4 Best Stihl String Trimmers (w/ Prices): 2024 Update

The best Stihl String Trimmer is the Stihl FS 56 RC or RC-E because it is affordable, great for commercial or residential landscaping, and extremely reliable.

Stihl string trimmers are the standard when it comes to landscaping. Just about every landscaper you see around town is going to have one of these bad boys strapped to the back of their trailer.

Now that’s why they are so dang popular. But there are many classes of Stihl weed eaters – residential, landscaping / professional, and even battery-powered. I’d like to cut through all of the options and bring the best right up to the top for you.

Ready?

Let’s get started.

Curious at how Stihl stacks up vs ECHO?

The Ultimate Stihl Weed Eater Buying Guide

To really cut to the chase, we distilled down the dozens of Stihl weed eaters to a concise list, by category of user. No need to do a Top 10 when you just want the best, right?

Most Powerful Stihl String Trimmer for Landscapers: Stihl FS 240 R

When you’re looking for a weed eater as a landscaper there are a few things to keep in mind. First is how effective and reliable the machine is, second is how efficient it is, and third is how it feels to use.

All of these are related to speed. Speed is the name of the game in landscaping. More jobs = more money. You aren’t going to be nearly as fast with a dinky weed eater that you’re constantly having to mess with.

The Stihl FS 240 R is the answer to the speed issue. Here are a few of my favorite things about this Stihl Weed Eater:

A large fuel tank. Having a larger fuel tank allows for less re-fuels which means you can spend more time getting the job done.
Massive cutting width. The 16.5 inch cutting swatch on the FS 240 R is best in class. Having a big cutting swath means you can tackle thicker brush and absolutely devastate any grass. Another huge time saver.
An easy way of starting the string trimmer. This automatically returns the throttle to the start setting whenever the trimmer is stopped. Another time saver.
A shoulder strap. Again, not having to take breaks on your arms or shoulders when using this is going to get you from one job to the next in less time.

Stihl consulted with professional landscapers with each element of this design. Every element of it was meant to be focused on one thing: empowering the landscaper to move from one job to the next while providing consistent reliability.

You can check out more details on Stihl’s website.

The Stihl FS 240 R costs about $670, which is very expensive but also saves you a ton of time on the job. Tough balance. It goes on sale at Ace Hardware.

Best Stihl Weed Eater for Green Landscaping: Stihl FSA 130 R

Green landscaping is using battery-powered lawn tools to get the job done instead of exclusively gas-powered tools. It is a growing trend, but still not the most practical way to run your landscaping business.

Frankly, gas-powered tools get the job done faster because refueling is way quicker with gas than it is with a battery. Most batteries take a few hours to fully charge, which is precious time you don’t have on the job site. Even if you buy multiple batteries, they still have to charge somewhere sometime.

But Stihl has recently entered the battery-powered string trimmer space and has a mostly residential line of weed eaters (see below for more). The new FSA 130 R however, was designed for landscaping applications.

The Stihl FSA 130 R differentiates itself from its gas counterparts by selling itself as the quiet weed eater. The reason this sells well with landscapers is that it simply isn’t practical to be an entirely gas-free landscaping company (yet). They aren’t going to be interested if that’s the angle Stihl takes.

So Stihl is playing this really well. Landscapers can use this for properties that require quiet environments. Think schools, churches, hospitals, etc. that are customers of the landscaping company. Having quiet features is a huge benefit to them.

Here are some of the features on this that really make it best in class:

Extremely light at only 8.6lbs, compare that with almost 15 on the gas one above
No maintenance other than replacing string
Starts with the push of a button
Has a quiet motor
Comes with separate “quiet” string trimmer line

Essentially, this is the ninja of commercial landscaping.

One major downside to Stihl’s commercial battery line is that you have to wear the battery as a backpack. You’re reading that right. There’s a backpack that fits their battery and connects to the tool with a cable. It’s weird and bulky, but it does give you the flexibility to have significant run time that an attached battery can’t do without throwing the tool out of balance.

If you’re interested in more, check this one out on Stihl’s website.

The Stihl FSA 130 R costs about $500, which is a heck of a lot of money.

Best Stihl Weed Eater for Home / Residential Use: Stihl FS 56 RC-E

Not a commercial landscaper and just want a really high quality and reliable weed eater? Well Stihl has you covered here, too.

We’ve written extensively about the Stihl FS 56 RC-E, which we also did a YouTube video review about as well.

The Stihl FS 56 RC-E is an amazing all-around weed eater for home use. Made right here in America, it provides the power and reliability of the commercial series at a size and price that fit the average homeowner’s needs well.

Me using the Stihl FS 56 RC-E around my house.

I’ve owned this string trimmer for a few years and it has continued to be one of the most reliable tools in my shed. Here are a few things I love about it:

High end power with 5 more ccs of output than its ECHO SRM 225 competitor
Straight shaft and lack of vibration
10.6lbs, super light for a gas powered weed eater
Easy 2 Start technology helps reset the choke and allows you to start on the first pull

One complaint I have after owning this for a few years is that replacing the line is super difficult. It’s always a tedious task and it still takes a lot of guess-and-check for me to get it done right.

I got mine at Ace Hardware, but the Stihl website should be able to guide you well.

The Stihl FS 56 RC-E comes in at about $229, which you can grab at Ace Hardware.

Best Stihl Weed Eater for Small Yards: Stihl FSA 57

So you want a Stihl weed eater but don’t need anything big and fancy, just a reliable and easy to use trimmer with the brand power of Stihl?

Maybe you just downsized and sold your big bad gas trimmer?

Whatever your situation, if you have a small yard then you don’t need to go overkill and spend too much money. Stihl is trying to build a bigger footprint in the homeowner sector and has launched their battery line to appeal to lighter-duty needs.

The Stihl FSA 57 (one of their newest) battery weed eater (which we reviewed as well in a long form post) is a great tool for the average homeowner in a smaller house. I love that it still has a straight shaft and it’s super easy to use.

As compared to the commercial line of battery lawn tools that require a backpack that you plug the tool into, the residential weed eaters from Stihl have a nice little battery you can pop right on. I also love that WITH the battery, this string trimmer comes in at 7.5 lbs. That is maybe the lightest weed eater on record.

Lastly, this thing has a really cool feature that auto-feeds string trimmer line when it gets short. Huge timesaver.

One thing I don’t love about this Stihl weed eater is that it doesn’t have a brushless motor, meaning it may have a tendency to not last quite as long as its brushless counterparts. It also only has an 11 inch cutting width, which is probably fine for most small yards but definitely weaker than the bigger string trimmers out there.

The Stihl FSA 57 Weed Eater comes in at about $199.

Fuel Mixture for Stihl Weed Eater

Stihl Weed Eaters take a 50:1 gas to oil fuel mixture ratio. You can measure this out yourself or grab a pre-mixed fuel mixture from Stihl on Amazon.

Best Weed Eater String for Stihl String Trimmers

We developed the world’s best weed eater string by testing dozens of weed eater strings and taking the little elements of each one that we like the most. We found that a .095″, green, triangle shaped string was the most visible, durable, and had the best performance. It is incredible.

Final words about Stihl Weed Eaters

Stihl Weed Eaters are top of the line for a reason – they consistently deliver the most power, the best user experience, and absolutely unbeatable reliability.

From landscapers to homeowners, Stihl’s lineup is impressive.

Not a Stihl person? Try our list of the competitor’s leading ECHO weed eaters here.

