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Best Cordless Strimmer

10 of the best cordless strimmer’s available in the UK.

League Table By: Tony Dimmick

Last Checked: 21st Feb 2022


Andrew Wilcox

Head Judge: Andrew Wilcox

Channel 4’s Head Judge & Founder of Shed of the Year Andrew Wilcox has worked to help design an impartial judging system for WhatShed. The judging system uses many different parameters to help give a large degree of impartiality to the way we select products for each of the league tables we do. You can read more about the system here.

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Cordless strimmers are becoming increasingly popular, allowing users to quickly and easily trim the edges of their lawns and other hard-to-reach spots around the garden, without being tied back by cords and cables. We spent 20 hours looking through reviews of various models in order to identify the 10 best cordless strimmers on the market today.

BLACK+DECKER 18V Cordless 28 cm String Grass Trimmer


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£96
Website:

Those on the lookout for the best cordless strimmer will find a lot to love about this one from Black + Decker. It’s powered by a 2.0 Ah lithium ion battery that can run for long enough to cut up to 2,500 linear metres. It offers adjustable power options too, letting you save energy on shorter grass and crank up the power for cutting thicker patches of graden grass. When the battery needs charging up, you’ll need to wait around five hours to get it back to 100%. With 28cm of cutting width, this Black + Decker cordless strimmer can provide quick and easy trimming along long stretches of lawn. It almost feels like a mini mower with its cutting potential, and it comes with an automatic single line feed system that helps to minimise the risk of wasted line and reduce the need for regular maintenance too. It also features a built-in wheel, allowing for simple and convenient edging of your garden. 5 Reasons To Buy

  • The long runtime of this cordless strimmer helps to make it one of the best options for medium sized or big gardens
  • The built-in edging wheel is a nice bonus on this strimmer, giving the user more options for maintaining their lawns
  • Users of this strimmer appreciate the variable power levels that can help to extend the battery life
  • Many users like the lightweight nature of this Black + Decker cordless strimmer, rating it as one of the best options for general comfort and ease of use
  • The battery power and run time ratings for this model are very impressive too

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • The long charging times for the battery may put some users off this product
  • Some of the less positive reviews of this strimmer complain that the high power setting wears out the battery too quickly
  • Certain users have complained about some components of this strimmer being made from relatively cheap plastic, lacking durability

Ryobi OLT1832 18V ONE+ Cordless Grass Trimmer


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£56
Website:

Those looking for a high quality, battery-powered cordless grass strimmer at an affordable price could find a lot of positives in the Ryobi OLT1832 ONE+. It offers 18V of lithium ion battery power and has enough strength to tackle thick, dense patches of grass all over your garden without any issues. It’s also really easy to use, coming complete with a three-position pivoting head and fully adjustable telescopic handle. In terms of cutting dimensions, this strimmer offers variable cutting width from 25 to 30cm, giving you two options to choose between, and it comes with EasyEdge technology too, allowing it to be used for both trimming and edging. It’s worth noting, however, that you only get the unit itself when buying this model and will need to buy the lithium ion battery and charger separately. 5 Reasons To Buy

  • This is one of the best-designed strimmers to meet the needs of the average gardener
  • Many users rate this as one of the best cordless strimmer models in terms of ease of use
  • A lot of people like the pivoting head and adjustable cutting width of this strimmer
  • Many users have also been impressed by how well this strimmer is able to get into those hard-to-reach areas around the garden
  • The telescopic handle of this cordless grass trimmer is another big plus

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • This unit comes alone, without any batteries or chargers, so you’ll need to add those costs on later
  • Some batteries for this unit are lacking in power and won’t keep it running for long
  • A few users have complained of difficulties when trying to use this cordless strimmer for cutting thick weeds and grasses

Terratek Cordless Strimmer 18V/20V-Max Lithium-Ion


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£50
Website:

Many of the best cordless strimmer models on the market right now make use of classic spools of trimmer line, but this model from Terratek does things differently. It’s a bladed strimmer, and it’s one of the best models you can buy if you prefer blades to lines. The blades offer 25cm of cutting width and can be quickly and easily changed out of the cutting head as needed. In terms of power and performance, this cordless strimmer comes with a 20V lithium ion battery that can be charged up in just a few hours and runs for up to 40 minutes on a single charge, which should be long enough to tackle the vast majority of trimming jobs. You get a two year warranty with this model too, and at just 2kg, it’s really light and easy to use. 5 Reasons To Buy

