Best Cordless String Trimmers 2026: 10 Compared (8 Sources)
What are the best cordless string trimmers in 2026?
TL;DR
Top pick: Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Whisper (~$329) — 2026 shootout winner, 17" swath, 0.105" line, quiet carbon-fiber shaft [src1, src2].
Best value: Skil PWRCore 40 PLT1500C-10 (~$219) — shootout best-value pick, 16" swath, universal attachments [src1].
Best budget: WORX WG163 (~$120) — 5.5 lb, 2-in-1 trimmer/edger, two batteries included [src5, src6].
Summary
Cordless string trimmers continue to displace gas in 2026, and the rankings have shifted. Pro Tool Reviews' 2026 shootout placed the Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Whisper Series (90 points, ~$329 kit with 6.0 Ah battery) at the top of the homeowner category — its 17-inch cutting swath, brushless motor, and carbon fiber Whisper-shaft narrowly outscored the EGO Power+ Line IQ ST1623T (86 points, ~$299–359), which still wins on convenience features and overall completeness [src1, src2]. More than 90% of battery string trimmers tested by Consumer Reports earn above-average marks for both trimming and edging, giving them a slight performance edge over gas models in those categories [src3]. The Husqvarna 525iLST (93 points, $429.99 bare tool) took the professional category with the largest cutting swath in the test (18.1") and 0.105" line capability [src1].
For homeowners on a budget, the Ryobi RY40290 (~$234) and Skil PWRCore 40 PLT1500C-10 (~$219) deliver strong 40V performance with attachment ecosystems [src1, src6]. Those already invested in a tool platform should stay within their ecosystem — the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3046 delivers professional-grade 1.76 HP for M18 users, while the DeWalt DCST972 gives FlexVolt owners a 17-inch cutting swath with serious brush-clearing power [src1, src2, src4]. The Husqvarna 320iL (~$250 kit) emerged as a notable residential pick with dual-direction cutting, a 25% lighter design, and a 20%-more-power "boost" button [src2]. The lightweight WORX WG163 at just 5.5 lbs is ideal for users with small yards or limited upper-body strength [src5, src6].
Top 10 Models Compared
| Model | Price | Voltage | Cut Width | Weight | Battery | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Whisper | ~$329 (HD) | 40V | 17" | ~12 lbs | 6.0 Ah | Best overall homeowner (NEW 2026) | Check price |
| EGO ST1623T Line IQ | ~$315 | 56V | 16" | 12.6 lbs | 4.0 Ah | Best convenience features | Check price |
| Husqvarna 525iLST Pro | ~$430 (bare) | 36V | 18.1" | 13.2 lbs | BLi200/300/950X | Best professional (NEW 2026) | Check price |
| Husqvarna 320iL | ~$270 | 40V | 16" | 10.1 lbs | 4.0 Ah | Best dual-direction cut | Check price |
| Ryobi RY40290 | ~$234 (HD) | 40V | 13-15" | 11.0 lbs | 4.0 Ah | Best value (attachments) | Check price |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3046 | ~$298 | 18V | 14-16" | 9.9 lbs | 8.0-12.0 Ah | Pro-grade power | Check price |
| DeWalt DCST972 | ~$327 | 60V | 15-17" | 13.5 lbs | 9.0 Ah | Heavy brush | Check price |
| Skil PWRCore 40 PLT1500C-10 | ~$219 | 40V | 16" | ~11 lbs | 4.0 Ah | Best budget (NEW 2026) | Check price |
| Greenworks 60V ST60L254 | ~$207 | 60V | 16" | 11.2 lbs | 2.5 Ah | Large yards on a budget | Check price |
| EGO ST1521S | ~$258 | 56V | 15" | 9.9 lbs | 2.5 Ah | Best ease-of-use | Check price |
| WORX WG163 | ~$120 | 20V | 12" | 5.5 lbs | 2x 20V | Lightest/simplest | Check price |
Best for Each Use Case
Best Overall (NEW 2026): Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Whisper (~$329) — Check price
The 2026 shootout winner in Pro Tool Reviews' homeowner category, scoring 90 points. The 40V HP brushless motor drives a 17-inch cutting swath that handles 0.105" line — usually pro-tier territory. The Whisper Series carbon fiber shaft is quieter than competing 60V models, and the kit ships with a 6.0 Ah HP battery and rapid charger. EXPAND-IT compatibility extends it to 40+ attachments. At the same kit price as the EGO ST1623T but with a wider cut and pro-grade line, it is now the homeowner pick to beat. [src1, src2]
Best Convenience Features: EGO ST1623T Line IQ (~$315) — Check price
