10 Best Cordless String Trimmers for Small Yards (October 2026)

Most small-yard trimmers are sold with a voltage class far above what the job needs, so buyers end up carrying more weight than a few flower beds and a patio edge ever require. We went through the specs, the box contents and the owner feedback on ten cordless trimmers to sort out which ones actually fit a yard under a quarter acre.

Our short answer first: for most small yards, the best cordless string trimmers for small yards are a 20V tool in the 5 to 6 pound range with a 2.5 Ah or larger battery, a 12 inch cutting swath, and a pivoting head for edging. The exact model depends almost entirely on which battery platform you already own.

We did not test these in a lab. We compared the manufacturer specs, the listed box contents, the weight and runtime figures, and thousands of owner reviews across ten models, then filtered hard for small-yard fit: tool weight, one-charge runtime, and whether it folds or stores without a shed.

Everything here is cordless, which means no fuel, no pull cord and no exhaust. For people in apartments, condos and tight lots, that matters as much as the cutting does. Our other small-space picks, like the best small standing desks for apartments, follow the same rule: buy for the space you have, not the space a listing describes.

Top 3 Cordless String Trimmers for Small Yards

The WG163 takes the top spot because two batteries and a one-button line feed remove almost every friction point we found in owner feedback. The WG170 is the value pick when you want mowing capability in the same body. The LST300 is the simplest buy for a first cordless tool.

All 10 Cordless String Trimmers Compared Side by Side

1. WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger – Two batteries and a one-button line feed

This is the model we kept coming back to while comparing the ten. At 5.5 pounds with a 12 inch cutting diameter and 7600 rpm no-load speed, it covers a small lot quickly without feeling like a gas tool in the hand.

The line feed is the part that separates it from most of the field. A push button on the spool housing dispenses fresh line while you keep moving, so you are not tapping the head against the ground to find the sweet spot. The head tilts 90 degrees, which gets the spool under flower beds and onto uneven ground.

Two 20V maxLithium batteries and a charger ship in the box, and both batteries work across every other WORX 20V and 40V tool. That is the quiet advantage for small yards: two batteries means one charging while one trims, and no waiting on a single battery mid-job.

Owners rate the conversion from trimmer to edger as nearly instant, and the rubberized support wheels keep the edger line straighter along a walkway. The adjustable spacer guard is worth using every time you work near ornaments or plant stems.

Why the two-battery setup wins for small yards

A small yard rarely needs more than one full charge of work, but nearly every owner complaint in this category is about swapping and waiting. Two batteries remove that from the routine entirely, and a second pack also covers the patio-and-edges-only weekend without a charge stop.

The batteries being platform batteries matters more than the number. If you buy any other WORX tool later, these packs already fit it.

Where it falls short

This configuration only trims and edges. If you also want to mow a small patch of lawn without another tool, the WG170 in position two covers that ground in one body.

At 5.5 pounds it is not the lightest tool here. Users with limited stamina may find the 4.2 pound WG154 easier to hold for a full session.

2. WORX WG170 20V 3-in-1 – Trimmer, edger and a small-patch mower

The WG170 answers the question we hear most from small-yard owners: do I need a separate mower for a patch of grass, or can one tool cover it. This one converts from string trimmer to in-line edger to a small-deck mower.

Adjustability is the standout feature list item. Seven handle positions and six rotating head settings let you set the tool for your height and for sloped ground, and this generation is about a foot longer than the one before it, which keeps your back straighter over a long trim.

Owner feedback on the 6374 reviews is mostly about versatility inside a 5.5 pound body. Buyers like that the same batteries power the whole setup and that the command feed button adds line without stopping.

The catch is charging time. A 5 hour charge is the longest in this group, so the practical pattern is overnight charging, not a mid-afternoon top-up.

Who gets the most out of it

Owners of small lawns who mow regularly and trim the edges afterward. One tool covers the weekly maintenance and the spring cut-down without a second machine taking up shed space.