  • This is one of the lightest cordless strimmers around
  • Many users like the fact that this unit comes with plenty of spare blades to keep it going
  • Since this strimmer features blades rather than a traditional dual line system, it requires less maintenance than many others
  • A lot of people appreciate the impressive run time of the lithium ion battery with this cordless strimmer
  • Users also like how easy it is to add new blades into the cutting head

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • If you prefer strimmers with dual line systems over blades, this model won’t be the one for you
  • Some users have been disappointed by the charging times with this unit
  • A few users have complained that the blades can snap quite easily and need to be replaced relatively often when trying to cut thick grass or weeds

BLACK+DECKER 36 V Lithium-Ion Strimmer with 2.0 Ah Battery


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£169
Website:

Another of the best cordless strimmers on the market right now is this 36 V model from Black + Decker. It features a 2.0Ah lithium ion battery, providing it with enough power to cut up to 3,750 linear metres of lawn on a single charge. It outperforms much of the competition in this category, offering a lot of appeal to those with larger lawns. You get 30cm cutting width with this strimmer too, as well as Black + Decker’s E-Drive technology, which allows the unit to adjust its power setting to tackle tough, overgrown areas and then ease off for simple patches of grass in order to conserve energy and extend its run time. It can offer a massive max speed of 8,500 RPM too and it only runs at a noise level of 80 decibels, making it one of the quieter models you can buy, but it does come at quite a high price. 5 Reasons To Buy

  • This is one of the best cordless strimmers on the market in terms of power, offering 36 V of power, high torque, and a durable design
  • It boasts of a very long battery life and quite speedy charge times
  • The E-Drive technology allows this strimmer to tackle different lengths and thicknesses of grass and weeds
  • A large percentage of users have been impressed at how quiet this strimmer is
  • The E Drive technology also helps with prolonging the battery life, helping you tackle medium sized gardens and larger patches of long grass without any issues

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • Some users have complained that the battery life is significantly reduced when using the high-power Turbo mode
  • A few of the less positive reviews of this product also complained about the gears wearing out quite quickly with repeated use
  • A few users have been disappointed that the cutting head on this strimmer isn’t very adjustable compared to other cordless strimmers

WORX WG163E 18V (20V MAX) Cordless Grass Trimmer


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£135
Website:

Those looking for power, precision, functionality, and ease of use, all in one package, can find a lot to like about this cordless strimmer from Worx. It offers a cutting width of 30cm, ready to tackle wide swathes of lawn without any trouble, and it comes complete with an edging function too. It features a comfortable pair of handles at the top, along with a telescope shaft that can be easily adjusted to suit users of different heights and body types. You get two 20V, 2.0 Ah lithium ion batteries included with the Worx WG163E too, so you won’t have to worry about any significant downtime, and the clever Command Feed line feeding system has been cleverly designed to keep a steady supply of trimmer line rolling out from the spool without any issues, letting you get on with trimming and not have to keep stopping all the time to make adjustments. It also works as a cordless edge trimmer, able to take on long grass all around the garden. 6 Reasons To Buy

  • Coming with two high powered batteries, this is one of the best cordless strimmer models in terms of value for money
  • Many people love the convenience of the Command Feed system which helps to minimise the need for maintenance and line adjustments
  • A lot of users find this strimmer to be really comfortable to use
  • The 30cm cutting diameter is wider than many other cordless strimmers
  • The design of this model makes it one of the best for getting into those hard-to-reach areas like under hedges or around garden furniture
  • You can easily switch between trimming and edging modes without the use of any tools

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • Some users have been disappointed with the lengthy five hour charge times of the batteries
  • A few users are also disappointed that this cordless strimmer only rotates one way when in edging mode
  • Some of the less positive reviews for this cordless strimmer stated that the user manual wasn’t the best

Terratek Cordless Strimmer with 2 Batteries & 30 Spare Blades


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£89
Website:

