Weed eaters Archives - The Lawn Review

January 16, 2023April 3, 2024

8 Weed Eaters With Handy Attachment Systems

The best weed eater with attachments is the EGO Multi-Head system because it has amazing power and a ridiculous amount of quality attachments.

Weed eaters with attachments transform your most basic lawn tool into a Swiss Army Knife. Yeah – I first experienced this with my Ryobi Expand It weed eater and have since tried and tested a bunch of these bad boys.

I’ve put a bunch of these battery powered weed eaters with attachments to the test and continue to come back to the one that’s our favorite: the EGO Power+ multi-head system (although it has one big drawback).

Here are my favorite weed eaters with attachments, ranked after some serious testing.

EGO Power+ Multi-Tool Weed Eater Attachment System
Greenworks 40V 14” Brushless Weed Eater Attachment System
Kobalt 24V Connect Multi-Head Weed Eater Power System
Dewalt 60V Max Weed Eater Attachment System
SKIL PWRCORE 40 Weed Eater Attachment System
Worx Nitro 40V Power Share String Trimmer Attachment System
Makita 18V LXT Couple Shaft Power Head
Ryobi 40V Expand-It Attachment System

Honorable mention: The Greenworks Pro 60V 16 inch weed eater.

Ranking Battery Powered Weed Eaters with Attachments

When we were testing these tools, we accidentally used the best one first, so all the others didn’t seem as good. It’s kind of like going house hunting and going to the biggest, nicest house first. Either way, the rest were all fine tools but didn’t hold a candle to the number one spot.

1.) EGO Power+ Multi-Head Weed Eater Attachment System

EGO’s multi-head attachment system is a dang beast. If I could create one of these in a lab, this one would be it. And when we switched out the weed eater string to the GrassKicker string, it just became an absolute unit. Unfair.

We made a full Youtube video highlighting the attachment system, but will profile it again here.

It uses EGO’s 56V battery system which can be used with ALL of their other tools
The weed eater attachment system has a brushless motor
It has molded grips which make it easy to use whether you have the weed eater or the pole saw attachment going
We dropped it a few times and scratched it up without a problem
We’ve put it through the absolute ringer, testing it’s run time and durability very aggressively
Every attachment it comes with is a freak of nature – with the hedge trimmer attachment being our absolute favorite

This one is a ridiculous standalone weed eater, but the attachments we bought were the edger, hedge trimmer, cultivator, snow shovel, and pole saw. All of them work insanely well and you would hardly think they were part of a universal system like this.

The only drawback / complaint about this weed eater attachment system is that the attachments ARE NOT universal. You have to buy EGO’s attachments and they won’t work anywhere else. It isn’t the tools themselves, but how they attach to the power head. Bummer – but honestly if you buy this you will never desire another tool again.

We got ours with all the attachments on Amazon for a great price last year.

2.) Greenworks 40V 14” Brushless Weed Eater Attachment System

Greenworks is an underrated lawn tool brand. All of their tools are super high quality and legitimately well constructed. They did it again with their 40V brushless weed eater attachment system.

This one has a lot of the same things I loved about the EGO product, including a brushless motor, super comfortable handles designed to additional attachments, and variable speed.

The weed eater attachment system has a loop handle around the trigger which makes it great for using as a hedge trimmer or pole saw without sacrificing any discomfort when used on the ground as a weed eater. There are both 14 inch and 16 inch varieties and I prefer the 16 inch for the weed eater. A larger cutting swath means more power and a crisper looking lawn.

The downside from this Greenworks weed eater attachment system is that it’s confusing as heck. It’s difficult to find the attachments on the website, but we had some luck on Amazon.

You can grab a hedge trimmer attachment, edger attachment, cyclone blower, cultivator, and disk blower, and pole saw attachment from what we could tell.

This one is a really great tool if you can get the right attachments. It’s available on Amazon for a ridiculously low price. Of course, we recommend trading out the weed eater string with GrassKicker right away to give it a big boost.

3.) Kobalt 24V Universal Connect Multi-Head Weed Eater Power System

Kobalt is a name that you see plastered all over Lowe’s website. They have never been extremely popular, but it doesn’t mean they don’t make some ridiculous lawn tools.

The Kobalt Universal Connect Power Head is one of those underrated, overlooked options because Lowe’s stacks the shelves with EGO products. But don’t overlook this one.

