Nowadays, string trimmers are rapidly gaining popularity as reliable garden maintenance tools.
These power tools allow you to perform easy and quick trimming work in your backyard and also clean up areas that lawnmowers might miss.
However, if you are actively searching for a landscaping tool, it is best to first find out about the best types and models available in the market.
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String trimmers come in various shapes and sizes and it is essential to get the right tool for the job.
Therefore, we have conducted extensive researches and carried out the necessary comparisons to come up with our top picks for the best string trimmer on the market.
Here is a detailed guide to help you get started with the process:
Best String Trimmer
Best Overall Choice
Winner – EGO Power+ Cordless String Trimmer
The EGO Power+ Cordless String Trimmer is a convenient and powerful tool.
This reliable garden maintenance unit features a dual-feed twist line and a high-efficiency brushless motor. The motor delivers unrivaled cordless power.
The extended aluminum shaft and 15-inch cutting width allow proper functioning of the tool and efficient trimming around your yard. This trimmer delivers the performance of gas without the fumes, fuss, and noise.
While this product isn’t as lightweight as one would desire but its amazing features make up for this little drawback.
Pros of EGO Power+ Cordless String Trimmer
- Dual-feed twist line
- Weather-resistant construction
- Highly efficient brushless motor with variable speed
- Extended aluminum shaft with an in-line grip
- Variable speed trigger
- Unrivaled cordless power
- No fuss, noise, and fumes
- Delivers the performance of gas
Cons of EGO Power+ Cordless String Trimmer
- Not very lightweight
Specifications of EGO Power+ Cordless String Trimmer
- Power Source: Battery-powered
- Battery: 2.0 Ah or 2.5 Ah
- Cutting Width: 15 in
- Item Dimensions: 39 x 13 x 5.2 inches
- Item Weight: 9 lbs
Runner Up – WORX CORDLESS STRING TRIMMER
The Worx Cordless String Trimmer can easily be converted from a string trimmer to a wheeled edger in just a few seconds.
The rubberized wheels efficiently guide and support the edger, delivering cleaner cuts and straighter lines.
With this power tool, you get to benefit from professional, precise, and quality trimming of your yard.
It can easily handle hard-to-reach areas like landscaping or under swingets.
While this product is battery-powered, its battery life is reported to be short.
Pros of WORX Cordless String Trimmer
- Converts from a string trimmer to a wheeled edger easily (in just a few seconds)
- Innovative push button
- 2 lightweight and powerful batteries are included in the package
- Command Feed spool system allows instant line feeding
- Rubberized wheels effectively guide and support the edger
- Cleaner cuts and straighter lines
- The head tilts at a 90 degree, allowing you to edge and trim on sloped terrain
- Can target hard-to-reach areas
- Adjustable spacer guard – no need to damage lawn ornaments, landscape features or plants when trimming
Cons of WORX Cordless String Trimmer
- Short battery life
Specifications of WORX Cordless String Trimmer
- Power Source: Battery-powered
- Battery: 2.0 Ah
- Cutting Width: 12 in
- Item Dimensions: 36.3 x 7.5 x 5.5 in
- Item Weight: 6 lbs
Alternatives – BLACK+DECKER Electric String Trimmer
The BLACK+DECKER Electric String Trimmer is manufactured in China.
It effectively takes on tough grass, weed, and overgrowth.
You can easily put finishing touches on the edges of your lawn around flower beds, sidewalks, and driveways.
As the handle is adjustable, it might not remain secured in one place at all times.
Lastly, the cord retention system of this trimmer helps prevent any accidental disconnection and its Automatic Feed Spool technology eliminates the need for bumping for more string.
Pros of BLACK+DECKER Electric String Trimmer
- Allows you to get rid of tough grass, weeds, and overgrowth
- The edging wheels allow you to put finishing touches
- Cord retention system prevents accidental disconnection during operation
- Automatic Feed Spool technology helps eliminate bumping for increased string
- Comes with a 2-year limited warranty
Cons of BLACK+DECKER Electric String Trimmer
- Loose handle
Specifications of BLACK+DECKER Electric String Trimmer
- Power Source: Corded electric
- Battery: NA
- Cutting Width: 16 in
- Item Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.88 x 37.6 in
- Item Weight: 3.19 lbs
Greenworks Cordless String Trimmer
The GreenWorks Cordless String Trimmer delivers twice the power as standard trimmers.
Its dual-line with auto-feed eliminates the need for bumping for string and allows the machine to rip through weeds and grass for faster trimming.
With the variable speed trigger, you get to set the power of the unit according to your liking.
One downside to this product is that its length isn’t adjustable.
Enjoy smooth operation without much noise with the GreenWorks cordless string trimmer.
It is maneuverable, lightweight and most importantly, it gets the work done.
