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Best Cordless String Trimmers: Greenworks & Ryobi Compared (2026)

We compare 14 battery string trimmers from Greenworks and Ryobi, from 12 in 24V models to 17 in 80V and 40V HP trimmers. Every figure comes from the maker's product page: cutting swath, runtime, the battery in the kit, weight and motor type. A figure the maker doesn't publish shows as "Not listed" and scores as the weakest published value in the category. We don't test trimmers or use prices or reviews.

Updated 2026-11-1214 products compared5 scored criteriaHow this ranking works

Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our rankings, which come from the published scoring formula. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.

Top pick

Greenworks 40V 17" String Trimmer, 8.0 Ah Kit

Score 8.3/10 · Check price

Why it wins: Longest runtime here: 80 min on an 8 Ah battery. Top runtime in this comparison (80 min). Top kit battery energy in this comparison (320 Wh).

Also great: Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 17" String Trimmer Kit (6.9) · Greenworks 80V 16" Brushless String Trimmer (6.8)

8.3/10
Check price at Amazon See pros, cons & specs

Side-by-side comparison

Swipe sideways on mobile. Green marks the best figure in each column.

Product Score Cutting swathRuntimeKit battery energyListed weight Best for Price Buy
1Greenworks 40V 17" String Trimmer, 8.0 Ah Kit
8.3/10
17 in80 min320 Wh7.1 lb Longest runtime here: 80 min on an 8 Ah battery Check price View deal
2Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 17" String Trimmer Kit
6.9/10
17 in67 min240 Wh12.95 lb Adjustable 15–17 in swath and a 6 Ah battery Check price View deal
3Greenworks 80V 16" Brushless String Trimmer
6.8/10
16 in65 min160 Wh7.97 lb 65 min runtime from a 2 Ah 80V battery Check price View deal
4Greenworks 80V 16" Brushless Carbon Fiber String Trimmer
6.7/10
16 in60 min160 Wh7.7 lb Carbon fiber shaft at 7.7 lb Check price View deal
5Greenworks 60V 17" Brushless String Trimmer
6.6/10
17 in45 min150 Wh7.3 lb 17 in brushless at 7.3 lb Check price View deal
6Greenworks 24V 15" Brushless String Trimmer, 6.0 Ah Kit
6.4/10
15 in60 min144 Wh6.06 lb Light 15 in brushless at 6.06 lb with 60 min runtime Check price View deal
7Greenworks 80V 17" Brushless String Trimmer
5.8/10
17 in30 min160 Wh8.2 lb 17 in 80V brushless trimmer Check price View deal
8Greenworks 60V 16" Gen 2 Brushless String Trimmer
5.1/10
16 in53 min150 WhNot listed 60V brushless with 53 min runtime Check price View deal
9Greenworks 24V 13" Brushless String Trimmer/Edger
4.8/10
13 in50 min96 Wh5.51 lb 13 in trimmer/edger at 5.51 lb Check price View deal
10Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 15" String Trimmer Kit
3.7/10
15 inNot listed108 Wh9.52 lb 18V ONE+ brushless with a 13–15 in swath Check price View deal
11Ryobi 18V ONE+ 13" String Trimmer/Edger Kit
3.5/10
13 in55 min72 Wh6.9 lb Budget 18V trimmer/edger, 55 min runtime Check price View deal
12Greenworks 40V 15" Gen 2 String Trimmer
3.4/10
15 in30 min80 Wh7.3 lb 13/15 in swath on the 40V platform Check price View deal
13Greenworks 40V 12" String Trimmer
2.0/10
12 in33 min80 Wh7.3 lb 12 in 40V trimmer with 33 min runtime Check price View deal
14Greenworks 24V 12" String Trimmer/Edger
1.7/10
12 in20 min48 Wh5.2 lb Lightest-duty option for small yards Check price View deal

"Not listed" means the manufacturer page we used does not publish that figure. Prices show "Check price" until a retailer feed provides a current price.

Every cordless string trimmer, ranked

#1 · Top pick

Greenworks 40V 17" String Trimmer, 8.0 Ah Kit

Best for: Longest runtime here: 80 min on an 8 Ah battery

8.3/10

What we like

  • Top runtime in this comparison (80 min)
  • Top kit battery energy in this comparison (320 Wh)

Watch out for

    Score breakdown

    Cutting swath 25%
    Runtime 25%
    Kit battery energy 20%
    Listed weight 20%
    Brushless motor 10%
    Cutting swath17 in
    Runtime80 min
    Kit battery energy320 Wh
    Listed weight7.1 lb
    Brushless motorNo
    Kit battery40 V 8 Ah = 320 Wh (computed)
    PriceCheck price
    Check price at Amazon Full specs
    Specs source:
    #2

    Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 17" String Trimmer Kit

    Best for: Adjustable 15–17 in swath and a 6 Ah battery

    6.9/10

    What we like

      Watch out for

      • Highest listed weight in this comparison (12.95 lb)

      Score breakdown

      Cutting swath 25%
      Runtime 25%
      Kit battery energy 20%
      Listed weight 20%
      Brushless motor 10%
      Cutting swath17 in
      Runtime67 min
      Kit battery energy240 Wh
      Listed weight12.95 lb
      Brushless motorYes
      Kit battery40 V 6 Ah = 240 Wh (computed)
      SwathAdjustable 15–17 in
      Line size.105 in
      ShaftCarbon fiber straight shaft
      PriceCheck price
      Check price at Amazon Full specs
      Specs source:
      #6

      Greenworks 24V 15" Brushless String Trimmer, 6.0 Ah Kit

      Best for: Light 15 in brushless at 6.06 lb with 60 min runtime

      6.4/10

      What we like

        Watch out for

          Score breakdown

          Cutting swath 25%
          Runtime 25%
          Kit battery energy 20%
          Listed weight 20%
          Brushless motor 10%
          Cutting swath15 in
          Runtime60 min
          Kit battery energy144 Wh
          Listed weight6.06 lb
          Brushless motorYes
          Kit battery24 V 6 Ah = 144 Wh (computed)
          Line diameter.080 in
          PriceCheck price
          Check price at Amazon Full specs
          Specs source:
          #8

          Greenworks 60V 16" Gen 2 Brushless String Trimmer

          Best for: 60V brushless with 53 min runtime

          5.1/10

          What we like

            Watch out for

            • Listed weight not published by Greenworks

            Score breakdown

            Cutting swath 25%
            Runtime 25%
            Kit battery energy 20%
            Listed weight * 20%
            Brushless motor 10%

            * Not published by the manufacturer; scored at the lowest published value in this category, so an unpublished figure never outranks a published one.

            Cutting swath16 in
            Runtime53 min
            Kit battery energy150 Wh
            Listed weightNot listed
            Brushless motorYes
            Kit battery60 V 2.5 Ah = 150 Wh (computed)
            Line diameter0.080 in / 0.095 in
            WeightNot published by the maker
            PriceCheck price
            Check price at Amazon Full specs
            Specs source:
            #10

            Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 15" String Trimmer Kit

            Best for: 18V ONE+ brushless with a 13–15 in swath

            3.7/10

            What we like

              Watch out for

              • Runtime not published by Ryobi

              Score breakdown

              Cutting swath 25%
              Runtime * 25%
              Kit battery energy 20%
              Listed weight 20%
              Brushless motor 10%

              * Not published by the manufacturer; scored at the lowest published value in this category, so an unpublished figure never outranks a published one.

              Cutting swath15 in
              RuntimeNot listed
              Kit battery energy108 Wh
              Listed weight9.52 lb
              Brushless motorYes
              Kit battery18 V 6 Ah = 108 Wh (computed)
              SwathAdjustable 13–15 in
              Line size.080 in
              RuntimeNot published by the maker
              PriceCheck price
              Check price at Amazon Full specs
              Specs source:
              #11

              Ryobi 18V ONE+ 13" String Trimmer/Edger Kit

              Best for: Budget 18V trimmer/edger, 55 min runtime

              3.5/10

              What we like

                Watch out for

                  Score breakdown

                  Cutting swath 25%
                  Runtime 25%
                  Kit battery energy 20%
                  Listed weight 20%
                  Brushless motor 10%
                  Cutting swath13 in
                  Runtime55 min
                  Kit battery energy72 Wh
                  Listed weight6.9 lb
                  Brushless motorNo
                  Kit battery18 V 4 Ah = 72 Wh (computed)
                  SwathAdjustable 11–13 in
                  Line size.080 in
                  RuntimeOver 55 minutes with an 18V ONE+ 4Ah battery
                  PriceCheck price
                  Check price at Amazon Full specs
                  Specs source:
                  #12

                  Greenworks 40V 15" Gen 2 String Trimmer

                  Best for: 13/15 in swath on the 40V platform

                  3.4/10

                  What we like

                    Watch out for

                      Score breakdown

                      Cutting swath 25%
                      Runtime 25%
                      Kit battery energy 20%
                      Listed weight 20%
                      Brushless motor 10%
                      Cutting swath15 in
                      Runtime30 min
                      Kit battery energy80 Wh
                      Listed weight7.3 lb
                      Brushless motorNo
                      Kit battery40 V 2 Ah = 80 Wh (computed)
                      Cutting path13 in / 15 in
                      Line diameter0.080 in
                      PriceCheck price
                      Check price at Amazon Full specs
                      Specs source:
                      #13

