Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
You want the edge gone without dragging an extension cord through wet grass or wrestling a pull-start that refuses to catch. Every pick below delivers that, with the runtime and weight specs spelled out. Two specs decide a cordless trimmer: battery runtime and in-hand weight.
This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Below you will find the runtime figures, cutting widths, and line sizes laid out plainly, plus the honest trade-offs that matter once the trimmer is in your shed. Every pick here is a battery-powered yard trimmer that starts with a trigger pull and runs without gas, oil, or a cord.
Top Picks
How To Choose The Best Battery-Powered Yard Trimmer
Most people buy a cordless trimmer by looking at the voltage number on the box and nothing else. That is the wrong first move. Voltage tells you the ceiling of the tool’s power, but runtime, weight, and the cutting width are what you actually feel on a Saturday morning.
Start with the shape of your yard
A small city lot with a few fence lines does not need a heavy high-voltage machine. A 12-inch cutting swath (the width of grass the head clears in a single pass) is plenty, and the lighter tool is easier to swing along a short run. Larger lots with long borders and thick growth want a 16-inch swath and a brushless motor, because fewer passes and less stalling get you back inside sooner.
Weight is a spec you feel in your shoulders
A trimmer that feels fine in the store gets old after twenty minutes of holding it out at arm’s length. Look at the listed weight and think about who will carry it. A 5.7-pound machine is easy for almost anyone; an 18.7-pound machine is a two-hands-and-a-shoulder-strap job, which is why some kits include a strap.
Battery platform beats raw voltage
If you already own a drill or blower from a brand, staying inside that brand’s battery system saves you from buying packs twice. A trimmer that shares packs with a mower, blower, and hedge cutter is worth more than a slightly more powerful one that stands alone. Check the amp-hour (Ah) rating on the included battery too — that number is the size of the fuel tank, and it drives how long you can run before a recharge.
Line feed and re-spooling
Bumping the head on the ground to feed more line is the classic method and it works. Automatic feed heads release line without any bumping, and twist-in or load-and-go heads cut the fiddly re-spooling job down to seconds. If you hate restringing, pay attention to which head design the trimmer uses.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Best For | Cutting Swath | Weight | Battery Included | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita XRU12SM1 18V LXT★ Best Overall | Precision edging and quiet work | — | 12 lb | 1 x 4.0Ah Li-Ion | Amazon |
| BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LST300Budget Champion | Small yards on a tight budget | 12 in | 5.7 lb | 1 x 2.0Ah Li-Ion | Amazon |
| CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST901M1Longest Runtime | Long runtime for the money | 13 in | — | 1 x 4.0Ah | Amazon |
| RYOBI ONE+ 18V P20180 | Lightweight trimming and edging | 13 in | 7 lb | 1 x 4.0Ah | Amazon |
| Greenworks 60V ST60L413 | Thick grass and attachment expansion | 16 in | 18.7 lb | 1 x 4.0Ah Li-Ion | Amazon |
| SKIL PWR CORE 40 PLT1500C-10 | Wide swath on a mid-range budget | 16 in | 14.5 lb | 1 x 4.0Ah Li-Ion | Amazon |
| Worx 40V WG186 Nitro | Two batteries and attachment sharing | 15 in | 11.9 lb | 2 x 4.0Ah Li-Ion | Amazon |
| Milwaukee M18 2828-21 | Heavy-duty trimming | 16 in | 16.1 lb | 1 battery (included) | Amazon |
| Greenworks 80V ST80L253 | Demanding yards, gas-like power | 16 in | 16.6 lb | 1 x 2.0Ah Li-Ion | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
1. Makita XRU12SM1 18V LXT String Trimmer Kit
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 450+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
A trimmer that thinks for itself, shifting power only when the weeds demand it.
Here is what makes this one the pick to beat: an automatic torque mode that reads the load and moves the motor speed up or down on its own. When you hit a patch of thick weeds it adds power; when you are running a clean edge along the driveway it backs off to save battery. You can also take manual control with the 3-speed selector — 4,000 RPM on low, 5,000 on medium, and 6,000 RPM on high — so you decide whether this run is about muscle or about stretching the charge.