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

Stihl’s reputation

Stihl is still at it! Pumping out high quality product after high quality product. They’re thought of as one of the GOATS of the yard product game. The boys in orange are known to have a superior product to their competitors. The Stihl Trimmers are obviously no exception to their already super strong lineup.

The world’s largest chainsaw manufacturer, the company moved some operations to Virginia in the 1970s and opened up their first factory dedicated to a single chainsaw. They have continued to master their craft and expand their product offers in the lawn care space. They have amazing blowers like the Stihl BG 86 C and the Stihl BR600 backpack blower.

Stihl has a great reputation that many commercial landscapers rely on each day. Many residential owners will be more than pleased with their products and they’ve recently launched a new battery line-up.

Gas vs Electric Weed Eaters

They also have less of a noise and environmental impact. Electric trimmers are usually a good bet for small jobs.

Trimmer powered by gas usually end up having more power and are more suitable for larger, more commercial type applications. Because some electric trimmers receive power by a cord they’re not super mobile, gas powered weed eaters can go where you can go. If you want to trim up the moon, it can go with you.

If you want to know more about weed eater string, check out our guide to finding the right weed eater string.

November 14, 2022April 30, 2024

4 Powerful Ryobi Weed Eaters: Buying Guide for Any Lawn

Ryobi Weed Eaters, also known as weed wackers or string trimmers, are some of the most popular weed eaters in the game. The best Ryobi Weed eater is the Ryobi 40V ExandIt Series (mine is pictured below) because it can handle many attachments and has a super versatile battery.

Ryobi weed eaters are sold everywhere including Home Depot and Amazon. Here’s why: almost everyone has at least ONE Ryobi product. Once you have the battery already, then you can buy the other tools without the battery for cheaper.

It’s called buying the tool-only version. It’s how these brands sink their teeth into you for life.

Here is my ranking of the best Ryobi Weed Eaters in 2024:

For small yards: Ryobi ONE+ 18V 10″ string trimmer
For medium yards: Ryobi ONE+ 18V 13″ trimmer
For large yards: Ryobi 40V ExpandIt attachment capable system
For Attachment Tools: Edger and brush cutter
How to replace the trimmer line on a Ryobi Weed Eater

4 Great Ryobi Weed Eaters

Ryobi weed eaters come in all shapes and sizes. Each yard size has multiple contenders, which is why we spent so much time pulling this list together. Our goal is to remove the confusion and serve up the best recommendation for you. Let’s start with small yards.

The Best Ryobi Weed Eater for Small Yards: The small ONE+ 18V Ryobi trimmer

Smaller yards generally require smaller tools. It’s not difficult. Fortunately, with Ryobi’s ONE+ 18V series you are going to get the perfect amount of power for the job.

And the best part is that Ryobi’s ONE+ 18V series fits a TON of other tools.

But for a small yard, a lightweight, easy-to-use tool is going to fit the bill just fine. That’s why we recommend the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Electric Cordless String Trimmer. My neighbor has one that he uses and he let me borrow it.

Lightweight, easy to use, and still plenty powerful.

It honestly looks a little dinky, but it was a powerhouse. It’s a ridiculously low price and has everything you need for small jobs. It has a nice little ergonomic handle and is easy to roll onto its side to act as a makeshift edger.

My neighbor who used it has a really steep yard and he was moving up and down the hill with relative ease, despite being older and recently having back surgery. If you have a small yard, this thing is going to be enough to handle all your basic needs. With a 10 inch cutting diameter, it can handle most grass and weeds but will struggle with thicker brush.

You can get it on Amazon, but if you already own the battery you can get a tool-only version for a bit cheaper. Now that’s a steal!

But its actually available for an even better price at Home Depot – check it here.

Best Ryobi Weed Eater for Medium Yards: The Ryobi 18V Trimmer

What is a medium sized yard anyways? I consider anything between around 5,000 square feet to a half-acre medium sized.

Lawns like these still don’t require commercial-grade weed eaters, but they do need something with a little more power than you’ll get from the string trimmer above.

That’s where the ONE+ series 18V battery provides its highest-tier weed eater. The big brother to the string trimmer above. It has a similar name, but looks completely different and has a cutting swath that is three inches wider. Comparing the 18V and 40V Ryobi weed eater is tough, but this one is sweet.

This thing is a big deal – I love the long shaft (stop).

I love this one because it comes with a longer lasting battery than the one above. It has a 4.0 Ah battery whereas the smaller version is only 1.3 Ah. Basically they have the same strength but this one lasts longer. It also has an edge on cutting ability because of the larger cutting swath (more velocity on the edge of the trimmer).

The other thing I like about this 18V Ryobi string trimmer is that it has a straight shaft. Many weed eaters out there have a curved shaft, which is nice for clearing out small plots of grass but SUCKS when it comes to doing any type of edging work.

At just over 11 lbs, it is really easy to work with and handle. It was designed for medium-sized yards, which is where most Americans are going to fall. Lastly, I absolutely adore that this one has a brushless motor, which means it is going to have more torque and be much more durable.

This one is available at Home Depot for a great price as well.

Best Ryobi Weed Eater for Large Yards: Ryobi 40V ExpandIt series weed eater

I have a love-hate relationship with this one, because it was my first string trimmer. It was also my first edger and leaf blower. More on that later.

But for large yards, I recommend stepping up to Ryobi’s 40V series. Their 40V Cordless Expand-It series weed wacker is the way to go for large yards and here’s why:

15 inch cutting swath
Bump-feed string trimmer
Variable speed control (not just 1 or 2 speed options)
Operates just as well as some gas string trimmers if you take the guard off

Not sure if I can come out and say this, but two weeks ago I took the guard off of this weed eater and my mind was blown. I can’t believe I’ve been using it for 4 years with the guard.

And what you may have missed there is that I’ve been using this weed eater for 4 years. It has held up amazingly that whole time just with a few string replacements.

Take that guard off! You just need a wrench.

The string trimmer attachment on this attachment-capable kit is the absolute all-star. And having the 40V batteries will save you big money on this one if you already own them. If not, getting them with this weed eater will allow you to save hundreds of dollars on their lawn mowers, snow blowers, and leaf blowers if you want to grab those as well.

I’m 6 ft 7 in, so cranking my back with a weed eater is really easy. This one has never given me too much trouble because I can pop off the attachment and re-insert it at a different angle. This allows me to hold whatever grip is most comfortable with me and continue to use it for whatever type of job I’m doing.

I got mine at Home Depot and still use it to this day – you can check the price now at Home Depot here.

Best Attachments for Ryobi Expand-It String Trimmer

Take it from me, I learned this lesson the hard way. If you are going to go with the Ryobi ExpandIt series weed eater, then you may as well add on some inexpensive attachments.

Here’s what I recommend:

The ExpandIt Edger attachment:
- The edger attachment is an absolute beast. I’ve had it for 4 years and haven’t had to replace the blade. It has consistently given me the best looking lawn in the neighborhood by creating deep borders around my yard.
The ExpandIt Brush Cutter attachment:
- I love this because we have some kudzu growing behind our yard. It is a perpetual war to keep it at bay and out of my grass and off of my trees. The brush cutter once or twice a year keeps it from ever getting out of control and crossing the line. It’s basically like the flamethrower guys from Stranger Things.
The Expand-It Pole Saw attachment
- Pole saws are kind of an insane tool. You strap a chainsaw to the end of a big stick and hope for the best. So basically they are every man’s dream. The attachment takes a while to put together, but when you get it all figured out it is super fun to use.