Kobalt’s Connect System is a truly universal attachment system that has some serious perks. Here are a few things I like about it:

24V MAX battery works with a ton of other Kobalt tools
A brushless motor, of course
An adjustable handle that can slide lower or higher
Rubber molded grips

Kobalt’s weed eater attachment system offers some tools that you don’t see anywhere else. Take for example their universal connect dethatcher attachment. That is really freaking cool. Although it may not be the most practical, running this dethatcher attachment over your yard once per year will help bring your yard back to life.

Kobalt’s power head is sneaky good and resembles my SKIL one.

If you don’t like the Kobalt attachments, heck, go grab some attachments from anyone else and use them instead. But if you own any Kobalt products already, you will save big by using this power head system with your existing 24V MAX batteries.

You can grab this online at Lowe’s – which is where we got it.

4.) Dewalt 60V Max Weed Eater Attachment System

We were surprised, too. Dewalt makes some seriously powerful lawn equipment and actually makes a nice handful of Dewalt weed eaters. It’s low-key one of the best weed eater attachment systems but we ranked it so low because Dewalt’s 60V Max lawn tool lineup is just not very deep.

But it has all the amazing features that you would expect from a ridiculous weed eater. My favorite part is that the Dewalt 60V Max String Trimmer has up to a 17 inch cutting swath. This size cutting swath rivals most gas weed eaters. And remember my advice: get a good attachment system that first has a good weed eater.

This weed eater with attachments has a brushless motor and universal attachment capabilities. Some of the attachments include:

Hedge trimmers
Pole saw
Brush Cutter
Edger
And a little blower

This is another one of those made-in-a-lab type of tools that is almost too good to be true. You can get it from Home Depot for a very good price.

5.) SKIL PWRCORE 40 Power System

SKIL’s PWRCORE 40 System is a really cool, brand new tool that just came out on the market. We did a full length video and a full SKIL PWRCORE review, but were super impressed with this tool.

In particular, we liked that this Power Head had:

Brushless motor for long life
A PWRJUMP charger that rapidly charges the battery to 30%, then slows down
A huge cutting swath at 15-17 inches
Universal attachments

While this one didn’t quite have the run time that it claimed, it is still a great option for those of us with smaller yards.

6.) Worx Nitro 40V Power Share String Trimmer Attachment System

This attachment system from Worx is probably their biggest and baddest lawn tool. They have a ton of smaller weed eaters that are more about convenience than power, like the Worx GT revolution.

The Nitro 40V Power Share system is made for pure power, though. It’s got a 15 inch cutting swath which puts it on the higher end of battery power weed eaters. Worx’ 40V Max system is a great battery line that you can use on their mower as well, making this one pretty useful for current Worx owners.

From a cost perspective, this one is super competitive because all of the dang attachments are so cheap. And much to my surprise – this one also has a brushless motor. My previous experience and misconception with Worx was that they only had brushed products. Glad to see they’ve stepped up to the plate.

The attachments on this weed eater are super affordable compared to some of the others. Each attachment is around $100 – way cheaper than what you would get if you bought the tools independently. Oh, and they’re all universal attachments as well.

This one is a really high value purchase if you are looking for a good balance of quality and cost. Right now it’s on a massive sale on Amazon that makes it even more competitive.

7.) Makita 18V LXT Couple Shaft Power Head

Makita makes really high quality equipment like their regular Makita weed eaters and Makita leaf blowers. But man, I can’t figure out who their audience is. Their tools are SO expensive that if I had to pay for them, I might as well just pay someone to do my lawn. This is by far the most expensive power head, which is why it is so low on this list.

But darn it if it isn’t super high quality. A few really good things about this weed eater with attachments:

Makita’s 18V line can be used on lawn tools and their handheld power tools, making this a better value if you save money on batteries
They of course have a brushless motor
Super high RPMs on their 3 speed settings
An insane amount of attachments. I mean insane!

To this last point, Makita has some baller attachments including both straight and curved shaft weed eaters, cultivators, several different hedge trimmer attachments, a blower, a sweeper, a pole saw, and more.

But again – all the attachments are expensive as heck. Super high quality, super high price – that’s the Makita way.

You can grab this one at Home Depot, or actually get it at a reasonable price on Amazon (check this often).

8.) Ryobi 40V Expand-It Attachment System

Last but also least is the Ryobi 40V Expand-it series. This is one of the first tools I owned and it disappointed me in some ways. I’m not saying it’s for nobody, but it wasn’t for me long-term. It is a great price, but not the weed eater attachment system worth investing in for more than a few years.

I will say that the weed eater attachment works very well, but the others have not lived up to the hype. I had a blower attachment with this that I replaced three times due to it breaking. Over the course of two years!