The EGO ST1623T finished a close second at 86 points in Pro Tool Reviews' 2026 shootout, but still leads on "set-and-forget" convenience: LINE IQ auto-sensing line feed and POWERLOAD automatic line winding eliminate the most frustrating aspects of trimmer maintenance. 16-inch cutting swath, telescopic carbon fiber shaft with lifetime warranty, IPX4 weather resistance, and 60+ minutes of runtime on a 4.0 Ah battery. Choose this over the Ryobi if you hate dealing with line. [src1, src2, src5]
Best Value: Ryobi RY40290 (~$234) — Check price
The Ryobi RY40290 still delivers strong bang-for-buck below the new HP flagship: 40V HP brushless motor, lightweight carbon fiber shaft, REEL EASY+ bump-feed head that reloads in under 60 seconds, and the same 4.0 Ah battery + rapid charger combo. Adjustable 13-15 inch cutting width trades runtime for productivity. EXPAND-IT attachment compatibility (edger, pole saw, blower) extends its value further. [src1, src6, src7]
Best Budget (NEW 2026): Skil PWRCore 40 PLT1500C-10 (~$219) — Check price
The 2026 shootout's top "best value" pick in the homeowner category at 83 points. 40V brushless motor, 16-inch cutting swath, 4.0 Ah battery + charger included, and universal attachment-ready (compatible with most major brand attachments — rare for a budget tool). Significant step-up from cheap 20V models without paying flagship prices. [src1]
Best for Large Yards: DeWalt DCST972 (~$327) — Check price
The DeWalt DCST972 pairs a 60V FlexVolt brushless motor spinning at up to 5,800 RPM with the widest cutting swath in the homeowner tier at 17 inches. Its 9.0 Ah FlexVolt battery is backward-compatible with DeWalt's 20V MAX tools, and attachment capability adds versatility for larger properties. [src1, src2, src4]
Best for Professionals (NEW 2026): Husqvarna 525iLST (~$430 bare) — Check price
The 2026 professional category winner at 93 points. 36V Husqvarna pro platform, 18.1-inch cutting swath (largest in the comparison), 5,500 RPM, and 0.105" line capability. Compatible with Husqvarna's BLi200/BLi300/BLi950X battery range — the BLi950X backpack battery enables a full crew day of cutting. Bare tool only at this price; expect a kit cost of $700+ once batteries and a charger are added. [src1]
Pro Alternative: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3046 (~$298) — Check price
For tradespeople already on the M18 platform, Milwaukee's POWERSTATE brushless motor delivers 1.76 HP with three speed settings up to 6,200 RPM. The Easy Load trimmer head reloads 20 feet of .095" line in under 30 seconds, and QUIK-LOK attachment compatibility extends into 200+ M18 platform tools. [src1, src2]
Best Dual-Direction Cut: Husqvarna 320iL (~$270) — Check price
A standout residential option from a heritage brand. 16-inch cutting swath, brushless motor with active cooling, and a unique dual-direction line rotation that switches the direction grass clippings throw — useful for keeping debris off paths or your shoes. 25% lighter than the previous generation at 10.1 lbs with battery, plus a "boost" button for 20% more power when you hit thick weeds. Husqvarna recommends it for 1/2-1 acre yards. [src2]
Best Budget Power: Greenworks 60V ST60L254 (~$207) — Check price
At around $207, the Greenworks 60V delivers power equivalent to a 26cc gas trimmer with a 16-inch cutting swath and 65 minutes of runtime. It operates at just 68 dB and comes with a 4-year warranty on both tool and battery. [src5, src6]
Best Lightweight: WORX WG163 (~$120) — Check price
At just 5.5 pounds, the WORX WG163 is one of the lightest full-featured cordless trimmers available. Its 20V PowerShare battery system is compatible with 75+ WORX tools, and it converts from trimmer to edger with a twist of the head. Two batteries included. [src5, src6]
Best for Ease of Use: EGO ST1521S (~$258) — Check price
The EGO ST1521S features POWERLOAD technology that winds trimmer line automatically at the press of a button. Its carbon fiber split shaft folds for compact storage, and at 9.9 lbs it balances 56V power with maneuverability. [src2, src5]
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ryobi RY402110 vs EGO ST1623T
Pro Tool Reviews' 2026 homeowner shootout — Ryobi won 90 to 86 points. RY402110 has a wider cut (17" vs 16"), takes 0.105" line, and the carbon-fiber Whisper shaft is quieter. EGO still wins on convenience: LINE IQ auto-feeds line as it wears, POWERLOAD winds line at a button press, and the lifetime-warranty shaft beats Ryobi's 5-year. [src1, src2]
Pick the Ryobi if: you have ≥1/2 acre or thick weeds (0.105" line + 17" swath cut faster).
