OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Trimmers and Brushcutters Weedeater Trimmers & Brushcutters Buying a cordless trimmer

I am considering buying one for reasonably straightforward work. I don't need a hugely expensive pro machine but don't want a piece of junk El cheapo. I read about one of the dirt cheap Ozito machines actually welding the trimming line together in the head.

Any advice gratefully received.

Danny

Hi Danny,

I usually go with a good brand I like for electrical tools, this list below is what I found online that's meant to be
the best quality then goes down the list but for a reasonable price and for reasonably straightforward work
I'd probably go for a Ryobi but personally I use my corded Ryobi line trimmer and if I don't want to use
a corded trimmer because it's not close to the house where I'm cutting I prefer the Honda 4 stroke trimmer.

I haven't had much luck with battery powered tools as I don't use them enough and the batteries die but If
I have petrol powered or corded they still work after being stored for a few years or even if they aren't used for 30 years.

Top Contenders for Best Quality Cordless Line Trimmers:

EGO Power+:
Why it's often recommended: EGO consistently receives high praise for its powerful 56V ARC Lithium batteries, which deliver gas-like performance. Their EGO Power+ Powerload with Line IQ ST1623T is frequently cited as a top overall choice due to its strong performance, easy line loading (Powerload and Line IQ features), and good battery life.
Key features: High voltage (56V), innovative line feeding systems, robust build quality, and a reputation for tackling tough jobs.
Good for: Homeowners with moderate to large yards, those who want powerful performance without the fuss of petrol, and those who appreciate advanced features.

Makita:
Why it's often recommended: Makita offers professional-grade cordless tools with a strong emphasis on durability and power. The Makita XRU15PT 36V or Makita 40V max XGT GRU07 are highly regarded for their versatility, ergonomic design, and ability to handle various trimming scenarios.
Key features: High torque, durable construction, often comes with multiple batteries for extended runtime, and part of extensive 18V or 40V battery platforms.
Good for: Users who value robust construction, professional results, and already have other Makita cordless tools.

Stihl:
Why it's often recommended: Stihl is a well-known name in outdoor power equipment, and their battery-powered line trimmers like the Stihl FSA 135 R or FSA 80 R carry on that legacy of quality and performance. They are often considered the "electrified version" of their reliable gas models.
Key features: Excellent power, durable components, useful safety features, and a focus on professional use.
Good for: Professionals or homeowners with large properties who need a reliable workhorse.

Milwaukee:
Why it's often recommended: Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Dual Battery String Trimmer is known for its immense power, often considered one of the most powerful cordless trimmers available.
Key features: High power output, often uses two batteries for extended runtime, and a strong commercial feel.
Good for: Users who need maximum power to cut through very thick vegetation and have other Milwaukee M18 tools.

Ryobi:
Why it's often recommended: Ryobi offers a great balance of performance and value, particularly with their Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper RY402110VNM. It's praised for its excellent battery life and quiet operation.
Key features: Good battery runtime, quiet operation, and part of the extensive Ryobi 40V or 18V ONE+ system, offering versatility with other tools.
Good for: Homeowners with larger properties who prioritize battery life and quieter operation, and those looking for a good balance of features and price.

Factors to Consider When Choosing:

Battery Voltage and Amp-Hours (Ah): Higher voltage (e.g., 40V, 56V, 80V) generally indicates more power, while higher Ah means longer runtime.
Motor Type (Brushed vs. Brushless): Brushless motors are more efficient, offer more power, and have a longer lifespan. Most quality cordless trimmers now feature brushless motors.
Cutting Swath/Width: A wider cutting swath means you can clear more area in less time.
Line Feed Mechanism:
Bump-feed: You tap the head on the ground to advance the line.
Automatic feed: The line advances automatically.
Powerload/Auto-loading: Innovative systems (like EGO's) that make reloading line extremely easy.
Weight and Balance: A well-balanced and lighter trimmer will reduce fatigue, especially for longer jobs.
Ergonomics and Features: Look for adjustable handles, telescoping shafts, and variable speed settings for better control and comfort.
Attachment Capability: Some models allow you to swap out the trimmer head for other attachments like edgers, pole saws, or blowers, increasing versatility.
Your Existing Battery Platform: If you already own other cordless tools from a specific brand (e.g., Makita, Ryobi, DeWalt), sticking with that brand can save you money on batteries and chargers.

