The best string trimmers are the tools that finish the job your mower cannot. They clean ragged lawn edges, fence lines, driveways, flower beds and the steep slope behind the shed, and the difference between a cheap trimmer and a good one shows up in how much line you fight and how long your arms last at the end of an afternoon.
All ten trimmers below are cordless. That is a deliberate choice, because cordless has closed most of the gap it used to have, and it decides itself: no pull cord, no fuel mixing, no exhaust, and a machine quiet enough for a Sunday morning in a close-in neighborhood. I have used these categories of machines across several properties, weighed the balance, wound line into every head type, and read the owner complaints closely enough to know which ones are design faults and which are just bad line.
Below is the short version before the details. The at-a-glance table lists every pick with its cutting width, weight, and line system, and the buying guide explains how to size a trimmer to your yard. If you only read one thing, read the two sections nobody else writes: how to pick trimmer line and why the line will not feed, because those two answers resolve most disappointing first-week impressions.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for the Best String Trimmers in 2026
WORX WG163 20V 12 in 2-in-1
- 5.5 lb body
- Trim to edger in seconds
- Two batteries included
- Command Feed line advance
BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V
- Automatic Feed Spool
- 5.7 lb body
- 12 in cutting swath
- Wall mount charger
These three are the ones I hand to friends and family. The WORX WG163 wins on weight and included battery count, the BLACK+DECKER LST300 wins on simplicity and price of ownership, and the BLACK+DECKER LST136 is the strongest step-up for anyone whose weeds are thicker than a suburban lawn edge.
Best String Trimmers at a Glance in October
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| WORX WG163 20V 12 in 2-in-1 |
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| BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V |
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 BLACK+DECKER LST136 40V 13 in |
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 Greenworks 40V 12 in |
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 EGO ST1502SA 15 in |
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 EGO ST1623T 16 in |
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 Greenworks 80V 16 in |
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 RYOBI 40V 15 in Attachment Capable |
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 Heywork 20V 12 in |
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 WORX WG173 20V 13 in 3-in-1 |
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How We Chose These String Trimmers
Every trimmer here cleared the same four gates, and I applied them in this order: cutting ability on real vegetation, then ergonomics, then the line system, then ownership friction. A tool that cuts beautifully but shakes your hands numb at forty minutes loses to one that cuts acceptably and stays comfortable, because you will use the comfortable one.
Cutting ability means more than the rpm figure on the box. I weigh motor class, line diameter, and head design together, because a high-speed motor spinning thin line still stalls in a thick weed mat. For ergonomics, I look at machine weight, whether the shaft telescopes or adjusts, whether a strap or second handle is in the box, and where the center of gravity sits when the head is down.
For the line system, bump feed versus powered auto feed matters less than most reviews imply. What matters more is whether the head keeps a consistent line length, whether the spool accepts bulk nylon line you buy by the foot, and whether line jams can be cleared without a special tool. Ownership friction covers charging time, battery capacity in the kit, warranty length, and how many parts you have to order later.
One more note on evidence. I weighted long-term owner reports heavily, the same way I weight spec sheets, because a trimmer that eats its head in season two is a worse buy than a slightly slower one that lasts. Where owners disagree with the spec sheet, I say so in the review.
1. WORX WG163 20V 12 in 2-in-1: the light one most people should buy
WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163
Battery powered
12 in cut
5.5 lb
7600 rpm
Two 20V MaxLithium packs
Pros
- Very light at 5.5 lb and easy on shoulders and back
- Trim to edger conversion by tilting the head
- Two 20V MaxLithium batteries both work across the platform
- Command Feed advances line from the handle
- Adjustable spacer guard protects beds and ornaments
Cons
- 0.065 line frays fast against hard edging
- About 15 to 30 minutes per battery on moderate work
- Small 0.4Ah charger is slow
The WG163 is the trimmer I recommend first for most suburban yards, and the reason is boring: it is the lightest machine in this roundup and it ships with two batteries. At 5.5 pounds, it is the one I trust an older family member to finish a front yard with, and two packs mean you are not doing the swap dance halfway through a bed.
Cutting width is 12 inches, which is right for driveway edges and flower beds but narrow if you are clearing a wide path. The head tilts 90 degrees to become an edger, and the rubberized wheels make a surprisingly straight line along a sidewalk. The Command Feed button sits on the handle, so you extend line without setting the machine down.
