Cordless string trimmers have officially overtaken gas as the default for homeowners — and the category has exploded. Walk down the aisle at any home improvement store and you'll see 20+ options ranging from $99 entry-level models to $400 pro-grade trimmers. Most "best of" lists rank them without telling you how to actually pick one for your yard.
This guide gives you a 5-minute framework: the six specs that actually matter, how to match a trimmer to your property, and where Greenworks fits at each tier. By the end, you'll know exactly what to buy.
What "Best" Actually Means for a Cordless String Trimmer
Forget star ratings and Amazon reviews for a minute. A cordless string trimmer comes down to six specs:
- Voltage — how much raw cutting power the motor delivers
- Cutting width — how wide a swath you cut per pass (typically 12" to 17")
- Line diameter — how thick the cutting string is (0.065" to 0.105")
- Feed system — how the trimmer feeds out new line (bump, auto, or manual)
- Motor type — brushed (cheaper, less efficient) vs. brushless (longer life, more torque)
- Weight — what you'll actually feel after 30 minutes of trimming
Get those six right and you have the best cordless string trimmer for your yard. Get them wrong and you'll be back at the store next season.
Match the Trimmer to Your Yard Size
This is the first decision and it dictates everything else. Use these tiers:
| Yard Type | Trimming Area | Recommended Spec Range |
|---|---|---|
| Townhouse / small lot | Light edges, 5–15 minutes per session | 24V–40V, 12"–14" cut, 0.065"–0.080" line |
| Standard suburban yard | Quarter-acre, weekly use | 40V–60V, 14"–16" cut, 0.080"–0.095" line |
| Half-acre+ with weeds | Heavy trimming, brush, ditch banks | 80V, 16"–17" cut, 0.095"–0.105" line |
Most homeowners overbuy on voltage and underbuy on line diameter. Voltage gets the marketing focus, but line diameter is what determines whether a trimmer can actually cut through thick grass and weeds.
Voltage: 24V vs 40V vs 60V vs 80V
Higher voltage means more torque, longer runtime per amp-hour, and better performance under load. Here's what each tier actually feels like:
- 24V to 40V: Light-duty trimming. Fine for small yards with regular maintenance. Will bog on thick weeds or wet grass.
- 60V: Mid-range. Handles most residential trimming including occasional heavy work.
- 80V: Gas-equivalent power (27cc range). Cuts through anything a residential homeowner will encounter. The right choice if you have weeds, brush, or a larger property.
The bigger consideration most buyers miss: once you pick a voltage, you're picking a battery platform. An 80V battery from Greenworks works in Greenworks 80V mowers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, snow throwers, and pressure washers — 75+ tools in total. Buy into a platform once and you save hundreds over the next five years not buying separate batteries for every tool.
Line Diameter Matters More Than You Think
This is the spec that separates a good cordless trimmer from a great one:
- 0.065" line — Light grass and edging only. Will snap on weeds.
- 0.080" line — Standard residential. Handles weekly maintenance plus occasional weeds.
- 0.095" line — Heavy duty. Tackles thick weeds, neglected lawns, and dense brush.
- 0.105" line — Commercial grade. Overkill for most homeowners.
Trimmers rated for thicker line have stronger motors and gearboxes. You can't just load 0.095" line into a 0.065" trimmer — the motor will burn out.
Feed System: Bump, Auto, or Manual
When line wears down, you need more. Three ways trimmers handle this:
- Bump feed: Tap the head on the ground while trimming and new line releases. Most common on quality residential trimmers. Reliable and field-serviceable.
- Automatic feed: Sensor releases line automatically as it wears. Convenient but can over-feed (wastes line) or fail entirely.
- Manual feed: Stop trimming, pull line out by hand. Old-school. Cheap.
Bump feed is the sweet spot — predictable, no electronics to fail, and easy to refill.
Brushless vs. Brushed Motors
If you're spending over $150, get a brushless motor. The technology:
- Brushed motors use physical carbon brushes that wear out and create friction. Cheap to manufacture, but inefficient.
