Best Battery Powered Weed Eater – Ultimate Guide

It’s an obvious trend that in 2023 the electric lawn care tool industry is becoming more popular. And this is because manufacturers are now producing similar tools with capacities compared to gas-powered tools. These new battery-powered tools are much easier to handle, environmentally friendly, and easy to maintain.

These battery-powered weed eaters are designed to be quiet, maintenance-friendly, and lightweight. They can also compete with gas-powered eaters depending on their battery's capacity. They are also suitable for all sizes of lawn and grass characteristics.

Let's get started!

Best Homeowner Battery Powered Weed Eaters

Trimmer	EGO ST1521S	Dewalt DCST920P1	Greenworks Pro 60V	Ryobi 40V	Milwaukee M18
Voltage	56V	20V	60V	40V	18V
Amp	2.5Ah	5.0 Ah	2.0 Ah	4.0 Ah	n/a
Battery Life	60 min.	60 min.	60 min	45 min.	60 min.
Cutting Swath	15″	14″	16″	13 – 15″	14 – 16″
Weight	7.28 lb	8.5 lb	9.8 lb	11.3 lb	9.9 lb
Warranty	3 year battery / 5 year tool / liftetime shaft	3 Year Tool / Battery	4 year tool / Battery	5 year Tool / 3 year Battery	3 Year Tool / Battery
Price	$$	$	$$	$	$$$$

1. EGO Power Plus ST1521S – BEST OVERALL

This cordless trimmer will slash through thick weeds like it's soft grass. With all this power, you would think it would be noisy but relatively quiet. The EGO ST1521S is potent and affordable, minus all the exhaust or time-wasting maintenance. Besides, it has enough run time to cut 1-foot-long grass over half a mile long if it's fully charged.

It has a push-button loading system, so you don't have to go through the usually cumbersome process of adding more lines on the spool head. The EGO St1521S is also among the lightest battery-powered weed eaters. It is incredibly user-friendly, making it easy to utilize and maneuver while working.

Features

• 15-inch cutting swath
• Weighs 7.8 lbs.
• Push-button loading system
• Highly effective brushless motor
• 3 years battery warranty, 5 years tool warranty, and a lifetime warranty for the shaft

Pros:

• Effectively trims and cuts weeds
• Offers well-balanced handling
• No line-tangling
• Extended battery life
• Fast-charging
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Non-collapsible, not easy to store
• Noisy battery charger fan
• Front handle flexes too much

2. DeWalt 20V Max (DCST920P1)

This is the perfect string trimmer for an area with some overgrowth covering the grass. It has a folding shaft that eases storage and utilizes a battery system compatible with over 200 different 20V Max tools. Moreover, it has a Quick-load spool making reloading less time-consuming than manual heads.

Even though it has reduced voltage, which translates to less power, it is ideal for you who have a small backyard, and its design is impressive.

Features

• 2-speed control
• 14-inch cutting swath
• 20V voltage
• Weighs 8.5 lbs
• A brushless motor at the front

Pros:

• High-powered motor
• Long-lasting battery
• Durable build
• Requires little to no maintenance
• Quiet operation
• Reliable warranty

Cons:

• One of the more expensive options
• Better with a shoulder strap

3. Greenworks Pro 60V

This Next-gen battery powered weed eater has less vibration compared to most models. Also, it has a manageable weight and performs really well. The feature that stands out the most is the Load N Go head. You feed your line to the middle and then turn the trimmer head to roll it in. This is easy to do and less time-consuming than manually twisting the line.

Features

• 16-inch cutting swath
• The brushless motor on the front
• 2-speed control
• Load n Go head
• Voltage – 60V

Pros:

• Excellent balance
• Exceptional cutting performance
• Tool-free adjustments on the front handle
• Extra-large debris guard

Cons:

• Runtime is shorter than alternatives
• Long-charging battery

4. Ryobi 40V

This weed eater can function as an all-purpose lawn machine. While it can't trim thick and tall weeds easily, it has enough power to cut through thick grass and the runtime to manage a huge area. The Ryobi is “attachment-ready,” meaning you can remove the trimmer head and switch it with several yard tools. This weed eater is quite loud and somewhat heavy; it utilizes a hand-crack mechanism making line loading simple and fast.

