Electric Trimmers

Corded electric grass trimmers

Corded electric trimmers are the least expensive string trimmers, are usually lightweight and are easy to handle. They start with the push of a switch and are quieter than their gas-powered counterparts. (A review at ConsumerGuide.com compares the noise level to that of a dishwasher.) 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 replacement parts such as spark plugs and filters that gas trimmers require as part of their ongoing maintenance. The main disadvantage to 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 report that two corded electric string trimmers can handle tall grass and weeds as capably as most light-duty gas trimmers priced at around $200 or less. Both have top-mounted motors for good balance and carry two-year warranties. The 5.5-amp Stihl FSE60 (*Est. $130) is more expensive and weighs over a pound more than the 7.4-pound Black & Decker GH1000 (*Est. $70). The Black & Decker also has a more powerful 7.2-amp motor, and the cutting head rotates 180 degrees to double as an edger.

At first glance, the Black & Decker looks like the better buy; it's top rated in two expert reviews. However, user reviews of the Black & Decker GH1000 string trimmer at Amazon.com give it an unusually low rating: two stars out of five overall, with a one-star rating from more than 85 of the more than 130 owners. We also found quite a few complaints from owners reviewing this Black & Decker grass trimmer at Sears.com -- not only about breakdowns, but also about the way it feeds line. Instead of a bump feed (which feeds out more string when you bump the head on the ground,) the line feed is supposed to be automatic, using centrifugal force to feed more line as it's used. When this works, it's wonderful. However, when it doesn't, owners say it's extremely frustrating. In January 2008, Black & Decker redesigned the trimmer spindle to work better, but it continues to get mixed reviews from recent buyers.

The more expensive Stihl FSE60 uses a standard bump-feed system but makes it extra convenient to refill the line. (You feed it through two eyelets, then wind.) The Stihl electric string trimmer can use a 200-foot extension cord as long as it is 12-gauge, making for a good working range. A review at ConsumerGuide.com says the Stihl FSE60's noise level is below 60 decibels, which is excellent for a string trimmer. We didn't find any owner-written reviews of this current model, but reviews of older Stihl electric trimmers at Epinions.com say quality and performance are excellent. For these reasons, we've included the Stihl electric trimmer as the Best Reviewed trimmer instead of the cheaper Black & Decker GH1000.

If you don't need to contend with tough weeds or tall grass, you can pay much less and still get good performance. However, most other electric trimmers mount the motor down near the cutting head, which puts most of the weight where it's hardest to handle. Reviewers say this is a significant drawback, so total weight becomes especially important.

At HomeDepot.com, owners say they like the Black & Decker GH600 (*Est. $60). It weighs just 5.2 pounds -- a definite plus, but it uses the same controversial auto-feed system described above. Its 5-amp motor is also less powerful than the one in the GH1000 string trimmer. While the motor is mounted near the cutting head, that placement may not matter as much considering the Black and Decker GH600 trimmer's low overall weight. Still, expert reviewers say that string trimmers have much better balance and comfort when the motor is mounted at the top of the handle, distributing the weight more evenly.

Cordless Trimmers

With a cordless string trimmer, you're freed of the limitations of an extension cord. The downside? You're limited by battery life (usually about 20 minutes per charge). And what you gain in convenience, you do give up in weed cutting power. One owner reviewing the Black & Decker NST2018 string trimmer (*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. The 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 (NiCad) batteries and three-hour charger as other 18-volt Black & Decker tools. Almost 400 owners at Amazon.com give this string trimmer an average rating of four stars (out of a possible five), saying it's fine for grass, but not for tough weeds. It comes with a two-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.

For cutting anything tough, you simply need more power. None of the cordless string trimmers with batteries of 18 volts or less compare well with corded models, nevermind gas trimmers. The new Black & Decker NST2036 string trimmer (*Est. $150) uses a 36-volt NiCad battery that's supposed to have three times the power of 18-volt trimmers, according to the manufacturer. The claim is supported in tests at ConsumerGuide.com, whose editors also report that the Black & Decker NST2036 operates quietly. Like the NST2018, the NST2036's battery charger is Energy Star-certified.

Black & Decker designed the NST2036 string trimmer to compete directly with gasoline-powered models. In addition to a high-mounted motor for better balance, it has two other features usually found only on gas trimmers: a variable-speed trigger and a gear-drive transmission for greater efficiency in handling tough weeds. Instead of the controversial automatic feed found in the corded NST2018 string trimmer, the Black & Decker NST2036 uses a standard bump feed. It's covered by a three-year warranty, too -- a year longer than the coverage most other Black & Decker products carry. A 30-day money back guarantee is also included in case this trimmer doesn't suit your needs.

More then 40 owners have posted reviews at Amazon.com, giving the Black & Decker NST2036 grass trimmer an average score of 3.5 out of five stars. They note that while this trimmer is indeed powerful, the battery charge lasts no longer than that of a lower-voltage battery. In addition, some owners report problems with the battery pack. The main drawback we see, in addition to its hefty price, is the NST2036's heftier weight: 11.9 pounds compared with 7 pounds for the less expensive 18-volt Black & Decker NST2018 (though 11.9 pounds is still lighter than many gas trimmers). Nor does the Black & Decker NST2036 have the ability to convert to an edger.

The 18-volt Worx WG150 cordless trimmer (*Est. $100) uses a one-hour charger and gets good ratings from testers at the National Gardening Club. It's also named a ConsumerGuide.com Best Buy. As a company, Worx prides itself on its tools' ergonomic design, and in this case they seem to have succeeded, though one review says the handle could use more padding. In addition to a more customized fit than most string trimmers offer, the Worx WG150 lets the cutting head tilt to make it easier to trim on slopes and in hard-to-reach places. While owners reviewing it at Amazon.com praise its ergonomics, they criticize the line feed: overall it earns a rating of 3.3 out of a possible five stars from almost 160 reviewers. Owners also gripe that the Worx WG150 lacks power, and comparison tests confirm this.

The 24-volt American Gardener Yardstick YS24 (*Est. $90), which converts to an edger, is another ConsumerGuide.com Best Buy. It also earns a relatively good rating of 3.6 out of five stars from more than 140 owners weighing in at Amazon.com. Some praise its longer runtime: up to 45 minutes per charge on grass, 20 minutes on weeds. Most seem to have had few problems with the YS24, but some had issues with its weight (10.5 pounds) or with the bump-feed system. With a 24-volt battery, the American Gardener Yardstick YS24 is more powerful than some other cordless trimmers but still not as powerful as gas or propane trimmers.