I like that this Ryobi weed eater with attachments has an easy way of storing and hanging the attachments, is relatively easy to use and lightweight, and has variable speed control. But it has a brushed motor that almost always felt overheated when I was using it.

I bought this one when I was on a tighter budget and I think if that’s you – this can be a good tool. But expect to outgrow it quickly and don’t go overboard with the attachments. It’s also on a fire sale over at Home Depot right now.

One last benefit so I don’t completely scare you is that the 40V battery can be used on TONS of tools. I really like having it to use on my Ryobi 40V blower and Ryobi 40V mower as a back-up battery.

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 guys 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.

How I tested these weed eater attachment systems

I tested these weed eaters with attachments over the course of a few years. I started with my Ryobi Expand It attachment system, then tested out the EGO multi-head (my number one choice). Since then I’ve used the SKIL PWR CORE, and slowly gotten experience with each of the others.

I test a few things on each of these – mostly related to how comfortable it is to use, the number of attachments, whether or not my attachments are universal, the cutting swath, and finally the battery system.

All of these pass my testing with flying colors, which is why I put them on my list.

How to instantly improve your weed eater

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What to look for in a battery-powered attachment system

If I would have read this article a few years ago, I would have made a different decision and likely saved hundreds of dollars. But I learned the hard way and want to make sure you don’t have to.

Here are the things I look for in a battery-powered attachment system:

A brushless motor

The first time around, I bought a brushed motor and I deeply regretted it a few months later. The main difference between brushed and brushless motors is how electricity is transferred from the battery to the motor. Brushed motors have a process that relies on friction. I quickly realized this when the palm of my hand was getting extremely hot while using the attachment system.

Brushless motors run cooler, more efficiently, provide more torque, and last longer. They are quickly becoming the gold standard in battery-powered lawn tools – but not everyone has caught up.

Universal attachments

Some of these weed eater attachment systems have the ability to take on any attachments. That’s a benefit to those of us that are looking to save money or have an existing attachment system that’s broken but the attachments work just fine. You can find attachments on Facebook marketplace or other second-hand stores for a way cheaper price.

A high performing weed eater

Don’t just buy a weed eater with attachments because it is attachment capable. Buy a battery-powered weed eater that freaking dominates and also has the ability to add attachments.

Good attachments

If I don’t mention this, I will get an email from one of you saying “you didn’t say to buy one with good attachments” so here you go. Obviously you want an attachment system that can accommodate high performing attachments that you will actually use. Avoid bundles that give you attachments that aren’t as good as the individual tools. The goal is to replace your other tools, not supplement them with an additional cost.

How to turn your weed eater into a beast

Shameless plug here, but we were able to take our battery powered weed eater from “okay” to “absolute beast” by changing out the weed eater string. We tested dozens of different weed eater strings and each of them had 1-2 good characteristics, but none had the whole package.

So we made our own. Introducing GrassKicker weed eater string. It is the perfect thickness, shape, and color to absolutely shred whatever job you’re doing while still fitting every weed eater on the market. You can grab it here:

Bottom Line: Weed Eaters with Attachments

Remember to keep in mind that we are looking for a brushless weed eater first and then attachments second. Get you a weed eater with attachments that is going to last a long time and replace the dinky old tools you inherited from your parents.

October 8, 2022April 2, 2024

7 Battery Powered String Trimmers That Can Take On Gas

My favorite battery powered string trimmer is the Greenworks 80V 16″ weed eater because it has a brushless motor, super wide cutting swath, and is part of a great battery system.

Luckily, we’ve gotten our hands on and tested dozens of weed eaters in our lives.

But before we move forward, there’s one super simple thing we want to clarify.

Weed eaters, weed wackers, string trimmers – they’re all the same thing. Believe it or not, people ask us the difference between the three all the time!

Top Battery Powered String Trimmers: By Category

As we mentioned before, the most gas-like electric weed eater for you may not be the best for me. So we will provide the best from each category to help you really narrow it down. Luckily, the best weed eaters all have the above things in common – so keep those as your North Star.

Best battery powered weed eater for large yards

When it comes to large yards, you need a weed eater that not only has a wide cutting swath, but serious battery power. Basically you want to be able to cut thick grass without the battery running out.

One of the best battery-powered weed eaters that my neighbor owns is the Pro 80V 16 inch string trimmer from Greenworks.

This is mine and it is the one I tested for this article.

I recommend NOT using the stock weed eater string that comes with it. We developed the world’s best weed eater string by testing dozens of different strings and taking the best elements of each. We created a green, .095″, triangle shaped weed eater string that is extremely powerful, visible, and durable.

