Rating of the best cordless trimmers in 2020: reviews

You can also use a manual scythe to deal with thickets of grass in the garden, but the trimmer is much better suited for this. It is comfortable, lightweight, maneuverable and inexpensive, especially when compared to a lawn mower. The most convenient grass trimmers are cordless. Why are they good, how to choose them and what 6 cordless trimmers deserve the title of the best, read on.

Pros and cons of cordless grass trimmers

The most common trimmers are still mains and petrol models. However, electric braids that run on batteries are gradually gaining popularity. The explanation is simple:

• They are very comfortable. The battery trimmer does not need a 20m extension cord or a can of fuel - just a charged battery. You can work with it anywhere and in any way, there would be enough charge.
• They require almost no maintenance. Usually, it is enough to just charge the battery, change consumables like fishing line and occasionally lubricate the gearbox. No fiddling with preparing the fuel mixture, changing the oil and other "EU and TO".
• They are quiet and environmentally friendly. This plus is especially visible when comparing the battery trimmer with a gasoline brushcutter. There is no rumble or smelly exhaust from the internal combustion engine, so you can work in almost any conditions.
• They are safe. Starting a fire with a cordless trimmer or chopping off your toe is much more difficult than using a lawn mower.
• They are very maneuverable. With the help of a cordless trimmer equipped with a fishing line, you can cut the grass even around the legs of the bench, even along the fence, even among the stones. This will not damage the bench, fence, or trimmer.

Contrary to popular myths, the price, weight and reliability of cordless trimmers are just as good as their network counterparts. The only drawbacks are relatively low performance and a short operating time on a single battery charge, which rarely exceeds half an hour. This allows us to speak of cordless trimmers as the best choice for a small backyard, cottage or garden.

What characteristics to look for when choosing a cordless grass trimmer

Engine speed. Higher engine speeds mean faster and cleaner work. Typically, the engine spins the working tool up to 10,000-15,000 rpm.

Mowing width. The larger it is, the more grass can be cut with the trimmer in one stroke. At the same time, the cutting width has a negative effect on maneuverability: a wide tool simply cannot fit into a narrow gap.

Rod type. Trimmers can be fitted with straight or curved bars. It is believed that devices of the first type are more reliable and efficient, and the second is more convenient and maneuverable.

In addition, you can find on sale non-collapsible, collapsible and telescopic rods. The latter are more convenient to operate, but the former are cheaper and more reliable, while the second type can be called a compromise option.

Cutting elements. Cordless trimmers are equipped with plastic and metal knives or fishing line.

• The knives are a durable and productive solution that can tackle even the roughest grass and branches. This is especially true of metal knives: plastic, even of high quality, made of good material, are somewhat inferior to them in reliability and efficiency, but they are superior in accessibility and lightness.
• Plastic fishing line is a consumable item that is designed to be consumed continuously. It can have a diameter from 1 to 4 mm and be of a very different cross-section: round, with notches, square, hexagonal or generally star-shaped. Most types of fishing line are worse at coping with hard work than knives, but this rig is much safer to work with and can mow even close to the ground, even near obstacles without harm to the trimmer.

Battery type. Like other types of gardening equipment, battery trimmers can be equipped with three main types of batteries.

• Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd). More recently - the de facto standard and the most common type of batteries for power tools. They are heavier than others, tend to self-discharge and suffer from a pronounced memory effect, so they must be completely discharged before charging, while not allowing too deep a discharge. In addition, cadmium is an extremely toxic metal that requires careful disposal. The main advantages of these batteries: low price, durability and indifference to frost (although, of course, hardly anyone is mowing at -20).
• Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH). They were conceived as a replacement for the previous type of battery. The advantages of these batteries are that they do not contain poisonous cadmium, they weigh relatively little, and do not suffer from the memory effect as much as nickel-cadmium ones. Unfortunately, active self-discharge and high price are very serious disadvantages that prevent the widespread use of batteries of this type.
• Lithium-ion (Li-Ion). The most popular type of rechargeable battery today. They are used not only in consumer electronics and gadgets, but also in trimmers. Batteries of this type are not cheap and discharge in cold weather. But they are lightweight and do not have problems with the memory effect or self-discharge, which determines their popularity.

Battery voltage. High battery voltage usually means high trimmer performance. Typically, these devices operate on batteries with a voltage of 12 to 36 volts.

Battery capacity. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the trimmer can work on one battery charge. There are many variables and the exact time is difficult to predict, but usually a battery with a capacity of 2-4 Ah is needed for half an hour of work.

Weight and dimensions. This is often forgotten, but an extra half a kilogram of weight can come around with back pain, and a couple of extra centimeters of width will not allow mow the grass somewhere under the porch, so it is better to choose a trimmer in the store in order to be able to weigh the device in hands.

