Battery-powered tools are so much more convenient than gas. There’s less maintenance to worry about, and the whole experience is simpler and cleaner.
Choosing the best battery powered weed eater will revolutionize your approach to lawn care. Here’s everything you need to know to find the right one for you.
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Pros and Cons of Battery Powered Weed Eater
As with any piece of equipment, battery powered weed eaters have their pros and cons. To help you make a well-informed decision, let’s take a closer look at the ups and downsides.
Pros
The biggest pro to any battery powered tool is that you don’t have to worry about gas. If you invest in a high-quality tool with a good battery, it saves a lot of money in the long run because you don’t have to keep buying more fuel.
You also don’t have to worry about a power cord when using a battery powered tool. That means you’re not tied down to an electric outlet and can go wherever you need to go to finish the job.
Battery-powered models usually weigh less, too. Yes, the battery packs add a little bit of extra weight, but this is nothing compared to carrying around a full tank of gas. They’re also much quieter than gas-powered weed eaters and don’t require as much maintenance.
Finally, with a battery powered tool, you can go anywhere. Whether you want to head to the farthest corners of your property or stick to edging your driveway or flowerbed, a battery powered tool doesn’t hold you back.
Cons
The downside to battery powered weed eats is being somewhat limited by the battery life. Rechargeable batteries do save you money in the long run, but they rarely save you time.
Are there ways to work around this? Yes. If you have more than one battery, you’ll always have a fully charged one waiting on standby until you need it. There are also a lot of products with variable speeds so you can use a little less power to prevent the battery from running down too quickly.
The 10 Best Battery Powered Weed Eaters
If you’re looking for the best battery powered weed whacker, you’re in the right place. Here are ten of the best products available.
One of the great things about this weed eater from Worx is that it converts from weed eater to a wheel edger in seconds. The feed spool gives you line at the push of a button so you can quickly switch between the two tools.
The head of this tool tilts to make sure you get even coverage on uneven spots in your lawn. There’s also a space guard to protect the tops of flowers and other plants. When edging, the rubberized wheels give you the support you need to get a straight line, every time.
This tool weighs only 5.3 pounds, making it exceptionally lightweight and easy to maneuver. It comes with two Power Share batteries, which work with any Worx 20V or 40V tool. That’s not all, Worx also covers this tool with a three-year warranty.
This weed eater from Black+Decker also doubles as a wheeled edger, saving you the expense of having to buy a second tool. It features a power drive transmission that delivers increased torque for more power.
The Easyfeed system advances the line with a simple push of a button. This makes it easy to convert from one function to another. Use the weed eater to take care of overgrowth then switch to the edger to clean up around flower beds and sidewalks.
We love the two-speed control. It lets you use more power when you need it or use less power for an extended runtime. This tool weighs only 6.3 pounds and has a comfortable microtexture soft grip so it’s easy to use, even for long periods of time.
This tool comes with two lithium batteries, a charger, spool, and guard. It’s also covered by a three-year warranty.
3. Greenworks Cordless String Trimmer/Edger
The Greenworks trimmer and edger features a pivoting head that makes it easy to cover any area of your yard. It has three positions so you can work at multiple angles to get the results you want. It’s the perfect size for small yards under ¼ acre. A full battery gives you about 60 minutes of power.
If you already own a Greenworks tool, note that this weed eater is part of the G-24 system. That means that the same battery included with this weed whacker also powers more than 20 other Greenworks tools.
This weed eater has a wrap-around handle that is comfortable to use. Plus, the 8.82-pound weight is easy to maneuver without straining your arms and hands. Both the tool and the battery are covered by a three-year warranty.
4. DEWALT DCST922B String Trimmer
Dewalt is a well-known brand of power tools with a reputation you can trust. This weed eater is a perfect example of why. It’s easy to use, extremely durable, and able to tackle even the thickest brush.
This machine has a QuickLoad Spool made for quick and easy line replacement. The variable-speed trigger switches between high and low power easily. Use more power when you need it and back off when you don’t extend the life of the battery.
One of the coolest things about this product is the brand’s innovative folding hinge. When you’re done using it, simply fold the shaft at the hinge to reduce the length by 40 percent. This makes the tool infinitely easier to store and transport.
Dewalt covers this product with a three-year warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee. It also provides free service for one year.
5. EGO Power+ MST1501 String Trimmer
The EGO Power+ weed eater features a 15-inch string, one of the longest on our list. This means that it covers a larger area so you can do the work in fewer passes. Reloading the line is simple, too, thanks to the Rapid Reload head.
