The thing I liked most about the old one was the slow speed variable control for going around fences and flowers. If I knew the new model was not as capable when it comes to variable speed would probably not have purchased it. I have owned three gas powered string trimmers in my life, and being very frustrated with the last one I ventured to purchase this new electric Ego Power string trimmer. It makes much less noise, starts immediately with a press of a button and no struggling with a choke and pulling a start cord. It’s much lighter than my gas trimmer, and has MORE power, and the auto feed of the string line is a blessing and saves me a lot of time .
I have 2 batteries, so it’s not as big an issue for me, but extra batteries are expensive. Keep in mind that EGO’s batteries will fit all of their products, so if you have more than one EGO tool, the ability to swap batteries is a big plus. As the string becomes too short, just tap the head on a hard surface and the line will feed out automatically.
And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Fortunately, the guard keeps the flying detritus from our faces, and the noise level is what we’ve come to expect from quieter battery-powered tools. Ego sells larger batteries for longer jobs, as well as a rapid charger, and these are pricey, especially if you’re not committed to the Ego line of tools.
EGO is the way to go for home owner, battery powered , lawn equipment no doubt. The power is beyond impressive, and the Power Load feature is worth the additional investment. Needless to say, I can maintain my entire yard (well, front or back, can’t do both without recharging) with ease.
Buying into EGO’s 56V cordless outdoor power system is easier on the wallet if you go with the 2.5Ah kit. But if you already have a charger and 5.0Ah battery, the bare tool is a good option. The runtime was actually impressive given how I was using the trimmer to cut thick tall grass and thicker-stemmed weeds that I had no business using a string trimmer on. I think that the 2.5Ah battery included in the kits would power the trimmer through at least several quick maintenance-trimming sessions. Loading the string on the Ego Power+ is relatively easy thanks to the Powerload feature. To load, you merely need to insert the string and press a button at the base of the shaft, and it will wind the string for you.
EGO also has an advantage in weight, balance, and vibration. So it’s really a wonder why you’d pull the trigger on something else. The Carbon Fiber Shaft is described as beingstronger than any other string trimmer shaft on the market today. When I went to Home Depot to pick up a 5-pack of replacement line, I saw an Echo cordless string trimmer with a bent metal shaft. EGO says the carbon fiber shaft has a lifetime warranty, guaranteeing its strength and durability forever. The EGO 15-inch Powerload string trimmer with PowerLoad is unlike anything else on the market.
This is usually the go-to line size for the Pro. This includes the string trimmer spool pre-wound with 17 feet of 0.095 in. Yes, though we offer a standalone edger tool, you can use the string trimmer as an edger by turning the tool sideways and adjusting the auxiliary handle for comfort. With the battery attached, the POWERLOAD String Trimmer has a nice balance to it—not too heavy on either end. This balance and its lighter weight helps keep arms from tiring out too soon.
The powerload string trimmer is definitely worth the price of admission. In our testing, there’s just not a lot to complain about. The handle could stand to be a tad stiffer and larger—a small ding on an otherwise superb product. The power and balance are as solid as the previous model and there’s a noticeable weight difference in favor of the new carbon-fiber shafted model.