Keeping your lawn neatly trimmed takes more than just the best mower. A weed eater is the perfect tool to cut unsightly grass and weeds in hard to mow places.
A cordless weed eater combines the best features of other trimmers, giving you both mobility and ease of use. We researched and created a list of five of the best cordless weed eaters and a guide to help you make a well-informed choice.
The weed eaters that we reviewed for this article are:
Reviews of the Best Cordless Weed Eaters
The Makita XRU02Z Cordless String Trimmer is a lightweight cordless weed eater that is ideal for precise edging as well as trimming. Weighing only 6.4 pounds, its lightweight makes this trimmer very easy to handle.
One of the best features of Makita XRU02Z is the versatility it offers. It has a 180-degree rotating head with five positions, making easy to adjust for trimming at different angles or edging. Also, a telescoping handle also makes for simple adjustment of the length of the trimmer to a comfortable position.
The Makita XRU02Z offers all the benefits of using a cordless weed eater. Providing complete freedom of movement, and being extremely easy to maintain as well. A battery-monitoring system warns the user with an indicator light when running low, and it also features an easy-loading bump feed head.
- Lightweight Ergonomic design
- Fast charging batteries take less than 30 minutes to charge
- Telescoping shaft and loop handle for comfort
- Easily adjustable head for edging
- Battery and charger sold separately, making this tool more expensive if you don’t already own Makita tools.
Another great cordless weed eater worth checking out is the WORX WG163 PowerShare String Trimmer. Lightweight with an ergonomic adjusting handle design, this trimmer by WORX is perfect for light-duty weed eating.
One of the most exciting features of this trimmer is the incredibly simple line feed system. Thanks to a push-button feed, line feeding this weed eater is so easy a child could do it.
This cordless weed eater to an edger by rotating the head 90 degrees. When in edging mode it features a pair of small wheels that support and guide the tool giving you more traction for straighter cuts. That means cleaner cuts for you that give a professional landscaping look to your yard.
This WORX Trimmer is sold with two included batteries. That’s a good thing because these batteries can take up to three hours to charge so having a second one on hand can be a huge timesaver.
- Push-button line feed
- Guide wheels provide professional looking edging.
- An adjustable spacer guard protects plants, and other landscape features when you’re trimming.
- Two batteries included
- Slow battery recharge time (3 hours)
- Switching between trimmer and edger takes a bit of effort due to a stiff locking system.
The powerful 20V WEEDWACKER by Craftsman is one of the best mid-range cordless string trimmers around. Running on a powerful brushless motor it boasts a 13-inch cutting swath. An excellent choice for suburban homes, it makes short work of most trimming jobs.
One awesome feature of this trimmer is that it has an automatic line advance system. This feature lets the trimmer feed line automatically, so no bumping is needed.
Beyond performance, this trimmer also has some excellent ergonomic features. At 8.3 lbs, it’s fairly lightweight and features an adjustable handle with a comfortable grip. It also has a telescoping shaft that lets you adjust it to a comfortable length. That shaft is also easily rotated to turn the head for edging, and a metal guide bar helps to get cleaner cuts.
The trimmer is sold with a 2Ah battery and charger, but the battery life quickly drains on the high setting. Using a 4Ah battery instead provides a much longer battery life. In the future, we would like to see Craftsman sell those bundled with these tools instead.
- Automatic line feeder
- The adjustable handle provides a large amount of control.
- Wide cutting-width for a 20V trimmer
- Backed by a three year warranty
- Short battery life with the included battery.
It’s no secret that we love Greenworks tools on this site; the company consistently makes some of the best cordless yard tools around.
The 40V DigiPro Cordless String Trimmer is an attachment-capable trimmer with an included 14-inch bump feed head. This weed eater is equipped with a powerful efficiency-boosting brushless digital motor. That motor lets this tool work longer and harder without overheating.
With the battery attached, this weed eater weighs in at 15 lbs. That makes this trimmer quite a bit heavier than the lightweight models we covered in this list. Fortunately, to compensate for this it comes with a shoulder strap to better distribute that extra weight.
Using a 2Ah Greenworks battery won’t give you enough runtime to do more than light trimming. But, with a 4Ah battery, you can expect up to an hour of runtime. That’s enough time to get a lot of trimming and edging done.
Supporting other attachment heads gives this tool a tremendous range of versatility. With the right attachment it be used as a brushcutter, pole saw, and a wide range of other useful tools. An added bonus is that its also compatible with most attachments made for gas-powered competitors. If you’re switching from a gas trimmer, this makes the 40V G-Max a great deal since you don’t need to spend on buying new attachments.
- Variable speed trigger
- The ability to use attachments of gas-powered competitors.
- Powerful brushless motor
- Great battery life
- Included shoulder strap
- A bit expensive, but given the range of tools it replaces it still provides good value.
A powerhouse weed eater built to rip and tear through overgrowth, the DEWALT 60V MAX trimmer stands up to everyday heavy-duty usage. If you’re looking for performance on par with gas-engine tools, then this could be the best cordless weed eater for the job.
An efficient brushless motor gives this trimmer excellent battery life. It also prevents it from overheating. With a low setting that provides 5600 RPM, you rarely need to kick it into high gear. And even when you do shift into high, there’s still minimal vibration. Along with the high power, this makes trimming a breeze.
