Best String Trimmer (2026): 5 Picks for Yards and Fence Lines
5 string trimmers, cordless, gas and corded, compared by cutting width, power, shaft, attachments and warranty, with gaps in each listing marked.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallMakita XRU23Z9.5/10View on Amazon - 2
Best Multi-ToolDOWILIN 52CC9.4/10View on Amazon - 3
Best Gas TrimmerHusqvarna 122LK9.4/10View on Amazon
A yard with fence lines, thick edges and brushy corners needs a tool that can reach where a mower stops. The best string trimmer for that ground varies with the ground: cordless models suit quiet edges, gas models suit thick growth, and a corded model suits a yard near an outlet. The picks below compare what each listing states, and mark what it leaves out.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall Makita XRU23Z: Highest Acre Score here: 18V brushless motor, 6,000 RPM and a 3-year limited warranty Check price on Amazon
- Best Multi-Tool DOWILIN 52CC: 52CC gas engine with a 17-inch hedge bar and a 10-inch brush blade in addition to string trimming Check price on Amazon
- Best Gas Trimmer Husqvarna 122LK: 22cc engine, 17-inch straight shaft and T25 head with attachments that click on Check price on Amazon
Our acreage picks
BLACK+DECKER Weed Wacker 14-Inch 2 in 1 String Trimmer Edger, 6.5-Amp Electric (BESTA510)
A 6.5-amp corded electric string trimmer with a 14 in cutting width, automatic feed spool and a rotating head that converts it to a wheeled edger.
Read the full review
The BESTA510 is BLACK+DECKER's corded answer to the trimmer-and-edger question: one 6.5-amp electric tool with a 14 in cutting width, an automatic feed spool that needs no bumping, and a head that rotates into a wheeled edger. We have not used it, so this review reports what the listing states. The headline features are consistent across the title, bullets and spec table, and the included AF-100 spool gives refills a clear part number.
What the listing states best: light weight at 6.3 pounds, adjustable handle and height positions, a cord retention system and concrete warranty terms of a 2 Year Limited Warranty plus a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. What it leaves open: line diameter, cord length, shaft range, materials and noise. The maker's claim that the motor and POWERDRIVE transmission give maximum performance in tough weeds and overgrowth is reported as a claim, not a measured result.
Scored on stated specs, the BESTA510 reads as a straightforward corded trimmer-edger for suburban edges: the auto feed and 2-in-1 conversion are real conveniences, while the cord and the unstated line diameter set its limits. Buyers far from an outlet or facing heavy brush should look at battery or gas options instead.
Pros
- Automatic feed spool advances line without bumping the head.
- Rotates into a wheeled edger with an edge guide for straight borders.
- Light at 6.3 pounds with adjustable handle and height positions.
- Cord retention system keeps the extension cord connected during use.
Cons
- Corded design limits range to the reach of an extension cord; no cord length is stated.
- Line diameter is not stated, so cutting capability on thick growth cannot be judged.
- Only one speed is stated (8000 rpm); no variable-speed control is listed.
- No noise rating is stated.
Makita XRU23Z 18V Brushless Cordless 13 in String Trimmer, Tool Only
Cordless brushless trimmer with a 13 inch path, a High/Low button and a variable speed trigger; the battery is sold separately, and a 3-year limited warranty is stated.
Who it's for: owners who want cordless trimming along fence lines and obstacles without gas mixing.
Who should skip it: anyone who needs a listed hedge or brush attachment.
Read the full review
The XRU23Z is an 18V brushless cordless trimmer with a 13 inch path, a motor listed at up to 6,000 RPM, a High/Low button and a variable speed trigger. The listing states up to 1 hour of run time with an 18V LXT 4.0Ah battery, sold separately, and a 3-year limited warranty. Listed weight is 9.23 Pounds.
