Cordless Grass Trimmers

Tested and reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed

Updated 21st October 2024

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Worx 20v Grass Trimmer

Bosch 36v Grass Trimmer

Black & Decker 18v & 36v Grass Trimmers

Bosch 18v Grass Trimmers

Gtech 18v Grass Trimmers

Small Shrub and Grass Trimmers

Stihl Shrub and Grass Trimmer

 

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I test the Worx 20V Cordless Grass Trimmer

& compare to the Black & Decker 18v & 36V Strimmers

Cordless grass trimmers are far more convenient to use than mains powered trimmers. Until recently cordless grass-trimmers suffered from poor battery power and life that was aggravated by seasonal use and long periods of storage.

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

New lithium-ion technology makes these handy power tools far more viable since the batteries are more powerful and can survive long periods of not being used.

All new models use Li-ion batteries and I advise buying from a range where the battery can be used in other tools too.

 

BEST CORDLESS GRASS TRIMMER - Based on 5 year test

Worx 20v TRIMMER

 

Worx 163E Trimmer with one Battery and Charger

Worx WG163E grass trimmer with 2 batteries

4 Extra spools of nylon cord

Powerful, well balanced, trims horizontal AND vertical edges.

The same battery powers this mower and 30 other Worx and Wesco tools!

This 20v Worx model is my favorite grass trimmer because it outperforms any other I have tried.

It has a 23cm cutting diameter so is suitable for GRASS trimming on small to medium lawns but not thick weed and scrub clearance.

If you want to trim large areas or clear weeds then look at one of the 36v models further down this page.

The "USP" that makes it the best is the unique way that the head rotates for trimming vertical lawn edges.

This is the only strimmer of the dozens I tried that trims in-line with your eye which enables more accuracy when edging.

The replacement spools are much cheaper than other makes and discount multi-packs are available from other makes.

The trimmer is available as a bare tool, or with 1 or 2, 20v, 2 amp hour batteries .

The same, 2 amp hour battery fits the Worx cordless chainsaw, mower, hedge trimmer and dozens of other Worx powertools.

If you have a really large lawn you can buy it with 2 batteries or get a 4 amp hour battery that runs for twice as long.

WORX  20V 4.0Ah Lithium Battery

WORX 40V Cordless 34cm Lawn Mower WG779E with 2 x 2.5Ah Batteries & Dual Port Charger

 

If you are buying this superb trimmer please use my links to help keep Fredshed online for another 24 years!

If the Worx model is not available or you want a cheaper but similar trimmer use the link below.

  Buy Lawmaster Trimmer Direct from Manufacturer with a 10% Fredshed discount

Use code Fred10 at checkout

 

7PK Spools For Worx  String Trimmer (6 Spool 1 Cap)

 

 

 

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BEST HEAVY DUTY CORDLESS GRASS TRIMMER - Based on 3 year test

Bosch 36V Cordless Grass Trimmer Review

Bosch ART 30-36 - Battery Strimmer for Larger Lawns or weed clearance

Bosch AdvancedGrassCut 36

This is the biggest trimmer made by Bosch and uses a dual line made from a new ultra tough material.

It is available with or without a 36v 2 amp hour battery and charger.

This is great if you already have the mower or any of the 36v Li-ion batteries that I have tried and tested over the last 15 years in the Bosch Rotak mowers.

The build quality is very good and it cuts like a demon. The line is tough enough for the thickest weeds.

The new 2024 model has a brushless motor and a harness.

New 2024 model Bosch 36v Heavy Duty Grass trimmer

 

If you need a harness for any other trimmer please use the link below.

Oregon Strimmer Grass Trimmer Or Brushcutter Double Shoulder Harness

 

A Bosch replacement spool with 6m of line costs around £8 or you can buy cheaper line to fit your empty spool if you like fiddling around.

A heavy tool like this really improves with a harness.

Oregon Strimmer Shoulder Harness

If you want a cordless strimmer with the option of a metal blade then see link below

Greenworks GD40BC Cordless Grass Trimmer and Scythe 2-in-1

 

 

Bosch ART 30- 36Li  Cordless Grass Trimmer & Rotak 37Li Mower

BOTH CAN USE THE SAME BATTERY

Different size replacement batteries are available

2.0 amp hour is supplied but 4.0 amp hour replacement 36v batteries can be used if you can handle the extra weight.