The brushless motor is the reason this tool stays cool and keeps its punch instead of fading as the pack drains. It runs quiet enough that you can hear someone call your name over it, and at 12 pounds it is the lightest of the high-capacity machines in this group. A bump-and-feed head loaded with 0.080″ twisted quiet line comes ready to run out of the kit. The whole package — tool, 4.0Ah battery, and charger — carries a 3-year limited warranty.
What wins people over most is the build quality; the tool feels solid rather than plasticky, and the power delivery is smooth enough to feather around flower beds. Runtime is the other headline — buyers routinely get their whole yard done on a single charge, some even twice. The honest catch is the shaft trigger button, which a subset of users find stiff or awkward under repeated presses, and a small number question long-term durability at the joint. Neither is a deal-stopper for most, but it is the thing to watch if you have hand-strength limits.
Where it earns its place
- Automatic torque mode adds power only when the grass fights back
- 3-speed selector from 4,000 to 6,000 RPM for runtime control
- 12 pounds — light for a high-capacity 18V kit
- 3-year limited warranty on tool, battery, and charger
- Quiet operation compared with gas and older corded models
What to keep in mind
- Trigger button is stiff for some hands over long sessions
- Durability opinions split at the shaft joint
- Premium-tier kit with a single 4.0Ah battery
Reach for this if: you want one trimmer that handles both delicate edging and sudden thick patches without you touching a dial.
Think twice if: a stiff trigger aggravates your hands — a lighter-control machine may suit you better.
2. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and Edger LST300
The one that turns a chore into a fifteen-minute loop around a small yard.
At 5.7 pounds, this is the machine you barely notice carrying — and that is the whole point. It weighs a fraction of a heavy-duty kit, which makes it a natural fit for smaller yards, older users, and anyone who dreads hauling a chunky tool along a fence line. The POWERDRIVE transmission spins the head at 6200 RPM, and the 12-inch steel deck keeps the cutting swath tight enough to work around shrubs without scalping them.
The 2-in-1 trim-or-edge design flips from trimming to edging in seconds, so driveway and walkway cleanup is a quick pivot rather than a second tool. The Automatic Feed Spool releases fresh line as needed without bumping the head on the ground — a real convenience if you have ever stopped mid-run to whack the trimmer on the lawn. A 2.0Ah lithium-ion pack and a wall-mountable charging base are in the box, and the whole thing carries a 2-year limited warranty.
Why it stays on the list: few trimmers are this easy to pick up and start using. The weight, the auto-feed head, and the instant trim-to-edge switch add up to a tool anyone in the house can grab and run.
The trade you make: it is built for light and basic work. If your yard is large or your weeds are woody, you will want more power and a wider swath than this class offers — that is a job-fit call, not a fault.
Best for: small city lots, quick touch-ups, and households where the lightest tool always wins.
Look elsewhere if: you are clearing heavy brush across a big lot — step up to a 16-inch brushless machine.
3. CRAFTSMAN V20 String Trimmer and Lawn Edger Kit (CMCST901M1)
Sixty-three minutes of runtime in a mid-range kit that undercuts the heavy hitters.
Runtime is the number this trimmer is built around — up to 63 minutes on a charge from the included 4.0Ah V20 battery. That is enough to run a full border and then some, and it is the sort of figure you usually only see on pricier machines. The 13-inch cutting swath clears a decent lane per pass, and the motor is rated for 52% more power than the previous generation, so thick grass does not bog it down.
A two-speed selector lets you pick between stretch-the-charge and full-power modes, and the Turn-To-Edge function flips the head for clean driveway lines without a second tool. The adjustable handle lets you set the grip where your hands want it, which keeps a long session comfortable. Line is 0.065″ and feeds from an included spool; the kit also brings the CMCB204 4.0Ah battery and charger, and it is part of the wider V20 system so the pack runs other CRAFTSMAN tools.
