The 5 Best Cordless String Trimmers for Your Yard of 2026
A good cordless string trimmer turns edge work from a gas-powered chore into a grab-and-go five-minute job, and a bad one turns it into a tangle of bump-fed line and dead batteries. We rounded up the best options across every yard and budget: the Best Overall for the flagship 56V experience, the Best Budget for under sixty bucks, the Best for Mid-Size Yards with its huge owner base, the Best Multi-Tool System that also edges, and the Best for Makita Owners for Makita battery loyalists. The EGO POWER+ 16 inch came out on top because it does the annoying parts of trimming for you: auto-sensing line feed and a push-button spool reload, a carbon fiber shaft that adjusts to your height, and up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge. Read on for the details on each pick and how to match one to your yard, your battery platform, and your patience for line reloads.
| Product | Cutting Power | Ease Of Use | Runtime | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Best for Mid-Size YardsBLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 13 in String Trimmer Edger Cordless - LST140C | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 9.0 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best for Makita OwnersMakita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13" String Trimmer, Tool Only | 8.0 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 9.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best Multi-Tool SystemEGO MHC1603 Multi-Head Combo Kit 16-Inch 56-Volt String Trimmer with POWERLOAD | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 8.0 | See PriceAmazon |
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 13 in String Trimmer Edger Cordless - LST140C
Best for
This is for the typical suburban yard: edges, fence lines, and the occasional overgrown corner. You want noticeably more power than 20V without paying flagship prices, and 8,370 reviews at 4.4 stars is the most social proof in the roundup. If you want the absolute best trimming experience, the EGO justifies its premium; if your yard is small, the Worx saves you a hundred dollars.
Why we love it
The PowerCommand dial is genuinely useful: twist for maximum power on thick patches or maximum runtime for long sessions, instead of the one-speed compromise most trimmers force on you. The 40V battery with a state-of-charge indicator, PowerDrive transmission, and automatic feed spool cover the fundamentals well, and the 13 inch swath plus 2-in-1 edger conversion handle real yards. Choose this over the Best Budget when 20V is not enough for your weeds, and over the Best Overall when you want 80 percent of the result at about half the price.
Pros
- PowerCommand dial for max power or max runtime modes
- Automatic feed spool with 8,370 reviews at 4.4 stars
- 13 inch swath converts to a wheeled edger
- 159.00 hits the power-per-dollar sweet spot
Cons
- No push-button spool reload like the EGO POWERLOAD
- 40V battery is heavier than 20V packs
- Not as refined as the flagship Best Overall on thick growth
Verdict
Yes if you want the best balance of power, price, and proven reliability for a typical yard. Consider the Best Overall only if you trim large areas regularly and want the auto-feed flagship experience.
Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13" String Trimmer, Tool Only
Best for
This is for the Makita loyalist with 18V LXT batteries already in the garage. The brushless motor is efficient and quiet, and at 4.6 stars from 1,012 reviews it is the highest-rated trimmer here. If you own no Makita batteries, the math flips: a bare tool plus batteries costs more than the Best for Mid-Size Yards, so buy this only as a platform add-on.
Why we love it
Brushless motors run cooler, quieter, and longer than brushed ones, and Makita's high/low speed button lets you trade power for runtime on the fly. Up to an hour of runtime on a 4.0Ah battery is excellent for an 18V-class tool, and the 13 inch head with bump feed is simple and proven. Choose this over the Best Budget when you want pro-grade build and already own the batteries, and over the Best Overall when 136.56 plus batteries you own beats 299.00 plus a new platform.
Pros
- Brushless motor with high/low speed control
- Up to 1 hour runtime on an 18V LXT 4.0Ah battery
- 4.6 stars from 1,012 reviews, highest rated here
- 136.56 is a steal as a bare-tool platform add-on
Cons
- Battery and charger sold separately, not for new buyers
- Bump feed only, no auto-feed intelligence
- 18V ceiling on the toughest, tallest weeds
Verdict
Yes if you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries and want a quality trimmer cheap. Consider the Best for Mid-Size Yards if you are starting from zero, since a complete kit costs less than this plus batteries.
