Best Cordless Weed Eaters in 2024

Yard overgrown after a long winter of neglect? Don’t put off the project any longer. The best cordless weed eaters will help you trim your bushes, grass, and hedges—or simply tackle that tangle of tall weeds you’ve been avoiding. And best of all, it can all be done without the fumes and exhaust of a gas-powered model. 

If you’re thinking a cordless electric weed eater couldn’t possibly be as powerful as a fossil-fuel guzzling equivalent, you’re in for a surprise. Electric weed eaters are just as tough, lighter, more ergonomic, and much easier to use. And with a 3-in-1 or attachment-capable model, the best rated cordless weed eaters are like many tools in one, saving time, space, and money.

While researching this article, we explored all of the best battery-powered weed eaters by scrutinizing the quality of weed eater batteries, weed whacker attachments, and a whole lot more. Here’s what we found out. 

Top Picks

What are the best cordless weed eaters? Here is our overall best pick, followed by some additional choices that you should consider.

Best Cordless Weed Eaters: A Closer Look

The best cordless electric weed eater in our ranking is the EGO POWER+. With a 15” cutting width and variable speed control, the Power+ stood out in our research for its user-friendly POWERLOAD head, high-efficiency brushless motor, and—maybe best of all—the 5-year warranty. If there’s something the best cordless weed whacker has that the Power+ lacks, we can’t think of what it is, including a carbon fiber shaft. We also love how EASY it is to replace the string. Just feed it into the head, press a button, and you’re ready to go, thanks to that POWERLOAD tech we already mentioned, which is proprietary to EGO. Bonus.

Also proprietary are the EGO Arc lithium batteries, which are included with purchase along with a charger. Need weed eater battery replacements? All EGO product batteries are interchangeable, which is a definite plus. What’s more, the batteries are strong. One consumer report said they tackled 5,000 square feet of trimming on a single charge! EGO Arc lithium batteries hands down the best weed eater batteries around, by our estimation. 

Those who’ve tried the weed eater call it lightweight and powerful, ripping through the toughest field grass and even un-kept pasture land. Others say it’s remarkably quiet, but just as powerful as any smelly gas-powered weed eater. However, some do caution that there’s no guard for cutting through saplings or small tree trunks—just the standard plastic protective guard common to most weed eaters. It is also without a rotating head.

A close runner-up for the best rated cordless weed eater is the Ryobi RY40270. The attachment capable 40270 has a variable cutting width ranging from 13” to 15” and a three-in-one bump feed head with a speed winder, reloading in less than 60 seconds. Additionally, the blades are heavy-duty and serrated, more than capable of handling the worst weeds or overgrown grass.

Setting this weed eater apart for comfort and ease of use is the 2-speed trigger and adjustable front handle. There’s also a bump line advance system. It all runs on 4.0 Ah batteries which, along with a charger, are included with purchase. The batteries juice-up quickly, we learned, and are long-lasting, though some do recommend picking up an extra battery for large lawns. Otherwise, consumers had good luck using the 40270 on a sizable, in-town property with a lot to trim to take care of. 

Also included with purchase is a cutter blade head, capable of cutting through brush and even tree starts. The attachments are easy to change. One consumer with a large front and back yard reported that the weed whacker was up to the task, even at lower speeds and with battery life leftover. Always wear eye protection and long pants when using the weed whacker, one user cautioned, but those are standard safety measures for almost any electric weed whacker.

There are many benefits of using an electric weed eater, obviously including zero gas emissions. The most eco-friendly weed whack of all comes from Greenworks. Those interested in the greenest yard care tools should choose Greenworks in general for the company’s commitment to sustainability. Their 40V, 12-inch string trimmer, however, is particularly notable. 

Additional reasons why we chose Greenworks include the telescoping ergonomic handle. It starts quickly with the pull of a trigger, and it’s also twist-to-edge capable. Meaning the tool quickly converts back and forth between a trimmer and an edger—whichever is required for the task at hand. We also like the 2.0 Ah battery and a charger included with purchase. Battery charge time lists at three hours; a claim supported by user reviews.

Don’t miss the push button lock for safety, and replacement string is also readily available, we learned. Those who’ve used the trimmer call the shaft easy to adjust and the line easy to replace. Battery life is sufficient across the board—from large yards to small lawns and in high and low grass, according to reviews. Overall, the vast majority of those who’ve used the trimmer call it quiet and light, providing the same performance and power as a gas trimmer, even in areas with many trees, roots, and garden areas. The easy-on battery pack is a definite bonus.

With a power-drive transmission and a 13” cutting width, the Black & Decker LST136 proves if doesn’t take a lot of money to get the most from an electric weed whacker. Our pick for the best budget cordless weed eater offers an automatic feed spool, converting from a trimmer to an edger with a simple twist of the 52” shaft. Another nice feature is the POWERCOMMAND Dial, adjusting runtime and power usage from the 40V lithium-ion battery that, along with a charger, is included with purchase.

Those who’ve used the lightweight and well-balanced LST136 say it’s best suited for grassy areas with moderate weeds while also offering a precise cut around small trees, vegetation, and flowers. The low to medium setting is sufficient for an average lawn. The battery lasts for about an hour on medium with intermittent use. Run it on high, however, and expect only about 10–15 minutes of battery life, according to customer reviews.

Otherwise, the battery charges quickly, and the trim wire is easy to replace. One user with acreage switched the Black & Decker from a gas-huffing weed eater and found it more than enough to handle the yard and flower beds on a single battery charge. The speed control is particularly useful around deck posts and a pool, they said, while the automatic string feeder works flawlessly. 