Features

• 40V voltage
• Weighs 11.3 lbs.
• Battery life gauge
• Amp battery
• 13 to 15 inches cutting swath

Pros:

• Incredibly quiet compared to alternatives
• Lightweight carbon fiber shaft
• One-hour extended runtime
• Reliable cutting strength

Cons:

• No shoulder strap
• More expensive than most
• Heaviest among the options

5. Milwaukee M18

This impressive weed eater has an excellent cutting swath and can run for one hour when fully charged. You can also buy a second battery to switch out every hour. It comes with a fast charger, which takes 60 minutes to charge the battery fully. Besides, it’s neither weighty nor noisy. Moreover, its 9 amp battery has impressive fuel capacity for its class and enough potent for maintaining your lawn and slashing the overgrown grass and weed.

Features

• 5-year warranty on tool and 3-year warranty for battery
• 14 – 16 inches cutting swath
• Weighs 9.9 lbs
• 18V voltage
• Bump feed system

Pros:

• Works with all Milwaukee M18 batteries
• Adjustable speed
• Broad cutting diameter
• Faster cutting than alternatives

Cons:

• Uncomfortable handle
• Inconvenient tool-operated adjustments

Best Budget String Trimmers

1. WORX WG163

This WORX string trimmer is user-friendly, efficient, and fast. It is designed for extended use over huge areas and is also powerful enough for tight spots. Its 20V Lithium-ion engine runs for extended periods, delivering continuous efficiency and attaining excellent results. Its 12-inch cutting swath produces quick and clean cuts and manages to reach the smaller weeds.

Besides, its telescopic shaft makes height adjustment possible, therefore giving you better precision. The space guard is the edge guide and the protection. It is also affordable.

Features

• Voltage – 20V
• Weighs 6lbs
• 12 inches cutting swath
• 2-in-1 edge and trimmer
• Automatic line feed

Pros:

• Head tiltable to 90-degrees
• Telescoping shaft
• Easily adjustable front handle
• Easy push-button control

Cons:

• Battery charging takes too long
• Requires some assembly
• Shaft is a bit short

2. Black & Decker LSTE525

This versatile weed eater offers tremendous power, features, and superb performance that you require to keep your compound looking tidy. This 20V Black + Decker is compatible with multiple power tools for better efficiency. Furthermore, it is designed using Power-Drive transmission for additional potent and torque. Its 2-speed control allows you to choose between more power and more running time.

With its 2-in-1 functionality, the LSTE525 lets you swiftly change from trimmer to wheeled edger within no time. It also has an adjustable handle and height and is lightweight, making it comfortable to use for a prolonged time.

Features

• 12 inches cutting swath
• Weights 6.3 lbs
• 2-speed control
• 5500 to 7200 RPM cutting power
• 2-in-1 model

Pros:

• Adjustable speed
• Lightweight, extremely portable
• Easy operation
• Quiet runtime

Cons:

• Long recharge time
• Autofeeding problems

Best Commercial Battery Powered Weed Eater

Trimmer	Makita XRU18	Stihl FSA 130	Husqvarna 520iLX	Echo 58V
Voltage	18V x 2	AP Series	36V	58V
Amp	5.0 Ah	n/a	5.0 Ah	2.0 Ah
Battery Life	90 min.	120 min.	45 min	45 min.
Cutting Swath	17″	16.5″	16″	14 – 16″
Weight	10.8 lb	8.6 lb	6.6 lb	11.3 lb
Warranty	3 Year Commercial warranty	3 Year residential / 2 year commercial	3 Year residential / 2 year commercial	5 year Residential / 2 year Commercial
Price	$$$$	$$$$	$$$	$$

1. Makita XRU18 weed eater – BEST COMMERCIAL

This string trimmer has the power of a 30cc engine. This power boost can be felt in the increased RPMs, and it makes sure this weed eater cuts through dense and tall grasses. The 17 inches cutting swath is impressive, providing more clearing compared to most battery-powered weed eaters. It has three power modes, the high, low, and power boost.

The power boost mode is handy when cutting through dense grass. Another thing to love about this weed eater is the automatic reverse feature; it turns the head in the opposite direction shortly, and then it switches back automatically to disentangle long grasses. If power is what you're looking for, then this is the commercial product to go for.

Features

• Brushless motor on the back
• 2 x 18V batteries for longer use
• 17 inches cutting swath
• Automatic reverse
• 3-speed control

Another very popular, slightly less expensive model is the Makita XRU15PT1. This trimmer is also great for commercial use.

Pros:

• Works like gas-powered alternatives
• Easy reverse rotation
• Effortless handling
• Low-speed setting capable for most jobs

Cons:

• Short runtime at high-speed setting
• No variable speed trigger

2. Stihl FSA 130 string trimmer

The Stihl FSA R utilizes a polymer housing to keep the trimmer's low weight and doubles down with an impressive build that holds the battery's weight off the machine. On the other hand, you can buy a standard-sized battery with a purposely designed belt or choose a backpack battery.

