Electric string trimmers, also known as weed eaters, offer a convenient way to trim your lawn after mowing it, resulting in a professional, well-manicured finish that you can be proud of (and which may make your neighbors envious).
After many hours of research and in-depth comparisons, we believe the best electric string trimmer currently on the market is the BLACK & DECKER LST136W 40V Max.
The 5 Best Selling Electric String Trimmers
For your convenience, the below list shows the 5 best selling electric string trimmers on Amazon.com. The list is automatically updated once a day.
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Lawnmowers often fail to cut the grass growing along the edges of a lawn properly, since the grass often grows sideways in this area – thus requiring you to trim or edge along the perimeter of your lawn.
While edgers are designed to trim a lawn along a hard surface (e.g. driveway or sidewalk), trimmers are more versatile and can be used alongside hard surfaces, in tight spaces and along with planting beds. But tools will leave behind grass debris, clippings and dirt that you will need to clean up after the trimming process.
There is a wide variety of edgers and trimmers, ranging from simple handheld clippers to gas and electric models. Unlike gas-powered trimmers, using electric string trimmers doesn’t involve much noise, dealing with pull-string starts, or the inconvenience of having to achieve the right fuel-to-oil ratio.
The 5 Best Electric String Trimmers:
This article provides a helpful overview and quick reviews of the 5 best electric string trimmers that will help you achieve and maintain the lawn of your dreams without too much effort, hassle, and expenses.
1. BLACK & DECKER LST136W 40V Max Lithium Electric String Trimmer
The BLACK & DECKER LST136W 40V is slightly heavier than the GreenWorks 21212 and the Makita XRU02Z, weighing in at 9.9 pounds.
With its PowerDrive Transmission (which delivers more power from the motor to the cutting string), 40V MAX* lithium battery (which provides lasting power; the battery is included), and PowerCommand dial (which allows you to choose between max power and max runtime), it successfully achieves a great balance between power, performance, effectiveness, lasting battery life and affordability.
If you need to trim thick weeds or dense overgrowth, you can set it to maximum power. If you’re planning to trim along the perimeter of a large lawn, you can set it to maximum runtime and conserve battery power. The battery comes with a real-time LED system that indicates how much battery power remains. If you plan to trim for prolonged periods of time, buying a second battery may be a worthwhile idea.
Its Automatic Feed Spool allows you to work continuously without bumping, and you can easily convert it into an edger with an easy turn of the shaft. Meanwhile, the telescopic handle allowing you to adjust the length of its handle to suit your needs. The BLACK & DECKER LST136W comes with a 3-year warranty.
2. GreenWorks 21212 4 Amp Corded Electric String Trimmer
Weighing only 7 pounds, the GreenWorks 21212 allows you to trim small and medium-sized yards with ease – the electric start allows you to start working within seconds (the power chord is not included, however). With its 4 amp motor, .065 dual line auto-feed, and adjustable auxiliary handle, it makes a 13-inch cut path without contributing to all the pollution caused by gas-powered trimmers.
It also comes with a rotatable shaft, allowing it to be transformed into an edger. Its telescopic shaft allows you to increase the length to an additional foot, allowing it to accommodate users of different heights. It may not be ideal for users over 6’4’’, however.
The cheap price may prompt concerns about quality – rest assured that GreenWorks 21212 was engineered to be sturdy and durable, can handle thick and tall grass without problems, and comes with a full 4-year warranty.
3. WORX WG175 32-volt Lithium Max Cordless Electric String Trimmer and Edger
With a three hour (32V) battery life, the Worx WG175 provides power and longer running time and a variety of functions: trimming, edging and mowing. It comes with a wide 12-inch cutting swath that allows you to get all your trimming and edging (it converts into an edger in seconds, all you need to do is pull the trimmer head and turn to lock it) done easily. Weighing only 6.2 pounds, it is also one of the lightest electric string trimmers on this list.
It provides a 12-inch cutting diameter with an automatic 100% single line feed (no bump) and comes with a quick-release lever that allows you to adjust the height of its telescopic height easily. Its front auxiliary handle also has 7 locking adjustments, providing maximum comfort when you’re trimming, edging, or mowing. It comes with a three-year limited warranty.
4. DEWALT DCST920P1 20V Max Lithium-Ion XR Brushless Electric String Trimmer
The DEWALT DCST920P1 is a cordless string trimmer (powered by a 20V lithium-ion battery) that has a 13-inch cutting swath and a convenient bump feed system. It is relatively light (8.5 pounds) and comes with a long, non-adjustable shaft (65 inches) – this may suit taller users well, but can be inconvenient for shorter users (i.e. those below 6 feet in height).
With its brushless motor and patented gear drive design, the DEWALT DCST920P1 promises more torque, high cutting speeds even when dealing with thick overgrowth, and an increased life span. It has two power modes: high and low, allowing it a maximum of 4600 RPM on the low setting and a maximum of 6000 RPM on the high setting.
The trigger allows you variable speed control, without exceeding the setting’s maximum RPM. Naturally, battery endurance is lower when you use it with the high power setting (continuous running allows the battery to last for approximately 20 minutes on the high power setting and 40 minutes on the low power setting). The DCB101 charger takes about 45 to 60 minutes to fully charge the 20V lithium-ion battery.
