Who uses corded anything anymore? Cordless and battery powered tools and equipment may be the way to go, especially when doing yard work.
After mowing the lawn, or doing some landscaping, it is always a good idea to trim the borders, especially if they’re full of weeds. This is what completes the masterpiece. To do this, a weed eater is recommended. But why get just any weed eater when there are many great cordless weed eaters on the market? Just need to find the best one.
This is what this article is all about. Here, we’ll discuss why a cordless weed eater is needed in the first place, give tips on how to choose the best battery weed eater and highlight some of the top picks on Amazon today!
Other kind of weed eaters we reviewed:
Looking for something that can transform from a trimmer to an edger when needed? Then check out the WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12” Cordless String Trimmer & Edger.
This model has 7600 rpm no-load speed, 12-inch cutting width, 10-inch cutting line length, and 0.065-inch line diameter. It is powered by two 20V Power Share MaxLithium batteries that should last for up to 3-5 years and are covered by a year-long warranty.
At a mere 5.3lbs, this model features an automatic feed line, a 90-degree tilt head and an adjustable spacer guard to keep plants and ornaments safe when the lawn is being trimmed.
The brushless string trimmer in this kit affords users up to 30 minutes of run time from a 4.0 Ah battery on its highest setting. It comes with 3-speed options: low 4000 RMP, medium 5000 RMP, and high 6000 RMP to match whatever task the trimmer is being put to.
Some additional features include Makita Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) that protects the tool from adverse weather and dust that can damage its insides, easy load bump feed head and reverse rotation for whenever grass and weed threaten to tangle the head.
The ergonomic design of the Craftsman V60 Cordless 15-in. Brushlessa Weedwacker String Trimmer provides better comfort and control, especially for those with good sized yard space.
It features a bump feed system that accepts 0.080 and 0.095-inch lines, a two-speed variable switch (long run time and high power) and a high-performance brushless motor.
The best part about this model is that it can give a 2-3 hours performance before the battery needs to be charged or replaced.
Wanna clear thick brush? Then the MILWAUKEE string trimmer is the tool for the job.
The MILWAUKEE ELEC TOOL 2725-21HD 18V M18 STRING TRIMMER has an 18V lithium-ion battery that reaches full throttle in less than a second and has a variable speed trimmer to suit the task at hand.
It uses 0.080 and 0.095-inch lines and can hold up to 20 ft of 0.095-inch line.
The cut capacity on the MILWAUKEE ELEC TOOL 2725-21HD 18V M18 STRING TRIMMER is adjustable from 14 to 16 inches and has an offset gearbox that prevents weed buildup between the guard, head, and gearbox.
Earthwise CST00012 12-Inch 18-Volt Cordless Electric String Trimmer has a rechargeable 18 Volt Ni-Cad battery that can put out up to 7800 RMP.
It features a 3 position cutting head that can be adjusted to both trimming and edging purposes along with a 180-degree rotatable handle for a comfortable hold and controlled grip. The model also comes with an edge guard, semi-automatic feed line and an adjustable shaft.
The Husqvarna Battery Straight Shaft String Trimmer 115iL is powered by a brushless electric motor whose primary function is to ensure efficiency while maintaining a long run time and extended tool life. The 40V battery and 14-inch cutting swath enable it to cut everything from lawn edges to tough grass with ease and in good time.
Its ergonomic design ensures that it can be carried around easily and can be adjusted to fit any user’s comfortable working position. As it relates to noise, the manufacturer promises that it will never pass 77 decibels, which means the neighbors won’t be disturbed and the yard can get cut any time of day.
The BLACK+DECKER LST136 40V MAX String Trimmer / Edger is every suburban dad’s (or mom’s) dream. It is lightweight, easy to manage and won’t create a racket every time the lawn is due for a manicure.
Forget bumping for more line, the model features an automatic feed spool that will save time and energy. It can also convert from a trimmer to an edger in seconds!
This black + decker weed eatermodel also contains a 40V Max High Performance battery that is capable of switching from Max Power mode to Max Run time mode at the touch of a button which can extend battery life if there are no weeds to be cut.
The DEWALT DCST920B 20V MAX Lithium-Ion XR Brushless 13” String Trimmer features a brushless motor powered by lithium-ion battery for maximum motor efficiency and durability.
On the outside, the model is activated with a trigger control rather than a pull cord and can easily be adjusted to variable speeds. It uses two 0.080inch lines and has a bump feed trimmer head to spare users the backache and effort when it is time to replace the line.
The BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 20V MAX Lithium Easy Feed String Trimmer/Edger was designed to both be a powerhouse for the do-it-yourself gardener who wants his/her yard to be in tip-top shape at all times.
This weed eater model features a micro-texture soft grip to ensure comfort when it is being used for a long time with adjustable height and handles. It also holds lines of 0.065 inches and has an automatic feed spool so there’s no bumping required.
It is a little over 6 pounds but do not underestimate its power. Users can switch between max power and max run time mode depending on what is being cut, and it can transform from trimmer to a wheeled edger in just a few moments.
The GreenWorks G-MAX 40V Cordless String Trimmer and Leaf Blower Combo Pack come with a 12-inch cordless string trimmer whose front mount motor keeps the model balanced and easy to use.
This beginner-friendly model is comfortable to carry and is relatively lightweight.
It comes with an auto-feed head for quick and easy line advancement for lines of 0.065 inches, so say goodbye to bumping and hello to getting the job done faster.
The model also features a variable speed trigger that allows its user to easily switch between power modes for light to medium weeds and grasses.
Sure, gas weed eaters might have been the way back in the day, but in this day and age battery-powered weed eaters are the way to go. The Best electric weed eaters available on the market came a long way and some can match the performance of their gas competitors.