Features

• AP series battery lasting up to 150 minutes per use
• 16.5 inches cutting swath
• Brushless motor in the back
• It comes with a shoulder strap
• 3-speed control

Pros:

• Easy handling due to external battery
• Extended runtime through backpack batteries
• Quiet operation

Cons:

• Trigger safety system needs some getting used to
• Costs much more than similar models

3. Husqvarna 520iLX

The Husqvarna 520iLX is a combination of a well-balanced design and reduced-vibration. If you want to prolong your runtime and go quieter, you can switch to eco mode, which reduces the RPMs when you don't require full power. Besides, it has a reverse button, which aids in directing the grass on a sidewalk when cutting and unwind grass that disentangled in the trimmer head.

It is also compatible with various batteries; you can use a standard form battery and continue working. You can also choose from the many Husqvarna batteries, like their backpack batteries.

Features

• 16 inches cutting swath
• Has two mode; standard and eco modes
• Brushless motor on the front
• Voltage 36V
• Weighs 6.6 lbs.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight
• High-efficiency motor
• Rated IPX4
• Low maintenance
• Silent operation
• Reversible rotation

Cons:

• Not suitable for brush clearing
• Handle and shaft seem flimsy

4. Echo 58V

Echo 58V is a cordless trimmer that stands out due to its speed and air volume. While it has a shorter runtime due to its 2 amp 60-minute charge time battery, it will take a concise while for it to clear your compound. It has an incredible design and decent performance, and it is very affordable.

Even though it is perfect for clearing the driveway, it is not as good at finishing; it might be inconvenient and time-consuming. Also, it has impressive power considering its 58 voltage. Its price tag is quite economical, which is another benefit of the Echo 58V.

Features

• Voltage – 58V
• Bump feed head
• Adjustable speed brushless motor
• 5-year residential and 2-year commercial warranty

Pros:

• Great handling
• Allows disassembly for storage
• Replaceable heads
• Battery power indicator

Cons:

• Pricier than alternatives
• Motor is noisier than alternative

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Buying Guide – Battery Powered Weed Eater

Electric vs. Gas battery powered weed eater.

Electric weed eaters are perfect for your home use. This is because the workload is somewhat light, and they are up to the task. They are cheap, lightweight, and better for the environment. On the other hand, if you are a landscaper or use your weed eater to cut grass in large areas, then a gas-powered one is the way to go. They are more suitable since they are more powerful and sturdy enough to handle the task.

How to choose a battery-powered cordless weed eater

Even if it would seem convenient to pick an electric cordless weed eater, there is a range of factors to consider when purchasing a battery-powered weed eater, starting with general considerations of intent and usability.

Some important factors to consider are

• The weight
• The versatility of the tool
• Noise level of the weed eater
• Handling
• Cutting width

However, in addition to the above factors, perhaps the most important thing to consider would be the battery. When shopping, you would find a diverse range of battery-powered weed trimmers, having batteries that range from 12 volts – 56 volts. Nevertheless, this depends on the scope of use. You should, however, go for a battery with a lower or higher voltage.

If you have a small lawn with a thin turf style, then a 12-volt battery might be a perfect alternative. A 12-volt battery is also a perfect alternative for beginners in the area of lawn maintenance. The 18-volt and 20-volt weed eaters are usually built for suburban use but are suitable for larger lawns and thicker grass styles.

If you have a very big yard, 1 acre or more, it makes sense to choose a more efficient battery, 36 volts or more. You can also aim at higher voltage if you are a lawn care specialist contemplating investing in an environmental tool.

Moreover, if you are just a homeowner searching for the right tool to keep your lawn, we would suggest 12-volt or 18-volt battery operated cordless weed eaters.

One thing that you should remember when buying a battery weed eater is the brand. This is a significant feature, particularly if you intend to purchase other cordless lawn care equipment, such as a lawnmower. In reality, several manufactures use residential lawn care equipment that has compatible batteries.

This is a great chance to expand your autonomy, particularly because almost all power tools are sold with a battery. In this way, you'll be able to replace the depleted battery with a charged one and keep up with your job.

How a battery-powered weed eater works

All weed eaters come with a cutting head that spins at very high revolutions per minute (RPM). The cutting head has two line ports that feed the cutting line to the cutting head at a specific length. Some weed trimmers feature dual cutting and edge features. The power tool is supplied with its power source from lithium-ion batteries. Then their batteries are rechargeable, with an estimated service life of 5 years.

