The WORX WG163 is the best cordless string trimmer for most people in 2026. It weighs 5.5 pounds, converts to an edger with a step on the head, and the kit arrives with two 20V batteries and a charger so you are not buying into a battery platform on day one. It is not the strongest option here, and it is not the cheapest to run, but the combination of low weight, two batteries in the box, and a charger included makes it the pick we keep coming back to.
A cordless string trimmer does the job a mower cannot: fence lines, tree rings, deck edges, the strip along the driveway, ditches, and the corners the mower turns away from. A brushless DC motor spins a spool of nylon line fast enough to shear grass and weeds, and a feed head advances fresh line as the old wears away. You get all of that without fuel mixing, pull starts, exhaust, or the noise that makes early morning work contentious with neighbours.
We looked at ten cordless trimmers spanning 20V, 40V, 18V LXT, and 56V platforms, and the differences between them matter more than the marketing suggests. Voltage decides how much grass you can cut before stalling. Weight decides whether you finish the job. Battery platform decides whether you pay for the ecosystem twice. We broke down where each pick shines, where it struggles, and which yard it actually suits.
One note before we start, and it applies to the whole list: a bare tool and a kit are different products. Several entries here include a battery and charger, several do not. We flag it in every review so you know what lands in the box.
And if your trimming needs are personal rather than lawn-scale, our guides to the best bikini trimmers for women and the best nose hair trimmers for men cover that category properly.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Cordless String Trimmer Picks (September 2026)
These three cover the widest range of yards. The WORX is the default choice, the BLACK+DECKER LST300 is the simplest for a small lot, and the EGO is the one to buy if you will grow into a platform.
WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 Trimmer
- 5.5 lbs
- 12 inch swath
- Two 20V batteries and charger included
- Converts to an edger
BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX
- 5.7 lbs
- Automatic Feed Spool
- One 2.0Ah battery and charger
- 2 year warranty
EGO ST1623T 16 inch
- 16 inch swath
- Line IQ auto-sensing head
- Up to 60 minutes on 4.0Ah
- 5 year warranty
All 10 Cordless String Trimmers at a Glance in 2026
Every pick below, with the specs that actually predict how it will perform in your yard. Weight is the bare tool figure where one is published; battery and charger inclusion is called out because it changes the real cost of entry.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger |
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Check Latest Price |
 Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo |
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| BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX 2-in-1 |
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Check Latest Price |
 BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V MAX 2-in-1 |
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 RYOBI 40V Attachment Capable Trimmer |
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| EGO ST1623T 16 inch POWERLOAD Trimmer |
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Check Latest Price |
 WORX WG183 13 inch Cordless Trimmer |
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Check Latest Price |
 Milwaukee M18 16 inch String Trimmer Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT 13 inch Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
 CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST901M1 13 inch Kit |
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Check Latest Price |
1. WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger: Best Overall
WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163
Weight 5.5 lbs
12 inch swath
7600 rpm
Two 20V batteries and charger included
Pros
- Very light at 5.5 lbs
- Converts from trimmer to edger in seconds
- One-touch command feed spool
- Two 20V PowerShare batteries included
- Quiet operation with no gas or exhaust
Cons
- Supplied line is only 0.065 inch diameter
- Included 0.4 Ah charger is slow
- One spool of line included and it wears quickly
The WG163 is the trimmer we recommend without much hand-wringing. At 5.5 pounds it is the lightest tool in this group, and you feel that difference in the third hour of fence-line work more than you expect. The 90 degree tilting head lets you hold the spool flat along a wall or a deck edge without craning your wrist.
Conversion to edger mode is a foot step on the head, no tools, no disassembly. The rubberised support wheels let the head glide along a driveway edge and produce a line you would not get by holding the spool at an angle. Owners consistently call this the feature that turns a trimmer into two tools.
What stands out most is the box contents. You get the trimmer, a safety guard, a flower guard, an edger wheel, a spool, two 20V maxLithium batteries, and a charger. That is unusual in a kit at this level, and it removes the most common regret buyers report, which is buying a bare tool and then discovering what a battery and charger add to the bill.
The command feed spool is a one-push button rather than the tap-on-the-ground bump feed. It takes about a minute to reload. The trade-off is that each press dispenses a fairly short length, so on a long overgrown edge you will press it several times, and the spool has to be wound tightly by hand or the button will not pull fresh line through.
