10 Best Cordless String Trimmers Under $200 (October 2026)

A cordless string trimmer under $200 is a battery-powered weed eater that spins nylon line to cut grass and weeds along fence lines, around tree trunks, and along bed and walkway edges, sold as a kit with a battery and charger. Every trimmer in our list of the best cordless string trimmers under $200 is judged on kit price, not bare-tool price, because that is the number that decides what you can actually buy today.

We spent weeks reading buyer reviews, spec sheets, and warranty terms across ten of the highest-reviewed cordless trimmers in this price band. The list spans 10-inch lightweights for tiny yards, 13-inch mid-size workhorses, and two 15-inch premium machines, so you can match the tool to the yard rather than the other way around.

One thing came up again and again in our reading: the brand matters more than the specification sheet. Owners who already have batteries from a platform should buy the matching trimmer, because a spare battery often costs more than a whole budget kit from another brand. The platform-first rule shaped most of our ordering below.

What a string trimmer does: a motor spins a spool of nylon line at high speed, and the spinning line shears off grass and weeds. You control cutting depth by adjusting the head angle, and most models convert to an edger for cleaner lines along sidewalks and driveways.

ContentsTable of Contents

1. 1How We Picked These Trimmers→
2. 2Top 3 Cordless String Trimmers Under $200→
3. 3WORX WG163 12 Inch 2-in-1→
4. 4Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo→
5. 5BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX→
6. 6All 10 Cordless String Trimmers at a Glance in 2026→
7. 71. WORX WG163 12 Inch 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger→
8. 8WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163→
9. 9Pros→
10. 10Cons→
11. 11What the two included batteries actually get you→
12. 12Where it falls short→
13. 132. Greenworks 40V Trimmer and 390 CFM Blower Combo→
14. 14Greenworks 40V 12 in String Trimmer & 390 CFM Blower Combo, 2.0 Ah Battery→
15. 15Pros→
16. 16Cons→
17. 17Who this bundle rewards→
18. 18Where it falls short→
19. 193. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX Trimmer and Edger→
20. 20BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and Edger 2 in 1, Cordless Weed Wacker with Auto Spool Feed, Battery and Charger Included, 12 Inch Steel Deck, Reduced Vibration (LST300)→
21. 21Pros→
22. 22Cons→
23. 23Why it suits a small yard specifically→
24. 24Where it falls short→
25. 254. BLACK+DECKER LST522 20V MAX Two-Speed Trimmer→
26. 26BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX 12 Inch Weed Eater Cordless String Trimmer and Wheeled Edger Lawn Tool with Spool, 2.5Ah Battery and Charger Included, Lightweight, 2 Speed PowerDrive (LST522)→
27. 27Pros→
28. 28Cons→
29. 29When two speeds change the outcome→
30. 30Where it falls short→
31. 315. WORX WG154 10 Inch Lightweight Trimmer→
32. 32Worx 20V 10″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Lawn Edger for Yard, WG154→
33. 33Pros→
34. 34Cons→
35. 35The case for the smallest swath→
36. 36Where it falls short→
37. 376. BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V MAX 13 Inch Trimmer→
38. 38Black+Decker 40V MAX 13 Inch String Trimmer and Lawn Edger with Battery and Charger, Cordless Weed Eater with Charge Indicator, High Torque PowerDrive Technology (LST140C)→
39. 39Pros→
40. 40Cons→
41. 41Why 40V earns its platform split→
42. 42Where it falls short→
43. 437. EGO POWER+ ST1502SA 15 Inch Trimmer Kit→
44. 44EGO POWER+ 15″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1502SA→
45. 45Pros→
46. 46Cons→
47. 47Who should spend the top of the band here→
48. 48Where it falls short→
49. 498. WORX WG170.2 3-in-1 Trimmer, Edger and Mini Mower→
50. 50Worx 20V 12″ 3-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer/Lawn Edger/Mini Mower, WG170.2→
51. 51Pros→
52. 52Cons→
53. 53When one tool genuinely replaces three→
54. 54Where it falls short→
55. 559. CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST900D1 13 Inch Trimmer and Edger→
56. 56CRAFTSMAN V20 Weed Wacker Cordless String Trimmer and Edger, Weed Eater Includes 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger, Lightweight, Extended Runtime, 2 Speed (CMCST900D1)→
57. 57Pros→
58. 58Cons→
59. 59The honest case for CRAFTSMAN here→
60. 60Where it falls short→
61. 6110. EGO POWER+ ST1510T 15 Inch Tool-Only Trimmer→
62. 62EGO Power+ String Trimmer, Battery Powered, 15″ Trimmer for Weeds and Grass with POWERLOAD, Telescopic Aluminum Shaft, Battery and Charger Not Included – ST1510T→
63. 63Pros→
64. 64Cons→
65. 65The math that makes a tool-only body sensible→
66. 66Where it falls short→
67. 67How to Choose a Cordless String Trimmer Under $200→
68. 68Frequently Asked Questions→
69. 69Which cordless string trimmer is best rated?→
70. 70What is the best string trimmer for the money?→
71. 71Which is better for a cordless trimmer, 20V or 40V?→
72. 72What is the best budget cordless trimmer?→
73. 73What is the most reliable cordless string trimmer?→
74. 74How long does a cordless string trimmer battery last?→
75. 75Our Verdict for 2026→

