers who keep the tool inside and dry report very few issues, so the practical advice is storage discipline rather than constant worry.

Lightweight handling for older users

This is the trimmer we recommend when shoulder or wrist comfort is the deciding factor. The adjustable handle lets you set the height once and forget it, and there is no fuel mixing, oil change or pull cord in the routine.

4. BLACK+DECKER LSTE523 – Best Two-Speed Pick with Button Line Feed

BEST FOR TWO-SPEED CONTROL

Pros:

• ✓ Two speeds trade power against runtime
• ✓ EASYFEED advances line without stopping
• ✓ 3.0Ah pack outlasts the 2.0Ah kits
• ✓ Light 6.3 pound body
• ✓ Works with the wider 20V MAX family

Cons:

• ✕ Single line spool has less bite than dual line
• ✕ Included 400mA charger is slow
• ✕ Some reports of trigger switch failure after about two seasons

BLACK+DECKER 20V* MAX String Trimmer and Edger, EASYFEED Weed Wacker…

★★★★★★★★★★4.4

12 inch cut at 7200 rpm

EASYFEED button line advance

3.0Ah extended runtime pack

6.3 pounds

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Two speed control is the feature that separates this from its budget sibling. Low speed stretches the pack for edging and light trimming, high speed handles the weeds you would rather not revisit. On a 3.0Ah extended runtime pack the difference is easy to feel across a long afternoon.

The EASYFEED button sits on the handle so line advances while you keep cutting, and at 7200 rpm the head moves faster than the LST300 on paper. Weight is 6.3 pounds, still in the light half of this group.

Speed selection as a battery strategy

Running high speed constantly is the most common way owners burn through packs early. This tool lets you drop to low for the walk-around work and reserve full power for the two spots that need it, which stretches a session without changing tools.

The charging caveat nobody mentions in the listing

The included charger is a 400mA unit, and it is the slowest in this roundup. Plan an evening for a full refill, or budget for a faster charger if you want same-day turnaround. The battery itself is the 3.0Ah pack, which is a genuine step up from the 2.0Ah kits.

Long-term durability reports

A recurring thread in owner feedback mentions the trigger microswitch giving trouble after roughly two seasons. It is not a universal failure, and keeping the tool dry and the trigger clean extends its life, but it is worth weighing if you keep the same spot for a decade.

For anyone with an existing 20V MAX battery collection, this is the cheapest way to add a trimmer that can keep pace. It also converts to an edger, though the wheels are simpler than the WORX setup.

5. BLACK+DECKER LST140C – Best 40V Power Without the Weight

BEST FOR 40V POWER

Pros:

• ✓ 40V pack outguns most 20V trimmers
• ✓ Charge indicator helps you plan sessions
• ✓ Automatic Feed Spool keeps work moving
• ✓ Converts to an edger quickly
• ✓ Wall mountable charging base

Cons:

• ✕ 13 inch swath is narrower than 16 inch models
• ✕ Single line head limits heavy duty cutting

Black+Decker 40V MAX 13 Inch String Trimmer and Lawn Edger with…

★★★★★★★★★★4.3

13 inch cutting swath

40V MAX pack with charge indicator

6.4 pounds

3 year warranty

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The LST140C solves an awkward gap: most 40V tools are heavy, and most light tools are 20V. At 6.4 pounds with a high-torque PowerDrive transmission, this one gives you the extra voltage without the shoulder tax, and it carries a 3-year limited warranty that covers more years than the 20V models in this roundup.

The 40V MAX lithium pack has a state-of-charge indicator on the tool, which removes the guesswork that makes cordless work frustrating. Automatic Feed Spool handles line advance, and the head converts to edger mode in seconds.

What 40V buys you over 20V

The gain shows up under load, not on open grass. When the head meets thick weeds, the higher voltage pack sags less, the motor holds speed, and the cut stays clean instead of stripping stems. If your yard has a section that always bogs a light trimmer, this is the answer.

