Cordless String Trimmer Buyer's Guide

Cordless String Trimmer Buyer's Guide

How To Pick The Perfect Cordless String Trimmer

Dale, the Power Equipment Expert
By 
Power Equipment Expert

Want to stop filling up on fuel? Cordless electric string trimmers are a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered string trimmers.


Because they're battery-powered, cordless trimmers don't require you to worry about gas or even oil. They also don't need an extension cord that will restrict your range of motion.

Different features such as the shape of the shaft or the cutting style can help you choose the right string trimmer. However, the big draw of cordless string trimmers is the battery power.

New battery technology has made cordless weed whackers more popular than ever. In fact, some have enough battery life to finish the same jobs that a gas trimmer can.

 

Types of Batteries

You'll find two types of rechargeable batteries available for your lawn tools:

  • Lithium-ion batteries
  • Ni-Cad batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have become the standard, but both types provide power for your yardwork tasks. However, if you'll be working on large projects, consider a backup battery so you won't have to wait for one battery to recharge should you run out or power before you're done.

And remember that the battery only drains when you're squeezing the trigger. Only run the trimmer when you're trimming, and the battery lasts even longer.

 

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-Ion Battery

Lithium-ion batteries are the more recent innovation to power string trimmers. Designed for improved performance, lithium-ion batteries are extremely popular for three reasons:

  1. They're lightweight – up to 50% lighter than a comparable Ni-Cad battery – so the string trimmer won’t weigh as much when in use.
  2. They don't experience any drop-off in power or performance as the battery runs down. Power output stays consistent through the entire cycle of use. 
  3. They can be recharged up to three times as many times as a Ni-Cad battery before the battery needs to be replaced.

Lithium-ion batteries are available in several different voltages, ranging from 18 volts to 82 volts. Always check your trimmer's product manual to determine how much voltage you need when buying a replacement lithium-ion battery

 

Ni-Cad Batteries

Ni-Cad Battery

Ni-Cad batteries are still available, but they represent an older form of battery technology. They're relatively heavy, and you will see a noticeable drop-off in power and performance as a Ni-Cad battery runs down to the end of its charge.

In the past, Ni-Cad batteries have been more affordable than their high-performance lithium-ion counterparts. However, they're becoming less available, meaning that you'll have many more years of trimming ahead of you if you choose a lithium-ion trimmer when it comes time to upgrade.

 

Types of Trimmer Shafts

Straight Shaft String Trimmer

Just as you'll find two kinds of batteries available for your cordless string trimmers, you'll also find string trimmer shafts in two different styles, one of which is more common than the other:

  • Straight shaft string trimmers
  • Curved shaft string trimmers

Straight shaft string trimmers are the more common type. They work well under fences and in hard-to-reach corners or other tight spaces.

Many straight shaft models feature a telescoping shaft, which allows you to make the shaft as short or long as you need to work comfortably.

Curved shaft string trimmers are far less common in the cordless string trimmer category. The curved design can make it difficult to reach small corners, but it does make these trimmers good for grass and weed trimming in open areas. 

 

Two-in-One Capability

String Trimmer Swivel Cutting Head

Some cordless string trimmer models have two-in-one capability, meaning you can use them for multiple purposes.

If you need to trim areas that your mower can't reach, or you want to be especially careful around your ornamental plants, you can use your two-in-one tool as a string trimmer.

Then, if you want to trim the edges along your driveway or sidewalk, you can turn the pivoting cutting head to use your tool as a grass edger.


Cordless String Trimmer Line

Replacement String Trimmer Line

No matter which type of battery-powered trimmer you buy, at some point, you'll have to change your trimmer's string.

Unlike some edgers or other trimming tools, cordless string trimmers will never use blades to cut grass. Their lightweight construction means that they'll only use string or line, which will grow brittle over time

When shopping for replacement string, look for line with a gauge between .060" and .095" in diameter. This will ensure that your cordless trimmer works at peak performance.

NEXT: Browse Best String Trimmers

Dale, the Power Equipment Expert
By 
Power Equipment Expert
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