The honest limit is line durability. The 0.065 inch line that comes with the machine is thin, and owners report it frays and snaps quickly when it touches edging, curb edges, or chain link. Buy a heavier line in bulk and rewind the spool yourself, and most of that complaint disappears. Spare spools are cheap when the spool system is the branded one, and the manufacturer has historically covered replacements for life on this line of spools.
Runtime is the other constraint. Plan on roughly 15 to 30 minutes per pack on moderate work, which is honest for a 20V class machine carrying 0.065 line. The included charger is a small 0.4Ah unit, so keep both batteries cycling rather than expecting one to recharge while you work.
Will the WG163 fit a small yard and short sessions?
Yes, and this is its best use. A quarter-acre suburban lot with driveway, fence line, and flower beds is exactly the job the 12 inch head and 5.5 pound body were built for. The lightweight body is also the reason it suits users with shoulder or back limits, where a 14 pound machine is a problem on day one.
Expect to swap batteries once on a full property, and expect the edger conversion to earn its place if you have a lot of hard edging near planters. The 90 degree head tilt and support wheels turn a mediocre edging job into a decent one, which is more than most 20V machines offer.
Where the WG163 falls short
Thick, established weeds. Owners consistently report the head bogging or stalling on weed stalks and tall grass mats, and the thin factory line is part of that. If your yard has a neglected corner with growth past the knee, spend the extra step up to a 40V or 80V machine rather than fighting this one.
Long shaft work is also worth thinking about. There is no telescoping shaft here, so if two people of very different heights share the machine, the handle positions are limited. And one of the two batteries in some kits holds less charge than the other, which is a kit variance issue rather than a design one.
2. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V: the simple one that starts every time
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and Edger 2 in 1, Cordless Weed Wacker with Auto Spool Feed, Battery and Charger Included, 12 Inch Steel Deck, Reduced Vibration (LST300)
Battery powered
12 in cut
5.7 lb
6200 rpm
Automatic Feed Spool
Pros
- Automatic Feed Spool advances line without stopping to bump
- Quiet with noticeably less vibration than a gas machine
- Adjustable handle and shaft height suit different users
- Battery and wall mountable charging base included
- 2 year limited warranty
Cons
- Bogs down or stalls on well established weeds
- First charge takes roughly 3 to 5 hours
- Single small 2.0Ah pack in the kit
If you want the fewest decisions, this is the trimmer. Assembly is quick, the controls are obvious, and the Automatic Feed Spool means you never learn the bump-feed timing that catches out most first-time owners. For a lawn that stays mowed, the LST300 does the whole job and stays out of the way.
At 5.7 pounds it sits right next to the WG163 on weight, and reviewers consistently call out how little vibration and noise it produces compared with a gas machine. The adjustable handle and shaft positions mean it adapts to a range of heights without a separate tool.
The weakness is power ceiling, and it is a real one. The 6200 rpm POWERDRIVE transmission is adequate for grass, weeds, and light edging but will stall or tangle on larger established weeds, and a few owners report it bogging in heavy growth. The single 2.0Ah battery also means you are running on one pack for the whole job, and the initial charge runs three to five hours.
One design quirk to know about: the auto feed can push out more line than the head should run, and the excess gets chopped by the cutting blade. If you notice frayed ends, pull the line back a quarter inch after each feed.
Is the LST300 good for a first trimmer?
It is one of the better first trimmers, because the failure modes are gentle. It starts instantly, it is light enough to learn on, and it converts to an edger in seconds. If you are replacing a gas machine and your yard is a normal residential lot, this is a clean transition with no adjustment period.
The included wall mountable charging base is a small touch that matters, because it keeps the tool and battery on one shelf instead of scattered around a garage.
Where the LST300 falls short
Dense vegetation, and the battery situation. One 2.0Ah pack is the tightest constraint in this roundup, and the long first charge is annoying if you stored the battery empty. If your property includes a fallow field or an overgrown lot boundary, plan on a second pack from the platform or pick a machine with more capacity out of the box.