How the WG163 handles real yard work?
At 7600 rpm with a 12 inch swath, it is quick on ordinary lawn edges, fence runs, and spring grass. One review theme we saw repeatedly is that owners finishing a whole small yard on one of the two included batteries, which is a genuine advantage when you are not measuring your time in minutes.
Its limit is line diameter. The supplied spool takes 0.065 inch line, and that is right for grass and light weeds but not for stems, brambles, or the stuff that has grown through a fence over three summers. Owners who move up to thicker twisted line need a different head, not a different battery.
Who should look elsewhere?
If you have a half acre of neglected growth, this is not the tool. The 12 inch swath is narrow for large areas, and 20V power bogs down in dense wet grass, which means more passes and more time than the same job on a 40V machine.
The included charger is a 0.4 Ah unit, and reviewers often upgrade to the one hour charger. There is also a small reliability note: a minority of owners report one of the two batteries losing capacity faster than the other. At 28490 reviews and a 4.3 average, the pattern is visible but not dominant.
2. Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo: Best for Leaf and Driveway Cleanup
Greenworks 40V 12 in String Trimmer & 390 CFM Blower Combo, 2.0 Ah Battery
12 inch trimmer plus 390 CFM blower
8 lb trimmer
67 dB
2.0Ah battery included
Pros
- Trimmer and 390 CFM blower in one 40V package
- 40V platform battery moves between tools
- Trimmer is about 30 percent lighter than gas equivalents
- 67 dB allows early morning use
- Auto-feed head and 3 year warranty
Cons
- Only a 2.0Ah battery is included
- Combined kit weighs 16.5 lbs
- Blower output is moderate
This is the only bundle on the list that pairs a trimmer with a blower, and for anyone whose autumn is defined by clearing leaves out of a driveway or off a deck, that pairing is worth more than most of the specs on this page. The blower moves 390 CFM at 110 mph with cruise control, which handles dry leaves and grass clippings well.
The trimmer half is a 12 inch commercial-grade unit with 0.065 inch auto-feed line, spinning at 7500 rpm. The trimmer itself is around 8 pounds, noticeably lighter than comparable gas machines, and the whole 40V platform is built around a power hub battery that fits a wide range of Greenworks tools.
The 67 dB operating level is the underrated feature here. That figure sits in a range where you can start at seven in the morning without a neighbour filing a complaint, which matters if you work a shift pattern or have close property lines.
It handles one inch weeds along fences and garden borders without complaint, and the auto-feed head removes the bump-and-go habit. A 3 year manufacturer warranty covers the tool, and the head carries its own warranty for line handling.
What the two-tool bundle actually gets you?
Consider what the second tool replaces. A dedicated blower is a one purpose purchase, and the runtime overlap with the trimmer battery is what makes the combo work: the same 2.0Ah pack powers both, so a full charge cycle covers trimming and then blowing without a second charging station.
The battery is the weak point. At 2.0Ah, owners working anything beyond a small lot generally add a second pack, and several reviews note the included pack depletes faster than the stated figure in dense brush. The stated battery average life for this kit is about two hours.
Where the combo falls short?
At 16.5 pounds for the bundle as shipped, carrying both pieces plus a battery is bulky. Store the blower in the garage rather than in the trunk if you are moving between jobs.
Blower output is moderate next to a gas blower or a higher voltage dedicated machine. If your leaves are wet and compacted, or you are clearing a large lot in one session, the blower half will not keep up, and you will end up wanting a second tool anyway.
3. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX: Best for Small Yards
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and Edger 2 in 1, Cordless Weed Wacker with Auto Spool Feed, Battery and Charger Included, 12 Inch Steel Deck, Reduced Vibration (LST300)
Weight 5.7 lbs
12 inch swath
6200 rpm
Automatic Feed Spool
One 2.0Ah battery and charger
Pros
- Light 5.7 lb build with an adjustable handle
- Automatic Feed Spool needs no bumping
- Converts to an edger in seconds
- Assembles with a single screwdriver
- Shares batteries across the 20V MAX range
Cons
- Underpowered for thick stalks
- Will not hold a crisp lawn edge
- One 2.0Ah battery means short run time
The LST300 is the trimmer we point people toward when the yard is a city lot or a townhouse front garden and the person using it is not strong. At 5.7 pounds it is the second-lightest tool in this group, and the straight, simple design means there is almost nothing to fatigue you.
