It can be used flexibly and is easy to use: the cordless lawn trimmer. The practical garden tool helps you out where the lawnmower lets you down - on lawn edges, around trees, on walls and on slopes. You can find out what you should look out for when buying a cordless lawn trimmer in our detailed guide. We also give you practical tips on care.

A lawn trimmer should fit comfortably in your hand

Table of Contents

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  1. The most important purchase criteria
  2. What brands are there?
  3. How do I maintain a cordless lawn trimmer?
  4. frequently asked Questions

    5. The most important purchase criteria

    Battery-powered grass trimmers (€88.00) differ from other types of grass trimmers (i.e. the electric trimmer with cable and the grass trimmer with petrol) primarily by the presence of a battery. Accordingly, it is important to take a close look at this component when buying a cordless lawn trimmer. But you should also consider other criteria. Here is an overview of the most important points:

    • battery type
    • battery capacity
    • battery charge time
    • battery voltage
    • usability of the battery
    • power
    • cutting tool
    • working width
    • handling
    • costs
    • scope of delivery

    battery type

    our recommendation
    Einhell cordless lawn trimmer GE-CT 18 Li Set Power X-Change (lithium ions, 18 V, 24 cm cutting width, telescopic, incl. 2.0 Ah battery and charger)
    89.99 EUR To the product

    Modern cordless lawn trimmers usually have a lithium-ion battery (LI). In the past, gardening helpers and other battery-powered devices were usually equipped with a nickel-cadmium battery (NiCd). This technology is rarely used nowadays, although you will occasionally come across versions with NiCd batteries. We explicitly advise you to buy a grass trimmer with a LI battery - for the following reasons:

    • LI rechargeable batteries are a good 60 percent smaller and therefore significantly lighter than NiCd rechargeable batteries.
    • The annoying self-discharge, which is very high with NiCd batteries, is limited with the lithium-ion models. At a room temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, it is less than two percent per month.
    • LI batteries are considerably more durable than NiCd versions. With some tricks you can even actively influence the lifetime. See the trimmer care section for more information.
    • Unlike NiCd and sometimes also NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries, LI batteries no longer have a memory effect. This effect describes the drop in capacity due to frequent partial discharges. If the respective battery is repeatedly discharged by a certain percentage until it is supplied with new energy (e.g. by 50 percent), it "remembers" the degree and "concludes" that it will have to provide less nominal capacity in the future.

    Put simply, NiCd and NiMH batteries continuously reduce their cycle when partially discharged - the user must be careful to first fully discharge the battery and then fully charge it again. In contrast, with LI batteries you are absolutely flexible and even have an advantage if you only partially discharge the battery.

    • With LI rechargeable batteries, you can interrupt the charging process as you wish without damaging the respective rechargeable battery.

    battery capacity

    our recommendation
    Einhell cordless lawn trimmer GC-CT 18/24 Li P Kit Power X-Change (lithium ions, 18 V, 8,500 rpm, 24 cm cutting width, incl. 20 plastic blades, 1.5 Ah battery and charger)
    60.18 EUR To the product

    The higher the battery capacity, the longer you can mow without interruption. With most cordless lawn trimmers, the effective working time (running time) is 30 to 45 minutes. Devices with a very high battery capacity also achieve a full hour.

    Incidentally, the capacity of a battery is generally measured in ampere hours (Ah). Designs used with cordless lawn trimmers often have a capacity of 1.3 to 2.0 Ah. Sometimes the batteries reach up to 2.5 Ah.

    battery charge time

    A loading time that is as short as possible is of course preferable. But powerful batteries with high capacity also need an hour or two to recharge their batteries. The battery charging time is about three hours on average.

    tips

    Look out for cordless lawn trimmers with a quick charge function. The charging time is then reduced to one to two hours.

    battery voltage

    our recommendation
    Black + Decker cordless lawn trimmer (Powercommand EasyFeed, 18V 4.0Ah, incl. battery and charger, 30 cm cutting width, for larger areas) STC1840EPC
    129.99 EUR To the product

    The batteries of cordless lawn trimmers usually have 18 or 36 volts. But what does this strange value actually mean?