Pros of Greenworks Cordless String Trimmer
- Ergonomic design for superior balance
- Maneuverable and lightweight
- Rechargeable power and performance
- Smooth operation and less noise
- Delivers 2 times the power than a standard 20V
- Dual-line with auto-feed head allows you to rip through weeds and trim at a faster pace
- With the variable speed trigger, you can adjust the power as per your liking
Cons of Greenworks Cordless String Trimmer
- Length isn’t adjustable
Specifications of Greenworks Cordless String Trimmer
- Power Source: Battery-powered
- Battery: 2.0 Ah
- Cutting Width: 12 in
- Item Dimensions: 65 x 7.9 x 15 in
- Item Weight: 9.2lbs
DEWALT String Trimmer
The Dewalt String Trimmer is a cordless power tool that features a gear drive transmission design.
This unique design ensures amplified torque when the user powers the unit through the overgrowth.
The product doesn’t require as much maintenance as a gas-powered unit and with its noise-sensitive properties, it is easy on your ears.
With just a simple pull of the trigger, you can start and stop the device.
One small downside to this trimmer is that it heats up quickly; therefore, overuse is highly discouraged.
Lastly, the variable trigger with low/high-speed control offers extended runtime as well as added power.
Pros of DEWALT String Trimmer
- The gear drive transmission design allows the device to power through the overgrowth
- Balanced, ergonomic and lightweight design for improved portability
- Variable trigger offers low/high-speed control for extended runtime and added power
- Less maintenance
- Low noise
- No pull cords – you can start and stop the tool simply by pulling the trigger
Cons of DEWALT String Trimmer
- Heats up quickly
Specifications of DEWALT String Trimmer
- Power Source: Battery-powered
- Battery: 2.0 Ah
- Cutting Width: 13 in
- Item Dimensions: 7.38 x 6.5 x 34 in
Things to Consider When Buying the Best String Trimmer on the Market
Now that you have learned all about our top picks for the best string trimmers available in the market, read our buying guide to understand your needs and make a final informed decision.
String trimmers have become a staple of the yard and lawn care today.
There are many manufacturers and models to choose from that offer extraordinary features.
Use the following guide to find the best tool in the market to make your life easier and save yourself some effort and time in the process:
Types of Feed System
String trimmers come with two different types of feed systems.
These systems are the mechanisms that are responsible for controlling the amount of string that is fed out from the head.
The more traditional method is the bump feed. You need to use a bumping motion to press down on the guard and manually release the string line.
With this system, you get complete control over the amount of line you utilize.
While this is a great benefit, it can also count as a drawback.
As you have to implement some force on the trimmer every time, it can increase the chances of the device getting damaged.
The second feed system-type is the automatic feed.
As the name suggests, it allows the string trimmer to automatically extend the feed line.
Once the line starts to wear out, the centrifugal force is used by most systems to release more line.
One of the biggest advantages of this feed system is that you are not required to perform any manual actions.
However, in case the system breaks, it can be quite difficult to get it fixed.
Types of Engine
The engine type is one of the most important factors you need to consider before settling down for a string trimmer.
The type of engine you choose will dictate a lot of other decisions that you’ll need to make regarding your power tool.
Two of the most common types of engines are electric and gas-powered.
The tools that operate on electric engines are further categorized into two; corded and cordless.
While the former comes with a traditional cord that needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet, the latter functions off of rechargeable batteries.
With the cordless models, you get to benefit from increased mobility but they can require frequent charges.
On the contrary, when it comes to portability, corded models can be limiting. However, they never require you to recharge or refuel.
Gas-powered models tend to be larger and more powerful.
While they might be ideal for heavy-duty projects, their requirement for gas fuel makes them more costly to maintain relatively.
Choose the engine type that suits you the best based on the power outlets you have available and the size of your working space.
Cutting Width
All string trimmers feature a cutting width that is expressed in inches.
The cutting width usually varies from 12 to 15 inches on average.
The cutting width refers to the space in which a string trimmer can easily cut grass without having the user move it.
Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that the larger the cutting width of a unit, the less effort you need to put to cut more grass at once.
This makes trimmers with larger cutting width ideal for huge yards.
Smaller trimmers are easier to manage and are ideal for users with limited areas to target.
One thing buyers need to understand that the “the bigger the better” isn’t a constant rule and it doesn’t apply to all trimmers.
Cutting width size doesn’t determine the effectiveness of the efficiency of a trimmer. It only plays a significant role in the process.
Safety Features
When it comes to using string trimmers for yard work, safety is key.
Thankfully, most trimmers available in the market implement a lot of extraordinary features that help in keeping the user and everyone else around the workspace safe.
Opt for a trimmer that comes with a solid safety guard wrapped around the head.
Some trimmer models come with smaller guards.
Those are meant to be used by users that have a higher experience level of operating the string trimmer.
Size and Weight
As with any other power tool, it is essential to think about how much your string trimmer weighs and what its size is.