The POWERDRIVE transmission delivers 6200 rpm to the line, and the Automatic Feed Spool advances line without the bump-on-the-ground habit. That is the feature owners praise most, because the alternative is stopping every few feet to tap the head on concrete.
Assembly takes a single screwdriver, and the wall mountable charging base means the tool and charger live together on a hook instead of on a counter. The battery is a standard 20V MAX 2.0Ah pack that fits the wider BLACK+DECKER range, so if you later add a hedge trimmer or blower you are not starting over.
Vibration is noticeably lower than a gas machine, and that shows up in comfort over a long session. Owners frequently describe it as their first cordless trimmer and say it does everything they need for light yard work.
Where small-yard owners feel the difference?
For a lawn under 5000 square feet, the 12 inch swath and 6200 rpm are adequate. Grass, clover, and modest weeds along a path or a fence clear in one pass. The edger conversion gives you a usable walk and driveway edge, which is often the only reason a small yard needs a second tool.
One review theme worth repeating: the auto-feed can dispense more line than the head needs, leaving an excess tail for the blade to chop. It is a minor irritation, not a fault, and it disappears once you learn how much to pull per press.
Why it will not survive an overgrown lot?
Power is the dividing line in the reviews. The LST300 stalls or tangles on weeds much larger than grass, and it will not dig weeds out of pavement cracks or hold a crisp edge the way a heavier machine can. That is the honest limit of a 20V tool with a 12 inch head.
Only one 2.0Ah battery is included, and run time is short enough that owners of anything beyond a small lot add a spare. The included spool is a small consumable too, and most owners replace it with their own line in the first month. Forums do carry recurring reports of motor burnout and lower spool assembly failures on this brand more than on any other here, so if you are buying for a decade of service, weigh that.
4. BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V MAX: Best 40V Step Up
Black+Decker 40V MAX 13 Inch String Trimmer and Lawn Edger with Battery and Charger, Cordless Weed Eater with Charge Indicator, High Torque PowerDrive Technology (LST140C)
Weight 6.4 lbs
13 inch swath
High torque PowerDrive
Automatic Feed Spool
3 year warranty
Pros
- 40V high torque transmission cuts harder than the 20V model
- 13 inch swath covers more per pass
- Charge indicator shows remaining run time
- Automatic line feed
- Auxiliary handle included
Cons
- Heavier than the 20V LST300 at 6.4 lbs
- Only one battery is included
- Auto-feed can leave line too long
If you found the LST300 convincing but worried it would stop short, the LST140C is the same idea one voltage step up. The high torque PowerDrive transmission cuts more aggressively, and the swath widens from 12 to 13 inches, so the same job takes fewer passes.
That extra capacity is what stops the stalling. Where the 20V model taps out on thicker growth, the 40V has headroom, and the widening of the head is the difference between one pass along a fence line and two.
The state of charge indicator on the battery is a small feature that changes how you work. Instead of guessing whether you have enough charge to finish the front lawn, you look at the pack. The automatic feed system keeps line moving without stopping, and the included auxiliary handle gives you two-handed control for longer sessions.
Everything in the box: the LST140 trimmer, an LBX1540 40V MAX battery, the 40V MAX charger, an AF-100 spool, a guard, and the handle.
Who benefits most from the extra voltage?
Anyone with a half acre or a lot that has been allowed to grow through a season. 40V gives the head the torque to push through dense grass without the bogging down that forces you to make a second pass, and 40V platforms typically accept higher capacity packs for genuinely long jobs.
The wall mountable charging base is included, and the warranty runs three years. Owners commonly report that this is a step up in both power and cutting width from the 20V models.
What you give up for that power?
Weight. At 6.4 pounds it is 0.7 pounds heavier than the LST300, and on a long session that difference is felt in the wrists rather than the shoulders.
Only one battery is included, so 40V work on a larger yard means buying a second pack. The AF-100 spool is a small consumable that many owners replace immediately, and the same auto-feed overfeed behaviour shows up here. Note also that this is a different battery family from the 20V MAX packs, so BLACK+DECKER ownership across both does not mean shared batteries.