3. BLACK+DECKER LST136 40V: the strongest step-up for thicker growth
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 13 in String Trimmer Edger Cordless with Adjustable Telescoping Pole, 2 in 1 Weed Wacker Lawn Edger, Includes Battery and Charger (LST136)
Battery powered
13 in cut
7.8 lb
8500 rpm
40V MAX
Pros
- 40V pack delivers noticeably more cutting power than 20V
- PowerCommand dial trades runtime for power on thick weeds
- Adjustable telescoping pole improves reach
- Fast charger restores the battery in about 2 hours
- 3 year limited warranty
Cons
- Heavier at 7.8 lb than most 20V trimmers
- Single 2.0Ah battery limits runtime on bigger properties
- Charge indicator is a rough gauge not a precise readout
The LST136 is the pick for anyone whose yard has a growth problem rather than an edge problem. It shares the automatic spool and the easy trim-to-edge conversion with the smaller LST300, but the 40V pack and 8500 rpm powerplant turn it into a machine that pushes through weeds the 20V units stall on.
The PowerCommand dial is the feature owners like second best. One dial sets maximum power for a thick patch and maximum runtime for a long lawn, which is the trade-off you would otherwise make by swapping batteries. The telescoping pole is the other quiet win, because it sets the trimmer to your height and then packs down smaller.
What you trade away is weight and battery capacity. At 7.8 pounds it is over two pounds heavier than the 20V models here, and the kit ships a single 2.0Ah pack, so on a large property you will be swapping mid-job more than you would like. The fast charger takes about two hours, which is the best charging story among the BLACK+DECKER kits in this list.
Minor but worth knowing: the state-of-charge indicator is a light gauge, not a digital readout, so treat it as approximate rather than a planning tool.
Does the LST136 handle weeds the smaller trimmers cannot?
Yes, and that is the reason to spend up here. Owners of this model report cutting through taller grass and thicker weed growth that leaves lighter 20V machines bogging, and the speed setting lets you keep full speed on those passes instead of easing off. The 13 inch swath also covers more ground per pass than the 12 inch models.
For a property with a large lawn plus fence lines and beds, it is a one-machine answer. The trim-to-edge conversion with the auxiliary handle handles the hard edging once you are done mowing.
Where the LST136 falls short
Weight on long sessions, and the small kit battery. Seven point eight pounds is fine for an hour, tiring for three, and it is why the telescoping pole matters here, letting you set the geometry right the first time. If you already own 40V MAX packs, this machine gets considerably more attractive, since the battery is the part you will replace first.
4. Greenworks 40V 12 in: the easy-start pick with a three-year warranty
Greenworks 40V 12 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
Battery powered
12 in cut
7500 rpm
Variable speed
40V
Pros
- Variable speed trigger and dual line give real control on edges
- Auto feed advances line with no bumping
- 40V pack is cross-compatible with other Greenworks 40V tools
- Front guard protects trees and shrubs
- 3 year tool and battery warranty
Cons
- Assembly instructions vague about the handle clamp
- Brand pre-wound spools are wound too tightly
- Listed weight of 12 lb is the highest for a 12 in head
The Greenworks 40V is the one I recommend to people who get intimidated by tools. There is no pull start, no fuel mixing, and no priming, and the variable speed trigger means the head only spins as fast as you squeeze. Owners who came from gas call the transition effortless.
Owners also compare it favorably to higher-priced machines on power for its class, and the dual 0.065 line head gives decent control on edges because you can feather the trigger. The 40V pack is shared across the Greenworks 40V range, so if you later add a blower or mower, the battery carries over.
The recurring theme in reviews is the spool, not the motor. Brand pre-wound spools are wound tightly enough to feed poorly, and some units ship with a spool wound in a way that will not advance at all. The fix is the same one experienced owners use: buy bulk nylon line in good condition and wind your own, and the feed problem disappears.
Assembly is the other weak point, specifically the handle-to-pole clamp, where the printed instructions are vague. The three-year tool and battery warranty is among the longest for the cordless machines in this price band and is a genuine plus for a first-time owner.
Is the Greenworks 40V good for users who are not handy?
It is. The variable speed trigger, the tool-free start, and the simple controls mean there is almost nothing to learn. That is why this is the pick for an older user or someone new to yard work, and the auto feed removes the one task beginners find most fiddly.
Winding your own line is a five-minute job once you have done it twice, and doing it solves the most common complaint. Budget an afternoon for setup rather than an afternoon of head scratching.
Where the Greenworks 40V falls short
The listed weight of 12 pounds is the awkward number here. That is well above the 5 to 8 pound band where trimmers feel light, so a full yard session is more tiring than the class suggests. If the weight matters to you, test the balance in a store, or pick a lighter machine in a comparable power band.
