I appreciate a good lawn mower as much as the next green thumb, but sometimes, there are certain aspects of lawn maintenance that these bulky grass-chomping beasts just aren’t capable of.
Perhaps you have a lot of obstacles in your yard or you like to trim your borders to perfection. Maybe it’s more of a budgetary issue, and you can’t afford a quality mower just yet.
In any case, the answer to your pristine lawn prayers is a weed eater, but corded models come with their own limitations, namely, the cord itself.
If you’ve got a particularly long outdoor area, unless you fork out for an expensive, high gauge extension reel, you simply won’t be able to reach the far-flung corners of your yard.
That’s why you should opt for a cordless model!
With one of these wonderful contraptions, you’ll be free to roam, leaving flawlessly manicured greenery in your wake.
And to save you the hassle of shopping around for one, I’ve compiled this list of the best 5 in the biz!
Best Cordless Weed Eater: Reviews
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
Black+Decker 20 V MAX LST522 Weed Eater
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Greenworks 40 V Weed Eater
Best For Residential Use
This weed eater from Greenworks is everything you could ever need for keeping your yard in check, no matter how unruly it gets.
Featuring a 40 V brushless motor, it’s as quiet as it is powerful, two elements that are normally at odds but find harmony within this excellent machine.
The 16” cutting swath makes light work of big jobs, and when used on borders, gives you a bit more wiggle room, so you don’t have to bring your mower quite as close to edges when mowing the bulk of your lawn.
It also has a dual line for extra quiet and efficient performance. In terms of line diameter, you get 0.08”, which is ideal for residential use, and the wide rear guard ensures safety at all times.
During my test, the 16.17 lbs didn’t feel like too much of a burden at all, even towards the tail end of larger jobs, and the wrap-around handle kept this trimmer comfortable and supportive.
It comes with a universal attachment for morphing into other tools, and the variable speed trigger allows you to either maintain battery life, or go full pelt when you’ve got some gnarly grass to face, but the battery is my favorite part,
USB compatible, you can use this battery for a number of things, including charging your phone or tablet — that’s some neat compatibility right there!
Pros
- 0.08” line — Robust enough for most residential applications
- 16” swath — Fast action
- Brushless — Quiet, powerful, and long lasting motor
- 16.17 lbs — Quite light for cordless
- USB battery — wide compatibility
Cons
- Line diameter — Not wide enough for pro use
EDITORS CHOICE
Black+Decker 20 V MAX LST522 Weed Eater
Best Budget Pick
Cards on the table, this battery powered weed eater from Black+Decker doesn’t live up to some of the suggestions in my buyer’s guide, but considering the price tag, it’s still an immaculate bit of gear.
With a 0.65” line diameter, it’s not capable of tackling the really large “woody” weeds that crop up, but it can handle grass and things like thistles, dandelions, and other standard weeds without breaking a sweat.
The cutting swath measures 12”, meaning it’s best suited to smaller yards and jobs, but as long as you don’t mind a bit of extra work, it’s perfectly capable of larger jobs too.
Plus, it only weighs 5.6 lbs, so even though you may be working longer, you won’t feel the burn.
What shocked me during my tests was that it comes with a 2-setting variable speed, so can fine-tune the output to the job at hand and extend battery life — that’s usually an upscale addition.
But it doesn’t just have 2 speeds, it has 2 uses. It can also be used as an awesome wheel edge trimmer for tidying up those boundary lines.
Pros
- Price — You simply won’t believe it
- Variable speed — Prolongs battery life
- 2-in-1 — Edge trimmer function for pristine boundaries
- 5.6 lbs — Your back will thank you
Cons
- 12” swath — Jobs may take a while
- 0.65” line — Will snap on thick, tough vegetation
Also available from…
BEST VALUE
Makita XRU15PT1 Weed Eater
Best Kit
If you’re worried about battery life, allow me to introduce you to this epic kit from the folks over at Makita! Not only is the unit itself a high performance work of weed eating art, it arrives with a few choice extras too.
The XRU15PT1 arrives with not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 batteries, and they’re not small either.
These are 5 Ah power supplies that, during my testing, handled 45 minutes of constant and strenuous use. I clocked a full recharge in at 45 minutes too.
And speaking of charging, it arrives with a great dual charge part, so two batteries can recuperate at a time, meaning you’re never left in the lurch with this kit.
The brushless motor and dual string head provide a quiet and efficient performance, and the 3-speed controls allow you to hit the brakes on energy depletion.