It is also a strong fit if you already own WORX 20V packs, since the two included batteries share that platform.

Who should pass

If your only job is trimming and edging, the third mode is extra weight and a second thing to learn. The 5 hour charge is also a poor fit for anyone who trims in short bursts through the day.

Mower mode is limited to small and medium lawns, so it is not a solution for a full yard.

3. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V – Auto Feed Spool and the least fuss

The LST300 is the trimmer we would hand to someone who has never owned a battery tool. The Automatic Feed Spool dispenses line as it wears down with no bumping, and the whole start-up routine is a trigger pull.

It sits at 5.7 pounds with a 12 inch swath, and the kit includes the battery, the charger and a wall mountable charging base. That last item is small but real for apartment living, since the tool and charger mount near a door instead of in a closet.

Owners consistently describe it as quiet enough for early mornings and simple enough that there is nothing to learn. It ranks near the top of the String Trimmers category on review volume, with 9669 ratings.

Good for first-time cordless owners

If you are buying your first battery tool and you do not yet have a BLACK+DECKER pack, the included 2.0 Ah battery and charger mean nothing else has to be purchased. The auto feed also removes the most common beginner frustration.

For light maintenance work, meaning weekly edge tidying and grass along fences and steps, the slower motor is not a problem.

Where the limits show

The 6200 rpm PowerDrive output is the lowest of the group, and owners of thick, neglected growth feel it first. Crabgrass and dense weeds are where faster motors earn their keep.

One 2.0 Ah battery also caps session length. If you regularly knock down weeks of growth, plan on charging between passes.

4. BLACK+DECKER LST522 20V – The best runtime-to-weight balance

The LST522 carries the highest average rating of the ten at 4.5 stars across 6511 reviews, and the reason is the balance it strikes. It is the same 5.7 pound body as the LST300, but it ships with a 2.5 Ah battery instead of a 2.0 Ah pack.

That battery is the difference for a small yard. BLACK+DECKER rates it at 66% more runtime than the standard pack, and paired with two speed settings you can drop to the lower setting for routine trimming and use the higher one for growth that needs it.

The wheeled edging mode is the detail that gets the most praise. Rolling the head along a sidewalk or driveway produces a cleaner line than a string-only pass, and the micro-textured soft grip plus adjustable handle make the trim position less tiring.

The PowerDrive transmission delivers more torque at the string than a basic motor, which helps when the line meets something denser than lawn.

The pick for a full weekend cleanup

If you are clearing a small yard that has been neglected, the 2.5 Ah pack is the reason this finishes in one pass. Two speeds also let you stretch the same charge across a long trim of light growth.

The wheeled edger is worth setting aside time for, because a defined edge along a walk is the visible result most people notice.

What you give up

Only one battery is included, so you cannot rotate two packs the way you can with the WORX kits. A second 20V MAX pack is a separate purchase.

There is no mower mode, so mowing still needs a separate machine.

5. BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V – A 13 inch swath for fast coverage

This is the 40V option, and the reason to consider it is the 13 inch cutting width. That is the widest swath across the ten tools, which means fewer passes over the same walk edges and fence lines.

The high-torque PowerDrive transmission is built for growth that has been left alone, and the Automatic Feed Spool keeps the line advancing without interrupting your rhythm. The wall mountable charging base keeps the kit off the floor.

Two details set this apart from the other BLACK+DECKER models here. The 40V MAX battery carries a state-of-charge indicator, so you know when to swap rather than finding out mid-edge, and the warranty runs three years instead of two.

At 5739 reviews and 4.3 stars, owners are split in a predictable way. People love the coverage and the indicator, while some find 6.4 pounds heavier than they expected for short sessions.

When 40V is the right call

Pick this when your small yard has more edge than lawn, meaning a long driveway border, a fence run and a lot of paved surface. The wider swath pays for itself there.