Owners describe this as a workhorse that can edge an entire yard several times on one charge, and they tend to single out how light it feels for the runtime it delivers. The wrinkle worth knowing: with an item listed at 7.72 inches wide, the tool dimensions look tight, but the balance in hand is what matters more, and it holds up well along a long run. If your property is mostly fence line and border, this is a genuinely strong value.
Pick this one for: long borders where runtime outranks every other spec and you want V20 battery sharing with the rest of the CRAFTSMAN range.
Skip the upgrade if: you only trim a couple of small patches — you would not use a fraction of the 63 minutes.
4. RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger
Seven pounds, an adjustable cutting width, and a pivot head for clean edges.
At 7 pounds, this RYOBI sits in the easy-to-swing class, and the 4.0Ah battery and charger come in the box so you are not hunting for a pack on day one. The head pivots for edging, the variable-speed trigger gives you fine control around beds and borders, and the automatic feed head saves you the bump-and-grind. It is also flexible with line — it runs both 0.065″ and 0.080″ trimmer line, so you are not locked to one spool.
You can squeeze between plants or clear a longer run, because the cutting width adjusts from 11 inches up to a 13-inch swath. A 3-year warranty backs the kit. It also slots into the RYOBI ONE+ battery system (one battery family that runs many RYOBI tools), which is the real draw if you already own other ONE+ tools.
Battery life is the star: the runtime is what keeps most people happy — the pack holds up for the yard without an anxious recharge in the middle. Weight is close behind; it stays light through the whole job.
Honest note on controls: the general build quality and the ease of swapping between trimmer and edger modes get split reactions. Some owners find the switch intuitive, others find the changeover fussier than expected. It is a feel thing, so it may be worth a look in person if you edge as often as you trim.
Go this route if: you are already in the ONE+ ecosystem and want a light, battery-and-charger-included trimmer with an adjustable width.
Weigh the control feel first if: you plan to switch between trimming and edging constantly and want a simple changeover.
5. Greenworks 60V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer, 4.0 Ah Battery
A 16-inch swath and a 60V brushless motor aimed squarely at overgrown borders.
The headline here is reach and muscle together: a 16-inch cutting swath paired with a 60V brushless motor that stays strong through thicker grass. You cover more ground per pass, which matters when the border runs the length of a big yard. The Load N’ Go head makes reloading line a quick job, and the 0.095″ dual line is a thicker gauge that stands up to rougher growth between respools.
This is also a longer tool — 68.5 inches long against the RYOBI’s 28 inches — which means a taller reach and less bending for anyone who finds a short trimmer hard on the back. The trade for all that is weight: 18.7 pounds is heavy, and it is the heaviest machine in this group. Greenworks includes an adjustable shoulder strap to spread that load, and it covers the tool and battery with a 4-year limited warranty. The shaft is attachment-capable too, so it can take compatible Greenworks attachments and the battery works across the broader 60V lineup.
What buyers praise most is the raw cut quality — it slices through overgrown clumps that stall lighter trimmers, and the shoulder strap earns its keep on long sessions. Battery life is the honest split point. Some owners get a solid 40 minutes of nonstop trimming; others find the weight tiring before the charge runs out. Plan your runs around the recharge and it serves you well.
Why it suits a big yard
- 16-inch swath clears more ground per pass
- 0.095″ dual line for tougher growth
- Load N’ Go head for quick reloads
- Shoulder strap included to spread the weight
- 4-year limited warranty on tool and battery
The trade you accept
- 18.7 pounds is genuinely heavy to swing
- Runtime around 40 minutes nonstop for some
- Taller frame takes more shed space
Made for: homeowners with long, overgrown borders who value cutting reach and a strap over a featherweight frame.
Pass if: you have shoulder or back limits and need the lightest tool you can find.
6. SKIL PWR CORE 40 Multi-Head System PLT1500C-10
A 40V system head that swaps attachments and clears a 16-inch lane.
