Which String Trimmer Fits Your Yard Size Best?
EGO Power+ ST1521S leads this comparison with 56V power, a carbon fiber shaft and push-button POWERLOAD line feed. Greenworks Pro 80V suits large lawns with sustained brushless output. Milwaukee M18 Fuel fits contractors who need jobsite durability and a shared professional battery platform.
EGO Power+ ST1521S stands out among cordless string trimmers by pairing 56V torque with a lightweight carbon fiber shaft and automatic line reloading. Homeowners get strong cutting power without the arm fatigue heavier trimmers cause.
String trimmers resist easy ranking because cutting performance depends on line thickness, head design and motor torque together, not voltage alone. We compared published specifications, manufacturer run-time claims and recurring patterns in owner feedback, weighting real cutting power, balance and line-reload convenience over headline numbers.
The shortlist, ranked
EGO Power+ ST1521S
A 56V brushless motor powers this trimmer, paired with a carbon fiber shaft that keeps overall weight low. POWERLOAD winds fresh line automatically at the push of a button. Owners report it clears thick grass and light weeds without bogging down.
Pros
- 56V brushless motor delivers strong torque
- POWERLOAD reloads line without manual winding
- Carbon fiber shaft reduces arm fatigue
Cons
- Sits at the premium end of this lineup
- POWERLOAD needs line loaded the correct way
Greenworks Pro 80V String Trimmer
This trimmer runs on Greenworks 80V platform, giving it a 16-inch cutting swath for wide passes. Sustained brushless power suits larger properties better than lower-voltage models. Attachment capability lets one powerhead handle additional yard tools.
Pros
- 16-inch cutting swath covers ground fast
- 80V brushless motor sustains power under load
- Accepts additional attachment heads
Cons
- Expanding the 80V battery ecosystem adds cost over time
- Heavier in hand than 40V or 20V trimmers
Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer
Milwaukee built this trimmer for daily jobsite use, pairing a brushless motor with a rugged housing. It fits the M18 battery platform shared across dozens of Milwaukee tools. Contractors value the consistent output and quick line-load head for demanding weekly cutting.
Pros
- Rugged construction suited to daily jobsite use
- Brushless motor holds consistent power
- Shares batteries with the wider M18 platform
Cons
- Frequently sold as a bare tool without a battery
- Aimed at professional budgets more than casual homeowners
DeWalt DCST920P1 20V MAX
The DCST920P1 pairs a variable-speed trigger with an adjustable cutting width from 13 to 15 inches. A 5.0Ah battery ships in the box, giving it more run time than many 20V trimmers. Owners like the balance between power and comfort for small to mid-size yards.
Pros
- Ships with a 5.0Ah battery included
- Variable-speed trigger trades power for run time
- Cutting width adjusts between 13 and 15 inches
Cons
- Best matched to small or mid-size yards
- Uses bump feed instead of automatic line advance
Husqvarna 128LD
A 28cc two-cycle gas engine powers this trimmer, giving it a 17-inch cutting swath and no battery limit on run time. The detachable shaft accepts Husqvarna attachments like an edger or pole saw. Owners accept the fuel mixing and upkeep gas engines require in exchange for uninterrupted cutting.
Pros
- No battery limits on total run time
- Detachable shaft accepts multiple attachments
- 17-inch cutting swath clears wide areas
Cons
- Needs regular fuel mixing and engine upkeep
- Louder and heavier than comparable cordless models
Worx WG184 40V
Two 20V batteries combine to deliver 40V output in this trimmer. A command feed spool advances line automatically at the push of a button. The head converts into a wheeled edger, and owners note the included batteries make it a practical pick for smaller yards.
Pros
- Two batteries and a charger included in the box
- Push-button command feed advances line automatically
- Converts into a wheeled edger attachment
Cons
- Draws on two battery slots during use
- 13-inch cutting width suits smaller yards only
Ryobi ONE+ 18V String Trimmer
Ryobi ONE+ 18V trimmer offers an accessible entry point into cordless yard care. It shares batteries with a wide range of ONE+ tools already in many garages. Light weight makes it easy to handle during touch-up trimming and small-lawn maintenance.
Pros
- Affordable entry point into cordless trimmers
- Shares batteries across the large ONE+ tool range
- Light weight suits most users comfortably
Cons
- Limited power for thick weeds or heavy brush
- Smaller batteries shorten run time on bigger lawns
Before you buy
Cordless, gas or corded: which fits your yard? Cordless trimmers suit most yards because they run quiet and need little upkeep beyond a charged battery. Gas models still lead on very large or overgrown properties, since fuel gives unlimited run time at the cost of noise and mixing. Corded trimmers stay lightweight and affordable but limit you to outlet range.
