Best Battery Powered Weed Eater

What’s great about the best battery-powered weed eater is the fact that they combine the convenience and ease of gas string trimmers with the strong points of electric devices (comparatively silent operation, maintaining the engine is not needed, no emissions, and start button).

Just thinking back a few decades ago, they were almost no cordless products that had the battery life and the power to be considered as a good investment. It’s different these days, though. Nowadays, things have changed. We have cordless string trimmers that are both practical and durable. While they may not yet be at the same level of gas-powered models, they still deliver a bang-up job. We’ve come a long way in the power tool industry, haven’t we?

For performing small trimming jobs only, a battery-powered string trimmer is a great low-cost investment. And the fact that they are cordless and run on VC batteries means that you won’t have to be restricted by any cords. Wireless string trimmers will give great results when dealing with errand weed and grass growth. But you must know that most of them will not be able to handle hard weeds and brush like gas trimmers can. The evolution of the batteries and the technology involved in making them has greatly affected the performance of the cordless electric trimmer.

If you’re looking for the best battery-powered weed eater but feeling overwhelmed by the great number of models available today, grab a cup of coffee, as you’re going to want to stick around. In this guide, we’ll be reviewing the best battery-powered weed eaters available today and detailing the main features that you should consider before buying.

Without further ado, here are the best battery trimmers you can get today!

The Best Battery Trimmers – Our Picks

#1 – BLACK+DECKER LST136 Battery Weed Eater

This is one of the best battery-powered weed eaters for anyone looking for impressive battery performance that doesn’t sacrifice the overall performance of the weed eater. This is a product that will give you the opportunity to take care of small to medium-sized weeds covering your garden.

The great thing about this tool is that it can go from being a weed eater to an edger; making it eligible to replace not only one but two devices in your gallery of equipment. This weed eater gives you the ability to operate on one out of six power levels, giving you the freedom to balance battery life with performance.

You also get an automatic feed spool making it easy for you to replace the trimmer line and get back to work without wasting time. You can get from 30 minutes to an hour of activity depending on the power level that you choose. Recharging the battery will only take you about an hour, which is nice. Extended runtime is always welcomed, but the good thing is, when charged, this weed eater will have enough power for the whole yard.

All in all, this is an excellent choice for anybody, from homeowners to professionals, which is why it tops our list of the best battery trimmers.

What we like about it

There are quite a few things to like about the BLACK+DECKER LST136. It delivers good power, It has an automatic feed spool,  It gives you the opportunity to manipulate the power level, and it works as both an edger and trimmer. What else could you ask for in the best battery-powered weed eater?

#2 – Makita XRU09Z 18V X2 (36V) LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless String Trimmer

There’s a lot to like about this weed eater, which is why it’s yet another solid candidate for the title of the best battery trimmer. One of them is the fact that this trimmer has one of the longest operating times for any weed trimmer. It can go for as long as an hour thanks for the two 18V batteries that it uses.

Another great feature in this cordless trimmer is the electronically controlled brushless motor that optimizes the use of battery energy. But one of the downsides here is that the batteries themselves are sold separately. If you want to have a spare set, you need to get yourself four BL1850 batteries. It’s worthy to note that you can find a pricier bundle of this product and with a charger and batteries. You may also find other versions that add on top of that an extra grinding tool for shredding woody stems.

All that aside, you’ll find a lot to enjoy about the increased torque and high power that this weed eater delivers. You’re even provided with 2-speed options that will let you calibrate the speed according to the conditions of the lawn. Seeing how it’s got a 13 ¾” cutting width, this weed eater can be categorized as a mid-range. Standard spindles are used for this tool so you won’t have trouble replacing them. And the bump and feed trimmer head have a counterclockwise rotation which is the norm.