Battery powered weed eaters are superior in many ways, but they do have a few drawbacks. Here are the advantages and disadvantages that should be kept in mind when buying a cordless weed eater:
When choosing the best cordless weed eater, consider the following:
These days, string trimmers are roughly 15 pounds or lighter. If the garden is large, this should be one of the biggest considerations since any heavier than that would cause anyone to tire easily. You may as well consider a good string trimmer harness to lessen the impact of the weight.
If the yard only has a few weeds and is tiny, then a powerhouse really isn’t needed. However, if there are branches and tough weeds that need to be cut then something that can put some real work in is needed.
Gas trimmers are notorious for being real monsters and effective but over the years the technology of battery-powered models has advanced enough to make them worthy contenders.
Battery life/ run time is important especially when the yard is big. If the battery dies mid-work, it will take time to recharge/replace it and make the work take much longer than it needs to.
Modern lithium-ion batteries are reasonably quick to recharge and they last longer.
Try to get a model with batteries that can be replaced on the go, instead of waiting for them to recharge again.
Straight shaft designs are generally sturdier and can be used for many purposes. They also have more torque and better reach.
Curved shaft designs are typically lighter, quieter and more useful for edging. However, they may be becoming obsolete since straight shafts are extendable.
Cordless models require little to no maintenance. This doesn’t mean that they won’t ever pose a problem.
Their string and head mechanism still need attention from time to time.
This is why reviews are super useful. The experiences of others will help to determine how much trouble the model will be to maintain, especially for beginners.
If getting replacement strings and head for the trimmer seems to be a hassle due to rare strings used or the weed eater head is too unique, then stay away from it. It will be less of a headache in the future.
Go for popular brands that have parts in-store and online, and research universal string and head replacement options.
Many persons don’t end up using a warranty but it is good to have.
Look at it this way, if there is an issue with the product, for instance, it is defective or breaks within the warranty period, there is no out of pocket cost to repair or replace it. That is in the hands of the manufacturer since they make a promise that it will work well for x period.
The type of battery used in the model will help to differentiate it from others. Here’s what will set them apart:
Many battery powered devices use modern lithium batteries because they can store energy for longer all in a small, compact space. Lithium-ion battery can be found in phones, laptops and of course, battery powered trimmers and are lightweight. However, they require protection circuits for safety purposes since they are somewhat fragile.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Nickel metal hydride batteries can give off greater immediate power because they have less resistance. However, they don’t last very long and are not suitable for devices that need power for extended periods, and work poorly in cold temperatures. Nickel Metal Hydride batteries were widely used in laptops and cellular phones.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Despite being cheap to produce, Nickel Cadmium batteries are less commonly used in devices since they have less storage capacity than say Lithium-ion or Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. They also contain toxic materials and are not environmentally friendly. Nickel Cadmium batteries are used in power tools, biomedical equipment, and professional video cameras.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Batteries come with a set of specifications. Anyone who doesn’t know the jargon will be confused about what certain terms mean and if they are good or bad. But we’ve got this covered. Here is a quick rundown of all the important terms related to the batteries in string trimmers.
In the simplest of terms, the battery voltage is the amount of power or strength the battery can provide.
Think of an electrical circuit as a water turbine system. The maximum capacity of the pipes may be x, but that doesn’t mean that there will always be x amount of water in the pipes.
When there is more x amount of water in the pipes, the turbine at the end can turn faster since it has more power being driven towards it. The amount of water that reaches the pipe is dependent on the drain that connects the pipe and the turbine. If the drain is big, then more power can be driven at once. However, if it is small then the turbine won’t turn as quickly.
In other words, voltage is the water pressure.
Ampere hour can be described as how much charge the battery can store measured by time, or in the case of the water system, the speed of flow. For instance, 1000 gallons an hour, in a 10,000-gallon tank would take 10 hours to empty.
To measure the capacity of a battery, we check how many hours we can get out of it until it is completely drained.
Run time refers to how long the battery will take to run out from the time it is being used until it stops giving out power. This is an important consideration especially if the yard is big and it will take a good amount of time to complete the work.
Do not get this confused with charge time which describes how long the battery takes to be fully charged after it is drained of energy.
Cross compatibility is a plus since it can help to save money, especially when power tools are of the same brand. Imagine having to get a brand new battery in the middle of yard work without being able to borrow one from another tool?
Brands typically have their own set of specifications in terms of connectors and voltage, therefore interchangeable batteries can only be shared with the same brand and same system tools. For example, Worx has the MAX and PowerShare systems, GreenWorks has G-MAX and so on.
Breaking a line can be the most annoying and inconvenient thing to happen, especially when the work is nearly done or when there are many other things on the agenda for that day.
To avoid breaking a line, check the trimming path. Are there any rocks or debris? Get rid of them before turning on the trimmer. If the brush is too thick for the weed eater, do not attempt it.
For regular cutting, approach from the edge and ease into the work slowly. The tip is the most effective part of cutting.
Always choose the right trimmer line for your tool. If necessary, replace worn parts in one go, like the trimmer head.
Avoid curbs, pavements, the edge of buildings and other obstacles that can cause the line to snap. Approach them with caution from the side or do it manually. Better safe than sorry right?
In case the line is broken, there is no need to cry over spilt milk. Check out our guide on how to re-string the trimmer.
When choosing the best battery powered weed trimmer, it is best to read a number of reviews and get feedback from others since they can help to make an informed decision.
In our opinion, the Worx WG163 model should be the most popular weed eater on this list. We highly recommend as it is a good compromise between performance and price.
Even though the Milwaukee is the most expensive, it does an awesome job and is top quality, thanks to its great design and powerful battery system.