5. RYOBI 40V Attachment Capable Trimmer: Best for Growing a Platform
RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable String Trimmer, 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Inc
13 to 15 inch swath
40V 4.0Ah battery and charger
Attachment capable
Reel-easy bump feed
Pros
- Power head takes expand-it and universal gas attachments
- Cutting power rivals corded and gas units
- Reel-easy bump feed reloads quickly
- Variable speed trigger for real control
- Width adjusts 13 to 15 inches
Cons
- Heaviest bare tool in this roundup at 13.9 lbs
- Long shaft can feel awkward for shorter users
- Included 4.0Ah pack runs about 30 to 40 minutes
The Ryobi power head is the pick if the trimmer is the first tool in a growing battery collection rather than the last. It accepts Ryobi expand-it attachments and universal gas attachments, so the same 40V battery that powers the trimmer can drive a hedge trimmer, a cultivator, a blower, or a brush cutter later.
Cutting power is the other argument. Owners compare it favourably to corded and gas alternatives for heavy weedeating, and the variable speed trigger gives real control rather than a single on or off. The cutting width adjusts between 13 and 15 inches so you can trade swath for run time as the job changes.
Forums are consistent on the ecosystem point. Buyers who standardised on Ryobi for hand tools talk about breadth and durability as the reason they stay, and a trimmer is usually the tool that triggers the standardisation. If you already have 40V Ryobi packs, the battery and charger in this kit duplicate what you own.
What you get is the power head, a Reel-easy bump feed head, a 40V 4.0Ah lithium ion battery, and a 90 minute charger. One battery, not two, which is a little ironic given that platform breadth is the main selling point.
Why attachment capability changes the buying decision?
Most people do not need one cordless trimmer. They need a cordless trimmer, a blower, a hedge trimmer, and eventually a cultivator, and a power head that accepts attachments turns four purchases into a battery decision plus three cheap heads. That is the argument the 40V Ryobi makes better than anything else in this guide.
Reel-easy bump feed also reloads faster than most bump heads, and the variable speed trigger is the control most people undervalue until they have used a tool without one. Low for edging detail, full for charging through a thick patch.
The honest drawbacks
At 13.9 pounds this is the heaviest bare tool we looked at, and the long shaft can feel awkward for shorter users. The included shoulder strap is not optional at that weight; it is part of the tool.
Real run time on the included 4.0Ah pack is closer to 30 to 40 minutes than the advertised hour, which is a pattern forum owners confirm across the 40V class. A minority of buyers also report units arriving with missing parts or scuffed shafts, and a small number report overheating and rapid drain after a couple of uses. For most buyers the platform value outweighs both.
6. EGO ST1623T 16 inch POWERLOAD Trimmer: Most Versatile
EGO POWER+ 16″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1623T
16 inch swath
Line IQ auto-sensing head
Up to 60 minutes on 4.0Ah
5 year warranty
Pros
- A 16 inch cutting swath
- among the widest here
- Line IQ head feeds continuously with no bumping
- POWERLOAD reloads by pushing one button
- Up to 60 minutes on the included 4.0Ah
- 5 year tool warranty
Cons
- Highest cost in this group
- Included 320W charger takes 55 minutes for a full charge
- Proprietary 56V ARC packs
The ST1623T pairs a 16 inch cutting swath with up to 60 minutes of runtime on the included 4.0Ah battery, and only one other model here reaches the same swath. For a large lot, those two numbers together mean fewer passes and fewer mid-job charges.
Its line system is the most thought through of the models here, with two separate mechanisms doing the work. The Line IQ head auto-senses the cutting swath and feeds line continuously without bump feeding, and the POWERLOAD system reloads by pushing a single button. You do not tap the head on concrete, and you do not wind a spool by hand.
The telescoping carbon fiber shaft adjusts to your height, which solves the problem that makes some trimmers awkward for two people in one household. A digital variable speed selector handles fine trimming, and the brushless motor keeps vibration low and extends tool life.
Warranty is five years on the tool and three on the battery, the longest tool warranty in this comparison. For a machine you might keep for a decade, that matters as much as the head design.
What you notice in the first hour?
The line system. Owners consistently single out the automatic feeding and one button reload as the feature that changes the rhythm of the work, and 16 inches of swath means a fence line goes by in half the passes a 12 inch head needs.