Those who prefer the unique advantages of bladed cordless strimmers might like to cast an eye over this model from Terratek. It comes as part of a great value package with 30 extra blades and two high powered batteries. The batteries offer 20V of power and can run for around 30 minutes to 40 minutes per charge, needing between three and five hours to charge back up in between uses. You can use this cordless strimmer for both trimming and edging, as desired, and it’s really easy to swap in new blades as needed when the old ones get worn out or break. Buyers will also benefit from a two year warranty, and the bladed nature of this model makes it a good fit for users who don’t want to waste lots of time fiddling around with spools of trimmer line or having to replace entire lines either. All you need to do is snap the replacement blades into the cutting head and start cutting once more. 5 Reasons To Buy

  • This is one of the best cordless strimmer packages overall, coming with lots of extras and all you need to get started
  • The blades on this model are really easy to replace and can handle most grasses and garden conditions with ease
  • You can use this tool for both trimming and edging without needing any tools to switch from one mode to the other
  • The telescopic handle of this strimmer allows it to be used by people of various heights
  • Several users have been impressed by how long the battery for this unit can last per charge

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • The lengthy battery charge times can be a frustration for some users
  • Some users have noted that this strimmer kicks up a lot of grass into the air, so it’s wise to wear goggles or safety glasses to protect your eyes
  • A few of the less positive reviews for this product mention that the guard has a tendency of falling off at times and can be awkward to attach

Flymo SimpliTrim Li Cordless Battery Grass Trimmer


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£80
Website:

Older users or those who don’t want to be weighed down in the garden with a heavy strimmer that could cause aches and pains in their arms will really enjoy this ultra lightweight option from Flymo. It weighs in at only 1.7kg, making it really easy to lift, carry, and move around, great for those extended trimming sessions. Since it’s a little smaller and lighter than many others, this model isn’t the most powerful, but it’s tough enough to handle most garden grasses and offers 23cm of cutting width, featuring strong, durable blades. This cordless strimmer also comes with a 14.4V lithium ion battery that can run for around 30 minutes to 40 minutes per charge, and it actually features an integrated charging port, so you don’t need to remove the battery to power it back up in between uses. Plus, there are spare blades fitted right inside the strimmer itself, ready to be swapped in as needed, and each blade is good for four standard cutting sessions. 4 Reasons To Buy

  • This model is one of the lightest cordless strimmers around, making it really nicely suited for elderly users or those who prioritise comfort and ease of use
  • The blades are really easy to snap into the cutting head
  • The two handles at the top of this strimmer feel comfortable in the hands
  • There’s an integrated battery and simple charging port with this strimmer, making it so easy to charge

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • Some users say that the blades will break quite easily when cutting dense patches of grass or weeds
  • A few negative reviews of this strimmer say that it doesn’t offer sufficient power to handle the tougher and bigger jobs
  • Some people have found it difficult to source replacement blades for this strimmer

Flymo Contour Cordless 20V Li Grass Trimmer


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£105
Website:

Flymo is one of the most trusted names in mowers, strimmers, and other garden tools, so it’s no surprise to see that this Contour Cordless Grass Trimmer brings a lot to the table. It provides 25cm of cutting width to start off, powered up by a 20V, 2.5 Ah lithium ion battery that slips easily into its housing and can be removed in a matter of seconds, ready to be charged back up in between uses too. This cordless strimmer comes with a plant guard to protect your flowerbeds, plus an easy wheel for edging and a telescopic handle that can be adjusted as needed to suit users of varying heights too. It also comes with a large foot pedal that lets you make easy adjustments on the fly for getting into those hard to reach spots around your garden, and all of these features combine to create a very comfortable-to-use strimmer overall. 5 Reasons To Buy

  • Many people appreciate how easy this strimmer is to use
  • The large foot pedal and smart plant protector enhance the appeal of this top garden strimmer from Flymo
  • A lot of positive reviews of this product mention how quietly this cordless strimmer runs
  • Several users have also commented favourably on the fact that this model offers easy transitions from standard trimming to edge cutting
  • A lot of users like the adjustable handle options with this strimmer too, making it a great match for a wide range of users

3 Reasons Not To Buy

  • The average run time for this model is just 20-25 minutes, which might be too short for some users
  • A few users have complained of a cheap and plastic feel to some of this strimmer’s components
  • Some less positive reviews mentioned that the automatic line feed sometimes doesn’t work and needs to be sorted out manually

Bosch Grass Strimmer


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£138
Website:

