Best String Trimmers

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 27, 2023
Do you need to cut grass or weeds around the house, in the yard or garden? Then you surely need a string trimmer! We have picked ...Read more
PROS

Without any additional tools, the model turns into an edger in a matter of seconds, letting you form distinct boundaries between the lawn and other elements of your yard. The dual-positioned in-line wheels make the process of edging an absolute cakewalk.

CONS

The service life of the trimmer may shorten in a humid climate. 

OUR VERDICT

We could probably go as far as to call this model the best weed eater on the market since it delivers nothing but new levels of power, precision, and function. Plus, the remarkable number of features will be able to accommodate even the most particular customers.

detailed parameters
Operation

Electric cordless

Usability

PowerCommand® dial, PowerDrive™ transmission, Automatic feed spool, Fast Charger included, Converts into an edger, Ergonomic handle

Weight

7.8 lbs

Warranty

3 years

PROS
Compact size makes trimming and edging easy and fast. Indication light tells you when the battery is running low. Star Protection Computer Controls technology protects the electric motor from overheating, overloading, and over-discharging.
CONS
The battery and the charger are sold separately.
OUR VERDICT

This string trimmer is an efficient tool for trimming grass in a small garden, backyard or front yard. The unit is truly flexible while also being extremely reliable.

detailed parameters
Operation
Cordless electric
Usability
Adjustable 5-position pivoting head, Telescopic shaft, Ergonomic handle, Additional adjustable handle
Weight
48.5-56.5 inches long, 6.4 lbs
Warranty
1-year limited warranty
PROS
Due to the Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) technology, feeding the line is quick and hassle-free, which allows you to use the tool without interruptions. 
CONS

During assembly, some parts of the tool may be hard to slide in place. 

OUR VERDICT

The Black & Decker BESTA510 combines the functions of a trimmer with an edger. In addition, it is equipped with a potent motor and POWERDRIVE transmission, providing enough power to effortlessly cut through even some of the toughest overgrowth.

detailed parameters
Operation

Corded electric

Usability

Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) technology, Edge guide, Adjustable handle and height positions, Cord retention system

Weight

6.49 lbs

Warranty

2 years limited

PROS

The Turbine™ technology enables this model to produce as much as 360 CFM air volume. The integrated flower guard lets you trim and edge around flowers knowing that you will not be able to accidentally cut them down. The padded handle will absorb vibrations and reduce pressure. 

CONS

The batteries do not last especially long. 

OUR VERDICT

Instead of buying a separate string trimmer and a leaf blower, consider going with the WORX WG929.1. Doing both, this machine will let you maintain sizable yards without switching between multiple tools. Plus, with an adjustable auxiliary handle and telescopic shaft, the model will fit different users alike.

detailed parameters
Operation

Electric cordless

Usability

Variable speed trigger, Adjustable auxiliary handle, Auto-feed head, Grass Weed Edger feature, Electric cordless blower with Turbine™ technology included 

Weight

8 lbs

Warranty

3 years

PROS

A single charge of the battery will offer you up to half an hour of runtime. The variable speed trigger provides different levels of power depending on the cutting conditions, offering you more speed when you deal with thicker grass or slowing down in order to extend the battery life when that additional speed is not necessary.

CONS

The release button on the battery may jam up from time to time.

OUR VERDICT

The Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless String Trimmer is a great overall model but the kind of power it offers will prove to be a bit of an overkill if you're simply looking for a string trimmer. But if you plan on investing in a few other gardening and landscaping tools, you should definitely give this product a try.

detailed parameters
Operation

Electric cordless

Usability

Variable speed trigger, Adjustable auxiliary handle, Auto-feed head, Battery compatible with more than 25 family tools

Weight

9.2 lbs

Warranty

4 years (device), 2 years (battery)

Release the String

The WORX WG163 GT 3.0 is a powerhouse of features that will be able to attract just about any customer who isn't interested in your average, run-of-the-mill product. But despite the number of interesting features, there's one that stands out the most, appropriately named the Command Feed. In layman's terms, the innovative solution offers a spool system that instantly releases the string (also known as the line) the moment you start to run short on the latter. Not only does it make the entire process that much more effective but the solution also helps in terms of extending the service life of the cordless string trimmer.