The 4.0Ah battery charges in about 55 minutes on the included 320W CH3200 charger. The tool is compatible with all EGO 56V ARC batteries, and the brushless motor is rated for long service life rather than the disposable build of a budget trimmer.
What the premium buys and what it costs?
It sits at the top of the price range, and the running cost is higher too: EGO line and replacement heads cost more than generic equivalents, and the 56V ARC packs are proprietary and do not fit other brands. Forums do report complaints about the feed spool being less durable than the rest of the tool, which is worth knowing before you buy spare heads.
If you are buying one trimmer for a small yard, none of that is worth paying for. It pays off across a large property, several acres of seasonal cleanup, or a household that intends to build an EGO tool collection around this head.
7. WORX WG183 13 inch Cordless Trimmer: Best for Dual Battery Bundles
Worx Cordless String Trimmer, 40V 13″ Electric Weed Wacker, WG183
Weight 6.4 lbs
13 inch swath
7000 rpm
Two 20V 2.0Ah batteries plus dual charger
Pros
- Light 6.4 lb design reduces fatigue
- Dual-exit cutting head improves efficiency
- Automatic feed spool needs no manual winding
- Two 20V 2.0Ah batteries and dual charger included
- PowerShare batteries cross-fit the wider WORX range
Cons
- Trim only with no edger conversion
- 63 inch shaft can feel awkward for shorter users
- Auto-feed can advance slowly or unevenly
The WG183 solves the packaging problem that trips up most mid-range buyers. At this tier you are usually choosing between a kit with one small battery and a bare tool, and this one includes two 20V 2.0Ah batteries and a 2.0A dual charger. That means you can finish the job on one charge and swap while the other is on the charger, with no mid-job recharge.
At 6.4 pounds it stays light, and the streamlined design makes working in tight spots around shrubs and furniture noticeably easier. The dual-exit cutting head pulls line out on both sides, which improves cutting efficiency compared with a single-exit head on the same amount of line.
The PowerShare battery family is one of the more flexible in the industry, since the 20V packs work across both the 20V and 40V WORX ranges. If you later add a WORX blower or mower, the batteries in this kit are already the right ones. The adjustable auxiliary handle lets you set the grip for your own reach.
Speed is 7000 rpm across a 13 inch swath, which sits in the middle of this group and handles ordinary grass and light weeds without complaint.
Where the dual battery changes the experience?
Two batteries means you never wait on a recharge mid-job. Owners of larger yards describe it as the difference between finishing in one session and one in two, and it removes the pause that most annoys new cordless owners.
The 13 inch swath is wider than most of the 20V tools here, so passes are longer. The dual charger tops up both packs rather than one, which matters when you are trying to get through a weekend of jobs in one evening.
Its limits are structural
There is no edger conversion. If you want a defined edge on a driveway or path, this is a trimmer only, and you would need a separate tool for that. The 63 inch shaft is also long, and shorter users report it feeling awkward.
Run time per pack is modest, so a large yard usually consumes both. Some owners report the auto-feed advancing slowly or unevenly, and spool replacement is a proprietary WORX consumable, so plan to buy spools rather than assume generic ones fit.
8. Milwaukee M18 16 inch String Trimmer Kit: Best for M18 Platform Owners
Milwaukee String Trimmer KIT 2825-21ST
16 inch swath
6200 rpm brushless motor
M18 battery platform
Professional grade construction
Pros
- Highest rated at 4.6 with 81 percent five star reviews
- M18 packs are shared across a very large tool range
- 16 inch cutting width covers ground fast
- Brushless motor and professional grade build
- Professional grade warranty support
Cons
- Most expensive model in this comparison
- Longest chassis in this group at 74 inches
- Needs two hands and some acclimation
The Milwaukee kit carries the highest rating in this comparison at 4.6, with 81 percent of reviews at five stars. The 16 inch cutting width and 6200 rpm brushless motor handle demanding property work, and the professional grade construction is felt in the chassis rather than read on a label.
If you own M18 packs already, the argument is simple. The M18 platform spans an enormous range of tools, from drills to blowers to this trimmer, and the packs and chargers are among the easiest to find in any hardware store. Standardising on one platform is the number one piece of advice in every forum thread about this purchase.
Owners of the M18 system frequently note that the 9.0Ah pack gives them the runtime for a full property in one charge, and the QUICK-LOK style attachment approach is a large part of why people stay inside the Milwaukee ecosystem rather than mixing brands.
