Battery powered string trimmers, good, bad or ugly???

[b23]

Any of you have a battery powered string trimmer and if so are they worth a sh1t or ehh, not so much?

I have Milwaukee 18V and Dewalt 20V tools with multiple batteries for both.  I'm looking at the Milwaukee and Dewalt battery powered string trimmers.  My Milwaukee stuff has been great and since switching my DeWalt tools over to the 20V Lith batteries I no longer want to throw them away.  At this point I'm kind of leaning more toward the Milwaukee trimmer but I've only ever used a gas trimmer and have no experience with the battery powered stuff so I'm open to opinions. 

For what it's worth, those are the only two battery powered trimmers I'm interested in because I can buy just the trimmer, don't want anything with yet another different battery and charger.

[Stein]

I got a great deal on a Craftsman last year, so cheap it enticed me to by a Craftsman product again.  VS gas, I really like it because my kids can run it without me having to go out there and start it, mix the fuel, gas it up, etc.

The one thing I can't figure out is why they made it spin backwards.  Every trimmer I have ever run spun in the same direction, so maybe check on that because it sucks having to do everything backwards.  I'm not sure if it is just the jokers at Craftsman or something having to do with battery power.

We have tons of battery life, but a small yard so I can't speak much to that.

[JimmyHoffa]

I have one, not of the two listed, though.  Mine is the 40V Ryobi.  I think it is great.  It can sit all winter, then just throw in the battery and go.  I don't have to troubleshoot for two hours even if gas was drained in fall.  The power is close, but not quite as much as the gas style.  I can get about 40 mins off a full charge and it takes about 3 hrs to charge back up.  I think one of the main sellers on it for me was I can throw it in the back of the car and not have to have a gas can, go to the gas pump, measure out oil, etc.
If I was in landscaping or had a ton of trimming, I'd probably go with the big gas versions; but the places I take the trimmer and the size seems to be about right for the battery capacity.  I wouldn't want a gas one now.  These aren't like the old plug in electric, I was surprised.

[Russ McDonald]

I have an EGO trimmer and love it.  No more gas and it runs pretty long.  I would think the ones your interested in work pretty well.

[JimmyHoffa]

I have an EGO trimmer and love it.  No more gas and it runs pretty long.  I would think the ones your interested in work pretty well.

Is yours the 56 volt?

[2MANY]

I have a Stihl that is awesome.

[b23]

I really like it because my kids can run it without me having to go out there and start it, mix the fuel, gas it up, etc.

Ohhh, I never even thought of that.  I'm liking this idea better all the time.   

Hmm, wonder if I'll be able to interest my wife in using it.  Now that's something I'd definitely pay extra for! 

[b0bbyg]

I have one, not of the two listed, though.  Mine is the 40V Ryobi.  I think it is great.  It can sit all winter, then just throw in the battery and go.  I don't have to troubleshoot for two hours even if gas was drained in fall.  The power is close, but not quite as much as the gas style.  I can get about 40 mins off a full charge and it takes about 3 hrs to charge back up.  I think one of the main sellers on it for me was I can throw it in the back of the car and not have to have a gas can, go to the gas pump, measure out oil, etc.
If I was in landscaping or had a ton of trimming, I'd probably go with the big gas versions; but the places I take the trimmer and the size seems to be about right for the battery capacity.  I wouldn't want a gas one now.  These aren't like the old plug in electric, I was surprised.

I have the same one and have been happy, also have the hedge trimmer that both mount off the same drive shaft.
Last weekend the old gas chainsaw bit it and I bought the battery chainsaw to match with a 2nd 40V battery.  I have yet to use them enough in one day to burn through both batteries.  I don't go out and cut loads of firewood, I just need to be able to trim or drop the occasional trees on 2+ acres.
I will probably carry it in hunting season when on dirt roads for the occasional fall down, won't clear the huge trees but will clear anything reasonable.

[b23]

I have a Stihl that is awesome.

I love my Stihl stuff, leaf blower and one of my chainsaws is a Stihl, but I already have Milwaukee and DeWalt batteries and chargers.  I don't want another different battery and charger.