Basically it’s the dream weed eater. It has a HUGE cutting swatch at 16 inches. For reference, the ones for smaller yards are like 10 inches. To put it into perspective, this is almost a foot and a half of cutting power. Not only does this make it good for weed eating, but it also has the ability to do some nice deep edging work if you forgot your edger.

Why we like the Greenworks 80V Pro 16 inch weed eater

Better question is what is there not to like? Check out a few data points here:

Brushless motor (more durable, run cooler, quieter)
The motor and handle are attachment capable for other Greenworks 80V tools
Straight, long shaft (please no jokes)
A great four year warrants on the tool itself AND the battery

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! This is the best weed wacker for large yards and probably a bunch of others, too.

You can grab it from Greenworks’ website directly or on Amazon for a massive discount.

Best battery powered weed eater and edger combo

When it comes to cleaning up your yard and you want to go the extra mile, you have to have an edger. Sure, weed eaters with big cutting swaths can do some light edging, but nothing is going to actually give you the crispiest borders like an edger will.

That’s why it’s great to get a weed eater that allows you to change out attachments. A ton of folks have this now. In fact, we wrote a whole long form post about the best battery powered weed eater and edger kits and we had a clear winner.

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

Yeah, it has a long name and a steeper price tag, but is WORTH IT.

Here’s why we loved the EGO Power+ MHC1502 trimmer and edger

It isn’t a two-in-one, it is really a 8-in-1 – this thing has so many other attachments that it can do just about everything except mow.
EGO uses just one battery class – the 56V. Once you have that, you can buy any of their other tools’ “tool-only” version – which means batteryless. That amounts to YUGE savings.
Brushless, straight, yada-yada-yada you know my shpiel by now. This checks all the boxes.

This edger and trimmer combo is sweet. If you are going to get one and ESPECIALLY if you already have an EGO battery, then this is the one for you.

You can from Amazon, which lets you pick from a bunch of different options..

Best battery powered commercial weed eater

This is actually a hard one. There aren’t many full-on commercial battery-powered string trimmers because a lot of professionals still use gas.

That being said, there are definitely some battery weed eaters with enough power to keep up with the commercial ones.

Our favorite here is a brand you probably recognize. Makita. We love Makita and have written extensively about Makita mowers, Makita blowers, and more.

Here’s what we love about the Makita XRU15PT1 36V string trimmer

Okay this weed eater is a tank. It comes with four batteries, but uses two at a time. If you have existing 18V Makita batteries, then you can save money on batteries, or store up a lot and only have to charge after like 20 lawns.

We like this one because it almost directly mimics some of the gas powered string trimmers like Echo’s SRM 225. It’s loved by us for the following reasons:

Super long straight shaft (over 6ft. long)
Minimal guard, which is great for visibility but make sure you wear eye protection
15 inch cutting swath and massive RPMs of 6,500 (really fast)
Brushless motor

Basically you want the most powerful weed eater you can get that still has the performance of a commercial one. The Makita XRU15PT1 36V absolutely has it.

This one we grabbed online at Home Depot and picked up in store for a great price.

Best battery powered weed eater with attachments

Why buy a weed eater alone? Just about every big brand is making a power-head or multi-tool or some other name for a nice handheld motor with attachments.

We started out with the Ryobi multi-tool, but I legitimately burned through two of the blowers in a six month period. So I sent it straight to the trash.

I picked up one of the EGO Power Heads and have never looked back. To date, we own the string trimmer, the edger, and the snow blower attachment.

Our own footage of the edger attachment.

Why we like the EGO Power+ Power Head

First of all, you’re here for weed eaters, so if you are interested in the weed eater, you can grab the MHC1502 battery powered weed eater we mentioned above. It has a huge cutting swath, brushless motor, and all the bells and whistles.

But boy do we love the attachments:

Pole saw
Edger
Hedge trimmer
Blower
Snow shovel
Bristle brush
Cultivator/Tiller
Rubber broom

It’s pretty crazy how many attachments can fit on a single head of the dang EGO Power+ Power Head. If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty, attachment capable battery powered weed eater – this is your go-to.

You can grab it at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or on Amazon. If you’re grabbing it online, I recommend Amazon. If you want to put hands on it, then I suggest stopping by Lowe’s or Ace to get your paws on it.

Stihl’s battery powered weed eaters

Stihl has a reputation for creating some of the best gas-powered equipment on the planet. They lead the chainsaw market with their Stihl MS 251 C chainsaw and also their gas powered string trimmer, the Stihl FS 56 RC weed eater.

