Best Line Trimmer
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The best line trimmer, also sold as a string trimmer or weed eater, is the one that fits your yard and the batteries you already own. This guide covers cordless models only, since this site is about electric lawn care. We compare seven trimmers by what their Amazon listings state: cutting swath, battery platform, whether a battery and charger are in the box, weight and line size. Six come as kits with a battery; one is a bare tool, and we flag it clearly. Runtime figures are manufacturer claims. We have not tested any trimmer. Specs were read from the listings on 2026-10-17, and where a listing contradicts itself we show both numbers.
Quick answer
- Top pick for most yards: EGO POWER+ ST1623T (16-inch swath, 4.0Ah battery and charger included, 7.5 lb per the listing).
- Two batteries in the box: WORX WG185 40V (15-inch swath, 9.42 lb, two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger).
- Attachment-capable 60V options: DEWALT DCST972X1 and Greenworks 60V ST60L413 (both state battery and charger included).
- For Makita 18V LXT owners: Makita XRU12SM1 kit (4.0Ah battery included, 3-speed control).
- For Ryobi ONE+ 18V owners: Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V brushless 13-inch (4.0Ah battery and charger, rotating shaft for edging).
- Tool only, buy a battery separately: Ryobi RY40205 40V (the listing says battery and charger are sold separately).
How we chose these trimmers
We kept models whose Amazon title and listing clearly describe a battery string trimmer, then covered several battery platforms (EGO 56V, DEWALT 60V, Greenworks 60V, WORX 40V, Makita 18V, Ryobi 18V and 40V). For each model we read the item-details table and the “About this item” bullets and looked at four things first.
- Kit or tool only. Many cordless listings sell a bare tool with no battery or charger. We say which is which.
- Cutting swath. The cutting width row, compared with the title, because the two often differ.
- Weight. The listing’s item weight. The listings do not say whether it includes the battery or packaging, so treat it as a rough guide.
- Platform. The battery system the listing names, because a trimmer on a platform you already own saves a battery purchase.
The listings do not state a decibel level with a test method for any of these trimmers, and several do not state runtime. We do not write “quiet” or give a runtime for a trimmer where the listing does not.
Comparison table
| Model | Platform | Battery in the box | Swath (table) | Weight (listing) | Line size | Runtime claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO ST1623T | EGO 56V ARC | 4.0Ah battery and charger | 16 in | 7.5 lb | 0.095 in line included | Up to 60 min |
| WORX WG185 | 40V PowerShare | 2 x 4.0Ah, dual-port charger | 15 in | 9.42 lb | 0.095 in | Not stated |
| DEWALT DCST972X1 | 60V | Battery and charger | 15 in (title says 17) | 15 lb | 0.080 in (0.095 also works) | Not stated |
| Greenworks ST60L413 | Greenworks 60V | 4.0Ah battery and charger | 16 in | 18.7 lb | 0.095 in dual line | Not stated |
| Makita XRU12SM1 | 18V LXT | 4.0Ah battery (kit) | Not stated | 11.97 lb | 0.080 in | Not stated |
| Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V (13-inch) | ONE+ 18V | 4.0Ah battery and charger | 13 in | 11.18 lb | Not stated | Not stated |
| Ryobi RY40205 (bare tool) | Ryobi 40V | None (sold separately) | 13 in (title says 15) | 11 lb | Not stated | Up to 71 min with a 4Ah 40V battery |
The seven trimmers
1. EGO POWER+ ST1623T: top pick for most yards
Specs from the listing, checked 2026-10-17: 16-inch cutting swath, 4.0Ah battery and charger included (the charger is named as the CH3200 and the battery charges in 55 minutes, per the listing), 7.5 lb, brushless motor, digital variable speed selector, telescopic carbon fiber shaft. The Line IQ system feeds the line without bumping and the Powerload system winds new line when you push a button. Up to 60 minutes of runtime on one charge is the manufacturer’s claim. 5-year tool warranty and 3-year battery warranty. It works with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, per the listing.
Pros: the lightest trimmer on this list, a complete kit, and a clear runtime claim.
Cons: it only helps if you want to buy into the EGO 56V platform, and the listing gives no noise figure.
Best for: a typical yard where you want a light, complete kit. Skip if: you need to add attachments, because this listing does not say the shaft takes them.
