Worx 20V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer Edger Review
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The Worx 20V 12 cordless string trimmer edger is a battery-powered tool that cuts grass and weeds with a nylon line and then converts into an edger for clean lawn borders. The model covered here is the Worx WG163, a 2-in-1 trimmer and edger with a 12-inch cutting width, a 7600 rpm no-load speed, and two 20V Power Share batteries included in the box. This review uses only what the product listing states. Where the listing is silent on a point, this article says so instead of filling the gap.
Quick answer
- Choose the WG163 if you want one battery-powered tool that trims and edges, with two batteries and a charger already in the box.
- The listing gives a 12-inch cutting width, 7600 rpm no-load speed, and a machine weight of 5.5 lbs.
- The head tilts 90 degrees and the shaft is adjustable, so it covers sloped ground and tight spots.
- The batteries belong to the Worx Power Share family, which the listing says works with other 20V and 40V Worx tools.
What the Worx WG163 is built to do
The WG163 is listed with two recommended uses: edging and trimming. In trimming mode, the string head cuts grass and weeds along fences, walkways, and garden beds. In edging mode, the head is turned so that a rubberized wheel set rides along a hard surface and guides the cut. The listing says the wheels support and guide the edger, which the manufacturer ties to straighter lines and cleaner cuts.
The listing describes the tool as a 2-in-1 that converts from a string trimmer to an edger in seconds. Those two modes share one motor and one shaft, so the conversion is the main difference between the two jobs. The listing does not describe a separate edger blade or a different motor for edging.
Key specs from the listing
| Spec | WG163 listing |
|---|---|
| Power source | Battery powered |
| Cutting width | 12 inches |
| No-load speed | 7600 rpm |
| Machine weight | 5.5 lbs |
| Cutting line length | 10 inches |
| Line diameter | 0.065 inch |
| Batteries | Two 20V Power Share maxLithium batteries included |
| Recommended uses | Edging, trimming |
| Model number | WG163 |
| Item dimensions | 44.6 inches long by 35 inches wide |
| Color | Black and orange |
| Warranty | Not stated in the pack |
How to choose between the head styles
A 2-in-1 trimmer and edger suits a yard where the main work is around edges: the sidewalk, the driveway, and the bed line. The head tilts 90 degrees, according to the listing, so you can angle it to reach under a low shrub or along a slope. The listing also notes a telescopic shaft that adjusts to the user’s height and posture. That matters more than cutting width when the yard has many corners, because a wider head only helps on open ground.
If your yard is mostly open lawn with a few borders, a 3-in-1 model that also offers a mini-mower mode may fit better. Two sister models in the same family are covered below. The WG163 is the choice when you want the shorter list of parts and the two included batteries.
Sizing and fit for your height
The listing says the shaft is adjustable and that the handle can be set to different positions. It does not give a height range for the user, so this review does not state one. Before you buy, measure the tool’s shaft in the store or check the product page for the full dimension set. The listed overall footprint is 44.6 inches long by 35 inches wide, which is the item dimension, not a shaft range. For a tall user, the listing’s handle adjustment is the feature to test first when the tool arrives.
Batteries, charging, and line feed
The WG163 includes two 20V Power Share maxLithium batteries and a charger. The listing says both batteries are the same type used across the Power Share family. The listing does not state the charging time for the WG163, so none is given here. Two batteries let you swap one out while the other charges, which the listing implies by including both.
The listing describes a push-button command feed spool system for instant line feeding and says the package includes a trimmer spool, spool caps, and a spacer guard. The line used is 0.065 inch in diameter and the cutting line length is 10 inches, per the listing. The listing mentions free spools, but it does not state the number of spools included in the box, so this article does not give a count.
What is in the box
The listing lists the following components: the trimmer, a safety guard, a flower guard, the charger, two battery packs, an edger wheel, a spool, and spool caps. The safety guard and the spacer guard protect plants, landscape features, and lawn ornaments from the line, according to the listing. Keep all parts when you unbox the tool, because the edger wheels are needed for edging mode.
Strengths the listing supports
- Trimmer and edger in one tool, with conversion in seconds.
- Head tilts 90 degrees for sloped ground and hard-to-reach places.
- Rubberized wheels support and guide the edger.
- Two batteries and a charger are included.
- The batteries work with other Worx Power Share tools, according to the listing.
Limits the listing states or leaves open
- The cutting width is 12 inches, so large open lawns take longer than with a wider cutting head.
- The listing does not state a runtime per charge.
- The listing does not state a warranty length in the pack.
- The listing does not describe a metal blade or a brush-cutting head.
