Best Weed Eater String for Electric and Cordless Trimmers
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A good weed eater string depends first on the trimmer that feeds it. The string itself is a consumable, and the listings in this roundup say little about line thickness or material, so this guide compares the trimmers that hold and advance the line. The feed system, the cutting width, the battery or cord, and the spool that comes in the box decide how much line you go through and how often you stop to reload. Read the entries below as a way to narrow your choice to a trimmer whose spool and line match what you want to buy.
Quick answer
- For hands-off line feeding, look for an automatic feed head such as the AF-100 spool or a bump feed head. Several listings in this group name one.
- For a cord-free yard, choose a battery trimmer. The listings give battery packs from 2 x 2.0Ah to 2 x 21V 3000mAh, with runtimes from about 36 to 120 minutes.
- If you need a thicker or longer line, check the listing for a specified line size. Only one listing in this group states a line thickness, at 0.11 inch.
- Check whether the battery and charger come with the trimmer. Two listings in this group are tool only.
How line feed decides your stops
Most of the time you spend with a trimmer is spent reloading. Manual heads need you to stop, tap the head on the ground, or pull out fresh line by hand. Automatic feed heads release more line when you bump the head on the ground, and the listings describe this as keeping the trimmer running without interruptions. The BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 and the BLACK+DECKER MTC220 both name an automatic feed spool, and the AF-100 spool comes in both kits. The DCA listing names a bump auto feed head, and the DCK listing names a bump auto feed head with an integrated line-cutting blade on the guard.
A dual-line feed is another detail to note. The DCA listing says its dual-line feed delivers cleaner cuts with reduced vibration. The Ohey listing says it includes five long trimmer lines and five short trimmer lines, so you can match the line length to the job. Lines in the MtiolHig listing are 0.11 inch thick, and 18 extra lines are included. Those are the only line sizes the listings state in this group, so for any other diameter, check the product page before you buy.
Cutting width and what it means for the string
Cutting width tells you how much grass the line covers in one pass. The BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 lists 14 inches. The DCA listing adjusts from 12 to 14 inches, using the spool and the head setting. The DCK attachment lists 15 inches. The Ohey listing gives a cutting range that depends on the attachment: up to 11 to 12 inches with the edging wheel and longest line, 7 to 8 inches with the steel blade, and 6 to 7 inches with the brush cutter blade. The MtiolHig listing gives 12 inches in its specification and 11 inches in its bullets.
A wider path cuts faster but puts more load on the line. A narrower cut suits flower beds and edges, where a shorter line gives more control. If you mostly edge along walkways, a lighter trimmer with a narrower path is easier to handle.
Electric and cordless: the power question
A corded trimmer runs as long as the cord reaches. The BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 is corded electric with a 6.5-amp motor, and the listing says the POWERDRIVE transmission handles tough weeds. Its weight is 6.3 pounds, and it includes a cord retention system to keep the plug from pulling out during work. The listing gives a 2-year limited warranty.
Battery trimmers give freedom from a cord, but the battery sets your work time. The BLACK+DECKER MTC220 comes with two 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries and a detachable mower deck, and the listing gives a 9.9-pound weight with a 2-year limited warranty. The DCA listing includes a 4000mAh battery and states up to 60 minutes at low speed and 36 minutes at high speed. The Ohey listing gives two 21V 3000mAh batteries and states 90 to 120 minutes of runtime when used alternately. The DCK attachment is tool only and needs a DCK 58V battery and charger, sold separately.
Products in this roundup
BLACK+DECKER Weed Wacker with Auto Feed, 14-Inch 2-in-1 Electric String Trimmer
This corded trimmer has a 14-inch cut path and an automatic feed spool that the listing says eliminates bumping for line feeding. It converts to a wheeled edger by rotating the edge guide, which helps along sidewalks and flower beds. The listing says the trimmer reaches hard-to-reach areas where a mower cannot cut, and it includes a guard and an auxiliary handle in the box. The specifications list 8,000 rpm and a 6.3-pound weight. The listing gives a 2-year limited warranty with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The listing does not describe the line diameter, so check the spool in the product photos or the package before you plan a restock.
BLACK+DECKER Weed Eater, Lawn Edger and Cordless Lawn Mower 3-in-1 Combo
This battery kit is the broadest option in the group. The trimmer converts into a small walk-behind mower with a detachable deck, and the listing says the kit includes two LBXR2020 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries, a charger, the MTD100 mower deck, an AF-100 spool, an auxiliary handle, and a guard. The automatic feed spool keeps the trimmer running without stops for line adjustments. The listing describes a PowerDrive transmission that prevents bogging in dense grass. The specifications give a 12-inch cutting width and a 9.9-pound weight, with a 2-year limited warranty.
The bullets describe the deck as suited to smaller yards and slopes. Check whether the mower function fits your lawn before you choose a combo over a trimmer alone.
DCA 20V 14-Inch Brushless String Trimmer with Bump Auto Feed
The DCA trimmer uses a brushless motor, which the listing says delivers steady power and extends tool life. It offers two speeds, 4600 rpm for light trimming and edging and 6200 rpm for thick weeds, and the cut width adjusts between 12 and 14 inches. The 4000mAh battery is included, and the listing gives up to 60 minutes at low speed and 36 minutes at high speed. The head uses a bump auto feed, so a tap releases line without stopping.
The listing gives a 2-year warranty. The specifications list a 5-pound weight, while the bullets give 7.6 pounds with the battery. Use the bullet figure if you carry the trimmer for long periods, and check the product page for the exact configuration.
