Corded vs Cordless String Trimmer: Which One Should You Buy?
Corded and cordless string trimmers compared on power, reach, runtime and upkeep, with a corded and a cordless example from the listings examined.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
BLACK+DECKER BEHT350FF 22 in Corded Electric Hedge Trimmer9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
EGO POWER+ 15" Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Sun Joe TRJ13STE Corded Electric String Trimmer and Edger9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 String Trimmer/Edger & Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 5
WORX 15" 2-in-1 Electric String Trimmer & Lawn Edger for LawnView on Amazon - 6
CRAFTSMAN String Trimmer/EdgerView on Amazon - 7
WEN Compact String TrimmerView on Amazon - 8
String Trimmer LineView on Amazon
Verdict: In this corded vs cordless string trimmer comparison, choose a corded side if the ground you trim sits near an outlet and you want steady power with no charging pause. Choose a cordless side if you trim ground away from an outlet and want to move freely along fences, beds and walks.
Edges, beds and fence lines decide this choice more than open lawn does. Grass creeps along walks, weeds push through fence lines, and borders need a clean line. The corded vs cordless string trimmer question comes down to power source: a cord gives steady power while plugged in, while a battery gives freedom from the outlet at the cost of a finite run.
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Sun Joe TRJ13STE Corded Electric String Trimmer and Edger
A corded electric string trimmer and edger with a 4-Amp motor, a 13-inch cutting path, a telescoping pole and a rotating shaft for edging, plus a flower guard for beds and borders.
Who it's for: owners with beds, borders and walkways near an outlet who want a wide path and an edger in one tool.
Who should skip it: anyone who trims ground far from an outlet, where a cordless example fits better.
Read the full review
The Sun Joe example is a corded electric trimmer and edger built around a 4-Amp motor rated at 7800 rpm, with a 13-inch cutting path, a telescoping pole and a rotating shaft that converts to an edger. The listing states a flower guard, an ergonomic handle and ETL approval, and the spec table lists the example at 5 pounds.
Pros
- 13-inch cutting path for edges along walks and beds
- Telescoping pole extends from 41 inches to 50 inches
- Rotating shaft converts to an edger for borders and walkways
- Flower guard shields beds from accidental trimmer contact
Cons
- Reach depends on cord length, which the listing does not state
- Corded power only, with no battery option for ground away from an outlet
- Spare line or spool contents are not stated on the listing
- A 13-inch head is wide for tight gaps around posts and beds
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Resin Blade and String Trimmer Kit
A 20V cordless string trimmer kit with a resin blade head, an auto feed spool, 2-speed control, a battery and a charger, plus a wheeled edger conversion and on-board storage for blades.
Who it's for: owners who want cordless freedom for edges and borders and a resin blade option alongside the auto feed spool.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs a stated wide cutting path, since this listing states no string path width.
Read the full review
The BLACK+DECKER example is a 20V cordless kit with a resin blade head, an auto feed spool and a powerdrive transmission, plus 2-speed control. The listing states up to 62 minutes of runtime, a conversion to a wheeled edger and on-board storage for blades.
Pros
- Battery and charger included in the kit
- 2-speed control boosts power or extends runtime
- Converts from resin blade trimmer to wheeled edger
- Auto feed spool needs no bumping to feed line
Cons
- The listing states no string cutting width; only the spec table lists 5 inches, so the path is unclear
- Up to 62 minutes of runtime on the included battery
- Weight is not stated on the listing
- Warranty is not stated on the listing
DEKOPRO 2.2A Corded String Trimmer and Edger
A corded electric string trimmer and edger with a 2.2A motor rated at 11,000 RPM, a 9-inch cutting path, automatic line feed and two additional replacement spools, listed at 3.3 pounds.
Who it's for: owners with small yards, fences, sidewalks and garden edges who want a light corded tool for daily upkeep.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs a wide path or cordless reach for ground far from an outlet.
Read the full review
The DEKOPRO example is a corded string trimmer and edger built around a 2.2A motor rated at 11,000 RPM, with a 9-inch cutting path and automatic line feed. Each trigger press releases approximately 0.5 inches of line, and the box holds one built-in spool plus two replacement spools. The listing states a 3.3-pound weight and notes that the extension cord is not included.
Pros
- Motor rated at 11,000 RPM for grass, weeds and edges
- Listed at 3.3 pounds, easy to carry for daily upkeep
- Automatic line feed holds the 9-inch cutting length
- One built-in spool plus two replacement spools in the box
Cons
- Extension cord is not included
- 9-inch cutting path is narrow for open ground
- Warranty is not stated on the listing
- Reach depends on cord length, which the listing does not state
Other machines to compare
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 String Trimmer/Edger & Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
WORX 15" 2-in-1 Electric String Trimmer & Lawn Edger for LawnCheck price on Amazon
CRAFTSMAN String Trimmer/EdgerCheck price on Amazon
WEN Compact String TrimmerCheck price on Amazon
String Trimmer LineCheck price on Amazon
Corded vs cordless string trimmer side by side
| Product | Power | Cutting path | Runtime or reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Joe TRJ13STE | 4-Amp corded electric motor | 13 inches | Telescoping pole, cord reach |
| BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX | 20V battery, 2-speed control | 5 inches (spec table) | Up to 62 minutes (stated) |
| DEKOPRO 9-Inch Corded | 2.2A corded electric motor | 9 inches | Cord reach, extension cord not included |
Figures are manufacturer stated for the examples, collected 25 October 2026.
