We Reviewed The Top 5 To Find The Best Cordless String Trimmer For Your 2018 Yard

So you’re here to find the best cordless string trimmer for your yard this year right? Good news! We reviewed several of the top selling brands of weed wackers to show you the good and bad for everything you need.

And here’s the best part.

The market is absolutely in your favor right now! Because cordless weed wackers are on the rise in popularity in a major way!

So what does that mean?

One thing… the price comes down so they can sell more trimmers! These battery powered trimmers are so much more affordable than they were 2 years ago. Now’s the best time to invest in a solid tool you’ll use for years to come!

So let’s start with an overview of the list. Then, we’ll talk about corded vs cordless electric trimmers. Next, we’ll do a comparison of electric vs gas weed eaters and wrap this all up with detailed reviews of each trimmer.

The Best Cordless String Trimmers of 2018 Overview

• Black & Decker LST136W – Our recommendation
• Black & Decker LSTE523
• Greenworks 21362 G-Max
• Worx WG163 GT
• Black & Decker LST201 – Best Value Option

Corded Vs. Cordless String Trimmers – What You Should Know

This should come as no surprise, but there’s a few distinct differences between the two types of electric string trimmers. Corded string trimmers offer more power and consistent usage and unlimited cutting time.

And cordless string trimmers offer flexibility since they can move anywhere without a cord slowing them down.

Electric Vs. Gas Weed Eaters – What You Probably Already Know

You always have the option between choosing electric or gas powered string trimmers. But since you’re already reading this article, it’s probably fairly obvious you are thinking of an electric weed wacker.

But let’s take a minute and remind you of all the good reasons you’re choosing electric.

Obviously, there’s the environmental factor. With no gas engine, these electric battery powered weed wackers are much easier on our planet. And with no gas to mix with oil, you’ll be spending no time at the gas station for trimming. Plus there’s no bad fumes for you to inhale.

Second, the electric trimmers are much quieter to operate. I personally have a corded string trimmer and it is so much quieter that I never feel bad trimming later after work.

Third, is portability. It’s no secret that lighter objects are considered more portable. Most of these electric string trimmers are under 10 lbs. which is much easier than a 20-ish pound engine strapped to a trimmer.

But don’t be fooled.

Gas weed eaters pack much more power inside them since they are an actual engine. Batteries are getting better and stronger but still have a way to go to catch the power produced by a simple engine on weed wackers. So if you have tough weeds or a large forest growing nearby that you need to take down, an electric model might not suit you.

When You Should Consider Buying A Cordless Battery Powered String Trimmer

Here’s some general points to consider when looking to buy a cordless string trimmer:

• Do you have a smaller yard? Or are you willing to invest in more batteries?
• Do you need/prefer a lighter machine to carry around?
• Do you hate maintaining a gas engine on trimmers?
• Do you need ultimate flexibility to maneuver in your yard?
• Are you willing to spend a little more for the cordless version?

If you answered yes to all these questions, a cordless weed eater is definitely a good choice for you. Now it’s just a matter of choosing your preferred style and model. So let’s get into the reviews.

Black & Decker LST136W 40V Battery String Trimmer –

OUR CHOICE for the Best Cordless String Trimmer in 2018

Features:

• Amazon Best Seller – Over 3,000 reviews!!
• Large 40V Lithium Ion battery
• Adjustable style (max power or max battery)
• Quick conversion to edger
• 13-inch head size
• Line size of 0.065″

Pros:

• Large battery for extended use
• Lightweight under 10 lbs.
• Converts to edger
• Adjustable for power or batter

Cons:

• More expensive
• Head size is smaller than others listed
• Only comes with 1 battery

Our Review

When it comes to ultimate convenience, the Black & Decker LST model is what you need. Having one of the largest batteries on the market for string trimmers makes it ideal for bigger yards. If you need portability, or lack electric outlets outside, consider this Black & Decker model.

The adjustable power versus battery feature is a huge plus for this model. It gives you the flexibility to decide how to use the trimmer. If you’re in a yard with heavy weeds, choose the more powerful setting which can deliver up to 8,500 RPM. If you’ve got some standard weed trimming to do, choose the extended battery life which still produces 6,500 RPM.

