7 Best Battery Powered Weed Eaters of 2023

Photo: Makita

As a homeowner looking to keep weeds at bay and ensure your yard always looks fabulous, you need to get the best battery-powered weed eater.

These cordless weed trimmers have come a long way over the years thanks to advancements in battery technologies, and they now provide almost the same amount of power as other weed eater types like the corded electric models and also have relatively long run time.

But what really makes the battery-powered weed eaters amazing is that they offer the convenience and portability of gas-powered weed eater while also ensuring a quieter operation and being more environment-friendly.

These weed trimmers are also generally easier to start and use and more cost-effective to run. And if you are on the market for one, you have come to the right place as here we make it easier for you to choose a good cordless weed eater with our top 7 reviews and detailed buying guide.

7 Best Battery-powered Weed Eaters ​– Review

IMAGE	​PRODUCT	​FEATURES
	1. Black & Decker LST136 (Best Overall)	Powerful and longer runtime 40V max system Automatic feed spool Easy trimmer to edger conversion Handy PowerCommend dial
	2. Black & Decker LSTE523 (Best Budget)	Efficient 20V system Dual speed control Works as both trimmer and edger Easy line feed with no bumping
	3. Makita XRU02Z (Best under $100)	18V system with 7,500 RPM Well-balanced and ergonomic design Adjustable telescoping handle Converts into an edger
	4. Greenworks STBA40B210 (Convenient Smooth Operation)	Powerful 40V system with 2.0 Ah battery Smooth and quiet operation Variable speed trigger with cruise control
	5. DeWalt DCST920P1 (Power & Efficiency)	20V system with  5.0 Ah battery Variable speed control Dual line with fast feed Low noise operation
	6. Greenworks 21342 (Great Machine for Both Edging & Trimming)	Great for both edging and trimming Easily adjustable shaft length 24V system and 2.0 Ah battery Reliable electric start
	7. Earthwise CST00012 (Inexpensive but Well-Built)	High-speed motor, 7,800 RPM Protective flip-down edge guard 3-position cutting head Comfortable rubber overmold grip

1. Black & Decker LST136 – Best Overall

Photo: Black & Decker

• Power: 40V, 2.0 Ah
• Cutting Width: 13 inches
• Weight: 7.8 pounds

Black & Decker LST136 is a powerful 40V max cordless weed eater that is also designed to ensure you always get longer run times.

The weed whacker makes use of a PowerDrive transmission to ensure maximum delivery of power to the cutting edge from the motor for faster cutting.

And to make things even better, this weed eater includes a PowerCommand dial that allows users to choose whether to maximize the power or runtime depending on the task at hand.

You can easily convert it into an edger by simply turning the shaft which eliminates the need to have separate tools for trimming and edging. And many users will love the auto feed spool as it eliminates bumping for smooth and continuous operation.

While the starter string that the manufacturer provides is not the best quality and also does not seem to last very long, this should not be a big concern as you can easily and cheaply order better quality spool.

Pros:

• Powerful and with a longer run time
• Converts easily into an edger
• Automatic feed spool eliminates bumping
• Convenient variable speed setting
• Faster charger for shorter downtimes

Cons:

• Included string is not excellent quality
• Uses up the string a little too fast

2. Black & Decker LSTE523 – Best Budget

Photo: Black & Decker

• Power: 20V, 3.0 Ah
• Cutting Width: 12 inches
• Weight: 6.3 pounds

Being the lightest and cheapest model on our battery-powered weed eater review, the Black & Decker LSTE523 is a perfect choice for anyone looking for an inexpensive weed trimmer that they can use for extended periods with minimal fatigue.

The weed trimmer runs on a 20-volt max system which for its size and price is good enough and with a 3.0 Ah battery to deliver decent runtimes.

Also, this lightweight battery-powered weed eater makes use of Black & Decker’s impressive 2-speed PowerCommand that will allow users to choose whether to maximize runtime or power.

It offers easy line feed with no bumping as all you need to do is push a button for the line to advance. Many users will also love that it can easily be converted from a trimmer to a wheeled edger and that it includes adjustable height and handle for comfortable operation.

The absence of a lock-on on the power switch means that it can be tiring to hold it down for extended periods. However, for such a highly affordable cordless weed eater, this is a minor issue that should not be the dealbreaker.

More Detailed: Black & Decker LSTE523 Review

Pros:

• Dual speed control
• Easy line feed with no bumping
• Relatively more affordable
• Works as both trimmer and wheeled edger
• Adjustable height and handle

Cons:

• No lock option for the power switch
• Could have a longer runtime

3. Makita XRU02Z – Best under $100

Photo: Makita

• Power: 18V, 3.0 Ah
• Cutting Width: 10-1/4 inches
• Weight: 6.4 pounds

With a powerful Makita-built motor that delivers up to 7,500 RPM, the model XRU02Z cordless weed eater is designed to deliver faster-cutting speed and excellent performance.