While the DEWALT DCST920P1 provides high power and maneuverability without much noise and vibrations, it cannot also double as an edger. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty and a 1-year service warranty.
5. Makita XRU02Z 18V LXT Electric String Trimmer
The Makita XRU02Z comes with a built-in motor that delivers 7,800 RPM for faster cutting speed and performance. Like the GreenWorks 21212, it is relatively compact and light (only 6.4 pounds with battery, which is sold separately), making it suitable for trimming and precise edging.
Its adjustable 5-position pivoting head allows you to adjust the cutting angle when trimming in tight spaces, while the telescoping shaft allows you to adjust its length (from 48-1/2″ to 56-1/2″) to achieve an optimum cutting position.
The Makita XRU02Z also comes with several other features that enhance user convenience: an easy-loading bump and feed trimmer head; an adjustable loop handle; a built-in lock-off lever; a battery capacity warning system (with indicator light) that automatically stops the motor and notifies you when it is time to recharge the battery.
Star Protection Computer Controls™ that protects against overloading, over-discharging, and over-heating; a Rapid Optimum Charger that communicates with the battery’s built-in chip while charging to optimize battery life by controlling current, voltage, and temperature comes with a built-in fan to cool the battery while charging; category-leading charge time that allows the battery to spend more time working and less time sitting on the charger. Do note that the battery and charger are sold separately.
As with the GreenWorks 21212, the Makita XRU02Z produces zero emissions and saves you the hassle of using gas or oil. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
There are more than a few details to consider before buying an electric string trimmer. In this buyer’s guide, we are going to address these and give you a better idea of how to pick your next purchase.
Types of String Trimmers
Cordless (Battery Powered) Electric String Trimmer
First of all, let us look into how batteries work against cord ones. Cordless (battery-powered) string trimmers can work for a good 30-40 minutes before they run out of power so you need quite a good estimate of your yard and what you need to clean before going for an electric one.
Corded Electric String Trimmer
Most electric string trimmers have a longer cable which allows you to go all over the yard and always decide where you want to go with ease, while gas powered run as much as the amount of gas you have in it. Cordless string trimmers, which offer you constant charging and a longer cord to go around your yard, when you don’t have an acre to go through, may be sufficient for your needs.
Most electrical trimmers have a decent to long charge time but as long as you are dealing with a smaller area you will not be needing a more expensive one to do your job or daily needs. Most string trimmers are also really easy to maneuver and to navigate, need less maintenance and also are lightweight and more than quiet so you can do your chores whilst not even bothering smaller and younger members of the family.
Gas-Powered String Trimmer
Unlike gas-powered string trimmers, electric ones are not as heavy, allow you to do the job fast enough without waking up everybody in the neighborhood. Electric string trimmers are also much lower maintenance in comparison to gas-powered ones, so if you need it every once a couple of months it is much easier and comfortable to have an electric one around instead of a gas-powered tool.
Important Features
Another detail to note is that most electric string trimmers are lower priced in general, unless you are going for the bigger name brands. Finally, what you should take into account when looking for a string trimmer are weight, size and safety features. Most electric string trimmers are safe to operate, but still, make sure there is no need for you to go near the head of the machine to use any of the features.
A large number of available tools on the market are lightweight and easy to handle, but at the same time, if you would need a good hour or two to go through your yard and trim every bush, it is nice to have some handles and straps to make sure you feel comfortable doing it. When you add to all these features, a nice cutting width to the head of the string trimmer, you make sure to do as much work as possible with little to no effort.
Popular Electric String Trimmer FAQs
How Much Electricity Does an Electric String Trimmer Use?
Electricity consumption of electric string trimmers depends highly on the model size and most importantly, on whether the electric string trimmer is cordless or not. The more amperage you have in your machine, the faster it will trim but it will use more electricity in return.
How Do You Hold an Electric String Trimmer?
There are several different ways to use and hold a string trimmer depending on what task you are trying to achieve. Tapering and edging are two of the most common ones. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTapering helps you mow the grass at a small angle, so you do not hit your edges or your fence and edging lets you fine detail any part between the grass and another surface, like your driveway, etc. Scything on the other hand is what the name implies. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYou move the electric string trimmer the same way you would mow grass with a scythe going from side to side in full 180 motions from left to right and right to left.
How to String an Electric String Trimmer?
It is fairly easy to change the strings on a string trimmer but there are a few steps to follow. Safety comes first, thus start by making sure your electric string trimmer is unplugged or the battery is taken out, so it does not accidentally turn on. Turn the machine upside down and remove the spool, usually held by a tap button to press on.
Remove the used string and replace it with the new one and feed it through the proper hub and in the correct direction. Press the spool back in place so the lid closes and turn over the string trimmer and you are good to go. One thing to take into consideration is always using the correct string width or you might end up damaging your trimmer.
Conclusion
Which electric string trimmer makes the best addition to your gardening toolkit? This ultimately depends on how much power you need from all your trimming and edging work, and the variety of uses you plan to use your trimmer for.
While you can order all these products online, it might be prudent to see how compatible they are with your height at a hardware store. With the right choice of purchase, the perfectly manicured lawn of your dreams can be attained without sacrificing too much time, effort and money.
