Best Cordless String Trimmer 2026: 5 Compared
Nobody hates a string trimmer for its motor. They hate it for the line: the spool that tangles, the feed that jams, the ten minutes spent rewinding nylon on the lawn. Pick the trimmer that makes the line easy, on a battery you already own or will want again.
Quick answer
The EGO Power+ ST1511T is the cordless string trimmer to buy for most yards: a 15-inch cutting swath, EGO's POWERLOAD system that winds new line onto the head at the press of a button, and the 56V battery platform shared with EGO's mowers and blowers. Milwaukee's M18 FUEL 2825-21ST is the heavy-duty choice for thick growth, DEWALT's DCST925M1 suits anyone already on 20V MAX, and the WORX WG163 and BLACK+DECKER LST300 are light, low-cost trimmer-edgers for small lawns.
We did not run our own testing on these trimmers. A fair comparison would need identical plots of grass and weeds cut at controlled density, repeated across batteries, and a way to measure line consumption and runtime consistently, none of which we have. What we did instead: took voltage, cutting swath, line size, feed system and kit contents from each manufacturer's product pages and manuals, checked current pricing at major US retailers, and read owner reviews in volume, keeping only repeated, specific complaints — spools that jam or tangle, line that breaks too often, batteries that fade, heads that crack — rather than first-use impressions. Runtime and power figures are manufacturer claims, and we say so where we mention them.
🏆 Best overall: The ST1511T is the pick because it solves the problem people hate most about string trimmers. EGO's POWERLOAD system winds new line onto the head at the press of a button, so refilling takes seconds instead of a fiddly rewind.
Top picks ↓| Product | Price | Link |
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| $199〜$299Reference price | ||
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| $169〜$249Reference price | ||
| $99〜$159Reference price | ||
| $79〜$129Reference price |
Top picks
Related articles
EGO Power+ ST1511T 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD
EGO sells several 15-inch trimmers under similar names — confirm the ST1511T model with POWERLOAD and the battery included.
The ST1511T is the pick because it solves the problem people hate most about string trimmers. EGO's POWERLOAD system winds new line onto the head at the press of a button, so refilling takes seconds instead of a fiddly rewind. The 15-inch swath is the widest here, and the 56V battery shares with EGO's mowers and blowers. It is heavier than the small trimmer-edgers, and POWERLOAD adds complexity that some owners report needing to reset.
Pros
- ✓POWERLOAD winds line automatically
- ✓Widest cutting swath here at 15 inches
- ✓Shares batteries with EGO mowers and blowers
Cons
- ✗Heavier than the small trimmer-edgers
- ✗POWERLOAD mechanism occasionally needs resetting
Milwaukee M18 FUEL String Trimmer Kit (2825-21ST)
The -21ST suffix is the kit with battery and charger; the -20 is the bare tool.
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL trimmer is built for thick weeds, tall grass and overgrown edges, and owners consistently describe it as the one that behaves most like a gas trimmer. The brushless motor and the M18 platform, one of the broadest professional ranges, make it an easy choice for anyone already using M18 drills and drivers. It is the most expensive and heaviest here, and more than a small lawn needs.
Pros
- ✓Brushless M18 FUEL power for tough growth
- ✓Large M18 battery platform
- ✓Robust build for frequent use
Cons
- ✗Most expensive trimmer here
- ✗Heavy for long sessions
DEWALT 20V MAX 13" String Trimmer Kit (DCST925M1)
M1 indicates the kit with one 4.0Ah battery; the DCST925B is the bare tool.
The DCST925M1 is the natural trimmer for anyone who already owns DEWALT 20V MAX tools. It has a 13-inch swath, a variable-speed trigger for controlling line speed around beds, and a 4.0Ah battery in the kit. It is a capable all-rounder for a suburban yard, though it uses a conventional bump-feed head, so line refilling is the usual manual job.
Pros
- ✓Runs on common 20V MAX batteries
- ✓Variable-speed trigger for control
- ✓4.0Ah battery in the kit
Cons
- ✗Conventional bump feed, manual rewinding
- ✗Narrower swath than the EGO
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WORX WG163 20V GT 3.0 String Trimmer & Edger
Some listings bundle extra spools or a different battery count — check the kit contents.