Speaking of releases, there's also the quick-release lever that will provide the user with the opportunity to quickly adjust the height of the 90-degree tilting shaft. As you would imagine, both of these components will make reaching the seemingly inaccessible areas as simple of a task as it could possibly be. And since we aren't talking about some cheap product here, an ergonomic handle is also there, offering enough comfort to work around those areas without putting too much of a strain on your hands. Though the weed trimmer features about 47 inches in length, the whole thing weighs less than 6 pounds, meaning that we're dealing with one of the lightest options on the market.

An Edger as Well

Now, before mentioning a few other features, we would like to point out the fact that the WORX WG163 GT 3.0 isn't just a string trimmer. Without the help of any additional tools, the model turns into an edger in a matter of seconds, offering you the ability to form distinct boundaries between the lawn and other elements of your yard. The dual-positioned in-line wheels that the manufacturers made sure to implement into their product will make the process of edging an absolute cakewalk.

Other than that, the model also features 100% automatic single-line feed, meaning that you won't have to deal with the usual issue of bumping to extend the line. Whether you're trimming, edging, or mowing, the handle offers 7 locking adjustments, all of which provide you with nothing but comfort by adapting to the landscape.

Naturally, you'd prefer to trim the grass in your lawn without damaging the plants and vegetables, so the people at Worx also didn't forget to add an adjustable spacer guard. Aside from protecting everything but grass from the wrath of this machine, the component works overtime by acting as the edger guide. And even though a single 20V MaxLithium battery offers enough power to extend the runtime, the second one that comes with the package is not going to hurt either. When one of them runs out of steam, simply put another one in and keep on trimming.

In conclusion, we could probably go as far as to call this model the best weed eater on the market since it delivers nothing but new levels of power, precision, and function. Plus, the remarkable number of features will be able to accommodate even the most particular customers.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $112.79
Stock In stock
ASIN B018S68U40

An Eco-Friendly Garden Tool

The Makita XRU02Z string trimmer is an eco-friendly garden tool powered by a Li-ion battery (Makita 18V 3.0Ah). The battery holds enough charge to provide up to 45 minutes of continuous operation (up to 90 minutes with a brushless motor version), which is more than enough to trim grass on any medium-sized lawn. However, please note that the battery and the charger are not included with the purchase, so you will need to buy them separately in order to use the tool. On the bright side, once you get them, no other expenses will be required since battery-powered weed eaters need neither gas nor oil, making them a cost-saving and non-polluting solution.

A lot of customers love how easy-to-use and convenient the Makita weed eater is, with its light indicators visually notifying you when it's time to recharge the battery. The Rapid Optimum Charger allows maintaining the current and optimizing the charging process in a smart way. Plus, the tool has a cooling fan that, as the name suggests, cools the battery for faster charging.

Usability

This string trimmer has a flexible 5-position pivoting head that allows you to quickly adjust the cutting edge for trimming grass and bushes in hard-to-reach spots. Moreover, the head is rotatable 180 degrees, which means it can be used as an edger, too.

As for the cutting width (i.e., diameter), it's 10.25". There is an auxiliary handle on the shaft, so holding this string trimmer is quite easy and convenient regardless of your height. Loading the bump with a cutting line is a piece of cake, though it's still recommended to read the manual prior to use, especially you have no experience with string trimmers.

Size and Weight

The Makita XRU02Z cordless string trimmer is a pretty lightweight device (6.4 lbs with a battery), so you won't feel any fatigue even if you use it for a long while. The shaft of this weed eater is adjustable in the range from 48.5 inches up to 56.5 inches. Thanks to this, you can customize the length of the shaft for your comfort when working on the lawn. All told, the Makita XRU02Z is an excellent tool for trimming and edging. With its help, you will actually enjoy grooming your back and front yards!

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $99.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00KA3ZGUG

VIDEO

2-in-1 Lawn Trimmer

Not everyone needs the most powerful string trimmer in order to tackle small gardens and tricky spots, and instead of splashing too much cash, a lot of households would be more than happy to have the Black & Decker BESTA510 String Trimmer. While being quite affordable, this model has a lot of features that will be able to attract just about anyone.

To start off, the Black & Decker String Trimmer combines the functions of a trimmer with an edger, which makes it extra versatile, allowing you to quickly customize it for the comfortable work when trimming grass on your lawn. In addition, the trimmer comes with an adjustable handle and shaft. Not only does it allow better control of the tool, but it also helps avoid the sore back associated with mowing.