View the EGO ST1623T on Amazon (affiliate link)
2. WORX WG185 40V: two batteries in the box
Specs from the listing, checked 2026-10-17: 15-inch cutting diameter with a dual-exit head for 0.095-inch line, two 4.0Ah PowerShare batteries and a dual-port charger included, 9.42 lb, brushless motor, bump-feed line advance, easy-load spool head, adjustable D-shaped handle and a 2-stage trigger. The listing says it runs like a 25cc gas motor (a manufacturer claim) and that the batteries work with 140+ WORX PowerShare products.
Not stated: runtime in minutes.
Pros: a spare battery means you can swap mid-job, and it is light for a 15-inch trimmer.
Cons: no runtime or noise figure in the listing, and the gas comparison cannot be checked.
Best for: a medium yard where a second battery matters, or a household that already uses WORX PowerShare tools. Skip if: you need an attachment-capable shaft; the listing does not say it is.
View the WORX WG185 on Amazon (affiliate link)
3. DEWALT DCST972X1 60V: attachment capable
Specs from the listing, checked 2026-10-17: brushless motor, battery and charger included (the listing does not state the battery’s Ah), 8,000 rpm, 15-inch to 17-inch adjustable swath with 0.080-inch dual line (0.095-inch line also works), variable trigger with hi/lo speed control, quick-load spool, universal attachment capability, 3-year warranty on material and workmanship. The item table lists 15 pounds.
Listing conflict: the title says a 17-inch trimmer, the item table says a 15-inch cutting width, and the bullets say 15 or 17 inches adjustable. The 15-pound weight looks high for a trimmer; the listing does not say whether it includes packaging or the battery.
Pros: attachment capable, and a speed control you can match to the job.
Cons: the weight and swath details are unclear, and runtime is not stated.
Best for: homeowners who want one power head for several tools, or who already own DEWALT 60V batteries. Skip if: weight matters most and you cannot confirm it.
View the DEWALT DCST972X1 on Amazon (affiliate link)
4. Greenworks 60V ST60L413: 16-inch swath, shoulder strap
Specs from the listing, checked 2026-10-17: brushless 60V motor, 16-inch cutting width, 4.0Ah battery, charger and spool included, 10,000 rpm, Load N’ Go head with 0.095-inch dual line, adjustable shoulder strap, attachment-capable shaft, 4-year limited warranty covering tool and battery. The listing says it works with 75+ Greenworks 60V products. The item table lists 18.7 lb.
Not stated: runtime, and whether the 18.7 lb includes the battery.
Pros: a long warranty and a shoulder strap that suits longer jobs.
Cons: the heaviest listed weight here, and no runtime figure.
Best for: a larger yard, or a household using Greenworks 60V tools. Skip if: you want the lightest trimmer.
View the Greenworks ST60L413 on Amazon (affiliate link)
5. Makita XRU12SM1 18V LXT kit: for Makita owners
Specs from the listing, checked 2026-10-17: brushless motor up to 6,000 rpm, 3-speed control (4,000, 5,000 and 6,000 rpm), Automatic Torque Drive mode that shifts rpm for run time or power, bump-and-feed head loaded with 0.080-inch twisted quiet line, 4.0Ah battery included in the kit, 11.97 lb, 3-year limited warranty on tool, battery and charger.
Not stated: the cutting swath. The item table’s “cutting width” of 0.08 inches is the line diameter. The listing says the kit is ideal for precision trimming and edging.
Pros: three speeds and a warranty that covers the tool, the battery and the charger.
Cons: no swath width, and the heaviest 18V option here at nearly 12 lb.
Best for: someone who already has Makita 18V LXT batteries and tools. Skip if: you need to know the swath before buying; ask the manufacturer or check the manual.
View the Makita XRU12SM1 on Amazon (affiliate link)
6. Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V brushless 13-inch: for Ryobi ONE+ owners
Specs from the listing, checked 2026-10-17: 13-inch cutting width, brushless motor, rotating shaft for easy edging, 4.0Ah battery and charger included, 11.18 lb. The listing says it works with any Ryobi ONE+ 18V battery and that 260+ ONE+ tools share the platform.
Not stated: runtime, line size, warranty.
Pros: a rotating shaft for edging and a large tool platform.
Cons: the narrowest swath of the kits here, and a short list of stated specs.
Best for: small yards and edging, especially if you have ONE+ batteries. Skip if: you want a wide swath.
View the Ryobi ONE+ HP trimmer on Amazon (affiliate link)
7. Ryobi RY40205 40V attachment-capable trimmer: tool only
Read this first: the listing is titled “Bare Tool” and says battery and charger are sold separately. If you do not already own a Ryobi 40V battery and charger, this is not a complete purchase.