If you’re looking for a professional-grade weed eater, this is the one for you. The pre-wound 0.095-inch dual-twist line tackles thick brush and growth that’s hard to tame. Plus, it has a water-resistant design so you don’t have to worry about splashes or dew while you’re working.
This weed eater includes a special powerhead that makes it compatible with multi-head attachments in the Ego Power+ line. It also comes with a 56V lithium-ion battery that is compatible with other Power+ products. This product is also covered by Ego’s five-year warranty.
6. Makita XRU15PT1 Cordless String Trimmer Kit
Makita is another well-known brand that’s been around a long time. This weed eater demonstrates why it’s known for quality. It features a 15-inch swath that covers a wider area than some other weed eaters, cutting down on the time it takes you to cover larger areas.
This weed whacker features an automatic torque drive that shifts from 3,500 to 6,500 rpm depending on whether you need more power or longer battery life. There are three speeds so you can manage the power as you work. This kit comes with four 18V batteries. The tool requires two for power.
Another feature that shows the quality of this tool is the brushless motor. It delivers more power and speed, plus it increases the lifespan of the tool. Makita Extreme Protection Technology uses an internal seal that keeps water and dust away from internal components to make sure this one keeps going as long as possible.
7. BLACK+DECKER LST136 String Trimmer / Edger
This Black+Decker weed eater also converts to an edger, doing the job of two tools to save you money. It features a power drive transmission that delivers more power, helping you get the job done faster.
Use the power command dial to adjust the power, using more when you need it and less when you want to save battery life. It also features an automatic feed spool and converts to an edger with a simple turn of the shaft. This tool weighs only 7.8 pounds, making it easy to work for long stretches without significant fatigue.
Included with this tool are a lithium-ion battery, spool, guard, and auxiliary handle. It’s covered by a three-year home-use warranty. It also comes with a fast charger that fully charges the battery in two hours or less.
This Ryobi trimmer is made to perform to the same standards as a gas-powered trimmer without the mess and extra maintenance. It’s attachment capable, which means you can add any Ryobi attachment from the Expand It line. This makes it a very versatile tool. The attachments save you money in the long run while expanding your tool arsenal.
A premium 0.08-inch line is included, and the tool uses the Reel-Easy bump-feed string head that’s usually only found on gas-powered trimmers. It also has variable speed control so you can maintain a balance between power and battery life.
If you have a small yard of up to one acre, this battery-powered trimmer is a great choice. A 40V lithium-ion battery is included as well as a charger capable of a full recharge in only 90 minutes. Plus, the tool is covered by a five-year warranty.
9. Worx WG170.3 GT Revolution Grass Trimmer
The Worx battery-powered weed eater is three tools in one. It functions as a weed eater, wheeler edger, and mini-mower, meeting a wide range of lawn care needs. It’s compatible with all Worx 20V and 40V batteries, making it easy to keep everything powered.
Quickly and easily add more lines at the push of a button, and there’s an extra spool-holder right in the handle. Converting from one function to another is simple, too, with no tools required. There are seven handle adjustments and six head settings. All you have to do is reposition as needed to use it in another way.
This weed eater weighs less than six pounds for easy maneuverability, and the ergonomic handle is designed for comfort no matter which of the three functions you’re using.
10. Makita XRU02Z Cordless String Trimmer
This cordless weed trimmer from Makita features an ergonomic design that weighs only 6.4 pounds with the battery. The compact size is easy to maneuver. And, you can adjust the telescoping handle from 48.5 to 56.5 inches for optimal positioning.
You can also use this tool as an edger by simply rotating the head. There are five positions to choose from so you can get the angle just right for how you want to use it. The adjustable loop handle gives you a good grip no matter how you choose to position the head.
There’s a low power warning system that stops the motor and lets you know when the battery is getting low. You get about 45 minutes of runtime from a single charge. Note that the battery and charger are sold separately.
Makita offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year limited warranty on this product.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Battery Powered Weed Eater
Here are the main things to keep in mind when choosing a battery-powered weed eater:
Battery Capacity
Higher voltage batteries deliver more power, so determining how much you need is a good start. Generally, the larger your yard, the more power you need. If you have a lot of brush and overgrowth around your property, you’ll need a little more power, too.
Battery capacity determines both how much power the tool has and how long the battery lasts. That said, a lot of these tools come with variable speed so you can crank it up when you need a little more power and turn it down when you want to preserve battery life.
Run Time
Run time varies depending on the battery power and whether or not the tool allows you to make adjustments for speed. The larger your yard, the longer run time you need.
One thing to point out here is that you can easily extend the runtime of the tool by having a spare battery. This automatically doubles the time you have to work. Simply recharge the empty battery while working with the other one and you’ll always have a spare.
