Cordless Grass Trimmers

Tested and reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed

Updated 14th August 2010

Breaking News - New Generation of Cordless Grass Trimmers using  Lithium Ion Batteries

Cordless grass trimmers are great tools and far more convenient to use than mains powered trimmers. until now cordless grass-trimmers suffered from poor battery life which is not helped by seasonal use and long periods of no use.

Due to the high price of a replacement battery, many of these tools ended up at the tip.

The new Lithium Ion Battery technology now makes these handy power tools far more viable since the batteries are lighter and can take long periods of not being used.

At the moment there are only a few models with these batteries but more will follow and my advice is to hold off buying models with Nicad batteries.

Latest model cordless grass trimmers

-currently being tested

Gtech ST05 and Bosch

 

Bosch and Gtech both launched new grass trimmers in 2008 using Li-in technology and I tested and compared both.. The Gtech ST05 has a small blade but long handle. Initial results are very impressive as the tool is so light yet cuts very well. The 14.4v battery is built in and recharges in about 30 minutes, ( a long tea break). The ST05 is a more advanced version of my much loved Gtech ST01  that used a separate battery that you keep on your belt. The ST01 is still available (now with an improved battery) and is a tried and tested product at extremely good value.   The lightest cordless grass trimmer Gtech ST05 with Lithium Ion battery The Gtech ST05 is British designed and the lightest cordless trimmer I can find. It is the upgraded version of the excellent ST05 that used a separate 12v battery that you wear on a belt. As with the ST04 it has a telescopic handle, rotating head, and uses plastic blades but they are larger and thicker than the Bosch ones, which improves cutting performance. The in-built 14.4v Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery can be recharged in about 30 minutes and gives a run time of up to 40 minutes

This is the latest model with Li-ion battery use the link below for a bargain model with the normal battery

Bosch  Grass Trimmer Range   Pictured right is the Bosch ART 26 cordless trimmer. This is a well balanced and easy to use trimmer and has the all important swivelling head to enable you to trim the top and side edge of your lawn. This battery powered trimmer also has the advantage of using small plastic blades instead of a nylon spool. Some people dislike the plastic blades as they tend to break easily on concrete but many prefer them as they are so easy to change. unlike most nylon line spools that are great when new but seize up with age as they gather crud. The Bosch range of trimmers has been improved for 2009 and are now available with the lighter and more powerful Lithium Ion batteries that are set to change the whole cordless powertool market. I am generally a fan of Bosch but I dont like the standard Nicad batteries they use in grass trimmers and hedge cutters. Therefore I do not recommend buying a bosch cordless trimmer with the old nicad battery - get the new Li-ion version The 2 Bosch Cordless trimmers are called Accutrim whilst the 3 corded models are called Combitrim as they have a normal tap and go spool and an extra strong spool as well. I really like the idea of plastic blades on grass trimmers and found that they perform well and are VERY easy to change when worn. A pack of 24 for the ART23 and ART 26 Accutrim grass trimmers costs around £4.99.

The old version with heavier battery  (not recommended)

Bosch ART 23 Li Cordless Grass Trimmer This new model has a 14.4v battery and uses the plastic safety blades to give a 23cm diameter cut.	New version with Lithium ion battery (recommended)
Bosch ART 26 Li Cordless Grass Trimmer This new model has a 18v battery and uses the plastic safety blades to give a 2cm cut charging time 3 hours - run time 45 mins approx weight 2.4kg    buy the ART 26 Li  with 18v Li-ion battery	Spare Polymer Blades for  Bosch ART 26 Li Cordless Grass Trimmer   this model uses the same blades as the ART 26 , please use the link below

click here for more details on the latest and best cordless electric hedge trimmers

 

Flymo Sabre Cut 24v Cordless System This multi tool system uses a powerful but heavy lead acid battery that you carry via shoulder strap to keep the tool as light as possible. There are 4 tools available which are the hedge trimmer, pruning saw, grass trimmer and a blower. As a cordless grass trimmer this is a very powerful and efficiant tool and more able to compete with mains powered models like the smaller Gtech and Bosch. For more details and to check  prices on the Flymo Sabre cut  click here.