Manufacturer. Of course, a brand is far from being a guarantee of impeccability. But let's be honest: the products of well-known trusted brands like Husqvarna, Makita or greenworks will be of high quality with a much greater probability than junk from Chinese no-names. In addition, with such trimmers, you will definitely not have problems with spare parts, warranty service and professional repair, so it is better to turn your attention to devices from well-known brands. We will tell you which ones in our independent rating.

Ranking of the best cordless grass trimmers

1. Husqvarna 536LiLX

Powerful and productive cordless trimmer from a famous brand. Works on branded 36-volt lithium-ion batteries: one charge is enough for an hour and a half of work. Cutting width - 40 cm, noise level - 96 dB. Straight boom with D-shaped handle. The handle height can be adjusted. The tool uses a fishing line in its work, but instead of it you can use a knife if you buy washers and a nut. The main and only drawback of this device is the price of 23,500 rubles, which is still increasing due to the fact that there is no battery and charger in the kit.

From a customer review: “The trimmer can easily handle tall grass above the knee. I was very pleased with the peculiarity of the engine, under load, the revolutions almost do not drop, unlike gasoline and electric brush brushes... it is already breathtaking. "

Price: ₽ 23 450

Husqvarna 536LiLX

2. Trimmer Makita DUR189Z

This cordless trimmer costs almost half the price of the previous one - prices for it start at about 14,500 rubles. However, the Japanese apparatus is also capable of many things. The engine, powered by an 18-volt lithium-ion battery, spins the rig up to 6,000 rpm. The mowing width is 30 cm, and the noise level is quite modest 79 dB. Features a height-adjustable handle and a comfortable curved D-handle bar. The kit includes a fishing line and a shoulder strap, but you will not find a battery and charger in the box.

From the customer's review: "Convenient and modern tool, nice to work with."

Price: ₽ 14 779

Makita DUR189Z

3. Trimmer STIHL FSA 45

Lightweight and compact portable trimmer weighing only 2300 grams. Operates on batteries with a voltage of 18 volts, which are enough for about an hour of continuous operation with a full charge time, declared by the manufacturer, of 210 minutes. The noise level is quite tolerable 87 dB. Features: folding handle with adjustable height and D-shaped handle, straight bar, adjustable working angle of the head. A fishing line and a knife are included with the device. Not the most productive, but convenient and versatile device for household use, for which they ask for only 9,000 rubles.

From the customer's review: "Ideal for women and for a small amount of work."

Price: ₽ 8 990

STIHL FSA 45

4. Trimmer greenworks 2101507 GD40LT30

This model portable trimmer at the price of 6,000 rubles, it is distinguished by high performance, which is provided by a powerful 40-volt lithium-ion battery. Battery capacity - 2 Ah. The cutting width is 30 cm, and the speed of rotation of the knife at idle speed reaches 7500 rpm. Height-adjustable folding handle, straight bar, D-handle. The head rotates 90 degrees. The device comes with a 1.65 mm fishing line, but the battery and charger are not included.

Price: ₽ 5 990

greenworks 2101507 GD40LT30

5. Trimmer GARDENA SmallCut Li-23R

Portable hybrid trimmer, capable of operating both from the mains and from a lithium-ion battery. The mowing width is a modest 22.3 cm, but this is a very compact device with which you can mow grass even in the narrowest places. Power consumption is 230 W, battery voltage is 14.4 V, so the performance of this the device will be enough to work with lawn grass and weeds, but you cannot expect any records from it costs. Straight bar, comfortable grip. The kit includes a knife. The price of the instrument does not exceed 5600 rubles.

Price: ₽ 5 623

GARDENA SmallCut Li-23R

6. Best budget grass trimmer - greenworks 2101207 G24LT30

Inexpensive cordless trimmer, which can be purchased for only 3500-4000 rubles. The 24V lithium-ion battery provides decent performance for such an affordable model. The cutting width is 30 cm and the engine idling speed reaches 9000 rpm. The convenient, height-adjustable foldable D-handle ensures comfortable operation, while the straight boom promises high reliability and durability. The tool is supplied without battery and charger, but complete with 1.65 mm line. The trimmer is heavy - it weighs 3.4 kg - but at such a price, you can put up with this drawback.

Price: ₽ 3 490

greenworks 2101207 G24LT30

FAQ

Fishing line or knife - which is better?
Depends on a situation. The advantages of knives are that they are suitable even for the coarsest grass or branches, and they need to be changed much less often than fishing line. That, in turn, although it requires constant replacement (fishing line in general is just a consumable), but it is much safer than knives; allows you to mow the grass even at the very root or around obstacles; and will definitely not launch any stone through the window or, say, the operator's forehead.