Speed Control (1-Speed or Variable-Speed)
Variable speed comes in handy when you have different types of growth to tackle. Slow speeds are usually enough for common grasses. But, if you have a large amount of weeds to take care of, a variable speed weed eater is the better choice.
Single-speed weed eaters are great for simple jobs. If you’re only planning to use your weed eater on regular grass growth, a single-speed is usually enough.
Line Diameter
The general rule about line diameter is the tougher the job, the thicker the line should be. Again, if you have a lot of weeds, brush, and overgrowth, you’ll need something with a little more strength behind it.
Generally, here’s how line sizes break down. Lines with diameters of 0.065 to 0.080 inches are great for everyday use. This size works well on normal, soft grasses along driveways and sidewalks.
Line with a diameter of 0.080 to 0.110 inches is best for moderate jobs and light commercial work. If you have weeks with thick stems or a lot of overgrowths, this is a suitable choice.
Anything wider than 0.110 inches is for large spaces with a lot of thick and heavy brush. This size is normally for commercial applications and works against woody shrubs and overgrowth.
Weight
Remember, you’re going to have to carry this tool around your yard with you while your work, so weight is important. Battery-powered weed eaters are generally lightweight. It’s not uncommon to find one that only weighs six or seven pounds.
Trimmer Design
There are a few things to consider when looking at the design. First, do you only need a weed trimmer? Or do you want to be able to use the tool in other ways? A lot of these weed eaters double as edgers. Converting them is easy, too. Most of the time, you only have to change the angle of the head.
Another thing to consider is storage. Do you have room for a weed eater in your shed or garage or do you have to look for something compact to make it work? If you want to save on space, look for a weed eater with a hinged handle. This lets you fold the handle down when the tool is not in use, making it super easy to store.
Included Battery and Charger
Some of these weed eaters include a battery and charger, but some don’t. There’s a good reason for this, too.
If you already have some tools, you might be familiar with the systems of the different brands. Basically, they are designed so that each tool in the system uses the same battery. This is really convenient because it means the battery you use for your chainsaw or another power tool may also work in your weed whacker.
In that case, it’s possible that you already have the battery and charger you need to get started with your weed eater, even if the tool you ordered doesn’t come with one.
If you don’t already have a nice selection of battery powered tools, don’t worry. Plenty of these battery powered weed eaters include both the battery and the charger so you’re not missing out.
How Does a Cordless Weed Eater Work?
Here’s a simple overview of how this tool works to keep your yard clear of brush and debris.
First, you have to charge the battery and plug it into the weed eater so that it has power. Once it’s powered on, the magic happens.
The battery powers the motor, which is connected to the spinning part of the weed eater by the shaft. The motor turns a mechanism inside the shaft which, in turn, spins the rotor that holds the string.
The string is housed in the cutting head, which is the part that actually spins around, rotating the string. It is the speed of the small string being whipped around in a circle that actually cuts the weeds.
5 Helpful Tips For Using Your Battery Powered Weed Eater
Using a battery powered weed eater is pretty easy, but here are five tips to help you get the most out of it.
1. Always wear protective gear. Weed eaters through small bits of grass and debris everywhere, and they move at a really high speed. Protective eyewear, long sleeves, and long pants are all necessary to protect yourself from injury.
You should always wear gloves, too. Not only will they protect your hands from flying debris, but they will also make gripping the weed eater for larger periods a little more comfortable. They might even help avoid blisters.
2. Check for obstacles in your yard before you get to work. For example, you don’t want to park your car in the driveway on the day you’re planning to use your weed eater. Small pieces of grass and rocks will fly through the air and can damage your vehicle or someone else’s.
3. Don’t use your weed trimmer when the grass is wet. You should avoid using any electric tool when it’s raining or wet outside to avoid being shocked. Wet grass can also be very slippery, and falling when using your weed eater can result in serious injury.
4. Only use compatible accessories and supplies. For example, if your weed eater is designed to be used with a string of a certain thickness, don’t try to use something that’s thicker or thinner. The tool was not meant to be used that way and it could lead to damage or injury.
5. Don’t use your weed eater when other people are around. We mentioned that these machines throw out a lot of debris. While you yourself are likely well-protected while using it, people walking by will not be.
Conclusion
There are a lot of great options out there when it comes to battery-powered weed eaters.
All of the products we included in our review are great, but the one that stuck out the most is WORX WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless String Trimmer & Edger. We love that you can use it as either a weed whacker or an edger and that switching from one to the other is so easy to do.
Since this product comes with a space guard, you can be sure not to damage your flowers or any other plants you want to remain intact. We really like the rubberized wheels, too. They’re perfect for maintaining a straight edge for professional results.
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