The Best Cordless Strimmers For Tidy Lawn Edges
Battery strimmers that tidy lawn edges and the grass around trees and walls.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best cordless strimmer is the WORX WG163E Cordless Grass Trimmer. It converts into a wheeled edger, so one light tool handles both the trimming and the borders, and you can use it one-handed. For nettles, brambles and long grass, the DEWALT DCM561PBS XR Strimmer is the better choice, as it's the closest thing to petrol power here.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of WORX WG163E Cordless Grass Trimmer
Best Overall
WORX WG163E Cordless Grass TrimmerSmall and medium lawns needing regular trimming and a neat edge
- Check price of Greenworks G40LTK2 Cordless Strimmer
Best All-Rounder
Greenworks G40LTK2 Cordless StrimmerMedium gardens where a longer warranty and runtime matter
- Check price of DEWALT DCM561PBS XR Strimmer
Best Heavy Duty
DEWALT DCM561PBS XR StrimmerLong grass, nettles and brambles in larger or neglected gardens
- Check price of Gtech Cordless Grass Trimmer GT50
Best With Blades
Gtech Cordless Grass Trimmer GT50Light trimming for anyone fed up with tangled or snapped line
- Check price of BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC String Grass Trimmer
Best Value
BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC String Grass TrimmerBudget-conscious buyers wanting trimming and edging in one tool
- Check price of Einhell GC-CT Grass Strimmer
The batteries already in your shed matter as much as the strimmer itself. The battery is the dearest part, so if you own a cordless battery hedge trimmer or drill, buying the bare tool from the same brand cuts the cost right down. Then match the machine to the growth. A light trimmer with an edging mode keeps a tidy lawn sharp, but nettles and brambles need a heavy-duty model.
We've noted which of the six come with a battery and which are sold bare.
Putting These Cordless Strimmers To Work
We've used cordless strimmers from a wide spread of brands while keeping on top of the grass at home and at the holiday lets and rental houses in our care. The jobs are the same ones you'll face, trimming round trees, along walls and driveways, and cutting a crisp edge where the lawn meets a path or border.
Each strimmer was judged on battery life, cutting performance, safety features, comfort, build quality and how easy it was to get started. The WORX WG163E, our top pick, has been in use for several months, and the photos below show it trimming along a fence line and round a tree.
The next two photos show other strimmers we've used, a Ryobi and a grey and orange trimmer that came with its battery and charger, neither of which is in the list below.
The short video shows the WORX in action. It's light enough that we trimmed the grass holding it in one hand.
Cordless Strimmers: Lightweight & Easy To Use - We've Tested Multiple To Find The Best!
We also took warranty, extra features, battery compatibility and value for money into account. Runtime figures we measured ourselves are marked as from our testing, and any others come from the brands.
The Best Cordless Strimmers We'd Buy
These six cover light weekly trimming through to heavy clearing work. The DeWalt is sold without a battery, so factor that in if you don't already own one.
Best Overall
WORX WG163E Cordless Grass Trimmer
Best for: Small and medium lawns needing regular trimming and a neat edge
Check Price On AmazonWe've had the WORX WG163E in use for several months, and it's done better than we expected compared with other strimmers we've tested. The main selling point is that it's a 2-in-1 machine, turning from a grass trimmer into a wheeled lawn edger, so you don't need a second tool for the borders.
At 2.4 kg it's light enough to use one-handed, which you can see in our video. The head, pole and handle all adjust, the flower guard keeps the line off your plants, and the command feed lets out fresh line at the press of a button without bumping the head on the ground. We got around 30 minutes from a charge in our testing, and it recharges quickly. It's built for grass and light weeds, though, and nettles or tough growth are beyond it.
What we like
- Converts from a trimmer to a wheeled edger
- Light at 2.4 kg and easy to use one-handed
- Command feed lets out line at the press of a button
- Head, pole and handle all adjust to suit your height
- Flower guard protects plants when edging
- Battery lasted around 30 minutes in our testing
What to know
- Not suited to nettles or other heavy vegetation
Our verdict
One light tool that trims and edges is what most small and medium lawns need, and the WORX WG163E does both well. The command feed means you're not stopping to bump the head on the ground, and the adjustable head, pole and handle make it easy to set up for your height. Where it falls short is tough growth, so nettles and brambles are a job for the DeWalt DCM561PBS.
