Top 10 Battery String Trimmers in 2027 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The EGO Power+ Multi-Head ST1623T wins Best Overall for 2027 — a 16-inch swath, carbon-fiber straight shaft, brushless motor, and the killer feature: it accepts EGO's full attachment lineup (pole saw, edger, cultivator, hedge trimmer, blower), turning one tool into a yard system.

The Greenworks 40V 13" 2110402 takes Best Value at $199 — real brushless power, a respectable 13-inch cut, and a battery platform that scales to mowers and blowers. This list ranks the 10 best battery string trimmers in 2027 for homeowners ditching gas, contractors who want quieter mornings, and anyone with a yard between a quarter acre and two acres.

How We Ranked the Top 10 Battery String Trimmers in 2027

Rankings pull from Wirecutter's 2026 trimmer guide, Project Farm's 12-tool YouTube battery shootout, Pro Tool Reviews bench tests, Tool Box Buzz contractor reviews, Tom's Guide outdoor power roundups, plus Reddit r/Tools and r/lawncare owner threads and the manufacturer spec sheets. Weighting:

• Cutting power (motor watts, brushless vs brushed) — 25%
• Runtime under real load (thick fescue, edging) — 20%
• Cut width + line diameter (swath inches, mm line) — 15%
• Ergonomics (weight, balance, shaft type) — 15%
• Attachment ecosystem (multi-tool capability) — 10%
• Battery platform reach (mowers, blowers, saws on same pack) — 10%
• Warranty + parts availability — 5%

1. EGO Power+ Multi-Head ST1623T 16" Carbon Shaft 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Price: $349 kit (with 4.0Ah battery and standard charger) | Best for: Homeowners who want one battery powering trimmer + pole saw + edger + cultivator

The ST1623T is the 2026 Wirecutter top pick and Project Farm's torque-test winner among 56V class trimmers. The 16-inch cut swath is the widest in the class; the carbon-fiber straight shaft drops total weight to 10.2 lbs with battery while staying rigid. The brushless motor pushes 0.095-inch twisted line through pampas grass without bogging.

Variable-speed trigger plus high/low switch gives real control — high for thick weeds, low to stretch runtime past 45 minutes on the 4.0Ah pack. The Powerload bump head rewinds line at the push of a button (no more disassembling the spool). The attachment-capable splined coupler accepts EGO's pole saw, edger, hedge trimmer, brush cutter, blower, and cultivator heads.

• Pros: Widest cut in class, attachment system, 5-year tool / 3-year battery warranty, carbon shaft
• Con: $349 kit price is premium

Verdict: The trimmer to buy if you want a full outdoor system on one battery.

2. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Attachment-Capable RY40209VNM

Price: $259 kit (with 4.0Ah battery and charger) | Best for: Home Depot loyalists already on the Ryobi 40V platform

Ryobi's 40V HP line finally closed the gap with EGO and DeWalt. The RY40209VNM runs a brushless motor, 15-inch cut, and 0.080-inch dual-line bump head. The straight aluminum shaft with attachment-capable splined coupler accepts Ryobi's Expand-It lineup — the same coupler that fits 10+ Expand-It heads (pole saw, edger, blower, cultivator, brush cutter, hedge trimmer).

Weight is 11.4 lbs with the 4.0Ah pack — heavier than EGO but balanced well. Variable-speed trigger, runtime hits 38 minutes on low. The 40V battery platform scales to 80+ Ryobi tools including a 42-inch zero-turn mower.

• Pros: Cheapest serious attachment-capable trimmer, largest battery ecosystem, Home Depot stock everywhere
• Con: Slightly heavier and less refined than EGO

Verdict: The smart-money pick if you don't already own a battery platform.

3. Stihl FSA 60 R 36V Lithium

Price: $259 (bare tool; $399 with AK 30 battery + AL 101 charger) | Best for: Buyers who want Stihl dealer service and pro-grade build

Stihl's FSA 60 R is the dealer-channel pick — sold at 8,000+ independent Stihl dealers with hands-on setup. 36V AK-system battery, brushless EC motor, 14.6-inch swath, loop handle for tight edging. Weight is just 7.5 lbs without battery — the lightest serious trimmer here.

