Tidy up your lawn and garden with ease using a top-rated string trimmer. We’ve reviewed the best electric and battery-powered models in Canada for power, precision, and comfort.
If you rent or own a home with a yard, you’re familiar with the lawncare demands that come with the glorious warm weather. For some of us, those chores begin and end with a quick mow every week or two. But for others, a well-manicured lawn is a point of pride, and there will be some extra steps involved. How do you get those clean fence lines and crisp sidewalk edges? A string trimmer, of course!
These tools are pretty great. If you’ve ever used one in the past, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. They’re really easy to maintain and pretty affordable, and they can make your outdoor chores a whole lot easier. They can easily trim grass along fences and around obstacles (all the places a mower can’t get to), and they can be used as edgers, too.
If you’re in need of a replacement string trimmer, or you’re ready to step up your lawn care game with a new tool, we’d be more than happy to help you find the right one. String trimmers will vary in price, power type, weight, cutting width, and more. It can get overwhelming, and that’s why we’re here to help.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best string trimmers in Canada in 2024 and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Best String Trimmers Right Now
- Top Cordless Pick: Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer
- Top Corded Pick: Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer
- Budget Cordless Pick: Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger
- Budget Corded Pick: Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger
- Also Great: Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger
Our Top Cordless Pick for The Best String Trimmer
Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer Review
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Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer(This link opens in a new tab)
The Best Cordless
Everyone loves battery power, right? Right! And if you want a cordless trimmer, the Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer is your best option. Its performance is flawless, and it’s got a ton of other things working in its favour too. You can’t beat this one!$362.18 on Amazon(This link opens in a new tab)$349 on Rona Canada(This link opens in a new tab)$359.99 on Canadian Tire(This link opens in a new tab)
What We Think of the Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer
The Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer became a quick favourite for us, and we bet you’ll feel the same way. With a 15-inch cutting width and a very powerful motor, this option will make quick work of all of your trimming and edging tasks. Its Powerload technology makes it really easy to feed out more line with the push of a button, too. Yay for limited downtime.
Speaking of downtime, the battery life on this trimmer is exceptional. Truly. The battery can run for 45 minutes at a time, and it only needs 50 minutes to fully charge again. That’s unheard of. Since this option has two speed settings instead of one (also unheard of!), you’ll be able to conserve the power for when you need it most.
We have almost nothing negative to say about this one, and that makes us really happy. We do want to warn you that the price tag is pretty high, and it won’t be worth it for everybody. We get that. This trimmer is also several pounds heavier than the average string trimmer, and if you have a lot of trimming and edging to do, you’ll start to feel it pretty quickly.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer
Reviewers have a really high opinion of the Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer. The battery life is great, and they love how quickly it charges—minimal downtime is the way to go. The telescopic handle is really helpful, and the dual-speed design was a selling point for a lot of them. The power of this trimmer means they don’t have to spend as much time on yard work. And they’re grateful.
Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer Specifications
- Weight: 10.3 lbs
- Colour: Black, grey, and green
- Handle Length: 65” to 72”
- Power Type: Battery
- Cutting Width: 15”
- Feed System: Command
- Warranty: 3 years for battery/charger, 5 years for tool
Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 45-minute runtime far exceeds the battery life of other string trimmers
- Battery only needs 50 minutes to charge
- Has two speed settings to suit different grass densities/lengths
- Simple push of a button feeds out more line with the Powerload technology
Cons:
- Pricey
- Heavy
Our Final Thoughts on the Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 3/5
- Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Ego Power+ ST1511T 15-Inch Cordless String Trimmer is one of the best trimmers of all time, and it’s certainly the best battery-powered option right now. If you’ve got the extra money to spend, you’ll love everything about this one. Except maybe the weight.
Our Top Corded Pick
Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer Review
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Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer(This link opens in a new tab)
The Best Corded
The Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer is a reasonably-priced option, but it’s also the best corded trimmer out there. Talk about good fortune. If you’ll appreciate a high-powered motor, an adjustable handle length, and automatic line feeding, you’ll love this one.$203.27 on Walmart Canada(This link opens in a new tab)$134.00 on Amazon(This link opens in a new tab)
What We Think of the Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer
There are lots of features working for the Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer. A 7500 RPM motor is one of its main claims to fame—it does a great of cutting through long grass and weeds on the first try. The curved telescopic handle is also a lot more ergonomic, and more comfortable for shorter people.
This trimmer is meant to be used for both trimming and edging, and there’s a quick-release latch that makes it easy to rotate the shaft to swap modes anytime you need to. If you’ll be edging a lot, you’ll love the wheeled edge guide the most. Not only does it help support the trimmer, but it makes your edging a whole lot faster too.