Best All-Rounder
Greenworks G40LTK2 Cordless Strimmer
Best for: Medium gardens where a longer warranty and runtime matter
Check Price On AmazonWe're big fans of Greenworks tools, and its pole hedge trimmer is one of our favourites. The G40LTK2 strimmer runs on the same 40V lithium battery platform and weighs 2.8 kg. Its variable speed trigger is the handy part, letting you ease off around delicate plants, and the handle adjusts for height.
Greenworks quotes up to 40 minutes from the battery. An automatic line feed keeps the cutting line at the right length, and an integrated plant guard protects stems and tree bark. The aluminium shaft splits in two, which makes it easier to store in a small shed or the boot of a car. The warranty is generous, with 3 years on the tool and 2 on the battery. It doesn't convert to an edger like the WORX, so you'll need to turn it by hand for edging.
What we like
- Automatic line feed
- Integrated guard protects plants and tree bark
- Variable speed trigger and adjustable handle
- Up to 40 minutes per charge according to Greenworks
- 3 year tool and 2 year battery warranty
- Aluminium shaft splits in two for storage
What to know
- Costs more than the WORX WG163E
- No dedicated edging mode
Our verdict
The Greenworks G40LTK2 suits anyone who values a strong warranty, a bit more runtime and a brand with UK support. Choosing between it and the WORX is close. If built-in edging matters and you'd rather pay less, go for the WORX WG163E, and if you're tackling rough ground, the DeWalt DCM561PBS is tougher.
Best Heavy Duty
DEWALT DCM561PBS XR Strimmer
Best for: Long grass, nettles and brambles in larger or neglected gardens
Check Price On AmazonThe DeWalt DCM561PBS is built for heavier work than the other strimmers here, and in our testing it felt like a proper replacement for a petrol strimmer. Its 33 cm cutting width clears rough ground in fewer passes, and you can match the power to the growth with the two-speed setting and fully variable trigger. The professional-style guard still leaves good access and visibility at the cutting head.
The build quality is what you'd expect from DeWalt, and the ergonomic handle stays comfortable over longer sessions. It's sold as a bare tool with no battery or charger. We ran it on a larger DeWalt battery for extra runtime, and we'd recommend doing the same if you've got a big garden or a lot of rough ground to clear. If you already own DeWalt power tools, the batteries are interchangeable, and DeWalt offers a 3 year warranty once the tool is registered.
What we like
- 33 cm cutting width for fast trimming
- Two-speed setting with a variable trigger
- Professional-style guard for clear sight of the cut
- Takes larger capacity DeWalt batteries
- Ergonomic handle for long sessions
- 3 year warranty when registered
What to know
- Most expensive strimmer in our roundup and sold without a battery or charger
- No edging mode
Our verdict
Pick the DeWalt DCM561PBS if you're clearing nettles, brambles and long grass, or you already own DeWalt batteries, as nothing else here comes as close to a petrol machine. For a tidy suburban lawn it's more than you need, and the WORX WG163E or Greenworks G40LTK2 will be lighter and cheaper.
Best With Blades
Gtech Cordless Grass Trimmer GT50
Best for: Light trimming for anyone fed up with tangled or snapped line
Check Price On AmazonThe Gtech GT50 uses small plastic blades instead of a nylon line, which means no rewinding spools or line that welds itself together. The blades clip on and off in seconds, and that was the feature we liked most. Despite being plastic, they held up well in our testing too.
It's one of the lightest strimmers here at 1.85 kg, and it comes as a complete kit with the battery, charger and 20 blades. The handle adjusts to suit your height, and a safety switch stops the trimmer starting by accident. It will edge a lawn if you turn it on its side, but there's no wheel or guide to keep the line straight, so a neat finish takes a steadier hand than with the WORX. Gtech sells replacement blades directly, so keeping a stock in the shed is easy.