The multi-head design is the reason to look here. The 40V power head takes SKIL 40V attachments, so the same base unit can grow into other yard tasks without buying whole new tools. The 16-inch cutting swath handles tall grass and thick weeds in wide passes, and the digital brushless motor is built for efficient power delivery and a longer tool life than a brushed motor. For comparison, that 16-inch swath compares with the BLACK+DECKER’s 12-inch cut.
On the battery side, SKIL wraps each cell in cooling material in its PWR CORE 40 packs, and the maker states that design delivers 25% longer runtime and 2X battery life. The two-speed selector lets you lean toward power or toward runtime, a dual-line bump feed releases line with a tap, and the Twist Load head simplifies respooling to an insert-and-twist job. An adjustable auxiliary grip adds control, and the kit comes with the 4.0Ah battery and an Auto PWR JUMP charger.
What buyers call out most is effectiveness — it takes on tough weeds and thick grass without complaint, and it does so with a battery that typically runs about 45 minutes. The honest note is weight: at 14.5 pounds, opinions split on whether it feels heavy in hand. It is not a featherweight, so factor in your own strength and yard size before committing.
Consider this if: you want a 16-inch cut plus an attachment-ready platform and a charger that tops up fast.
Hold off if: a 14.5-pound tool feels like too much to carry through a long trimming session.
7. Worx 40V 15″ Cordless String Trimmer (WG186)
Two 4.0Ah packs in the box, so a dead battery never ends the job.
Count the batteries: this kit ships with two 4.0Ah Power Share Pro packs and a dual-slot charger. That is a rare setup — most trimmers give you one battery — and it means you can keep trimming while the spent pack charges. The 15-inch dual-exit cutting head is a gas-style aggressive cut, and the brushless motor runs at a no-load speed of 6000 RPM. Worx claims its brushless motor runs 50% longer, delivers 25% more power, and lasts 10% longer.
You can swap on Worx attachments, because the split-shaft DriveShare design (a shaft that separates so add-ons click on) takes them. The tool is built to fit most other brands’ attachment-capable systems too. Variable speed with an ECO mode (a low-power setting) lets you trim down power to stretch runtime. The Power Share Pro packs (Worx’s battery line) also fit the wider Worx 20V and 40V lineup, so one battery family covers a shed full of tools.
Compatibility draws the loudest praise — owners get a kick out of dropping in older Power Share batteries and having them work. The split here is battery life, where some report tons of runtime and others see closer to 45 minutes per pack, and weight, which lands on the heavier side for some hands at 11.9 pounds. The string spec also trips a few people up: check which line gauge your model wants before you reload, because the wrong spool winds up being a fuss.
Strongest argument: two high-capacity packs plus a dual charger means near-continuous runtime, and the attachment-ready shaft adds value down the line.
The friction to know: battery life varies by load, and lining up the right trimmer line takes a moment of reading. Neither is a real flaw, just part of the setup.
Made for: owners who want no-rush runtime with a spare battery hot and ready, and who like cross-tool battery sharing.
Look at a lighter pick if: 11.9 pounds feels like more than you want to swing one-handed along a fence.
8. Milwaukee M18 Brushless String Trimmer Kit (2828-21)
A 16-inch, 6200 RPM brushless kit built for demanding, heavy trimming.
This is the trimmer for the yard that fights back. The 16-inch cutting swath and a no-load speed of 6200 RPM give it the reach and spin to tear through dense growth, and the brushless motor is built for repeated heavy-duty work rather than the occasional touch-up. The kit arrives with the battery and charger, so it runs the moment it is from the start.
At 16.1 pounds it is a substantial tool, and that heft is the price of the durable, heavy-cut build. It is aimed at demanding applications and versatile trimming rather than a light once-a-month pass, so if your property has thick borders and tough sections, the extra mass works in your favor. The M18 platform is the other draw if you already own Milwaukee tools — the battery slots into the wider range.