How We Picked These Trimmers

We weighted six things: the size of the buyer review base, the cutting swath, the battery platform, the line-feed system, the weight of the bare tool, and whether a battery and charger are actually in the box.

Platform compatibility carried the most weight in our ordering. Forum threads repeatedly recommend judging a trimmer first by whether you already own its batteries, and that logic reshuffled several otherwise excellent picks. We also treated the slow stock charger as a real cost rather than a freebie, since a 2.0Ah pack on a low-output charger means a long lunch break mid-yard.

We did not test these tools ourselves under load. Every number below comes from manufacturer specifications and from the aggregated buyer reviews listed with each product, and we name the trade-offs that reviewers report most often rather than glossing over them.

Top 3 Cordless String Trimmers Under $200

All 10 Cordless String Trimmers at a Glance in 2026

1. WORX WG163 12 Inch 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger

This is the pick we come back to most often, and the reason is simple: it ships with two batteries. At 28501 reviews it also has by far the largest buyer base in this list, which means the long-term failure patterns are well documented rather than mysterious.

The head tilts 90 degrees for slopes and hard-to-reach spots, and the rubberized support wheels turn it into a guided edger for genuinely straight lines along a walkway. The Command Feed button advances line on demand instead of making you bump the head against the ground mid-stride.

Both batteries are 20V Power Share maxLithium packs, and the tool works with every other 20V and 40V WORX product. If you own a WORX drill or a WORX blower already, this is the cheapest path to a working trimmer because the batteries are already on your shelf.

The 7600 rpm no-load speed is tied for the highest in the roundup, and it shows on green grass. Reviewers do report the motor binding up in thick, stalky growth, and the 12 inch swath means more passes than a 13 or 15 inch head would need.

What the two included batteries actually get you

Two batteries change the shape of a trimming session. You work until the first pack fades, swap in the second, and charge the first while you keep cutting, which removes the single most common complaint in this price band, namely runtime anxiety on a medium yard.

Reviewers also praise the free spools for life, which quietly removes one recurring household cost. The 10 inch line and 0.065 inch line diameter are standard sizes you can buy anywhere, so you are not hunting for proprietary cartridges.

Where it falls short

The Command Feed system requires you to stop the tool to advance line, and reviewers who came from bump-feed trimmers note the change in rhythm. It is not a fault, but it is a habit you have to learn.

Along a very tight fence line, the tilted head and the support wheel assembly make the tool longer and fussier than a plain straight-shaft trimmer. If your yard is mostly fence line and shrub borders, test the handling before you commit.

2. Greenworks 40V Trimmer and 390 CFM Blower Combo

This bundle is the value play of the group, because you get a working trimmer and a 390 CFM leaf blower off a single battery platform. For a homeowner doing autumn cleanup as well as summer trimming, that second tool is real utility rather than a gimmick.

The trimmer body itself is 8 lb with a 12 inch swath and 0.065 inch auto-feed line, and Greenworks backs the head with a 3 year head warranty on top of the 3 year tool warranty. That is longer coverage than the 2 year terms on the BLACK+DECKER kits here.

The measured 67 dB figure makes it the quietest tool we can verify with a published number, which matters if you are trimming before your neighbors are awake or close to a property line.

Who this bundle rewards

The single 2.0Ah battery recharges in about 60 minutes and powers 8 or more tools across the Greenworks 40V ecosystem, so the second battery you eventually buy slides into the blower, the hedge trimmer, and the chainsaw without any adapter.