Pick the EGO if: you hate dealing with line — LINE IQ + POWERLOAD eliminates the most-hated part of trimmer ownership.
Ryobi RY402110 vs DeWalt DCST972
Both hit a 17" cutting swath at $329. RY402110 is lighter (~12 vs 13.5 lbs), runs at lower noise, and ships with a 6.0 Ah battery; DCST972 has a 60V FlexVolt motor (5,800 RPM) that handles light brush better and shares batteries with DeWalt's 20V MAX line. [src1, src2]
Pick the Ryobi if: you don't own DeWalt 20V/60V tools and want the quietest option.
Pick the DeWalt if: you already own DeWalt batteries, or need brush-cutting heft — the 60V motor pushes through woody stems the 40V Ryobi binds on.
Husqvarna 320iL vs EGO ST1521S
Mid-tier 56V/40V picks around $258-$270, both kit-complete. 320iL has the wider swath (16" vs 15"), dual-direction cut (keeps debris off paths), and a "boost" button for 20% extra power. EGO ST1521S is lighter (9.9 vs 10.1 lbs), has POWERLOAD auto-wind, and slots into EGO's 56V ecosystem of 80+ tools. [src2, src5]
Pick the Husqvarna if: you edge along paved surfaces (dual-direction throw matters) or want occasional extra power.
Pick the EGO if: you're building an EGO platform or value line-winding convenience.
Skil PLT1500C-10 vs Ryobi RY40290
Both are sub-$250 attachment-capable 40V kits. Skil won "best value" in the 2026 shootout (83 pts) and offers a universal attachment system that fits most major brands' attachments — unusual at this price. Ryobi RY40290 plugs into the larger EXPAND-IT ecosystem (40+ Ryobi attachments) and ships with the brushless HP motor + carbon fiber shaft. [src1, src6]
Pick the Skil if: you want flexibility to mix attachments from different brands.
Pick the Ryobi if: you already own Ryobi 40V tools or want the larger first-party attachment catalog.
Husqvarna 525iLST vs Greenworks Commercial ST161
Both are professional bare-tool picks targeting daily crew use. 525iLST won the 2026 shootout pro category (93 pts) with an 18.1" swath, 0.105" line, and Husqvarna's BLi950X backpack-battery option for full-day runtime. Greenworks Commercial ST161 is bare-tool cheaper and ships a high-capacity 4 Ah battery, but the swath is narrower and the backpack-battery story is less developed. [src1]
Pick the Husqvarna if: you need the widest swath and longest runtime per charge — the backpack battery is the only true gas replacement here.
Pick the Greenworks Commercial if: you want a lower-cost entry into commercial cordless without sacrificing pro-grade durability.