What we like
- Plastic blades that clip on and off in seconds
- Blades proved durable in our testing
- Light at 1.85 kg
- Supplied with a battery, charger and 20 blades
- Safety switch prevents accidental starts
- Adjustable handle
What to know
- No dedicated edging guide for a neat finish
Our verdict
Tangled line is the problem the Gtech GT50 solves. With blades that clip on in seconds and everything you need in the box, it's a good match for regular, light trimming on a tidy lawn, and at 1.85 kg it's one of the lightest here. Just don't expect a crisp edge without a guide to keep it straight.
Best Value
BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC String Grass Trimmer
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers wanting trimming and edging in one tool
Check Price On AmazonThe BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC packs a lot in for the money. Its E-Drive system keeps the line spinning fast, at 5,500 to 7,400 RPM according to the brand, and an automatic feed keeps the line topped up as you work. Switching from trimming to edging is a simple twist of the pole.
The handles adjust, and the box includes a battery, a charger and 9 metres of spare line, so there's nothing else to buy before you start. The weak spot for us was the battery. We got about 30 minutes from a charge, which is fine for a small lawn, but it then took around 5 to 6 hours to charge again. If you trim once a week that won't matter, but it rules out a second session on the same day unless you buy a spare battery.
What we like
- Twist-pole switch between trimming and edging
- Line speed of 5,500 to 7,400 RPM according to the brand
- Automatic line feed
- Battery, charger and 9 metres of line included
- Adjustable handles
What to know
- Battery took around 5 to 6 hours to recharge in our testing
- Gave us about 30 minutes per charge
Our verdict
The long charge time is the one real catch with the BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC. Accept that, and you get trimming and edging, an automatic feed and a battery and charger in one sensibly priced kit for a small or medium lawn. A spare battery gets round the wait if you need a second session on the same day.
Best Budget
Einhell GC-CT Grass Strimmer
Best for: Occasional trimming of grass and weeds in a small garden
Check Price On AmazonThe Einhell GC-CT is one of the cheapest cordless strimmers we'd recommend that still comes from an established brand with a battery and charger in the box. It weighs 1.8 kg, uses plastic blades like the Gtech, and comes with 20 of them. Einhell says the battery works with all of its cordless power tools, so it'll run their other garden tools too.
Build quality is good for the price, with an aluminium telescopic handle and hardened plastic parts, and it went together easily out of the box. A flower guard keeps the blades off your plants. In our testing the battery gave around 30 minutes, which is decent at this price. The 24 cm cutting width is small, so bigger lawns take more passes, and there's no safety switch to stop accidental starts.
What we like
- Light at 1.8 kg
- Battery, charger and 20 plastic blades included
- Battery works with other Einhell cordless tools
- Telescopic aluminium handle
- Battery lasted around 30 minutes in our testing
- Flower guard protects borders
What to know
- Small 24 cm cutting width
- No safety switch
- Not suited to heavy strimming
Our verdict
The Einhell GC-CT is a sensible buy for a small garden where you trim grass and weeds now and then and want to spend as little as possible. Anyone strimming every week would get on better with the WORX WG163E, and if blades appeal but you'd like a safety switch, the Gtech GT50 has one.
Choosing A Cordless Strimmer For Your Garden
The cordless strimmer you need comes down to the size of the lawn, how rough the growth gets and which batteries you already own. Here's what we weigh up when buying one.
Line Or Plastic Blades
Nylon line is the traditional choice and copes with tougher grass and weeds. It wears down as you work, so an automatic or push-button feed saves a lot of stopping. When the spool runs out, our guide on replacing strimmer wire walks through rewinding it.
Plastic blades, as on the Gtech and Einhell, clip on in seconds and never tangle. They're best on light grass and struggle with woody stems, so they suit tidy lawns more than overgrown corners.
Cutting Width And Power
Cutting width is the diameter the line or blade sweeps. A wider cut like the DeWalt's 33 cm clears ground faster, while a narrow one like the Einhell's 24 cm is fine for edges and small patches. Power on a cordless strimmer comes from the battery voltage and motor, and higher-voltage machines hold their speed better in thick grass.
