The best string trimmer cuts through tough weeds and vegetation like a knife through butter. Choosing the wrong one could result in hours of frustration. Our evaluation focused on portability, line thickness, cutting width, and electric vs. gas-powered string trimmers. We also concentrate on auxiliary features such as compatibility with different attachments (e.g., cultivators and blowers) and grip handle quality.
After more than 17 hours of research and testing, our top pick goes to the WORX WG163 PowerShare Cordless String Trimmer. It is an absolute powerhouse, doubling as an edger with a lightweight, user-friendly design and a trigger-activated telescopic handle that makes it comfortable to use. Keep reading to learn more about the WORX WG163 PowerShare Cordless String Trimmer and other great tools that met our strict grading criteria.
Top 6 Best String Trimmer
#1 WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12″ Cordless String Trimmer
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best cordless string trimmer, converting from a trimmer to an edger in two seconds. It is excellent for people who have open grass areas and plant beds to maintain.
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- Best budget
- Great on uneven surfaces
- Quick transition from trimmer to edger
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- Non-detachable head
- So-so battery life
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We love this string trimmer’s lightweight. Weighing only 5 pounds, it is very comfortable to use, even on uneven terrain. It also uses a trigger-activated, height-adjustable telescopic shaft that works well with shorter or taller people. Transitioning from a trimmer to an edger only needs a quick twist of the trimmer head, making it a winner in our book.
Related: Read the best socket set guide.
Line feeding is effortless using this best budget string trimmer. It uses a push-button to feed the line. As of the time of this writing, WORX is offering free enrollment in its ‘Free Spools for Life’ program, providing an endless supply of string. This beats having to return to the store time and time again. If only the best gas chainsaw provided the gas for free.
#2 Husqvarna 128LD 17″ Cutting Path Detachable Gas String Trimmer
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best gas string trimmer, compatible with an edger, cultivator, and pole saw attachments. It is a great choice for landscapers with a more diverse set of needs.
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- Best gas
- Fits multiple attachments
- 40-inch shaft
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- Non-adjustable carburetor
- So-so two year limited warranty
- Heavy
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This best commercial string trimmer is very powerful, operating at a max speed of 8,000 RPM. It also has a very generous 17-inch cutting width, which is great for overgrown grass and shrubs. A 40-inch, straight detachable shaft is also helpful for hard-to-reach areas such as overhanging tree branches and bushes.
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Our favorite feature is this string trimmer’s compatibility with different attachments. Optional edgers, cultivators, and pole saws can cut everything from small pathway edges to tree branches. We really enjoyed the versatility this string trimmer has in addressing many gardening needs. It is as handy in the yard as the best small chainsaw. Another one of the best string trimmers that’s also a gas model is the Remington RM 25S 2-Cycle 16-inch Straight Shaft String Trimmer/Brush Cutter. Its adjustable handle gives you more control and reduces fatigue while you work on those spots that your lawn mower and other power tools couldn’t reach.
#3 BLACK+DECKER 40V Max Cordless Sweeper & String Trimmer Combo
Award: Best Design
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is one of the best electric string trimmers which includes a sweeper. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for short charge times (20-25 minutes) in between jobs.
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- Best electric
- Quiet operation
- Converts from trimmer to edger quickly
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- So-so battery life
- Heavy (11 pounds)
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We were really impressed with how well this string trimmer cut through thick weeds and thin tree branches. We observed no stalling or lag. Like our #1 pick, WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12″ Cordless String Trimmer, it also converts from a trimmer to an edger in seconds. An adjustable handle height also allows us to trim weeds without getting fatigued.
Thanks to this string trimmer’s sweeper, it can clear debris very quickly with speeds hitting 120 miles per hour. We appreciate being able to blow leaves in a large pile instead of raking them. Bonus points for its combo kits, including a pole saw, cultivator, and hedge trimmer (all sold separately). It is a reliable all-around tool a professional landscaper would find very useful, much like the best shovel.
#4 EGO Power+ 15-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless String Trimmer
Award: Best for Thick Weeds
WHY WE LIKE IT: This cordless string trimmer comes with a thick line (0.095″), 20% thicker than traditional lines, which provide extra cutting power through heavy gauge vines and weeds.
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- Best quality
- Padded handle
- Durable and thick line
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- High cost
- Poor customer service
- Loud
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This string trimmer is very easy to use because of a sensitive pressure trigger that gives greater controlin trimming grass to the desired length This is especially useful when trimming plant beds and in between turf and pavement. Bonus points for its 5-year limited warranty, head over heels above our #2 pick’s Husqvarna’s 2-year limited warranty.
We appreciate its thick line (0.095″). It works great with tougher weeds and vegetation. A 15” cutting diameter is also generous, cutting through a large surface area, especially useful out in open fields. While testing, we were easily able to cut a 15 foot by 8″ patch of grass in less than 5 minutes. It takes longer to use the best leaf blower to gather the leaves, so we like that. For another one of the cordless models, check out the Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless String Trimmer Kit. Thanks to its powerful brushless motor that gives up to 6,000 RPM, this cordless trimmer will make landscaping faster and more efficient when working on flower beds, grass, and weeds.