A 15” swath ensures maximizes trim productivity, helping you get the job done in a timely manner, but even if you are out for a while, it’s fairly lightweight, even with the 5 Ah battery, so you can kiss goodbye to post-job aches and pains!
Pros
- Full kit — Eliminates downtime with spare batteries
- 3 speeds — Always suits the task at hand
- 15” swath — Wide cutting field makes short work of large areas
- Brushless — Quiet, powerful, and long-lasting
- Well-balanced — Easy to maneuver in tight spots
Cons
- Price — You get a lot, but it cost a lot
Also available from…
RUNNER UP
DeWalt Flexvolt DCST970X1 Weed Eater
Premium Pick
For a pro-grade weed eater at a reasonable price tag, you’d need look no further than the Flexvolt from DeWalt, an absolute beast of a tool with the potential to make challenging jobs a total breeze!
Featuring an impressive 60 V brushless motor, this thing is powerful enough to handle pretty much any vegetation in its path.
Plus, this trimmer is compatible with 0.095” line, so you can switch out the 0.08” factory line whenever you need to get OP to tackle some monstrous plant life.
Swath-wise, you get a solid 15 inches, which I appreciated during my testing. I managed to clean up my ¼ acre yard in a matter of minutes.
At 12 lbs, despite being designed for heavy usage, its ergonomic form is anything but.
This is one of the most comfortable weed eaters I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend it to seniors and those with aches and pains.
It also comes with a mammoth 9 Ah battery for extended use, but the downside to this is that the included 1.5 amp charger takes roughly 6 hours to get it up and running again.
Pros
- 9 Ah battery — Suitable for large spaces
- 15” swath — Gets things done quickly
- Compatible with 0.095” line — Will chew through stubborn vegetation
- 60 V brushless motor — Powerful enough for pro use
- 12 lbs — Easy on the shoulders, neck, and back
Cons
- Charge time — 6 hours is pretty steep
Also available from:
RUNNER UP
Worx WG184 Cordless Weed Eater
Best Mid Range
Here we have another insanely lightweight design for a cordless weed eater.
Weighing just 8.6 lbs, you can use this thing all day with no problem.
But despite its featherweight, it’s not pulling any punches in the feature department.
A 2-in-1 design, it can be used as an edge trimmer to neaten boundary lines, and the command feed spool system makes replacing snapped line a total breeze.
It also has a dual-speed throttle, so you’re never wasting battery life on applications that don’t need it; however, it’s a brushed motor, and during my testing, I did find it was quite a noisy machine.
I wouldn’t say this is the best weed eater for particularly tough or large jobs, but if you want something that can handle anything your yard throws at it, and you don’t want to break the bank, the WG184 is all you’d ever need.
Pros
- 8.6 lbs — No burden
- Dual speed — Longer run time
- 0.08” line — Ideal for residential use
Cons
- 13” swath — Not the most efficient cut path
- Not brushless — It’s a little loud
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve seen some of the best cordless weed eaters on the market, it’s time to figure out which is the right one for you, which is why I’ve composed this handy buyer’s guide.
What’s In A Name?
Before we get started here, I think it’s worth mentioning that not all weed eaters you’ll encounter will be referred to as weed eaters. They have many names:
- Weed whacker/weedwacker
- String trimmer
- Trimmer
- Brush cutter
- Weed whip
- Line trimmer
- Whipper snipper
- Strimmer
How Do You Charge A Cordless Weed Eater?
On most models, the battery will be removable. This is so you can switch it out with a spare to double your run time, use it in another compatible machine, and, of course, to make charging easier.
There will normally be a pretty intuitive release system to remove the battery, but you’ll need to check your user manual for specifics.
Once you’ve liberated the battery, you’ll need to plug it into the battery charger, then connect the battery charger to a wall outlet, then it’s just a matter of waiting — it’s that easy!
Some manufacturers may sell the battery charger separately, so always double check what comes as part of the bundle when you purchase a cordless weed eater.
How Green Are Cordless Weed Eaters?
Compared to the gas-guzzling lawn mowers and weed eaters of bygone days, cordless weed eaters are remarkably green.
They only use electricity, and they’re a zero-emission tool, so when using them, you won’t just be taking care of your little slice of paradise, but the entire planet.
Having said that, there’s the matter of batteries to consider.