The convenience of having a 2-in-1 tools cannot be understated today. For most homeowners, we want a quick and effective tool to accomplish our tasks. Having to drag out a separate edger to handle sidewalks and curbs is a huge waste of time. So the ability to convert like this LST model is a huge advantage. The only downside is they forgot to include a wheel so you must hold the edger up all the time. It’s not the worst, but a minor inconvenience overall.

The biggest downside about this LST model from Black & Decker is the upfront cost. It’s over double some of the other products are here on the list. But realize the quality you get for the money. The battery on this trimmer will last far longer on each run than any other trimmer here. It’s a choice for you to consider. There’s definitely quality here along with a huge battery. If you have a large yard, this may be the best option regardless of price.

Check out the Black & Decker LST136W here on Amazon.

Black & Decker LSTE523 20V PowerCommand Cordless Trimmer/Edger

The Amazon Best Seller in July 2017

Features:

• Over 500 Amazon reviews
• 20V battery
• 2-Speed control
• EasyFeed pushbutton
• Adjustable height
• Converts from trimmer to edger

Pros:

• Good price for the features
• EasyFeed push button for extending line
• Powerboost push button to plow through tough spots
• 2-speed control gives flexibility

Cons:

• Claims that the Easyfeed system auto feeds too much
• Some people think it’s not powerful enough

Our Review

The Black & Decker LSTE523 is definitely a more striking design than many other B&D models of trimmer. It’s got a bold look with a nice handle design to maximize comfort.

This LSTE model has a quality battery that is built to last. You have options, but the 3mAh charging option definitely gives the longest run time on this trimmer. Overall, the power is standard for most electric weed eaters. So don’t expect to hack down a small forest, but you should be able to handle normal grass and weeds.

The extra features are what truly draws attention for this Black & Decker string weed eater. The EasyFeed system is a B&D specific design that allows you to push a button right near the trigger to force more line to extend. This can be a nice improvement for those who hate the “auto” feed systems that never seem to deliver consistent line as promised.

On top of that, the LSTE model has a PowerBoost and PowerCut feature to give you even more in the toughest areas. This PowerBoost idea is brilliant for handling that one tough backyard area you consistently ignore. It’s overgrown and clearly dominated by weeds and brush. Use the PowerBoost feature for a few extra seconds of the strongest performance.

Some people have commented though that the EasyFeed line system isn’t as perfect as it should be. Some claim it still auto-feeds the line at a wasteful rate. So look out for that. And still a few other people don’t believe the power is enough on this cordless weed eater to actually make an impact. This is a judgement call so understand people have different needs.

Check out the B&D LSTE523 here on Amazon.

Greenworks 21362 G-MAX 40V Cordless String Trimmer

Features:

• Over 250+ Amazon reviews
• Large 40V Lithium Ion battery
• Large 14-inch head size
• 4AH battery can run up to 55 minutes on low speed
• Lightweight (just under 13lbs.)
• Line size of 0.065″
• Includes 1 battery and charger

Pros:

• Large batter for extended use
• 2 hour charge for batteries (4AH)
• Can convert to edger
• G-MAX battery compatible with many other Greenworks tools

Cons:

• Not cheap
• Only 1 battery
• Heavier than other options

Our Review

A brand that has really come alive the past few years for outdoor tools is Greenworks. They have been making solid products that are compatible with the same battery system and it’s clearly showing off these days.

This 40V G-Max battery cordless string trimmer is just one more addition to a solid lineup of Greenworks products. It has the large 40V battery that you’d need to truly handle larger yards plus a solid 14-inch head size so you can cut more efficiently.

As you already know with electric trimmers, they are more efficient than gas trimmers. What you may not know, is they are far more quiet and operate with much less vibration than a typical gas trimmer. This improves your experience using the trimmer since your ears won’t ring and your hands won’t hurt holding the heavy vibrations.

What’s also nice about this Greenworks is the short charging times for the battery. For a 4AH battery it’s only 2 hours to charge to full power. That’s fast in the industry! But it would be nice if Greenworks provided more than 1 battery so you can work continuously.