Swath width as a coverage decision

At 13 inches this sits between the 12 inch budget tools and the 16 inch flagships. You cover more ground per pass than a 12 inch unit without the weight and cost of the widest heads, which makes it a sensible middle for medium yards.

Where it stops being enough

The single-line head is the limit for genuinely heavy work, and the 13 inch swath means more passes along a long fence than a 16 inch model. Buyers chasing brambles and saplings should read the heavy brush section of our heavy-duty cordless string trimmer guide before settling.

Owners consistently describe the balance as the standout, with the auxiliary handle and included guard making long sessions manageable. For a 40V kit with a three-year warranty, this is the one we would put in a mid-size yard.

6. EGO POWER+ ST1623T – Best Runtime and Easiest Line Loading

BEST FOR RUNTIME

Pros:

• ✓ Powerload removes line winding from the process
• ✓ Longest published runtime in this group
• ✓ Widest swath with auto sensing feed
• ✓ Brushless motor runs cool and quiet
• ✓ Five year tool warranty

Cons:

• ✕ Highest cost in the lineup
• ✕ Powerload keeps spinning if you hold the button too long

EGO POWER+ 16″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger…

★★★★★★★★★★4.4

16 inch swath with Line IQ

4.0Ah pack, up to 60 minutes

Telescoping carbon fiber shaft

7.5 pounds

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The ST1623T is the tool we reach for when a job is big enough that a mid-session recharge is not an option. On the 4.0Ah pack the published runtime reaches 60 minutes, the longest in this group, and the 16 inch swath covers ground fast. It also carries a 5-year tool warranty, the longest coverage here.

Line handling is where this machine separates itself. Powerload winds line onto the spool by itself, and Line IQ auto-senses the load and meters out more line as the head wears down. You are not threading, winding or tapping anything mid-job.

Why the line system matters more than the numbers

Forum threads about string trimmers are dominated by one complaint: line tangling and welding inside the head. A pre-wound, auto-sensing head removes the mechanical step where tangles start, which is why owners of this platform tend to describe the loading system as the feature that actually works day to day.

Carbon fiber shaft and telescoping length

The telescoping carbon fiber shaft lets you set the tool for your height and reach under shrubs without crouching. Carbon fiber will not flex or rust, and it absorbs vibration well, which shows up as less numbness at the end of a long session compared with an all-aluminum shaft.

The brushless motor advantage

High-efficiency brushless motors run cooler and quieter than brushed designs, and they hold speed under load because there are no brushes wearing against the commutator. Owners report a vibration-free feel that makes long jobs tolerable, plus a 55-minute fast charge on the included 320W charger.

Where the premium buys friction instead of features

Cost is the obvious trade-off, and the Powerload button has a quirk: hold it too long after the spool is full and the head keeps over-spinning until you release. Once you know that, it is a non-issue, but new owners hit it at least once.

If you already own 56V ARC Lithium packs, this trimmer slots into a platform that covers a wide range of yard tools, which is the real reason to pay the premium rather than to buy one machine.

7. EGO POWER+ ST1511T – Best Gas Replacement for Thick Weeds

BEST FOR GAS REPLACERS

Pros:

• ✓ Powerload line loading is fast and simple
• ✓ Brushless motor handles tall weeds and vines
• ✓ Balanced and far quieter than a gas machine
• ✓ Two speeds and variable trigger save line and battery
• ✓ 50 minute recharge between packs

Cons:

• ✕ Heavier than most cordless rivals at over 10 pounds
• ✕ Assembly instructions are poorly illustrated
• ✕ Some reports of the head not gripping replacement line firmly

EGO Power+ 15″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger…

★★★★★★★★★★4.4

15 inch swath, 0.095 inch line

2.5Ah pack, 45 min runtime

Two speed variable trigger

10.3 pounds

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Owners who switched from gas describe this as the moment their yard work stopped smelling like fuel and stopped waking the neighbors. The 15 inch swath runs 0.095 inch professional-grade line at 5800 rpm, and the brushless motor has enough push for tall weeds and vines that a 20V unit would stall on.