Brushless motor

A brushless motor comes with numerous benefits like they're long-lasting, run more effectively, and they have a longer runtime. Besides, you never have to worry about switching worn out bushes.

Vibration

There are weed eaters that have intense vibration and, at times, leave your hands numb. Buy one with anti-vibration technology, which can be found in more recent models.

Weight

The lighter the tool, the easier it is to use. Go for one with approximately 3lbs since it will be easy to maneuver.

Cutting swath

Most people think that a bigger cutting swath will be better for them to finish their tasks fast. When using a weed eater, dealing with smaller areas at a time typically gives better results. A reduced cutting swath is also perfect for a large lawn with multiple obstacles or numerous tight spots.

Feed reloading features

The standard line feeding options are;

Manual feed – you should avoid choosing this type of line feeding … why feed it manually if you can have the tool do it?

Bump head – you will bump the cutting head against the ground, and the toll will feed the line to the cutting head automatically.

Auto-off feed – this type of feeding feeds the line to the cutting head once you switch off the machine.

Automatic feeding – this is the best mechanism. The tool identifies when you have reduced the cutting line, and it feeds into the cutting head automatically.

Runtime

This is how long your battery it will take for your battery to finish using this machine. Go for one with longer runtime since this allows you to work for long.

Price

The original cost of your weed eater depends on the battery and the build quality. But it would be best if you considered both since the battery will determine the tool's overall performance, and the build quality defines its durability.

However, if you have a small budget, there are few economical battery options like the lower-rated Nickel Cadmium one. Keep in mind that even though you will be decreasing the initial cost, the Nickel Cadmium battery running cost will be higher since you will have to charge it more often.

Warranty

A warranty is a safeguard from the manufacturers for your tool. Depending on how long your warranty lasts, within that time, if the product breaks or appears to be malfunctioning and not due to the customer's abuse of the tool, the manufacturer will either refund, replace or repair it for free.

Compatible tools

A weed trimmer offers numerous optional attachment head to make it more useful. Compatibility options include a tiller, edger, pole saw, and hedge trimmer.

Battery Powered Weed Eater FAQs

1. How long will a battery powered weed eater run?

Like many cordless power tools, battery-powered weed eaters have an operational duration that depends on their batteries and power draw requirements. Their batteries will have an Amp-Hour (Ah) rating, and the machine has a power draw rating in amperes. These ratings dictate how long the machine can run.

Generally, weed eater batteries will have a rating between 2.0 and 5.0 amp-hours. For example, if a weed eater draws two amps of power while paired with a 2.0Ah battery, it can run continuously for an hour.

Of course, the batteries on these babies are easily replaceable, so it would be better to have an extra set of batteries for continuous operation. You’ll be lucky to get a weed eater that comes with more than two extra batteries.

2. Can you use a battery powered weed eater in the rain?

It’s not good practice to use any battery-powered tool in wet conditions. Most of them are neither water-resistant nor waterproof, and even slight dampness can damage their electrical components.

Additionally, some weed eaters have non-stainless metal components that can easily rust after too much exposure to wet conditions.

Even without the rain, weeds and tall grasses can be damp, and it’s unavoidable for certain parts of your weed eater to get wet. While using the weed eater in such conditions is completely practical, aftercare and proper maintenance are essential to avoid corrosion.

3. Can you overcharge a weed eater battery?

It’s best practice not to leave the battery charging when it is already at full capacity. Overcharging may shorten a battery's lifespan and damage it so that it becomes unusable.

However, it depends on the included charger. Some tool kits allow battery storage on the charger even after charging. Such chargers automatically shut off as soon as they detect that the battery becomes fully charged.

4. How long should you charge a weed eater battery?

Charging duration also depends on the battery type and the charger's capacity to complete a single full charge. Of all the battery types, lithium-ion batteries charge the fastest, taking only one or two hours, depending on the input voltage.

Consult your device’s instruction manual for appropriate charging durations for the included charger and battery packs.

5. Why is my battery-powered weed eater smoking?

The most common cause of a weed eater emitting smoke is poor fuel combustion. However, battery-powered weed eaters do not use any fuel source other than the batteries.

When smoke comes from an electric weed eater, it usually comes from a burnt motor. There could be a short in the armature windings, or the tool may have worn-out brushes that do not make good contact with the commutator.

While you can replace brushes or the entire motor, it could cost you an arm, which is about the price of a brand-new weed eater.

Conclusion

All things considered, there is a lot to think through when buying a weed eater, but hopefully, this article has helped you find out the right tool for you. Again, we recommend the EGO Power plus St1521S for your home use and the Makita XRU18 for commercial use.