Forum sentiment on M18 cordless tools is strongly positive overall, with a specific recurring complaint worth flagging: M18 string trimmers can run hot under sustained load, and some owners report run times falling to 30 to 45 minutes when the vegetation is thick. On normal trimming that does not come up.
Why the rating is the highest here?
It is not the widest swath or the longest runtime that earns this score. It is the combination of build quality, platform availability, and a 16 inch head that covers ground quickly, which is what owners credit when they describe it as a tool they trust for demanding work.
The brushless motor is the right choice for a tool like this. It runs cooler, wastes less energy, and lasts longer than a brushed motor in the same duty cycle, and vibration stays low enough to work a long session.
Where the cost and the size bite?
It sits at the top of the price range, and the 74 inch chassis is the longest chassis in this group. Owners describe needing two hands and some acclimation, and for anyone without M18 packs you are buying into the platform from zero.
For a half acre of ordinary lawn care, this is overpowered and overpriced. It earns its place on a large property, a lot with heavy seasonal growth, or in a household that has already chosen Milwaukee for everything else.
9. Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT 13 inch Kit: Best for 18V LXT Owners
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13″ String Trimmer Kit (4.0Ah),Teal
15 inch swath
6000 rpm brushless
Up to 1 hour on 4.0Ah
Tool-free bump feed
3 year warranty
Pros
- Light for its class
- Brushless motor at 6000 RPM cuts tough grass and light brush
- Tool-free bump feed spindle for quick cartridge changes
- 18V LXT 4.0Ah is a very widely owned platform
- 3 year warranty on tool battery and charger
Cons
- Kickback shield is small
- Some buyers received defective batteries
- Chassis is front heavy and long
The Makita runs on an 18V LXT pack and still handles ground that higher voltage machines manage, which is the most interesting result in this roundup. The brushless motor delivers up to 6000 rpm, and the bundle includes an 18V LXT 4.0Ah battery and charger, with up to an hour of run time on that pack.
That combination of a 4.0Ah battery and a lighter machine is why owners describe finishing a yard on a single charge. The high/low power button manages run time on light jobs, and the variable speed trigger handles the rest.
The bump feed spindle accepts tool-free cartridge changes, so replacing the line head takes seconds and no tools. 18V LXT is among the most widely owned platforms in the country, which means spares are easy to source and a second battery is never hard to find.
The warranty covers the tool, battery, and charger for three years, and the low noise and zero maintenance are the everyday reasons owners give for going cordless in the first place.
How an 18V tool handles real work?
It cuts tough grass and light brush. The 15 inch swath is wider than most heads in this group despite the low nominal voltage, so pass count stays reasonable on a medium yard.
Reviews describe the balance and low noise as the reasons a family member will actually use it rather than hand it back, which is a more important quality than raw power in a household tool.
Its documented problems
The kickback shield is small, so debris comes back at the operator on hard passes. This is the single most consistent complaint in the reviews and it is worth checking if you work close to a wall or a path.
A few buyers received units with defective batteries that lasted 10 to 15 minutes, so test the pack on arrival and keep the return window in mind. The chassis is also slightly front heavy and long, which can strain shorter users, and the 413 review base is smaller than the established models here, so there is less long term feedback to draw on.
10. CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST901M1 13 inch Kit: Best Value
CRAFTSMAN V20 String Trimmer and Lawn Edger Kit with 4Ah Battery and Charger, 13 in. Cordless Weed Wacker with Up to 63 Minutes Runtime, Lightweight (CMCST901M1)
13 inch swath
Up to 63 minutes
Two speed settings
Turn-To-Edge
4.0Ah battery and charger
Pros
- Lightweight and well balanced
- Two speed settings trade runtime for power
- Turn-To-Edge gives a usable lawn and sidewalk edge
- 13 inch swath covers wide areas in fewer passes
- 4.0Ah V20 battery shared across the CRAFTSMAN V20 range
Cons
- Supplied 0.065 inch line is light for edging
- Battery drains faster on the higher speed setting
- Takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours to charge
The CRAFTSMAN V20 kit pairs a 13 inch trimmer with a 4.0Ah V20 battery and a charger, and it does so where most competitors in the category ship tool-only or with a 2.0Ah pack. Up to 63 minutes of runtime on the low setting is the headline figure, and for a small or medium yard it means one charge covers the job.