What I don’t recommend:

The Expand-It blower attachment:
- I burned through three of these in the first year. For whatever reason, the little driveshaft that spins the blower keeps getting stripped inside the blower. No idea what’s happening. Luckily, I haven’t seen these for sale online in a while, so Ryobi may have completely pulled them.

How to replace the trimmer line on a Ryobi Weed Whacker

Check out our YouTube short where we give step-by-step directions on how to replace the line on a Ryobi Weed Wacker.

They aren’t all the same, but they should be similar.

Final review: Best Ryobi Weed Eaters

Folks, you really can’t go wrong with a Ryobi weed eater as long as you are matching the size and strength of the tool to your lawn.

Smaller lawns are okay with smaller weed wackers. Larger yards are going to require a big, higher voltage weed eater with a large cutting swath.

If you are interested in learning about more weed eaters, check out these battery powered weed eaters.

Why we review lawn tools

How to instantly improve your weed eater

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With GrassKicker, you can take pride in your perfectly manicured lawn and make a lasting impression on your friends and family. And who knows, your envious neighbors might just start dropping by more often! Don’t wait, elevate your weed eating game with GrassKicker Weed Eater String today! Click the link now to buy.

About Ryobi tools

Ryobi is one of the OGs of the battery-powered lawn tool world. They have EVERYTHING. Stuff you had no idea was even a real tool or could be battery powered. Some of our favorite Ryobi products include (links to full reviews we have done):

The Ryobi 40V mower that I love more than the newer models
Their super quiet 40V Brushless Whisper Series blower
And their easy-to-use Backpack Sprayer

Ryobi has both a 40V and an 18V series battery that you can use. The 18V series is often called their ONE+ series, which generally fits lighter-duty products of theirs as it is a lower voltage. Their 40V series fits more of their heavy-duty stuff like mowers. Ryobi has different configurations of weed wackers that can accommodate both their ONE+ and 40V series.

They have this distinction because weed eaters are one of those tools that can go either way. Some are lighter duty and some are used for really big yards. More to come on that.

Why would I buy a battery-powered weed eater?

There are a few reasons to check out an electric weed eater when picking out your next lawn and garden tool kit. As compared to gas-powered weed eaters, electric weed eaters tend to be easier to use and maintain. At the end of a long winter season, you may have to refuel your gas powered weed eater and crank it a few times before you can get it to start. With the Ryobi 40V weed eater and other electric weed eaters, you simply place the battery and you are ready to go.

Another benefit to electric trimmers is maintenance. You will not have to do anything to maintain an electric trimmer other than change out the line. No oil change, no filter change, and no messy gasoline spills.

If you are a Ryobi loyalist and have one of their mowers, then you can actually use this same 40 volt battery in both the mower and the trimmer. More on that later.

You also want to make sure you have a nice weed eater string with the best size, color, and shape.

Looking for gas? Check out our post comparing two super popular gas-powered weed eaters: ECHO and Stihl.

October 24, 2022April 28, 2024

EGO’s Multi-Head Attachment System Is A Lawn Life Saver

The EGO 56V Power+ Multi-Head attachment system is an incredible tool for folks looking to save money and space on an entire suite of lawn tool products.

You may be asking yourself if all the different attachments still work as well as buying separate tools.

We asked the same thing. So we bought the multi-head tool. And have used every single attachment available.

Bottom line: this thing works. We loved most of the attachments and they will honestly replace many of our standalone tools.

But if we only had the money to buy a couple of the attachments, we’d focus on two or three of our favorites.

We will let you know which EGO attachments we liked the most and give you an overview of each attachment.

Let’s get started:

The EGO Multi-Head
EGO Power Head string Trimmer Attachment
EGO edger Attachment
EGO hedge Trimmer Attachment
EGO cultivator Attachment
EGO pole Saw Attachment
EGO snow Shovel Attachment
Brush and Broom Attachment
Our official EGO multi-head system review

EGO Power Head Multi-Tool Attachment System: Features and benefits

As we mentioned earlier, the EGO Power Head attachment system is definitely a beast. But we had some attachments that frankly were much easier to use than others. Let’s dive right into the unique features and benefits of this system.

EGO Power+ Power Head (PH1400)

While without any attachments this tool won’t do a gosh darn thing, it is the engine for a bunch of other tools – so it needs to be good. A few paragraphs above, I talked about the most important things when evaluating a multi-tool attachment system head. So how does the EGO Power+ Power Head stack up?

The head itself is really durable – you can see we have scratched it already.

For starters, this power head has a brushless motor. Again, this is important because we are making a significant investment in this tool. All-in, you can easily spend $700+ on the power head and a bunch of the attachments (we did). It is critically important that you get a return on this investment and keep it for as long as possible.

The brushless motor on the power head will guarantee longevity as compared to brushed motor heads. You’ll notice a quieter, longer-lasting, cooler-running motor that has more torque. It is the most important thing in any battery lawn tool.

Next up is whether or not this has variable speed control. Yes and no. Yes, in that you can control the speed, but only between two settings – high and low. This is the only hesitation we had with this system when we bought it. Ideally, there would be ultimate flexibility in speed anywhere between the smallest amount to the maximum speed. Sadly, this one isn’t quite there.

This is important because you lose a bit of control with the tool. If you want to go really slow with something, like starting a small little cut with your pole saw, then you are limited in how slow you can go. Same goes with the maximum speed. Sad!

The battery has an indicator light that tells you how much juice.

Lastly, we need to make sure the dang tool is durable. We have reviewed a few of the EGO products, like their super powerful high CFM blower and their 56V mower – what stuck out to us the most was how “solid” the tools felt. They are well constructed and built with durability in mind. The EGO Power+ power head is no exception – it is remarkably solid and we have no concerns with durability.

The Power+ Multi-Head itself is available on Amazon for a great price.

EGO Multi-Head 15” String Trimmer attachment (STA1500)

The absolute necessity of the multi-head series, the string trimmer attachment is also one of the best. What’s not to love? It fits perfectly into the multi-head and checks all the boxes. Here’s what we love about the EGO string trimmer attachment.

This is the trimmer head that can bump to unwind.

15 inch cutting swath which allows for professional grade trimming jobs and the ability to tackle denser areas of brush
Rapid reload bump head lets you quickly let our more trimmer line so you can keep going without having to stop and pull or twist some line out
Straight shaft gives you more length and flexibility as compared to a curved-shaft trimmer
Comes with a really durable dual twist .095” trimmer line – basically top of the line trimmer line

Pairing this EGO weed eater attachment with the brushless motor of the EGO power head gives you an absolute beast of a battery-powered string trimmer. Functionally, this pairing is one of the most natural for a multi-tool and should be the first purchase you make after you have the power head.

I love the smaller guard on this attachment.

You can get this string trimmer attachment from a number of places, including Lowe’s or Ace Hardware. We got ours on Amazon for a great price and it came to our house the next day.

EGO Multi-Head Power+ 8” Edger attachment (EA0800)

Next up on our favorite EGO Multi-head attachments is the 8” edger attachment. After you’ve used a string trimmer/weed eater on your lawn, one of the finishing touches that takes it from good to great is a nice edger. If you want those perfect borders around your yard or garden bed, an edger does a fantastic job of providing them in a way that distinguishes your lawn from your neighbors.

Really strong and durable – wheel also adjusts.

