I know we’ve discussed this before. I want to add an additional string trimmer to my tools. I have a nice gas powered echo that I want to dedicate to a saw blade for cutting saplings and heavy brush. So I’m thinking a battery powered string trimmer is the way to go for just edging my lawn and going around the yard for grass trimming. I was looking at Dewalt but the reviews aren’t very good. The only reason I was thinking Dewalt is for the battery compatibility with some other tools I have. But the Milwaukee seems to be the most powerful for the $200 price range. What do you guys recommend?

EGo

I do love my 40v Kobalt, also bought the edger, blower and pole saw. I sold all of my gas powered stuff but recently bought a Husqvarna 570BTS backpack blower, nothing electric has that kind of leaf blowing power

I just bought a Makita and am happy with it for my 1.25 acre property.

Dual batteries last for the full cut. It has three power levels. 1 is great for trimming bed edges. 2 for normal trimming. 3 is for serious bush whacking.

It was a bit spendy as I needed the batteries and charger but worth it I think.

I see echo has one that looks good too. Milwaukee reviews suck too.

I have the Dewalt edger and trimmer. The trimmer is the older model that was made before the interchangeable ends. I’ve had it awhile. I purchased the edger a couple years ago. I’ve been satisfied with both. I already had Dewalt batteries so I’ve stayed with it. No regrets.

I do prefer using the edger to edge. Today you could get one power unit and just buy the ends you need.

EGO, good battery, good warranty and service, you can get at Lowes or Ace hardware stores.

They have several string trimmer options, adjustable length, auto feeding line head, etc

Link

Not sure it’s the best or even the best value but the Ego has worked well enough for me for two seasons. I get about 30 min per battery which is when I need to take a break anyway.

I chose it over battery compatibility with my fuel 18. I can’t remember why.

I went Ryobi with my mower & blower, will probably replace my 2 stroke Stihl with their trimmer as well.

I bought the Greenworks simply because I have a Greenworks chainsaw & two batteries. It works well.

One more reason to go with ego. This takes longer to explain than to do it.

I'm happy with the DeWalt. You want 4ah batteries or larger, as it will go through a 2ah in a short time.

When you decide to buy one, check out the blower, trimmer, mower, and other devices that you may want to have in the future

Reason is none of the batteries from one company will fit another companies product, you can't put your DeWalt batteries on a Ryobi product.

You want to have battery interchangeability in case you end up doing a larger job that requires more power consumption than one battery can supply you want to be able to grab another one to keep working.

I ended up with a Ryobi 40V because it was the only one I could find that supports the half dozen "attach it!" implements I've accumulated over the years, string trimmer, brush blade, hedge shears, mini rototiller, etc. As a power head it compares well with the 3-cycle engines I used in retired power heads. A lot quieter plus no exhaust fumes, mixing/spilling/storing gas, yanking a cord, burning your arm on the muffler, etc. Perhaps a little less powerful than a 30cc gas unit, but does the job. If I never have to unvarnish another tiny carburetor, or diagnose a pinhole air leak in a gas line, you won't hear me whinging about it. Note that the 18V Ryobi line does not support the "attach it!" tools. I also have the Ryobi 40V chain saw and leaf blower that use the same batteries. So far, battery life has not been a problem, but I know they will eventually wear out.

I was already pretty invested in the Milwaukee M18 FUEL ecosystem when I bought the trimmer a good number of years ago, but for light to medium work, I have no complaints.

It will never match my Echo gas trimmer, of course, and I wouldn't try to mow a hayfield with it, but I can easily trim around my property after mowing on a single charge.

(I've also been happy with their blower, hedge trimmer, and chainsaw. No need for the new mower, but I bet it's also good for light-medium work.)

-Rob

I went with a 18v Ryobi Mower & Trimmer. I went with the small 18v because both lawns take under 10 minutes to mow total.

NOT really satisfied with either, but they do the job and the price was right.

I use one of Ryobi's upper tier 18V brushless straight shaft string trimmers. (Not the various cheaper brushed motor/curved shaft versions.) The brushless motors are not only more powerful, but will also last many years longer.

One 4Ah 18V battery is enough for me to edge and trim the entire fenceline, driveway, curb, sidewalks, utility boxes/covers, and house perimeter on my quarter acre lot. And it never misses a beat, even when dealing with heavier growth.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
Note that the 18V Ryobi line does not support the "attach it!" tools.

I think you mean "Expand-It"... And yes it does.

Most of the cheaper 18V models don't support Expand-It accessories, but several of their higher end 18V brushless string trimmers are compatible with the full line of Expand-It accessories:

https://www.ryobitools.com/pro.../details/46396039835

https://www.ryobitools.com/pro.../details/46396029065

https://www.ryobitools.com/pro.../details/46396029058

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I do love my 40v Kobalt, also bought the edger, blower and pole saw. I sold all of my gas powered stuff but recently bought a Husqvarna 570BTS backpack blower, nothing electric has that kind of leaf blowing power

EGO has an electric blower that has about the same power. Your Husqvarna shows 768 cfm air flow in the pipe, 972 cfm in the housing.

The EGO shows 765 cfm, but doesn't specify where it is measured. Still, pretty close, and no gasoline to deal with.

I don't think the electrics are quite there yet if you're a commercial operator and/or need the ability to refill the tank in a minute, as opposed to a 15 minute quick charge. But they are close, and rapidly improving.

Very happy with Ryobi straight shaft 40v
loading string is pretty cool. do not take the head apart to load it.

also have the tiller, 14" chainsaw, hedge trimmers.

My EGO trimmer, blower, and edger all work great hand use the same batteries.