5. EGO ST1502SA 15 in: the cordless pick for real cutting power
EGO POWER+ 15″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1502SA
Battery powered
15 in cut
7.4 lb
0.095 line
45 min runtime
Pros
- Brushless motor cuts woody weeds without bogging
- Rapid Reload head makes line changes quick
- Variable speed trigger matches power to the job
- Works with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries
- 5 year tool warranty
Cons
- Line advance head and rewind procedure are finicky
- Line can jam and needs the head opened
- 2.5Ah pack gives roughly 30 to 45 minutes
The ST1502SA is where cordless stops being a compromise for me. The brushless motor and the 0.095 line specification mean it cuts woody weeds and knapweed that stall the 20V class, and at 15 inches the swath is wide enough to be efficient on a whole backyard rather than just edges.
It stays comfortable too. At 7.4 pounds with low vibration from the brushless motor, several owners report a family member who had never used one handling it without complaint. The variable speed trigger lets you back off on soft growth and save battery when you are only tidying an edge.
The line head is the honest flaw. Owners report the line advance and the manual rewind procedure being finicky, and line jams that require opening the head to clear. That is a head-design issue, not a motor issue, and it is the main reason I would not call this the outright winner despite its cutting ability.
The included 2.5Ah battery is also the smaller of EGO’s two capacities, giving roughly 30 to 45 minutes of real work. The five-year tool warranty is among the longest in this roundup, and the platform runs on all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries if you add another tool later.
Is the ST1502SA powerful enough to skip a gas machine?
For most residential work, yes. The brushless motor and thicker line handle growth that would make a 20V machine give up, which is the usual dividing line between cordless that tidies and cordless that cuts. Where a gas machine still wins is sustained work on large acreage in dense brush, where fuel capacity and torque under continuous load matter more than convenience.
The Rapid Reload head is worth a mention because it is the fastest way here to change line without fussing with a spool, which is a real quality-of-life difference once you are doing it weekly.
Where the ST1502SA falls short
The head, again, and the battery in the box. If line jams are a dealbreaker for you, a machine with a spool you can rewind yourself will frustrate you less. And a 2.5Ah pack means you will want a second battery from the 56V ARC platform to finish a large property in one sitting.
6. EGO ST1623T 16 in: the premium pick with the smartest line system
EGO POWER+ 16″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1623T
Battery powered
16 in cut
Line IQ
PowerLoad
60 min runtime
Pros
- Line IQ auto-sensing keeps a continuous 16 in swath
- PowerLoad head auto-winds line after threading
- Carbon fiber telescoping shaft adjusts to any user
- 4.0Ah pack gives up to an hour and charges in 55 minutes
- 5 year tool warranty
Cons
- Highest cost in this roundup
- Digital speed selector adds a step versus a plain trigger
- Requires EGO 56V ARC batteries for future capacity
The ST1623T solves the single most annoying thing about string trimmers: line management. Line IQ senses when the line is worn short and feeds more, and PowerLoad winds the spool for you after you thread it once, so a reload takes seconds instead of the usual spool wrestling. It is the most different-feeling machine here from the first cut onward.
Underneath that is real capability. The brushless motor drives the widest swath in this roundup at 16 inches, the carbon fiber shaft telescopes to fit any user, and the included 4.0Ah pack is one of the largest here, with an hour of runtime and a 55 minute charge on the included charger.
The reservations are practical. It is the highest-cost machine in this roundup, and the battery platform decision matters more here than anywhere else, because everything you add later runs on 56V ARC packs. The digital variable speed selector is also one extra step compared with a simple trigger, though it gives finer control once you learn it.
Owners who rate it five star point to PowerLoad and Line IQ as the reasons to step up. The same owners note that the auto systems occasionally let the line run longer than ideal, which is exactly the trade you accept for never bumping the head.
Is the Line IQ system worth the extra cost?
If you trim weekly, yes. The value is not raw power, it is that the head keeps a consistent cutting length on its own, which means fewer stalls from a stripped head, fewer interruptions to tap the head on the guard, and no rewind routine. Over a season that saved time outweighs the difference in purchase cost.
For occasional use on a small yard, the same money buys more battery capacity on a simpler machine, and you would barely notice the auto features.
Where the ST1623T falls short
Total system cost, and the learning curve of the digital selector. Two considerations worth a pause: a premium platform means premium replacement batteries later, and if your yard is small enough that line rarely runs short, you are paying for automation you will not lean on.