#5 DEWALT DCST925M1 String Trimmer
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Award: Best Trigger
WHY WE LIKE IT: This string trimmer comes with a variable speed trigger and a lightweight design, which provides some of the best control of cutting speeds.
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- Lightweight (only 11 pounds)
- Variable speed trigger
- Battery can be used with other Dewalt tools
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- Small guard
- Trigger too high up in the shaft
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Aside from the Dwalt name, wee love this string trimmer’s 13″ trimming diameter, which is great to cover most small to medium-sized yards in less than 5 minutes. Variable speed controls allow you to adjust speed, with lower speeds for tighter edges and higher speeds for open areas.We also like its 20V lithium ion battery’s compatibility with other Dewalt tools, which covers more than 180 products. This is definitely a big win for Dewalt fans.
This electric string trimmer operates a lot quieter than many gas-powered models. It is also very lightweight, weighing less than 12 pounds. We are very comfortable using this for weekly yard work. If you have an interest in yardwork, you might want to also consider the best wheelbarrow.
#6 CRAFTSMAN V20 String Trimmer / Edger
Award: Best Lightweight
WHY WE LIKE IT: This cordless string trimmer comes with 2 speed settings. It is a great choice if you prefer to alternate between power (shorter run time) and a longer run time (less power).
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- Two speed settings
- Lightweight
- Variable trigger
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- So-so edging quality
- Weak low speed
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This cordless string trimmer has a 22-inch steel dual action blade, which really cuts through thick scrubs and weeds up to 3/4 of an inch thick. It is also lightweight (only 8.3 pounds) and very easy to maneuver with a non-slip ergonomic handle. It is a decent option for weekly cutting jobs.
Like our #1 pick, this string trimmer doubles as an edger with a quick turn of the trimmer head. Though it takes 40 minutes to charge, its run time is decent. While testing, batteries lasted roughly 30 minutes on the high-speed setting and 45 minutes on the low-speed setting, which should bode well for most people’s patience. If you want to make sure your flower beds are weed-free, bring in the power with the best backpack sprayer. Check out more of Craftsman’s string trimmers, like the WS235 2-Cycle 17 Inch Straight Shaft Gas Powered Brush Cutter and String Trimmer. Though 5 lbs. heavier than the V20, the WS235 is still an easy to use gas trimmer with a straight shaft and enough power to be an effective brush cutter and weed eater.
How We Decided
In determining the string trimmer to buy, we explored electric vs. gas powered string trimmers, portability, cutting width, line thickness, and attachment compatibility.
Gas-powered string trimmers are typically reserved for larger yards with more intensive needs, such as thick scrubs or overgrown weeds. The best electric string trimmer is less messy (no gas) but has to be recharged. One of our top picks, the Craftsman V20, needs a 40-minute charge to run up to 45 minutes on a low-speed setting.
We recommend cutting widths between 12 and 14 inches to cover mid to large-sized yards. The larger the cutting width, the fewer passes you have to do and the quicker you are able to cover a large surface area. We also prefer portable string trimmers that weigh no more than 8 pounds, which helps decrease hand and arm fatigue over time. Lastly, string trimmers compatible with multiple attachments such as cultivators and blowers make it even more useful for more intensive gardening jobs.
Best String Trimmer Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Electric vs. Gas Powered
Electric string trimmers are usually less potent with lower RPMs than gas-powered trimmers, which are more capable of cutting thicker vegetation. However, it comes at the expense of having to fill it with gas, which can quickly become messy. The best cordless string trimmers have a favorable charge to run time ratios (e.g., the Craftsman V20’s 40-minute charge for a 30-40 minute run time) - Cutting Width
The larger the cutting width, the more grass you cut per pass. We recommend larger cutting widths (in the 13-14 range) for larger yards and 12 inches or less for smaller yards. - Edger
Bonus points for string trimmers that can convert to edgers. This helps with tidy trimming around plant beds and the areas between the grass and pavement that need more of a touch-up. We like the fact the WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12″ Cordless String Trimmer about to convert from a trimmer to an edger in two seconds. - Ergonomics
We like string trimmers that weigh no more than 11 pounds with a padded handle. This helps prevent hand and arm fatigue, especially when working with sprawling lawns and open areas. - Trigger
Look for string trimmers with variable speed controls, which allows you to adjust trimming speeds to focus on a desired length. Some come with pressure-sensitive triggers, which makes it easier. - Cutting Swath/Diameter
We recommend cutting swath with a minimum of 13 inches in diameter, which we feel offers the best experience tackling small to mid-sized grassy areas without repeated passes. - Noise
In general, gas-powered string trimmers are noisier than electric string trimmers. Gas-powered string trimmers can hit sound levels upwards of 90 dB, or about the same as your average lawnmower or motorcycle engine.