The FS 56 RC is undefeated in gas trimmers.

Stihl recently launched a big line of battery powered weed eaters, chainsaws, and leaf blowers.

To our surprise, we weren’t thrilled with their features or performance.

Why we don’t love Stihl’s new battery powered series

Despite Stihl’s stellar reputation in the gas space, we were saddened by some of their new battery products. For the weed eaters specifically, here is what we didn’t love:

No brushless motor – how could they do this? They are market leaders! It’s truly pretty sad.
Generally small cutting swath
Expensive

I think they are trying to go for a more residential audience as compared to their commercial gas trimmers, but man were we disappointed. Our favorite Stihl battery powered weed eater was the FSA 90 R – probably the closest equivalent to the gas FS 56 RC.

The Stihl FSA 90 R has great specifications and features, but no brushless motor. It is the most “tolerable” of the group. We wrote a full review of the Stihl FSA 90 R here if you are interested in learning more.

Stihl has a contract with Ace Hardware as the primary place to pick these up.

Cheapest battery powered weed eater

Oh boy – balling on a budget. Cheap battery powered weed eaters are great if you have a smaller yard, a townhome, or a thin wallet.

Honestly, some of them are REALLY convenient. For example, we have ranked a ton of the Black and Decker string trimmers as well as the Worx weed eaters.

Both of these are budget friendly, but also small, lightweight, and extremely easy to use.

Best budget battery powered weed eaters

Our favorite budget battery powered weed eater has got to be the Black and Decker 20V Max string trimmer.

It is definitely on the smaller side, with a 12-inch cutting swath, but not as small as some of the others.

My favorite part about this trimmer is that the 20V battery on it can also be used on your power drill and a ton of other Black and Decker products. My parents have the 20V power drill, so they got this one for a steal and saved on the battery price.

It also has this little wheel on top that allows you to do some light edging in a straight line. V cool!

You can grab it on Amazon for an unbelievably low price.

Best battery powered weed eater for a woman

Sexist! Women can use all weed eaters just as well as a man! And probably better!

Okay – we know that so cool your jets. But we do get this question a lot and it has nothing to do with ability. It isn’t about being a woman, but many women reach out asking for trimmers that are super easy to use, lightweight, and storable. Also minimal maintenance and easy trimmer line replacement.

So we have helped find what they are looking for and always come to the same conclusion. The Worx GT Revolution 3.0.

Why we love the Worx GT Revolution for women

Coming in at just over five pounds, this weed eater is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver. It breaks down (see pic below) for easy storage and even has a telescoping shaft. So if you are looking for the most flexible and intuitive lawn tool on the planet – this has got to be it.

It has a decent 12 inch cutting swath, is compatible with Worx 20V and 40V batteries, and has a really easy to replace trimmer line.

My single mother neighbor down the street uses this in her lawn and had amazing things to say about it. Oh, and her yard looks incredible.

This one is available on Amazon – including battery and charger.

Final thoughts on battery powered weed whackers

Folks, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article – weed eaters are highly variable depending on what you’re looking for. We hope this has been an insightful article. If you have any more questions or would like to join our mailing list – feel free to check out our contact page.

Why we started The Lawn Review

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.

What to look for in a battery powered weed whacker

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. If you can, get as many adjustable pieces as possible to make this customizable. It doesn’t seem like you use a weed eater for a long time, but the work is precision work that requires a steady hand and focus.
Motor – brushless motors are king here. They are longer lasting and more durable. Regular brushed motors are fine, too. The key difference here is that brushless motors use magnets, instead of friction, to power the motor. This means less heat, more durability, and a longer life. Brushed motors will still do the job, however they tend to have a shorter life. Brushless motors are relatively new, so if you have had an electric tool back in the day, it was probably brushed.
Interchangeable batteries – Get a dang tool that has batteries that you can use with other batteries. C’mon people – save money by doing this! You don’t have to keep buying new battery sets. There are a lot of tool companies that have batteries that work with a ton of different tools. But some of these companies have a bunch of different battery types. Be careful!
Curved vs Straight shaft – I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control and are much longer than curved shafts. Curved shafts are good for clearing out a small piece of land unable to be mowed. But if you want to actually do some good trimming and edging, a straight shaft is much better. Curved shafts are difficult to maneuver and to create a straight line for edging.

How to instantly improve your battery powered weed eater

August 15, 2022April 2, 2024

5 Inexpensive Black + Decker Weed Eaters

The Best Black and Decker string trimmer is the 20V Max 12-inch string trimmer that has a two-in-one functionality that allows it to also be a great edger. I like this Black and Decker weed eater because it is super lightweight, inexpensive, and great for beginners.