Pros
- Brushless motor listed at up to 6,000 RPM
- High/Low button plus a variable speed trigger
- Listing notes no gas, emissions, oil mixing or pull starts
- 3-year limited warranty stated
Cons
- Battery sold separately, so the listed run time needs an 18V LXT 4.0Ah battery
- Cutting width is 13 inches, narrower than the 17-inch gas picks here
- No attachment range is listed, unlike the gas picks here
- Run time depends on the separate battery
DOWILIN 52CC 2-Stroke 3-in-1 Gas String Trimmer with Hedge Trimmer and Brush Cutter
Gas 3-in-1 tool that works as a string trimmer, a hedge trimmer with a 17-inch cutter bar and a brush cutter with a 10-inch blade, driven by a 52CC 2-stroke engine.
Who it's for: owners who want string trimming plus hedge shaping and brush cutting from the same tool.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants a stated warranty or a cordless tool.
Read the full review
The DOWILIN is a 52CC 2-stroke gas tool with a string trimmer head, a hedge trimmer attachment with a 17-inch cutter bar and a brush blade of 10 inches. The listing describes a non-slip rubber handle with sponge grip, a throttle with on-off switch and a kit with an extension shaft and toolkit bag. No warranty term is stated.
Pros
- 52CC 2-stroke engine for tough yard work
- 3-in-1 range: string trimmer, hedge trimmer and brush cutter in the same tool
- 17-inch hedge cutter bar for shaping and pruning hedges
- 10-inch brush blade for dense grass
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No run time, weight or cutting width for string trimming is stated
- No fuel capacity is stated
- Extension shaft and toolkit bag add pieces to store
Husqvarna 122LK 22cc 2-Cycle 17-inch Straight Shaft Gas Trimmer with T25 Head
Gas straight shaft trimmer with a 22cc 2-cycle engine, a 17-inch shaft and a T25 head, with attachments that click on.
Who it's for: owners who want a gas trimmer for occasional homeowner use around bushes and obstacles.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants a stated warranty or a cordless tool.
Read the full review
The 122LK is a 22cc 2-cycle gas trimmer with a 17-inch straight shaft and a T25 head. The listing describes a SmartStart system, a straight shaft that reaches beneath bushes and other obstacles, and attachments that click on. No warranty term is stated.
Pros
- Straight shaft reaches beneath bushes and other obstacles
- T25 head plus a range of useful attachments that click on
- SmartStart system for starts with minimum effort
- Low noise, lightweight tool for occasional homeowner use
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No cutting width, weight or run time is stated beyond the listed dimensions
- No hedge or brush blade is listed
- No line diameter or line feed detail is stated
Greenworks 40V 12 in String Trimmer and 390 CFM Blower Combo
A 40V 12 in trimmer and 390 CFM blower combo with auto feed and 3-year head warranty.
Read the full review
The Greenworks 12 in is the blower pick: a 40V 12 in trimmer paired with a 390 CFM blower at 110 MPH with cruise control, clearing wet leaves and debris from concrete. The .065 in auto-feed line slices 1 in weeds, and the 2.0 Ah battery charges in 60 minutes with a 3-year head warranty stated.
Pros
- 390 CFM blower
- 3-year head warranty
- Auto feed .065 in
- 40V ecosystem
Cons
- No dedicated edger
- 12 in, smallest cut
- No certification stated
- Blower, not edger
Compare the best string trimmer picks
| Model | Acre Score | Type | Cutting width | Power | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita XRU23Z | 9.5/10 | Cordless string trimmer | 13 in | 18V brushless | 3-year limited |
| DOWILIN 52CC | 9.4/10 | Gas 3-in-1 tool | Not stated | 52CC 2-stroke | Not stated |
| Husqvarna 122LK | 9.4/10 | Gas string trimmer | 17 in | 22cc 2-cycle | Not stated |
| BLACK+DECKER BESTA510 | 9.6/10 | Corded trimmer edger | 14 in | 6.5-Amp electric | Not stated |
| Greenworks 40V Combo | 9.4/10 | Battery trimmer blower combo | 12 in | 40V battery | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 3 November 2026.
Acreage and terrain fit
Makita Cordless Trimmer
DOWILIN Gas Multi-Tool
Husqvarna Gas Trimmer
BLACK+DECKER Corded Edger
Greenworks Battery Combo
Buying guide: choosing a string trimmer
Cordless or gas
Cordless trimming suits edges and fence lines. The Makita listing states no gas, emissions, oil mixing or pull starts, with a High/Low button and a variable speed trigger. Gas suits thick growth. The DOWILIN listing states a 52CC engine. The Husqvarna listing states a 22cc engine with a SmartStart system.