- Brushless motors use electronic commutation — no friction, no wear parts. They deliver 25–30% more torque per watt, run cooler, last 2–3x longer, and operate more quietly.
Every Greenworks 80V string trimmer is brushless.
The Best 80V Cordless String Trimmer from Greenworks
For homeowners with a standard-to-large suburban yard, the Greenworks 80V 16" Brushless Front-Mounted String Trimmer hits the framework above almost perfectly. Here's how it stacks up:
| Spec | Greenworks 80V 16" Front-Mounted |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 80V (27cc gas equivalent) |
| Cutting width | 16" |
| Line diameter | 0.080" dual-line |
| Feed system | Bump feed |
| Motor | Brushless, front-mounted |
| Shaft | Straight aluminum |
| Trigger | Variable speed |
| Weight | ~9.8 lbs |
| Runtime | Up to 45 minutes on 2.0Ah battery |
| Charge time | 30 minutes (rapid charger included) |
| Warranty | 4-year tool + battery |
Front-mounted brushless motor. Putting the motor at the front of the shaft (rather than the rear) shifts the balance forward, making the trimmer feel lighter in your hands during use. It's a subtle ergonomic advantage that matters most on longer sessions.
Variable speed trigger. Most cordless trimmers are on or off — single speed. A variable trigger lets you back off the power for delicate edge work around landscaping and floor the trigger when ripping through weeds. Better cuts, better battery efficiency.
80V battery cross-compatibility. The same 2.0Ah pack works across the entire Greenworks 80V lineup. If you already own an 80V mower or blower, the spare battery becomes immediate backup.
4-year warranty on both tool and battery. One of the strongest coverage offers in the category. Most competitors cap battery coverage at 2–3 years.
FAQ
How long does a cordless string trimmer's battery last per charge?
Runtime depends on voltage, battery amp-hours, and how thick the grass is. The Greenworks 80V 16" delivers up to 45 minutes on a 2.0Ah battery — enough for most quarter-acre to half-acre yards in one session. Step up to a 4.0Ah or 8.0Ah pack and you can effectively double or quadruple that.
Can a cordless string trimmer handle thick weeds?
The right one can. Look for 60V+ voltage, 0.080" line minimum (0.095" for tougher work), and a brushless motor. The Greenworks 80V at 16" with 0.080" dual-line and 27cc gas-equivalent power handles thick residential weeds without bogging.
What's the difference between a string trimmer and a weed eater?
Nothing — they're the same tool. "Weed Eater" is a brand name from the 1970s that became a generic term, like "Kleenex" for tissue. String trimmer, weed eater, weed wacker, and grass trimmer all describe the same product.
Should I get a straight shaft or curved shaft trimmer?
Straight shafts (like the Greenworks 80V 16") are better for tall users, easier to use for edging, and accommodate attachments. Curved shafts are lighter and better for short users doing simple trimming.
Are 80V batteries interchangeable across Greenworks tools?
Yes. All 80V batteries work across the entire Greenworks 80V platform — mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, snow throwers, and more. Voltages are not cross-compatible (a 60V battery won't power an 80V tool).
How long does a cordless string trimmer last over the years?
A quality brushless cordless trimmer should last 7–10 years of regular homeowner use. The battery is typically the first part to need replacement (3–5 years of normal use). The motor itself, being brushless, can outlast the rest of the tool.
Ready to Cut Smarter?
If you've worked through the framework above and landed on an 80V trimmer with 16" cut width and 0.080" line, the Greenworks 80V 16" Brushless Front-Mounted String Trimmer is built for exactly that buyer.
Keep reading:
- One Battery System Saves You Money — The Greenworks Ecosystem — Why staying inside one battery platform saves Canadian homeowners hundreds.
- Greenworks 80V vs EGO 56V — The Battery Showdown — A detailed comparison of battery technology, power, and ecosystem.
- Greenworks vs Ryobi — A Canadian Buyer's Comparison — Power, price, battery tech, and Canadian availability compared.
- Greenworks Lawn Mower Review — Every Model for 2026 — A complete review of every Greenworks mower available in Canada.