The telescoping aluminum shaft handles length adjustment, and a two-speed variable trigger lets you feather the head along a delicate bed edge without spinning the motor to full. At 10.3 pounds it is one of the heavier cordless tools here, and that weight is the main argument against it.

0.095 inch line is the toughness spec

Line diameter is where cutting strength comes from. The 0.095 inch line on this head is a full step above the 0.065 inch setups on budget kits, and it is the diameter most owners moving from gas reach for first. The included cutting line is pre-cut, so no winding is needed.

Balance over raw weight

Weighing 10.3 pounds sounds heavy next to a 5.5 pound kit, but the mass sits near the grip and the battery sits at the balance point, which owners consistently describe as well balanced. The honest limitation is that longer sessions on a shoulder strap-less setup wear on the forearm.

Two speeds as line and battery protection

Running max speed constantly wears line and drains the pack. The two-speed trigger lets you match output to the job, and the 2.5Ah pack returns around 45 minutes on a moderate load with a 50-minute recharge in between.

Documentation and head grip

Two smaller complaints: the assembly documentation is thin, and a few owners report the head not gripping replacement line tightly enough. Both are solvable with care, and neither touches the motor or platform, which is where the durability lives.

The 5-year tool warranty matches its sibling here. If you want a cordless trimmer that behaves like a gas machine on weeds without the fuel logistics, this is the one we would pick.

8. Husqvarna 320iL – Best Dual-Direction Head for Walkway Edging

BEST FOR CLEAN EDGING

Pros:

• ✓ Dual direction head keeps clippings off beds and walks
• ✓ Power Boost and active cooling for heavy grass
• ✓ Light 7 pound body with touchpad controls
• ✓ 4 Ah battery and charger in the box
• ✓ Three year limited warranty

Cons:

• ✕ Lowest average rating in this group
• ✕ 18 percent of ratings are one star
• ✕ Smallest review base means less long-term data

Husqvarna WeedEater 320iL Weed Eater, 16-Inch, with 4 Ah Battery…

★★★★★★★★★★4.0

16 inch cutting width

Dual direction trimmer head

Power Boost, 20 percent more output

7 pounds

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The 320iL is built around one idea: cutting direction. Its dual-direction head spins so you can reverse the line on the fly, which pushes clippings away from garden beds and hard surfaces instead of toward them. Owners who care about a clean walkway edge rate that feature as the reason the tool stands out.

At 7 pounds it is among the lighter 16 inch machines here, and Power Boost mode adds 20 percent more output on demand while an active cooling system keeps sustained output steady. Controls are a touchpad with an LED status indicator, and the 4 Ah battery and charger are both included.

What dual direction actually fixes

On a normal head, spinning one way throws debris at the bed you are trying to protect. Reversing the head means the clippings fall away from the work. If you edge along a flower bed or a paved path, that single feature saves more cleanup than any guard design.

Power Boost and active cooling in tall grass

Boost is a short burst of extra output, useful when the head bogs down in a heavy stand of grass. The cooling system circulates air around the motor so output holds up over a long pass rather than tapering as the tool warms.

The honest caveat: the review data is thin

This model carries the lowest average rating in the roundup, and 18 percent of its ratings are one star, which hints at early durability or support issues for some owners. It also has the smallest review base, so there is simply less long-term data to judge. That combination is why it sits outside our top three despite good hardware.

Who should still consider it

If edging quality is your main task and you already trust the brand dealer network, the 16 inch dual-direction head is hard to match on cordless. If reliability history is what you are buying, pick a platform with a deeper owner record.

The 3-year limited warranty is solid, and the design being 25 percent lighter than comparable gas models is a real daily-use advantage. Judge it on the head, not on the star average.

