String Trimmers

The Best Battery-Powered Weed Eater — Lawn & Order

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by Bryan Mckenzie

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Struggling with the weed plants is what we all have to face. And while a pair of gloves or a herbicide can help you banish them, nothing beats a weed whacker. Especially the best battery powered weed eater.

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Sturdy plastic body.
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BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and...
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Sturdy plastic body.
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MILWAUKEE ELEC TOOL 2725-21HD 18V M18 String...
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Long battery life.
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So, why is getting this tool a great idea? Here’s why:

  • Compactness. An average cordless weed eater weighs about 12.5 pounds. It’s easy to store and operate, as they are mostly made of metal + plastic combo materials.
  • Efficiency. They offer a high RPM rate with a broad cutting swath to have the job done in minutes.
  • Battery. You won’t have to spend money on fuel: the cordless whacker can be charged like your phone. And average battery life begins with 30 minutes.
  • Handling. You smoothly operate this tool and switch between the speed modes with its buttons.
  • Operational freedom. In some areas, you can’t use a lawn mower at all: slopes, rocky ground, extremely tall grass.

That’s where a cordless trimmer truly shines, thanks to its mobility.

As you can see, such a trimmer has some serious benefits. This is why we’ve prepared our battery weed eaters reviews, featuring top 5 picks. We’ll look into their characteristics, overall efficiency, unique know-how and highlight all pros and cons.

Top 5 Battery-Powered Weed Eaters Reviewed

  1. No products found. – The Best Battery Weed Eater
  2. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer / Edger – The Best Cordless Weed Eater for a Low Price
  3. Milwaukee Elec Tool 2725-21HD 18V M18 String Trimmer – An Eater for Satisfying Trimming
  4. EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer – A Lithium Battery Weed Eater to Do the Work
  5. CRAFTSMAN V20 String Trimmer / Edger – A Compact Battery-Powered String Trimmer

Our today’s assortment includes 5 A-grade models. They range both in prices and characteristics. Here you’ll find at least one tool to suit your needs: from the universal whacker like Dewalt Trimmer to the more humble and budget Black+Decker.

1. Dewalt String Trimmer — The Best Battery Weed Eater

No products found.

Our first item is an impressive weed whacker from Dewalt — a power tool company in business since 1924. So, I guess you can trust their expertise.

Their string trimmer has a 13-inch cutting swath with a 0.080 line diameter. And if you’re experienced in gardening or have to take care of a backyard, you already know that this is a gold standard for weed whackers.

This is a powerful beast with 5300/6300 rotations per minute. This speed is more than enough to handle a neglected garden with a bad case of crab grass or bindweed plaguing it.

I guess even the Japanese knotweed — one of the worst pest plants to deal with — won’t stand a chance! So, it’s needless to say that a routine lawn manicuring will take mere minutes with Dewalt.

This item is a part of Dewalt’s 20V line of products. That means it’s a tool specifically designed for cordless work. Hence, we have pretty compact dimensions of 7.38 x 6.5 x 34 inches and a light but sturdy body with 11.38 pounds.

The tool’s trigger allows you to control the RPM rate smoothly. So, if some areas of your garden require more delicate work, you can decrease it and destroy the weeds with more focus.

What Dewalt could use, though, is a bigger guard. It turns the weeds into some peculiar plant fountain that splashes the debris all around. It’s not a critical issue, of course, but I recommend you put on old clothes/aprons before doing the job.

All in all, with this trimmer we get another quality product from a brand with a reputation. It provides quick and accurate trimming, isn’t heavy to yield, and has a decent battery life with 4.0 Ah. The best battery-powered weed trimmer. Especially for its price.

ADVANTAGES
  • Relatively lightweight.
  • Impressive RPM.
  • Charging device included.
  • Free one-year warranty.
  • Does the job quickly.
DRAWBACKS
  • Could use a broader guard.

2. Black+Decker LSTE525 — The Best Cordless Weed Eater for a Low Price

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The next model is for those who want a neat law for a small price. Black+Decker is the one to answer the call: LSTE5252 is an affordable, compact tool.

This lil beast weighs only 6.3 pounds with the size dimensions of 9.25 x 41.33 x 5.74 inches. But don’t be fooled by its humble physique!

Black+Decker’s capacity starts with 5.500 RPM. It is an impressive rate, which is supported by its 12-inch cutting swath. This technical duo will let you have the weekend lawn routine done in less than 15 minutes or so.