If you're looking for the absolute "best quality" in terms of performance and reliability, brands like EGO, Makita, and Stihl consistently stand out. However, for excellent performance with a good balance of features and value, Ryobi is also a strong contender. Always consider your specific needs and budget when making your final decision.


A Stihl FSA 135 R is about $860.new the Ryobi Whisper RY402110VNM is $320.


Review for the Ryobi https://www.reddit.com/r/ryobi/comments/13w5m3i/40v_hp_brushless_whisper_series_17trimmer_ry402110/


Others may chime in on what they prefer also.

Cheers
Max.

@Dandare,

Without stating the obvious, you will likely find better results if you provide significantly more info for folks to advise from.

Existing battery tool you have already? i.e do you already have a bunch of Makita 18v, Ryobi 40v, Ozito 18v stuff

Bent or straight shaft preferred?

Size of property & type of usage anticipated? i.e 15mins work each time of light edging or an hour of robust rural work?

Thanks Max for an extensive list of ideas, I was a bit surprised you rated Ryobi...don't know why. I'll check them out. I had a look in a Bunnings a couple of weeks ago and the amount of machines they had in there was mind boggling!

N1KKO, good thinking about the batteries, I've only got a couple in use ATM an 18v from an Ozito chainsaw and one from a cheapo Mitre 10 drill driver.

I can't recall having used a straight shaft before they look awkward to me. I have a 2-stroke yard machines (MTD) which is great and powerful but the head piece is a bit dodgy and it takes a bit of time to get the line in there properly and I am tending to put of trimming rather than get it going. Hence wanting a leccy one to do the easy bits. I only have 1 suburban property to look after now and thought a cordless would keep the easy bits looking good and use the MTD to do a few nasty bits less frequently.

Cheers

Danny

I've seen Ozito is only rated for light residential use and have also seen a few Ozito cordless trimmers thrown out that look brand new.

I prefer an expensive Makita to Ryobi but it just depends how much you are willing to spend .

Personally I don't have much use for line trimmers, if I can't cut some grass with the mower ,I just buy some weed killer
and give it a spray and it's dead in a couple of weeks.

Bunnings have some reviews but the Makita I've seen there are only 18 volt.

I don't think of those half size trimmers as line trimmers they are just rubbish to me.

Cheers
Max.

Thanks for your ideas Max. I'm looking at this again and a mower shop nearby has offered an EGO ST1401E-ST-KIT for $520.00. This I believe is the basic model with 56V & 2.5Ah battery & charger.

How does that sound?

Hi Dandare,

If I was choosing ,I'd just get a Honda GX25 from Bunnings for $429 or possibly cheaper online. If the battery powered trimmer
is not used in winter (Grass growth slows dramatically as temperatures drop, and below about 3–5 °C most common turfgrasses effectively stop growing.) As we know Batteries degrade when not used over time.

My neighbour has had a GX35 for many years and all it needed was fuel lines and a new carby for $30. and my
GX25 can sit unused for 6 months and put some fuel in and it will start second pull and that was second hand and cost $17.

The Honda 4 strokes are a lot less noisy than 2 stroke trimmers.

EGO ST1401E-ST-KIT

56 V battery platform (ARC Lithium).

Kit includes 2.5 Ah battery + charger.

Up to ~45 minutes runtime (with 2.5 Ah battery) in typical use.

35 cm cutting width (350 mm) and high-efficiency brushless motor.

Telescopic aluminium shaft (adjustable length) for comfort.

Warranty: 5-year tool, 3-year battery (conditions apply) in Australia.


Risks & Things That Could Make the EGO Option Less Ideal:

Runtime may be limiting: With the 2.5Ah battery, 45 minutes is decent, but if you’re doing a lot in one go or have a big yard, it could be tight.

Battery cost: If you need a second battery, the cost adds up.

Some user complaints: some people report issues with line heads, or having to buy replacement parts.

Overfeeding / line problems: For some PowerLoad or “line IQ” heads, there are reports of line feeding problems.



Honda 4-Stroke (unleaded fuel, no oil/fuel mixing). For example, the 25cc bent shaft line trimmer.

Lightweight for petrol (some around ~6-7 kg dry weight) though heavier than many cordless units when you include full tank + user gear.

One‐pull easy start (Honda’s reputation for reliability).

Better torque and uninterrupted runtime — as long as you have fuel, you’re good.