Decision Logic
If budget < $150
→ Get the WORX WG163 (~$120). It's the only sub-$150 pick in this comparison and includes two 20V batteries plus 2-in-1 trimmer/edger functionality. For more power below ~$220, see the Skil PWRCore 40 (~$219) or Greenworks 60V (~$207) tier instead. [src5, src6]
If budget is $200-$240 and value is the priority
→ The Skil PWRCore 40 PLT1500C-10 (~$219, 2026 shootout best-value winner) or the Ryobi RY40290 (~$234). Skil includes a universal attachment system rare at this price; Ryobi has the larger 40+ EXPAND-IT ecosystem. [src1, src6]
If user already owns batteries from a specific brand
→ Stay in the ecosystem. Battery and charger typically account for $100-$150 of the kit price, so buying a bare tool saves significantly. DeWalt FlexVolt: DCST972B (~$259 bare); Milwaukee M18: 3046-20 (~$299 bare); Ryobi 40V HP: RY40290 or RY402110 bare; EGO 56V: ST1623T or ST1521S bare; Husqvarna 40V: 320iL or 525iLST bare. [src1, src2]
If yard is over 1/2 acre and homeowner-tier budget
→ The Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Whisper (17", 6.0 Ah, 0.105" line, 2026 shootout winner) is the new top pick. Alternatives: DeWalt DCST972 (9.0 Ah, 17-inch swath) or EGO ST1623T (60+ min runtime). Avoid 20V systems. [src1, src2, src7]
If primary use is edging driveways and walkways
→ The WORX WG163 converts from trimmer to edger by rotating the head 90 degrees. The Ryobi RY40290 and RY402110 accept an edger attachment via EXPAND-IT. The Husqvarna 320iL's dual-direction switch keeps clippings off the paved surface you are edging. [src2, src5, src6]
If primary use is clearing heavy overgrowth
→ Choose the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3046 (1.76 HP, 6,200 RPM), DeWalt DCST972 (5,800 RPM, 17-inch swath), or Ryobi RY402110 (0.105" line capable). All accept brush-cutter blade attachments for woody stems. Avoid 20V models. [src1, src4]
If use is professional / daily commercial
→ The Husqvarna 525iLST (2026 shootout pro winner, 18.1", 0.105" line) paired with a BLi950X backpack battery, or the ECHO DSRM-2600 / Greenworks Commercial ST161. These bare-tool prices ($430-$650) are misleading: full kits land at $1,000-$1,500, but they replace gas trimmers for crews and drop fuel/maintenance entirely. [src1]
Default recommendation
→ The Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Whisper is the new safest pick for unknown homeowner requirements. It won the 2026 shootout in its category, ships kit-complete with a 6.0 Ah battery, has a 17-inch swath that covers most use cases, and the carbon fiber Whisper shaft is quieter than competing 60V models. If line-handling convenience matters more than the wider cut, pick the EGO ST1623T instead. [src1, src2]
Key Market Trends (2026)
- 17-inch swath at the homeowner price point: Pro-tier 17-inch cutting widths (previously $400+ commercial-only) are now standard on $300-$330 homeowner flagships — Ryobi RY402110, DeWalt DCST972, and Milwaukee 3046 all reach 17". The 12-15" mid-tier is being squeezed. [src1, src2, src7]
- 0.105" line moves down-market: Heavy 0.105" trimmer line — once exclusive to commercial trimmers — now runs on the Ryobi RY402110 and Husqvarna 525iLST. Heavier line clears brush and woody stems faster but reduces runtime by 20-30%. [src1]
- "Quiet" branding becomes a tier: Ryobi's Whisper Series and Husqvarna's brushless designs market specific dB reductions (typically 5-8 dB lower than the previous generation). Greenworks 60V at 68 dB and Whisper carbon fiber shafts represent the new noise-conscious sub-tier. [src1, src5]
- Battery parity with gas: More than 90% of battery trimmers now score above-average in both trimming and edging tests, matching or beating gas models in daily performance. [src3]
- Auto-feed line technology maturing: EGO's LINE IQ and POWERLOAD, Milwaukee's Easy Load, Ryobi's REEL EASY+, and Husqvarna's Rapid Replace have made auto-feed a primary purchase driver. [src1, src2]
- Carbon fiber shafts becoming standard: Previously premium, carbon fiber now appears on mid-range models, reducing weight by 15-25% versus aluminum while increasing durability. [src1, src6]
- Platform lock-in intensifying: Every major brand offers 50-200+ tools on a shared battery platform. Battery investment increasingly drives trimmer choice. [src2, src7]
- Backpack batteries unlock pro adoption: Husqvarna's BLi950X and ECHO's 56V backpack systems now enable a full crew day of trimming on battery — the last barrier to commercial cordless adoption. [src1]
Important Caveats
- Prices are US street prices as of April 2026 and fluctuate seasonally — spring/summer pricing typically peaks in April-June due to lawn-care demand
- Manufacturer-quoted runtimes assume moderate load with standard 0.080" line; heavy weeds with 0.095" or 0.105" line can reduce runtime by 30-50%
- Weight is listed with battery installed; bare tool weights are 2-4 lbs lighter
- Pro-tier models (Husqvarna 525iLST, ECHO DSRM-2600, Greenworks Commercial ST161) are bare-tool only at quoted prices — kit pricing requires $300-$700 in additional batteries plus charger
- Consumer Reports model scores are behind a paywall — specific scores could not be independently verified beyond their published recommendations
- Attachment compatibility varies by model and is brand-specific — verify before purchasing
- The Pro Tool Reviews 2026 shootout used a single test session per model; long-term durability rankings can differ — Bob Vila and Consumer Reports lean on multi-season data