Worx WG163 review in depth
The WG163 is a light tool for its class. The listed machine weight is 5.5 lbs, and the listing describes the shaft as adjustable for the user’s height. The motor runs at 7600 rpm with no load, which the listing states but does not tie to a cutting speed under load. In practice the listing gives the cutting width, the line diameter, and the cutting line length, and those three numbers set what the tool can do on a single pass.
The handle is adjustable, and the listing also describes a rotating head for reaching under bushes. For edging, the listing says the rubberized wheel set rides along the surface and keeps the cut straight. For trimming, the listing says the spacer guard keeps the head at a set distance from plants and landscape features. Both features matter for a homeowner who edges along a bed with ornaments or low plants.
The battery system is the second main point. Because two 20V packs come with the tool, the buyer does not need to buy a battery first. The listing says the same battery runs other Worx tools in the Power Share line, which can reduce the cost of building a set over time. The listing does not give a price, so this review does not compare cost.
The listing’s product dimensions are 44.6 inches long by 35 inches wide. Those numbers describe the package footprint, not the shaft length in use. The shaft and head are the parts that change the reach, and the handle adjustment is what changes how the tool sits in your hands.
Close alternatives in the same family
Two other Worx 20V 12-inch models appear in the pack, and they differ in ways the listings state.
Worx WG170.9 (3-in-1 trimmer, edger, and mini mower, tool only). This model is listed as a 3-in-1 that adds a mini-mower mode. The listing says it runs at 7600 rpm, uses a 12-inch cutting width, weighs 4.6 lbs, and includes three 10-foot trimmer spools and a spool holder. The battery and charger are not included. The listing gives the recommended uses as edging, mowing, and trimming. Choose this model if you already own a 20V battery and want the mower mode.
Worx WG162 (2-in-1 trimmer and edger with batteries). This model is listed as a 2-in-1 trimmer and edger with a 2.0Ah battery and charger included in the title. It has a pivoting head that tilts up to 90 degrees, a telescopic shaft, and an adjustable handle, which are the same kinds of features as the WG163. The pack does not list its weight or cutting width in the same detail, so this review does not compare those numbers.
For the WG163 itself, the listing gives the fullest set of specs, which is the reason this review centers on it.
Who the WG163 suits
The WG163 suits a homeowner with a small to medium yard who wants one tool for trimming and edging. It also suits someone who wants two batteries and a charger in the same box, and someone who already plans to buy other Worx Power Share tools. It is less suited to a large open lawn, where the 12-inch cutting width limits how fast the job finishes. A buyer who wants a mower mode should look at the WG170.9 instead.
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not use the edger wheels on rough or uneven ground without checking that they stay in contact, because the listing describes them as guides for straight cuts on a surface.
- Do not run the head close to plants without the spacer guard fitted, since the listing ties the guard to protecting plants and ornaments.
- Do not assume the listing’s no-load speed is the cutting speed under load. The listing gives the no-load figure only.
- Do not replace the line with a different diameter than 0.065 inch unless the new head is rated for it. The listing gives that diameter as the line size.
FAQ
Is the Worx WG163 a trimmer or an edger?
It is both. The listing describes a 2-in-1 design that converts from a string trimmer to an edger in seconds. In trimming mode, the head cuts grass and weeds. In edging mode, the head is turned and the rubberized wheel set guides the cut along a surface.
Are batteries included with the WG163?
Yes. The listing says two 20V Power Share maxLithium batteries and a charger come with the tool. The WG170.9 model, by contrast, is listed as tool only without a battery or charger.
What line size does the WG163 use?
The listing gives a line diameter of 0.065 inch and a cutting line length of 10 inches. Use line of the same diameter when you restring the head.
How wide is the cutting path?
The listing gives a 12-inch cutting width. That is the figure to compare against your yard’s border lengths.
Can the battery be used on other tools?
The listing says the batteries work on other tools in the Worx Power Share family, and it names 20V and 40V tools as compatible. Check the specific tool’s listing before buying it for a battery match.
Does the listing state a warranty?
The pack for this review does not state a warranty length for the WG163, so none is given here. Check the product page before you buy.
Bottom line
Pick the Worx WG163 if you want a 12-inch cordless string trimmer and edger with two batteries and a charger included, a head that tilts 90 degrees, and an adjustable shaft. Pick the WG170.9 if you also want a mini-mower mode and already own a 20V battery. For a large open lawn, a wider cutting tool will finish faster than any model in this family.
Related reading
Readers comparing edgers and trimmers often start with a general guide to cordless models. The first link below covers a smaller Worx 10-inch model, and the second compares cordless combos across brands.
See Best Worx 20V 10 Cordless String Trimmer and Edger for a smaller-head option in the same brand line.
For a wider comparison, read Best Cordless Lawn Edgers and String Trimmers Compared before you commit to one tool.