Its telescoping handle also helps to make this one of the best cordless weed eaters, as it allows users to adjust the height for a comfortable working position. And this is an ergonomically designed and well-balanced weed eater than weighs 6.4 pounds only.

This top-rated battery-powered weed eater has a 180-degree rotatable head that makes it easy to convert into an edger, and it will be perfect for trimming in tight spaces thanks to the 5-position adjustable head.

You can easily tell when you are running out of battery charge as it has a handy indicator system. And to ensure maximum user convenience, it also includes a built-in lock-off lever.

If you have thicker weeds in your yard or the kind that tend to have relatively harder stems, this single string trimmer might struggle to cut them. However, for typical lawn grass, it still cuts amazingly well.

More Detailed: Makita XRU02Z Review

Pros:

• High-speed cutting
• Longer runtime
• Well-balanced and ergonomic design
• Easily adjustable tool height
• Quick conversion to an edger

Cons:

• Not very good for thicker weeds
• Relatively smaller cutting width

4. Greenworks STBA40B210 – Convenient Smooth Operation

Photo: Greenworks

• Power: 40V, 2.0 Ah
• Cutting Width: 12 inches
• Weight: 7.72 pounds

The Greenworks STBA40B210 is a combination of weed eater and blower to ensure you have the essential tools you need to take care of your yard and lawn effectively.

And you will also not need to buy anything else before you can use this weed eater as it will also come with a battery, charger and starter spool.

This cordless weed eater features a variable speed trigger that allows you to adjust the speed to suit the task at hand and other convenient features such as a battery level indicator to alert you when you are running out of charge.

The included blower is not as powerful as many users would have wished, but since this will not in any way affect the performance of the weed eater, it should not be a huge concern.

Pros:

• Smooth and quiet operation
• Variable speed trigger
• Convenient battery life indicator
• Excellent for tough trimming tasks
• Battery and charger included

Cons:

• Blower function not very powerful
• A little pricier

5. DeWalt DCST920P1 – Power & Efficiency

Photo: DeWalt

• Power: 20V, 5.0 Ah
• Cutting Width: 13 inches
• Weight: 14 pounds

There are many things that make DeWalt a trustworthy brand, but the power and quality of their products are probably the key ones. And both are clearly manifested on the DCST920P1 cordless weed eater.

It is one of their best battery powered trimmers out there thanks to a highly efficient 20-volt system and a 5.0 Ah battery that provides massive power and one of the longest runtimes in its class.

This well-built weed eater also has a more durable and efficient brushless motor that will hardly ever require any maintenance, and it runs more quietly, which makes it the perfect choice for noise-sensitive environments.

Many homeowners will also love that it comes with a variable speed trigger that allows you to match the speed to the task at hand for even more efficiency. And because it will also come with the charger and a spool, it will be ready for immediate use straight from the box.

Being the priciest on our list, this DeWalt weed eater means you need to spend a few extra bucks to own it, but given its power and efficiency, you will not regret it.

Pros:

• Efficient and durable brushless motor
• Instant start and stop
• Low noise operation
• Feeds string well and fast

Cons:

• Relatively pricier
• Heavier and bulkier

6. Greenworks 21342 – Great Machine for Both Edging & Trimming

Photo: Greenworks

• Power: 24V, 2.0 Ah
• Cutting Width: 12 inches
• Weight: 8.82 pounds

Whether you plan to trim or edge your already trimmed yard, the Greenworks 21342 will be a great buy as it is designed to do both perfectly.

And converting it from trimming to edging is a quick and almost effortless task thanks to the pivoting head design and the fact that the tool also includes a handy edging wheel.

The cordless weed eater runs on a 24-volt system and with a 2.0 Ah battery that delivers a decent runtime, and it comes with both the battery and charger.

Starting it is fast, smooth and easy as it uses an electronic system that ensures you will never have to worry about pulling cords when using it. You can use it comfortably at your preferred height, as its shaft is easily adjustable to different lengths.

With its wrap-around handle that is ergonomically designed and with a soft material, you can also hold the weed eater comfortably for extended periods.

The auto feed function is fast and convenient, but it does not seem to advance a long enough line for some users. However, this is still an easy-to-fix problem by manually advancing as much string as you need as it does not take any significant time or effort.