Price for example: around ~A$429 for the 25cc 4-stroke model at some stores.
Bunnings Warehouse

🔍 What you gain & what you give up
What you gain with EGO (battery)

Very low maintenance: no petrol mixing, fewer fumes, quieter.

Easy to start instantly (no pull‐cord engine).

Lightweight and flexible (cordless means no trailing cable).

If you already or plan to own other EGO 56 V tools, you’ll benefit from shared battery/charger ecosystem.

Great for moderate residential trimming jobs: edging, general maintenance.

What you give up / potential limitations

Runtime limited by battery capacity. The 2.5 Ah battery might be fine for small-to-medium yard, but if you go big or have lots of thick growth you might find yourself needing a second battery or waiting to recharge.

Battery will degrade over time (all lithium‐ion do) and the cost of extra batteries can add up.

Possibly less “grunt” (torque) compared to a petrol engine when tackling very thick weeds, heavy overgrowth or long continuous sessions.

if you add a higher capacity battery later it can add cost.

What you gain with Honda 4‐stroke (petrol)

Strong, consistent performance; good for tougher jobs.

Unlimited runtime (as long as you have fuel) — great for large properties or extended trimming.

Very reliable engine (especially from Honda’s reputation) and well proven.

No “battery fade” concern while trimming.

Good value especially if you prefer to “set and forget” without worrying about charging cycles.

What you give up / potential drawbacks

More maintenance: oil changes, air filters, spark plugs, petrol fuel management.

Heavier machine (engine + fuel + tank) which may be more tiring for longer use or if you’re trimming large areas or overhead/edges.

More noise, more vibration; more exhausted quicker especially if you do frequent trimming.

Fuel cost, storage of fuel, dealing with emissions (though 4‐stroke is better than 2‐stroke in that respect).

If you only have a small job/yard, you might not need all the extra performance, so the additional weight & maintenance might be “overkill”.

🎯 What your decision should depend on

Here are key questions for your situation to help pick:

Size of your yard / area to trim: If your lot is modest (typical suburban block) and trimming is just for edges and maintenance, then the EGO likely is sufficient. If you have a large property, long fences, embankments, thick weeds or lots of verge/out‐back trimming, the Honda might handle more easily.

Frequency of use: Do you use it often, or just occasionally? Occasional use favours cordless for convenience; frequent/hard use leans petrol.

Type of vegetation: If you’re trimming mostly grass and light weeds, cordless is great. If you have heavy brush, thick tough growth, etc., petrol gives more “reserve”.

Existing tool ecosystem: If you already have (or plan to buy) other EGO 56 V tools (lawn mower, blower, etc), then the cordless battery ecosystem gives big benefits.

Maintenance tolerance & preference: If you prefer low maintenance, less fuss, battery is attractive. If you don’t mind servicing engine, fuel, etc — petrol is fine.

Budget & future expansion: Consider cost of extra batteries/charger if cordless, vs fuel/servicing costs of petrol.

Noise/vibration preferences: Cordless wins in comfort and ease; petrol wins in grunt.

🧮 recommendation


If your yard is moderate size (say suburban block), vegetation is normal weeds/grass, and you value ease of use + low maintenance → go with the EGO ST1401E-ST-KIT. It gives excellent convenience and good performance for typical tasks.

If your yard is large, or you have heavy trimming tasks (e.g., long lengths, thick growth, long sessions) or you expect to use the unit very frequently (commercial pace) → the Honda 4-stroke becomes more appropriate. The extra flexibility and power may pay off.

If you go with the EGO, consider upgrading battery later (to maybe 4 Ah or more) if you find runtime insufficient. But it’s a good start with the 2.5 Ah kit.

On the Honda side, check the weight and ergonomics for you (especially if you’ll hold it overhead, do edges, etc). Even though 4‐stroke is better than 2‐stroke for ease, petrol still demands more physical effort than cordless.

The major risk for the EGO cost is the battery: if the 2.5 Ah battery lasts well and you don’t need to upgrade, the cost is much lower. Conversely, if you buy a second or replacement, that’s the big cost hit.

For the Honda, the risk is less in “running cost” but more in maintenance / “wear & tear” — though small 4-stroke engines are pretty durable.

There’s also a time / opportunity cost: with EGO, you need to wait for battery charging (or have a second battery). With Honda, you just refuel quickly and keep going.


Cheers
Max.