Cutting width and reach
Cutting width sets how much ground each pass covers. The Makita cuts 13 inches. The Husqvarna listing states a 17-inch straight shaft. The BLACK+DECKER title lists 14 inches. The Greenworks title lists 12 inches for its trimmer. The Husqvarna straight shaft reaches beneath bushes and other obstacles, per its listing.
Attachments and extra tools
Attachments change what a trimmer can do. The DOWILIN works as a string trimmer, a hedge trimmer with a 17-inch cutter bar and a brush cutter with a 10-inch blade. The Husqvarna listing states attachments that click on for quick changes between tools, with a T25 head. The Makita, BLACK+DECKER and Greenworks listings state no attachment range.
Power and run time
Power figures here come in different forms. Cordless power is listed for the Makita as 18V, brushless, up to 6,000 RPM, with up to 1 hour of run time on an 18V LXT 4.0Ah battery sold separately. Gas power is listed as engine size. The DOWILIN lists 52CC. The Husqvarna lists 22cc. Corded power is listed as amps for the BLACK+DECKER: 6.5-Amp electric. The Greenworks combo lists 40V for the trimmer and 390 CFM for the blower, with no run time stated.
What is not stated, and why it matters
Title-only listings leave gaps. The BLACK+DECKER listing gives a title only, with no bullets or spec table, so weight, cord length and warranty are not stated for that pick. The Greenworks listing gives a title only, with no bullets or spec table, so weight, runtime, battery capacity and warranty are not stated for that pick. The gas listings state no warranty term. The Makita listing states a 3-year limited warranty, the only concrete warranty term here.
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.
Matching It to Your Property
- Thick edges and brushy corners: the DOWILIN covers string trimming, hedge shaping with a 17-inch bar and brush cutting with a 10-inch blade.
- Fence lines and obstacles: the Husqvarna straight shaft reaches beneath bushes and other obstacles.
- Quiet edges near a house: the Makita runs cordless with a High/Low button.
- Small yards near an outlet: the BLACK+DECKER title lists a corded 2 in 1 trimmer edger.
- Trimming plus clearing leaves: the Greenworks combo pairs a trimmer with a 390 CFM blower.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs performance, build quality, value, safety and warranty. Performance covers cutting width, engine or battery and what the tool can cut. Safety scores only features the listing states, and warranty scores only a concrete term the listing states. A factor the listing does not state scores zero.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita XRU23Z | 9.5 | 29 | 20 | 19 | 0 | 3 |
| DOWILIN 52CC | 9.4 | 30 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Husqvarna 122LK | 9.4 | 28 | 21 | 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.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Which battery string trimmer here lists the highest motor speed?
The Makita lists up to 6,000 RPM from a brushless motor. The Greenworks combo lists 40V with no motor speed stated.
What does the 3-in-1 gas trimmer include?
The DOWILIN includes a string trimmer head, a hedge trimmer attachment with a 17-inch cutter bar and a brush cutter with a 10-inch blade. The kit also lists an extension shaft.
Which gas trimmer here lists a straight shaft and quick attachment changes?
The Husqvarna 122LK lists a 17-inch straight shaft, a T25 head and attachments that click on for quick changes between tools. Its engine is listed as 22cc 2-cycle.
What is missing from the title-only listings?
The BLACK+DECKER listing gives a title only, with no bullets or spec table. The Greenworks listing gives a title only, with no bullets or spec table. Weight, runtime, battery capacity and warranty are not stated for the Greenworks pick. Weight, cord length and warranty are not stated for the BLACK+DECKER pick.
More mowing guides
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- Best Battery String Trimmer for Tall Grass (2026)
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- Best Brush Blade for Trimmer (2026): 4 Compared
- Best String Trimmer for Acreage: 4 Gas and Battery Picks
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See the trimmers and blowers hub for more picks in this category.