Worx 20V 10" 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Lawn Edger - WG154
Best for
This is for the small-yard owner who trims weekly and wants the job done with minimal fuss. At 4.2 pounds it is the easiest pick here to carry, and the rotating head switches between trimming and edging without extra parts. If your weeds get tall between sessions or your lot is large, step up to the 40V BLACK+DECKER instead.
Why we love it
The price is the story: 57.49 for a cordless 2-in-1 with auto-feed line and a 10 inch head, backed by 6,046 reviews at 4.4 stars. The rotating head flips from trimmer to edger in one motion, and the lightweight build means one-handed touch-ups are actually pleasant. It shares the Worx 20V PowerShare battery line, so spare batteries are cheap. Choose this over the Best for Mid-Size Yards when your yard is small and maintained, and over the Best Overall when you would rather keep 240 in your pocket for a tool you use 15 minutes a week.
Pros
- Just 4.2 pounds, the lightest pick in the roundup
- Rotating head converts between trimmer and edger
- Auto-feed line with 6,046 reviews at 4.4 stars
- 57.49 price with cheap Worx PowerShare batteries
Cons
- 10 inch swath is slow on larger yards
- 20V power bogs down in tall, thick weeds
- Shorter runtime per battery than 40V and 56V picks
Verdict
Yes if you have a small, regularly maintained yard and want the cheapest cordless trimmer that still works well. Consider the Best for Mid-Size Yards if your weeds ever get out of hand, since 20V has a clear ceiling.
EGO MHC1603 Multi-Head Combo Kit 16-Inch 56-Volt String Trimmer with POWERLOAD
Best for
This is for the buyer who is tired of accumulating single-purpose yard tools. One 56V power head drives the 16 inch carbon fiber trimmer attachment plus an 8 inch edger, and the platform accepts pole saw and blower heads too. If you only need a trimmer, the Best Overall is cheaper and simpler; if you want separate dedicated tools, buy those instead of a combo.
Why we love it
The combo math works: the trimmer attachment carries the same POWERLOAD push-button reload and carbon fiber shaft as the flagship line, and swapping to the edger attachment takes seconds. The included 56V 4.0Ah battery runs the trimmer about 45 minutes, and carbon fiber shafts carry a lifetime warranty. At 4.6 stars from 1,000 reviews, owners clearly like the one-head approach. Choose this over the Best Overall when you want trimming plus edging from a single investment, and over buying separate tools when storage space matters.
Pros
- One power head runs trimmer and edger attachments
- POWERLOAD push-button line reload on carbon fiber shaft
- 4.6 stars from 1,000 reviews, lifetime shaft warranty
- Expands to pole saw and blower heads on 56V
Cons
- 429.00 is the most expensive pick by a wide margin
- 45 minute trimmer runtime is shorter than the Best Overall
- Overkill if you only ever need a trimmer
Verdict
Yes if you want a trimmer and edger in one system and like the EGO 56V platform. Consider the Best Overall if you just want the best standalone trimmer for 130 less.
EGO POWER+ 16" Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger - ST1623T
Best for
This is for the homeowner who wants trimming to feel effortless. You value never thinking about line feed, a 16 inch swath that finishes edges fast, and up to 60 minutes of runtime on the included battery. If you already own EGO 56V tools, this is the obvious add. If you balk at 299.00, the BLACK+DECKER 40V delivers most of the real-world result for about half the price.
Why we love it
The headline tech is LINE IQ: the trimmer senses the cutting line and feeds it automatically, so you never bump-feed mid-yard. POWERLOAD takes the other hated chore off your plate: feed the line through the head, push a button, and the spool rewinds itself. The telescopic carbon fiber shaft adjusts to your height and trims vibration, and the 56V platform shares batteries with EGO mowers and blowers. Choose this over the Worx when your yard is big enough that runtime and swath matter more than saving 240, and choose it over the EGO combo when you want the best single trimmer rather than a multi-head system.
