Electric String Trimmers

Corded electric grass trimmers

Corded electric trimmers, the least expensive string trimmers, are usually lightweight and easy to handle. They start with the push of a switch and are quieter than their gas-powered counterparts. Electric trimmers pollute far less than gas trimmers, and operating costs are much lower. There's no need to budget for gasoline and oil, or for replacement parts such as spark plugs and filters that gas trimmers require as part of their ongoing maintenance. The main disadvantage of electric trimmers is that they require an extension cord and need to be within reach of an outlet; the limit is 100 feet for many models, 200 feet for a few.

Professional reviewers recommend the curved-shaft corded electric Stihl FSE 60 (*Est. $120) as one model that can handle weeds and tall grass. This is the only electric trimmer Stihl makes, and it's lighter and less expensive than gas trimmers, but heavier (8.8 pounds) and more expensive than most other corded electric trimmers. The Stihl FSE 60 uses a standard bump-feed system but makes it extra convenient to refill the line (you feed it through two eyelets, then wind). The 5.5-amp motor is top-mounted, which experts say makes for good balance and better ease of use. The Stihl FSE 60 electric string trimmer can use a 200-foot extension cord (as long as it is a 12-gauge cord), giving it a good working range. ConsumerGuide.com says the Stihl FSE 60's noise level, 60 decibels, is excellent for a string trimmer. We didn't find many owner-written reviews of this model, but at Epinions.com, nine users give the Stihl FSE 60 an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Some Black & Decker GrassHog string trimmers, notably the Black & Decker GH1000 (*Est. $70) , perform well in tests, but owners generally rate them well below average; in about 300 reviews at Amazon.com, for example, it only maintains a 2-star average rating, with 200 one-star reviews from owners. The GH1000 (also known as the Black & Decker GrassHog XP) has a 7.2-amp motor and a 14-inch cutting width; it weighs close to 7 pounds and the motor is top-mounted, giving it better balance. Like most Black & Decker string trimmers, it's covered by a two-year warranty. The main complaint among owners is that the automatic line-feed mechanism doesn't work well, and that it's hard to replace the spools on these string trimmers.

The Homelite UT41110 (*Est. $30) is a lot cheaper than most electric trimmers; it has a 3.6-star average rating (out of 5) at HomeDepot.com, better than the scores for the Black & Decker trimmer above. With a 4-amp motor and 13-inch cutting width, the UT41110 isn't suitable for heavy jobs or large yards, but if you only need to trim a bit along a small driveway or sidewalk, it may be just fine for your needs. Though the motor is bottom-mounted, this trimmer is lightweight, at just over 5 pounds; one customer reviewing it at HomeDepot.com says he bought this model for his 80-year-old mother, who uses it with ease. The UT41110 has a telescoping straight shaft, which makes it height-adjustable. It can also be used as an edger, but some owners say the dual-line auto-feed releases too quickly and that the safety guard obstructs the operator's view during trimming.

Cordless string trimmers

With a cordless electric string trimmer, you're not tied to a wall outlet. The downside? You're limited by battery life (usually about 20 minutes per charge). And what you gain in convenience, you give up in weed-cutting power. One owner reviewing the Black & Decker Grass Hog NST2018 (*Est. $100) says he trims around a one-third-acre yard using just one battery, and you can extend the range by buying additional batteries (the NST2018 comes with two).

Despite the mixed scores we found for corded Black & Decker string trimmers, we found more recommendations for the cordless Black & Decker NST2018 than for any other trimmer of any type. This 18-volt Black & Decker cordless trimmer earns praise for its 7-pound weight and overall ease of use, and its battery charger has earned Energy Star certification. The Black & Decker NST2018 uses the same 18-volt nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries and three-hour charger as other 18-volt Black & Decker tools. It has a 12-inch cutting width, an adjustable handle and a telescoping shaft. Over 650 owners at Amazon.com give this string trimmer an average overall rating of 4 stars (out of a possible 5), saying it's fine for grass, but not for tough weeds. Black & Decker's warranty offers two years of coverage.