                      Greenworks 40V 12" String Trimmer

                      Best for: 12 in 40V trimmer with 33 min runtime

                      2.0/10

                      What we like

                        Watch out for

                        • Lowest cutting swath in this comparison (12 in)

                        Score breakdown

                        Cutting swath 25%
                        Runtime 25%
                        Kit battery energy 20%
                        Listed weight 20%
                        Brushless motor 10%
                        Cutting swath12 in
                        Runtime33 min
                        Kit battery energy80 Wh
                        Listed weight7.3 lb
                        Brushless motorNo
                        Kit battery40 V 2 Ah = 80 Wh (computed)
                        PriceCheck price
                        Check price at Amazon Full specs
                        Specs source:
                        #14

                        Greenworks 24V 12" String Trimmer/Edger

                        Best for: Lightest-duty option for small yards

                        1.7/10

                        What we like

                        • Lowest listed weight in this comparison (5.2 lb)

                        Watch out for

                        • Lowest cutting swath in this comparison (12 in)
                        • Lowest runtime in this comparison (20 min)
                        • Lowest kit battery energy in this comparison (48 Wh)

                        Score breakdown

                        Cutting swath 25%
                        Runtime 25%
                        Kit battery energy 20%
                        Listed weight 20%
                        Brushless motor 10%
                        Cutting swath12 in
                        Runtime20 min
                        Kit battery energy48 Wh
                        Listed weight5.2 lb
                        Brushless motorNo
                        Kit battery24 V 2 Ah = 48 Wh (computed)
                        Line diameter0.065 in
                        PriceCheck price
                        Check price at Amazon Full specs
                        Specs source:

                        Buying guide: how to choose the right cordless string trimmer

                        Swath and line size

                        Wider swaths (16–17 in) clear big yards faster; 12–13 in models are easier to control along beds. Thicker line (Ryobi's .105 in vs the common .080 in) cuts tougher weeds but needs more power.

                        Runtime depends on the battery in the box

                        The same trimmer can come with different batteries. Greenworks' 40V 17 in lists 80 min with an 8 Ah pack. Our runtime and watt-hour figures are for the kit on the linked page.

                        Weight and balance

                        Listed weights run from 5.2 lb (Greenworks 24V 12 in) to 12.95 lb (Ryobi 40V HP 17 in). If you trim for long stretches, a lighter tool or a shoulder strap helps.

                        Safety basics (not legal advice)

                        Read the maker's manual before first use. Wear eye protection with trimmers and blowers, and hearing protection if you work for long stretches. Remove the battery before clearing a clogged deck or trimmer head. Keep children and pets indoors while you mow, trim or blow. Charge only with the maker's charger and store batteries out of direct sun and frost.

                        Noise and local rules

                        Many cities and HOAs limit when you can run yard power tools, and some California cities restrict leaf blowers in certain areas or hours. Battery tools are generally quieter than gas, but local rules may still apply to them. Check your city and HOA rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

                        How this ranking is calculated

                        Score = weighted average of normalised specs, out of 10. Full method

                        Cutting swathThe widest cutting path the maker lists (the number in most product names). Where the swath is adjustable, we rank the widest setting. Scale: 12 → 17 in.
                        25%
                        RuntimeThe maker's longest runtime claim with the kit battery, usually at low speed. Scale: 20 → 80 min.
                        25%
                        Kit battery energyBattery energy in watt-hours, computed as volts x amp-hours of the battery or batteries the maker says come in the kit (for example 40 V x 6 Ah x 2 = 480 Wh). Bigger batteries generally mean more work per charge from the same tool. Scale: 48 → 320 Wh.
                        20%
                        Listed weightThe weight the maker lists. Lighter trimmers tire your arms less. Makers don't always say whether it includes the battery. Scale: 13 → 4 lb.
                        20%
                        Brushless motorYes when the maker lists a brushless motor, which generally runs cooler and longer per charge than a brushed one.
                        10%

                        Frequently asked questions

                        Why aren't EGO, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee or Toro trimmers ranked?

                        We haven't yet verified their published specs from the makers' own pages, including swath, runtime and weight. We leave out trimmers we can't verify.

                        Why does an adjustable swath count as its widest setting?

                        That's the figure in the product name and the maker's headline spec. The narrower setting is in the trimmer's notes.

                        What does 'computed' mean on battery energy?

                        We multiplied the kit battery's volts by its amp-hours to get watt-hours.

                        Top pick · 8.3/10Greenworks 40V 17" String Trimmer, 8.0 Ah Kit
                        Check price