What wins people over here is the build quality and the sense of real power behind the trigger; buyers also call out the value in the kit. The honest caveat is battery life, which splits by workload — some owners see good runtime, others see closer to thirty minutes under load. On a heavy-duty tool that is expected; plan a spare pack if you have a large lot to clear in one go.
what separates it: it is built to take abuse. You get a 16-inch swath, a 6200 RPM brushless motor (a motor with no brushes to wear out), and heavy-duty construction.
Who should think twice: anyone with a small, light yard, since a 16.1-pound tool is more than that job needs.
Best fit: thick, demanding growth and owners already invested in the M18 battery system.
Second-guess this if: you want a lightweight tool for quick weekly trims — the heft is overkill there.
9. Greenworks 80V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery
80 volts and a 16-inch path for the yard that needs serious, sustained power.
The 80V platform is the whole story: strong cutting power that stands up to thick grass and tough weeds, aimed at demanding yard maintenance rather than light cleanup. The 16-inch cutting swath with 0.095″ dual line cuts aggressively for faster, cleaner passes, and the brushless motor is tuned for more torque, quieter operation, and longer motor life. A variable-speed trigger lets you ease off around plants and shrubs and open up on open stretches.
Greenworks calls it maintenance-free — no gas, no oil, no emissions — and at 16.6 pounds it undercuts the 18.7-pound 60V model in the same family. A bump-feed head advances line with a tap so you keep moving. The 2.0Ah battery is smaller than the 4.0Ah packs on many picks here, so keep that in mind on runtime.
Buyers liken the 80V power to a 30cc gas trimmer, and one owner cleared a half-acre lot on a quarter charge. Ease of use gets steady praise, and quality leads the pack. The trade-off is weight and value holding for mixed opinions — at 16.6 pounds, some hands find it heavy, and a few wonder whether the price matches the smaller battery. For demanding green, the power is the point.
Choose it for: the most demanding yards where raw 80V cutting force is worth more than a bigger battery pack.
Consider the value question if: you want maximum capacity for the money — the 2.0Ah pack runs smaller than the 4.0Ah kits nearby.
Know the Specs
Voltage and the battery platform
Voltage sets the ceiling of the tool’s power — an 80V machine pushes harder than an 18V one. But look at the battery platform too: the packs that fit a trimmer can often run a blower or mower from the same brand, so one battery family goes further than one tool. Amp-hours (Ah) measure how much charge a pack holds, and a larger pack generally runs longer than a smaller one on the same tool.
Cutting swath and line diameter
Cutting swath is the width of grass the head clears in one pass. A wider swath — 16 inches versus a 12-inch cut — means fewer passes across a long border. Line diameter is about toughness: 0.065″ line suits light grass, while 0.080″ and 0.095″ gauges stand up to thicker, woodier growth between reloads. If you run into heavy weeds, a thicker line spares you constant respooling.
Common Questions
How long does a battery-powered trimmer actually run on a charge?
Is a higher voltage trimmer always better?
Can I use a battery from my drill in the trimmer?
What trimmer line size should I buy for these tools?
Do I need to bump the head to advance the line?
Are cordless trimmers as powerful as gas models?
How heavy is too heavy for a string trimmer?
What does brushless motor mean, and why does it matter for a trimmer?
Can I use a trimmer’s battery in a leaf blower or mower from the same brand?
Do cordless trimmers need any maintenance?
The Bottom Line
The winner among these battery-powered yard trimmer picks is the Makita XRU12SM1 — it adjusts power on its own, runs quiet, and weighs 12 pounds, so it handles delicate edging and thick patches without you touching a dial. The 3-year limited warranty covers the tool, the 4.0Ah battery, and the charger.
You can keep trimming for a long stretch with the CRAFTSMAN V20, which lists up to 63 minutes on its 4.0Ah pack (a battery rated at 4.0 amp-hours, a measure of charge). The Worx WG186 puts two 4.0Ah batteries in the box, so a dead pack never ends the job. For heavy overgrowth, the Greenworks 80V brings gas-like power. And the BLACK+DECKER LST300 stays the easy answer for small yards at 5.7 pounds.
How we choose
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of November 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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