Seeing how it does not use carbon brushes, this would mean that the motor will run a bit cooler compared to other models and even more efficiently. This will, of course, mean that it is expected to have an overall longer life. A protective seal is known as the Makita extreme protection technology, which deters Dust from the internal parts also helps in prolonging the life of this machine. And even though the warranty doesn’t cover many years, you should still enjoy a long time operating it without any issues.

What we like about it

This Makita weed trimmer provides you with efficiency and power at two speeds. It’s known for having a long battery life, and it’s known for being quiet when operated. If power is what you’re after, this is yet another one of the best battery-powered weed eaters that you can get today.

#3 – Worx WG163 Battery-Powered Weed eater

One of the main factors that make this model one of the best battery-powered weed eaters that you can get is its very reasonable price. This is a weed trimmer for anyone trying to stay in a relatively low budget. What’s also great about it is that it also doubles as an edger just like our top pick on this list. So, you’re basically getting 2 tools at one price.

The telescoping handle that it provides will help you adjust its height to you match your own if you are taller or shorter than most people. It has the Worx 20V system which offers the same basic benefits of the rivaling DeWalt system even if it is not as prolific. You can even take any batteries from other Worx 20V tools that you might have and use them to power this machine without having to recharge.

The one drawback of this weed trimmer is that the wire spools that come with it are small and the trimming line deteriorates quickly. This will cost you some cash in the long-term seeing how you will have to replace the line too often. But this is kind of balanced by the initial low cost of the purchase, which will be an attractive choice for anyone wanting to save money.

What we like about it

The great thing about the Worx WG163 is that it uses the Worx 20V system. It was designed with the telescoping handle. It also doubles as an edge and trimmer. And, of course, the price is quite appealing. If you’re on a budget, this is the best battery-powered weed eater for you.

#4 – DEWALT DCST990M1 40V MAX 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion XR String Trimmer

This is a weed trimmer that heads the game when it comes to power. It’s powered by a 40V battery, and it also has a patented Gear Drive located in a metal gear case offering extra torque to sustain cut speed under load. This alone makes it one of the best battery-powered weed eaters on the market. If you are frequently fraught with thick undergrowth, then this is a model you want to consider. Additionally, it comes with a dual-line bump feed which allows two lines to cut at the same time and gives you control over the speed when the new line feeds out.

You also get a variable speed trigger giving you great control on how the weed eater runs. This would be most helpful if you start operating in and out of thick vegetation. The 15-inch cutting width is almost as good as it gets for battery-powered weed eaters. So any trimming job that you have to do, you’ll get done in no time. When purchasing this product, you get one pre-wound spool of line, a charger, 1 lithium-ion battery, an auxiliary handle and cutting guard.

The drawback of this weed eater is the weight. This beast weighs as much as 21.6 lbs. Many users report that they grow tired after a while of using it, but all of them commend its incredible performance. One last thing to add is that you get a three-year warranty when you buy it.

What we like about it

One of the great things about the DEWALT DCST990M1 is the fact that it has impressive battery life. It gives off an ergonomic feeling despite it having a hefty weight. It’s also awe-inspiring that it is as powerful as a gas weed trimmer. If you can get over the fact that it’s quite heavy, this can be the best battery trimmer for you.

#5 – Greenworks PRO ST80L210 16-Inch 80V Cordless String Trimmer

An excellent pick for anyone looking to do some extensive edge trimming as it excels in most aspects. With the ST80L210, you’ll get 16 inches of cutting width which you can narrow to 14 inches if you have to deal with tight spaces. It also comes with a variable speed trigger which allows you to choose between low and high speeds depending on the situation.

You get a battery of 80 Volts which can last for as much as an hour. To speed up the charging process, the package comes with a rapid charger that gets the job done in just 30 minutes. Additionally, it has a dual-line bump feed to give you an enhanced cutting experience. It was basically built to be durable.

This weed eater was designed with a front mount that balances the unit to give you easy maneuverability. The split shaft is foldable to allow you to store it easily in small spaces if you have to. In summary, this is a tool for professionals, and it can save homeowners a lot of hard work. That’s what makes it one of the best battery-powered weed eaters.