Wolf GT 845 Cordless grass trimmer with wheels (now discontinued)

Small Battery Powered Electric Grass Shears

Metal Bladed - "Clipper Type"

Wolf Accu verses Bosch Isio

Alternative to Nylon Grass Trimmers

Personally I don't like electric trimmers that cut with Nylon cord or blade. I find that the cord is likely to become brittle over time and break, fail to self feed and can be hard to replace or find replacement cord.

The plastic blades are easier to replace but are even worse than cord for breaking when they hit something hard like a path or edging material.

For small jobs I prefer an electric version of the sheep shear that has long lasting  metal blades and a 7.2volt lithium ion battery that can run for up to 125 minutes.

This type of tool has been around a long time and is well tested. The Wolf tools version is the most versatile as it can be fitted to a telescopic handle and have wheels attached.

You can also turn your Wolf grass trimmer into a hedge shear

With a few simple clicks you can  remove the grass shear blades and replace them with a small hedge trimming blade!

 

Bosch Isio The Bosch ISIO is similar to the Award winning Wolf trimmer but it is smaller, lighter and cheaper. The Isio is available in the standard hand version for about £38 but can also be converted to a shrub cutter and or be extended with a telescopic handle. The latest version of this tool has a anti-jam electronics that stop and reverse the blades the instant it detects too much force. This new feature makes a lot of difference with the shrub attachment , especially when the battery is running low as this is when any trimmer is more likely to get stuck on a thick stem. In fact the anti stall technology makes this small tool better at cutting hard shrubby stems than some of its later and more powerful rivals!     Replacement blades are available for the Bosch Isio and I believe this tool and it's spares will be available for many years,  unlike the cheaper copies from discount chains and mail order catalogues.

The Wolf ACCU has been in production many years and improved with new batteries. Like the Bosch Isio the handle is an optional extra. The Bosch Isio is smaller, lighter and  cheaper

Grass AND shrub trimming! The Bosch ISIO can be converted from a grass shear to a small shrub trimmer in seconds and is surprisingly efficient. I also like the drop in charger base and metal tin that the tool comes in. Running time is very good thanks to the Li-ion batteries and I get 20 minutes use which included some woody shrub material. The softer the material you cut the longer the battery will last between re-charges.

2 Tools in 1 The Isio can be a grass or Shrub trimmer! Just swap over the blades!

The Wolf BS 80 metal bladed grass and shrub shear Personally I don't like electric trimmers that cut with Nylon cord. I find that the cord is likely to become brittle over time and break, fail to self feed and can be hard to replace or find replacement cord. For small jobs I prefer an electric version of the sheep shear that has long lasting  metal blades and a 7.2volt lithium ion battery that can run for up to 125 minutes. This type of tool has been around a long time and is well tested. The Wolf tools version is the most versatile as it can be fitted to a telescopic handle and have wheels attached. You can also turn your Wolf grass trimmer into a hedge shear With a few simple clicks you can  remove the grass shear blades and replace them with a small hedge trimming blade! The complete kit , including 2 blades, telescopic handle and wheels cost approx £100 and all spares and parts are available.   or use the link below to compare price - check recommended site for prices and info for Wolf Accu shear range

Need More Power? as above but with 18v Lithium Ion Battery! Grass and shrub trimming! For really long running time and a bit more power than the Wolf or Bosch Electric shears I use the Ryobi One+ cordless shear and shrubber. This tool is part of a system that uses either Nicad or more expensive Li-Ion batteries so unless you already have other tools in the range it works out more expensive to start with. The link below will allow you to buy it "naked" . (without battery or charger). It comes with the longer shrubber blade too and it is very easy to switch between the two.

Whilst the Ryobi shear has more power from its larger battery it does not have the very useful long handle extension that is an option with the Bosch and Wolf shears. it does come with the shrubber attachment. If you want help choosing the best grass shear for your needs mail me with your budget, location and requirements at fred@fredshed.com strictly UK enquiries only please

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FRED-IN-THE-SHED

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