The more heavier 4.0 Ah battery is designed for the mowers where you need more power.

Bosch 36 V 2.0 Ah Battery

Bosch 36 V 4.0 Ah Battery 

If you are cutting large areas of grass or thick weeds then the 36v Bosch trimmer has plenty of power.

If you are buying this superb trimmer please use my links to help keep Fredshed online for another 24 years!

If you want a heavy duty cordless trimmer with a metal blade for clearing scrub use the link below.

Makita DUR365UZ Twin 18 V Li-ion Brushless Brush Cutter, No Batteries Included

Oregon  Double Shoulder Harness

Bosch Strimmer Spool 6 m x 1.6 mm for ART 30-36 LI

 

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Small Lightweight Cordless Grass Trimmers

Black & Decker STC 1820-GB 18v Lithium-ion Cordless Grass Trimmer

BLACK+DECKER 18V Strimmer

This small strimmer uses the standard nylon line in a spool , and a slide-in 18v Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery that holds 2 amp hours of charge. It can be recharged in 2 hours and gives a run time of around 20-30 minutes. I love this strimmer as it is light enough for me to use from my wheelchair and the spool has never got stuck. It is quiet and easy to adjust for people of different heights.

A nice feature is the wheel that enables easy trimming of lawn edges. Just turn the tool on its side and run it along the edge. The handle has telescopic height adjustment with a good range and the line gives a 28cm cut.

On the handle there is also an extra button to switch between eco and turbo mode . The idea is to gain extra battery time by using less power for lighter work. Does it work? Yes, use the low setting just for grass edging, and the high setting for thick grass or weeds.

A unique accessory can transform the tool into a mini mower by attaching a small deck with wheels on. This was an idea I had years ago and was really chuffed to see it appear, and even more chuffed to try it and find that it is ideal for a quick tidy when my small lawn occasionally grows in patches.

Trimmer shown with optional mowing deck attached

I would like to make it absolutely clear that the deck will not replace a lawn mower on anything but the smallest lawn and even then you would have to keep the grass fairly short as the decking attachment is useless on long grass. The reason for this is that the deck prevents the grass from clearing so for long grass use the strimmer without the deck.

I have used this product over 4 seasons and am pretty impressed, it also uses the easily available and cheap A6481 spool.

 

BLACK+DECKER STC1820PC-GB 18V Li-Ion 28cm AFS Strimmer

BLACK+DECKER CM100-XJ 3-in-1 Lawn Mower Deck Attachment

BLACK+DECKER A6481 Spool & Line For Reflex Strimmer

Black & Decker BL2018-XJ 18V 2.0Ah Battery

BLACK+DECKER 18V Cordless 45cm Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer - Bare Unit (Battery not Included)

 

Heavier Duty B&D 36v model

This model has a 2 amp hour 36v Li-ion battery so is heavier but more powerful than the 18v model.

The new 2024 model has a 33cm wide cutting diameter which is wider than all the 18v/20v models .

If you have a really large lawn or long rough areas to strim this bigger model will have the power and size you need.

BLACK+DECKER 36 V Lithium Ion High Performance Strimmer/33 cm Cutting Swathe

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Bosch 18v Cordless Grass Trimmer Range

Bosch 18v cordless trimmers are supplied with 2.5 amp hour batteries or are sold bare.

This ART23 and ART 26Li trimmers used small plastic blades instead of a nylon spool.

Some people dislike the plastic blades as the original ones were brittle Nylon that broke easily when you trimmed against concrete paths or along brick walls. 

To counter this failing Bosch introduced a new type of plastic blade that is much tougher and is called the Durablade.

I tested these improved blades and can confirm that they are tougher and I found it very difficult to damage one, even running it along grass growing against a brick wall. Having said that I think if you are going to trim along hard surfaces a line trimmer is better. Plastic trimmer blades are a bit like marmite, people love them or hate them.

 

Bosch discovered most people hate them and have now discontinued grass trimmers with plastic blades.

The new models are called the EasyGrass cut UniversalGrassCut.