What we like about it

It’s really convenient that this weed eater can be charged in just half an hour. It was designed to be quite ergonomic, and it is equipped with a great battery. If you’re one to enjoy simplicity and convenience, this is one of the best battery-powered weed eaters you can get today.

#6 – Core CGT400 Battery-Powered Trimmer

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Another entry on our list of best battery-powered weed eaters is the core CGT400. The rechargeable battery on this product equates in output to what a standard string trimmer delivers through a tank of gas as it lasts for about 70 minutes. A high-energy prismatic power cell that, combined with smart circuitry, allows the trimmer to run significantly longer than most other weed trimmers on the market.

The head has a rotation of 7000 RPM, coming at 5000 RPM of torque output. This would equate to a 25cc 2 cycle gas trimmer engine power. Automatic feed systems usually need some sort of maintenance. But this need is eliminated by the company by choosing to go with a dual-line bump feed system.

You also get two operating modes: A light mode that conserves battery life and the power mode that delivers very high performance. The drawback here is that the battery needs three hours of recharge time, which can be considered time-consuming.

What we like about it

The Core CGT400 delivers excellent performance when operated, and it’s equipped with a long-lasting, efficient battery. That’s all you need to know, and it’s quite exceptional. Mr. Best Battery Trimmer much?

#7 – Greenworks 2101602 Battery Powered Weed Eater

The Greenworks 2101602 relies on a 40V battery. The great thing about it is that this is the kind of battery the Greenworks uses for most of their products. This means that it should let you interchange batteries if you own any other Greenworks tools. The speed on this weed eater is adjustable. So if you’re ever stuck in a tough spot, you can always boost the power to take care of it.

What’s not so great, is that the batteries don’t last that long. The most that you can expect from it is 30 minutes. Some customers even claimed they couldn’t get much more than 20 minutes out of it, which can make things difficult, even for small yard owners. You might also face some issues that might lead to rapid battery degradation or death. If this product had a lower price tag, we might have ranked higher. But given the price and some of the defects, it sits where it is in our list.

What we like about it

The great thing about this one is that its speed is adjustable and it also comes with 40V batteries. Both those features make it yet another one of the best battery trimmers available today.

#8 – Black+Decker LSTE525 20V Max Easy Feed String Trimmer

As we’ve seen with the other Black+Decker model that we talked about, this one is another reasonably priced good quality product. So it makes the best battery-powered weed eater list.

It’s nice that this trimmer also doubles as a wheeled edger. All you have to do is perform a pull and twist motion, and it goes from being an edger to a trimmer and the other way around.

It’s remarkable that this trimmer can run for up to an hour thanks to its 20V 1.5Ah lithium-ion battery. You get two-speed adjustability to save energy whenever you don’t need major Performance. It will extend the life of the cell, but you won’t get much power. On the other hand, high power mode will you give you immense performance at a shorter operating time. But it’s good to know that you can do both the edging and the trimming that you need in one charge.

You get powerful cutting performance with a push of a button with the patented easy feed technology — no bumping required at all.  You get a cutting swath of 12 inches and a line diameter of 0.065 inches which will do the job for basic trimming tasks. All done in no time.

Replacing the string of this product is effortless thanks to The Replacement spool that simply drops in. You must make sure to get the matching diameter for the line.

This weed eater comes with a micro-texture soft-grip feature. This guarantees an ergonomics feeling when using it. The height can also be adjusted to suit that of the user.

The BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 operates with almost no noise, and it’s very sturdy even though it’s made up of mostly plastic pieces. Sure, it doesn’t rank high on our list, but it’s still among the best cordless trimmers you can get today.