Here’s what we loved about the edger attachment:

It has a 3” cutting depth. Many folks ask us if you can use a string trimmer to do some edging, and the answer is “sometimes”. But to truly get a resilient, deep border around your yard then an edger is an absolute must. String trimmers will not get you 3 inches deep into the dirt.
It has a wide guide wheel that allows you to smoothly roll the trimmer forward across whatever surface you are edging.
The guide wheel has a depth adjuster that changes how deep you can edge. Frankly, I had never seen this or bothered with it before, but if you need to go deeper or shallower, this is your way to do it.

Again, combining this edger with the PH1400 (Power Head) gives you a top-of-the-line edger. In my bare bones lawn care kit, I mow, trim, edge, and blow. The edger serves as the highest value-add tool that makes my neighbors stop and say “wow, you have some nice looking grass”. It’s the same as the person next door, just better groomed.

You can groom yours the same way if you grab it from Lowe’s or Amazon, where we got it for $10 cheaper than Lowe’s.

EGO Multi-Head Power+ 20” hedge trimmer attachment (HTA2000)

Now I know what you’re thinking – a hedge trimmer attachment? It sounds a little out there but in reality it is pretty dang slick. While most folks probably prefer hedge trimmers a little longer (think 21 – 24 inches), this one makes up for the lack of length by being attached to the EGO Multi-Head.

The big tradeoff with this hedge trimmer is that you exchange control for reach. When I’m trimming bushes, I like to be right up close and pay extreme attention to make sure I am rounding curves the right way and not making some odd looking shape.

With the Power+ hedge trimmer attachment, you don’t get to be as close, but you DO get to hedge trim tall bushes. This is a major advantage as who knows who many emergency room trips have occurred from hedge trimmers standing on ladders or doing overhead work that makes a piece of bark fall in their eye (happened to my dad – had to wear a pirate patch).

I don’t think this attachment is your all-in-one replacement for a hedge trimmer, but it does complement your existing trimmer and comes in at a super cheap price.

So why not get it? We got ours on Amazon and it was chopping off a 9 foot bush the next day.

EGO Multi-Head Power+ 9.5” Cultivator / Tiller attachment

We love this attachment. Honestly, who wants to own a tiller or cultivator? You use it once in a blue moon, it takes up space, and it’s relatively difficult to operate.

When you start thinking through attachments that truly make a difference to replace existing lawn tools, this one is EXACTLY what we want to use instead of buying a separate, more expensive tool.

So we did. And it works really well! Again, I don’t cultivate or till very often so I can’t compare this to a ton of other cultivators, but it got the job done.

Sun Joe Garden Tillers are another option for the full tool, but again – the cost doesn’t quite justify buying a lone tool considering how infrequent you use it.

BUT if you know you are going to do some tilling in the future, you can save big money by grabbing this one. It was actually easier to use than a regular tiller because you have so much more length with the EGO multi-head. For me, this allowed me to easily apply more downward force than I could have with the shorter, lone tool.

At 9.5 inches, it’s a little smaller than large cultivators that typically run 12-14 inches, but it got the job done.

We got ours on Amazon (of course), because we went to Lowe’s and they didn’t have any!

EGO Multi-Head Power+ 10 inch Pole Saw Attachment (PSA1000)

If you haven’t used a pole saw, you haven’t lived. They are the second most satisfying lawn tool on the planet (after dethatchers of course). All those limbs that thought they escaped you just get absolutely rocked and there’s no better feeling.

You get to use a little mini-saw on a stick to take down some branches. Sign me up. My neighbor was using one this morning and I walked over with my son and just watched. Amazing.

Anyways, the fact that you can smack one of these on the end of your EGO multi-tool power head is just downright unfair. Pole saws aren’t for everyone, which is why buying an attachment makes so much sense.

Honestly, most pole saws are pretty long and somewhat heavy and awkward, which makes storing them difficult. But having just the attachment allowed us to hang it on a hook in our garage at about ⅓ of the length of a normal pole saw.

One other thing we like about this pole saw is that it has an auto-lubricating function. Just beware that the oil WILL drip if you have it hanging face-down, so beware of how you keep it in your garage or shed.

This one is a great add-on to your multi-head if you are looking to take down some limbs on the cheap.

It’s available at some Lowe’s (not ours), Ace, and on Amazon, where it is the cheapest.

EGO Power+ Multi-Head Snow Shovel Attachment (SSA1200)

By far one of the best values you can get from an attachment, the snow shovel is SO COOL. Not only does it launch snow 25 feet (!!), but it can clear up to six inches at a time.

In general, snow shovels are awesome tools and perfect for most people who don’t live WAY up North who get 10+ inches of snow at a time. But just about everyone gets a couple inches and wants to do some clearing.

Launch the snow 25 feet in whichever direction you choose.

Snow shovels allow you to get rid of a decent amount of snow without having to drop $400 on a snow blower. The attachment piece again is such a killer way to go because you aren’t going to use this more than a few times per year and now you don’t have to go buy a full on tool for snow and take up even MORE garage space.

This attachment is really fun to use and gives you more control than other snow shovels. You can get it on Amazon or a bunch of other places.

EGO Multi-head Power+ Bristle Brush Attachment (BBA2100)

Ever seen a tool and thought, “why would I ever need that?”. My wife does it to me all the time.

The bristle brush attachment is what I would consider “extra”. Being the skeptic that I am, I bought it and didn’t know what to do with it.

Then I took it out onto my paver patio and was blown away. All the little rocks and debris that had become just “part of” my paver patio because I couldn’t get them with the blower were GONE. It looked like I had a brand new patio.

This is great for things like thick pollen, small rocks, or other stubborn stuff stuck on a hard surface. Another great application is for right after you’re done using the edger attachment (see #2 above) and have a bunch of dirt kicked up on your driveway or street. Simply run this sucker down there and get it swept up in no time.

Sadly, I get the sense that they are discontinuing this attachment because it is out of stock at both Amazon and Lowe’s. You can click this link to see if it ever comes back into stock.

The last two: Rubber Broom and Extension attachment

These two attachments for the EGO multi-head were two that we didn’t feel we needed. Frankly at 6’7”, I just don’t really need the extension pole, even for the pole saw.

And the rubber broom MIGHT get used by me once per year, but I also saw that it was a whopping 14lbs and didn’t think it was worth it.

That’s just me! Some people may really need the extension pole, especially if using the pole saw or hedge trimmer at great heights. The rubber broom I still have a tough time with, but if you work a job site or in a garage and want to clear some stuff out then I’m sure it is a great tool.

What about the warranty?

If you are using anything from EGO’s residential line of products, the warranty is best-in-class. Honestly – the 5 year limited warranty for the tools and 3 years for the battery and charger are unreal.

I’ve heard mixed things about people trying to get through to customer service. Some say they couldn’t ever exchange a faulty battery and others that had no problem at all. I imagine they will only get better at responding to the crazy demand they’ve had for their products.

Are third-party attachments compatible with EGO?

Nope – I know Ryobi has had some people make third-party attachments that apparently work with their products, but EGO has a specifically designed attachment system that doesn’t allow for that. It would probably void the warranty as well.

Parting thoughts: EGO Multi-Tool Power Head Final Review

The power head itself is absolutely top of the line – better than any other we have personally used. The attachments are great if you treat them like a buffet and only get the ones you want. I think that’s why I love this tool so much – it’s as little or as much as you want it to be. As expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. And it can slowly take over your whole lawn tool collection.