9. Greenworks 80V 16 Inch – Best for Heavy Brush and Small Saplings

BEST FOR HEAVY BRUSH

Pros:

• ✓ 80V power cuts tall grass
• ✓ saplings and heavy brush
• ✓ 30 minute rapid charge cuts downtime
• ✓ Brushless motor is quiet and durable
• ✓ Variable speed trigger gives control near shrubs
• ✓ Battery shares with the wider 80V range

Cons:

• ✕ Bump feed often fails to advance line without disassembly
• ✕ 16 pounds is heavy and no strap is included
• ✕ Guard blocks little and the edging guide pops loose

Greenworks 80V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery

★★★★★★★★★★4.2

16 inch path, 0.080 inch dual line

80V brushless platform

6500 rpm, 30 minute rapid charge

16 pounds

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If your workload involves more than grass, this is the voltage you need. The 80V brushless platform drives a 16 inch cutting path with 0.080 inch dual line at 6500 rpm, and owners consistently report it chewing through tall grass, light saplings and heavy brush that stalls smaller tools.

The 2.0Ah pack takes a 30-minute rapid charge, so downtime is short even though capacity is small. A variable speed trigger helps you back off near shrubs, and the brushless motor keeps the tool quiet and durable.

Weight is the honest cost of that power

At 16 pounds this is the heaviest machine in the roundup, and no shoulder strap is included. On a full property with slopes, that weight shows up in the forearms and shoulders by the second hour. Budget for a strap, and consider a two-handed grip position to spread the load.

Bump feed is the most common complaint

This is the flaw that appears again and again in owner feedback: the bump feed does not reliably advance line, and the head often has to be taken apart to free it. That is a real annoyance in wet grass, and it is the single strongest reason to look at an auto-feed head instead.

Line diameter and hard edging

The included 0.080 inch line is a good middle ground for brush work but wears quickly along fences and flower beds, where line grinds against hard surfaces. Keep a fresh spool ready for edging days, and do not push beyond 0.080 inch without checking head limits.

Guard and edging guide limitations

The guard deflects less than you would like, so expect clippings on your legs, and the edging guide tends to pop loose. Both are small hardware issues rather than dealbreakers, but budget a few minutes of adjustment at the start of each session.

The 80V platform shares batteries with a wider range of Greenworks tools, so owners already in that ecosystem get good value. For everyone else, the raw cutting power is the argument, and it is a strong one on brush.

10. RYOBI 40V – Best Attachment-Capable Power Head

BEST FOR ATTACHMENTS

Pros:

• ✓ One power head runs expand-it and hedge attachments
• ✓ Adjustable cutting width trades width for runtime
• ✓ Quick battery swaps for near continuous work
• ✓ Quiet with no mixing or pull starts
• ✓ Suitable for smaller and older users

Cons:

• ✕ Heaviest trimmer in the group at nearly 14 pounds
• ✕ Runtime is around 30 to 40 minutes on thick growth
• ✕ Guard can loosen and pop out

RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable String Trimmer…

★★★★★★★★★★4.2

Attachment capable power head

13 to 15 inch adjustable width

4.0Ah pack, 90 minute charger

13.9 pounds

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The RYOBI sells a different idea: buy the motor once. This power head accepts expand-it attachments and universal gas attachments, so the same battery and shaft drives a hedge trimmer, a brush cutter and other tools. Owners who already need several of those jobs treat the platform as the reason to buy it.

The 4.0Ah pack with a 90-minute charger is a solid capacity pairing, the Reel-easy bump feed head is easy to service, and a variable speed trigger gives you control on the approach to dense growth.

Attachment ROI, honestly assessed

Owners of multi-tool platforms consistently say the system pays off when you genuinely need two or more attachments and stay inside one ecosystem. If you only ever trim, the attachment capability is dead weight and a dedicated machine serves you better. If you hedge, sweep and cut, one power head beats three tools.

Adjustable cutting width is a runtime dial

The head adjusts between 13 and 15 inches, which lets you narrow the cut to stretch the 4.0Ah pack on long jobs and widen it when you want coverage. That flexibility is more useful than it sounds when you are working a large lot with a single battery.