Pros
- LINE IQ auto-sensing line feed plus push-button POWERLOAD spool reload
- 16 inch swath and up to 60 minutes of runtime on one charge
- Telescopic carbon fiber shaft with adjustable length
- 2,263 reviews at 4.4 stars on the 56V platform
Cons
- 299.00 is flagship pricing before you add extra batteries
- 16 inch head is wider to maneuver in tight beds
- Heavier than 20V trimmers for one-handed work
Verdict
Yes if you want the best cordless trimming experience and your yard justifies the investment. Consider the Best for Mid-Size Yards if 299.00 is more than you want to spend on a trimmer, since it covers most yards at about half the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cordless string trimmers as powerful as gas?
The top tiers are close: 56V and 60V trimmers like the Best Overall and Best Multi-Tool System cut thick weeds at speeds that feel gas-like, with zero mixing oil or pull starts. For routine weekly edges, even 20V models like the Best Budget are plenty. Gas still wins for all-day commercial use, but for a homeowner, a big-battery cordless trimmer removes every reason most people still own gas.
Is 20V enough for a string trimmer?
For a small to medium yard kept on a regular schedule, yes. 20V trimmers like the Worx handle lawn edges and light weeds with batteries that are cheap to replace. They struggle on tall, woody growth, where a 40V model like the Best for Mid-Size Yards or the 56V Best Overall earns its price. If your yard ever goes a month untrimmed, buy more voltage than you think you need.
How does bump feed compare to auto feed?
Bump feed advances line when you tap the head on the ground, which is simple and standard but interrupts trimming and wastes line. Auto-feed heads advance line on their own as needed, and the EGO Best Overall adds LINE IQ sensing so you never think about it at all. Auto systems cost more up front but save the most hated part of the job: stopping mid-yard to fiddle with line.
Can a string trimmer replace an edger?
Mostly, if you pick one that converts. Trimmers like the Best Budget rotate their head into an edger position, and the Best for Mid-Size Yards switches to a wheeled edger mode for clean driveway lines. A dedicated edger still cuts straighter, deeper borders, but for most yards a convertible trimmer plus the multi-head combo covers both jobs with one battery platform.
Should I buy into the EGO, Makita, or DEWALT battery platform?
Buy the platform you already own, all else close. The Makita XRU23Z is a great value at 136.56 only if you have 18V LXT batteries; as a first battery purchase it is less compelling. The EGO and EGO combo reward EGO lawn-tool owners with shared 56V packs, while the DEWALT 60V accepts the whole attachment-capable line. Pick the ecosystem you will keep feeding.
Honorable Mentions
DEWALT 60V Cordless String Trimmer 17 Inch, Attachment Capable - DCST970X1
The 60V DEWALT cuts a 17 inch swath with attachment capability for the whole 60V line, at 349.00. It loses a pick slot to the [[overall|EGO]] on value and to the [[multi_tool|EGO combo]] on system refinement, but DEWALT platform owners should shortlist it.
See PriceAmazonBLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Weed Eater, Edger and Sweeper Combo Kit - LCC222
Trimmer, wheeled edger, and a 130 mph sweeper with two batteries and a charger for 109.00, backed by 12,942 reviews at 4.3 stars. The [[budget|Worx]] trims better as a pure trimmer, but nothing matches this kit for whole-driveway cleanup in one box.
See PriceAmazonBLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 12 Inch Weed Eater Cordless String Trimmer - LST300
A 12 inch 20V trimmer with auto-feed spool at 99.00 and 4.5 stars from 6,508 reviews. It sits between the [[budget]] and [[best_40v]] on price and power, and is the pick for buyers who want a bigger swath than the Worx without jumping to 40V.
See PriceAmazon
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