The WORX WG163 is a light 12-inch trimmer that converts to a wheeled edger, sold with two 20V batteries so one can charge while the other works. WORX's Power Share batteries also run the brand's other garden and household tools. It suits small lawns and tidy edges; it is not built for heavy weeds, and its thin line wears quickly on concrete.
Pros
- ✓Light and easy to handle
- ✓Converts to a wheeled edger
- ✓Two batteries in the kit
Cons
- ✗Not for heavy weeds or long grass
- ✗Thin line wears fast on hard edges
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer & Edger (LST300)
Often sold with extra spools under a different listing; the trimmer itself is the same.
The LST300 is the low-cost trimmer for a small yard: a 12-inch swath, automatic line feed and a head that turns for edging. Its two-speed setting lets you trade runtime for power. It is a sensible buy for occasional trimming around a small lawn, but it has less power than the larger models, and it does not share batteries with DEWALT despite the 20V MAX name.
Pros
- ✓Very low price
- ✓Automatic line feed
- ✓Converts to an edger
Cons
- ✗Limited power for thick growth
- ✗Not compatible with DEWALT batteries
Battery ecosystem first: the trimmer is rarely your only tool
A string trimmer is usually bought alongside a mower or a blower, and the battery is the expensive part. Batteries do not cross brands, so the smart choice is the platform you already use or plan to build out. A trimmer that shares its battery with your mower means one charger, one set of spares, and a second pack ready when the first runs down.
EGO's 56V and Milwaukee's M18 are the strongest outdoor platforms here; DEWALT's 20V MAX and WORX's 20V Power Share are broad general-purpose ranges that happen to include garden tools. BLACK+DECKER's 20V MAX is a home range and, despite the name, is not compatible with DEWALT batteries.
Line feeding decides how much you enjoy it
The most repeated complaint across every brand of string trimmer is the line, not the power. Bump-feed heads release line when you tap the head on the ground; automatic-feed heads release it for you. Both work until the line tangles on the spool, and rewinding a spool by hand is the chore people remember.
EGO's POWERLOAD is the clearest improvement here: you feed a length of line through the head and the trimmer winds it on itself. The WORX and BLACK+DECKER use automatic feed systems designed for simple refilling, which suit occasional users; the DEWALT and Milwaukee use conventional bump-feed heads with thicker line for heavier cutting.
Line diameter matters too. Thicker line breaks less and cuts tougher weeds but needs more power to spin; thin line suits light grass and edging. Use the diameter the manufacturer specifies, because the wrong size is a common cause of jams.
Cutting swath, power and weight
Cutting swath is the diameter the line covers. A wider swath like the EGO's 15 inches clears long fence lines and borders faster; a narrower 12- or 13-inch swath is lighter, easier to control around flower beds and adequate for small lawns.
For thick weeds, tall grass and overgrown edges, power and line thickness matter more than width. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL is the model owners most often describe as handling heavy growth; the 12-inch trimmer-edgers are for maintaining a lawn that is already in shape, not for clearing it.
Weight is the trade-off. A heavy trimmer with a big battery wears on the arms over a long session. If your jobs are short, a light model you actually pick up is better than a powerful one you avoid.
Edging, attachments and your region
The WORX and BLACK+DECKER both rotate into an edger with a wheel for cutting clean lines along paths and driveways, which is useful on a small property where a separate edger would not earn its place. The larger trimmers can edge by turning the head by hand, with more skill required.
These are US-market models. In Europe and the UK the same brands sell different model numbers with chargers for 230V mains and local plugs, and some models here, including DEWALT's 20V MAX line, are sold under different names such as 18V XR, so buy the local version rather than importing.
Frequently asked questions
String trimmer or brush cutter?▼
How long does a battery last on a string trimmer?▼
Why does my trimmer line keep breaking or jamming?▼
Can I use my mower battery in a string trimmer?▼
Prices change. Check the retailer for the current price.
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