[Magnum_Willys]

Get one that loads straight through.  Those that you have to take apart and wrap on spool are a pain

[fishngamereaper]

I have an EGO trimmer and love it.  No more gas and it runs pretty long.  I would think the ones your interested in work pretty well.

Is yours the 56 volt?

I have a ego hedge trimmer and a blower..both 56 volt .they are both awesome and are comparable to gas for power rating..

That said I wouldn't trade my gas string trimmer for a cordless..gas string trimmer's just plain produce more power for the work I do. If you have a small yard and just trim grass then cordless would work..but I'm constantly trimming heavy grasses, stickers and small trees.

[grundy53]

I have an EGO trimmer and love it.  No more gas and it runs pretty long.  I would think the ones your interested in work pretty well.

I just bought one of these too. Love it.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[jackelope]

I've been thinking about one of these after my el-cheapo gas trimmer won't stay running this year. It's one of the cheap Homelite ones from Lowes. They're like $99 and seem to last 5-7 years and then die. Was thinking one of these battery powered ones might be the way to go.
Is this the Ego one you guys are buying?
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/ego-st1521s

[grundy53]

I've been thinking about one of these after my el-cheapo gas trimmer won't stay running this year. It's one of the cheap Homelite ones from Lowes. They're like $99 and seem to last 5-7 years and then die. Was thinking one of these battery powered ones might be the way to go.
Is this the Ego one you guys are buying?
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/ego-st1521s

Yeah. That's the one I got.

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[Stein]

Funny, my Craftsman looks EXACTLY like that one, just different colors.

[bearpaw]

We love our milwaukee 18 volt tools so much I bought the wife the milwaukee trimmer, she loves it, much easier for her to use than the gas powered stihl we've been using.

[fly-by]

They're not professional grade but the 18v Ryobi tools, including the string trimmer, have worked well for me for a couple of years. No problems with edger, blower, pole saw, or string trimmer. Watch for deals and you can get them for just over the value of the battery.

[Stein]

I'm not sure if the work for the trimmers, but there are cheap adapters you can buy to use most batteries with other brand tools.

[b23]

Went ahead and bought the Milwaukee Quik-Lok version.  Not sure if I'll ever have a need for any different attachments but you never know and I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it and wished I did.  Kinda sucks, but it doesn't look like I'll get it till the end of next week at the earliest.

[follow maggie]

Went ahead and bought the Milwaukee Quik-Lok version.  Not sure if I'll ever have a need for any different attachments but you never know and I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it and wished I did.  Kinda sucks, but it doesn't look like I'll get it till the end of next week at the earliest.

Dos it use the same batteries as my Milwaukee tools? Impact driver, oscillating tool & such?

[b23]

Went ahead and bought the Milwaukee Quik-Lok version.  Not sure if I'll ever have a need for any different attachments but you never know and I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it and wished I did.  Kinda sucks, but it doesn't look like I'll get it till the end of next week at the earliest.

Does it use the same batteries as my Milwaukee tools? Impact driver, oscillating tool & such?

If those are 18V Milwaukee tools, yes, should all be the same battery.  I watched a couple vids on youtube and they all were using the same Milwaukee 18V batteries as I have.

[ridgefire]

I have the 20v dewalt trimmer and it has been great so far. I can do my whole yard on one battery no problem.

[Taco280AI]

I have a 20V trimmer that works for short periods on grass and light weeds, but just picked up a gas Echo that tears through heavy brush and vines like the battery one can't come close to.

[blackpowderhunter]

I think for the average home owner sized lot these are great.
I have the milwaukee 18v String trimmer, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower.  Work great for what I need/want.
The ability to just throw the battery in and go is great.  After I mow the yard, I can do a quick edge with the string trimmer around the fences in no time and not worry about the maintenance of the trimmer, storing it over the winter, loaning it to a neighbor, etc.
  Keep an eye out for deals, I think i got my string trimmer in a package with the hedge trimmer for a song.
for these tools, the bigger 8ah battery is worth it.

[buglebrush]

If you're just trimming yard grass they're great, but can't match the gas trimmer for knapweed, etc...

My neighbor has the Milwaukee and really likes it, but borrows my gas for trimming along his drive, etc...