TapAction 2 bump-feed head with 0.080-inch line. Stihl's build quality is the gold standard — sealed bearings, glass-reinforced polymer housing, 2-year warranty extendable to 3 with battery registration. No attachment capability is the catch — this is a pure trimmer.

Runtime is 30 minutes on the AK 30 pack, 60 minutes on AK 50.

• Pros: Lightest in class, dealer support, bulletproof Stihl build
• Con: No multi-tool attachments

Verdict: Buy from your local Stihl dealer if you value service and longevity over attachment versatility.

4. Husqvarna 525iLST 40V Brushless

Price: $349 (bare; $499 kit with BLi200 battery + charger) | Best for: Semi-pros and large-property owners who run multiple Husqvarna 40V tools

The 525iLST is Husqvarna's commercial-grade 40V trimmer — used by municipal landscaping crews in noise-restricted European cities. Brushless motor, 17-inch cut swath (the widest on this list), 0.095-inch line, straight shaft with bicycle handlebar option for all-day comfort.

Weight is 10.4 lbs without battery. Three-speed setting — savE mode, standard, and boost — gives real runtime flexibility (up to 75 minutes on BLi200 in savE mode). IPX4 weather sealing.

Build is commercial-tier — magnesium housing, replaceable trigger assembly, 2-year residential / 1-year commercial warranty.

• Pros: Widest 17-inch swath, commercial build, weather-sealed
• Con: Battery sold separately; full kit pushes $499

Verdict: The closest a battery trimmer comes to pro gas performance.

5. Milwaukee M18 FUEL String Trimmer 2828-21HD

Price: $349 kit (with HD12.0 battery + Rapid Charger) | Best for: Tradespeople deep on the M18 platform (280+ tools)

The M18 FUEL 2828-21HD is Milwaukee's first serious outdoor power tool — brushless motor, 16-inch cut, 0.095-inch line, straight shaft. The pitch is the M18 battery platform: if you already own Milwaukee drills, impacts, saws, or vacs, this trimmer runs on the same HD12.0 pack that powers a table saw.

Variable-speed trigger plus a quick-load Quik-Lok head. Weight is 12.5 lbs with HD12.0 battery — on the heavy side. Runtime is 60 minutes on HD12.0 in light cutting.

Milwaukee's 5-year tool warranty is the longest in the trade-tool class.

• Pros: Runs on existing M18 battery investment, 5-year warranty, heavy-duty trigger
• Con: Heaviest trimmer here; no native attachment-capable coupler

Verdict: Buy only if you're already on M18 — otherwise EGO or Ryobi give better trimmer-specific value.

6. Greenworks 40V 13" 2110402 💎 BEST VALUE

Price: $199 (kit with 2.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: First-time battery trimmer buyers with a quarter-acre yard

The 2110402 is the price-to-performance sweet spot of 2027 — brushless motor at $199 is the headline. 13-inch dual-line cut head, 0.080-inch line, curved aluminum shaft (lighter on the wrist than straight), variable-speed trigger, auto-feed line head that advances line without bumping.

Weight is just 6.8 lbs with the 2.0Ah pack. Runtime is 35 minutes on 2.0Ah. The Greenworks 40V platform spans 70+ tools including a 21-inch self-propelled mower and 730 CFM blower — full yard kit at half EGO money.

4-year tool / 3-year battery warranty.

• Pros: Brushless at $199, lightest serious trimmer, 4-year warranty, expanding platform
• Con: 13-inch swath means more passes on larger lawns

Verdict: The smartest sub-$200 buy. Stack the savings into a Greenworks mower next.

7. Black+Decker LSTE525 20V MAX

Price: $149 (kit with 2.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Townhouse / patio owners with under 2,000 sq ft of trim work

The LSTE525 is the best ultra-budget trimmer — 20V brushed motor, 12-inch cut, 0.065-inch line, adjustable telescoping shaft, EASYFEED auto-feed head. The party trick is 2-in-1 trimmer + wheeled edger — flip the head 180° and it converts to a walk-behind edger.