You can grab this 2-in-1 weed eater from Amazon for a really good price.

Here is the full ranking of the best Black & Decker weed eaters:

Black & Decker 20V Max 12-inch 2-in-1 String Trimmer and Edger
Black and Decker 40V MAX 13in. 2in1 cordless string trimmer
Black+Decker String Trimmer, 6.5-Amp, 14-inch (GH900)
Black + Decker 20V MAX PowerConnect 10 in string trimmer and sweeper
Black + Decker 20V Max 10 inch string trimmer (LST201)

5 Best Black and Decker String Trimmers (RANKED)

The beautiful thing about the Black and Decker string trimmers is that one of them, if not all of them, are always on sale on Amazon. That’s where we recommend grabbing these, mostly because of their great return policy and quick shipping. You can also grab them at your local Home Depot.

5. Black + Decker 20V Max 10 inch string trimmer (LST201)

One of the most basic, simple, and least expensive string trimmers on the market, the 20V MAX 10 inch string trimmer from Black and Decker is a bargain.

Although I would never use this in a big yard, for small yards this trimmer is great. This is a very basic trimmer that is going to be just fine cleaning up small patches of grass that you missed mowing and giving a nice, clean line that you would expect from any other trimmer.

Definitely don’t get this if you have a yard with more than ¼ of an acre – you’ll need more power for sure.

All-in-all, this is a really good price for someone looking to make a quick, easy buy. You can get it on Amazon for well under $100.

4. Black + Decker 20V MAX PowerConnect 10 in string trimmer and sweeper combo

While this is likely actually the least powerful of the string trimmers on this list, Black + Decker made it an enticing combo by throwing in a sweeper. The combination here means that you get a nice lawn tool set-up without breaking the bank.

This 20V MAX string trimmer is about 10 inches, which has to be one of the smaller string trimmers in production. Fortunately, it can still flip to an edger and be used for both. This is the ideal string trimmer for someone with a tiny yard who wants to do it all with only a few tools.

To make it even better, they throw in a little mini-blower that can help clean up the grass clippings and do some light-duty leaf blowing.

You can get both of them, with the battery, for a wonderful price on Amazon.

3. Black+Decker String Trimmer, 6.5-Amp, 14-inch (GH900)

This Black and Decker string trimmer isn’t battery-powered, but is a great corded electric string trimmer. While it isn’t going to provide you the same portability that a battery powered string trimmer provides, it gives you reliable power without being concerned about the battery charge.

This is a nice, big trimmer and won’t run out of battery.

Other than requiring an extension cord, this string trimmer is great. It has a perfect size at about 14 inches and has a lot of the same capabilities as the big dogs. One thing I love about it is the automatic feed spool feature, which will automatically send out more trimmer lines when you start to run low.

The last thing I will say about this weed eater is that it is pretty short and lightweight, so it is super easy to store wherever you need to put it. At just under 6 lbs and about 3 feet long, it can practically go anywhere. We own this one and did a full review of the 14 inch 6.5 A version.

You can grab this one on Amazon for a really good price.

2. Black and Decker 40V MAX 13in. 2in1 cordless string trimmer/edger with POWERCOMMAND Kit

This one wins the award for longest name. Actually, of all the string trimmers on this list, this one is definitely the most heavy duty. It has the classic 13 inch string trimmer, which is great for medium yards, but also has the wheel conversion to an edger. At 13 inches, this will actually produce a pretty sweet edger (for a string trimmer).

I love that this one uses a 40V battery as well, a nice step up from the 20V series the other trimmers use. This one also comes with a dial that controls how much power you’d like to use, giving you control over the runtime.

With the 40V battery, you can use things like the snow blower, chainsaw, hedge trimmers, or lawnmower. Step up your game with this trimmer and build your garage around the 40V series.

You can grab this one for a great price over on Amazon.

1. BLACK+DECKER 20V Max String Trimmer/Edger, 12-Inch (LSTE525)

Probably the best mix of versatility, power, and price – the 12-inch 20V Max string trimmer wins the number one spot. This trimmer comes with a decently-sized 12-inch cutting swath that’s big enough for medium yards and small enough for small yards. It also includes the wheel on the top that allows you to flip this tool to an edger-type of tool to clean up the lines around your driveway or sidewalk.

Reminds me of the GT Revolution from WORX.