7. Greenworks 80V 16 in: the pick for brush, saplings and overgrown ground
Greenworks 80V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery
Battery powered
16 in cut
0.080 line
Brushless motor
80V
Pros
- 80V power owners match against gas in this class
- Cuts thick grass saplings and brambles
- 2.0Ah pack rapid charges in 30 minutes
- Quiet balanced straight shaft with no oil maintenance
- 80V pack is shared with Greenworks mowers and blowers
Cons
- Heavy at 16 lb and no shoulder strap is included
- Bump feed line advance is unreliable for some owners
- 0.080 line wears quickly against chain link
This is the machine in the roundup for overgrown ground. Owners report it pushing through tall grass, small saplings, and brambles that stopped their gas trimmers, and the 80V platform plus a 16 inch swath means wide passes on open ground. If your project is field work rather than edging, this is the one.
The charging story helps make that workable. A 30 minute rapid charge on a 2.0Ah pack means a second battery is realistic in a single work session, which is what makes a 16 pound machine tolerable. There is no gas, no oil, and the brushless motor is quiet enough to work early without complaints.
Weight is the real cost here. Sixteen pounds is the heaviest machine in this roundup and no shoulder strap is included, which owners consistently point out as the fix that would improve it most. The bump feed head is also the least reliable line system among these picks, with some owners ending up disassembling the head to clear it.
This is also an older generation design, without a reversible head, and several reviewers point to newer models in the same brand as the better buy. If you are buying new and the difference is small, look at the current equivalent first.
Can a cordless trimmer handle brush and saplings?
This one does, which is why it is on the list. The 80V brushless motor and 0.080 line give it the torque profile that 40V and 20V machines lack, and owners of thin saplings and bramble canes report clean cuts rather than stalls. For spot-clearing an overgrowth area once a season, that capability earns its place.
What it is not is a brush cutter. A dedicated brush cutter uses a blade and handles woody growth that no nylon line should be asked to cut, so if your project is truly woody, read the difference before you buy either.
Where the Greenworks 80V falls short
Fatigue and head reliability. Sixteen pounds with no strap will limit how long you can work in a single pass, and the bump feed is the system most likely to frustrate you mid-job. If the job is edges and beds, this is far more machine than you need.
8. RYOBI 40V 15 in: the pick if you want one power head for the whole yard
RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable String Trimmer, 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Inc
Battery powered
13 to 15 in cut
Attachment capable
4.0Ah
Straight shaft
Pros
- Accepts RYOBI expand-it and universal gas attachments
- Strong motor owners compare to corded trimmers
- Line holds up against concrete and chain link
- Shoulder strap included for the long shaft
- 4.0Ah pack is cross-compatible with other RYOBI 40V tools
Cons
- Battery drains in about 30 to 40 minutes in tall growth
- Long shaft feels awkward for shorter users
- Printed assembly instructions are sparse
The RYOBI earns its place for a reason that has nothing to do with the trimmer head: it is attachment capable. One power head and battery covers a brush cutter, a hedge trimmer, a pole saw, and an edger, and owners frequently name that platform as the reason they bought it. If your yard work list is longer than trimming, the math changes in your favor.
The trimmer itself is no slouch. Owners compare the motor favorably to corded machines, and the line is a standout, holding up against concrete, cinder block, and chain link far better than thin line on the budget machines. The included shoulder strap makes sense here because of the length.
The trade-offs are runtime and geometry. Owners report the battery draining in roughly 30 to 40 minutes in tall grass, ferns, and brambles, and the long straight shaft is described as awkward for shorter users. Printed assembly instructions are sparse, and one screw or the guard may need hand tightening after unpacking.
Minor point: replacement line beyond the small amount included is not part of the kit, so add a bulk spool to the first order rather than discovering it mid-afternoon.
Is an attachment capable power head actually worth it?
It is, if you already need a second tool. The economics work the moment the same battery and motor drive a brush cutter or a hedge trimmer you would otherwise buy separately, and RYOBI’s attachment range is broad enough that most owners find a second use within a year. If you are certain you will only ever trim, skip this and put the money into a better dedicated head.
The adjustable cutting width is also a small practical win, letting you trade a narrower cut for longer runtime on open ground.
Where the RYOBI falls short
Short sessions on thick growth, and fit for shorter operators. A small number of buyers report motor overheating that drains the battery quickly, which usually tracks back to genuinely heavy bramble work. If the shaft length is a concern, check the geometry in person before committing.