 Bosch Grass Trimmer UniversalGrassCut 18-26 (1x battery 2.5 Ah, 18 Volt System, cutting ⌀: 26cm, adjustable handles, in carton packaging)

Plastic Blades for Discontinued Bosch Cordless Trimmers

Bosch Strengthened Durablade for 23cm Grass Trimmer

Bosch Strengthened Durablade for 26cm Grass Trimmers

 

 

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GTECH ST20 - became GT 3.0 then GT 4.0, and now GT50

This is similar to a Bosch ART26Li 18v trimmer with the swivelling head and plastic blades instead of a nylon spool.

When I tried the ST20 it seemed like a fairly good tool, even though I am not keen on plastic blade trimmers.

Since then it has gone through many names and minor spec changes.

I am aware from my readers and many reviews that the Gtech GT 4.0 had a problem with the blades melting, or breaking and flying off.

The blades always were more brittle than the Bosch blades but were marketed as free for life.

The "free" offer was subject to a large postage cost - not impressed!.

I am very disappointed with the way Gtech keep changing the model so until I hear more I am reluctant to recommend the new Gtech GT50.

Click here for more info and spares for Gtech garden tools

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Small Battery Powered Electric Grass Shears

Metal Bladed - "Clipper Type"

Alternative to Nylon Cord Grass Trimmers

Electric trimmers that cut with a Nylon cord often fail to self feed and can be hard to replace or find replacement cord.

Plastic blades are easier to replace but have a nasty habit of 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 lithium ion battery that can run for up to 60 minutes.

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

You can also turn your Isio, into a small hedge shear.

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

The Terratek trimmer has a 7.2v battery whilst Bosch only has 3.6v. This makes quite a difference in the time the trimmer will run and type of material it will trim. As with the Isio the battery is built-in which is not very environmentally friendly in my opinion. The Von Haus model has been discontinued but a similar tool is available under the FixKit brand.

Terratek 2 IN 1 Pro 7.2V Telescopic Cordless Grass & Hedge Trimmer

For the money it looks excellent and my tests on similar Chinese products were very good.

If you want an even heavier duty version the Worx Zen model uses 20v batteries and can be bought naked so you can chose the size of battery to buy separately.

 

WORX WG801E.9 ZEN 18V 20V MAX Cordless Shrub Shear - BODY ONLY

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NEWS

NEW IMPROVED BOSCH ISIO - MUCH EASIER TO SWAP BETWEEN BLADES

Grass AND shrub trimming from one tool

The Bosch ISIO can be converted from a grass shear to a small shrub trimmer in seconds and is surprisingly efficient. Running time is very good thanks to the Li-ion batteries and I get 20 minutes use which includes some woody shrub material. The battery will last between re-charges when cutting softer material.

The latest version of this tool has anti-jam electronics that stops and reverses the blades the instant resistance is detected.

 

Bosch Isio Cordless Shrub/ Grass Shear

Telescopic Handle for Isio

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Stihl HSA 26 - Tested and Reviewed by Fred

This superb tool is like the Bosch Isio on steroids!

It has a 10.8v, removable Li-ion battery, a wider blade and superb build quality.

It comes with a handy case to hold the charger and shrub trimmer blade.

 STIHL HSA 26 Cordless Shrub Shears with AS2 Battery & AL1 Charger

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Choosing the Best Replacement Trimmer Line

Improve your trimmer's cutting performance with an advanced design replacement line.

If you want to strim thick tough material like weeds then buy a star shaped or twisted line.

If you just trim the grass at the edges of your lawn and want a nice finish then get the thinnest, normal round profile line as this will cut cleaner and neater.

Oregon Nylium Starline Trimmer Line for Over Grown Grass and Weeds with Five Cutting Edges

Oregon Red Line  Round Trimmer Line for Low Grass and Edges

 

 
 

If you found this page useful and decide to buy this grass trimmer at a later date please come back and use my links as this helps keep my site going, thanks, Fred

 

 
 

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If you found my advice helpful and would like to support my work, please return to this page and use my links when purchasing your tools.

Also any other products bought from Amazon at the same time will produce a small commission that helps cover my hosting costs.

 

Or - if you prefer you can make a small donation using the PayPal button below thanks, Fred

 

 

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