What we like about it

This is a lightweight machine. This helps boost its precision and balance when you use it around the yard. The height can be adjusted to you make it more comfortable for the user. Torque is increased, giving you more power thanks to the PowerDrive transmission. To top it all, it can also transform from a trimmer to an edger whenever you need to. If you’re looking for the best battery-powered weed eater AND edger, this is the right machine for you.

#9 – Husqvarna 115iL Battery Powered Weed Eater

This is a company that gives you good quality for the money you spend. Husqvarna for garden tools is like Stihl for chainsaws.

This weed trimmer could have been higher on our list if not for the fact that Husqvarna are quite new in producing battery-operated machines. They have a good track record with gas tools, so we are reasonably certain that this Wireless product will deliver greatly on the promise of their brand’s name.

This product has just not been tested quite enough to give any certain results. It’s got a brushless motor that runs on a 40V battery. It’s characterized by a good ratio of power to run time. Additionally, the telescoping feature of the shafts is great for adjustability.

It would have been nicer if the warranty covers more than 2 years. And had it been made of sturdier material than plastic would have also been great.

What we like about it

Operating time is increased by the power-saving mode. Adjusting the length of the trimmer is quite simple thanks to the telescopic shaft feature. What’s really nice about it is that it’s priced very competitively seeing how it costs less than most other trimmers. Another worthy addition to the best battery-powered weed eater list.

Choosing the Best Battery-Powered Weed Eater – Buying Guide

If you’re still not certain about what kind of weed trimmer you want to get, then this buyer’s guide should clear the confusion. We’re going to break down the most important factors of this kind of product. You’ll know exactly what you need once you finish reading it, especially if you’re a beginner in the field

Weight

The great thing about the best battery-powered weed eaters that they are very light compared to gas-powered ones. You can find units as light as 10lb or even less. If you don’t want to be tired at the end of the day, this is a feature to look out for.

You can sometimes tell by the weight of the model that some poor design decisions were taken during production. Motors for battery-powered weed eater are much lighter than those of gas-powered ones. Unfortunately, some manufacturers will cut corners and use heavier yet cheaper material to construct the weed trimmer.

A heavyweight can also be an indicator of an old battery. Today lithium-ion batteries are used everywhere because they are light and they pack significant amounts of energy. Some manufacturers might decide to go with older types of cells which will be heavier than lithium ones. Like Nickel-cadmium batteries. They are cheaper but heavier and undergo a significant drop off in power when compared to lithium-ion batteries.

Power of the Best Battery-Powered Weed Eater

The major concern for anyone switching from gas-powered trimmers to electric ones is the downgrade in power. While we haven’t reached equivalence between the two, electric trimmers, including the best battery-powered weed eaters, are now closer than they ever were to having the same potential of gas-powered trimmers.

If you’re going for an industrial scale type of task, then your best bet is a gas-powered trimmer. It’s not that battery-powered ones can’t do the job, but the gas-powered trimmer will do the job with a single tank, whereas you’ll have to charge the batteries of electric one at least once before getting the job done.

But in the case that you have only an acre or less of home lawn to take care of, then a battery-powered trimmer will do the job just fine. You can get half an hour of work even from the below-average weed trimmers on the market. The great ones will give you even more than an hour if you’re using them in low-power settings.

Power is measured in volts when it comes to electric trimmers. You’ll find 20-volt models and 40-volt models. The 40V models will give you more power, but they will drain the power faster. You can make up for this by getting a bigger cell or having a spare one charged for whenever you might need it. The size of the battery is measured in ampere-hours. Top-quality ones will have 5 amp-hours of power. You’ll be using more than just one amp when trimming the lawn. So don’t expect 5 hours of straight work in one charge.

Battery Life

Cordless machines, such as portable table saws, cordless circular saws, cordless pole saws, and the best battery-powered weed eaters depend on cells to function, which is why you need to consider the battery life before buying such a tool.

Lithium-ion batteries are good because they are lightweight and they pack a lot of power. But sometimes even having one isn’t enough, especially if you’re dealing with a large lawn. It is advised in this case to have more just one charged battery by your side when trimming.

