All of our top picks
Lightest bare-tool weight at 8.2 lbs — easiest to maneuver
The Greenworks 80V Pro String Trimmer is a lightweight, low-vibration brushless trimmer that handles thick brush and fibrous stalks with ease, making it an excellent value for homeowners — though its ~20-minute runtime on the 2.0Ah battery and kit pricing above $240 are notable limitations.
The Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless Trimmer delivers exceptional gas-like cutting power and 45–90 min runtime, making it one of the best electric options for thick brush — but most battery-included kits exceed the $200 budget ceiling and the 9–12 lb weight can cause fatigue.
The Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless Trimmer delivers exceptional gas-like cutting power and 45–90 min runtime, making it one of the best electric options for thick brush — but most battery-included kits exceed the $200 budget ceiling and the 9–12 lb weight can cause fatigue.
The widest cutting swath in the group paired with genuine gas-equivalent power and the longest warranty makes this the most complete cordless trimmer for tackling thick residential brush.
The Greenworks 60V 17-Inch Brushless Trimmer delivers gas-equivalent (~28cc) cutting power with a wide 17-inch swath and heavy-duty 0.105-inch line compatibility, making it one of the strongest cordless options for thick brush at the residential level. At ~$220 as a kit it slightly exceeds the $100–$200 target but offers exceptional value with a 4-year warranty and ~45 minutes of runtime.
The Echo eFORCE DSRM-2100 is a professional-grade 56V brushless trimmer with excellent 56-minute runtime and solid thick-brush cutting power, but it slightly exceeds the $200 budget ceiling at most retailers (~$226+) and has a forward-heavy balance that some users find fatiguing.
The Echo eFORCE DSRM-2100 is a professional-grade 56V brushless trimmer with excellent 56-minute runtime and solid thick-brush cutting power, but it slightly exceeds the $200 budget ceiling at most retailers (~$226+) and has a forward-heavy balance that some users find fatiguing.
How we picked the best
Focus on cordless battery-powered models in the $100–$200 range with high-torque motors and strong cutting performance. Compare models across budget and mid-tier price points, emphasizing cutting power, battery life, and durability. Disqualify models with weak performance, short battery life, or poor build quality.
Buy for cutting power for thick brush, not the spec sheet
The strongest options here separated themselves by consistently delivering on cutting power for thick brush and battery life and runtime. That matters more than chasing the longest feature list if the day-to-day experience is weaker.
Use the runner-up as a tradeoff check
Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless String Trimmer is the best pressure-test for the winner because it shows what you gain and lose when you optimize a different dimension. If you are tempted by it, make sure that trade is actually tied to your primary use case.
Pressure-test the cutting power claims
Before you buy, look for evidence that directly addresses cutting power rather than relying on brand reputation alone. The right product here is the one that still looks strong after you account for the downside that matters most to you.
Research stats
GreenWorks 80V 16-inch String Trimmer
The Greenworks 80V Pro String Trimmer is a lightweight, low-vibration brushless trimmer that handles thick brush and fibrous stalks with ease, making it an excellent value for homeowners — though its ~20-minute runtime on the 2.0Ah battery and kit pricing above $240 are notable limitations.
Lightest bare-tool weight at 8.2 lbs — easiest to maneuver
GreenWorks 80V 16-inch String Trimmer
Key specs
| Motor | Brushless |
| Length | 70 in. |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (bare tool) / 11.2 lbs (with 2.0Ah battery) |
| Runtime | ~20 minutes (with 2.0Ah battery) |
| Voltage | 80V |
| Shaft Type | Straight, aluminum |
| Trimmer Head | Load N' Go (quick reload) |
| Cutting Swath | 16–17 in. (adjustable to 15 in.) |
Highlights
- Powerful brushless motor rated equivalent to 30cc gas — cuts thick brush and fibrous stalks effectively
- Exceptionally low vibration for reduced hand fatigue during extended use
- 2-speed gearbox (4,900 / 5,800 RPM) for power vs. runtime tradeoff
- Lightweight at 8.2 lbs bare tool for easy maneuverability
- Adjustable cutting swath (15 or 17 inches)
- Load N' Go trimmer head for fast line reloading
- Compatible with full Greenworks 80V battery platform for runtime upgrades
Worth knowing
- Runtime only ~20 minutes on included 2.0Ah battery — short for larger yards
- Kit pricing ($249–$300) exceeds the $240 disqualifier threshold
- Tool-only at $159.99 requires separate battery purchase
- 16-inch cutting width is narrower than some competitors
- Limited 6-month warranty on Costco kit version
What people are saying
Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless String Trimmer
The Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless Trimmer delivers exceptional gas-like cutting power and 45–90 min runtime, making it one of the best electric options for thick brush — but most battery-included kits exceed the $200 budget ceiling and the 9–12 lb weight can cause fatigue.
The Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless Trimmer delivers exceptional gas-like cutting power and 45–90 min runtime, making it one of the best electric options for thick brush — but most battery-included kits exceed the $200 budget ceiling and the 9–12 lb weight can cause fatigue.
Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless String Trimmer
Key specs
| Motor | Brushless |
| Weight | ~9–12 lbs |
| Runtime | 45–90 minutes (with 4Ah+ battery) |
| Voltage | 80V |
| Line Feed | Bump-feed |
| Shaft Type | Straight (attachment-capable) |
| Cutting Swath | 16 inches |
| Cutting Width | 16 inches |
Highlights
- 80V brushless motor delivers gas-comparable torque for thick brush and heavy overgrowth
- Wide 16-inch cutting swath for faster coverage on larger yards
- Long battery runtime: 45–90 minutes with 4Ah+ battery
- Solid, durable build quality with robust shaft and guard
- Part of Greenworks 80V ecosystem — batteries interchangeable across many tools
- Attachment-capable straight shaft adds versatility
Worth knowing
- Heavy at 9–12 lbs — causes fatigue on extended sessions
- Most battery-included kits cost $200–$400+, exceeding the $100–$200 target budget
- Bump-feed line advancement interrupts workflow
- Moderate vibration in high-power modes
- Entry 2.0Ah battery may only deliver ~45 min runtime; larger battery needed for full runtime
What people are saying
Greenworks 60V 17-Inch Brushless Battery Trimmer
The Greenworks 60V 17-Inch Brushless Trimmer delivers gas-equivalent (~28cc) cutting power with a wide 17-inch swath and heavy-duty 0.105-inch line compatibility, making it one of the strongest cordless options for thick brush at the residential level. At ~$220 as a kit it slightly exceeds the $100–$200 target but offers exceptional value with a 4-year warranty and ~45 minutes of runtime.
The widest cutting swath in the group paired with genuine gas-equivalent power and the longest warranty makes this the most complete cordless trimmer for tackling thick residential brush.
Greenworks 60V 17-Inch Brushless Battery Trimmer
Key specs
| Motor | Brushless |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs |
| Runtime | ~45 minutes (2.5Ah battery) |
| Warranty | 4-year (tool and battery) |
| Max Runtime | ~45 minutes (2.5Ah battery) |
| Power Source | Greenworks 60V battery |
| Trimmer Head | Load N' Go (easy-reload) |
| Cutting Swath | 17 inches |
Highlights
- Brushless motor with ~28cc gas equivalence — strong enough for thick brush
- 17-inch cutting swath for fast, efficient clearing
- Supports heavy-duty 0.105-inch line for tough overgrowth
- ~45 minutes runtime on included 2.5Ah battery
- Variable speed trigger for battery conservation
- Load N' Go easy-reload trimmer head
- 4-year warranty on tool and battery
- Minimal vibration for reduced hand fatigue
Worth knowing
- Heavier than average at 10.1 lbs with battery
- Aluminum shaft (not carbon fiber) adds weight vs. premium variant
- Not attachment-capable
- Kit price (~$220) slightly above the $100–$200 target budget
- 2.5Ah battery may be limiting for very large properties
What people are saying
Echo eFORCE 56V String Trimmer Kit DSRM-2100C1
The Echo eFORCE DSRM-2100 is a professional-grade 56V brushless trimmer with excellent 56-minute runtime and solid thick-brush cutting power, but it slightly exceeds the $200 budget ceiling at most retailers (~$226+) and has a forward-heavy balance that some users find fatiguing.
The Echo eFORCE DSRM-2100 is a professional-grade 56V brushless trimmer with excellent 56-minute runtime and solid thick-brush cutting power, but it slightly exceeds the $200 budget ceiling at most retailers (~$226+) and has a forward-heavy balance that some users find fatiguing.
Echo eFORCE 56V String Trimmer Kit DSRM-2100C1
Key specs
| Motor | Brushless |
| Shaft | Straight |
| Weight | 9.75 lbs |
| Battery | 2.5Ah lithium-ion (126Wh) |
| Runtime | ~56 minutes |
| Voltage | 56V |
| Shaft Type | Straight |
| Charge Time | Under 40 minutes |
Highlights
- ~56 minutes runtime on 2.5Ah battery — well above the 30-minute disqualifier threshold
- Powerful 56V brushless motor handles thick brush and dense weeds effectively
- Wide 16-inch cutting swath for efficient large-property coverage
- Rapid charging under 40 minutes
- Two-speed design with variable-speed trigger for different cutting conditions
- Part of broad Echo 56V ecosystem with 16+ PAS attachments
Worth knowing
- Price typically $226–$299 at major retailers — exceeds $200 budget ceiling
- Forward-heavy design requires operator compensation, reducing ergonomic comfort
- Slightly less cutting power than top-tier competitors like DeWalt in head-to-head tests
- 9.75 lbs is on the heavier side for a string trimmer
What people are saying
Notable mentions
Milwaukee M18 FUEL String Trimmer w/ QUIK-LOK
Learn moreKey spec comparison
What to know before buying
Buy for cutting power for thick brush, not the spec sheet
The strongest options here separated themselves by consistently delivering on cutting power for thick brush and battery life and runtime. That matters more than chasing the longest feature list if the day-to-day experience is weaker.
Use the runner-up as a tradeoff check
Greenworks Pro 80V 16" Brushless String Trimmer is the best pressure-test for the winner because it shows what you gain and lose when you optimize a different dimension. If you are tempted by it, make sure that trade is actually tied to your primary use case.
Pressure-test the cutting power claims
Before you buy, look for evidence that directly addresses cutting power rather than relying on brand reputation alone. The right product here is the one that still looks strong after you account for the downside that matters most to you.
Have more questions?
Skip this one
Not worth itRyobi 40V 15 in. Expand-It Cordless Battery Attachment Capable String Trimmer with 4.0
The Ryobi 40V Expand-It delivers gas-comparable power for homeowners at $159, with a versatile attachment system and the easiest line-reload head reviewers have tested — solid for thick residential grass and moderate brush, but not for commercial or all-day heavy use.
- Not commercial-grade; lacks power for all-day heavy brush clearing
- Attachment locking mechanism reported as slightly fiddly
- 0.080 in. line is not the heaviest gauge for truly dense brush
- Curved shaft limits reach vs. straight-shaft models
Related reports
Looking for something else?
Research-backed picks, ranked specifically for you -- ready in minutes.