Weight is just 5.9 lbs with battery — the lightest tool on this list, friendly for smaller-frame users and seniors. Brushed motor means it bogs on thick weeds but handles light grass cleanly. Runtime is 40 minutes on the 2.0Ah pack.

2-year warranty.

• Pros: Cheapest brand-name trimmer, lightest at 5.9 lbs, 2-in-1 trimmer/edger
• Con: Brushed motor struggles on dense vegetation

Verdict: Right tool for tiny yards. Wrong tool for anything past a quarter acre.

8. DEWALT DCST972X1 60V FLEXVOLT 17"

Price: $329 (kit with FLEXVOLT 3.0Ah battery + charger) | Best for: DeWalt tool collectors who want max-power battery trim

The DCST972X1 runs DeWalt's 60V FLEXVOLT system — the same battery powers a table saw and chainsaw. Brushless motor, 17-inch cut swath, 0.095-inch line, straight shaft, variable-speed trigger with a high/low gear switch. Weight is 12.2 lbs with battery — heavy, but the 17-inch cut and FLEXVOLT torque make it the closest gas-substitute on this list for tough commercial-edge work.

Runtime is 55 minutes on the 3.0Ah FLEXVOLT in low gear. Patented Quickload Spool rewinds line in 30 seconds without disassembly. 3-year warranty.

• Pros: 17-inch cut, FLEXVOLT cross-tool battery, gas-class torque
• Con: Heavy, no attachment coupler

Verdict: Best for DeWalt-platform owners who want pro power without going to Husqvarna prices.

9. EGO Power+ ST1502SA 15" Powerload

Price: $269 kit (with 2.5Ah battery and charger) | Best for: EGO buyers who want the Powerload head without paying for attachment capability

The ST1502SA is the stripped-down EGO — same 56V brushless motor, same Powerload bump head (push-button line rewind), 15-inch cut, 0.095-inch line, straight shaft. The catch versus the ST1623T flagship: no attachment coupler (single-purpose trimmer) and 15-inch swath instead of 16.

Weight is 9.4 lbs with the 2.5Ah pack. Runtime is 45 minutes on low setting. The 56V Arc-Lithium platform still scales to EGO's mowers, blowers, chainsaws, and snowblowers — just no head-swap on the trimmer itself.

5-year tool / 3-year battery warranty.

• Pros: Powerload head, EGO's 56V platform, lighter than the ST1623T
• Con: Single-purpose, no attachment capability

Verdict: Pick this only if you're sure you'll never want EGO attachments. Otherwise spend $80 more on the ST1623T.

10. Toro 60V Flex-Force 51840T 14"

Price: $179 (bare tool; $299 with 2.5Ah battery + charger) | Best for: Toro mower owners who want one battery for both

The 51840T is Toro's entry into the 60V Flex-Force system, the same battery platform that runs Toro's Recycler 21-inch self-propelled mower. Brushless motor, 14-inch cut, 0.080-inch line, straight shaft, variable-speed trigger, dual-line auto-feed.

Weight is 8.9 lbs with battery. Runtime is 40 minutes on the 2.5Ah pack. The pitch is platform coherence with Toro mowers — if you already bought a Flex-Force mower, the trimmer is $179 bare which is the cheapest serious-brand brushless entry.

3-year tool / 3-year battery warranty.

• Pros: Bare-tool $179, Toro mower platform sharing, brushless
• Con: 14-inch swath is mid-tier; smaller platform than Greenworks or Ryobi

Verdict: Buy bare if you own a Toro 60V mower. Skip if you don't — Greenworks gives more for similar money.

Buyer Decision Tree

What to Look For When Buying a Battery String Trimmer

Cut swath inches matters most for time-to-finish — a 16-inch trimmer cuts a yard in half the passes of a 13-inch. Line diameter drives weed-cutting power: 0.080-inch handles grass, 0.095-inch handles weeds and saplings. Brushless motors are non-negotiable above $200 — they run cooler, last longer, and deliver more torque per watt-hour.

Voltage tells you raw power class (40V residential, 56-60V prosumer, 80V semi-pro), but watt-hours = voltage × amp-hours is the real runtime number — a 40V 5.0Ah pack (200Wh) outlasts a 60V 2.0Ah pack (120Wh).

