11 Best String Trimmers of 2026, Expert-Tested and Reviewed
We tested options from Ego, Husqvarna, and other brands. These are the models that are great at trimming and easy to handle.
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String trimmers (also called weed whackers) are the tool of choice to cut high grass along fences, rock walls, and garden beds. That’s because they’re designed to get into tight areas where mowers can’t go.
To find out which ones are worth the money, CR’s lawn experts have tested hundreds of string trimmers over the years in gas, corded, and battery versions. We’ve found capable models in every configuration across a wide range of prices. But first, you need to settle on which type is right for you.
- Best String Trimmers: Battery Light Duty Corded Electric Straight-Shaft Gas Curved-Shaft Gas
- How CR Tests String Trimmers
Best Battery String Trimmers
Battery string trimmers often pack the power of gas models, and they’re priced comparably. The batteries can usually power other tools from the same brand, like chainsaws, hedge trimmers, or leaf blowers.
Best Battery String Trimmers for Light Duty
Sometimes, the trimming job requires a tool with a smaller cutting swath (the width of the area that a string trimmer can cut in a single pass). We test a number of models with a cutting swath of 14 inches or less, which may be just right for finishing touches after mowing or for cutting around a flower bed.
Best Corded Electric String Trimmers
Corded electric string trimmers are incredibly budget-friendly. But there aren’t a ton of great options among this increasingly unpopular variety of string trimmers, and they have a built-in distance limit because they require a constant connection to an outlet.
Best Gas Straight-Shaft String Trimmers
Below, you’ll find two of the best gas straight-shaft string trimmers in CR’s ratings. Straight-shaft models are usually longer than curved-shaft trimmers and can help you reach places a curved-shaft model can’t.
Best Gas Curved-Shaft String Trimmers
Curved-shaft gas string trimmers may offer better maneuverability for treating hard-to-reach areas of your lawn. We’ve highlighted two of the best from this category, which, as a whole, don’t perform as well in CR’s tests as straight-shaft or battery-powered string trimmers.
How CR Tests String Trimmers
We use each trimmer to tackle typical yard weeds and high grass as well as dense brush, noting how long each model takes to clear a defined path. We also test each model’s edging, or its ability to create a neat and straight line along a walkway. And we look at how easy each trimmer is to hold, maneuver, and operate, noting how difficult it is to start up or feed an extra line through the cutting head.
We test gas models with curved and straight shafts, along with battery and electric models. If you’ve never used a string trimmer, try handling curved-shaft and straight-shaft models in a home center or hardware store to see which type feels better. In general, tall users may favor straight-shaft models because they have a longer reach. Shorter users may prefer curved-shaft models because they can be a bit easier to control.
