Cordless grass/string trimmer?

[HenryAZ]

I am in need of a cordless string trimmer. I have Bosch 18v batteries, but they don't seem to have a string trimmer. What other brand is good? (well made, reliable) I only need about 30 minutes of use at a time, but I also have a bad back, so weight is important.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I bought into dewalt for yard tools and no complaints, i would say they’re all good. Trimmers are a great cordless tool, time to add another battery platform, this is GJ after all.

 

[engineer2]

Makita makes good string trimmers. Lots of different models to choose from.
Try to get one that uses a standard trimmer head assembly so you can buy a replacement at any store. They do wear out.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I got a Craftsman, because at the time that's all that was available at Lowe's. It's plenty powerful for typical lawn care needs, and the battery last a good while, but the strings do seem to jam. I may modify it somehow.

 

[619DioFan]

I went with ryobi because I own quite alot of ryobi cordless tools already. the 3 year warranty is nice. it is a very lite unit.

 

[mike93lx]

Ego, as long as you aren't very tall.

I have their carbon shaft trimmer and at 6'5", it was very uncomfortable until I got a darwin's grip handle. I'd recommend that handle regardless

Its a great trimmer though. Quiet, powerful and balanced. The string load is fantastic. Super easy

 

[NHDave]

My Black & Decker 20v trimmer has been going strong since 2018, honestly it's lasting longer than I thought it would. If I bought a new one today it would be Ryobi for the same reasons stated above.

 

[CJM8515]

i like my milwaukee, mostly got it for the blower/string trimmer (detachable head type) and 8.0 battery for 300 bucks at the time. plus i have tons of m18 stuff

i will say i think (havent used any) that the 36V tools might be a better better in power or battery life, but the milwaukee does fine. I dont have a very large yard nor do I really take my time to do a superb job.

 

[Aaron_W]

I went with ryobi because I own quite alot of ryobi cordless tools already. the 3 year warranty is nice. it is a very lite unit.

I actually started with Ryobi for the yard tools. My wife bought the hedge trimmer and it wasn't awful, so then since I already had the battery and charger infrastructure I kept adding more.

Ryobi has a short and cheap, weed wacker, that is less than impressive, but the longer one that costs about $100 isn't bad. I wouldn't want to clear a couple acres of over grown weeds with it, but it does a good job edging, and clearing walkways, along fence lines and such.

 

[brianh]

I have the Ryobi 18 volt brushless it has good power and decent runtime with a 4 AH battery. Bonus is my wife also uses it.

 

[Vwpower]

I am invested in makita. I got the cheap makita trimmer that they haven stock at Home Depot. I’m happy with it.

 

[Mavawreck]

Using a Dewalt trimmer since 2016, run it about 15 minutes at a time. No complaints, have other Dewalt tools so it works out. Limb trimmer is awesome too, blower is ok - at least easy to use

 

[Burl]

I've got the Makita XRU23Z. I had rotator cuff surgery in Jan., no more pulling starters. Watch the debris guards, Makitas are relatively small and throw a lot of stuff on you/

 

[LSU]

I’ve got a Stihl for my wife. She’s very happy with it.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Using a Dewalt trimmer since 2016, run it about 15 minutes at a time. No complaints, have other Dewalt tools so it works out. Limb trimmer is awesome too, blower is ok - at least easy to use

Do you have the 20 volt or 60 volt blower? I bought the 20 & returned it the next day for the 60, big difference.

 

[elcom]

I have been very happy with my older Ego yard tools including the mower (20", not the new 21"), blower and hedge trimmer. I have the 14" string trimmer and it has been OK, but the line feed mechanism is not reliable.

I have no reason to doubt the performance of the newer tools, just no personal experience.

If buying an Ego string trimmer, I would probably buy the newer 15" model(s).

 

[mervyn]

Makita also. I had rotator cuff surgery in Jan., no more pulling starters. Watch the debris guards, Makitas are relatively small and throw a lot of stuff on you/

Shoulder issues is my current problem with my gas Weedeater. Seriously considering a battery powered unit.

 

[Mavawreck]

Do you have the 20 volt or 60 volt blower? I bought the 20 & returned it the next day for the 60, big difference.

20v, I don’t think I knew there was a 60! It was actually a package deal with the trimmer. It’s fine for blowing the driveway which is 90% of its life, when pushing leaves off the grass or pine needles off the roof I wish it had a lil more.

 

[Voi]

Last time I checked the Makita XRU13 was the lightest cordless/brushless string trimmer on the market. We have two of them.

However, I haven't checked in some years so I can't say for certain that's still the case.

These are curved shaft trimmers but have the motor in the head so not the normal torque loss associated with curved shaft trimmers.

 

[David0858]

Shoulder issues is my current problem with my gas Weedeater. Seriously considering a battery powered unit.

That's my problem, both my shoulders are messed up and a heavy trimmer is out for me now. I found the Kobalt 24v trimmer and it's great. Light and plenty of power. It's not gas trimmer power but it's not wimpy either. The 4ah battery will outlast me for one trimming session.