Variable-speed triggers plus two-speed switches stretch runtime by 30-40% on light grass. Bump-feed heads are the gold standard for reliability; auto-feed heads are convenient but break more often (per Project Farm's teardown series). Attachment-capable couplers (EGO, Ryobi Expand-It, Stihl KombiSystem) turn a $250 trimmer into a $1,500 tool system — worth the premium if you'll use the heads.

What doesn't matter as much as marketing implies: peak amperage spec numbers (manufacturers compare unfairly across voltages), "professional-grade" branding without commercial warranty backing, and shaft material on residential tools (aluminum is fine; carbon fiber matters past 45 minutes of daily use).

Avoid trimmers without replaceable spool heads — when the head breaks at year three, the whole tool becomes scrap.

FAQ

How long does a battery string trimmer run per charge? Expect 30-45 minutes of real cutting per 4.0Ah pack on a brushless 40-60V trimmer in low speed. High speed cuts that to 15-25 minutes. Plan on two batteries for any yard over a quarter acre.

Are battery trimmers as powerful as gas in 2027? For homeowner use, yes — EGO, Husqvarna, and DeWalt's 56-60V brushless trimmers match 25cc gas trimmers on grass and light brush. For all-day commercial brushcutting with 0.105-inch trimmer line, gas still wins on sustained runtime per dollar.

What's the difference between bump-feed and auto-feed line heads? Bump-feed advances line when you tap the head on the ground — proven reliable but requires you to tap. Auto-feed advances line automatically with motor torque — convenient but the internal mechanism fails more often (per Pro Tool Reviews and Reddit r/Tools owner reports).

Should I buy attachment-capable or single-purpose? Attachment-capable (EGO Multi-Head, Ryobi Expand-It, Stihl KombiSystem) costs $50-100 more upfront but saves $200-400 versus buying separate pole saws and edgers. Buy attachment-capable if you'll use at least two attachment heads within two years.

How heavy is too heavy for a battery trimmer? Under 10 lbs with battery is comfortable for 20+ minute sessions for most users. Over 12 lbs (Milwaukee 2828-21HD, DeWalt DCST972X1) needs a shoulder strap for sustained use. For smaller-frame users or seniors, target under 8 lbs — Stihl FSA 60 R, Black+Decker LSTE525, and Greenworks 2110402 all qualify.

Are the 80V monster trimmers worth it for homeowners? Generally no. 80V Greenworks Pro and Kobalt trimmers push $400-500 and are rated for commercial cut-cycle work most homeowners never approach. 56-60V brushless does everything a half-acre owner needs at lower cost and weight.

Bottom Line

The EGO Power+ ST1623T is the 2027 Best Overall battery string trimmer — widest cut, lightest carbon shaft, full attachment ecosystem, and a 5-year warranty back it. The Greenworks 40V 2110402 at $199 is the Best Value — brushless power on a platform that scales to mowers and blowers.

Match your pick to your yard and battery platform via the Buyer Decision Tree above — that's the fastest path from "I need a trimmer" to "I bought the right one."

Sources

• Wirecutter — The Best Cordless String Trimmer (2026 update, EGO ST1623T top pick)
• Project Farm (YouTube) — Best Battery Powered String Trimmer? Stihl, Milwaukee, EGO, DeWalt, Ryobi, Husqvarna, Greenworks (12-tool dyno + torque test)
• Pro Tool Reviews — Best Cordless String Trimmer Reviews 2026
• Tool Box Buzz — Battery String Trimmer Head-to-Head: Pro Crew Test
• Tom's Guide — Best Cordless String Trimmers 2026: Tested for Real Yards
• Reddit r/Tools — String trimmer recommendations megathread 2026
• Reddit r/lawncare — EGO vs Ryobi vs Stihl battery trimmer owner reports
• EGO Power+ ST1623T official spec sheet (egopowerplus.com)
• Ryobi RY40209VNM official spec sheet (ryobitools.com)
• Husqvarna 525iLST official product page (husqvarna.com)
• Stihl FSA 60 R technical data sheet (stihlusa.com)
• Consumer Reports — String Trimmer Ratings 2026 (subscriber-tier rankings)