Although they’re rechargeable, they will expire after 7 years or so, amounting to a fair bit of waste, but as long as you dispose of this waste responsibly, it’s not a huge eco issue.
Critics of grid electricity as a green energy source might also claim that, as grid energy is largely derived from fossil fuels, electric tools aren’t as environmentally friendly as we may at first think.
But one thing’s for sure… they’re better for our shared home than their gas-guzzling counterparts!
Are Cordless Weed Eaters Energy Efficient?
Generally speaking, cordless weed eaters are indeed energy efficient, but the finer details of their energy performance come down to their battery technology.
Lithium ion batteries are the standard for weed eaters at the moment, and these are the most energy efficient power cells currently on the market.
Motor
If I were you, I’d ignore weed eaters with a brushed motor, and make a beeline for the brushless models.
Sure, if you’ve only got a small yard, a brushed motor is fine, but with a brushless motor, you get a quieter performance, a longer run time, a longer lifespan, and more power.
Being that cordless weed eaters typically aren’t as powerful as corded variants, you’ll really appreciate that extra bit of juice!
Vibration Control
Even strimming very small areas is rough when using a weed eater with little to no vibration control, and tidying a whole yard can be a gargantuan challenge, which is why you should prioritize vibration dampening when shopping around.
You may end up paying a little more, but it’s truly, truly worth it — I promise!
Line Diameter
Line diameter is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the thickness of the cutting line. The thicker the line, the more it can take on, so if you’ve got some long, thick grass or thick-stemmed weeds to trim, you’ll want a larger line diameter.
For residential use, I’d recommend something in the ballpark of 0.08”, but if you’ve got large areas and tough greenery to tackle, something closer to “pro” diameter will suit you best — we’re talking 0.095”.
Swath
Cutting swath is essentially the radius of the cut when the trimmer is held still. Larger swaths will cover ground quicker.
I’d shoot for something with a swath of at least 15 inches for home-use, and something more to the tune of 16 or 17” for large or commercial jobs.
Strength Of Charge
You’re looking at 30 to 60 minutes of run time from a decent cordless weed eater. This is usually enough to finish detailing a small to moderately sized lawn, but may leave you a little short of completing a large lawn.
In light of this, it’s worth investing in a backup battery you can use when the first runs dry, so you can finish the job in one sitting.
Alternatively, you may want to invest in a larger backpack battery system.
Duration Of Charge
Moderately-sized, high quality cordless weed eater batteries will usually pick up a decent charge in 1 to 2 hours, but this can vary dramatically from model to model, so don’t take this as a given.
Some may be out of action for the better part of the day if the battery is exceedingly large or the tech isn’t up to scratch.
Compatibility
One of the coolest things about the batteries in cordless weed eaters is that they can be used in a number of other similar machines, so if you’re looking for synergy from your tech, you’ll want to consider if the battery is compatible with anything else you already own.
Weight
The added weight of the integrated battery means that cordless weed eaters are a tad heavier than corded models, so it might be worth your while keeping an eye on the lbs of prospective units.
Check if the manufacturer has compensated for the battery integration with other weight-saving features.
Extra Features
Here are some of the nifty extras you may want to keep an eye out for to sweeten the deal:
- Battery check facilities
- Reverse spin (untangles long grass that may get wound up)
- Attachment vacancies
- Padded straps for your shoulders
- Variable speeds
Best Cordless Weed Eater: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cordless Weed Eaters Any Good?
Like anything, some cordless weed eaters are good, and others aren’t so good, but generally speaking, they’re incredibly handy tools to have around.
They may not be quite as powerful as corded models, but the convenience of a cordless design is undeniable.
What Does Brushless Mean In A Weed Eater?
If a weed eater is described as brushless, it means it has a brushless motor. Brushless motors utilize magnets to generate power, as opposed to the carbon components of brushed motors.
Their magnetic architecture reduces friction between moving parts, creating a quieter, cooler, more powerful motor with a longer service life.
How Do You Maintain A Cordless Strimmer?
After every use, clean away as much debris as possible. You may even want to use a can of compressed air to dislodge build-ups of grass and other plant life.
Once every season, you should do a deep clean using a concoction of water and dish soap to wipe the trimmer head down. Make sure to clean their filter out, or replace it if it has taken on wear and tear.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, folks — 5 amazing cordless weed eaters to choose from and a buyer’s guide to help you decide which is best for you. Think carefully about your intended application, and you’ll be guided right to the weed eater of your dreams!