The charge indicator and the three year warranty also make sense for anyone who trims in several sessions across a week rather than one long block.

When 20V is the smarter buy

6.4 pounds is the heaviest body in this group. On a lawn that is already cut, a 20V tool at 5.5 pounds is easier to carry for an equal result.

Only one pack is included, and adding 40V packs later costs more than the smaller packs do.

6. WORX WG154 20V 10 inch – 4.2 pounds for tight spaces

The WG154 is the tool we would recommend to anyone who finds 5.5 pounds tiring. At 4.2 pounds it is the lightest body here, and a lighter tool means you can hold a better posture through a full edge session.

The 10 inch cutting width is the smallest in the group, which sounds like a drawback until the job is a narrow strip of grass between a fence and a shed, or a bank of flower beds in a patio yard. Owners with less stamina single this one out for handling.

The head rotates 180 degrees to switch between trimming and in-line edging, and the auto feed system advances line without tapping the head. The adjustable spacer and flower guard keeps the line off plant stems, which matters in a garden rather than an open lot.

At 4.4 stars across 6045 reviews, the feedback is consistent. People like the weight and the compact footprint, and the standard limitation they name is motor speed.

Built for garden-scale work

If your small yard is mostly beds, paths and pavers, a 10 inch head with a flower guard is a better fit than a wide swath. Reach and control matter more than coverage at that scale.

It also suits users recovering from an injury or managing low stamina, where tool weight is the deciding factor rather than runtime.

Where it runs out of steam

The 2800 rpm output is the lowest here, and owners consistently note it handles routine trimming far better than dense, overgrown growth. Thick crabgrass is where a faster motor matters.

One 2.0 Ah battery is included, so expect a mid-session charge on a big cleanup day.

7. Greenworks 40V 12 inch – Variable speed for thick growth

The Greenworks is the one 40V tool here that does not rely on a fixed speed. A variable-speed trigger lets you feather the head along a delicate bed edge and then open it up when you hit a patch of crabgrass, all from the same tool.

Owners replacing a gas trimmer commonly report the same things: it is quieter, easier to start and simpler to run. The front guard gets specific credit from people working around fruit trees and shrubs, since it stops the line reaching into the trunk.

Runtime is a strong point in owner reports, with 45 minutes per 2.0 Ah charge commonly cited. The 3 year warranty covers both the tool and the battery, which is longer than the two years on the 20V BLACK+DECKER models.

The recurring negatives are practical rather than performance. Assembly instructions are described as poorly written, the handle clamp is fiddly to align, and a few units arrived with line wound onto the spool incorrectly.

Good for mixed-condition yards

Variable speed is the feature that matters when a small yard is partly manicured and partly neglected. Fine grass does not need full throttle, and being able to reduce it saves battery for the rough patches.

The dual 0.065 inch line also handles small saplings and thicker weeds better than lighter line on the other budget models.

Before you buy

The listed item weight of 12 pounds does not match what most owners describe, so do not judge handling by that figure alone. If weight is your deciding factor, weigh it in person.

Budget ten minutes for assembly, and check that the spool is wound correctly before the first use.

8. CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCST901M1 13 inch – A 4.0 Ah pack and a 63 minute claim

Runtime is the whole story on this one. The included 4.0 Ah V20 battery is the largest capacity in the group, and CRAFTSMAN rates it at up to 63 minutes per charge. For a small yard that means a full cleanup without a pause.

The 13 inch swath matches the widest tool here, and the Turn-To-Edge conversion lets you roll the head over for a defined line along a sidewalk. Two speed settings let you favour runtime on light growth and power when the grass thickens.

Owners talk about balance more than raw power, and several mention that the tool assembles in minutes with only a screwdriver. It handles wet grass well, which is common in spring in most regions.

The rating is high at 4.5 stars, but the review base is small at 159 entries, all recent. Treat it as a promising option rather than a proven one.