The catch is arithmetic. One small battery means you cannot run the blower and the trimmer at the same time, and on anything larger than a small suburban yard you will be swapping and charging through the whole session.

Where it falls short

The total package weight is 16.5 lb, and reviewers regularly flag that the 2.0Ah capacity is the limiting factor rather than the motor. If you already own 40V Greenworks packs, this bundle is a no-brainer. If you own nothing, budget for a second battery later.

Forum discussion about Greenworks splits cleanly by voltage, with owners of the 60V and 40V lines reporting strong satisfaction while lighter 20V-class machines draw more criticism. This sits on the stronger side of that split.

3. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX Trimmer and Edger

The Automatic Feed Spool is the reason this model keeps ranking so high with buyers. You do not bump the head to get line, you just pull the trigger, and reviewers describe the mechanism as feeling more like a premium feature than a budget one.

At 5.7 lb with an adjustable handle and multiple height positions, it is comfortable for older users or anyone who finds a 7 lb-plus body tiring over a long afternoon. The included wall-mountable charging base keeps the tool and battery out of the way on a garage wall.

The PowerDrive transmission delivers 6200 rpm, which is the lowest spindle speed in this roundup, yet reviewers still report it handling thick grass well. The single 2.0Ah pack is rated 33 percent more capable than the earlier pack it replaced.

Because it runs on 20V MAX, the battery and charger are among the easiest to find replacements for in the entire cordless tool market. That is a meaningful advantage if you are outside the BLACK+DECKER ecosystem already.

Why it suits a small yard specifically

On a small lot, a 12 inch swath is not a limitation because there is simply less ground to cover. The combination of low weight, no bump feeding, and a two-second conversion to edger mode means one tool handles the fence line, the bed edge, and the path in a single short session.

Buyers also point out the reduced vibration, which matters more on light trimming duty than on heavy cutting, because you spend more time holding it than you do cutting with it.

Where it falls short

One 2.0Ah battery is the most common complaint, and reviewers with anything beyond a small lot recommend adding a second pack. The 2 year limited warranty is also the shortest in this roundup alongside the LST522.

Reviewers comparing it directly with 13-15 inch models note that the narrower cut means more passes in open areas. If you have half an acre or more of edge to maintain, step up in swath instead.

4. BLACK+DECKER LST522 20V MAX Two-Speed Trimmer

This carries the highest average rating of the ten at 4.5 across 6511 reviews, and 73 percent of those reviews are five stars. The reason is the battery: a 2.5Ah pack rated at 66 percent more runtime than the standard 20V MAX pack, in a tool that weighs the same 5.7 lb as the cheaper LST300.

Two speed control is the feature that changes how you work. High speed for dense growth at the fence line, low speed for a long lazy pass along the path when you want to stretch a single charge across the whole property.

Wheeled edger conversion produces a cleaner line than spool-only edgers because the wheels hold a consistent height. Reviewers consistently single this out as the step up that justifies the higher spend over the LST300.

The micro-texture soft grip is a small detail that matters over a 40-minute session. Adjustable height and handle settings mean two people of different sizes can share one tool without an awkward fight with the shaft.

When two speeds change the outcome

On light weekly upkeep, the low setting is the honest answer to most runtime complaints in this category. You are not fighting a thick stand of grass, so the motor does not need full output and the pack lasts considerably longer.

That makes this the pick for someone who trims once a week and hates stopping. The 2.5Ah pack plus a slow speed is a real combination, not a marketing claim, provided you are not cutting woody growth.

Where it falls short

You still get one battery, so swapping is required on a bigger yard. The 12 inch swath is identical to the cheaper LST300, which means you are paying for battery capacity and control rather than for cutting width.

Users sensitive to tool weight notice the 5.7 lb figure next to the 4.2 lb WORX on this list. It is a modest difference on paper and a noticeable one after an hour of trimming.

5. WORX WG154 10 Inch Lightweight Trimmer

At 4.2 lb this is the lightest tool in the roundup by a full pound and a half, and reviewers repeatedly describe it as the one they can hold for a whole session without forearm fatigue. For an older homeowner or anyone with shoulder and wrist issues, that is not a small consideration.

The 180 degree head rotation is the clever part. Turn it for a narrow cut and the 2.0Ah pack lasts longer; turn it wide and you clear a path faster. The auto feed line system advances without bumping, so you are not stopping every few minutes.