Why we review lawn tools

What to look for in an attachment-capable multi-head system

EGO is not the only company that makes a multi-head attachment system. We have owned a few others, including the Ryobi multi-tool (which was a bust in our opinion). Whether or not you get this EGO Power+ Multi-Head attachment system, you need to be sure to consider a few things, like:

Motor type:

You definitely want to get one with a brushless motor. Brushless motors operate using magnets instead of friction to transfer electrons. Basically, these motors run much cooler, last longer, and provide more torque. Win, win, win. This is a non-negotiable for any battery-powered lawn tool we buy these days.

Speed variability:

Because these multi-tools operate a vast array of tools, you want to make sure you have flexibility in how much speed you are using. The snow blower attachment you may want at full blast, but the trimmer you may want to go at a lower speed to work around a delicate garden bed.

Durability:

Look for a power head that has solid construction and as few plastic parts as possible. Particularly vulnerable spots include where the shaft connects to the attachments and also the grip. You have so many different grip positions with different tools, transitioning from overhead work to ground work, so these can take a beating.

These are the three main things I check out before even considering a purchase for a multi-tool. Keep them as your north star.

September 11, 2022April 28, 2024

Stihl’s FSA 90 R Electric Trimmer Is Their Best One

Stihl’s FSA 90 R string trimmer is their new, professional-grade, battery powered string trimmer. I’ll cut to the chase – I was disappointed by this string trimmer.

Stihl? Battery-powered? Yep, we are still (Stihl) getting used to the idea of it ourselves. But we checked out the Stihl FSA 45 and Stihl FSA 57 string trimmers as well, and weren’t all that impressed. I even tested out the new Stihl RMA 510 V mower (me with it pictured below).

But, we are ready to get hurt again! The FSA 90 brings the promise of professional landscaper-type quality and power to the table. So for now, we are listening.

Let’s put this Stihl string trimmer under the microscope:

Gas vs Battery string trimmers
Power
Usability
Durability
Price
Final review: Stihl FSA 90 R String trimmer

Stihl FSA 90 R String Trimmer: Features and benefits

Now that we’ve given you a quick primer on Stihl, the world of battery powered lawn tools, and our motivation for writing these reviews, let’s get started actually checking out the Stihl FSA 90 R string trimmer.

Power: Finally a good one

Let’s cut right to the chase. When it comes to a string trimmer, power is of the utmost importance. The first positive piece of information I can give you about this string trimmer is that it has a nice 15” cutting swath.

15 inches is consistent with the gas-powered professional lawn tools and is a non-negotiable for anyone who has a yard bigger than ¼ of an acre. Trimmers of this size allow you to cut through thicker brush with more consistency than smaller trimmers. It also allows you to tilt this thing sideways and do a pretty darn good job edging as well.

They tried to create the battery version of their classic Stihl FS 56 RC.

If you need to go even further and do some brushcutting, Stihl has made a handy guide of add-ons that can be used with the FSA 90 R.

The power on this trimmer is definitely good for any homeowner and can even be used by the professional landscapers of the world. In areas that are noise-sensitive (schools, businesses, etc.), popping this trimmer off of the trailer and doing a bang-up job is super easy. While it wouldn’t be my main trimmer in my lawn tool arsenal if I were a pro, it can definitely be a good compliment and please your customers.

Using this is easy

Where Stihl fell short with their other string trimmers, they made up for in usability. The Stihl FSA 90 R string trimmer has a nice long shaft (no jokes), which I prefer (please don’t joke) because of how much easier it is to use. It allows you to be much more precise in handling the trimmer, almost surgical. With this one, I didn’t feel like I had to crank my shoulder because it has a nice rubber loop handle and the battery is located in a well-balanced spot.

One thing I liked about the battery’s location was that it didn’t hang underneath the handle or anywhere else. It compactly slides into the top of the trimmer, making the whole thing feel solid.

At just under 10lbs with the battery on, it’s definitely one of the lighter weight pro-style string trimmers on the battery market. It also comes with this nice little built-in hook that allows you to hang it on a garage rack or even a nail.

All-in-all, this thing was super easy to use and felt comfortable the whole time.

The brushless motor makes it pretty durable

Durability is also one of the huge question marks on the FSA 90 R and all battery-powered string trimmers for that matter.

CORRECTION: I previously stated that this trimmer did NOT have a brushless motor. I was wrong! As one of our YouTube viewers pointed out (shoutout Milton), these do in fact have brushless motors that are electronically controlled.

Stihl highlights their brushless motor technology on this page, but not on the product main page or in the manual.

Brushless motors are great because they provide a more reliable, durable, cooler-running motor as compared to brushed motors.

Price and value

The Stihl FSA 90 R string trimmer is going to run you well over $400 for the tool, battery, and charger. If you are #blessed and already own a Stihl battery, you can get the tool-only version for just under $400 from Ace Hardware.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this is a great deal. If you are looking for a nice pro-grade string trimmer, I recommend checking out EGO string trimmers instead.

String Trimmer Line for Stihl FSA 90 R

We developed an amazing string trimmer line that we tested against DOZENS of other lines. Check it out here.

The Final Verdict: Stihl FSA 90 R String Trimmer

Sad to say it, but this Stihl string trimmer falls into the same category as the other more residential offerings. It by far has the most power, but it comes at a steep price compared to some of its peers, like some of the more powerful string trimmers.

Why we review lawn tools

How to instantly improve your weed eater

Gas vs Electric String Trimmer

When purchasing a piece of lawn equipment in 2022 it’s important to understand your power source options. It basically boils down to gas or electric trimmers. Electric trimmers are typically easier to start and usually maintenance is a breeze. They also have less of a noise and environmental impact. Electric trimmers are usually a good bet for small to medium-sized jobs.

Trimmers powered by gas usually end up having more power and are more suitable for larger, more commercial type applications. This is mainly due to the issues the professionals have with keeping them charged. But not all of us are professionals, we just want a badass string trimmer from Stihl.

Stihl’s reputation

Stihl has a great reputation that many commercial landscapers rely on each day. Many residential owners will be more than pleased with their products.

July 4, 2022April 28, 2024

Testing Out Stihl’s New Electric String Trimmer: The FSA 57

Stihl’s FSA 57 String Trimmer is one of their most popular battery-powered string trimmers, but is still a deviation from their well known, powerful gas powered weed eaters.

Bottom Line: The Stihl FSA 57 provides more power than other Stihl battery weed eaters but doesn’t have a great battery support system and isn’t worth the money (in my opinion).

Let’s get started:

Stihl FSA 57 Power
Ease of Use
Durability
Cost
The official Stihl FSA 57 review
Gas vs Electric String Trimmers

Stihl FSA 57 String Trimmer: Features and Benefits

Alright folks, let’s get into it. Today we are going to check out the power, ease of use, durability, and cost of this string trimmer. Throughout the post I’ll do quick comparisons to the gas counterpart, the classic FS 56 RC gas trimmer. If you’re interested, we’ve compiled a huge list of Stihl string trimmers here.

Stihl does have a new one of the FSA 45 String trimmer, which is kind of like this one’s little brother.

Power output is not great

The Stihl FSA 57 trimmer can have its power measured in a few ways. The first of which is rotations per minute. Honestly, this is a really tough one to relate to as it takes a huge difference in the number of rotations per minute to notice a difference when trimming.

The power signal I am looking for is cutting swath, or width of the cutting path. This helps you understand just how powerful your electric Stihl weed eater is going to cut.