Power source: cord or battery
Corded examples draw power from an outlet through a cord, so runtime is not the limit; reach is. The Sun Joe example runs a 4-Amp motor, and the DEKOPRO example runs a 2.2A motor. The DEKOPRO listing notes that the extension cord is not included, so the cord on hand decides how far the tool can go.
Cordless power trades that tether for a battery. The BLACK+DECKER example runs on a 20V battery with 2-speed control, and the listing states up to 62 minutes of runtime. That freedom suits ground away from the house.
Cutting path and heads
Cutting path decides how many passes an edge takes. The Sun Joe example cuts a 13-inch path, the DEKOPRO example cuts a 9-inch path, and the spec table for the BLACK+DECKER example lists a 5-inch cutting width, while its title and bullets state no cutting width, so the cordless string path is unclear from that listing. A wide path clears open edges in fewer passes, while a narrow path fits tight spots around posts, beds and borders.
Heads matter as much as width. The Sun Joe example uses a rotating shaft to switch to edging, and the DEKOPRO example is also listed as a trimmer and edger. The BLACK+DECKER example pairs a resin blade head with an auto feed spool and converts to a wheeled edger. The corded examples list line heads, while the BLACK+DECKER example pairs a resin blade head with an auto feed spool.
Handling and weight
Weight and balance decide how the tool feels. The DEKOPRO example is listed at 3.3 pounds, and the Sun Joe example is listed at 5 pounds in the spec table. The BLACK+DECKER example does not state a weight. The Sun Joe pole extends from 41 inches to 50 inches, and the BLACK+DECKER example offers adjustable height.
Guards and controls shape handling too. The Sun Joe example lists a flower guard that shields beds from accidental contact. The DEKOPRO example feeds line automatically, and the BLACK+DECKER example stores blades on board.
Upkeep
Corded upkeep is mostly line and cord care. The DEKOPRO example includes one built-in spool plus two replacement spools, and its automatic feed releases approximately 0.5 inches of line with each trigger press. The Sun Joe example does not state spool contents, so check the box contents before purchase.
Cordless upkeep swaps cord care for battery care. The BLACK+DECKER example ships with a battery and a charger in the kit, and its auto feed spool needs no bumping to feed line. Batteries need charging between sessions, and the on-board storage holds spare blades for the resin head.
The examples
Acreage and terrain fit
Sun Joe TRJ13STE
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX
DEKOPRO 9-Inch Corded
Matching It to Your Property
- Flat ground with beds and walks near an outlet: the corded examples fit, with the 13-inch Sun Joe path for wide edges and the 9-inch DEKOPRO path for tight spots.
- Obstacles such as fences, posts and borders: the flower guard on the Sun Joe example suits close work.
- Ground away from an outlet: the cordless example fits, with a battery and a wheeled edger conversion for far edges.
- Storage in a small shed: the telescoping Sun Joe pole stores easily, while the cordless kit needs a charger spot.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (power, heads and what it can cut), build quality, value (what comes in the box), safety (certifications the listing states) and warranty. A factor the listing does not state scores zero, which is why the cordless and DEKOPRO examples score zero for safety and warranty, while the Sun Joe example scores for ETL approval and a 2-year warranty.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Joe TRJ13STE | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 3 |
| BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX | 9.3 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| DEKOPRO 9-Inch Corded | 9.3 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
If the yard also has brushy growth beyond grass and weeds, see the electric vs gas string trimmer comparison.
Wear eye and hearing protection, long pants and sturdy footwear, and keep bystanders well back while the line or blade spins. Clear stones and debris first, and stop the engine or remove the battery before clearing the head. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See OSHA landscaping safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Can a corded string trimmer reach the far fence?
Only as far as the cord allows. The DEKOPRO listing notes that the extension cord is not included, so reach depends on the cord on hand.
How long does the cordless example run?
The BLACK+DECKER listing states up to 62 minutes of runtime on the included battery, with 2-speed control to boost power or extend the run.
Can these examples edge as well as trim?
Yes, on the listings. The Sun Joe example uses a rotating shaft for edging, the DEKOPRO example is listed as a trimmer and edger, and the BLACK+DECKER example converts to a wheeled edger.
What safety gear suits string trimmer work?
Eye protection and hearing protection, plus long pants, gloves and sturdy boots. Clear debris from the path before starting.
More mowing guides
- Best Corded Electric String Trimmer (2026): 5 Picks Compared
- Electric vs Gas String Trimmer: Which One Should You Buy?
- Best Cordless String Trimmers for Lawns (2026): 5 Picks Compared
- Best String Trimmer with Edger (2026): 4 Picks
For more trimmer options, see the trimmers and blowers category.