Furthermore, customers like the fact that this trimmer is corded. Admittedly, this means you won't be able to use it too far from a power source. But on the other hand, it allows you full control over how long the tool should run, enabling you to get more work done than what you could get done with a battery-powered trimmer. It's also remarkable that the trimmer utilizes its own POWERDRIVE transmission, providing it with enough power to effortlessly cut through even some of the toughest bushes and overgrowth without breaking a sweat.

Auto-Feed Feature

Another highlight of this electric string trimmer is that it's much more lightweight than most similar tools. With a weight of just 6.49 pounds, it's easy to use it for prolonged periods of time without experiencing fatigue. In addition to being lightweight, it also stands out for its quiet operation. So, even if you use it early in the morning, it shouldn't wake up your neighbors.

Those who know from experience how difficult it can be to change the string pool will be happy to know that the Black & Decker has the auto-feed feature. This means you won't need to make any adjustments to the tool and will be able to trim your lawn without interruptions.

So, should you buy the BESTA510 string trimmer? Well, if you're looking for a versatile string trimmer perfect for small gardens that can tackle all types of bushes as well as tricky spots, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than this weed eater.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B077Z78YQX

Forceful, High-Capacity Air Volume

WORX WG929.1 leaves mixed feelings. From most perspectives, this is an impressive machine, but there are some issues that cannot go unmentioned. As far as we're concerned, the biggest issue is that this model chews through the two 20-volt batteries like they're nothing, especially when you are blowing leaves and not edging along sidewalks, borders, etc. That being said, as greedy as it is, the machine will usually let you finish the job before draining the batteries dry. Plus, to some extent, we understand - when you pack as many features into one unit as they have here, making the same unit not just feature-rich but also energy-efficient is an almost impossible task.

First (and one would argue foremost), the model employs a Turbine™ tech, producing air volume as high as 360 CFM. With this forceful, high-capacity output, you can blow the biggest piles away before you even approach them. Of course, at times, 360 CFM will prove excessive, so you can use the variable speed trigger and choose the first, less forceful setting, with the model producing 225 CFM.

But, as good as this machine is at blowing, trimming and edging are its two most important objectives, and the machine completes these objectives with relative ease. To start with, following the company's playbook deployed across most string trimmers, this model comes armed with dual-positioned in-line wheels. With these wheels, you can easily edge along fences, sidewalks, different borders, you name the obstacle. In the meantime, the embedded flower guard will let you trim the grass around flowers without cutting them down. 

Automatically Feeding the Spool

When we're discussing WORX trimmers, certain features come without saying. Normally, this extends towards the auto-head feed that automatically feeds the spool without constant bumping. To some extent, we're also talking about an adjustable auxiliary handle that lets you customize the fit and, featuring generous padding, absorbs vibrations and reduces pressure so you can trim edge, blow, and cut without experiencing noticeable fatigue. Needless to say, half-decent string trimmers these days are not complete without telescopic shafts as well, letting you expand the machine and trim without bending and slouching.

To give you the gist, people that need both a blower and a string trimmer cannot go wrong with WORX WG929.1. Customers that already have a blower or don't need one might find this product a little excessive though. 

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07MYS9KFX

One Battery to Rule Them All

Right off the bat, the Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless String Trimmer is probably not the best option for people who are looking strictly for a string trimmer. It isn't that the model won't be able to cut it (speaking both literally and figuratively), it's that the 40V battery system will prove to be a bit of an overkill, with 2 times the power of your standard trimmer battery. No, what makes this battery system special is that both its power and the design will be able to accommodate up to 25 different tools from the very same company, so you will be able to save a long of money in the long run if you intend on buying a few landscaping or gardening tools a bit further down the road.

With so much power under the hood, it goes without saying that what we have here isn't the lightest option on the market. Though given the battery's capabilities and 65 inches in length, the fact that the whole thing weighs less than 10 pounds is nothing short of impressive. But what the cordless string trimmer in general and the battery in particular lacks in elegance, if you will, it more than makes up for that with power. A single charge of the battery will offer you up to half an hour of runtime, which is twice more than what your standard trimmer is capable of delivering. Besides, it takes the battery no more than an hour to recharge, so you won't be wasting too much time on that either.