The Stihl FSA 57 weed eater comes in at an 11 inch cutting swath. Honestly, a little disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, 11 inches is definitely enough for the average homeowner, but from Stihl I expected a bit more. For other electric comparisons, some of the Makita trimmers and EGO string trimmers run 13 to 15 inches.

If you have a small to medium-sized yard, 11 inches is going to be perfect. But if you are the type of guy that likes to have more power accessible, then you may want to keep looking.

It is easy to use

What the Stihl FSA 57 weed eater lacks in power, it makes up for in ease of use. I mean the whole dang trimmer weighs 7.5 lbs – with a battery! Not only is this thing super lightweight, but it has a ton of features that make it very simple to use.

Some of the features on the Stihl FSA string trimmer are inherent to all battery powered trimmers. Namely – the battery power. Think about it, no more oil and gas mixtures or difficult cold starts with this. You just pop the battery, squeeze the trigger, and go.

Another cool feature that makes this easy to use is the adjustable shaft. It can change in length with a pretty easy telescoping function. I’ve always found it easy to make trimmers as long as possible to extend your reach, especially if you’re tall like me.

It also comes with an auto-feeding head, which is pretty standard on most new trimmers these days. The last cool piece is the brush guard on the head, which comes standard on some of the Greenworks trimmers, Worx weed eaters, and Kobalt trimmers as well.

The auto-feeding head on the Stihl FSA 57.

It is unclear how durable this weed eater is

Durability is a common question I get with battery powered trimmers. Mainly because gas powered trimmers are just built differently. The commercial string trimmers in particular are made to toss into the back of a trailer and speed from one lawn to the next.

Residential battery-powered trimmers just aren’t. They have way more plastic components and can’t handle the same brush as most gas powered trimmers. Not true of all of them, but definitely true of the Stihl FSA 57 string trimmer.

One thing that really upsets me about the Stihl FSA 57 is that it doesn’t say anything about having a brushless motor. I’m absolutely shocked and frankly expected more from Stihl.

Brushed motors are still fine, but the standard in high-end string trimmers is a brushless motor these days. I think that tells you about all you need to know about this trimmer – Stihl clearly does not think it is a high-end trimmer.

Sad.

Cost

Hate to say sad again so quickly, but sadly you have to contact your local Ace Hardware to get the price for this bad boy. Mine had it for $199, but I actually returned it :(.

The official review: Stihl FSA 57 String Trimmer

Well folks, I don’t do this often but I have to officially say that I am not a fan of this string trimmer. While it is super convenient, easy to use, and perfect for those with a small yard, it is definitely an apple that falls far from the tree.

This product is simply not very durable and not up to the standards I would expect from Stihl. If you’re going to grab some battery-powered products, I’d find another brand like Ryobi or Greenworks that can give you more products along a single battery line.

If you’re going to go with Stihl, I’d get gas for now.

Why we review lawn tools

Stihl’s reputation

Where you might recognize Stihl equipment.

Stihl has a great reputation that many commercial landscapers rely on each day. Many residential owners will be more than pleased with their products.

How to instantly improve your weed eater

Gas vs Electric String Trimmer

When purchasing a piece of lawn equipment in 2023 it’s important to understand your power source options. It basically boils down to gas or electric. Electric trimmers are typically easier to start and usually maintenance is a breeze. They also have less of a noise and environmental impact. Electric trimmers are usually a good bet for small to medium-sized jobs.

June 6, 2022April 27, 2024

I Tried It: Kobalt 40V Max String Trimmer

Kobalt’s 40V string trimmer is one of those cool blue lawn tools that can be found at Walmart, Lowe’s and Amazon. Their 40V MAX lineup of tools is pretty expansive and known for being powerful.

Kobalt has some nice lines of batteries. A 40V line, a 40V MAX line (yes, there’s a difference), and some 80V products as well.

Bottom Line: The Kobalt 40V Max String Trimmer is a great lawn tool because it has a brushless motor, a wide cutting swath, and a nice battery series. You can grab it on Amazon or at Lowes.

Let’s break it down:

Features review
Cons
A secret about Kobalt
Overall Kobalt 40V string trimmer review
What to look for in a string trimmer
About Kobalt

Kobalt 40V Max cordless string trimmer: Features and benefits

This weed eater is plastered all over Lowes, but you have a ton of others to choose from like EGO’s weed eaters and a bunch more. Here are some of the unique elements of the Kobalt 40V MAX string trimmer.

It is powerful

Kobalt’s string trimmers mostly come in a 40V battery package, meaning it is optimally designed for yards up to ½ acre. Some people think this sounds weak, but honestly most yards are under a ½ acre – so what does it matter?

Yes, if you are trailblazing in the woods then you may want to step it up to a gas-powered or commercially-focused string trimmer. But most of us aren’t.

When comparing sizes of Kobalt string trimmers, you want to think about the cutting swath, or width of the cutting path. This is where I like to go slightly bigger. A 15 or 16 inch cutting swath can handle thicker areas of grass and brush. Another benefit to larger cutting swath string trimmers is that they do a tremendous job replacing edgers.

If you are looking for power, most of us are going to be totally content with the 40V max battery offered by Kobalt. If you are wanting to really “max” out the power, go with the 15 or 16 inch model.

If you like this one, check out the The 24V Edition which is smaller and cheaper.

Kobalt’s string trimmer is very comfortable to use

Feel is everything.

If you’ve ever used a traditional gas-powered string trimmer, you know how heavy and unwieldy they can be. And if you’ve ever tried to use one for an extended period of time, you know how quickly they can start to hurt your back and shoulders. For me, I am very tall and get wonky shoulder pain pretty quickly.

I love these types of handles that have a “butterfly” trigger.

The Kobalt 40V string trimmer is a game changer in this regard. It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to use, and the battery is positioned perfectly to give it a nice balance. Plus, the adjustable handle means that you can customize it to fit your height and reach. In other words, it’s the perfect tool for anyone who wants to get their yard work done without having to deal with the pain and discomfort of a gas-powered trimmer.

I love having longer, straight string trimmers because they have a nice see-saw effect that, when balanced appropriately, make the job easy. Longer shafts also allow for surgical precision – like using a paintbrush.

You can use the Kobalt 40V Max battery with a ton of other tools

Battery life is everything and it is also nothing. The 40V line of string trimmers from Kobalt throws out “half an acre” of run-time. But what does that mean? Surely, you can’t trim your entire yard like a mower if it is half an acre?

It’s tough to say. Battery life is dependent on the work being done – is it some super thick brush you are cutting? Are you edging and digging into the ground? Are you starting and stopping a lot? Are you using it on a low-speed setting?

Nice looking battery! Has a good battery life indicator on it.

There are a ton of variables, but expect this to last for about 30-45 minutes with normal use. I have never run into a problem with battery power when I have been trimming, but if I tack on edging to that and then put the battery on the blower and do some blower work – then yeah, my battery starts to run lower.

Tough to say here, but I think the more important point is to make sure you have a fully charged battery, grab a battery that can be used in a bunch of different tools, and don’t expect to be able to go all day.

The cons

As much as it pains me to complain about the Kobalt 40V string trimmer, I have to bring to light a few things. I am not a fan of the motor on this. It is a brushed motor, not brushless. This means that it may not last as long as its brushless counterparts, will get hotter, and has slightly less torque.

I have also read that some online ordering can be sketchy. One reviewer at Amazon said that they bought the tool-only version and it looked like someone bought the full version, took out the battery, and then made someone pay for both separately.

