Best Battery-Powered Weed Eaters of 2024

Lawn mowers are usually the stars of the lawn care show. Whether you’re using a riding mower, a zero-turn mower, or a humble push mower, these powerful machines cut down large swaths of grass in less than an hour’s time to keep lawns looking fresh and neat.

Mowers can’t reach everything, though. And that’s where weed eaters come in.

Gas-powered weed eaters were the go-to choice for decades. In recent years, though, battery-powered weed eaters have risen to prominence. Longer-lasting, more powerful batteries have made electric weed eaters not only viable, but better than their gas-powered counterparts in many cases.

When shopping for an electric string trimmer, the problem is that there are so many options available. It can be overwhelming. Which brand should you buy from? Are 9 amp-hour batteries too much or too little? How much battery life should you expect from your trimmer?

At HY-C, we know outdoor power equipment. We manufacture a line of outdoor power equipment upgrades for lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and weed eaters. As such, we know what separates average equipment from the best. And we want to share what we know with you.

In this guide, we’re going to cover five of the best battery-powered weed eaters on the market today. We’ll cover the price of each model, their average review scores, important specifications, proprietary technology, and much, much more.

By the time you’re finished here, you’ll have the information you need to pick the best electric weed eater for you.

Table of contents (click to jump to a battery-powered weed eater model):

• EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD™
• Husqvarna Weed Eater® 320iL
• STIHL FSA 57
• ECHO eFORCE® DSRM-2100
• RYOBI 40V HP

Model Comparison:

Battery-Powered Weed Eater List Criteria

So, just how did we decide which makes and models of electric trimmers to include on this list?

Each entry had to meet two important criteria:

1. Each model must have at least 50 user reviews (from an aggregate of online sources)
2. Each model must have at least an average review score of 4 / 5 (from the same aggregate)

We made sure only to include one trimmer per brand to add some variety to the list. Also, it should be noted that the prices listed here are for full kits (i.e., the trimmer comes with a battery and a charger).

With those guidelines established — and in no particular order — let’s dive in.

EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD™

With lists like this, we try not to play favorites. We try to give each piece of equipment equal time and attention. With that said, though, the EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD™ may objectively be the best battery-powered trimmer on store shelves.

It features the fastest battery recharge time of any weed eater on the list, meaning you can probably get by with only one battery. It also features a telescoping carbon fiber shaft for optimal cutting length, and it’s the only trimmer with a digital 2-speed selector.

As impressive as all that is, though, the real magic of this trimmer lies in its trimmer head.

The POWER+ POWERLOAD™ features EGO’s LINE IQ™ technology which utilizes sensors to monitor the length of the trimmer line. As the line degrades, the trimmer automatically feeds more string to maintain a constant 16-inch cutting swath. That’s unheard of in any weed eater model, let alone battery-operated models.

It also makes use of the titular POWERLOAD™ technology. To reload the trimmer, all you have to do is feed some new line through and press a button. The POWER+ automatically winds the line up, resulting in loading times as low as 4 seconds. It’s ridiculously easy.

At $329, this EGO trimmer does command the highest price of any electric trimmer on this list. But the features you get for your money are truly in a league of their own.

Discover the EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD™

Husqvarna Weed Eater® 320iL

This entry has some panache behind it. The Husqvarna Weed Eater® 320iL was named Popular Mechanics “Best Tall-Grass String Trimmer” of 2023. And customers seem to agree; this well-lauded weed whacker boasts a 4.7 out of 5 average review score, the highest on our list.

So, just what’s so great about this award-winning trimmer? Well, for one, it features a boost mode to provide 20% more power, with the trimmer head maxing out at a powerful 6,800 RPMs. The trimmer head can also be adjusted to spin either direction to tackle even the toughest weeds.

Arguably the most annoying part about owning a weed eater is replacing the trimmer line. But the 320iL comes with Husqvarna’s Rapid Replace™ trimmer head. Reloading is as easy as aligning the head, feeding in some new line, and twisting it in place.

This trimmer also features Husqvarna’s LowVib® technology (which is also featured in other Husqvarna equipment like their 450 Rancher chainsaw). This system utilized dampers throughout the trimmer to stifle vibrations, making for a much more comfortable user experience.

With a $319.99 asking price, the Weed Eater® 320iL is among the most pricey trimmers on our list. But with loads of proprietary tech and plenty of accolades to back it, you’ll definitely get what you pay for.

Discover the Husqvarna Weed Eater® 320iL

STIHL FSA 57

Moving from Swedish orange to all-American orange, the FSA 57 battery-powered string trimmer is — like most STIHL products — made right here in the USA. And it packs plenty to love in its iconic orange and white frame.