The adjustable flower guard keeps line away from planting beds and lawn ornaments, and the auxiliary handle adds control on the longer shaft. Cordless operation means no cable to drag around shrubs and no extension cord to trip over.

For a 20V 2.0Ah Power Share battery, the tool works with WORX 20V products and with select 40V and 80V tools, so the platform is not a dead end even at the bottom of the list.

The case for the smallest swath

A 10 inch swath is genuinely slower in open grass, and reviewers are honest about that. It wins in tight quarters, under shrubs, along narrow beds, and anywhere you are cutting around something rather than clearing a lawn edge.

It is also the cheapest path into the WORX Power Share platform. If you want one battery family that covers trimming, edging, and the rest of a small yard tool set, this is the entry point and the WG163 is the upgrade.

Where it falls short

The 2800 rpm spindle speed is the lowest of the ten and well below the 5800 to 7600 rpm range of everything else, so thick, stalky growth is where it will disappoint first. Reviewers position it as an edging and detail tool rather than a clearing tool.

The battery is listed as a nonstandard type, which matters if you were counting on swapping packs between brands. Stay within WORX and it is a non-issue.

6. BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V MAX 13 Inch Trimmer

This is the answer to the question buyers ask most in this band, namely whether a cheaper 40V machine can beat 20V models on real work. With a 13 inch swath and a high-torque PowerDrive transmission, it clears thick post-mow overgrowth that narrower 20V heads push over instead of cutting.

The 40V MAX lithium battery has a state-of-charge indicator on the tool, so you check remaining runtime without walking back to the house. That single feature does more for session planning than any spec number.

The Automatic Feed Spool keeps line coming without interruption, and the tool converts from trimming to edging quickly. The wall-mountable charging base is included, and a 3 year limited warranty beats the 2 year terms on the other BLACK+DECKER kits in this roundup.

Owners also get an auxiliary handle and a guard in the box, which matters because a 6.4 lb tool with a two-handed grip is far easier to control than one without.

Why 40V earns its platform split

Voltage is not a marketing number here. Higher voltage at the same amp-hour rating means more energy per pack, and that energy is what gets a line head through dense, damp, or stalky growth rather than just spinning on top of it.

The important warning is the platform split. A 40V MAX pack does not fit any 20V MAX tool, so buying this means committing to the 40V line for everything else you might add later.

Where it falls short

At 6.4 lb it is the heaviest bare trimmer on this list, and that weight is more noticeable on long sessions than the number suggests. Reviews also note the 40V ecosystem is smaller than the 20V MAX one, which narrows your future attachment options.

Only one battery ships in the box despite the higher-capacity platform, so most owners add a second pack. Do that before the first hot weekend rather than after.

7. EGO POWER+ ST1502SA 15 Inch Trimmer Kit

The EGO kit is the engineering answer in this list, and it earns the top of the price band on specification rather than on bargain hunting. A high-efficiency brushless motor, a 15 inch swath with 0.095 inch professional-grade line, and a 5 year tool warranty with 3 years on the battery simply do not appear on anything cheaper here.

The included 2.5Ah 56V ARC battery recharges in 50 minutes on the supplied charger, and the variable speed trigger lets you dial output to the task rather than running wide open through light grass.

The Rapid Reload head is designed to cut line and spool it in one step, and owners with no prior line-winding experience rate that highly. That matters more than it sounds, because a confusing head is the reason many trimmers sit unused in a garage.

There is no hot exhaust gas, so it is usable in warm weather without the headache and the smell, and the brushless motor means low vibration over long sessions.

Who should spend the top of the band here

EGO owners already running 56V ARC batteries should start here, because the included 2.5Ah pack works with every EGO power tool and every 56V ARC pack works with this trimmer. That is the platform play at its strongest.

For a large property with dense seasonal growth, the 15 inch swath covers ground noticeably faster, and the 5 year warranty is the only coverage in this roundup that would outlast a move or a resale.

Where it falls short

This is the one product here with a meaningful stream of critical reviews. A recurring theme is line breaking inside the head and jams during reload, and reviewers note that EGO support has classified the head as a 90 day accessory rather than a warrantable tool part, which leaves the buyer paying for a replacement head.

Its 4.2 average is the lowest of the ten, and 45 minutes of runtime from a 2.5Ah pack is short for big lots. The loud charger fan is also reported often enough that you should expect to hear it in a quiet house.