The beauty of this product is that the 20V Max series is huge with BLACK+DECKER and can be used with tons of other tools. From a usability perspective, it also has a nice easy-feed system to get the trimmer line out after it gets beaten up.

All-in-all, this one packs the same punch as some of the bigger brands with the price of one way smaller. 10,000 reviews on Amazon back me up on this one.

You can grab it on Amazon for a nice sale right now.

Why we review lawn tools

What to look for in a 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. With Black and Decker having a more “budget-friendly” line, you may not be able to find this without spending the big bucks.
Batteries – Try to get a battery that can be used with other tools. For example, I have Black and Decker’s 20V battery for my power drill – getting a trimmer that takes the same battery is great for saving money and wall space for charging.
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.

March 19, 2022April 2, 2024

7 Makita String Trimmers That Make Your Lawn Pop

The best Makita weed eater is the XRU02Z for smaller yards or the XRU15PT for larger yards. Both Makita string trimmers have solid brushless motors, high RPMs, and decent cutting swaths. As a part of the Makita battery system, they also have batteries that can be used with tons of other tools.

You can read more or jump on over to Amazon to buy the top two below:

Best Makita weed eater for large yards: Makita XRU15PT cordless weed eater

Best all-around Makita weed eater: Makita XRU02Z Cordless Weed Eater

The Best Makita Weed Eaters: Ranked

Today we are going to review a list of weed eaters available from Makita. The names are not the most intuitive and can definitely be confusing. They also have letters at the end that signify whether or not they come with batteries.

If you can fight through it, just focus on each individual review. If the names confuse you, just click the link we provide to get more detail.

Let’s get started!

Makita XRU15PT and XRU15PT1 cordless weed eaters

Great one to start with! These are two of the higher end weed eaters offered by Makita and they pack a punch. Let’s dig deeper.

Just taking a quick break next to this tree.

The specifications of this Makita weed eater

The XRU15PT and XRU15PT1 both come with a brushless motor. These produce less friction so last longer and are more durable. This Makita cordless weed eater comes with three speed options ranging from 3,500 rotations per minute up to 6,500 for maximum power.

Additionally, these cordless Makita weed eaters come with a 15 inch cutting swath, which is definitely large. The end also has a “bump action” heading that allows for more string to be released while using.

The benefits

A few things I pointed out in the specifications are huge benefits.

The XRU15PT and XRU15PT1 Makita weed eaters are powerhouses. Durable, long-lasting motors, high speeds, large cutting swath, and two 18V batteries.

These Makita weed eaters can tackle any job. I’m not kidding.

Potential downsides

I honestly don’t see any downsides to these weed eaters. Maybe if you are looking for a smaller job or live in a townhome, these are going to be overkill. They are also slightly pricier than other weed eaters, but you get what you pay for.

Makita XRU15PT vs XRU15PT1 string trimmers

These are identical weed eaters, but the XRU15PT1 comes with four batteries instead of two. It is more expensive for the additional batteries, but you really don’t need them unless you are in the commercial landscaping space.

How to buy

We recommend purchasing these weed eaters on Amazon. They occasionally run pretty steep sales, so you can click here to check the price. If you don’t like Amazon, you can also grab it at Home Depot for a reasonable price.

Makita XUX01ZM5 36V (18V X2) LXT Brushless Weed Eater

The Makita XUX01ZM5 is a cordless weed eater that offers multiple attachments. Many brands have similar attachments and I think they are a great value. Let’s break this one down.

The specifications

The Makita XUX01ZM5 has a brushless motor with three speeds, ranging from 4,200 RPM all the way up to 7,100 RPM. It also has a variable speed trigger that gives you ultimate power over the cutting speed.

The number of attachments that work with this weed eater seems to be growing every day, with tools like pole saws, different weed eater styles, and garden tillers.

The benefits of this Makita string trimmer

The benefits to this Makita cordless weed eater with attachments (which are super convenient) are much more than I expected. It is truly one of the most powerful one made by Makita and I think I know why.

This thing needs to have maximum power delivery if it can also be compatible with pole saws and garden tillers.

It’s tied down, but the trigger is super easy to use.

I also love the squeeze handle on this one, as it gives you more options with how to activate the power system. This Makita trimmer doesn’t have the standard “trigger” that can only be pulled from one angle.

Potential downsides

This weed eater is on the heavier side at about 10 lbs. While this is fine,your shoulder may become more tired over time.

You also are buying a full system, not just a weed eater. This means you might be sacrificing a little bit of comfort with each tool in exchange for the convenience of one single tool.