A 15-inch cutting swath means you can cover a lot of ground at once and spend less time trimming overall. This weed trimmer comes with a spool of .08-inch cord, but you can bump that up to .095-inch if you have especially dense vegetation to chew through.
At 12 lbs. this trimmer can be tiring to use for extended periods and would for sure benefit from a shoulder strap. Still, this cordless weed eater is more lightweight than most gas-engine trimmers. It also helps that the position of the battery keeps it feeling well balanced.
- Real gas comparable performance
- Stands up to frequent heavy use
- Minimal vibration even in high
- FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX battery also works with DeWalt’s 20V MAX tools
- Three-year warranty
- Has an incredibly narrow string guard.
- The included charger takes up to 6 hours to charge the battery.
What features should you look for when choosing a Cordless Weed Eater?
To make your lawn look neat and professional, you need an effective and efficient trimmer. In this guide, we have mentioned some of the best cordless weed eaters available in the market. You can consider these options when looking for an effective cordless string trimmer. But, to choose the right weed eater, you have to consider various other things as well.
You need to pay special attention to specific qualities while picking out the best one for yourself. Given below are the most crucial pointers to keep in mind:
Weight
You should check the weight of a weed eater before making a purchase. Cordless weed eaters are usually lighter than gas-engine ones, but heavier than corded. Heavier trimmers can be more cumbersome to use and cause physical fatigue. This can be somewhat combated with the inclusion of a shoulder strap or harness.
The optional attachments that come along with the tool also add more weight. So, choose your product accordingly. The trimmers we have reviewed are mostly lightweight. You can choose any of them based on the features and price. Keep in mind that, in general, the more powerful a weed eater is, the heavier it will be.
Balance
Trimmers with an ergonomic design are weighted to balance at a cutting angle. A well-balanced weed eater offers more control and is less physically taxing to use. It would be best if you choose a trimmer that offers the best balance.
Safety features
Your safety should be your top concern at any point in time. Some of the standard safety guards include a shield attached over the string.
This guard prevents debris, rocks, and weeds from being tossed into your direction. Many models have cutting-guards, and other technologies focus on safety. It is better to pick those only and not opt for other models.
Noise
Electric weed eaters are much quieter than gas engine trimmers. They produce noise only when trimming, not when idle. Brushless motors run even more quietly than other electric motors.
All the five trimmers that we have reviewed in the guide cater to this factor. That is, they produce low vibration sound only. You can peacefully work on your lawn without annoying the neighbors.
Battery life
Cordless weed eaters allow you to be flexible and move anywhere you want or need to trim. They are also portable and easy to carry. But, this comes at the cost of limited battery life.
You should pay attention to battery life estimates when choosing a weed eater. Choose one that lasts long enough to avoid annoying interruptions while trimming.
If you have a large yard, it could be worth investing in a larger battery or second battery. This way, you can save time working with one battery while charging another. Fast chargers can also be another smart buy for the same reason.
Edging capability
Most cordless weed eaters also work as an edger. But, some models are better suited for this task than others.
If edging is important to you, then look for a trimmer that switches modes easily. Also, keep your eyes open for features like guide wheels that help get a cleaner edge.
Price
Price is one of the most critical aspects that you must take into consideration. There are many different models of weed eaters available on the market. So, you will not face any difficulty in finding the one that fits your budget.
Don’t compromise on quality and performance when selecting a trimmer though. The best cordless weed eaters should last you years of use.
FAQs
These questions are some common ones that you might have when choosing a weed eater. These will help you identify your needs related to the product. It will help you in finding the right and the best cordless weed eater for you.
What size is your yard?
Your choice of cordless trimmer would depend on the size of your yard. Cordless and battery-operated trimmers work well for both small and large yards. There are some features that are more important for one than the other though.
For large yards, you want heavy-duty weed eaters that speed up the task. Longer battery run times are also something that is more important with large properties. With small yards lightweight, light-duty trimmers work well and give a good performance.
Are there any obstacles in the yard?
If you have a swing set or anything else in your lawn, it could be really difficult to work with corded trimmers. However, the job will be much easier with you a cordless trimmer. Therefore, you can go ahead with a cordless trimmer of your choice.
Do you need an edger or just a trimmer?
Most string trimmers double as 2-in-1 trimmer and edgers. All you have to do is turn or twist the trimmer to turn it into an edger. Some models do convert between the two more easily than others. Some trimmers also have features to help while edging.
Summing it All Up
A cordless weed eater is one of the most versatile lawn tools for maintaining a well-kept lawn. We have reviewed five of the best cordless weed eaters for the money in this article. What weed eater would be best for you depends on your needs and requirements.
For the average homeowner, a lightweight trimmer like the WORX WG163 PowerShare Cordless String Trimmer & Edger is a perfect fit. The trimmer is easy to use, has a decent battery life, and works great on a budget.
For larger yards or more frequent heavy-duty use calls for a more powerful trimmer. The DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX String Trimmer is a powerful and durable tool that can handle landscaping demands as well as any gas trimmer.
Don’t buy a trimmer just because its regarded as the best cordless weed eater. What you need is a trimmer to solve the needs of your yard.