Two speed settings are the feature owners rate most highly. The low setting stretches the battery for routine edging work, and the high setting gives you the power to push through thicker growth when you need it, which is a simpler and more honest approach than a single fixed speed.
Turn-To-Edge conversion rotates the head for a defined edge along lawns and sidewalks, and the adjustable handle sets the tool to your height. Assembly takes a Phillips screwdriver. Multiple owners report outperforming more expensive tools they replaced, which is a consistent theme in the reviews for this kit.
The V20 platform battery is shared across the CRAFTSMAN V20 range, so it is not a dead end if you add more tools later.
What the two speed settings actually buy?
Runtime management. On the low setting the 4.0Ah pack runs up to 63 minutes, which is enough for a full small yard on one charge. Switching to high trades that duration for cutting force, and owners use the two settings the way you would use gears in a car, low for cruising the edges and high for the thick patch by the fence.
Because the head converts for edging and the kit includes a 4.0Ah battery, this covers the two jobs most small yards actually have, trimming and edging, without a second purchase.
The caveats worth knowing before you buy
The supplied 0.065 inch line is light for edging, so defined edges are best cut on repeated passes rather than one clean sweep. The battery also drains faster on the higher setting, and a second pack helps on larger jobs.
Charging is slow at roughly two to two and a half hours, which is the slowest figure reported in this group and a genuine inconvenience if you plan around quick turnarounds. A minority of owners have had units stop working within a single season, and with 159 reviews there is simply less long term data behind this pick than behind the established models. We rate it on what owners report, and that report is good.
How to Choose a Cordless String Trimmer?
Should you go cordless, or does gas still win?
For yards up to about half an acre, cordless wins outright. No fuel mixing, no pull start, no exhaust, and near-silent operation that lets you work early without upsetting neighbours. The limit people hit is acreage and brush: forum consensus is consistent that a 3 acre property still wants a gas trimmer or a dedicated brush cutter, because the run time and the sustained torque under thick growth are simply not there in battery.
Is 20V or 40V better for a cordless trimmer?
20V is enough for a yard under 5000 square feet of maintained grass and light weeds. 40V is the right answer for a half acre, dense growth, or repeated passes, because it delivers more torque before the motor bogs and pairs with higher capacity packs for longer sessions. 56V and 60V platforms add headroom for thick brush and large properties, at the cost of weight.
20V — typical swath 11 to 13 inch, best for yards under 5000 sq ft, limitation is bogging down in dense wet grass.
40V — typical swath 13 to 15 inch, best for a half acre suburban lot, limitation is a heavier tool and mid job recharging.
56V / 60V — typical swath 15 to 17 inch, best for a large property, limitation is weight and a higher platform cost.
Which battery platform should you standardise on?
This is the first real question in almost every forum thread, and it matters more than which trimmer is best. Owners report that buying a cheap standalone trimmer and then discovering the pack and charger cost as much as the tool, and that the packs do not fit anything else they own, is the most repeated frustration in the category. If you already own packs from a brand, check first whether that brand has an attachment-capable trimmer power head before buying anything new. If you own nothing, decide the platform first and the trimmer second.
What swath, shaft, and line should you look for?
Cutting swath is the width the line covers in one pass, and it is the number that determines how long a job takes. Bigger is faster, and below about 12 inches you will spend your time walking rather than cutting. For shaft style, a telescoping shaft fits different users in one household, a carbon fiber shaft is lighter, and a curved shaft is shorter and easier to swing around obstacles. On line, 0.080 inch is the all-round choice for grass and ordinary weeds, while 0.095 inch twisted line adds cutting power and durability for brush and thicker growth. A tool supplied with only 0.065 inch line, as several here are, is a grass trimmer rather than a weed eater.
Bump feed, auto-feed, or POWERLOAD?
Bump feed advances line when you tap the head on the ground, and it is cheap, universal, and indestructible. Auto-feed systems advance line as the head slows, saving you the tapping but occasionally dispensing more than you want. POWERLOAD style heads reload with a single button press in seconds. For a small yard and occasional use, bump feed is fine. For regular work, an auto-feed head saves real time.
How much does weight matter?
