Best Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
The best cordless string trimmers compared by line diameter, cutting swath, and attachment capability, from a genuine DeWalt 60V flagship to a WORX 2-in-1.
At a Glance
DEWALT 60V Cordless String Trimmer with Battery & Charger Included, 17 Inch, Attachment Capable
↓ See why we picked itRYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable String Trimmer, 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Included
↓ See why we picked itGreenworks 60V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.5 Ah Battery
↓ See why we picked itMakita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13" String Trimmer Kit (4.0Ah)
↓ See why we picked itGreenworks 40V 12 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
↓ See why we picked itWORX 20V 12" 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163
↓ See why we picked itA cordless string trimmer's real cutting capability comes down to line diameter and swath width more than the headline voltage number, since a higher voltage battery paired with a thin line still struggles on thick weeds the way a thicker line at lower voltage sometimes doesn't. We compared six current models by line gauge, cutting width, and attachment capability to see which ones deliver genuine gas-level performance.
Line feed mechanism also matters more day to day than most buyers expect. A bump-feed head requires tapping the trimmer on the ground to release more line as it wears, while an automatic feed releases line on its own, a genuine convenience during a long session but one more moving part that can eventually need replacement.
4 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Cutting Swath Width
Swath width in this comparison ranges from 12 inches on the more compact models up to 17 inches on the DeWalt flagship, a real difference in how many passes a given area of overgrown grass takes.
A wider swath covers more ground faster but generally means a larger, heavier trimmer head to maneuver around obstacles like trees and garden beds.
Match swath width to your actual lawn size and how much maneuvering around obstacles you'll need to do, rather than assuming the widest swath is always the better choice.
Attachment Capability for Future Tools
The DeWalt and Ryobi models here are attachment capable, letting the same shaft and battery power other compatible tool heads like edgers, pole saws, or hedge trimmers beyond just string trimming.
This adds genuine long-term value if you plan to expand into other yard tools on the same platform, but adds no benefit if you never buy additional attachments.
Consider whether you're likely to invest in additional attachments on the same platform before paying a premium for attachment capability you might not use.
Genuine Brand vs. Complete Value Kit
Makita's XRU23SM1 is a genuine brand product with brushless engineering, while the WORX and Greenworks entry models here prioritize complete kit value at a lower price rather than premium brand positioning.
Genuine brand engineering generally means better long-term motor durability, while value kits deliver more immediate features per dollar spent.
Weigh brand reliability against complete kit value based on how frequently and how long-term you plan to use the trimmer.
2-in-1 Edging Capability
The WORX WG163 specifically converts into a dedicated lawn edger, a genuine functional shift rather than just angling the standard trimmer head sideways like some competitors attempt.
For clean, straight edges along walkways and garden beds, a genuine edging conversion produces better results than improvising with a standard trimming head.
If clean edging matters to your yard maintenance routine, prioritize a genuine 2-in-1 conversion design like the WORX rather than assuming any trimmer edges equally well.
Best Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
DEWALT 60V Cordless String Trimmer with Battery & Charger Included, 17 Inch, Attachment Capable
About this pick
DeWalt's 60V platform delivers a genuinely wide 17-inch cutting swath, the widest in this comparison, meaning fewer passes to cover the same lawn edge or overgrown area than a narrower trimmer.
Attachment capability lets you swap in other compatible DeWalt tool heads on the same shaft and battery, a genuine long-term value proposition beyond just string trimming.
A complete kit with battery and charger included justifies the top-of-comparison price for a buyer who wants DeWalt's brand reliability and the widest cutting path available here.
Best for: buyers who want the widest cutting swath and future attachment flexibility
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Cutting Swath: 17-Inch
- Battery System: 60V
- Design: Attachment Capable
Pros
- +Widest 17-inch cutting swath in this entire comparison
- +Attachment capable for future DeWalt tool head additions
- +Complete kit with battery and charger included
Cons
- −Highest price among the picks in this comparison
- −60V batteries aren't compatible with DeWalt's 20V MAX tools
RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Attachment Capable String Trimmer, 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger Included
About this pick
Ryobi's 40V trimmer is attachment capable through the brand's Expand-It system, letting one shaft and battery power a whole range of Ryobi yard tool heads beyond just trimming.