Why the 4.0 Ah pack matters

Battery capacity in amp-hours is what decides whether you finish in one pass. A 4.0 Ah pack roughly doubles the work of a 2.0 Ah pack on the same tool, and that is the difference between one charge and two.

That makes this a strong choice for a lot with a lot of edge, or for anyone who prefers to do the whole job in one sitting.

What to watch

Owners report the line is light, which produces the weakest edging result in this group. If a crisp line along a walk is your priority, check the line gauge before starting.

On the higher speed setting the 4.0 Ah pack drains faster, so a second pack helps for heavy work. With only 159 reviews, long-term durability is not yet established.

9. KOMASTY 20V 12 inch – Folds flat for balcony and condo storage

Storage is the deciding factor here, and this is the only tool in the group that folds. The shaft folds 180 degrees in three ways, so the whole unit can stand against a wall in a balcony, a utility closet or a condo entry without a shed or a wall rack.

The 9500 rpm motor is unusually high for a 20V tool, and owners report that it feels closer to gas in the way it pushes through thick grass. The auto feed system detects line length and dispenses cord without any bumping.

A 90 degree adjustable head and a 180 degree rotatable handle cover sloped ground and tight corners, and the 2-in-1 pivoting head switches to edging when you need a clean line.

At 4.2 stars across 578 reviews, the feedback splits cleanly. Buyers like the folding design and the power, and the complaints cluster around runtime and dense growth.

Made for apartments and balconies

If you have no shed and no garage, a folding shaft removes the usual reason people skip a string trimmer. It also means one hand can carry it, which matters on stairs.

For a patio, a balcony or a narrow side yard with a fence and a few planters, the 12 inch swath and fast motor are more than enough.

Where it will disappoint

Two 2.0 Ah batteries give about 30 minutes of total runtime, the shortest combined figure here. That is fine for a maintenance trim and short for a neglected lot.

The manufacturer advises against very thick or dense grass, and line can break if the head is not held parallel to the ground. Keep the head level and take dense growth in smaller passes.

10. WeGofly 13 inch 4-in-1 – 15000 rpm and two 6.0 Ah packs

This is the highest-output tool in the roundup. The 15000 rpm brushless motor drives a steel gear set, and the box includes two 21V 6.0 Ah batteries with a matched charger, which is more battery capacity in total than anything else we looked at.

It also does four jobs: string trimmer, edger, mini mower and brush cutter. Replacement blades, spare line, a storage bag and installation tools are included, which is unusual at this level.

At 5.2 pounds with a telescopic pole, the body is light for what it does. Buyers frequently mention the power-to-weight ratio, and the battery sled rails are reported to fit many generic 21V packs if you already own some.

The warranty is three years on the machine and two years on the batteries. The rating is the lowest here at 4.1 stars, with 12% one-star reviews, and the complaints are specific rather than general.

When the extra power is worth it

The 13 inch head, the fast motor and the two large packs cover a small yard in a single session, including growth that is well past the point where lighter tools stall. If you trim once a month and the grass gets away from you between visits, the output is a real advantage.

Having mower and brush cutter modes in the same body also appeals to anyone trying to avoid extra equipment.

Know the tradeoffs first

The most repeated complaint is line that will not stay seated on the cutting head, which turns a long job into a series of stops. A few buyers also report the head separating during use.

Use the brush cutter mode only when you have cleared children and pets from the area, and note that at 4.1 stars with 538 reviews this has the least proven track record in the group.

How to Choose a Cordless String Trimmer for a Small Yard

Match the voltage to the job, not the marketing

For a yard under roughly 5000 square feet, a 20V tool is the right class. A patio, a condo side yard or a suburban back lot mostly made of lawn edges and flower beds does not need the power of a 40V or 60V machine, and the extra voltage shows up as weight in your hand rather than speed in the line.

