Best Electric String Trimmers of 2023

“Electric trimmers really rival gas in cutting performance,” says Misha Kollontai, who oversees string trimmer testing for Consumer Reports. 

That said, shopping for an electric trimmer might change your approach a bit.

• If you have a small yard and an outdoor outlet, and want to save a little money, choose a corded model.
• For larger yards, you might want to spend a bit more and invest in a cordless string trimmer, Kollontai says. Just make sure you have a second battery ready to go if you’re clearing weeds and high grass for 30-plus minutes at a clip. (Otherwise, you might want to consider a gas string trimmer, typically reserved for larger properties where you might need to trim for longer stretches.)
• You can save money with cordless electric string trimmers by purchasing your lawn tools, such as a chainsaw and lawn mower, from the same brand, Kollontai says. That way, you don’t need to buy a battery for every tool. Simply purchase two batteries (so you can use one while the other is charging) to power up your whole collection. That’s typically a 30 percent savings for each tool purchased without a battery. Take note: Some brands use different battery sizes, or platforms, for different tools. Make sure the batteries you buy are compatible with all the tools you plan to buy from that brand.