The best cordless strimmer or grass trimmer is a must for a neat lawn edge and anywhere that a lawnmower can’t reach. Plus, it’s great for clearing weeds quickly & without fuss.
The alternative of using shears or scissors is time-consuming and back-breaking. We’ve compared 52 models to shortlist the Top 5 garden trimmers and strimmers available for British gardeners to buy now that the grass is growing again!
Choosing the Best Strimmer 2023
The best strimmer is easy to use, lightweight and powerful enough to get the job done. These basic requirements are only made possible with the right specification. Power, rpm speed, cord width, ergonomics, weight and noise are the seven key factors. For cordless models, battery size and compatibility are important too.
We’ve listened to gardeners, compared specifications and checked with experts to shortlist the UK’s top 5, to help you choose the best strimmer for your garden & budget…
Flymo Contour 500E – Best Budget Corded Option
£60 – £70 | See Best Price on Amazon
If you’re looking for an affordable grass trimmer that’s both effective and cheap, choose the Flymo Contour 500E. This model is corded rather than battery-powered, which makes it more affordable & a decent choice for smaller gardens.
The Flymo is easy to use with all the right ergonomic adjustments, plant guard and edging wheel. The telescopic shaft means you can adjust the length to match your height and move the steady handle for maximum comfort.
The head angle can be changed for normal trimming, reaching under furniture or edging the lawn. This is made easier with a clever edging wheel that helps guide the device.
Cordless models bring convenience to keeping the garden tidy, but the initial investment (with battery & charger) means that they do cost a few pounds more. If you’d rather save a few quid, the Flymo Contour is the best corded grass trimmer you can buy, right now.
SPECIFICATION: CABLE LENGTH: 10m | CUTTING DIAMETER: 25cm | WEIGHT: 3.1Kg | NOISE: 96dB | SUPPLIED LINE: 1.5mm | TELESCOPIC SHAFT: Yes
Black+Decker 18V – Best under £100
£87 – £185 | See Best Price on Amazon
This B+D cordless strimmer is powerful and well-designed. Easy to use and adjust, it’s great for trimming excess grass in difficult-to-reach areas and perfect for a neat finish to lawn borders.
The shaft length and swing handle are adjustable giving you the right level of control for the job at hand. And for lawn borders, there’s a guide wheel making it straightforward and lightweight to get a neat edge quickly.
The latest Black+Decker 18v cordless power tools all use the same batteries and chargers. So you can use the same battery with all the latest Black+Decker power & garden tools (saving a small fortune on your next cordless power tool)
This model compares favourably to numerous models costing significantly more. When available for under £100, it ranks as the Verum best buy – It’s affordable, robust & perfect for most British gardens.
SPECIFICATION: SPEED: 5500-7400rpm | CUTTING DIAMETER: 28cm | WEIGHT: 2.6Kg | NOISE: 92dB | SUPPLIED LINE: 1.6mm | TELESCOPIC SHAFT: Yes | SUPPLIED BATTERY: 2Ah | BATTERY SYSTEM: Black+Decker Lithium-Ion 18v
Affordable & powerful cordless strimmer – Complete with battery & charger
Ryobi RLT1832 18V ONE+
£74 – £198 | See Best Price on Amazon
The Ryobi cordless grass trimmer is good for everything from fine grass edging to weed removal.
The shaft is telescopic and the steady handle is fully adjustable – it’s easy to find a comfortable working position. As you may expect, the head pivots for flower bed edging, weed cutting or reaching under benches, trampolines and alike.
Owners of this model rate it highly although you may need a second battery for large areas.
If you already own Ryobi ONE+ power tools, then along with an appreciation for the Ryobi brand, you’ll have a charger and battery meaning you can choose the low-cost bare unit. The link and price below are for the bare unit.
SPECIFICATION: CUTTING DIAMETER: 25/30cm | WEIGHT: 2.3Kg | NOISE: 94dB | SUPPLIED LINE: 1.6mm | TELESCOPIC SHAFT: Yes | BATTERY SYSTEM: Ryobi ONE+
Choose a bigger 18v battery (5Ah) for a longer run time or a smaller 18v battery for the weight advantage
Bare unit – choose battery & charger separately
Bosch Universal Grass Cut
£115 – £155 | See Best Price on Amazon
Effective, lightweight and comfortable to use, this model has the right credentials for everything from trimming border edges to clearing heavier grass and weeds.
This Bosch cordless trimmer uses an ergonomic V-shape design. Although the standard for most trade models it’s not often seen on DIY garden trimmers.
Rather than use a telescopic shaft, both handles can be moved up and down to find the most comfortable position. The V-shape handle gives balance and encourages good posture, which is especially beneficial if you’re covering a large area or suffer from a bad back.