Sounds weird.

One secret

The same company that makes motors for Greenworks makes them for Kobalt. Greenworks has a great reputation. While I’m surprised this isn’t brushless, this is probably going to be the best non-brushless electric trimmer series on the market.

Kobalt 40V MAX string trimmer: Review and recommendation

The jury is in: this is a good string trimmer. It is a GREAT string trimmer if you already have 40V MAX batteries, because you can get the tool only version for significantly cheaper.

It is a good string trimmer if you’re new to electric tools and are looking to start with the Kobalt series.

It is a bad string trimmer if you are working commercially or have over ½ an acre of land you’re trying to clean up.

You can grab it on Amazon here for a great price, or you can check out the selection at Lowe’s.

Why we review lawn tools

How to instantly improve your weed eater

What to look for in a cordless string trimmer

Cordless weed eaters come in all shapes and sizes. They aren’t highly complicated pieces of equipment, but they do have a few nuances. Here is how I see it:

Feel – Obviously this is subjective, but feel is everything to me. I have had weed eaters in the past where the handle is off to the side, making me torque my shoulders and back. Bad. You are going to be using this often and for a long time, so make sure it is comfortable.
Motor – Brushless motors are king here. They are longer lasting and more durable. Brushless motors also produce more torque and less heat.
Batteries – If you want to save money, make sure to stick to one battery line from one brand. Batteries aren’t cheap!
Curved vs Straight shaft – I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control. Curved shafts are better for smaller areas that require “mowing”, whereas straight shafts are better for precision and clean lines.

About Kobalt lawn tools

Kobalt power tools have been a trusted name in lawn care for generations. Kobalt’s lineup of cordless and corded tools is designed to help normal folks like us get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Today, Kobalt is known for its innovation and quality, with its products being used in most of the world’s garages. Kobalt’s products are designed to stand up to the toughest lawn conditions, and the company has a dang good reputation. When it comes to power tools, Kobalt is a name that you can trust.

May 6, 2022April 30, 2024

5 Trimmer and Edger Combos For Clean Lawn Edges

Trimmer and edger combos are must-haves for anyone who likes a manicured front yard (back doesn’t matter). The best trimmer and edger combo kit is the EGO Power+ MHC 1502 Multi-Combo kit because it has the most power and best attachments.

A nice lil’ edger attachment on the EGO MHC1502 Multi Head.

But to get those crisp, clean lines, these two have to do a little shake and bake team action. Trimmers handle a significant portion of the grass work, but edgers separate the nice lawns from the “stop and take a picture” lawns.

The best trimmer/edger combos, ranked:

EGO Power+ MHC1502 Multi Combo Kit
Greenworks 40V 13″ Cordless String Trimmer and Edger
PowerSmart String Trimmer and Edger
Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12 Inch Grass Trimmer and Edger
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX POWERCONNECT

5 Best Trimmer and Edger Combos

Let’s get into it. Most of these are pretty dang affordable and have a range of power, so I will be descriptive in my recommendations of which trimmer and edger combos are the best.

**5. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT 10 in. 2in1 Cordless String Trimmer/Edger + Sweeper Combo Kit (LCC222)**

The Black + Decker 20V MAX string trimmer and edger AND sweeper combo is just an insane value. This trimmer and edger combo not only comes in at a comically low price, but also includes a little handheld blower.

While this is probably the least powerful combo on this list, it will certainly get the bare minimum job done for the bare minimum price. I recommend this Black and Decker string trimmer and edger combo to new homeowners or those with a really small yard.

The trimmer and edger are basically the same thing on this one, with the only difference being a swiveling head. Sadly, this means your edges will not be very deep. Your pockets will, however.

Again – this has awesome reviews on Amazon and is dirt cheap. This is the one I have convinced my parents (who live in a townhome) to grab. This is a lightweight electric option that is great if you are new to electric lawn tools.

You can get it shipped directly to your house from Amazon and that’s about it.

4. Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12 Inch Grass Trimmer and Edger

A slight step up from the Black + Decker trimmer and edger combo, the Worx WG170 Revolution is another good one.

Can do both trimming and some light edging.

The Worx WG170 has a slightly more sophisticated edging system that has been really well built out. Specifically, they have some wheels that allow you to turn it on its side, and roll it in a straight line with the trimmer function instead of a traditional bladed edger.

This is pretty dang cool and innovative. Worx has a great reputation for spinning stuff up like this. I also like battery positioning being more balanced on the WG170 trimmer and edger combo, plus the adjustable handle.

All around – this one is a more complete trimmer and edger combo, a great price, and a great company.

You can grab this trimmer and edger combo on Amazon as well, or from Worx’ website.

3. PowerSmart String Trimmer and Edger, 4 Stroke Weed Wacker with Straight Shaft

Stepping up the power game now and going with a gas one! The PowerSmart string trimmer and edger combo is a freaking beast.

A full on 4-stroke, 31 cc weed eater with a 13-inch cutting width, you will get some serious power out of the PowerSmart. Not only does the trimmer head deliver serious power (enough for commercial use), it also comes with a metal blade attachment to be used for edging.

Since it is mounted on the normal trimmer head, the edging attachment can also be used on super thick brush to chop it away and level it out or as a brushcutter attachment.

The only gas-powered trimmer and edger combo on my list, I had to include it because of the great price. Most string trimmers alone come in at $250+ – not to mention a separate edger.

You can grab this one for a crazy good price from Home Depot.

2. Greenworks 40V 13″ Cordless String Trimmer and Edger

I love Greenworks. They have consistently well-built products, which is why I ranked this one number two. To me, this Greenworks 40V trimmer and edger combo is the best value out of all of these.

Never been used in this picture, but it can do a great job.

Greenworks reliability and craft perfection generally put them at the top of most of my lists.

Coming in at 5.6 lbs and *way* less than $100 – the Greenworks 40V trimmer and edger combo flat out rocks. I like the 40V battery on this that can be used on their blower and a few of their other tools as well.

Similar to the WORX trimmer and edger combo, this one has a wheel on the side that allows you to roll it over and precisely and cleanly edge with the string from the trimmer. While this won’t be the highest-power trimmer on the market, it will get the job done.

You can grab this one on Amazon today or level up by adding the blower with it as well.

1.EGO Power+ MHC1502 Multi Combo Kit: 15 String Trimmer, 8-Inch Edger & Power Head

EGO is a brand known for making rock solid battery powered products that compete with their gas counterparts. And yep, this one does. The EGO Power+ MHC1502 trimmer as a part of the attachment system and edger combo kit is going to provide best-in-class power.

The neat thing about this trimmer and edger combo kit is that the multi-tool head can also attach brushes, hedge trimmers, pole saws, blowers, and more. All of the tools you need from a single battery-powered head.

The EGO trimmer and edger head also uses the standard EGO 56V battery, which can be used with basically all EGO products – saving you a ton of money and space in your garage.

With a super powerful trimmer head and full-scale metal blade edger, this one is the most direct competition to its gas counterparts. I have to say, I think it is just as good as the gas ones.

You can grab this one today off of Amazon, at Lowe’s, or on the EGO website.

We also did a full video review of this trimmer and edger combo here.

Why we review trimmer and edger combos

What’s the difference between trimming and edging?

Let’s set the record straight here. Edging and trimming are two very different things that are often mixed up.

Edging utilizes a motorized blade that digs into the dirt between a hard surface (street, driveway, sidewalk) and your yard. Edgers push up dirt and dig a small little trench that cleanly separates the yard and surface. Edgers can do a little bit of trimming if grass is growing over the surface, but are not designed for full-scale grass shredding.