More than buyers expect. Across this list the published weights run from 5.5 pounds on the lightest model to 13.9 pounds on the heaviest, and that spread predicts fatigue better than any other spec. Weight is a strong reason to pick the WORX WG163 or the BLACK+DECKER LST300 for an older user, a smaller user, or anyone trimming a lot of fence line in one session. Heavier tools are tolerated when they are powerful, but weight is the top complaint on premium picks in owner feedback.
What safety gear does a string trimmer job need?
Five things, and none of them optional. Safety glasses or a face shield, because line and debris come back at the operator and the small kickback shields on some tools make this worse. Cut resistant gloves. Sturdy closed toe boots. Hearing protection if you are near a road or working with thick brush. And a deflector or flower guard fitted correctly, which is the difference between trimming a garden bed and burying it in clippings. Check the guard before every session, and never run a trimmer without its line spool properly seated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a cordless trimmer, 20V or 40V?
20V suits a yard under 5000 square feet of maintained grass and light weeds. 40V suits a half acre, denser growth, or repeated passes, because it delivers more torque before the motor bogs down and accepts higher capacity packs for longer sessions. Choose 20V for small yards and lighter users, and 40V for anything larger or overgrown.
What is the most reliable cordless string trimmer?
Reliability tracks build quality and platform support more than voltage. The EGO ST1623T carries a 5 year tool warranty, the BLACK+DECKER and Greenworks models carry 3 years, and the Makita XRU23SM1 covers tool, battery, and charger for 3 years. Brands with the widest battery and charger availability also tend to have the easiest parts support.
Which string trimmer is better, EGO or Milwaukee?
EGO wins on the head and the line system: the ST1623T has a 16 inch swath, a Line IQ auto-sensing head, and a one button POWERLOAD reload. Milwaukee wins on platform reach and owner satisfaction, with a 4.6 rating and a very large M18 tool range. EGO suits one trimmer on a large property, Milwaukee suits a household standardising on one platform.
What is the best cordless string trimmer for a small yard?
For a yard under 5000 square feet, weight matters more than power. The BLACK+DECKER LST300 at 5.7 pounds and the WORX WG163 at 5.5 pounds are the easiest to handle, both convert to an edger, and the WG163 arrives with two batteries and a charger so you do not start mid purchase for a pack.
What is the best lightweight cordless string trimmer?
The WORX WG163 comes in at 5.5 pounds and the BLACK+DECKER LST300 at 5.7 pounds, making them the easiest of the models here to control. Both run on 20V class packs, both suit older users or anyone trimming a lot of fence line, and neither is built for thick brush.
What is a good budget cordless string trimmer?
The BLACK+DECKER LST300 and the CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST901M1 are the strongest value picks. The LST300 includes a battery, charger, and automatic line feed at the entry point, while the CRAFTSMAN includes a 4.0Ah battery with up to 63 minutes of runtime and two speed settings. Both are honest tools for maintained grass rather than brush.
Are battery string trimmers as good as gas?
For yards up to about half an acre, yes for grass and light weeds, with lower noise and no maintenance. Gas still wins for sustained work in thick brush, ditches, and properties of 3 acres or more, where runtime and sustained torque exceed what a battery pack can deliver in one session.
Do I need a separate battery for a cordless string trimmer?
Only if you buy the bare tool. Several picks in this roundup include a battery and charger, including the WORX WG163 with two batteries, the CRAFTSMAN V20 and Makita XRU23SM1 kits with a 4.0Ah pack, and the RYOBI 40V with a 4.0Ah pack. If you already own the platform, check compatibility before buying a second pack.
The Best Cordless String Trimmers to Buy in 2026
The best cordless string trimmers in 2026 split cleanly by yard size. For a small or medium yard, the WORX WG163 is the pick: 5.5 pounds, a 12 inch swath, and two batteries with a charger in the box. For the lightest handling and the simplest automatic line feed, the BLACK+DECKER LST300 runs a close second and suits older users best.
For a half acre of denser growth, step up to 40V with the BLACK+DECKER LST140C for value, or the RYOBI 40V power head if you want one battery to drive a whole tool collection. At the top of the range, the EGO ST1623T wins on swath, line handling, and warranty length, while the Milwaukee M18 kit is the choice for households already committed to that platform. Check the battery platform before you check anything else, and buy for the yard you actually have rather than the one you might acquire.