The 10 Best String Trimmers
Updated by · How we research
Battery, gas or cord: 10 string trimmers compared on power, cutting width, runtime, weight and warranty. The EGO Power+ ST1502SA suits most yards. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
On a battery trimmer, one charge lasts roughly 30 to 60 minutes, so a big yard may need a second pack or a gas engine. A string trimmer, also called a weed eater or weed wacker, spins nylon line to cut grass and weeds along fences, beds, walks and other spots a mower can't reach. Homeowners and landscapers both rely on one.
Editor's Notes
October 19, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
For most suburban yards, the EGO Power+ ST1502SA is now the trimmer to get. The old list had mostly aged out. The Husqvarna 324L and Greenworks 21212 are gone, the old Craftsman WeedWacker listing now shows a different gas model that isn't available, the Makita XRU15PT1 kit is out of stock, and the Echo SRM-225 had no current listing we could trust. We also dropped the Ego Power Plus ST1521S, which EGO is replacing and which was selling far above its usual price, and the Black and Decker LST136, which still sells but now offers less for the money than newer kits.
The DeWalt DCST970X1, Ryobi RY40250 and Worx WG163 stay. The EGO Power+ ST1623T is there for anyone tired of bumping and rewinding line. The Husqvarna 130L covers gas, the Echo DSRM-2100 and Greenworks 60V ST60L413 cover bigger lawns, and the Greenworks 40V 2101602 and corded Black+Decker BESTA510 keep the cost down.
We leaned on Bob Vila's 22-trimmer battery test, Consumer Reports' findings, makers' specs and owner feedback, and we checked every brand for recalls. Husqvarna's 2024 recall of older 130L trimmers is the one to know about if you shop used.
December 03, 2020:
We've made quite a few changes during this update, as the competitive world of string trimmers sees multiple new models arrive every year. We've replaced two older items with their newer, better versions - the Ego Power Plus ST1521S and the Worx WG163 2-in-1, both of which continue to rate highly. We've also added the Ryobi Expand-It Cordless, which can be used with a variety of attachments, and the Dewalt Flexvolt DCST970X1, a professional-grade machine for heavy-duty jobs.
The Makita XRU15PT1 is a good middle-of-the-road option, with three speeds for greater control. Another newcomer is the Echo SRM-225 Straight, which has several user-friendly features to make your work a little easier. We've also added a new listing under Special Honors from one of the top brands in the game.
We've removed the Black and Decker 3-in-1 because its mower function received not-so-great reviews, and the Remington RM1159 because its price grew higher as its ratings fell. The Husqvarna HU625HWT is no longer available. Finally, we've updated the information on several items, including the Husqvarna 324L, the Greenworks 21212, and the Craftsman WeedWacker.
April 13, 2019:
With the proliferation of highly efficient battery technology, there are more varieties of landscaping tools available than ever before. Depending on the size of your yard and the type of grass and brush it's populated with, you can get by with a light- or heavy-duty battery-powered model, though more extensive jobs or rural areas may still call for a gas-powered device. Small yards may be well served by the Black and Decker 3-in-1 or the Worx WG162. Worx's trimmers offer a pair of incredibly helpful wheels that stabilize the device and keep the lines straight. Their WG180 is set up similarly, though it has considerably more power, as well as an adjustable guard around the trimming mechanism to protect flowers, bushes, trees, and other sensitive objects in and around your lawn and garden. The GreenWorks and Black and Decker LST136 are additional light-duty models that don't make a lot of noise or spit out smelly exhaust. But if you have considerable material to trim, consider the Ego Power+, considered by quite a few hands-on reviewers to be the best of the bunch. It offers a great balance of cutting power and portability.
If you decide that you do need a more traditionally fueled unit, the Craftsman is an excellent choice, though you will have to mix up the proper gas and oil for its 2-cycle engine. To skip that step, consider the Husqvarna, which actually uses a 4-cycle engine, and as such runs on pure gasoline. It's quite expensive, however. Finally, for considerably larger tasks, Husqvarna and Remington both offer rolling models that are slightly similar in design to a standard lawnmower, though of course they're overkill for the average residential yard.
Special Honors
Stihl FS 91 R Stihl sells mainly through local dealers. Its FS 91 R is a professional gas trimmer with a 28.4 cc 4-MIX engine, a four-stroke design that still runs on standard 50:1 two-stroke mix, so there's no oil to change. It holds 24 fluid ounces of fuel and weighs 12 pounds without fuel or cutting gear. Stihl says it isn't sold in California. stihlusa.com
Battery, Gas Or Corded
Corded trimmers cost the least, weigh little and never run out of charge, but the cord limits how far you can go.
Battery trimmers are now the default for most homes. Consumer Reports found that the best battery models narrowly outscore the best gas ones overall, though gas keeps a small edge in tall grass and weeds (Consumer Reports). The catch is runtime. Most battery trimmers run 30 minutes or less per charge, and as little as 10 minutes in thick growth, so bigger yards call for a second battery. Buying a battery trimmer also means buying into a battery system. If you already own 40-volt or 56-volt tools from one brand, staying with it saves the cost of a new pack.