    Volt is the unit for electrical voltage. Now the ignorant hobby gardener tends to think that more volts means more power. However, that is not true.

    How much energy is actually available in the grass trimmer's battery depends on the one hand on the voltage (i.e. the voltage) and on the other hand on the battery capacity.

    The multiplication of both values, i.e. Volt/V times Ampere/Ah, results in the Watt-hours/Wh value, which is decisive for the performance.

    Example: A battery with 18 V and 2.0 Ah has exactly the same energy content as a battery with 36 V and 1.0 Ah.

    In this respect, you should check both values. But: For lawn trimmers with a high speed, a particularly strong tension is elementary.

    power

    The motors of cordless lawn trimmers usually achieve an output of between 30 and 80 watts. The higher the wattage, the faster the cutting element is driven - which in turn increases work efficiency (done faster and with less effort).

    usability of the battery

    our recommendation
    FANZTOOL 20V cordless hedge trimmer, pruner, grass trimmer (3-in-1)
    159.99 EUR To the product

    Some manufacturers of cordless lawn trimmers build the necessary batteries in such a way that they can also be used in other devices with the same value requirements (volts and amps) - extremely practical if you (want to) use several battery-powered garden tools from one brand.

    cutting tool

    Cordless grass trimmers are available with two different cutting tools: line or blade. We briefly summarize the essential properties of both variants in bullet points.

    our recommendation
    Bosch cordless lawn trimmer EasyGrassCut 18-230 (1x battery, 18 volt system, cutting diameter 23 cm, in box)
    89.99 EUR To the product

    Thread:

    • thin nylon thread is wound on thread spool
    • Thread and bobbin result in the so-called thread/bobbin head
    • Thread ends protrude from the spool head
    • during operation, the thread rotates extremely quickly
    • Centrifugal forces ensure strong tension in the thread
    • taut thread reliably cuts off grass
    • Thread yields with more intense resistance (advantage!)
    • ideal on lawn edges, between tree roots and on walls, house walls and the like
    • Filament/filament spool can be bought and replaced for ten to 20 euros

    tips

    There are cordless lawn trimmers with automatic inching, with automatic switching and with fully automatic. But what is what? With automatic tapping, you have to tap the line head briefly on the ground to feed in the cutting line; with the automatic switching, this happens when you switch on the device; With the fully automatic function, the thread is automatically lengthened when it wears out and a knife installed below the protective cap cuts it to the correct length.

    our recommendation
    Einhell cordless scythe AGILLO 36/255 BL-Solo Power X-Change (Li-Ion, 36V, max. cutting width 30cm, BL front motor, two-hand grip, split shaft, incl. line spool and 3-tooth blade, without battery and charger)
    139.00 EUR To the product

    Knife:

    • moveable knives of plastic or metal
    • Plastic knives cheaper, metal knives more robust and powerful
    • ideal for lawns with herbaceous growth
    • break easily when resisted
    • more expensive than thread when buying/replacing

    tips

    With some lawn trimmers, you have the option of using both cutting systems according to your needs - i.e. mow with line, sometimes with knives.

    working width

    The higher the working width (also known as cutting width), the larger the area that you till "at once" and the faster you are finished. But: On lawns with an irregular course, it is advisable to use a model with a smaller cutting width in order to effortlessly master narrow or otherwise difficult areas. The majority of battery-powered grass trimmers have a working width of between 23 and 28 centimetres.

    handling

    our recommendation
    WORX WG163E.9 cordless lawn trimmer 20V - edge cutter lawn - 2-in-1 function: lawn trimmer and edge cutter - incl. distance protection, edge cutter wheel, line spool - without battery and charger
    EUR 59.95 To the product

    The cordless lawn trimmer has to be completely convincing in terms of application. So he should:

    • lie well in the hand
    • be as lightweight as possible
    • may be supplied with carrying straps,
    • have an adjustable handle (telescopic handle),
    • have two handles (one at the top and one in the middle) and
    • come in a compact design (for space-saving storage).

    costs

    Compare similar devices in terms of purchase price and also check the prices for the same cordless lawn trimmer from different suppliers.