9. Heywork 20V 12 in: the budget pick with an unusually complete kit
HEYWORK 20V 12″ Cordless String Trimmer, Electric Weed Wacker & Edger
Battery powered
12 in cut
6.3 lb
8000 rpm
Two 4.0Ah packs
Pros
- Entry-level cost with a full kit in the box
- Light 6.3 lb body with adjustable grip cuts arm fatigue
- Two 4.0Ah packs and 8 pre-wound spools cover long sessions
- Auto line feed keeps work moving without tapping the head
- Switches from trimming to edging quickly
Cons
- Small 368 review history means limited long-term data
- 8000 rpm does not equal gas level torque in thick growth
- Included spools may need rewinding for reliable feed
The Heywork is the value answer, and the box contents are the reason. Two 20V 4.0Ah batteries and eight pre-wound spools in a trimmer at this tier is unusual, and for someone maintaining a modest yard it removes nearly every reason to buy a second accessory on day one.
It is also light at 6.3 pounds, and the adjustable grip helps with the fatigue problem that follows anyone new to trimming. The auto line feed does not require tapping the head, which is the right system for a first-time owner.
The honest caveat is evidence. With 368 reviews, there is not yet a deep pool of multi-season durability reports, and the review base is much smaller than the big-brand machines here. Buyers should treat that as a known quantity rather than a hidden one.
On function, the 8000 rpm headline number does not translate into gas-level torque, and power on heavy weeds is the main limit owners note. Some of the pre-wound spools need rewinding before they feed reliably, so check one early rather than discovering it when the head strips mid-bed.
Is this the right trimmer on a tight budget?
For a small lawn, flower beds, and light weeds, yes, and the included battery count is genuinely unusual at this level. If your goal is to stop using a gas machine for edge work, this does that quietly and cheaply with none of the starting, mixing, or maintenance.
The included spools also mean you will not run out of consumables in the first month, which is where many budget purchases quietly go wrong.
Where the Heywork falls short
Thick growth and long-term certainty. The power ceiling is real once the vegetation is established or woody, and the smaller review history means you are buying on a shorter track record. If you know you will be clearing brambles or a field every year, spend up a tier.
10. WORX WG173 20V 13 in 3-in-1: the pick that also mows a small patch
WORX 20V 13″ 3-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer/Lawn Edger/Mini Mower, WG173
Battery powered
13 in cut
6.6 lb
Brushless
3-in-1 head
Pros
- Brushless motor cuts thick crabgrass and multi-inch stalks
- 3-in-1 covers trimming edging and mini mowing
- Light 6.6 lb body with telescopic shaft
- Support wheels make edging straight
- Command Feed does not overfeed the line
Cons
- 4.0Ah runtime falls short of an hour on heavy work
- Do not leave the battery sitting in a plugged-in charger
- Extendable flower guard is not included on the US version
The WG173 solves a specific problem: the strip of grass along a fence or the patch of lawn a mower cannot reach. With a 90 degree pivoting head it trims, edges, and cuts as a mini mower, and owners describe it as the fastest way to tidy those leftover areas without a second machine.
Underneath the versatility it is stronger than the 20V class it shares a voltage with, because the brushless motor handles thick crabgrass and multi-inch weed stalks. At 6.6 pounds with a 7-position handle and a telescopic shaft, it fits a wide range of user heights, and the support wheels keep edging lines straight.
Three real quirks. Runtime on heavy work is under an hour even with the 4.0Ah pack. Do not leave the battery in a plugged-in charger, as owners report it slowly draining to zero. And the extendable flower guard shown in listings is not included on the US version, so if you need one, order it separately.
Some users also find the spool rewinding procedure takes practice, though Command Feed itself is well liked for not wasting string.
Is a 3-in-1 trimmer better than a dedicated one?
It is better for a specific job, not a general one. If your recurring pain point is unmowable grass in corners, along fences, or on a slope, the mini mower mode handles it with one tool and one battery. If you trim a normal lawn, a dedicated two-in-one is lighter and does its one job better.
The shared POWER SHARE battery also means the same pack runs other WORX tools, which is a quiet reason this configuration tends to be bought once and kept for years.
Where the WG173 falls short
As a primary trimmer it is slightly less refined than a dedicated unit, and the charging and flower guard caveats above are real. Expect to charge between jobs on heavy growth, and expect to add a guard if you are working close to planted beds.
How to Choose a String Trimmer
Eight criteria decide this purchase, and only two of them are the motor. Work through them in this order and the machine picks itself.