Gas trimmers suit acreage, brush and daily work. Most use two-stroke engines that burn gas mixed with oil at 50:1, as Husqvarna specifies for its 130L, and they need a pull start and seasonal care. They're also loud. Bob Vila puts gas trimmers around 90 decibels, against about 77 for cordless models (Bob Vila), and NIOSH sets its recommended exposure limit at 85 decibels averaged over eight hours (CDC NIOSH).
Corded trimmers cost the least, weigh little and never run out of charge, but the cord limits how far you can go. They make sense for small lots with an outdoor outlet.
Cutting Width, Line Size And The Head
Cutting width, or swath, is the circle the line sweeps. Twelve to 14 inches is enough for a small yard. Fifteen to 18 inches clears big lawns and long fence lines in fewer passes, but it takes more power. Line diameter matters as much. Light trimmers use 0.065-inch line, which breaks in heavy weeds, while 0.080-inch line is a middle ground and 0.095 inch and up holds up in tough growth (Bob Vila). Use only the sizes your manual lists.
The head is where trimmers differ most in daily use. A bump head lets out line when you tap it on the ground. Automatic heads feed on their own, and some, such as EGO's Line IQ, sense when the line is short. Reload systems such as EGO Powerload, Husqvarna Rapid Replace and Echo Speed-Feed (Echo) let you wind in new line without taking the head apart, which was a fiddly job on older heads.
Shape counts too. Straight shafts reach under shrubs and suit taller users, and many accept attachments such as edgers and pole saws. Curved shafts are shorter and lighter. Listing weights are unreliable: some show shipping weight, and many leave out the battery, so compare weights with the battery in place where a maker gives one (Reviewed).
Safety Gear, Brush And Recalls
A trimmer throws stones, glass and twigs at high speed. Ohio State University Extension advises safety glasses rated ANSI Z87.1 with side shields, a face shield over them for heavy work, long pants and sturdy boots (Ohio State University Extension). Keep the guard on, keep people and pets well back, and watch for parked cars and windows. Remove the battery before clearing tangled line or changing the head, and refuel a gas unit only after the engine cools.
A string trimmer isn't a brush cutter. Woody stems and saplings call for a brush cutter with a metal blade, and a blade should never go on a trimmer that isn't rated for one.
We checked each brand against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall list. One string-trimmer recall touches this page: in 2024 Husqvarna recalled about 403,000 gas trimmers, including older 130L models, over an ignition wiring fire hazard, with a free dealer repair (CPSC). The notice lists specific SKUs, so check the label on any used or old-stock 130L. Recent EGO and Ryobi recalls involved hedge trimmers, not string trimmers.
How we researched this
We compared 22 string trimmers, battery, gas and corded, read the makers' spec pages and the independent tests published by Bob Vila, Reviewed and T3, plus Consumer Reports' published findings, analyzed owner feedback patterns, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls. The 3D models are built from published dimensions.
Sources (12)
- Bob Vila: The Best Battery-Powered String Trimmers
- Consumer Reports: Gas vs. electric string trimmer
- Consumer Reports: EGO ST1502SA
- Reviewed: The best string trimmers
- T3: EGO Power+ ST1521S review
- Husqvarna: 130L string trimmer
- Echo: DSRM-2100
- Stihl: FS 91 R
- Stihl: 4-MIX engine technology
- CPSC: Husqvarna recalls grass trimmers due to fire hazard
- Ohio State University Extension: string trimmer safety
- CDC NIOSH: Noise and hearing loss
Frequently asked questions
Is a weed eater the same as a string trimmer?
Yes. String trimmer, weed eater, weed wacker and line trimmer all name the same tool. Weed Eater began as a brand name and became the everyday word for it.
How long does a battery string trimmer run?
Most run about 30 to 45 minutes on a charge at moderate speed, and as little as 10 minutes in thick growth. A larger amp-hour battery or a second pack extends that.
Can a string trimmer cut thick brush?
It handles grass and soft weeds. Woody stems and saplings need a brush cutter with a metal blade. Never fit a blade to a trimmer that isn't rated for one.
What size trimmer line should I use?
Use the sizes your manual lists. Light trimmers take 0.065-inch line, 0.080 inch is a middle ground, and 0.095 inch or heavier suits tough weeds on more powerful trimmers.
What should I look for when buying a trimmer?
Pick the power source first, then cutting width, weight with the battery or fuel, how the head feeds and reloads line, the battery system you already own and the warranty.
What fuel does a gas trimmer need?
Most two-stroke trimmers, including the Husqvarna 130L, run on gas mixed with two-stroke oil at 50:1. Stihl's 4-MIX four-stroke engines use the same mix. Check your manual.