How to buy Makita cordless weed eater

The Makita XUX01ZM5 is available on Amazon and seems to go on sale quite a bit. We recommend checking the price by following this link.

Home Depot also sells this weed eater and has a great return policy.

Makita XRU23SM1 and XRU23Z 18V Weed Eater

The Makita XRU23 series of weed eaters is an 18V battery-powered tool. The XRU23SM1 and XRU23Z are the same weed eater, but the Z does not come with a battery.

Let’s break down this tool.

The specifications

The XRU23SM1 and XRU23Z Makita weed eaters come with a brushless motor that gives out up to 6,000 RPMs of power at a 13 inch cutting width.

The 18V battery will give you about an hour of runtime before requiring another charge. It weighs about 12.38 lbs.

The benefits of a bigger Makita weed eater

The brushless motor on this Makita weed eater means you are getting durability and a long-lasting piece of electric equipment. I’m a big fan of this only requiring one 18V battery instead of two, saving you money and charging space.

Another thing I like about this Makita weed eater is the price. The price on this weed eater is the lowest of all of the ones we have reviewed thus far. This is a high quality mid-range weed eater.

Potential downsides

If you have a really large yard, this might not be the best weed eater for you. For starters, its cutting width is not the largest for Makita weed eaters. The weed eater only supporting one 18V battery means you are limited to about one hour.

Otherwise, this is a great weed eater for the average residential homeowner.

How to buy

We recommend checking the price on Amazon and comparing it to the price at Home Depot. Both change a LOT and are always neck-and-neck.

Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 cordless weed eaters

The Makita XRU02Z 18V weed eater is one of the most popular weed eaters. Not just Makita, but everywhere. It has a ton of reviews on Amazon and is averaging 4.5 stars. Not bad.

Let’s check out why.

The specifications of this smaller Makita weed eater

The Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 comes in at about 7lbs, making it one of the lightest and smallest weed eaters.

But don’t be fooled. This one surprisingly has the highest rotation speeds, with about 7,800 rotations per minute. Wow.

The cutting diameter is a little smaller at just over 10 inches.

The benefits

Where do I even start? This is the most powerful weed eater Makita offers, yet it is also the smallest and most affordable.

This weed eater offers 45 minutes of run time and it lonely takes 30 minutes to charge.

If you are a homeowner with a small to medium yard, you simply cannot find a better all-around cordless weed eater.

Potential downsides

The Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 are definitely designed for the modern homeowner, so don’t use this if you are a professional landscaper.

Otherwise, I cannot think of any meaningful downsides.

How to buy

The Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 are available for darn good prices on Amazon. The tool only version (without a battery) is currently under $100 and its not even on sale.

My recommendation: click here to check for a sale on Amazon, then find out if it is on sale at Home Depot – both are great options.

How to instantly improve your weed eater

Our recommendation for the best Makita Weed Eater

With these Makita cordless weed eaters, it’s hard to go wrong. But we have to pick a winner.

And we have to go with the XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 weed eaters. They are simply powerful, inexpensive, and easy to use.

Grab yours for a great price on Amazon or check out the price at your local Home Depot.

Why we review lawn tools

Makita is making lawn equipment?

Yep, Makita has been around since 1915 and started making power tools back in 1958. They are best known for their pneumatic tools, their drills, and other construction site tools.

They’ve always had great corded and cordless tools, so I am honestly surprised it has taken them this long to make a push into the cordless lawn tool space.

But not that they’re here, they aren’t going anywhere. With competitors pouring into the space like Dewalt and Milwaukee, it only makes sense to take what they do best (battery powered tools) and put them in mowers, blowers, and more.

But why is Makita making lawn equipment NOW?

Good question. One thing I can tell you is that it is currently March of 2023 and Makita has a relatively small presence and market share in the lawn tool space.

Please bookmark this page and see where they are in 2024. We have it on good authority that they are making a massive push into this space.

So – sit back and watch them take over.

We recently reviewed Makita’s Cordless Blower series as well, check it out here. We also did a dive on the Makita’s crazy quiet cordless lawn mowers.

What to look for in a cordless weed eater

Cordless weed eaters AKA string trimmers (whatever you call it) 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.
Motor – brushless motors are king here. They are longer lasting and more durable.
18V vs 36V batteries – 36V Makita batteries are going to last you a lot longer than 18V. Good for those with bigger yards.
Curved vs Straight shaft – I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control.

Otherwise, make sure to get a full kit if you don’t have any Makita batteries. If you do already have some 18V batteries, grab the tool-only version to save a good chunk of change.

If you’re looking to upgrade the weed eater string, check out our size guide.