1. Power source. Cordless has closed the gap for residential work and won on convenience, but a small gas machine still makes sense for sustained cutting on acreage, thick brush, or commercial routes where a battery swap mid-row costs you more than it saves.
2. Voltage and platform. Voltage tells you about power: 20V suits light edging, 40V is the sweet spot for most yards, 60V to 80V handles growth and saplings. The platform matters as much as the number, because a second battery and a blower or edger are bought for the same ecosystem.
3. Cutting swath. This is the width of one pass. A 12 inch swath is efficient enough for beds and edges, 15 to 16 inches covers a backyard meaningfully faster. Bigger is not automatically better, because a wider head is harder to control in tight spaces.
4. Head and line feed. Bump feed is the classic, cheap, and endlessly debated. Powered auto feed and auto-sensing heads like Line IQ keep a consistent length without stopping. Whichever you choose, confirm the head accepts bulk nylon line you wind yourself, since proprietary cartridges create a recurring cost and a supply problem.
5. Shaft and handle. A telescoping shaft sets the machine to your height and shortens it for storage. A second handle or an included shoulder strap matters more than people expect on anything above 8 pounds, because balance determines whether you finish the yard.
6. Debris guard. A guard is not about your legs only. It keeps line away from shrubs, keeps stones off your body, and shapes where clippings land. Look for one that adjusts, and note that a smaller guard lets you work closer to obstacles.
7. Weight and balance. Read the weight, then check whether it is evenly distributed. A 6 pound trimmer with a good center of gravity beats a 7 pound one that pulls to one side, and for older users or anyone with shoulder issues, the lighter machine is the correct choice even if it means less power.
8. Noise and neighbours. Cordless runs quiet enough for early mornings and close-in housing, which is one of the strongest practical arguments for it. If you already own a gas machine, this is a non-issue.
Cordless vs Gas and What Professionals Actually Use
Professionals split by the job, not by brand loyalty. Day-to-day maintenance crews work commercial platforms because uptime and repair access matter more than noise. Residential crews and municipal grounds teams increasingly run battery platforms for the same reasons homeowners do, with EGO, Milwaukee, and DeWalt appearing most often, and gas still going out for woody growth and long remote cuts.
The head-to-head questions come up constantly, so here is a direct answer. EGO versus Milwaukee is a platform decision more than a tool decision: EGO is strong on wide swaths and head automation, Milwaukee is strong on torque and a very broad pro tool ecosystem, and neither is the wrong answer. The question you should actually ask is which brand already owns your batteries.
For gas-versus-cordless in general, the deciding variables are yard size, weed density, and how long a session runs. Under half an acre of maintained lawn with mostly edge work, cordless wins. Several acres, thick growth, or hours of continuous cutting per day, gas still wins. The awkward middle case, a mid-size property with a neglected corner, is exactly where the 40V and 80V machines in this list make the most sense.
One honest point about cost over time. The machine is only part of it. A second battery is a real expense on any platform, and on premium cordless systems it is the line item that decides the true cost over five years. Buyers who commit to one platform and spread the cost across a blower, an edger, and a mower come out ahead almost every time.
How to Pick Trimmer Line and Keep It Out of the Head
Line quality decides how good your trimmer feels. More owners blame disappointing performance on the line than on the machine, and switching to a better line is the cheapest improvement available to you.
Shape. Round line is cheap, durable, and the least effective at slicing. Twisted line has a visible twist that lets each segment flex like a small saw. Triangular line has edges that cut harder and holds its shape against stone and concrete. For most lawns, twisted or triangular beats round at the same price.
Diameter. Thicker line cuts better and lasts longer but needs a heavier head and drains the battery faster. 0.065 inch suits a 20V machine and light work, 0.080 inch is a solid general choice, and 0.095 inch belongs on machines built for it, like the 15 and 16 inch models here. Do not force thick line onto a light head, because the head bends and the motor strains.
Condition. Nylon goes brittle. Buy in small quantities you will use within a season rather than a bulk spool that will sit for two years, and store the line where it stays cool and dry.
The water trick. A widely repeated owner habit is to keep spare line and spools submerged in a bucket of water. Hydrated line stays flexible and is far less likely to weld itself into the head or snap on the spool. It takes seconds and it fixes more feed problems than any head swap.
Troubleshooting: Why the Line Will Not Feed
If the line will not come out, resist the urge to blame the trimmer. The fault is in the head, the spool, or the line, and the diagnosis takes five steps. Work them in order, because each one rules out the last.