Now, this may seem like a pricey way of handling things. Fortunately, companies found a way to help out with this. Some companies like DeWalt, for example, will produce a line of products that use the same kind of battery. This means if you buy three distinct products from DeWalt of the same line, you will get three batteries for you to use for those products whenever you need.

It’s unlikely that you would use these three same Line Products simultaneously. So you won’t have much trouble finding a charged spare battery whenever you need as long as you make sure to charge your batteries when you’re done using them. And if you’re torn between two cordless trimmers, you can break the Tie by buying the one that was produced in the same line of products as a tool that you already own.

Guard Quality

If you don’t like being hit by smaller rocks, bits of plants, and debris when you’re using your trimmer, then you might want to consider getting a good guard quality in your best battery-powered weed eater. It’s always advised to wear long pants whenever you are operating the trimmer, but if that’s not an option then a good guard we’ll save you a lot of discomfort.

A balance must be struck between the quality of the guard in the weight of the trimmer. A good guard will be heavier so that will add to the weight of the tool. You have to find the trimmer that strikes the right balance for your preferences.

It’s worth mentioning is that trimmers that double as edgers usually don’t have good guard because they would have to be operated at two different angles which might leave you exposed.

Feed Reloading

At some point after a certain period of using the best battery trimmer, you will have to replace the weed eater’s line. This can either be inconvenient or quite simple. You have to remember that thicker line gauges will last longer. But they are heavier and drain more power. This, of course, may reduce the operating time of the battery.

There are of course, models that have an automatic feed. This will extend the line if you ever need it. It’s a good feature and decreases the need for replacing the line manually. The second best option is a bumping mechanism. you have to stomp the spinning head on the ground as you work to release more line.

Some other products may release the trimmer line where they are turned off. It may be a little strange to turn your weed trimmer on and off as you work, but starting it up again is almost instantaneous so it won’t waste you anytime.

Of course, there are other models that need you to set the length and feed the wire manually. This one causes some inconvenience, but the good thing is that you can find better systems at the same price.

Maintenance

No matter which power tool you’re getting, be it the best battery-powered weed eater, log splitter, TIG welder, or even gas leaf blower, it’s essential to pay special attention to how easy maintenance would be as that can make or break your experience.

The way that you have to replace the trimmer line will depend on what kind of weed eater you’re using. There are single-line trimmers and dual-line ones. If you’re going to wind the line yourself, use a pre-wound spool or pre-cut line pieces.

When replacing the line, you have to make sure that you’re using approved replacement parts only. Inspect the trimmer for wear and tear and clean the area circling the weed eater’s head as well as the cutting shield.

Before you put the trimmer away, make sure it cools down. Clean it from any clippings or debris and lubricate it if needed. It can be sprayed with light oil to avoid rusting. It must be stored in a well-ventilated, dry area. Keep it away from children’s reach.

Replacing a Weed Eater String (String Trimmer Line) | The Home Depot

All in all, cordless trimmers need very little maintenance. That said, you should always make sure to read the instructions before taking any action.

Picking the Best Battery-Powered Weed Eater – Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

To close off this article, it is of hyper importance to get the best battery-powered weed eater for your needs and requirements. It will all depend on how much power you need and how much surface area you’re trying to cover and what kind of grass you’re dealing with. Knowing exactly what you need will save you a lot of money and unwanted waste of time.

Should you read our best battery-powered weed eater reviews and buying guide thoroughly, you’ll be able to pick the best battery trimmer for your garden.

Now, what are you waiting for? Those weeds aren’t going to trim themselves, so pick the best battery-powered weed eater and take care of your lawn!

References:

• fine gardening, Six Tips for Effective Weed Control
• Reader’s digest, 16 Ways to Kill Garden Weeds
• What To Look For In Battery Powered String Trimmers