    Simple cordless lawn trimmers cost upwards of 50 euros. For models with convenient features such as a swiveling head, an ergonomic grip and a powerful LI battery, you have to reckon with 80 euros and more.

    tips

    The purchase price alone says nothing about the costs. Always include the expected follow-up costs: How much do replacement line spools or replacement knives cost? How long is the battery likely to last?

    scope of delivery

    our recommendation
    WORX 20V cordless grass trimmer WG163E.2, 2.0Ah, PowerShare, 2-in-1 grass trimmer & edge cutter lawn, 90° rotatable trimmer head, telescopic handle
    109.99 EUR To the product

    The more accessories the cordless lawn trimmer comes with, the better it is for you. Here is an overview of utensils that you may well need:

    • second battery
    • risers
    • storage bag
    • extensive user manual
    • grooming supplies
    • protective gear
    • guide wheels

    What brands are there?

    our recommendation
    Makita DUR181Z cordless lawn trimmer (18 V, without battery, without charger) DUR181Z
    79.87 EUR To the product

    You can buy cordless lawn trimmers from the following brands, for example:

    • Black+Decker
    • Worx
    • Makita
    • Gardena
    • Bosch
    • unanimously
    • Stihl
    • WOLF garden
    • Husqvarna
    • goodness
    • AL-KO
    • Fuxtec
    • Ryobi
    • Dolmar
    • Mr Gardener
    • Metabo
    • Garden Feelings
    • Parkside
    • Top craft
    • Greenworks
    • Baricus
    • matrix
    • florabest
    • garden line

    How do I maintain a cordless lawn trimmer?

    After the lawn trimmer, the brush cutter (€139.99) should be freed from grass

    Here are the most important care tips for a cordless grass trimmer:

    • Read the instruction manual carefully and follow the manufacturer's recommendations
    • After each use, remove grass debris from the cutting element and remove dirt from the handle and motor housing
    • use a soft brush to clean
    • Maintain important components regularly (battery, cutting element, screws, etc.)
    • If necessary, sharpen metal knives
    • Store the lawn trimmer in a dry place protected from light
    • Treat the cutting element with anti-corrosion agent for the winter
    • Store the battery separately over the winter months (as cool as possible, this should both increase the cycle life and also reduce self-discharge)
    • Never completely discharge the lithium-ion battery, only partially use it and then charge it (about 50 percent) to increase its lifespan

    frequently asked Questions

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of a cordless grass trimmer?

    The freedom of movement is the biggest advantage of a cordless lawn trimmer. You cannot trip over a cable and are not dependent on an outlet. Another advantage is the ease of use of the device, including the easy handling of the battery. And: When in operation, cordless lawn trimmers are comparatively quiet. While the petrol-powered devices quickly reach 100 decibels or more, the noise level of cordless lawn trimmers usually ends at 70 to 75 decibels. Not to forget that cordless trimmers do not pollute the environment (unlike petrol models).

    Disadvantages are the relatively short battery life, which can sometimes stress you out while working, and the fact that the battery life is limited. However, both problems can easily be remedied by using a second or replacement battery.

    The advantages and disadvantages at a glance:

    benefits
    • freedom of movement
    • easy to use
    • relatively quiet in operation
    • environmentally friendly
    disadvantage
    • quite short battery life
    • limited battery life

    Who benefits from a cordless lawn trimmer?

    Every hobby gardener with a small to medium-sized garden who wants absolutely cleanly cut lawn edges and/or struggles with grass on walls, house walls or in other areas that the lawn mower cannot trim is well advised to use a cordless lawn trimmer.

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