Built-In Edging
Edging is where a strimmer makes a lawn look finished. Some models, like the WORX and BLACK+DECKER, rotate the head and add a wheel or guide so the line runs straight along the border. Without that, you turn the strimmer on its side and work freehand, which takes practice to get neat.
Batteries And Bare Tools
If you already own cordless tools from a brand, buying the bare strimmer from them is the cheapest route. DeWalt and Einhell both share batteries across their ranges, and a larger battery gives longer runtime. For a first cordless tool, a kit with the battery and charger included is simpler, and a second battery is worth having for bigger gardens.
Weight And Balance
A light strimmer is easier to control, especially for edging and trimming round trees where you hold it at an angle. The WORX, Gtech and Einhell all weigh under 2.5 kg, which makes them the easiest here to manage on edges and round trunks. A heavier machine is fine for rough clearing if it has a good second handle, and a shoulder strap helps on bigger jobs.
Once the edges are done, the rest of the lawn is a job for one of the best electric lawn mowers. For new grass, check our advice on when to cut new grass before strimming the edges, as young roots tear easily.
More Questions About Cordless Strimmers
Are cordless strimmers powerful enough for long grass?
Cordless strimmers handle long grass well if you pick a model built for it. Lighter machines like the WORX WG163E are made for regular trimming and edging, while heavy-duty strimmers like the DeWalt DCM561PBS cope with long grass, nettles and brambles. For very overgrown ground, cut it down in stages rather than trying to clear it in one pass.
How long does a cordless strimmer battery last?
The domestic strimmers in our roundup run for roughly 30 to 40 minutes per charge. In our testing, the WORX WG163E, Einhell GC-CT and BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC each gave about 30 minutes, and Greenworks quotes up to 40 minutes for the G40LTK2. Larger capacity batteries, such as the bigger DeWalt packs, run for longer.
Is a strimmer with blades better than one with line?
A strimmer with plastic blades is better for light trimming because the blades clip on quickly and never tangle. A line strimmer is better for tougher grass and weeds, and it gives a cleaner edge along paths. If your lawn is kept short and tidy, blades are less bother, but for rougher ground choose line.
Can you edge a lawn with a cordless strimmer?
You can edge a lawn with any cordless strimmer by turning it on its side, but models with a dedicated edging mode make it far easier. The WORX WG163E converts into a wheeled edger, and the BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC switches with a twist of the pole. Both keep the line running straight along the border for a neat finish.
Can the WORX WG163E cope with nettles?
No, it's built for grass and light weeds, and nettles or tough growth are beyond it. For nettles, brambles and long grass we'd choose the DeWalt DCM561PBS, which felt like a proper replacement for a petrol strimmer in our testing. It's sold as a bare tool, so you'll need to add a battery.
Is the BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC battery a problem?
It's the one weak spot. We got about 30 minutes from a charge and then waited around 5 to 6 hours for it to recharge. That's no trouble for a weekly trim of a small lawn, but a spare battery is the answer if you want to go back out later the same day.
Which of these would you pick for a very small garden on a budget?
The Einhell GC-CT. It's our budget pick, it still arrives with a battery and charger, and it gave us around 30 minutes of trimming in testing. The 24 cm cutting width is fine on a small lawn, though you do miss out on the safety switch the Gtech GT50 has.
Why would I choose the Greenworks G40LTK2 over the WORX?
Choose the Greenworks for its warranty and runtime. You get 3 years on the tool and 2 on the battery, and Greenworks quotes up to 40 minutes from a charge. What you give up is the WORX WG163E's edging mode, so neat borders mean turning the Greenworks on its side and working freehand.
The Cordless Strimmer We'd Choose
The WORX WG163E is our pick for most gardens. One light tool does both the trimming and the edging, and it's impressed us over several months of use. The Greenworks G40LTK2 is the alternative if you want a longer warranty and a little more runtime.
For a large or overgrown plot, the DeWalt DCM561PBS on a big battery is as close as cordless gets to petrol, and a petrol strimmer is still the answer if you need hours of cutting with no stops.
Archie is our gardening specialist. He started out as an apprentice at a gardening firm, built up his own knowledge from there and now writes most of our garden content.