The Best Cordless String Trimmers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)

RBE top pick

EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S)

See why it wins Compare all

Amazon had no buyable listing for our top pick when we last checked, so there is no buy link here yet.

The EGO wins for its combination of gas-like 56V power and a genuinely fuss-free automatic line feed that owners love. The RYOBI is the smarter buy for anyone who wants one affordable battery platform to power a whole shed of yard tools.

Cordless string trimmers have quietly gotten good enough that most homeowners no longer need gas. The trick is matching battery voltage, cutting swath, and line-feed system to the size of your yard. Three of these four are genuinely worth owning; one is a common budget buy we think most people should walk past.

RBE top pick

EGO

EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S)

Buy it

Gas-like 56V power with a push-button line feed that ends spool-winding misery.

Best for: Homeowners with quarter- to half-acre lots who want gas-grade power without the fuss.

$$$ · premium

Why we like it

• POWERLOAD head auto-winds the line at the push of a button - no hand-spooling
• 56V brushless motor delivers the torque reviewers say chews through thick, wet weeds
• Feeds a large 56V ecosystem of mowers, blowers, and saws that share the battery

Know before buying

• Owners describe the balance as a little front-heavy compared with lighter 20V trimmers
• The kit's 2.5Ah battery is rated by EGO for up to 30 minutes of runtime, so bigger yards want a larger pack

Amazon had no buyable listing for this when we last checked. The link still works if it returns.

Find it on Amazon Read our detailed assessment ↓

RYOBI

RYOBI 40V 15" Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit (RY40ST01K)

Buy it

The value pick: one attachment-capable powerhead that grows into a whole yard toolkit.

Best for: Budget-minded homeowners who want one battery platform for many yard tools.

$$ · mid-range

Why we like it

• Attachment-capable shaft accepts edger, pole saw, and cultivator heads from one motor
• Backed by RYOBI's huge, affordable 40V lineup that owners praise for value
• Ships with a generous 4Ah battery, so runtime is long for the price class

Know before buying

• Owners report it feels heavy once the 4Ah pack is fitted
• Uses a bump-feed head rather than EGO's automatic line loading

Find it on Amazon Read our detailed assessment ↓

Makita

Makita 18V X2 (36V) LXT Brushless String Trimmer (XRU15PT)

It depends

A beautifully balanced trimmer that only makes financial sense if you already live in Makita LXT.

Best for: People already invested in Makita 18V LXT tools who want top-tier fit and finish.

$$$ · premium

Why we like it

• Runs on two common 18V LXT batteries you likely already own from Makita drills and saws
• Owners praise its balance, build quality, and low vibration
• Three speed settings plus a reverse function to clear line jams quickly

Know before buying

• Needs two batteries to run, doubling battery cost and weight versus single-pack rivals
• Buying in fresh - as the full kit does - lands at a premium price for a homeowner trimmer

Check price on Amazon Read our detailed assessment ↓

We'd skip it

BLACK+DECKER

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX EASYFEED 12" String Trimmer/Edger (LSTE525)

Skip it

Light and cheap, but too under-motored and short-running for anyone with a real lawn.

Best for: Tiny urban yards or occasional light touch-ups only - most buyers should size up.

$ · budget

Why we like it

• Light (about 8.8 lb) and easy to swing for quick touch-ups
• EASYFEED power-feed beats pure bump heads when it behaves
• Inexpensive entry point with two batteries included

Know before buying

• 20V motor bogs down in thick or wet grass, per many owner reports
• Small 12" swath plus short 1.5Ah battery runtime makes real yards slow going
• Some owners cite line-feed jams and durability complaints

Amazon had no buyable listing for this when we last checked. The link still works if it returns.

See our pick instead Find it on Amazon anyway Read our detailed assessment ↓

How we judged the field

We don’t run our own test lab. Instead, we synthesize independent testing, expert reviews, and aggregated owner reports to find where the consensus lands - and where it splits. For cordless string trimmers, the criteria that actually separate a keeper from a regret are power relative to your grass, the line-feed system, the battery platform you’re buying into, real-world runtime on the included pack, and how the tool balances in your hands over a full session. Price matters too, but only in context: a cheap trimmer that can’t finish your lawn isn’t a bargain.

