The 8 Best Battery-Powered String Trimmers of 2026

The first thing we compare against the top pick is the cutting swath. At 15 inches, the EGO's head is two inches wider, which does not sound like much until you are walking a long fence line and counting the passes. The extra width is the reason it earns a spot for larger properties.

The 56V motor is the other half of the argument. It has a lower peak rpm than the BLACK+DECKER, but voltage and torque are what let it keep cutting when the grass gets thick; the variable-speed trigger lets you back off around beds. We recommend it for larger lots and tall weeds, not for someone who wants the lightest possible trimmer.

The 2.5Ah battery is rated for up to 45 minutes, and the included charger brings it back in about 50 minutes. The rapid reload head is a genuine convenience when you need fresh line. The five-year warranty is the longest in this group and takes some of the sting out of the premium.

A 63-minute runtime rating is the headline here, and it is the longest claimed run time in this group. The 4Ah battery is the reason. For a long, boring fence line, that matters more than a tenth of an inch of cutting width or a little extra peak power. We recommend it for maintained yards and long sessions, not for the heaviest brush.

The 13-inch swath and turn-to-edge collar make it a one-tool solution, and at a light weight it is easy to carry. Craftsman claims 52% more power than its previous model, but the runtime is the real story here. Around beds and along a driveway, the 4Ah pack is doing the work.

The kit includes the 4Ah battery and charger, so it is ready to use out of the box. The turn-to-edge collar is simple enough to use without reading the manual, and the adjustable handle helps you find a comfortable position.

The rubberized wheels and 90-degree tilting head are what separate the WG163 from the other trimmers here. They turn the tool into a guided edger: set the head, rest the wheels on the pavement, and walk a straighter line.

That combination is why it earns a place for driveways, sidewalks, and bed borders. At 5.5 pounds, it is also the lightest full-size trimmer in this group, and the two included 2.0Ah batteries let you keep one on the charger. The 12-inch swath is narrower than the 13- and 15-inch picks, so open lawn takes more passes.

The 20V motor is fine for grass and light weeds, but it is not the brush cutter of the group; thick stems slow it down and can break line. The push-button command feed is convenient, and free spools for life is a nice long-term perk. The free spools are a small thing, but they remove one recurring cost from a tool you may keep for years.

At 5.7 pounds, the LST300 is the trimmer we point to for a townhouse lot, a courtyard, or anyone who finds a bigger trimmer tiring. The adjustable handle and telescoping shaft help, and the 12-inch head is small enough to work around steps and planters without wrestling the tool.

The 20V motor is not the strongest here. It is fine for grass and light weeds, and the automatic feed spool means you are not bumping the head every few feet. Against tall, wet weeds it runs out of steam sooner than the 40V and 56V trimmers.

For a small lot, that is the right trade. The battery is best treated as a short-session pack; for anything more than a quick border pass, keep a spare. The 5.7-pound build is the reason it gets used for quick passes when a bigger trimmer stays in the shed.

The XRU23Z arrives without a battery or charger, and that is the first thing to understand about it. If you already own Makita 18V LXT packs, the bare tool is the sensible way in; if you do not, the batteries and charger push it into a different price class.

The brushless motor is rated at 6,000 rpm, with a high/low switch and a variable-speed trigger. At 9.2 pounds, it is one of the heavier trimmers here, and the weight is noticeable when you are holding the head off the ground for a long pass. The 13-inch swath and quick-release spool are straightforward, and the tool has the deliberate feel of a professional-grade trimmer.

For a Makita owner, that is the appeal: one battery platform, no gas, and a trimmer that shares packs with the rest of the tools. For everyone else, the all-in cost and the weight make the EGO or BLACK+DECKER kits easier to recommend. The three-year warranty is a reasonable backstop.

The 16-inch cutting swath and 60-minute runtime are the reasons to look at the ST1623T. This is the trimmer for a large lot where fewer passes and fewer battery swaps matter more than saving a pound.

The 4.0Ah battery is one of the biggest packs in this group, and the digital variable-speed selector lets you match the head to the job. The carbon fiber shaft and telescopic adjustment make it comfortable to set up, though the battery adds weight at the back.

Line IQ is the headline feature: it senses the line and feeds more automatically, and PowerLoad winds a new spool with a button press. When it works, it is a genuine convenience. The line feed is also the most common frustration; the head can fail to advance or can pull line back, so check the spool and keep a spare. The 16-inch swath is wider than the 15-inch EGO and the 13-inch BLACK+DECKER, which is the real reason to pay the premium.

We recommend it for large lots and anyone who hates stopping to bump the head. If you want the simplest, most predictable line feed, the ST1502SA is the safer pick; the ST1623T is for the extra width and the automation.

The folding shaft is the reason this one makes the list. The KOMASTY collapses in three places for vertical storage, which is the difference between keeping a trimmer on a garage shelf and leaving it leaned in the corner.

The rest of the package is a 12-inch, 20V trimmer with two 2.0Ah batteries and a claimed total runtime of 30 minutes. The 9,500 rpm head is fast for a budget tool, and the automatic feed removes the bumping. The two batteries let you keep one charging, but 30 minutes is still a short session for a big lot.

The folding joints and the line are where the budget shows. The shaft locks into place, but it is worth checking for play before each use; the line can break in thick grass and needs a spare spool. The 12-inch swath is fine for beds and borders, not for open acreage.

For a small yard and a crowded garage, the trade is fair: you give up runtime and some robustness for a trimmer that stores in a fraction of the space. If you have a half-acre, the CRAFTSMAN or BLACK+DECKER 40V is the better use of your money.