[blackpowderhunter]

If you're just trimming yard grass they're great, but can't match the gas trimmer for knapweed, etc...

My neighbor has the Milwaukee and really likes it, but borrows my gas for trimming along his drive, etc...

exactly.
if one understands their limitations, they can be GREAT. for those that get a milwaukee and expect gas powered results, you're fooling yourself.

[Dhoey07]

I have a 40V Oregon set up.  Zero complaints here

[Curly]

I got a combo deal on a Johnsered trimmer/blower. They use a 50V battery. Got it from Costco last year for what seemed like a very good deal. Works pretty well.

[bearpaw]

Went ahead and bought the Milwaukee Quik-Lok version.  Not sure if I'll ever have a need for any different attachments but you never know and I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it and wished I did.  Kinda sucks, but it doesn't look like I'll get it till the end of next week at the earliest.

Does it use the same batteries as my Milwaukee tools? Impact driver, oscillating tool & such?

If those are 18V Milwaukee tools, yes, should all be the same battery.  I watched a couple vids on youtube and they all were using the same Milwaukee 18V batteries as I have.

We got a larger battery for our blower, it worked much better than the smaller batteries I have for drills and drivers.

[b23]

If you're just trimming yard grass they're great, but can't match the gas trimmer for knapweed, etc...

My neighbor has the Milwaukee and really likes it, but borrows my gas for trimming along his drive, etc...

exactly.
if one understands their limitations, they can be GREAT. for those that get a milwaukee and expect gas powered results, you're fooling yourself.

I'll never need it for anything more than a little touch up here and there so it should do everything I need it for, and probably then some.

[nutntoit]

I got the combo Dewalt 20v trimmer and blower on sale as a buy one get one free promo. I am very satisfied with the purchase. The trimmer took a little getting used to since the motor is on the head and not the handle like a conventional trimmer so the balance is a little different. Works great for edging the yard and minor clearing of thicker weeds. Like others have said as long as you aren't expecting gas power you will like it. I would buy it again.

[nwwanderer]

Have a husqvarna, works great too new for an opinion

[b23]

Got my Milwaukee trimmer the other day and I've only used it a couple times but I like it and these battery powered string trimmers are actually pretty impressive.  It's really nice to just pop a battery in and off you go.   

[HikerHunter]

I found a good deal on an 80V kobalt trimmer/blower set and have been very impressed by both units. For reference, I've used both corded and gas units in the past.

[jackelope]

I found a good deal on an 80V kobalt trimmer/blower set and have been very impressed by both units. For reference, I've used both corded and gas units in the past.

Recently? I was thinking of buying this one.

[b23]

When researching different models and watching/reading reviews, the Milwaukee had the highest rated RPM of the different ones I looked at, And, already having other 18V Milwaukee tools/batteries, it made for a pretty easy decision.

[jackelope]

I have a couple of Milwaukee tools, but they're all m12's dangit

[HikerHunter]

I found a good deal on an 80V kobalt trimmer/blower set and have been very impressed by both units. For reference, I've used both corded and gas units in the past.

Recently? I was thinking of buying this one.

About a week ago, not from a retail store though. Used but basically unused.

[Widgeondeke]

not a trimmer, but we just bought the EGO 21" mower on Monday(was on sale for $370). My son used it yesterday and said it was great. Its quiet and did the yard in just over 30 minutes using the mulching adapter. It says the battery will last 45 minutes and did as advertised. As soon as our corded weed whacker dies, we will be getting the EGO version.

EGO has a full compliment of products. There is even a power head that will work with 8 attachment options 
https://egopowerplus.com/products

To the OP, glad you are enjoying your choice in the cordless options

[jackelope]

I was thinking about the EGO weedwhacker. I tried out my buddy's 80v Kobalt trimmer last night. It was awesome. I'm sold. Just have to decide which one to buy. Either the Kobalt or the EGO is where I'm at.

[IFunk]

I have an EGO and am happy with it.  I don't have a giant yard, but sometimes find I need to recharge it to finish the job.  But my yard has little hardscaping, so there are a lot of areas to trim.  That being said it usually takes only 20 minutes or so to recharge.