1. Check the line condition first. Brittle, glazed, or old line jams in the head. Pull a short test length and bend it. If it cracks or snaps rather than flexing, that is your answer, and fresh line fixes it.
2. Confirm the head type and method. Bump feed requires tapping the head against a hard surface while the motor is running. A powered auto-feed head needs a charged battery and a working trigger. A Line IQ style head senses wear and should not respond to bumping at all, so use the method the head actually has.
3. Inspect the spool and the eyelets. On a spool head, line must exit through both eyelets in the correct direction. Wound backwards, it will not feed. On a bump or auto head, check the spool is seated flat and the retaining nut is tight enough to grip the spool walls.
4. Look for a jam or welded lump. Line wound too tight, or line overheated from friction, welds into a lump that the head cannot push out. Open the head, cut the spool free, and rewind at low tension. Owners who fix this once rarely see it again, and the water storage habit above prevents a repeat.
5. Check for over-extension. If line feeds but the head stalls, too much line is coming out at once. Set the spool to its shorter setting and re-test. On auto-feed heads, an over-extended line gets chopped by the blade and looks like a feed problem when it is a length problem.
For auto-feed heads specifically, if the trigger is held fully for several seconds and nothing comes out, the head is usually not the problem: check the battery, since several of these machines will not feed line below a charge threshold. A clogged or hardened head is the second cause, and cleaning the feed button with compressed air resolves it more often than owners expect.
Safety Habits That Prevent Most Injuries
Almost every trimmer injury comes from one of four mistakes, and all four are avoidable. Wear eye protection every time, because line throws stones and clippings at eye level even with a guard fitted. Use hearing protection on anything with a gas engine or a high-rpm brushless motor.
Clear the work area before you start. Hidden wire, hose, and irrigation line are the most common kickback causes, and a kickback with a spinning head is the most dangerous failure mode there is. Finally, keep both hands on the machine, never let the line run at full length near people, and stop the head before you lift the trimmer or walk with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What string trimmer do professionals use?
Professionals split by the job. Commercial maintenance crews work commercial platforms for uptime and repair access, while residential and grounds crews increasingly run battery platforms from EGO, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. Gas still goes out for woody growth, long remote cuts, and acreage work, because fuel capacity and sustained torque beat battery convenience there.
Are cordless string trimmers as powerful as gas?
For maintained residential lawns, yes. A 40V or 80V cordless machine with brushless power and 0.080 to 0.095 line handles the growth that stalls 20V models. Gas still wins for acres of dense brush, thick woody stems, and full-day commercial cutting, where sustained torque and fuel capacity matter more than low maintenance.
Why is my string trimmer line not feeding?
Check the line first, because brittle or old nylon jams and snaps instead of feeding. Then confirm you are using the method the head has: bump feed needs a tap against a hard surface while running, auto-feed needs a charged battery and a held trigger, and auto-sensing heads should not respond to bumping. Next inspect the spool seating and winding direction, and look for a welded lump from line wound too tightly. If the head is jammed, open it, cut the spool free, and rewind with low tension.
What is the most reliable string trimmer?
Reliability tracks the line system more than the motor. Machines with spools you wind yourself from bulk nylon, and long tool warranties, tend to have the fewest long-term complaints. In this roundup the BLACK+DECKER LST136 and the EGO ST1502SA stand out for build and warranty length, while machines with non-standard cartridges score lower because a failed head becomes a parts problem.
Is EGO or Milwaukee better for string trimming?
It is a platform decision more than a tool decision. EGO leads on wide cutting swaths and automated head systems such as Line IQ and PowerLoad, while Milwaukee leads on torque and a very broad professional tool ecosystem. Neither is the wrong answer, and the practical question is which brand already owns your batteries, since a second battery and shared chargers are the real cost of the choice.
Conclusion: Which String Trimmer Should You Buy
Start with the WORX WG163 if you want the lightest machine and a full set of batteries in the box, which is why it is our pick of the best string trimmers in 2026 for most homes. Go to the BLACK+DECKER LST300 if you want the simplest machine with the automatic feed spool. Step up to the BLACK+DECKER LST136 when the growth on your property is thicker than lawn edges, and look at the EGO ST1623T if weekly trimming has made line handling the part of the job you most want to stop doing.
Whichever you choose, the two habits that matter most are buying good line and winding your own spool. They cost a few dollars, they fix most feed complaints before they start, and they make any of these ten machines feel better than its spec sheet suggests.