Think of it this way. A 20V class tool with a 2.5 Ah to 4.0 Ah battery finishes a small lot in one charge. A 40V class is worth it when the job is overgrowth, small woody stems, or more edge than lawn. Above that, you are buying a tool for a yard larger than the one this roundup covers.

Related question, since it comes up constantly: a 40V battery will not run a 20V tool, and a 20V battery will not run a 40V tool. Voltage classes are separate systems, and the same is true across brands.

Decide the battery platform before the trimmer

This is the single most repeated concern in owner discussions, and it outranks every spec on the list. Batteries are not interchangeable across brands, so the platform you already own should decide the tool.

If you already have a 20V WORX pack, the WG163 and WG170 both use it. If your packs are BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX, the LST300 and LST522 fit, while the LST140C needs the separate 40V MAX system. A Milwaukee or Makita or DeWalt owner will not find a matching trimmer in this group and should look at that brand’s own trimmer range instead.

After platform, check whether the listing is a bare tool or a kit. Every tool here includes a battery and a charger except where the box contents say otherwise, and two kits include two batteries.

Weight is the number most buyers feel first

Across these ten, body weights run from 4.2 pounds to 6.4 pounds. That spread decides whether you finish a 30 minute session in one go or put the tool down twice. Below 5 pounds, handling stays comfortable for users with limited stamina, which is the single most common reason owners recommend the 4.2 pound WG154.

Look at the head, not just the number. A 13 inch swath means fewer passes and more time holding the tool at the same weight.

Pick the line gauge to match the growth

Most of these tools ship with 0.065 inch line, which is the right general choice for lawn, weeds and light brush. Thicker line resists breaking in dense growth but cuts more slowly and uses more battery. A thinner line lasts longer and suits flower beds and paving.

If edging quality matters to you, the line gauge matters as much as the edger mode. Owners of the CRAFTSMAN specifically note that its lighter line gives the softest edging result in the group, while the wheeled edger on the LST522 is the cleanest.

Line feed and spool type

Bump feed is the oldest system, where you tap the head against the ground to pull line. Command feed and auto feed are better: the WORX models add line with a button, and the BLACK+DECKER, Greenworks and KOMASTY units use automatic spools that dispense as the line wears down. For a small yard, auto feed means fewer stops.

When a feed stops working, three fixes cover most cases. First, check that the spool is wound in the correct direction, since a reversed spool will not feed. Second, confirm the line matches the spool gauge, because thinner line on a larger spool slips. Third, if a cordless tool starts intermittently, clean the battery contacts with a dry cloth before anything else.

Storage, noise and neighbors

If you have no shed, storage decides the purchase. Look for a folding or telescoping shaft: the KOMASTY folds in three positions, the WeGofly has a telescopic pole, and the BLACK+DECKER kits include a wall mountable charging base. Compact storage also matters if you are working around a small home office or an office chair for small spaces setup where the tool shares a room with your desk.

On noise, every tool here is quieter than gas with no exhaust or pull cord, which is what makes early morning trimming realistic in a close-neighborhood setting. There are no published decibel figures for these models, so treat general owner impressions, which describe the cordless units as quiet, as the guide rather than a measurement. If an adjoining room doubles as a media space, our soundbars for small gaming rooms roundup covers the other end of that wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Cordless String Trimmer for Small Yards

After comparing ten of them, the WORX WG163 is our pick for the best cordless string trimmers for small yards because two batteries, a 12 inch swath and button line feed solve the three problems owners complain about most: waiting, weight and line that will not feed.

Choose the BLACK+DECKER LST522 if you want a single larger battery and the best rated finish on hard edging, the WORX WG154 if 4.2 pounds is what makes the job doable for you, and the KOMASTY if you have no shed and need a shaft that folds flat. Whatever you pick, match it to the batteries you already own first, and keep the line gauge matched to the growth you face.

This roundup was updated for 2026. Use the buttons on each review to check the current listing details.