Part of Bosch’s Universal garden tool range, this grass strimmer features a smart design, carefully calculated to offer maximum comfort to the user. The height-adjustable V-shaped handle allows the user to keep their back straight and maintain a healthy posture while trimming, reducing the risk of aches and pains later on. Meanwhile, the IntelliFEED system automatically feeds the spool line out to replace lost trimmer line, so you don’t have to keep stopping and starting for manual adjustments. The battery included with this top quality Bosch strimmer offers 18V of power and can be used with other Bosch products too, ideal for those who have already invested in the Bosch brand elsewhere around their homes. It can cover the equivalent of 18 tennis courts on a single charge, which equates to around 30-45 minutes on light tasks but a little less if heavier work is required, and comes complete with a charger to boost it back up after each use. 4 Reasons To Buy

  • Many people appreciate the ergonomic, comfortable design of this strimmer
  • A lot of positive reviews for this product mention how light and easy to carry it is
  • Several users stated that this strimmer is strong enough to tackle even thick patches of grass and overgrown weeds without any issues
  • It’s a fine choice for those who have other cordless Bosch devices or spare Bosch lithium ion batteries

2 Reasons Not To Buy

  • On particularly heavy workloads, the battery might wear out a little quickly
  • Some users have stated that the guide wheel can be a little flimsy and falls off at times

Greenworks Battery Lawn Trimmer G24LT Basic


Retailer:
Amazon
Price:
£58
Website:

An affordable and well-made model from top to bottom, this strimmer from Greenworks has plenty of advantages. It can be purchased solo or as part of a larger package with a 2 Ah battery, but it works with batteries up to 4 Ah, giving you plenty of options to power it up. In action, it can hit maximum speeds of 3,500 RPM and offers 25cm of cutting width. The head is fully adjustable on this model, letting you trim at various angles and get into those hard-to-reach spots with ease, and the telescopic handle is fully adjustable for your convenience, easily shortening or lengthening to suit users of different heights. The whole unit, with the battery fitted, weighs around 2kg, so it’s really lightweight, and you can use the same battery with other Greenworks products around the garden too. 4 Reasons To Buy

  • Many people like the ease of use of this product users say that the telescopic handle is comfortable in the hands and easy to adjust
  • The lightweight nature of this strimmer is another big plus
  • Users appreciate that this strimmer can also be used for lawn edging and doesn’t require any special tools to switch between modes
  • The option to use different lithium ion batteries on this strimmer allows it to work on various sizes of garden

2 Reasons Not To Buy

  • Some users have complained that even on its shortest setting, the handle of this strimmer is still too long for certain users
  • A few of the less positive reviews for this product also state that the battery run time on a standard 2 Ah battery is quite disappointing

Are cordless Strimmers any good?

Yes, there are plenty of high quality cordless strimmers out there, and more and more people are opting for cordless models due to the benefits they can provide. As leading consumer guide Which points out, “Cordless grass trimmers let you carry out jobs around the garden and allotment without worrying where the nearest plug socket is.” (1)

This is one of the key benefits of cordless strimmers; they allow you to move around the lawn more freely, without being held back or limited in any way by the length of power cables and extension cords. This can be highly beneficial for those who have large plots of land, big gardens, or allotments that aren’t conveniently close to any power outlets.

What’s more, cordless strimmers come in a huge range of types, from high-powered petrol machines that can tackle massive patches of weeds and overgrowth without any fuss to more lightweight and compact battery-powered models that have the benefit of being more eco-friendly and quieter while running too.

In spite of all this, it’s worth mentioning that there are some downsides to cordless strimmers, most notably the fact that you can’t keep them running non-stop. Eventually, the batteries will wear down and need to be charged back up or the petrol tank will empty out and need to be refuelled.

What’s the difference between a trimmer and a strimmer?

There is no difference between the terms strimmer and grass trimmer. Many people can make the mistake of confusing these two terms or worrying that one of them is very different to the other, but the truth is that they’re both used to describe the same devices.

The word ‘strimmer’ is simply a shortened version of the term ‘grass trimmer’, and you may find that some brands tend to label their products as strimmers while others favour the term grass trimmer, but they’re both referring to the same kind of tool, i.e. one that makes use of blades or trimmer line to cut through grass and weeds.