There’s one thing we aren’t too happy about needing to share with you. This tool vibrates a lot near the trigger, and it’s enough to actually make your hand tingly if you use it long enough. You can wear a glove to reduce that sensation, but we really don’t think that should be necessary. Another warning we want to give is for taller people—this one might not extend enough to be usable without bending over a bit.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer
Reviewers have a lot of great things to say about the Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer. Since the telescopic handle has a curve to it, it’s a lot more comfortable for shorter people to use. And the wheel is a major help when edging along driveways and sidewalks. The only notable complaint is the amount of vibration around the trigger, but a work glove helps them with that.
Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer Specifications
- Weight: 6.9 lbs
- Colour: Orange
- Power Type: Corded
- Cutting Width: 14”
- Feed System: Automatic
- Warranty: 2 years
Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quick latch release makes it easy to switch from trimming to edging
- Wheeled edge guide makes edging easier and faster
- 7500 RPM motor makes quick work of long grass and weeds
- Curved telescopic handle is more ergonomic
Cons:
- Might not be long enough for taller people to use it comfortably
- A lot of vibration is felt near the trigger—can put your hand to sleep
Our Final Thoughts on the Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 5/5
All in all, we can’t recommend the Black+Decker GH3000 High-Performance Electric String Trimmer enough. Aside from some excessive vibrations, there’s nothing wrong with it. And it’s got a great list of beneficial features that more than make up for a little discomfort.
Our Budget Cordless Pick
Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger Review
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Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger(This link opens in a new tab)
The Most Affordable Cordless
If you’re hunting for an affordable battery-powered trimmer, the Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger is going to be your best option. It isn’t perfect by any means, but it’s super user-friendly and meets the main criteria here—it’s really affordable, and it doesn’t need an extension cord.$129.89 on Amazon(This link opens in a new tab)
What We Think of the Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger
The Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger is our favourite battery-powered option for people shopping on a budget. With a rotating shaft, it quickly converts from a trimmer to an edger and back again. And with its metal edge guide, you won’t have to work so hard to keep your lines straight. Thank goodness.
We also really like that it has a charge indicator light—there’s nothing worse than a battery dying unexpectedly, right? It has an adjustable handle length too, so it’ll adapt to everyone’s height with no problems. Your back will thank you for choosing this one. And so will your bank account. Lots of things to love.
We have a decent list of things to dislike about this option, too, but none of them are dealbreakers. For us, at least. A small cutting width, limited battery life, and a lack of adjustability with the front handle are a few of the more minor issues we have with this one.
Our main problem is with the cutting performance—with long grass/weeds, it tends to bend them instead of cutting them. You’ll need to keep up with the growth in order for this option to be consistently effective.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger
Reviewers have mixed feelings about the Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger. They love how light it is, and they appreciate the small touches like the charge indicator light, the adjustable handle, and the metal edge guide. However, it doesn’t get through longer grass/weeds very well (it bends it instead of cutting) and the battery life could be better.
Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger Specifications
- Weight: 6.2 lbs
- Colour: Orange
- Power Type: Battery
- Cutting Width: 10”
- Feed System: Automatic
Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Has a metal edge guide to keep your lines straight
- Charge indicator lets you know when the battery is running low
- Has an adjustable handle length for improved comfort
- Shaft rotates to quickly convert from trimming to edging and vice versa
Cons:
- Cutting width is pretty small
- Front handle position is not adjustable
- Doesn’t get through long grass/weeds very well
- Battery life isn’t great
Our Final Thoughts on the Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger
- Performance: 4/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Black+Decker LST201-CA MAX Cordless String Trimmer/Edger is the best choice if battery power and affordability are your two main priorities. It has its flaws, but it also has a bunch of useful features to make your trimming and edging chores feel less like chores.
Our Budget Corded Pick
Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger Review
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Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger(This link opens in a new tab)
The Most Affordable Corded
When it comes to budget-friendly corded trimmers, the Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger is the best one available right now. The price is great, and you get a lot of trimming/edging power for your money.$79 on Amazon(This link opens in a new tab)$89.99 on Rona Canada(This link opens in a new tab)
What We Think of the Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger
The Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger is our top recommendation for folks who are looking for quality on a budget. Its powerful motor does a great job cutting through thick grass and tough weeds, and with an automatic spool feed system, you won’t ever need to think about the string while you’re trimming. Power loss won’t be an issue either thanks to the cord retention system.
One of the things we like most about this trimmer is the wheel that’s attached to the front guide. When you’re edging, this wheel lets you roll along quickly without worrying so much about the depth of the string and keeping an even line. Hallelujah. We also like that the main handle length and the front handle position are both adjustable. Comfort is key, after all.