What I like about this whacker is its ergonomics. It nicely sits in your hands while you’re busy with destroying dandelions, and your palms don’t get tired. Plus, it’s easy to start up with a single button push. (Unlike, ahem, most of the gas trimmers).

There are two work modes: Power and Energy-saving. With Power on, you get some mad RPM of about 7.000, while Energy-saving allows you to skip another re-charge. The battery offers 1.5 Ah, which is decent for the size of the tool.

To sum up, Black+Decker does a mighty job with trimming. I strongly recommend it if you have a small lawn/garden, especially if you live somewhere like Wisconsin and have to struggle manually with such nasty plants like creeping thistle regularly.

ADVANTAGES
  • Low price.
  • Compactness.
  • Sturdy plastic body.
  • Easy handling.
  • Impressive RPM rate.
DRAWBACKS
  • The battery lives for about 20 minutes.

3. Milwaukee Elec Tool 2725-21HD — An Eater for Satisfying Trimming

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Up next, we have a 13-pound trimmer Elec Tool designed by SPS. Let’s see what’s on the menu.

I wouldn’t call it “compact” exactly, and not just because of its weight. The Elec Tool is a bit burdensome to manipulate with its 73.6 x 8.8 x 8.5 inches. And there’s no shoulder strap included, so keep that in mind if you’re allergic to physical labor.

But its work parameters are quite satisfying. For starters, its lithium, 9-ampere battery has excellent longevity. On a single run, you get about 50-60 minutes of uninterrupted work in the intensive mode — now that’s impressive!

Another cool feature is a 16-inch cutting swath. Couple it with its max speed of about 5.800 RPM, and you’ll get a deadly metal hurricane that can eradicate the whole jungles of weeds in your garden!

This “herbicidal” gizmo also offers two work modes. As I’ve said, if you’re all about slashing your way through the grass like a tornado, then you get one hour of battery life. But in the normal mode, it can work for up to 1.5 hours!

But all this exciting productivity comes at a price. Elec Tool costs handsomely as it’s a semi-professional lithium-ion weed eater. So, I’d recommend this tool only if you’re taking care of a big patch of land. Or if the lawn beautification is your day job.

ADVANTAGES
  • Long battery life.
  • Huge cutting swath.
  • Sturdy nylon lines.
  • Good for big territories.
DRAWBACKS
  • Quite pricey.

4. EGO Power+ ST1521S — A Lithium Battery Weed Eater to Do the Work

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EGO Power is a weed whacker of quality. Just like the previous model, it was seemingly designed for relatively large areas. (Starting with at least 1 acre).

We have here a formidable 15-inch cutting swath and a 0.095 diameter line. These parameters, coupled with an RPM rate of about 6.000, do a marvelous job with thick, problematic areas, especially if they were taken over by thriving ground ivy.

Again, it’s not the smallest tool with its 71.7 x 12.6 x 9.8 dimensions. However, thanks to the carbon shaft, it’s a bit lighter than the Elec Tool and weighs only 12 pounds. Plus, the carbon body makes it somewhat more ”maneuverable.”

It is powered by a 2.5 Ah battery, which lasts for 30-35 minutes max. So, if it’s a big area you’re supervising, getting a spare accumulator would be a great idea.

As for the rest, it’s one of the solid rechargeable weed trimmers, hands down. It will help you civilize an unkept area with ease and grace. And maintaining it afterward will be a breeze. But all this comfort comes at a $300+ price.

ADVANTAGES
  • Carbon construction.
  • Ample cutting swath.
  • Satisfying RPM rate.
  • Up to 5 years of warranty.
DRAWBACKS
  • Could use longer battery life.
  • Pricey.

5. Craftsman V20 String Trimmer — A Compact Battery-Powered String Trimmer

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Our last contender. Craftsman V20 is a simple yet excellent model. Its 44.5 x 6.87 x 10.12 inches dimensions weigh only 6.3 pounds and can be easily stored anywhere: garage, attic, tool shed, etc.

This lightweight battery-operated weed eater has two-speed modes. With them, you get to control a 13-inch swath and a 0.080 line diameter — pretty neat for such a humble guy. And the max RPM rate we get here is about 5.500.

But with all that, Craftsman is an enduring workhorse. Its lithium “heart” is capable of working for about 40 minutes. And that’s enough to annihilate all visible signs of weed plants in an average garden!