Weed eaters are awkward to use. They put a lot of strain on your back and shoulders. But even with STIHL’s 2.7-pound AK 20 battery, the FSA 57 weighs in at an ultra-light 8.6 pounds — nearly half the weight of some of the heaviest trimmers on this list. 

It’s also designed with ease of use and safety in mind. This weed eater features a unique bump guard housed on top of the trimmer head that helps users avoid cutting things they don’t want to cut. Its throttle trigger interlock system requires pressing 2 buttons to start it to avoid unintentional startup.

As far as proprietary technology goes, the FSA 57 comes with STIHL’s TapAction™ AutoCut® trimmer head. To add more string to the line, all you have to do is tap the head. This helps to avoid awkwardly reaching down to adjust the length of the string.

Perhaps best of all, the asking price of this weed eater is just $229.99, a price tag tied for lowest on the list. Not bad for a piece of USA-made outdoor power equipment.

Discover the STIHL FSA 57

ECHO eFORCE® DSRM-2100

“A battery-powered trimmer that gets the job done” — that’s how ECHO’s website describes the eFORCE® DSRM-2100. And that statement is definitely accurate. With a solid 4.4 / 5 average rating, a runtime of nearly 1 hour, and a max speed of 6,000 RPMs, the DSRM-2100 is a workhorse.

It’s not quite as light as the STIHL FSA 57, but its 9.75-pound weight (battery included) is impressive for its class. It also features an adjustable cutting width between 14 and 16 inches for flexibility during trimming.

Users can enjoy further trimming versatility with variable Hi/Lo speed settings; trim aggressively to cut down stubborn weeds or ramp down the RPMs to optimize the trimmer’s battery life. The DSRM-2100 also features a unique, cushioned handle — a nice touch that enhances the trimming experience.

On the proprietary tech front, this weed whacker comes equipped with ECHO’s Speed-Feed® 400 Cutting Head. Reloading is as easy as aligning the trimmer head, evenly feeding string through, and twisting it into place — no tools or disassembly required.

The ECHO eFORCE® DSRM-2100 doesn’t necessarily stand out in any particular category. Rather, it does everything an electric trimmer needs to do solidly, efficiently, and consistently. It’s a no-frills, easy-to-use trimmer with a low $229.99 asking price befitting its conventional capabilities.

Discover the ECHO eFORCE® DSRM-2100

RYOBI 40V HP

Rounding out our list is the RYOBI 40V HP String Trimmer. RYOBI notes that this model is more powerful than a 27 cc gas trimmer, capable of cutting and edging just as well as its fossil-fuel-using competitors.

It features a carbon fiber shaft that’s both lightweight and powerful, helping to take the ease off your muscles while performing consistently and reliably. Its sliding guard adjusts without the use of tools to offer a cutting radius between 14 and 16 inches to adapt to your yard care routine.

The 40V HP also makes use of RYOBI’s REEL EASY+™ 3-in-1 Head. This three-pronged solution lets you choose between a bump-feed head, a bladed head, or a fixed-line head to tackle just about any cutting job you’re faced with.

But perhaps the most interesting thing about this weed eater is compatibility with RYOBI EXPAND-IT™ attachments. This modular system allows you to swap out the trimmer head for a hedge trimmer attachment, an edger, a snow blower, and more to transform your trimmer into a battery-powered, do-it-all solution.

All of these features are rolled into a $279 price tag to make the 40V HP a fairly priced tool capable of doing much more than just trimming.

Discover the RYOBI 40V HP

Which Battery-Powered Weed Eater Should You Get?

There it is — a close look at five industry-leading battery-powered string trimmers ready to help you keep your yard looking picturesque. But if you’re still wondering which one you should get, take these tips into consideration.

People tend to buy outdoor power equipment for one of three reasons: price, performance, and ratings.

If you’re most concerned about price and are shopping for an electric trimmer on a budget, the STIHL FSA 57 and ECHO eFORCE® DSRM-2100 offer a lot to like for a low $229.99 price tag.

If you’re interested in industry-leading performance, the EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD™ and the Husqvarna Weed Eater® 320iL undoubtedly offer the most innovative, high-tech features you could ask for in a string trimmer.

If you tend to rely on ratings and reviews to guide your purchase, the Husqvarna Weed Eater® 320iL and the EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD™ again top the charts in that category.

Our best advice is to consider the factors that are most important to you and buy the battery-powered weed eater that best matches what you’re looking for.

And while you’re at it, be sure to take a look at the Good Vibrations line of outdoor power equipment upgrades. The Zero Gravity Trimmer Strap in particular is great for weed eaters, helping to redistribute weight across your shoulders for a pain-free trimming experience.