This is the trimmer we’d point most homeowners toward. The 56V brushless motor has the torque reviewers describe as genuinely gas-like, powering through thick and wet weeds that make budget trimmers stall. The headline feature is POWERLOAD: cut a length of line, thread it through, push a button, and the head winds it for you - no prying the spool open on the driveway. Owners often call it the feature they didn’t know they needed. It’s part of EGO’s large 56V ecosystem, so the battery also runs mowers, blowers, and saws. The trade-offs are modest: owners describe the balance as a little front-heavy, and the kit’s 2.5Ah battery is rated by EGO for up to 30 minutes of runtime, so bigger yards want a larger pack. For a quarter- to half-acre lot, it’s the easy call.

The RYOBI is the value play, and a strong one. Its shaft is attachment-capable, meaning the same powerhead accepts edger, pole-saw, and cultivator attachments - one motor, a whole shed of yard tools. It cuts an adjustable 13 to 15 inch swath, ships with a generous 4Ah battery for long runtime, and plugs into RYOBI’s enormous, affordable 40V lineup. Owners rate it highly for the money. It isn’t as refined as the EGO: owners report it feels heavy once the 4Ah pack is on, and it uses a conventional bump-feed head rather than automatic loading. But if you want maximum capability per dollar and a platform you can keep expanding, it’s hard to beat.

The Makita is a very well built tool - owners praise its balance, low vibration, and fit and finish, and the three speed settings with a jam-clearing reverse are a nice touch. The catch is the format. It runs on two 18V LXT batteries, which is fantastic if you already own Makita cordless tools and can share packs, but doubles the battery cost and weight if you’re starting from scratch. Bought fresh as the full kit, it lands at a premium price for a homeowner trimmer. So the verdict genuinely depends on you: an obvious buy for the LXT faithful, an expensive way in for everyone else.

This is the one we’d steer most people away from - not because it’s defective, but because it’s mismatched to real lawns. The 20V motor bogs down in thick or wet grass, and the narrow 12” swath paired with short 1.5Ah batteries turns an ordinary yard into a stop-and-swap chore. The EASYFEED power-feed is a nice idea, but some owners report jams and durability complaints. It’s light, cheap, and fine for a tiny urban patch or the occasional touch-up. For anything more, you’ll outgrow it fast - and the extra money for a 40V RYOBI buys a tool you won’t have to replace.

EGO ST1521S vs RYOBI RY40ST01K: which should you buy?

These are the two most homeowners should choose between. The EGO wins on refinement and raw ease: more torque in reserve, and the POWERLOAD head that makes re-lining a non-event. If your priority is the smoothest, most gas-like experience and you don’t mind paying a premium, take the EGO. The RYOBI wins on flexibility and price: the attachment-capable shaft means one purchase can become an edger, pole saw, and cultivator, and the whole 40V platform costs less to build out. Choose the RYOBI if you want to equip a whole yard from one affordable battery system. Neither is a wrong answer - it comes down to convenience versus versatility.

What to look for

• Match power to your grass. 40V and 56V brushless trimmers handle typical lawns and weeds; 20V tools are for tiny patches only.
• Prefer a 15” swath over 12” if you have a full lawn - it clears ground meaningfully faster.
• Decide on line feed. Automatic loading (like POWERLOAD) is the most convenient; bump-feed is proven and cheaper.
• Buy into a battery platform, not just a tool - the packs you own should drive the brand you pick.
• Check the included battery. A larger amp-hour pack in the box means fewer interruptions on bigger yards.
• Weigh the tool with the battery on, not bare - a heavy pack changes how it feels after ten minutes.

Our final take

For most homeowners, the EGO POWER+ ST1521S is the trimmer to buy: it has the power to match a real lawn and the POWERLOAD head that removes the single most annoying part of owning a string trimmer. The RYOBI 40V kit is the value-savvy runner-up, especially if you want one affordable platform to run many yard tools. The Makita is a superb tool that earns its keep only if you’re already in the LXT ecosystem. And the BLACK+DECKER is the honest skip - a fine little touch-up tool that’s simply out of its depth on an actual lawn. Buy the one that fits your yard and your batteries, and you’ll be happy for years.

Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S) vs RYOBI 40V 15" Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit (RY40ST01K).

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