Liupoket 3-in-1 Cordless Weed Wacker with Wheels and Blades
This trimmer comes with a large set of line and blades in the box. The listing names 10 weed whacker string spools, 10 metal blades, 10 plastic blades, and 2 saw blades, plus two 2000mAh lithium-ion batteries, a fast charger, a wheel, gloves, goggles, and a shoulder strap. The motor is listed at 20,000 rpm, and the telescopic shaft is about 47 inches long according to the bullets. The bullets give a weight of 3.28 pounds, which is lighter than most options in this group. The specifications list an 8-inch cutting width.
The bullets describe four blade types, so this trimmer covers grass, weeds, and light brush. The listing does not give a warranty length in its bullets or specifications, so read the warranty section on the product page before ordering.
DCK 58V Cordless String Trimmer, 15-Inch, Attachment Capable
This trimmer is sold as a tool only, with the battery and charger sold separately. It runs on a 58V brushless motor with a three-speed selector at 4000, 5000, and 6000 rpm. The listing describes a 15-inch swath with a bump auto-feed head and an integrated guard. The shaft is a straight, telescopic carbon fiber design, and the listing says a quick-release lever lets the power head take other DCK 58V attachments, such as a pole saw or hedge trimmer, which are sold separately. The specifications give a 50-minute average battery life. The bullets say the warranty is 5 years.
Choose this model if you already own DCK 58V batteries. Otherwise add the battery and charger to the cost before you compare it with the battery kits.
Ohey 20000RPM Cordless Weed Wacker with LED Display and Wheels
The Ohey trimmer has an 800W motor, a listed speed of 20,000 rpm, and a telescopic shaft that adjusts from 43 to 55 inches. It includes two 21V 3000mAh batteries, and the listing describes an LED display that shows the remaining charge. The listing says the trimmer switches among standard trimming, wheel-assisted mowing, edging with the edging wheel, and brush cutting with a steel blade. The set includes five long and five short trimmer lines, four steel blades, and two brush cutter blades. The listing gives a 3-year warranty covering the machine and battery system.
The listing also says that the cutting width depends on the attachment. Read that range before you plan a job with the steel or brush blade.
MtiolHig 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer for Makita 18V (Tool Only)
This trimmer is a tool only purchase, and the listing says the battery and charger are not included. It is built to fit Makita 18V batteries, with a built-in fuel gauge that shows remaining charge. The listing recommends a battery of 4Ah or larger for the best runtime, with 30 to 55 minutes quoted for that size. The package includes 18 extra 0.11-inch lines. The head tilts 75 degrees, the handle turns 90 degrees, and the shaft is telescopic from 50 to 60 inches. The bullets give a weight of 5.5 pounds, while the specifications give 6 pounds.
The listing gives different motor speeds in its bullets and its specification table, so confirm the rpm before you buy. It is the only listing in this roundup that gives a line diameter, so it is the easiest to match to a replacement spool.
A closer look at the feed-first trimmer
If you want one trimmer to narrow your search, the BLACK+DECKER Weed Wacker with Auto Feed gives the clearest match to the keyword. It is corded, so you get steady power for as long as you can reach an outlet. The automatic feed spool is the feature the listing repeats most often, and the edge guide adds a second use on walkways. The listing does not state the string diameter, so match the spool to the replacement line you plan to buy.
The DCA listing is the closest battery alternative. It names a brushless motor, a bump feed head, and a 14-inch cut, and it includes the battery. The specifications and bullets disagree on weight, so weigh the trimmer in your hand before you accept the lighter figure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best weed eater string for an electric trimmer?
The listings in this roundup do not state a line brand or material as a recommendation, so no single string is named as the best. Start with the spool that comes with your trimmer. The BLACK+DECKER models use an AF-100 spool, and the MtiolHig listing gives a 0.11-inch line size. Match the replacement line to the spool and the size the listing states.
How do I know which line size my trimmer takes?
Check the product page, the spool, or the manual that came with the trimmer. Only the MtiolHig listing in this group gives a line thickness, at 0.11 inch. For the other trimmers, the listings do not state a diameter, so do not guess when you buy a replacement.
Does an automatic feed head save time?
The listings describe automatic feed as a way to keep cutting without stopping to reload. The BLACK+DECKER models, the DCA trimmer, and the DCK trimmer each name a bump or automatic feed head. A bump head releases a short length of line with a tap on the ground, which is the main reason to choose one.
Is a corded or battery trimmer better for a small yard?
A corded trimmer such as the BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 gives steady power with no battery to charge. A battery trimmer such as the Ohey or DCA models gives a cord-free yard, with runtimes listed from about 36 minutes to 120 minutes. For a small yard near an outlet, a cord may be the simpler choice. For a yard far from an outlet, choose a battery model and buy a spare battery.
Which trimmers in this roundup come without a battery?
The DCK 58V trimmer and the MtiolHig trimmer are both sold as tool only. The DCK listing says the battery and charger are sold separately, and the MtiolHig listing says the battery and charger are not included. Add the cost of a compatible battery and charger before you compare prices.
Why is one listing left out of this roundup?
The Windpost cordless weed wacker is not in the list above. Its specifications name two AAA batteries, while its bullets describe two 21V 4000mAh battery packs, and its weight also differs between the specification table and the bullets. Because the listing conflicts with itself, the roundup leaves it out until the details are confirmed on the product page.
Bottom line
Pick the feed system and the power source first, then choose the cutting width. A corded trimmer with an automatic feed spool suits a yard near an outlet. A battery trimmer with a bump head suits a yard without outlets. Check the line size on the product page before you buy a replacement, because most listings in this group do not state one.
For more on trimming technique, read How to Cut Tall Weeds With a String Trimmer, and compare battery models in Top 10 Battery Powered Weed Eaters.