Some say battery life could be longer. The consensus, according to reviews, is that there’s more than enough wattage for a typical lawn or garden.

At less than 7 lbs, the CRAFTSMAN V20 is the best lightweight cordless weed eater on our list. With a 13” cutting width, the V20 has two speed settings, and converts from a trimmer to an edger with the simple twist. Another nice feature is the highly ergonomic pole, adjusting easily to suit your height. One 6’1” user mentioned using the tool without having to bend over at all. There’s also a hook to hang the tool on a VERSATRACK wall organization system, but those are sold separately. 

Otherwise, the high-efficiency motor runs on a 4.0 Ah battery, included with purchase. There is a line advance feed button for convenience, but the string trimmer is not attachment capable, unfortunately. Fans of the battery-operated weed eater say the low setting is more than adequate for an average size lawn. Generally speaking, battery life exceeds expectations. 

We were especially encouraged to hear the V20 was suitable for about a 3-acre lot with trees and vegetation, cutting what once took an hour to trim by half. And best of all, with some battery life leftover! The batteries receive high marks across the board, with many calling the V20 lightweight, easy to use, and highly dependable. No wonder it made our list for best cordless weed eaters!

One fan of the tool trimmed their medium-sized yard two times on a single charge, with enough juice left over for three 5-minute touch-ups. A charging base is included with the purchase.

Gotta lotta weeds to whack? Coming with four— count ‘em FOUR —5.0 Ah Batteries, our research shows the most powerful electric weed whacker on the market is the Makita XRU. This automatic torque drive weed eater runs on high, medium, and low, with a bump and feed trimmer head. There’s also a 15” cutting width and a durable steel drive shaft, known for less vibration. 

Also not to be missed is the reverse rotation function, meaning the trimmer head is easy to clean out should it happen to get jammed with grass, weeds, or other debris. There’s also an adjustable loop handle, earning the XRU high marks for comfort. Fans of the tool call it the best battery-powered trimmer out there and just as powerful as a gas-powered model.

According to one report, high speed is more than enough to handle blackberry bushes. The battery lasted two full trims before it had to charge. Also worth mentioning, the motor is located closer to the ground than it is in some other weed eaters, making the XRU particularly well balanced; earning high marks for ergonomics from those who’ve tried it.

According to reports, the trimmer head is also easy to reload, and the charger is sophisticated, according to reports, charging the batteries quickly. Many comment the four batteries and charger make the weed eater worth the added cost (it is a bit spendy). Still, despite the extra power, the XRU is surprisingly quiet.

Designed for small yards, 3-in-1 weed eaters are a trimmer, mini-mower, and edger all in one convenient package. Our pick for the best 3-in-1 option is the Worx WG170. This thing is literally a Transformer—one moment, an in-line wheeled edger; the next, a mini-mower for that patch of grass; and then, a trimmer for the finishing touches. Pretty cool. 

Again, with a 12” cutting width, this tool isn’t meant for the farmyard, but for the green space in your condo or for a suburban lot with limited storage space for yard work implements, there’s nothing better.

Also notable is Worx’s proprietary Command Feed tech, meaning there’s always more string when you need it, and with nothing more than the push of a button. With seven telescoping handle adjustments and six rotating head settings, the WG170 is also a great pick for ergonomics, and for trimming those hard-to-reach places with precision. Also included with the purchase are two 20V MaxLithium batteries and a charger. 

But that’s not all, choose Worx and get the following: 

• trimmer spools
• support wheels
• safety guard
• flower guard
• and a spool holder.

This battery power weed eater is incredibly lightweight, according to reports, at less than 5 lbs. Better yet, the weight is very evenly distributed, especially between the primary and auxiliary handles. The string is also very durable, we learned, even after plowing through small rocks and pebbles. As far as power is concerned, these weed eater batteries are sufficient, offering about 40 minutes of runtime on a full charge, we’re told. According to one satisfied consumer, they lasted long enough to get both an average-size front and typical backyard is taken care of, with some power leftover. 

Attachment-capable weed whackers are particularly desirable. The expand-it kit included with the Ryobi 40-Volt X are the best weed whacker attachments on the market. Converting from a pole saw to a blower and from an edger to a trimmer, this weed whacker offers the tools you need to get the job done without buying a bunch of different tools. Further versatility is provided by the variable cutting width and the REEL-EASY bump string head, which is fast and reliable.

There’s also a variable-speed trigger and a large and stable guide wheel for edging. Specs on all the attachments are great, so be sure to take the time to read them over them all in detail. What we will say, though, is the extension shaft reaches up to 12 ft. The Ryobi X is pretty spendy, but when you consider how much space and money you’d spend buying all the tools provided by these attachment options, that extra expense makes sense. 

Users satisfied with the Ryobi X say the product definitely saves space and is very easy to use, particularly when edging along sidewalks and curbs. Overall, it’s easy to start, according to reports, and lighter than most gas power weed eaters. The trigger is also pressure-sensitive, we learned, and the attachments are easy to switch out by simply twisting a knob. A knob also adjusts the depth of the edger. 

Also mentioned by several satisfied consumers are the metal parts, including the shaft, gears, and blade, which are all often plastic in other weed whacker models. 

Our Process

For this guide on the best cordless weed eaters, our team spent 5 hours researching the most popular options from over 45 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about 25 user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each cordless weed eater. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 8 on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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