The EGO Power+ 15” POWERLOAD String Trimmer Is a pleasure to use. Just slide the battery into place and start trimming. The sturdy build quality, indestructible shaft and quiet brushless motor make this trimmer—dare I say it—fun to use. Running in high, we were able to trim for just under Ego Powerload String 25 minutes continuously. That should be enough to cover most lawns up to 1/4 or 1/3 of an acre without trouble. If you need more runtime, moving up to the 5.0Ah battery doesn’t make this string trimmer unwieldy and is easier than stopping to go back to the garage for another battery.
The Worx is no match for the precision and evenness of a regular mower, but after we got used to it, the results weren’t too shabby. We don’t recommend using the Worx in this way for an entire lawn. But if you have an area that is difficult for a mower to get to , these added wheels might help you make a consistent cut . Because the Ryobi is “attachment-ready,” you can remove the trimmer head and replace it with a number of other tools, such as a brush cutter, a pole saw, or even a cultivator. We tested many of these attachments and were impressed with the results.
The battery will hold its power for 30 days, so there’s no worry if it has been sitting for a while. The battery can also be left in the charger—it won’t overcharge. For how infrequently I have to load, I’d say not worth $60.
Replacing yourstring line is as easy as feeding the line into the head and pressing a button! A carbon fiber shaft makes itthe strongest string trimmer on the market – backed by a lifetime warranty. With its telescopic design,quickly adjust the shaft length for ease of use and comfort.
Whereas the other EGO straight shaft trimmer has the motor at the battery and a drive shaft. It is attachment capable and they make an edger and hedge trimmer and blower attachments for it. EGO is the way to go for home owner, battery powered , lawn equipment no doubt. Weed Eater and WeedWacker are both brand names of string trimmers. Ryobi has two other attachment-capable 40-volt models, but neither matches the power of our runner-up pick. The Ryobi RY40230 comes with a smaller battery; the RY40250 has a brushed motor, not the brushless one on our also-great pick, the RY40270.
All of this cutting ability is harnessed with a smooth, variable-speed trigger, which makes delicate work just as easy as brute-force clear-cutting. Though none of the trimmers we tested were quiet, the Ego ST1511T had the nicest sound, emitting a low-pitched hum, rather than the high, squealing whine of some of the others. This Ego completes the package with great balance, comfortable grips, and a simple bump-feed line advance. The Ego ST1511T is just as powerful and affordable as a gas tool, but without the messy fuel, smelly exhaust, or time-consuming maintenance. It was also the most capable cordless trimmer we found, with enough run time to cut a 1-foot-wide strip of grass almost two-thirds of a mile long on a single battery charge.
Most quality trimmers priced under about $175 have an auto-line feed system that releases about ¼ inch of line each time the trimmer is activated. As the motor starts up, the string is cut to the proper length by a small edge that hangs down from the underside of the debris guard. The motor kicks on at such a high speed that the line is trimmed almost instantly.
In some extreme circumstances, only a gas tool will do—and we have a gas-powered pick for those. But those rarely apply to most people’s needs, so the rest of this section outlines our criteria for cordless string trimmers. Of all the trimmers we’ve tested, the Ego ST1511T Power+ String Trimmer with Powerload combines raw cutting power, finesse, handling, convenience, and run time in a way none of the others do. It also has the easiest line-load system we’ve tested, as well as a telescoping shaft and quick handle adjustment, to accommodate people of all heights. All of the Ego trimmers we’ve tested have marathon-like run times, often outlasting the others by nearly 40% (and in most cases by more than 50%). The ST1511T has the power to slice through dense grass, gnarly weeds, and even 1-inch-thick Japanese knotweed without slowing down.
The trimmer is compatible with all EGO ARC Lithium™ batteries to maximize the convenience of the cordless system and deliver the power you need. EGO spent years perfecting its POWERLOAD technology to deliver the power, cut quality, and runtimes of premium gas string trimmers without the frustration of loading string into the head. Patented POWERLOAD technology is a breakthrough for battery-powered outdoor power equipment.
I might try it with a 2.5Ah battery, but I don’t think there will be much benefit to ergonomics or weight. 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. We tested the attachment-capable Kobalt KST 140XB-06 80V Max Straight Brushless Cordless String Trimmer and didn’t like the weight or the fussy interface. It also has only two speeds and no true variable-speed trigger. As for its downsides, we grew frustrated with the small debris guard, which caused our legs and shoes to be covered with grass trimmings.