Aside from the obvious drawback of a corded trimmer (managing an extension cord), there are only two things we want to warn you about before you choose this option. The first thing is the weight—it can start to feel heavy if you use it for long enough, and that’s not ideal. At all. And despite the telescopic handle, some people still find it too short to be comfortable.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger
Reviewers are really happy with the quality of the Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger for the price. A couple of people still had to bend over even with the handle fully extended, and some found it a bit heavy after 10 minutes or so, but those are really the only complaints. They’re happy with its performance on grass and weeds, and the auto-feed system is super convenient.
Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger Specifications
- Weight: 6.6 lbs
- Colour: Orange
- Power Type: Corded
- Cutting Width: 14”
- Feed System: Automatic
- Warranty: 2 years
Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Automatic line feeding lets you work without interruptions
- Has a wheel to keep your lines straight while edging
- Main handle is telescopic, and front handle is adjustable
- Cord retention system prevents the cord from disconnecting accidentally
Cons:
- Starts to feel heavy after 10 minutes of use
- Handle doesn’t extend long enough to suit every person’s height
Our Final Thoughts on the Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Black+Decker BESTA510-CA String Trimmer & Edger is a really great choice if you want unlimited power on a budget. You will have to micromanage an extension cord, but this thing can cut through even the most stubborn weeds and thickest sections of grass. It’s adjustable, too.
Also Great
Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger Review
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Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger(This link opens in a new tab)
The Well-Rounded Choice
Everybody will have their own idea of what the ‘best’ is when it comes to string trimmers, and if you haven’t found your perfect match yet, you may have been waiting for the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger. It’s effective, highly adjustable, and super easy to put together.$178.72 on Amazon(This link opens in a new tab)
What We Think of the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger
There are a lot of things to like about the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger. Since it’s cordless, you won’t have the hassle of managing a power cord while you trim or edge your lawn, and you get two batteries instead of just one! Talk about a great deal. The 12-inch cutting width is perfectly suited to every grass/weed type, and it helps you get the job done quickly.
The adjustability of this trimmer is really something to admire. With a telescopic main handle, everybody will be able to use the trimmer comfortably, without stooping over. The front handle can be adjusted to seven different spots for ergonomic arm and wrist positions, too. We also love the command feed system—just press a button to extend your trimming line. No stops and starts!
There’s only one thing we aren’t super happy about with this one, and that’s the battery life. Each battery will only last for 20 minutes before needing a charge, and a charge takes five hours. Not great. But at least you get two batteries, so you can swap them out to get the job done in one go. Just make sure you remember to charge them later!
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger
Reviewers are quite happy with the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger. Although the twenty-minute battery life isn’t enough for everybody to get through their entire yard, the extra battery does a lot to help out with that. They’re all really happy with the adjustability of this trimmer, and it’s really effective on all types of grass and weeds.
Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger Specifications
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Colour: Black and orange
- Power Type: Battery
- Cutting Width: 12”
- Feed System: Command
- Warranty: 3 years
Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Trimming head can tilt 90 degrees to swap between edging and trimming
- Telescopic handle can adjust to various user heights and front handle can be set to seven different positions
- Has a push-button line feed system
- Comes with two batteries (only one is needed at a time)
Cons:
- Battery only runs for 20 minutes at a time before needing a 5-hour charge
Our Final Thoughts on the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger is a really great option that we feel comfortable recommending to everybody. It’s lightweight and really easy to use, and it’s reasonably priced, too. We don’t love the runtime-to-charge-time ratio, but you can’t have it all.
How to Properly Choose Your String Trimmer
Price
Almost every string trimmer on the market can be purchased for less than $500, and most people will be able to find a great option for less than $200. In general, more expensive string trimmers will run on batteries, will have a wider cutting width, and will be more powerful than their same-power counterparts.
Cutting Width
The cutting width of a string trimmer affects how much grass you can cut through at a time. If you have a lot of obstacles and fence lines, a larger cutting width will help you get through the chores faster. We recommend a cutting width of at least 12 inches for the average property.
Power Type
A string trimmer can run on gas, a battery, or a corded connection to an outlet. Gas power gives the most power, but also comes with maintenance and fuel costs. Cordless electric models are the most convenient, but they also have limited runtimes and a higher price tag in general. Corded models have unlimited runtimes and are affordable, but they also have the limitation (and hassle) of a power cord.
Weight
String trimmers generally weigh around 6-7 pounds, but some can weigh more than 10 pounds. They start to feel heavy pretty quickly, so if you have a large property or limited endurance, a string trimmer under 7 pounds is a good idea.
Telescoping Handle
Almost every string trimmer with have a telescoping handle, but the exact length range will vary. You’ll want to check that the trimmer you have your eye on will be comfortable to use when you’re standing up straight.
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Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