One flaw I’d like to pinpoint, though, is the tool’s automatic line feed. Whenever you need a pause from weed-whacking, Craftsman will generously waste some of the lines. Guess you always have to compensate for some flaw for other great characteristics…

ADVANTAGES
  • Compact size.
  • Amazingly long battery life.
  • Nicely big cutting swath.
  • Affordable.
  • Easy-to-store.
DRAWBACKS
  • Wastes the fillable.
  • Limited RPM rate.

Battery-Powered Weed Eater Buyer’s Guide

But before you rush to Amazon to order a battery-operated trimmer to give the weeds a good whacking, let’s revise which parameters you need to pay attention to.

Using DEWALT String Trimmer

Runtime

It depends on the battery, of course. The key component here is ampere hour. To put it in simple terms, an ampere-hour (Ah) defines how long a battery can contain energy until it depletes.

An ideal standard for a cordless trimmer is at least 2,5 Ah — I don’t think they make any with less Ah than that. And even if I stumbled upon such a curiosity, I wouldn’t dare invest in it, for the runtime would be too limited.

Meanwhile, with 2,5 — like in Dewalt’s case — you can work for about 40-45 minutes in a row. This is enough to cover all of an average gardener’s needs.

Motor Power

While all motors in existence have a horsepower value, weed eaters are rated according to their voltage. In life, it translates to the rotations per minute (RPM) rate. In other words, how fast the whacker turns and how quickly you can finish the work.

A reliable weed eater can’t have less than at least 5.000 RPM. If it’s less, then your lawn routine may turn into a painstaking drag.

The higher RPM allows destroying clumps of green alkanet, oxalis, celandine, and other weeds momentarily. Plus, your garden/lawn will get a visually excellent “polish.”

Cutting Width

Another vital parameter. Cutting width or cutting swath is directly responsible for how efficient your weed-whacking goes. Plus, it gives your pasture a clean “shave.”

There are various cutting width sizes on the market. And the bigger your area, the bigger the width should be to save time. Averagely, it would be best if you opted for a string trimmer between 13-14 inches.

Weight

The tool’s weight doesn’t directly affect the quality of whacking, but it affects your arms. If the weed eater is too hefty, you risk running out of breath quickly and leaving the job half done.

Look for a tool that’s made of a metal+plastic combo material: they are lighter and easier to handle.

A carbon shaft is also a worthy option as it tangibly diminishes the weight of a whacker. If you can’t afford to wield a 13-pound tool, aim for a small battery-powered weed eater.

Ease of Use

A cordless tool is already an easy-to-use item as it provides more freedom and maneuverability. You also can turn it off/on in a snap, switch the speed modes and control the line without a hitch. Some trimmers are even extendable.

Safety Tips

The most significant hazard you will face with a trimmer is flying debris. I recommend you apply some eye-wear — even if it’s just sunglasses. Gloves won’t hurt either. As for the noise, electric cordless trimmers are much quieter than their gas “colleagues.”

FAQ on Battery-Powered Weed Eaters

And here are a few common questions.

Are electric less hazardous?

Actually yes. Unlike the gas trimmers, electric string trimmers don’t produce harmful emissions for both ecology and your respiratory system. Plus, their noise level is way lower.

Should I get a straight or curved shaft?

It depends on your height: A straight shaft would be a better option for a taller person. While a curved one is easier to wield for a smaller person.

Can I change parts of a weed eater myself?

It depends on the model. But in most cases, details of a trimmer are replaceable: debris guard, battery, line cartridges, etc.

What is the optimal warranty?

Every cordless electric trimmer offers one year of free warranty. Anything further than that depends on the brand’s policy. For example, Dewalt can offer up to 3 years of limited warranty, which is not bad.

Sweet Trimms for You

This sums up my cordless weed eater reviews for today. I hope you will choose a model from our list, and it will trim like a dream for you.

Do you prefer electric or gas weed eaters? What is your favorite shaft type? Which weeds do you struggle the most with? Let us know in the comments!

About
Bryan Mckenzie
Hi there — my name is Bryan McKenzie. Before I’d got into gardening, I worked as a landscape designer at landscape design and consultation company in Jacksonville. I enjoy sharing the vast gardening experience I’ve accumulated throughout the years with like-minded green thumbs. Read more about me and my wife.
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