 

[Packard V8]

Unfortunate they're a PITA to ship; I've got an older 18-volt Ryobi I'd give you.

jack vines

 

[engineer2]

Makita makes straight shaft and curved shaft and have 10 different models. My straight shaft model has the motor at the top and it balances well. I added a shoulder strap so I can have my hands free if I want and not set it down.
I got the 36V, but for my small suburban lot the 18V version would have been fine.
On high speed it will rip though vegetation as fast as you can walk.
If I had to do it all over again I would get the power head that allows different attachments (string trimmer, hedge trimmer, blower, chain saw) I think Milw and DeWalt make a similar tool. Quite handy!

 

[Outahere]

Are there any electric trimmers with adjustable shaft length and adjustable head angle?

 

[Cooter Brown]

I've been disappointed with my M18 Milwaukee. It's got decent battery life, but the string feed is very balky. It's impossible to get through a 30-40 minute session of work without having to fiddle with it to feed fresh string, usually more than once.

It's frustrating that what should be the most mature technology on the tool is the thing they couldn't get right.

 

[RonnieC]

I’m in the green works 80volt ecosystem. Weedwhacker works well but the batteries are not light.

 

[SteveCh]

Right now, Costco sale on Greenworks 80volt trimmer with the 4 amp hr battery. I think it is $60 off. Something like that. Got one but way too early to try out. online video reviews are good, assuming one can trust online reviews....

 

[ike]

I have all Dewalt cordless tools and bought into the Dewalt outdoor power equipment. After having the blower, trimmer, pole saw, chainsaw, etc, I bought the self propelled lawn mower, which I hated. I ended up returning it because the 2 10ah batteries failed. My parents bought EGO outdoor equipment, and I believe it is better, the mower certainly is. If I could go back, I'd keep my tools Dewalt, but my outdoor stuff would be EGO.

 

[midorix]

Greenworks 80V version would be effective but bit heavy. I have the Kobalt 80V which is the same thing (made by Greenworks). 80V Kobalt platform has been great (mower, blower, edger, trimmer).

 

[paulsomlo]

Makita XRU23 - light, surprisingly powerful, easy on batteries.

 

[TobeyA]

I went the 40v Kobalt route for yard tools. Been pretty pleased with them. Trimmer, chain saw, blower, and hedge clippers. Good run time, and they all work well.

 

[boom10ful]

The EGO trimmer is by far the best that I've ever used. The string feed is very easy to use and it has plenty of power to cut through agave plants (don't try it though or you'll end up itching all over like me). I recommend the 2.5 AH battery as it gets heavy with the 5AH one.

 

[Two Door]

Are there any electric trimmers with adjustable shaft length and adjustable head angle?

One of the EGos has adjustable shaft length, but not head angle. My 5'3" wife couldn't comfortably handle a standard length trimmer and she LOVES that EGo (1511T, I think).

 

[MileHighRover]

To throw another brand out there, I went with Toro's 60V line up. Have the straight shaft string trimmer and their self propelled mower. I've been very happy with both.

I looked at a bunch of different brands and watched too many videos and reviews. Toro has been around for about 100 years. I figured they weren't going anywhere and they know lawn care better than most.

 

[HenryAZ]

Makita XRU23 - light, surprisingly powerful, easy on batteries.

First, thanks to everyone for all the help. The Makita XRU23SM1 is the one I decided to go with. It comes with a 4Ah battery and a charger. I have one other Makita cordless tool (6" grass shears), so I already have a charger. I'll put the second charger away for later. At least I'll have two 4Ah batteries and two tools.

Voi, I don't see the XRU13 on their web site. I suppose the 23 is the newer model. It is only 6.6 lbs with the 4Ah battery in place.

 

[Voi]

First, thanks to everyone for all the help. The Makita XRU23SM1 is the one I decided to go with. It comes with a 4Ah battery and a charger. I have one other Makita cordless tool (6" grass shears), so I already have a charger. I'll put the second charger away for later. At least I'll have two 4Ah batteries and two tools.

Voi, I don't see the XRU13 on their web site. I suppose the 23 is the newer model. It is only 6.6 lbs with the 4Ah battery in place.

The XRU13z is still on their site but the XRU23z you found is lighter so it sounds like the better choice. Let us know how you like it.

 

[zmotorsports]

My son purchased the cordless Toro 60v string trimmer and leaf blower three years ago when he purchased his home and he loves them. Keeps trying to convert me actually.

 

[Greeny]

Are there any electric trimmers with adjustable shaft length and adjustable head angle?

My daughter has an 18V Ryobi with a rotating head. Works great for edging. The release for the head rotation is a foot lever, it's very easy to use. I don't know of any adjustable length models. I have an old gasser that still runs, but when it dies, I'll replace it, probably with the Ryobi since I already have the batteries.

 

[thool]

I went with ryobi because I own quite alot of ryobi cordless tools already. the 3 year warranty is nice. it is a very lite unit.

I have the Ryobi with the twist off connector so you can attach other accessories. I think it is 40v. It has the head that swivels 90 degrees for edging. I've had it for 8 years now and had to replace the switch (it gets hot when run at intermediate speeds). I think it is the same as a Homelite brand.

I recommend it for ease of use.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have the 40V brushless Ryobi trimmer and blower.

Damn near professional grade, very pleased with it. Both have plenty of power, trimmer seems to be pretty comparable with the Echo commercial units I used when I worked for the government.

 

[powertrip]

40 volt Ryobi. I've had it for 7 years with no problems. The original battery still works fine as well.