Specs from the listing, checked 2026-10-17: Expand-It attachment capable, 8,500 rpm, 11 lb, up to 71 minutes of runtime using a 40V 4Ah battery (a manufacturer claim that depends on a battery you buy separately), and the item table lists a 30-day limited warranty.
Listing conflict: the title says 15-inch while the item table says 13 inches of cutting width.
Pros: attachment capable, and a good fit for people who already own Ryobi 40V batteries.
Cons: no battery or charger, a swath that is unclear, and a warranty listed as 30 days.
Best for: Ryobi 40V owners who need only the tool. Skip if: you have no Ryobi 40V battery and charger.
View the Ryobi RY40205 on Amazon (affiliate link)
Worked example: swath, battery and the tool-only trap
Swath decides how many passes a strip needs. Take a border strip 4 feet wide (48 inches). A 16-inch swath covers it in 3 passes (48 divided by 16). A 13-inch swath needs about 3.7 passes, so 4 in practice. That is one extra pass on every length of border.
Battery energy in watt-hours is volts times amp-hours. This is our own arithmetic on listing figures and ignores motor efficiency. The EGO battery is 56V and 4.0Ah, so 56 x 4.0 = 224 Wh, and EGO claims up to 60 minutes. The Ryobi 40V battery in the bare-tool listing is 40V and 4Ah, so 40 x 4 = 160 Wh, and the listing claims up to 71 minutes. The Makita and Ryobi 18V kits use 18V and 4.0Ah batteries, so 18 x 4.0 = 72 Wh, and neither of those listings states a runtime. The claims use different loads and are not comparable, so use them only to size the battery pack to the job: a few minutes of edging uses very little, while a half-hour of thick growth is where a bigger battery matters.
Now the tool-only trap. If a bare-tool trimmer looks cheaper on the page, add the cost of a battery and charger before you compare. The Ryobi RY40205 listing says the battery and charger are sold separately. Every other trimmer here includes a battery.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a bare tool without a battery. Check the title for “tool only,” “bare tool” or “battery not included.”
- Trusting the title swath. The DEWALT and Ryobi RY40205 titles and tables disagree on size. Check the cutting width row.
- Ignoring line size. The listings quote 0.080-inch and 0.095-inch line. Buy the size your manual lists for the head.
- Mixing battery brands. Each listing names its own platform. We do not assume cross-brand compatibility, so check the manufacturer before buying a battery for another brand’s tool.
- Taking weight at face value. The weight rows for the DEWALT (15 lb) and Greenworks (18.7 lb) are not explained in their listings.
Who should skip a cordless trimmer
Skip a battery trimmer if you trim for hours at a time, since batteries run out and the listings give runtimes only as claims. Skip these if your yard is mostly wide lawn; a mower does that job faster. See our other trimmer and weed eater guides below if you already own a platform.
FAQ
Is a line trimmer the same as a string trimmer or weed eater?
The words are used for the same type of tool: a powered shaft with a head that spins a nylon line. The listings call them string trimmers, weed eaters or weed wackers.
Do these trimmers include a battery?
Six do: EGO (4.0Ah), WORX (two 4.0Ah), DEWALT, Greenworks (4.0Ah), Makita (4.0Ah kit) and Ryobi ONE+ HP (4.0Ah). The Ryobi RY40205 is a bare tool.
Which trimmers are attachment capable?
The listings say so for the DEWALT DCST972X1, the Greenworks ST60L413 and the Ryobi RY40205. The other listings do not state it.
What line does each trimmer use?
The listings give 0.095-inch for the EGO (included), WORX and Greenworks, and 0.080-inch for the Makita and the DEWALT (which also accepts 0.095-inch). The Ryobi listings do not state a line size.
Can I use my mower battery in a trimmer?
Only within the same platform. For example, the EGO listing says its trimmer works with all EGO 56V ARC batteries, and the Greenworks listing says its battery works with 75+ Greenworks 60V products. Read our explainer on lawn and garden battery voltage before you mix tools.
Are runtime claims reliable?
They are manufacturer figures. Thick growth, heavy line and full speed shorten real runtime.
Where can I find more trimmer guides?
See the DEWALT FlexVolt 60V string trimmer guide, the Greenworks versus EGO Power string trimmer comparison, and the EGO Power versus WORX trimmers comparison.