The only two downsides on the trimmer are the price and weight. At nearly 13 pounds, it’s on the higher end of trimmers in terms of weight. This can wear on you if you’re holding it for long periods of time. And we would assume that since you don’t need a 40V battery unless you have a large yard. The price is a little high, but not the most expensive we’ve seen. It’s on the higher end of the “reasonable price” range if there was one for cordless string trimmers.

Check out the Greenworks 21362 cordless trimmer here on Amazon.

Worx WG163 GT 20V Cordless String Trimmer & Edger

Features:

• Over 180 Amazon reviews
• Nice 20V battery size – Comes with 2 batteries!
• Full 13″ head size
• Extremely lightweight (5.3 lbs)
• Trimmer/Edger combo
• Comes with 2 batteries and charger

Pros:

• Again… comes with 2 batteries!
• Flower guard attached
• Converts to edger
• Good price point
• 7 adjustable handle positions

Cons:

• Not most powerful
• Still somewhat pricey
• Some claims battery life is lacking

Our Review

The Worx brand is known as a solid outdoor tool brand and will surely live up to the name. Worx, like most brands these days, created a battery that’s transferable between a wide range of products. It’s a clever tactic to keep people loyal to your brand and Worx capitalized also.

Overall, this Worx WG163 is a solid cordless string trimmer. The trimmer/edger combo is a nice feature and a common one we’ve seen in trimmers thus far. The added flower/vegetation guard is a nice add though. Several string trimmers don’t have this which is surprising.

Probably the best and yet least appreciated feature is the adjustable handle. The handle here on the Worx model actually pivots to increase your range of motion. This is a small, but definitely fantastic, little improvement.

And lastly, it’s so nice having a push button to manually increase the string feed. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is when all these “auto-feed” systems get stuck over themselves and I have to get down and dig out the line. It’s irritating. But it looks like this push button may save tons of hassle on that front.

The only downside is the Worx brand is right in that sweet spot no one wants to be in. It’s not a massive household name that can get away with overpricing equipment. But it’s not cheap quality either so it has to price accordingly. So it gets put in this middle-ground place where you wonder is the value “really” worth it and should you just spend a few extra bucks on brand recognition.

The answer it no because this Worx model is good quality. You can definitely get all the same bang for you buck from this cheaper model than the highest ends here. But the choice is yours.

Check out the Worx WG163 GT here on Amazon.

Black & Decker LST201 20V Max Cordless String Trimmer/Edger

The Best Value Cordless String Trimmer in 2018

Features:

• Over 200+ Amazon reviews
• 20V batter
• 10-inch head
• Trimmer/Edger Combo
• Lightweight at 4.5 lbs
• 2 year manufacturer warranty

Pros:

• Well reviewed
• Best price on this list
• Comes with a good warranty

Cons:

• Smallest head size on this list
• Least comfortable to hold due to simple design
• Limited adjustments for height

Our Review

If you’re on a tight budget, this Black & Decker model is the best budget friendly cordless string trimmer out there. It’s got solid power and a good battery all wrapped up at a modest price.

Overall, Black & Decker make fairly solid products and this LST201 model is no different. Although not the most powerful, it still packs enough punch to handle most home work. If you have a large yard with extremely thick grass, weeds, or shrubs, this might not be the best bet for you.

Like most of the cordless models on the market, it converts into a trimmer or edger with a simple switch. This trimmer has more of a crank motion to change this out so it’s not as user friendly as some other models. But again, this is the budget friendly version so there will be some sacrifices.

This B&D model isn’t the most ergonomically designed trimmer they have. It’s a solid plastic design and the handles have no padding to protect your hands. This won’t matter for small jobs, but could impact you if you’re using it for a length of time.

Overall, this LST201 model will get the job done if you’re looking for the cheapest cordless string trimmer on the market. It’s got the basics and clearly sacrifices some areas to make the price point. So choose what matters most to you and then decide if this cordless weed eater is right.

Check out the B&D LST201 here on Amazon.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this top 5 list of the best cordless string trimmers in 2018. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to leave them below! And feel free to check out some of our other weed eater / string trimmer reviews!