Battery or gas, which should most homeowners choose?

Battery, for the large majority of residential yards under half an acre with typical grass and moderate weeds. Gas trimmers make more sense for larger properties, regularly overgrown lots, or heavy brush clearing where runtime and raw power outweigh the convenience of a cordless tool.

Does a higher voltage battery always mean a better trimmer?

Not automatically, but it's a reasonable proxy for cutting power. A 56V system like EGO's generally delivers more torque than a 40V system at the same battery capacity. What matters more in practice is the combination of voltage and amp-hours, a 40V trimmer with a large battery can outperform a 56V trimmer with a small one on sustained cutting.

What cutting swath width do I actually need?

12 to 13 inches is adequate for a small yard under a quarter acre. 15 inches suits a medium yard and covers ground more efficiently. 17 inches or more, typically found on gas trimmers, makes the most sense for large or overgrown properties where fewer passes meaningfully saves time.

Is a straight shaft or curved shaft better?

Straight shafts give better reach under bushes and along walls, and they're required for most attachment systems like edgers or brush cutters. Curved shafts are typically lighter and slightly easier to maneuver for basic trimming but offer less versatility. Most trimmers reviewed in this category use a straight or telescoping straight shaft.

How to Choose a String Trimmer: A Decision Framework

A practical framework for choosing a string trimmer, covering power source, battery voltage, cutting swath, shaft type, and how yard size and growth density should actually drive the decision.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Estimate your yard size and typical growth

Walk your property and estimate square footage or acreage, and note whether you're dealing with maintained lawn grass, occasional weeds, or genuinely overgrown patches. This single factor narrows the field more than any spec sheet comparison. Under a quarter acre with maintained grass points toward a compact 40V trimmer. Larger or overgrown properties point toward a 56V trimmer or a gas model.

Step 2: Decide between battery and gas

Battery trimmers start instantly, need no fuel mixing, and run quieter, ideal for most residential use. Gas trimmers deliver more sustained power and unlimited runtime, better suited to large properties or heavy, regular brush clearing. If you're unsure, default to battery, most homeowners are well served by it.

Step 3: Match battery voltage and capacity to your needs

For typical yards, a 40V system with a 2.0Ah to 4.0Ah battery is sufficient. For larger yards or thicker growth, a 56V system like the EGO ST1521S, or a 40V system with a larger battery, holds cutting speed better under load.

Step 4: Check the cutting swath width

Match swath width to yard size: 12 to 13 inches for small yards, 15 inches for medium yards, 17 inches or more for large properties. A wider swath covers ground faster but adds weight and makes the tool less maneuverable in tight spaces.

Step 5: Consider line feed system

Auto-feed systems, especially EGO's POWERLOAD, save real time over manually unwinding and rewinding a bump-feed spool. If you trim often enough to run through line regularly, prioritize a trimmer with a genuinely convenient auto-feed design.

Step 6: Check for edging capability if needed

If you plan to use the trimmer for edging along driveways and walkways, confirm the head pivots to a vertical position. Not every trimmer has this feature, and it's a meaningful convenience if edging is part of your routine.

Step 7: Factor in your existing tool ecosystem

If you already own cordless yard tools on a specific battery platform, 40V Greenworks, Worx PowerShare, or another, a trimmer on that same platform saves money by sharing batteries and chargers rather than starting a new, separate battery system.

Choosing a string trimmer comes down to matching a handful of specs to your actual yard, rather than chasing the highest numbers on a spec sheet.

This guide walks through the decisions that matter most: power source, battery voltage, cutting swath, and a few smaller features that make a real difference in daily use.

Most of the confusion in this category comes from treating every spec as equally important. In practice, yard size and growth density should drive nearly every other decision.

Work through the steps below in order, and most of the field narrows itself down before you even start comparing individual models.

Battery vs. Gas

For most residential yards, a battery trimmer is the right call. It starts instantly, needs no fuel mixing, runs quieter, and has effectively no ongoing maintenance beyond charging.

Gas trimmers earn their place on larger properties or where heavy, regular brush clearing is part of the routine. The tradeoff is fuel mixing, periodic carburetor and air filter maintenance, and more noise and weight.

Matching Voltage and Battery Size to Your Yard

Voltage alone doesn't tell the whole story, battery capacity matters just as much. A 40V trimmer with a large battery can outperform a 56V trimmer with a small one under sustained load. That said, as a general rule, 40V systems suit small to medium yards well, and 56V systems like EGO's hold up better on larger yards or thicker growth.

Swath Width and Shaft Type

Match swath width to yard size rather than buying the widest option available. A wide swath on a small, tight yard just adds unnecessary weight and reduces maneuverability around beds and obstacles.

Straight shafts offer better reach and, in most cases, compatibility with attachment systems. Curved shafts are lighter but generally less versatile.

Quick Decision Table

Your situation	Recommended type
Small yard, light maintenance	40V battery trimmer, 12 to 13-inch swath
Medium yard, regular use	40V or 56V battery trimmer, 15-inch swath
Large yard or thick weeds	56V battery trimmer or gas trimmer, 15 to 17-inch swath
Large overgrown property, heavy brush	Gas trimmer with brush cutter attachment
Frequent edging needed	Any pivoting-head battery trimmer