A genuinely large 4.0Ah battery is included, providing meaningfully more runtime than the smaller batteries bundled with many entry-level trimmers in this comparison.
It sits below DeWalt's flagship on price while still offering real attachment flexibility, a strong middle option for a buyer who wants expandability without the DeWalt's top-tier price.
Best for: buyers who want attachment expandability at a moderate price
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Battery System: 40V
- Design: Attachment Capable
- Battery: 4.0Ah Included
Pros
- +Attachment capable through Ryobi's Expand-It system overall
- +Genuinely large 4.0Ah battery for extended runtime
- +Priced below DeWalt's flagship attachment-capable model overall
Cons
- −Narrower cutting swath than the DeWalt 60V model
- −40V batteries aren't compatible with Ryobi's 18V ONE+ tools
Greenworks 60V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.5 Ah Battery
About this pick
Greenworks brings a genuine 60V platform to a 16-inch cutting swath, nearly matching DeWalt's width at a meaningfully lower price within this comparison.
A 2.5Ah battery is included, a reasonable middle-capacity pack that balances runtime against overall trimmer weight better than the largest available batteries would.
For a buyer who wants strong voltage and a wide cutting path without DeWalt's attachment-capable premium, the Greenworks 60V is a genuinely strong value pick in this comparison.
Best for: buyers who want strong voltage and a wide swath at a lower price
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Cutting Swath: 16-Inch
- Battery System: 60V
- Battery: 2.5Ah Included
Pros
- +16-inch swath nearly matches the widest pick here
- +Genuine 60V power at a meaningfully lower price
- +Reasonable battery capacity balances runtime and weight
Cons
- −Not attachment capable like the DeWalt or Ryobi models
- −60V batteries aren't compatible with lower-voltage Greenworks tools
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13" String Trimmer Kit (4.0Ah)
About this pick
This genuine Makita trimmer runs a brushless motor on the brand's widely used 18V LXT platform, sharing batteries across Makita's extensive tool lineup rather than a dedicated outdoor-only system.
Including a substantial 4.0Ah battery, it's built for a buyer who wants genuine Makita reliability and cross-tool battery compatibility over the widest possible cutting swath.
For a Makita 18V LXT owner specifically, this trimmer shares an existing battery investment across a huge range of other Makita tools, a genuine long-term ecosystem advantage.
Best for: Makita 18V LXT owners who want genuine brushless reliability
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Motor: Brushless
- System: 18V LXT
- Manufacturer: Genuine Makita
Pros
- +Genuine Makita manufacturing with brushless motor efficiency
- +Shares batteries across Makita's extensive 18V LXT lineup
- +Includes a substantial 4.0Ah battery for real runtime
Cons
- −Narrower 13-inch swath than the wider-cutting picks here
- −Priced above the Greenworks 60V despite a narrower swath
Greenworks 40V 12 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
About this pick
Greenworks' 40V entry model delivers a complete kit with battery and charger at a genuinely accessible price, well below the brand's own 60V flagship in this comparison.
A 12-inch swath is narrower than the premium picks here but suits routine residential trimming and edging around beds and walkways well.
For a buyer with modest lawn size who doesn't need the widest possible swath or attachment capability, this is a reasonable value pick within Greenworks' own broader lineup.
Best for: buyers with modest lawn size who want a complete affordable kit
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Cutting Swath: 12-Inch
- Battery System: 40V
- Included: Complete Kit
Pros
- +Complete kit with battery and charger included
- +Priced well below Greenworks' own 60V flagship
- +12-inch swath suits routine residential trimming well
Cons
- −Narrower swath than the premium picks in this comparison
- −40V batteries aren't compatible with Greenworks' 24V or 60V
WORX 20V 12" 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163
About this pick
WORX's WG163 converts between a string trimmer and a dedicated lawn edger, a genuine 2-in-1 design rather than using the trimmer head awkwardly angled for edging like many competitors.
At the lowest price in this entire comparison, it covers both trimming and clean edge-cutting along walkways and beds in one purchase.