It is, however, important to note that a ‘brush cutter’ is not quite the same as a strimmer or grass trimmer. Brush cutters often feature a metal blade inside the head and are designed to tackle bigger workloads and tougher patches of foliage, such as nettles, briars, and brambles. So if you have some of these tougher, thicker patches around your garden, you might want to opt for a brush cutter.

What size strimmer do I need?

When we talk about strimmer size, it’s important to understand that the size of the unit itself can have an impact on how comfortable and easy it is to use. Older users or those with aches and pains may prefer to find a very lightweight and compact model, while others won’t mind something bigger and bulkier.

Often, the best cordless strimmers are able to offer a telescopic handle. This allows you to change the length of the handle in order to suit your height. Taller users will need longer handles, while shorter users will want to minimise the length of the handle in order to use the strimmer comfortably.

WhatShed Top Tip – If you plan on sharing your strimmer with other users, try to find one with a highly adjustable handle

As SPS Engineering explains, it’s important to focus on the type of strimmer, as well as other factors, in addition to its size, in order to find one that’s just right for you. (2) You need to think about the cutting width, for example, which shows how much grass the strimmer can cut on each pass, as well as its power source, run time, battery charging times, and more.

It’s only by taking these different factors into account and considering all the options that you’ll be able to find the perfect strimmer to meet your needs. If you have a large lawn and do a lot of trimming, for example, you may need to prioritise a model with a long run time or a petrol model, or if you need to do a lot of lawn edging, you’ll need to find one with an edge wheel feature.

How do you stop a strimmer line from breaking?

One of the issues that can occur when using a cordless grass trimmeris that the line may break over time. This is a regular part of a trimmer’s functionality, and you can’t expect the line to stay intact forever. Most trimmers even come with built in automatic feeding systems to feed fresh line out as the older parts break off, but there are actions you can take to reduce the risks of breakages.

For instance, it’s wise to read through the instructions of your chosen trimmer and see what the manufacturer recommends in terms of general usage. Often, manufacturers will provide clear instructions regarding how and when to use a trimmer, along with tips that can help you minimise the risk of line breakages and maximise the lifespan of each set of line.

In general, when using your grass trimmer, you’ll want to make sure you only use it on grass and weeds that it can cut. If you expose the line to harder surfaces or accidentally hold the strimmer too close to garden paths and slabs, it will be more likely to break.

WhatShed Top Tip – If you find your line breaking too often, consider making use of a thicker line

It’s also important to think about the conditions of the ground before you start strimming and avoid using your strimmer if the conditions aren’t right. The RHS, for instance, advises against lawn work in general when the grass is wet or frosty. (3)

Certain grass trimmers will not be too well-suited to cutting thick grasses or weeds, due to a lack of power, so lines will break off much more frequently if you try and use your trimmer for work it isn’t capable of. You may need to find a more powerful model if you have lots of weeds and overgrown areas around your garden.

Are Strimmers with plastic blades any good?

As well as models with spools or pieces of line, it’s also possible to find some trimmers with blades in the head. The blades spin around at high speeds, powered by the motor, in order to chop through the grass or weeds.

There are certainly some advantages to these models. For starters, they require way less maintenance and there are fewer things that can go wrong. Since you don’t need to worry about feeding out fresh line or having to deal with line breakages, you can simply use your trimmer consistently and only need to stop and replace blades if they break.

The strength of the blades can vary from model to model. Some of them will be more than strong enough to tackle weeds and thick grasses, while others will be weaker and break more often, so it’s recommended to read user and expert reviews in order to find a model that can meet your needs.

It’s also worth noting that you can find bladed strimmers with various power sources. Some are corded, others will be powered by petrol, and others have batteries. So, if you’re considering a bladed model, you have a lot of options to choose between, and each style has its advantages.

Corded models have the benefit of not running out of power. Petrol mowers tend to be the most powerful, and as Christ Church College notes, battery models have the key advantages of being quieter and more friendly to the environment. (4)

References

  1. https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/grass-trimmers-and-strimmers/article/should-i-buy-a-cordless-strimmer-or-grass-trimmer
  2. https://www.sgs-engineering.com/help-advice/use-strimmer-ultimate-guide/#features
  3. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=425
  4. https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/blog/going-green