This allows you to understand if you can actually handle the unit with ease, especially if you have some kind of physical disabilities or joint problems.
The length of the shaft and total weight of the unit is listed by every manufacturer.
Read the label carefully to find a tool that fits your stature.
Convertible Configurations
String trimmers nowadays offer additional functionality with convertible configurations.
For instance, you might encounter string trimmers with abilities such as being able to convert into an edger which is also a useful tool that allows you to trim clean lines around difficult-to-reach edges in your yard.
While this feature doesn’t add to the primary purpose of a string trimmer, it can come handy if you need any additional tool.
Convertible configurations can end up being a deciding factor between various string trimmer models.
However, it isn’t likely to serve as a serious element when you make your final decision.
Other Factors to Consider
Check if the string trimmer model you are planning to buy is a part of a yard tool bundle that offers hedge trimmers or leaf blowers.
This will ensure that you end up with all the resources you need to care for your lawn.
However, remember that these units might not be as feature-rich, powerful and sturdy as standalone trimmer models.
String Trimmer FAQ
What are string trimmers used for?
A string trimmer is a versatile, lightweight outdoor power tool.
IT is used for the ridding of grass and weeds.
It comes with a battery-operated, electric or gasoline engine and features a spinning head at the low end of a long shaft.
The spinning utilizes a monofilament string that spins rapidly and uses centrifugal force to cut through excessive grass and weeds with great efficiency.
One major benefit of this power unit is that it can easily reach those spots that are almost impossible to target with lawnmowers.
String trimmers can precisely trim grass and weeds along flower beds, driveways, fences, trees, and sidewalks.
This allows your yard to look manicured and neat. Moreover, some trimmer models come with a rotating head that serves as an edger.
How does a string trimmer work?
String trimmers work on the principle of a line being spun at a really fast speed is held out very stiffly from its rotating reel (the center) by centrifugal force; the faster the trimmer hub will rotate, the stiffer the line will be.
The round-section nylon line is also able to cut slightly woody plants and grass quite well.
Some of the monofilament lines that are designed especially for more powerful trimmers come with an extruded shape such as a star.
This special design helps the line effectively slash the targeted material.
These lines reduce the need for disks for tough jobs.
Can you mow a lawn with a trimmer?
A string trimmer tends to leave the cut edges of grass ragged and rough.
Therefore it might not work great for grass plants.
Moreover, the strings on a trimmer are usually only effective for a few yards of heavy cutting.
After a few yards, they might become weak and break off.
This process will cause you to feed out more string of the reel so that you can continue working.
This constant struggle can make mowing a lawn using a string trimmer quite frustrating.
Therefore, we believe that it might not be the best idea to mow a lawn with a trimmer.
Instead, a reel mower might be the ideal choice for the purpose.
How do you bump feed a trimmer?
Here is a step-by-step process to bump feed a trimmer:
Step 1
Based on what the user manual of your trimmer suggests, select your line. Do not overload your power tool with a line that is too thick as it might bog down its motor.
The line diameter will depend on what your trimmer is capable of handling and its engine size. There are various different trimmer lines that are geared towards different types of jobs.
Braided line, standard-round line and multi-sided line are some of the most common types to choose from.
Step 2
Unscrew the bump knob and remove the string and inner reel from inside to take the trimmer head apart. Pull the old line out and throw it away.
Now clean out any excessive debris and dirt that might have collected inside the trimmer head.
Step 3
Cut two pieces of line of the same length and double them together. Now insert those lines into one of the reel holes and pull them in toward the spool.
Do so until only a few inches remain. Then, grab the remaining line, insert it into another reel hole and pull it tight to secure the loop. This will lock the line in place and prevent it from spinning loosely.
Step 4
Now look for a small arrow embedded or embossed on the head of the trimmer. Wrap the line onto the reel in the direction of that arrow.
Add sufficient pressure to keep the line wrapped evenly. Once you have about 6 inches of line left unwrapped push the strings into the holding slots to secure them in place.
Step 5
Reinsert the string of the trimmer onto the shaft. Make sure you hold the string down so that it doesn’t fall out.
Find the eyelets on the head and use one hand to push the strings through that eyelet while you hold the string in place with your other hand. Continue to do so till the next step.
Step 6
Bring the reel back to its actual position on the trimmer shaft. Then, line up the holding slots and eyelets that you found on the reel and the head respectively.
While compressing the string, hold the reel down and set the bump knot onto the top of the head with a screw.
Step 7
Now pull the lines (do not pull too hard) and make sure they have released from the holding slots. With the line in place, you are all set.
Start you trimmer and give it a few spins to ensure that it’s ready to trim some pesky grass.
Conclusion On The 5 Best String Trimmers
With all the aforementioned information, we hope you are all set to find the best spring trimmer on the market.
Make sure you use our buying guide to understand your personal tool requirements before you finally invest in a product!
