The Best Cordless String Trimmer for Most Yards
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The short answer
For most suburban yards, a 40V–56V cordless string trimmer with a 13–15 inch cutting swath and bump-feed head is the right buy. EGO's 56V line leads on raw power and runtime, Greenworks 40V is the value pick, and DeWalt or Ryobi make sense if you already own their batteries.
EGO Power+ 15" String Trimmer
56V torque, 15-inch swath and a split-shaft design — the strongest cutter for suburban edges.
A cordless string trimmer is the tool that finishes what the mower started — fence lines, posts, driveway edges and the strip along the house. The good ones today have enough torque to handle thick weeds and enough runtime to finish a quarter-acre lot on one battery.
The bad ones bog down in fescue, eat line faster than they cut, and force you into an awkward wrist angle. Below is how to separate the two before you buy.
What Actually Matters in a Cordless Trimmer
Voltage class and sustained torque
Voltage is not the whole story, but it is a useful shorthand. A 56V pack holds voltage under load better than an 18V/20V pack, which means the head keeps spinning at cutting speed instead of sagging when you push into a clump. For weekly suburban trimming, 40V is plenty; for overgrown edges and brushy fence lines, 56V is noticeably calmer.
Cutting swath and line diameter
A 13-inch swath is fine for detail work; 15 inches saves time on long fence lines. The head also needs to accept at least 0.080-inch line — 0.095-inch is better for anything beyond lawn grass.
Line feed system
Bump-feed still rules for reliability. Automatic feed sounds better but can over-advance and waste line, and fixed-line systems are fine for light grass but expensive to run in weeds. Look for a head that reloads without disassembly.
| Platform | Voltage | Swath | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGO Power+ | 56V | 15 in | Power, runtime, thick weeds |
| Greenworks 40V | 40V | 14 in | Best value; light weekly use |
| Ryobi 40V | 40V | 13–15 in | Owners already in Ryobi ecosystem |
| DeWalt 20V MAX | 20V | 13 in | Owners already in DeWalt ecosystem |
| Worx PowerShare | 20V | 12 in | Small yards, light touch-ups |
The Picks
EGO Power+ 15" String Trimmer
The strongest cutter of the group. The 56V motor keeps RPM up in tall grass, the 15-inch swath covers fence lines fast, and the split-shaft design stores well. It is heavier than the 20V options, but the weight sits near the rear hand, so it balances better than the spec sheet suggests.
Greenworks 40V 14" String Trimmer
The value answer for a typical suburban lot. It accepts 0.080 line, feeds reliably, and the 40V platform is widely shared with mowers and blowers. Runtime on a 4.0Ah pack is enough for roughly 0.2 acres of edges.
Ryobi 40V Expand-It
If you want one power head that runs a trimmer, edger, pole saw and cultivator, Ryobi's Expand-It system is the most affordable way into a multi-tool setup. Buy it because of the attachments, not because it out-cuts a dedicated EGO.
DeWalt 20V MAX String Trimmer
Makes sense only if you already own DeWalt 20V packs. It is a capable trimmer for lawn grass and light weeds, but it does not have the headroom of the 40V and 56V machines above.
Common Mistakes
Myth
A higher voltage trimmer always cuts faster.
The Fact
Line diameter, line speed and cutting technique matter as much as voltage. A 0.065 line on a 56V machine still breaks on fence posts.
Myth
You need a 2.5Ah line to trim normal grass.
The Fact
0.080 line is the standard for a reason. Move to 0.095 only for woody stems, brush and heavy weeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a 20V string trimmer enough for a normal yard?
- Yes for light grass under 8 inches tall and borders under 200 linear feet. For thick weeds or long fence lines, 40V or 56V is more comfortable.
- How long does a battery string trimmer last?
- Runtime is 20–60 minutes depending on voltage and amp-hours. A 40V 4.0Ah pack typically runs 30–45 minutes of intermittent trimming.
- Can I use a string trimmer as an edger?
- You can touch up an existing edge by turning the trimmer on its side, but it will not cut the vertical trench a blade edger does. For crisp lines, use a dedicated edger or see our edger-vs-trimmer guide.
- What line size should I use?
- 0.080 inch for normal lawn grass and light weeds, 0.095 inch for thick weeds and brush, 0.105 inch for heavy-duty clearing.
The Gear We’d Buy
Everything referenced in this guide, in one place.
EGO Power+ 15" String Trimmer
Top pick56V torque, 15-inch swath and a split-shaft design — the strongest cutter for suburban edges.
Typically $180 – $230 bare tool
Greenworks 40V 14" String Trimmer
Best valueThe value answer for weekly trimming on a quarter-acre lot.
Typically $120 – $160
DeWalt 20V MAX String Trimmer
Makes sense if you already own DeWalt batteries — capable for lawn grass and light weeds.
Typically $130 – $170 bare tool
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Key Takeaways
- 40V–56V cordless trimmers handle most suburban yards on one battery.
- Buy into a battery platform you already own whenever possible.
- Bump-feed heads are more reliable than automatic-feed systems in heavy use.
- Match line diameter to the job: 0.080 for grass, 0.095 for weeds.
Reviewed by
The Lawn Tool Hub Test Bench
We buy, borrow and break lawn tools on our own yards — clay in the back, sand-cut Bermuda in the front — and write down what actually changed the result.
Keep reading
Ryobi vs. EGO vs. DeWalt: Which Cordless Edger?
A straight comparison of the three battery platforms homeowners actually own: blade depth, weight, runtime and which one is worth buying if you already have the batteries.
String Trimmer vs Edger: Which Tool Cuts the Better Border?
A string trimmer can touch up an edge, but it cannot cut the trench a blade edger does. We explain when each tool wins and which one to buy first.
The Best Gas String Trimmer for Overgrown Yards
Gas string trimmers still win for thick brush, all-day runtime and no battery limits. We compare two-cycle and four-cycle engines and name the best picks for heavy use.
Top pick
EGO Power+ 15" String Trimmer