How much cutting width and line thickness do you need? Cutting width between 13 and 17 inches determines how much ground each pass clears. Thicker line, starting around 0.080 inch, handles tougher weeds without snapping as often. Brushless motors and higher voltage keep speed steady under load, though a variable-speed trigger still matters for comfort in tight spaces.
Which line feed system saves the most hassle? Bump feed advances line by tapping the spinning head against the ground, a simple design that can jam under heavy use. Automatic systems release line gradually as it wears down. Push-button designs, like EGO’s POWERLOAD or Worx’s command feed, rewind a full spool without any manual winding.
Does weight or attachment support matter for your task? A trimmer’s balance decides how it feels after twenty minutes of continuous cutting, so a shoulder strap helps on larger properties. Straight shafts add reach under shrubs and along fence lines, while curved shafts stay nimble on small, flat lawns. Attachment-capable powerheads convert into an edger, pole saw or cultivator, cutting the cost of buying separate tools.
How they stack up
| # | Model | Cutting width | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EGO Power+ ST1521S | 15 in | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Greenworks Pro 80V String Trimmer | 16 in | Best for large lawns | 9.1 | Check price |
| 3 | Milwaukee M18 Fuel String Trimmer | 16 in | Best for professionals | 8.9 | Check price |
| 4 | DeWalt DCST920P1 20V MAX | 13-15 in | Best for existing DeWalt batteries | 8.6 | Check price |
| 5 | Husqvarna 128LD | 17 in | Best gas trimmer | 8.4 | Check price |
| 6 | Worx WG184 40V | 13 in | Best value | 8.2 | Check price |
| 7 | Ryobi ONE+ 18V String Trimmer | 13 in | Best budget pick | 8.0 | Check price |
Frequently asked questions
Are cordless string trimmers strong enough for tough weeds?
Modern 40V, 56V and 80V brushless trimmers handle grass and light weeds without trouble for most yards. Thick, woody brush still favors a gas trimmer, since fuel engines sustain more torque over long sessions.
Which cutting width suits a small yard versus a large lawn?
A 13-inch swath fits small lawns and tight spaces between plantings. Widths of 15 to 17 inches clear larger areas in fewer passes but draw more power from the battery or engine.
What is the difference between bump feed and automatic line feed?
Bump feed advances line when you tap the spinning head on the ground. Automatic feed releases line as it wears without tapping, and push-button systems rewind a full spool for you.
Is a straight shaft or curved shaft trimmer better?
Straight shafts extend reach for taller users and fit under shrubs more easily, and most accept attachments. Curved shafts weigh less and maneuver well on small, flat lawns.
Can a string trimmer double as an edger?
Many trimmers rotate the head into a vertical edging position, and some accept a dedicated edger attachment. A purpose-built edger attachment still produces cleaner lines along walkways.
What line thickness works best for thick weeds?
Thin line around 0.065 inch suits light grass on smaller trimmers. Weeds and brush call for 0.080 inch or thicker, matched to whatever diameter the trimmer’s manual specifies.
How long does a cordless trimmer battery last per charge?
Run time typically ranges from 30 to 60 minutes of light trimming, depending on battery capacity and cutting load. Thick grass and higher speeds drain a battery faster, so a spare pack helps on bigger lawns.
Does a gas string trimmer need more maintenance than a cordless one?
Cordless trimmers need little beyond replacing the line and clearing debris from the head. Gas trimmers add fuel mixing, air-filter cleaning, spark-plug checks and periodic carburetor service.
Which battery platform is best if I already own other tools?
Ryobi ONE+, DeWalt 20V MAX, EGO 56V, Greenworks and Milwaukee M18 all share batteries across wide tool lineups. Staying inside one platform means new tools skip the cost of another battery and charger.
Our take
EGO Power+ ST1521S remains the trimmer to reach for first, pairing strong cutting power with a light carbon fiber shaft and hassle-free line reloading. Large lawns favor the Greenworks Pro 80V, while contractors gain more from the jobsite-ready Milwaukee M18 Fuel. Anyone cutting thick brush without battery limits should look at the gas-powered Husqvarna 128LD instead.
Sierra Daniels
Sierra's background is in landscape design and nursery retail. She focuses on lawn and garden equipment, outdoor furniture and gear durability, weighing published specs against how materials actually hold up outside.