Pros:

• Convenient electric start
• Easily adjustable pole length
• Allows for both trimming and edging
• Fast line feed
• Both battery and charger are included

Cons:

• Auto feed does not seem to advance a long enough string
• A little on the pricier side

7. Earthwise CST00012 – Inexpensive but Well-Built

Photo: Earthwise

• Power: 18V, 1.7 Ah
• Cutting Width: 12 inches
• Weight: 8.1 pounds

Earthwise CST00012 is one of the best cordless weed trimmers out there for any homeowner looking for something inexpensive but still well-built.

This weed eater is the second most affordable option on our list but still has a lot to offer. One of its key highlights is the high-speed motor that delivers up to 7,800 RPM for fast and efficient trimming.

With its 3-position cutting edge, you can also easily adjust it to suit your trimming or edging needs. And the telescoping handle is designed to rotate 180 degrees for even more adjustability.

This telescoping handle is capped by rubber overmold grip that makes this a comfortable tool to operate for long periods.

Additional features like the semi-automatic line feed that eliminates the need for continued bumping and the flip-down edge guard that will protect your other plants also help to make this a fantastic weed trimmer.

Given that this is an 18-volt weed eater with a 1.7 Ah battery, it might seem a little underpowered, and this is more so when you compare it to others on our list. But, in reality, it is still powerful enough to cut through typical lawn grass.

Pros:

• High-speed motor
• Multiple position cutting head
• Comfortable rubber overmold grip handle
• Protective flip-down edge guard included
• Convenient auto line feed

Cons:

• A little underpowered

How to Buy the Best Battery-Powered Weed Eaters

Photo: Black & Decker

With our reviews above, you already have some idea on the best cordless weed eaters in the market. However, you will still need to pick a model that suits your specific need. And to make sure you make a more informed choice, you should watch out for the following things.

1. Power

Cordless weed eaters do not pack the same punch as the gas-powered models, and this should explain why power is always the main concern for most homeowners when shopping for these tools.

While recent advancements in battery technology and weed eater designs might have made battery-powered weed trimmers more powerful, their power still varies among different models.

Voltage is one of the most reliable ways to measure a cordless weed eater’s power, and you will often see models with 20V and 40V, but it is also possible to get 60V and 80V models.

Although higher voltage weed eaters are more powerful, they will also drain the battery faster than the lower voltage models. But you can easily offset this problem by getting a bigger battery or one with high ampere-hours such as the 5 amp-hour batteries.

2. Cutting Width

You do not want to spend several hours trimming your small lawn, and so the cordless weed whacker that you choose should be able to cut large enough areas with every pass.

The cutting width that the weed eater provides is what determines the size of the area that you will cut with every pass, and the larger it is the better the weed trimmer.

On average, most weed eaters will have a cutting width of around 13 inches which is often large enough for most homeowners, but it is still possible to get models with broader cutting widths than this.

3. Weight

Since the battery-powered weed eater is a hand-operated tool that you will have to carry around when trimming your lawn, its weight matters a lot.

A model that is huge and heavy can weigh you down within a short time, which means it will take longer to trim your yard as you have to take frequent breaks due to fatigue.

The good news is that most modern cordless weed eaters are designed to be lightweight to ensure minimal fatigue even when using it for extended periods.

But while still on the weight, you will need also to consider the balance or how the weight is distributed across the tool. And the models with a more balanced weight distribution will be the best.

4. Battery Life

Like many other battery-powered power tools, the cordless weed eaters will not have an everlasting battery life as most can run for about 30 to 60 minutes on a single charge.

However, the actual battery life that you get will depend on the battery size that you have because the 5 Ah batteries will typically offer longer run times than smaller ones like the 1.5 Ah.

To make sure that you get a long enough runtime, you need to consider the task at hand and how much time it is likely to take.

Also, the battery charge time also matters as it determines how much downtime you will have. Some quick-charging batteries will recharge in as little as 30 minutes, while others will take several hours, and so you need to choose wisely.

However, the best way to solve the battery life challenges that come with these weed eaters is by investing in one or a few extra backup batteries.

5. Noise Level

Noise level is another important factor to consider when choosing a cordless weed eater as you do not want something that will wake up everyone in the house or can be heard from several blocks away.

But the good news is that most of these weed eaters provide quieter operation than both gas and corded types. In most instances, the only noise is from the whirling of the trimmer head which is not very loud.

However, if you are a noise sensitive-individual or will be using the weed eater on a noise-sensitive property, you should compare the actual noise rating on different models and choose one with the lowest.

Conclusion

Battery powered weed eaters are convenient, quieter, easy to use and also more environment-friendly which makes them a great buy for any homeowner.

But, if you are going to enjoy maximum benefits from these amazing tools, you need to make sure that you pick a top quality model from the many options out there.

However, with a little shopping around and with our in-depth buying guide and reviews above to help you out, finding the best battery-powered weed eater should now be super easy.