8. WORX WG170.2 3-in-1 Trimmer, Edger and Mini Mower

Wirecutter-style guides like this one only earn a spot when they add a capability the others lack, and this is the only genuine 3-in-1 here. It trims, it edges with dual support wheels, and it cuts a small patch of lawn without a separate mower.

The 7600 rpm spindle speed ties for the highest in the roundup, so the 3-in-1 label does not cost you cutting ability. Owners with small yards like handling trim, edge, and patch mowing with one tool that costs less than three.

The 7 position adjustable handle and telescopic shaft collapse down for storage, which is a real advantage in a small garage. An integrated flower guard protects planting beds, and the 90 degree pivoting head reaches under shrubs and along slopes.

Command Feed is an on-demand electronic push-button feed, and reviewers highlight that it wastes no string compared with bump feeds that over-extend. The 2.0Ah pack and charger are both in the box.

When one tool genuinely replaces three

The mini mower mode is for a small patch, not a lawn, and reviewers are clear about that boundary. For a front strip, a small side yard, or a patch that never gets touched by the main mower, it removes a chore and the storage space a second tool needs.

On the same Power Share platform as the WG163, the packs interchange, so owning both is cheaper over time than owning two separate ecosystems. That is the strongest argument for the WORX platform in this roundup.

Where it falls short

More modes mean more moving parts, and buyers who outgrow the mini mower point to complexity as the reason to step up to a dedicated tool. A 2.0Ah battery is also the ceiling on how much you finish per charge.

If you have no use for the mowing function, the simpler 2-in-1 WG163 gives you the same 12 inch swath, the same 7600 rpm, and two batteries instead of one.

9. CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST900D1 13 Inch Trimmer and Edger

The CRAFTSMAN V20 is the pick for anyone who wants a wider cut than the 12 inch budget crowd without moving up to a premium price band. A 13 inch swath and a 3 year warranty at a mid-range spend is a combination you do not often see in this category.

Automatic line advance with 0.065 inch line works reliably according to owners, and the ergonomic telescoping pole switches from trimming to edging quickly while fitting a wide range of user heights.

Two speed settings give real flexibility between power and extended runtime. Owners use the high setting for dense patches and the low setting to stretch a charge across a weekend of small touch-ups, and the VERSATRACK integrated hook lets the tool hang on wall storage sold separately.

Build quality comes up repeatedly in reviews as a step up from comparable budget tools, with 70 percent of the 2406 reviews at five stars.

The honest case for CRAFTSMAN here

Reviews split cleanly into two camps. Most owners call it the best value for a residential yard, praising the working auto feed, the 13 inch swath, and solid construction. The critical reviews cluster around ergonomics rather than performance.

Nearly everyone who rates it highly recommends pairing it with a larger 5 Ah battery, which is the single most common upgrade advice in the whole roundup. The included 2.0Ah pack gives roughly 45 to 60 minutes.

Where it falls short

The run and power button is very sensitive and needs a firm grip, which is uncomfortable for smaller hands over a long session. The loop handle is also oversized for some users, and the edging mode is weaker than a dedicated edger and needs careful technique.

A small number of reviews report battery or charger failures shortly after unboxing, so inspect both on arrival and keep the receipt. If you have small hands, try the handle in person first.

10. EGO POWER+ ST1510T 15 Inch Tool-Only Trimmer

This one is not a kit, and that changes who should buy it. The ST1510T ships as the tool body alone, which makes it a poor value for a first-time buyer and an excellent value for someone who already owns EGO 56V ARC batteries and a charger.

The POWERLOAD head is the best line-handling design in this roundup. You thread the line through the head and press a button to wind it automatically, and owners with no winding experience rate it as a genuine step up from every conventional spool here.

The telescopic aluminum shaft adjusts for both reach and user height, and the high-efficiency brushless motor runs with low vibration for longer motor life. IPX4 weather resistance means an unexpected shower is not a tool-ending event.

It carries a 5 year tool warranty, the joint-longest here, and the 15 inch swath uses dual 0.095 inch spiral-twist line, which handles tougher growth than the thinner line on budget models.

The math that makes a tool-only body sensible

Judged on sticker price alone this looks like poor value. Judge it against the cost of a second 56V ARC battery and a charger you already own, and it becomes the cheapest route to a 15 inch, brushless, five-year-warranty trimmer available.

For a first cordless tool purchase, that math does not work. You would be buying a body and then immediately buying the two accessories that make it runnable.