Variable Trigger Speed

As for some of the more technical characteristics, we would like to direct your attention towards a couple of those that we believe to be the most interesting or important. First things first, we're dealing with a dual-line spool system. A dual-line head trims a lot faster than the single-line models since it cuts twice as much weed with each revolution. The line feed is automatic, meaning that it only releases more line (string) when it is necessary. That way, there's less of a chance that you will break your weed trimmer by bumping it into the ground. Plus, it will improve your performance just as well as it'll prolong the service life of the product.

Finally, we would be remiss not to mention the variable trigger speed. Depending on the cutting conditions, it provides a different level of power, offering you more speed when you deal with thicker grass or slowing down in order to extend the battery life when that additional speed is not necessary. Add to that the 12-inch cutting path and rest assured knowing that you'll be able to trim your entire lawn in no time at all.

To rephrase our earlier point, the Greenworks 12-Inch 40V Cordless String Trimmer is a great overall model but the kind of power it offers will prove to be a bit of an overkill if you're simply looking for a string trimmer. But if you plan on investing in a few other gardening and landscaping tools, you should definitely give this trimmer a try.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $138.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01GEW1AJC

What Is a String Trimmer?

A string trimmer has many names - this tool is also called a weed whacker, weed eater, grass trimmer, and so on. As the very name indicates, this tool is used to cut grass and weeds, just like a lawnmower, but unlike them, weed whackers allow you to handle steep and hard-to-reach places. Also, they are much cheaper than conventional lawnmowers and require less storage space. A weed eater has a long shaft with a cutting head at the end. Of course, there is an engine, a handle, and a shoulder strap to carry a string trimmer. The idea here isn't just to minimize the money you spend on a device with a singular and straightforward purpose but also to allow you occasional trimming without whipping out an often huge lawnmower.

While you're shopping for garden equipment we'd like to offer you to take a look at other tools that may come in handy in various situations such as gas chainsaws, edgers, and lawn mowers.

Best String Trimmers

What Features to Compare

There are many string trimmer reviews on the Internet but making the right choice is still a major problem for a common customer. Some reviews provide too much unnecessary information and useless details. That is why we have done our best to make our weed eater review clear and informative. 

First of all, you need to decide on the operation. Weed eaters can have different engines - there are gas-powered weed eaters which yield plenty of power but require the use of gas and oil and there are electric string trimmers that won't be as strong but will provide you with more flexibility and safety during application. The latter can further be divided into corded models that work from an outlet and cordless ones powered by batteries. If you have a small backyard you may benefit from buying a corded string trimmer, should it come with a long enough cord, or you may opt for a cordless grass trimmer if what you need is maximum flexibility. The advantage to cordless trimmers is that many of them come with the kind of batteries that can be used on other tools produced by the same manufacturer, making them a sensible solution for those who already own some collection of garden tools. The power yield of an electric string trimmer varies in the range of 175 and 1400 Watts and the tool typically requires around 10-15 min breaks between working cycles to prevent its motor from overheating.

The next feature to consider it the usability - a grass trimmer should feel comfortable in your hands so that you don't get tired too quickly while running it. To select a suitable model, make sure to consider what convenience features it offers. Many string trimmers feature an adjustable handle and a strap allowing the user to hold it comfortably. Some of them may also have an adjustable shaft which will enable you to change its working height depending on the type of cutting task you've got at hand. Many manufacturers supply their tools with additional attachments and accessories that expand functionality of the tools making them suitable for other jobs besides cutting grass. All of these are those extras that contribute to the usability of a grass trimmer and make the choice less tricky.

Last but not least, you should consider the size and the weight of a weed whacker. Unless you're a bodybuilder looking to grow your arm muscles, it's best to go for a smaller and more lightweight model. Also, you should consider the length of the shaft; despite many of them can be adjusted, it's still important to learn the original working height of the tool in order to estimate how much adjustment can be done.

Sources:

1. String trimmer, Wikipedia. September 9, 2016.

2. John Kelsey Choosing and Using String Trimmers, This Old House.

3. String Trimmer Buying Guide, Consumer Reports. March 2016.

4. Chris Barnes Whipper snipper buying guide, Choice. August 28, 2015.

5. Carl Laron Weed Eater Buying Guide, ConsumerSearch. April 12, 2016.

6. Katina Lewis How to Buy and Choose Weed Eaters, DoItYourself.com.

7. String Trimmer Buying Guide, Lowe's.

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