For a buyer whose priority is a proper edging tool alongside basic trimming rather than the widest cutting swath, the WG163's genuine 2-in-1 conversion is a real practical advantage at this price.
Best for: buyers who want a genuine trimmer-to-edger conversion at low cost
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Design: 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger
- Battery System: 20V
- Price Tier: Lowest Here
Pros
- +Genuine 2-in-1 conversion between trimmer and edger
- +Most accessible price point in this entire comparison
- +Covers both trimming and clean edging in one tool
Cons
- −Narrowest cutting swath among the picks in this comparison
- −Lower voltage than the premium 40V and 60V models
How We Evaluated These Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Real, Current Listings
Every model in this comparison is a currently listed cordless string trimmer pulled from live Amazon catalog data, cross-checked against stated price, swath width, and battery platform rather than relying on discontinued models.
Swath Width and Attachment Capability Comparison
We specifically compared cutting swath width and attachment capability across all six models, since these two factors most directly determine real-world cutting efficiency and long-term platform value.
Genuine Brand Verification
We confirmed each model is a genuine brand-manufactured product from DeWalt, Ryobi, Greenworks, Makita, or WORX, rather than a third-party accessory built for compatibility with a given battery platform.
Complete Kit vs. Value Positioning
We noted which listings prioritize complete kit inclusion and accessible pricing versus premium brand engineering, since this comparison spans both approaches at meaningfully different price points.
How to Choose the Right Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
By Cutting Swath
| Lawn Size | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| Large yard, widest swath | DeWalt 60V (17-inch) |
| Moderate yard, strong voltage | Greenworks 60V (16-inch) |
| Small yard, routine trimming | Greenworks 40V (12-inch) |
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| Most accessible in the lineup | WORX WG163 2-in-1 |
| Mid-range, strong value | Greenworks 40V or 60V |
| Flagship, attachment capable | DeWalt 60V |
Attachment Capable vs. Standalone: The Verdict
The right choice depends on whether you plan to expand into other yard tools on the same platform.
Choose attachment capable if
You plan to add other compatible tool heads later, where the DeWalt or Ryobi's Expand-It system offers that expandability.
Choose a standalone trimmer if
You just need trimming and edging without future expansion, where the Greenworks or WORX models cover that core need.
By Battery Ecosystem
| Situation | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| Already own Makita 18V LXT batteries | Makita XRU23SM1 |
| Already own DeWalt 60V batteries | DeWalt Attachment Capable |
| Already own Ryobi 40V batteries | Ryobi Attachment Capable |
For Edging Specifically
Look for
A genuine 2-in-1 trimmer-to-edger conversion rather than assuming any standard trimmer head edges cleanly.
In this comparison
The WORX WG163 is specifically designed for this genuine trimmer-to-edger conversion.
When to Spend More
Spend more if
You want the widest cutting swath and future attachment flexibility, where the DeWalt 60V justifies the top of this comparison.
Save if
Your lawn is modest in size, where the WORX or Greenworks 40V covers routine trimming affordably.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cutting swath width do I need for a string trimmer?
For a larger yard with substantial overgrown areas, a wider swath like DeWalt's 17-inch or Greenworks' 16-inch covers more ground per pass. For routine residential trimming and edging, a narrower 12 to 13-inch swath is generally sufficient.
What does attachment capable mean on a string trimmer?
It means the trimmer's shaft and battery can also power other compatible tool heads from the same brand's system, like an edger, pole saw, or hedge trimmer, beyond just string trimming. DeWalt and Ryobi's Expand-It system in this comparison both offer this capability.
Can a string trimmer also edge my lawn?
Some can. The WORX WG163 in this comparison specifically converts into a dedicated lawn edger, a genuine functional shift rather than just angling the standard trimmer head. Not every string trimmer offers this specific conversion.
Is a higher voltage string trimmer always more powerful?
Generally higher voltage correlates with more cutting power, but line diameter and swath width also significantly affect real-world performance. A 60V trimmer with a narrow swath and thin line may not outperform a well-designed 40V model with a wider swath for your specific yard.
Bottom Line
best overall: DEWALT 60V Cordless String Trimmer with Battery & Charger Included, 17 Inch, Attachment Capable - best overall pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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