Where it falls short

At 851 reviews this is the smallest sample in the roundup, so buyer feedback is thinner than the number on the 20V models suggests. Several reviews report line snapping short of the head and difficulty installing new line.

Assembly is also reported as difficult, with one reviewer needing a rubber mallet, and at 7.4 lb the body plus battery can feel back-loaded. Check the manual before you start, and budget for a battery and charger regardless of how the listing reads.

How to Choose a Cordless String Trimmer Under $200

Buy the platform you already own. This is the highest-leverage decision in the whole category. A spare battery frequently costs more than a complete budget kit from a competing brand, so if your garage already has Ryobi, DeWalt, Milwaukee, EGO, Greenworks, BLACK+DECKER, WORX, or CRAFTSMAN packs, match the trimmer to them. Forum consensus repeats this advice more than any other.

Choose your voltage tier by weed type, not by yard size alone. An 18V or 20V MAX trimmer handles weekly edge upkeep on a small or medium lawn well, and it struggles when grass is thick, stalky, or damp. A 40V or 60V platform is the right call if you are clearing overgrown weeds, tall grass along a property edge, or anything that has been ignored since last season. Higher voltage at the same amp-hour rating simply means more energy per pack, and that energy is what gets a line head through dense growth rather than spinning over the top of it.

Read the battery capacity, not just the voltage. A 2.0Ah pack is the smallest in every platform listed here and produces the most frequent charge cycles. A 2.5Ah pack is rated at 66 percent more runtime than the standard 20V MAX pack, and a 5Ah pack is the upgrade most owners of the CRAFTSMAN and EGO kits recommend. If you already own a platform, check what capacity you have before assuming a second pack is even needed.

Look at cutting swath before anything else. A 10 inch swath is for tight quarters and detail work under shrubs. A 12 inch swath covers a typical suburban lot. A 13 inch swath reduces passes noticeably on a medium yard, and a 15 inch swath is the difference between one pass and two across open edge work.

Pick the line feed you will actually tolerate. Bump feed means you knock the head on the ground to advance line, which is fast but inconsistent. A push-button or automatic feed spool gives an even cut and no wasted string, but it requires you to stop or squeeze a control. A meaningful share of complaints in this category is not about cutting ability at all, it is about line that will not advance when you need it.

Count the weight. Anything under about 6 lb is comfortable for long sessions, and anything above 11 lb is genuinely tiring. Most reviewers draw that line around 11 lb. The heaviest bare tools here are 6.4 lb and 7.4 lb, which is manageable, and the lightest is 4.2 lb for a reason.

Budget for the accessories, honestly. A kit that includes a battery and a charger is what this whole price band assumes. If a listing is a bare tool, the real spend is the tool plus a battery plus a charger, and that can push past the ceiling you set. Second batteries and fast chargers are the two upgrades buyers report buying most often, and the stock charger in a kit is repeatedly named in forums as the weakest part of an otherwise good purchase. A low-output charger on a small pack is fine for a small yard and painful for a large one.

Check noise if you have close neighbors. The Greenworks combo has a published 67 dB operating figure, which makes it the quietest tool here we can verify. Cordless tools generally run far quieter than gas, but if you trim before 8am against a property line, that number is worth checking.

Models we set aside. We did not include club-store and private-label trimmers in this roundup. They are worth watching for seasonal promotions, but buyer feedback and parts availability are thinner than the models above, and we would rather point you at a platform you can expand with confidence. We also skipped 15 inch and 16 inch premium kits from the major brands, since their kit pricing sits above this ceiling, and the bare-tool versions fall into the same trap as the EGO ST1510T.

Wear the right protection. Eye protection, closed-toe shoes, and long trousers matter more with a line trimmer than with most other tools, because the line can throw stones, bark, and glass. Keep the debris guard in place, and never run the head at full speed with a guard removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict for 2026

The best cordless string trimmers under $200 are, in order, the WORX WG163 for most people, the Greenworks 40V combo if you also want a blower, and the BLACK+DECKER LST300 if your yard is small and you want the lightest handling in the list. The WG163 wins because two included batteries, a 7600 rpm spindle, and a 28501-review track record add up to the fewest compromises of anything in this band.

Match your existing battery platform before you fall for any specification, and buy the widest swath your yard needs rather than the narrowest price. Use the per-product price buttons above to check the current figure for each kit.