Weight and balance trade-offs

At 13.9 pounds this is the second-heaviest tool here, and owners flag the long shaft as awkward in tight spaces around shrubs. Battery swaps are quick, and the quiet operation with no fuel mixing, oil changes or pull starts keeps the routine simple.

Which attachments pair with this head

Hedge trimmers are the most common add-on, and if dense shrubs are part of your season you may want to compare the dedicated options in our hedge trimmer guide for thick branches before committing to the platform.

Routine care matters with this head. Check the guard bolt at the start of a session because it can loosen and pop out, and keep the bump feed clean so line advances without disassembly.

If you want one motor for a whole property, this is the most flexible pick in the roundup. If you want the cleanest single-purpose cut, the lighter kits above will serve you better.

How to Choose the Best String Trimmer for Your Property

Cordless, gas or corded: pick your power class first

For most homeowners with a yard under half an acre, cordless wins on every axis that matters: quiet enough for early mornings, no fuel mixing, no pull cord, and no exhaust. Gas still makes sense when you clear acres, work daily, or take on woody growth a nylon line cannot handle, because runtime and torque are not negotiable there. Corded units are worth a look only if you already have the outlet near the work.

Voltage class explained: 20V versus 40V and above

Voltage sets how much the motor can hold under load, and load is where 20V tools show their limit. The 20V models in this roundup handle grass, weeds and edging cleanly. The moment you meet thick weeds, saplings or a neglected side yard, 40V and above keeps speed up under resistance. Match voltage to the worst job on your property, not the average one.

Cutting swath and line diameter go together

Swath is the width of the cut, and wider means fewer passes along long fences. Line diameter is the strength of the cut, and thicker line handles woody stems. The pairing matters: a 12 inch head on 0.065 inch line is a maintenance tool, while a 16 inch head on 0.095 inch line can take on real growth. Pick a swath that matches your lawn and line that matches your worst weeds.

Line feed systems decide how much frustration you tolerate

Bump feed advances line when you tap the head on the ground, and it is cheap to maintain. Auto feed meters line automatically as it wears, which removes a step but costs more. Powerload winds the spool for you from a full line, which is the least hands-on system available. Owners report line tangling as the top complaint in every forum we reviewed, which is the argument for spending on auto feed or Powerload.

Weight, balance and shaft design for long sessions

Weight is not just a number, because balance decides whether a heavy tool is bearable. The lightest options here sit near 5.5 pounds, while the high-power machines reach 16 pounds. Telescoping shafts help with reach and storage, and carbon fiber shafts absorb vibration better than aluminum. If you will be working a slope or a full property, budget for a shoulder strap.

Battery platform lock-in and parts availability

The battery is the part you will replace, and eventually buy again, so the platform matters more than the trimmer. EGO, BLACK+DECKER, Greenworks, RYOBI and WORX each have growing ecosystems, and owners who commit to one platform report far lower long-run cost. Check that replacement heads, spools and shafts are sold separately for your model, because that is what tells you whether the brand supports the tool or just the battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict on the Best String Trimmers for 2026

If you want one tool that covers trimming and edging without slowing you down, the WORX WG163 is our pick. Battery swapping, light weight and a one-button line feed make it the easiest machine here to live with. If weight and simplicity decide your purchase, the BLACK+DECKER LST300 pairs an auto-feed spool with the lightest body in the group. If you also clear leaves, the Greenworks 40V combo covers two tools in one platform.

For larger work, match the machine to the job. The EGO POWER+ ST1623T gives the longest runtime and the least hands-on line handling, the Husqvarna 320iL keeps clippings off your beds with its dual-direction head, the Greenworks 80V takes on brush that stalls lighter tools, and the RYOBI 40V power head is the pick if you want one motor to run a whole property.

Whichever one you choose, buy the line before the spring rush and keep a spare pack charging during your first session. That single habit removes the two frustrations that generate most of the complaints we read about the best string trimmers on the market today.