You can do some edging with a weed eater if you have the right weed eater string. We developed GrassKicker weed eater string to make battery powered weed eaters work better and more powerful.

Trimmers are used to cut stray grass not reached or not accessible by mowing. Trimmers can also be used to cut the grass between hard surfaces and the yard, but don’t quite have the capability to edge as well as an edger does.

You can get close with just a string trimmer.

Do you need a trimmer if you have an edger?

If you have an edger, I would definitely still recommend getting a trimmer. Not just for perfectly clean grass lines before edging, but also for any stray grass growing in other places around the yard – particularly around beds of mulch or other borders in the yard.

I use a trimmer after every time I mow. This helps clean up the stray grass I may have missed, or tough spots like around our mailbox.

An edger creates a nice gap between the surface and the grass.

Is it worth buying an edger?

In my opinion, absolutely. Most trimmers now come with detachable heads that allow for an edger to pop right on. Edgers are what take your yard from good to great.

Can you edge with a trimmer? Can you trim with an edger?

If you are an absolute pro and have a high-powered trimmer, you can do some mild edging with a trimmer.

You still will not be able to dig way down deep to cause the best separation from surfaces, but it will give a similar appearance for a shorter amount of time.

You cannot trim with an edger unfortunately. The blade is just too big to finely cut small fragments of grass.

January 27, 2022April 30, 2024

We Bought & Compared Worx and Black & Decker String Trimmers

Worx and Black + Decker are two super popular string trimmers for folks like you and me on a budget. The WORX GT Revolution is a better overall weed eater for homeowners, but the Black and Decker comes in at a lower price point.

The Black and Decker can turn on its side with a wheel.

The WORX GT Revolution and Black and Decker 14 inch weed eater are two of the best budget-friendly and lightweight weed eaters you can buy. Let’s break down which is better for you.

Jump ahead using the below links:

Comfort comparison between Worx and Black and Decker
Which has better battery use?
Actually using the Worx vs the Black and Decker trimmers
Cost comparison
The Winner: Worx GT Revolution
Weed Eaters 101

Feature comparison

Now that we understand what we are looking for, we can roll up our sleeves and compare these two. Let’s start with comfort.

Worx is a more comfortable trimmer than Black & Decker

As mentioned previously, comfort is super important in a string trimmer. You frankly have to hold the trimmer at a weird angle, which ends up torqueing my upper back.

Both of these trimmers have adjustable handles, meaning you can change the ANGLE but not the LOCATION of the handle. Changing the location would be ideal, but changing the angle will get you close enough.

Let me show you the below picture and ask you: which do you think is more comfortable?

The battery beneath the handle on the Worx, but behind the handle on the Black + Decker.

While the Black and Decker handle looks more like a typical power drill handle, it’s actually going to give you more problems than the Worx trimmer. You see, the battery location being at the very tip of the handle means that it is going to weigh that end down. This then forces your other arm to push down on the handle (which is super close), and causes you to pull up on the trigger.

This action-counteraction is normal, but starts to really wear down your back when you are trimming over a long period of time or being particularly meticulous. Frankly, it makes it hard to control.

The Worx battery is just under the handle, which is still going to cause the action-counteraction we saw in the Black and Decker, but to a lesser degree.

The more comfortable string trimmer is the Worx GT Revolution.

Black and Decker has more tools to use with the batteries

Let me get this out of the way right now – battery life is super hard to measure in tools like these. So instead, I am going to talk about batteries more broadly.

Worx and Black and Decker both have 20V batteries with 2 Amp Hours (measure of power). They are going to be very similar in battery life and power output – so no concern there.

One area that you want to be sure to watch out for is how many other products you can swap out the battery for. Work has a ton of other products that use the same battery, but honestly – Black and Decker might be the best in the game at this.

Black + Decker has power tools, lawn tools, and even home cleaning tools that all can take the 20V battery used on this trimmer. That means one plug, one charger, and you’re good to go.

Worx is growing their line, but doesn’t quite have the scale or the dominance in this space that Black and Decker has had for decades.

The advantage here is clear: Black and Decker wins this round.

The Worx String Trimmer has some cool advantages

Something neat about both of these trimmers is that they come with a funny looking wheel on the top. Well, the wheel isn’t just for toying around with – it can serve as a guide wheel for a relatively light-duty edger.

While most edgers come with a big metal blade, much of the simpler jobs can be done with the normal string trimmer. Simply turn the tool on its side, let the wheel balance, and let it rip. This will give you nice, clean lines around your driveway or sidewalk.

One thing that gives Worx a *slight* advantage in this category is the brush guard that it has.

The trimmer head on the Worx string trimmer with a collapsible brush-guard.

This metal thing is collapsable, so when you convert it from a string trimmer to an edger, simply push it in and keep going. The metal brush guard helps you from running the string into brick or wood that quickly deteriorates the integrity of the trimmer line.

Price comparison

The Worx WG163 GT trimmer is for sale right now for a super low price. It includes two batteries and a charger as well.

The Black and Decker is on sale for even less here. This comes with one battery – but can also use the battery from any of the Black and Decker tools you might already own.

The overall review: Worx vs Black and Decker String Trimmer

We have reviewed the comfort, battery life, usability, and price of the Worx string trimmer and the Black + Decker string trimmer that we thought was super light. I’ve gotta say – this is one of the tougher comparisons I have done.

Overall, I think the Worx is the better tool. BUT is it $30 better? It depends. If you already have a Worx piece of equipment and can reuse the battery, I say go with Worx.

If you are completely new to battery powered cordless lawn equipment, then I would grab the Black + Decker for a lower price. Once you have the battery, then this will help you as you choose your next set of tools.

Why we review string trimmers

Worx and Black and Decker: A history

A LOT of people are buying these trimmers – and for a good reason (we will get to that in a minute).

Something that many of you may be scratching your head around is….what is Worx? It isn’t quite the household name that Dewalt, John Deere, or some of the other big name brands. Worx has quietly been creeping into the marketplace and has found their niche in electric lawn tools.

Black + Decker is also a ubiquitous household name. Virtually every garage has some sort of Black and Decker tool stored away in it. One of the first tools I owned was a Black and Decker power drill that I still use to this day.

To add more confusion, these two brands even have the same color scheme. And to take things even further (!), the color scheme is the same as Home Depot. I mean, c’mon people, get it together.

What to look for in a string trimmer

I have an electric string trimmer. It’s a Ryobi 40V string trimmer that can handle attachments and it gets the job done. But I have had some ups and downs and learned things the hard way.

As someone who didn’t grow up with a green thumb, I am a self-taught lawn tool expert. Which means I have made a lot of mistakes and wasted a LOT of money. You don’t have to be like me – so check out what to know before you buy.

Make sure you buy a tool that has a battery that fits other tools
- Why waste time and wall space with a million different batteries in your garage? Simply flip the same one in and out and get on your merry way.
Comfort is king – find a trimmer that has some adaptability with the handles to tailor it to your fit
- I am very, very tall. The mixture of my height with the weird, stiff handle on my Ryobi 40V means that I often finish trimming in pain. Don’t do that.
Find a trimmer with easy-to-advance trimmer line.
- This means when you inevitably lose some of the trimmer line, you can easily bring out more trimmer line without having to slow down too much.

If you’re looking to upgrade your weed eater, make sure you right-size your weed eater string.