Another option for small yard jobs is the 7-pound Craftsman 74815 (*Est. $90) . Like the Black & Decker NST2018, it has a 12-inch cutting width and telescoping shaft to accommodate different user heights. But instead of a three-hour charger, the 74815's 18-volt nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery comes with a quicker one-hour charger. This cordless string trimmer also includes an edge guide and four-position head that uses auto-feed loading. Testers at ThisOldHouse.com find the lightweight Craftsman 74815 string trimmer easy to maneuver, as do owners at Sears.com, where it receives an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. However, many complain that this trimmer's battery drains too quickly and requires constant charging.

The cordless 18-volt Worx WG150 (*Est. $100) , sometimes identified as the WG150.1, uses a one-hour charger and gets good ratings from testers in an older review by the National Gardening Club. It's also named a ConsumerGuide.com Best Buy. At 6.8 pounds, the Worx WG150 trimmer is relatively lightweight. It has a two-year warranty.

As a company, Worx prides itself on its tools' ergonomic design, and in this case, reviews indicate they seem to have succeeded. In addition to a more customized fit than most string trimmers offer, the Worx WG150's cutting head tilts to make it easier to trim on slopes and in hard-to-reach places. Amazon.com reviewers praise its ergonomics, but they criticize the line feed: overall it earns a rating of 3 out of a possible 5 stars from over 270 reviewers. Some owners gripe that the Worx WG150 simply lacks power.

Worx also sells the Worx GT WG151 (*Est. $120) , which is identical to the WG150 except that it uses Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries instead of Ni-Cd; Li-ion batteries weigh less and better hold a charge between uses. Li-ion batteries are also more environmentally friendly than Ni-Cd batteries (which contain cadmium and require special disposal). Because of its lighter batteries, the WG151 weighs about a pound and a half less than the WG150. Popular Mechanics tests the Worx GT WG151 against a propane trimmer and a two-stroke gas trimmer. Although the Worx is not as powerful as either of the other two tested string trimmers, it wins three of the five test categories: it's the easiest to start, the quietest and has the best ergonomics. Over 270 owners rate and review the WG151.5 (a version that comes with a half-hour quick charger) at Amazon.com. They give it an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars -- several note that the batteries only last 15 to 20 minutes.

New 12-volt light-duty trimmer may have potential

One new trimmer arriving this spring that we'll be monitoring reviews for is the Craftsman NEXTEC Grass Trimmer and edger (*Est. $80) . This new 12-volt cordless trimmer is powered by a very compact Lithium-ion battery and weighs a scant 6 pounds. It uses individual replaceable hard flails instead of plastic string, and incorporates onboard storage for up to six additional flails on the trimmer itself. The NEXTEC grass trimmer has a straight, telescoping shaft, a rotating head (for quick, tool-free conversion from trimmer to edger) and an articulating handle.

ConsumerSearch attended a long-lead preview event for Craftsman's new Spring lawn and garden tools in December 2010, and this NEXTEC trimmer is one of the devices we were able to handle in person. We found it exceptionally comfortable to hold and easy to manipulate the various adjustable features. Its light weight also means there's exceedingly little strain involved in its use. Craftsman reps positioned it as an ideal device for urban gardeners (who usually have tight quarters and not a lot to trim), but we felt it might also be attractive to homeowners with smaller, well-kept yards. The NEXTEC trimmer might also appeal to older users due to its simplicity, apparent ease of operation, and ultra light weight.

ConsumerSearch's coverage of the event (the focus is more on the lawn tractors present, be advised) can be found on our blog, Productopia. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the NEXTEC trimmer is so new-to-market that there are no professional or user reviews posted. Given its extremely light weight and good ergonomics (based on our firsthand observations), it may be worth a look if you have modest trimming needs or are simply unable to wield a heavier trimmer. As always, however, we strongly recommend waiting for some credible hands-on, in-the-field reviews to be published before you make your final purchase decision.