In addition to the technically superior V-shape design, this trimmer has numerous clever design features making it our overall best buy.
Powerful & reliable, the line feed works well and it’s easy to switch between trimming & edging. Plus, the plant protector makes it easy to trim what you want without damaging flowers and alike.
One battery charge is enough to trim the edges of six tennis courts!
SPECIFICATION | SPEED: 7300rpm | CUTTING DIAMETER: 26cm | WEIGHT: 2.3Kg | NOISE: 89dB | TELESCOPIC SHAFT: See info above | BATTERY SYSTEM: Bosch Power For All 18v
There’s every reason to choose this model from Bosch. The superior V-shape design makes it super easy to use (no bad back), it’s a match for all your garden tasks and the battery will fit a wide range of Bosch tools.
Makita DUR192LZ 18V – Best for Trade
£135 – £165 | See Best Price on Amazon
This Makita cordless trimmer is the top choice for trade or anyone with tough tasks or large areas to cover.
Designed with a brushless motor, it’s powerful, reliable & built to last. Brushless technology delivers numerous advantages, including less wear, longer battery life, product longevity and control.
Better Than Petrol
Power output is key & what’s important is that this Makita trimmer is more than a match for old petrol models, plus once you own a couple of batteries, the range is limitless.
Control
In terms of control, soft start, constant speed control and an electric brake improve battery life, ease of use & safety.
Robust build quality means it’s a little heavier than most DIY models, although it feels lightweight. The shoulder strap takes the weight with the battery & motor perfectly balanced. This set-up works equally well for all-day use through to a quick whizz around the garden.
If you already own Makita LXT batteries, this model is a no-brainer. Alternatively, if this is your first Makita cordless power tool, you’re in for a treat. And looking forward, you can buy top-notch Makita power & garden tools and will save a fortune by using the same battery across all devices.
SPECIFICATION: SPEED: 6000rpm | CUTTING DIAMETER: 30cm | SUPPLIED LINE: 2mm | WEIGHT: 2.7Kg | NOISE: 88dB | BATTERY SYSTEM: Makita LXT
If you plan to use your new strimmer daily – this is the model for you
Bare unit – choose battery & charger separately
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Are petrol grass trimmers better than electric?
No. Petrol trimmers are expensive, loud and heavy. And in 2023, a decent battery model is super powerful. For larger areas and extended range, you simply need a second battery.
Lithium batteries are transforming the cars we drive and the same technology is certainly up to powering a garden trimmer that is cleaner, quieter, lighter and more affordable than the old petrol models. Think Tesla for power, but not price!
Batteries & Chargers
Black+Decker, Bosch, Ryobi and Makita all offer a wide range of compatible power tools. The idea is simple – you own one charger & a couple of batteries that you use across all your same brand power tools.
If you already own power tool batteries, do check the compatibility (details in specifications above) but it makes sense to stick with one brand.
In terms of battery size, the same rules apply to all manufacturers. Models recommended here, all use 18v batteries.
For absolute clarity, you can only use 18v batteries on an 18v device. However, battery capacity (time between charging) is measured in Ah. Stick with one brand & you can use different capacity batteries on the same device.
A 5Ah battery will last twice as long as a 2.5Ah battery but it’s heavier & costs more.
We don’t recommend ‘aftermarket’ batteries. While some may be ok, we’re yet to see consistent results over a period of time to justify a recommendation.
Why does the trimmer line keep breaking?
We occasionally hear of problems (on all grass trimmers) with the string breaking. Here are a few things to check and try…
- Make sure you’ve got the right spool and string. The importance of compatibility cannot be overstated.
- The recommended models listed above all have a string with a diameter of 1.5mm or above. Avoid anything finer.
- Make sure the spool is fitted correctly, plus it should be neatly & tightly wound.
- Keep the spool and everything around it clean and free from clogged grass.
- Sometimes easier said than done, but try to avoid hitting hard sharp edges.
Safety Equipment
Common sense is the best guide here. Garden trimmers are loud and a string spinning at 6000 rpm will fire out projectiles. Decent shoes and long trousers make good sense. Plus, goggles or glasses are a must. Ear protectors are important too.
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UK VERDICT
The Black+Decker is a great cordless strimmer – perfect for most British gardens.
For a few quid more, the Bosch Universal Grass Cut 18-26 wins our Ultimate award. The V-shape design & specification make it super effective and comfortable to use. Plus, it comes complete with a charger & battery, making it a great deal too.
For trade & larger areas, the Makita is the standout heavy-duty option. It matches old petrol models for power but is much lighter, quieter & cheaper to run. Plus, the brushless motor means it will keep going when lesser models fail.
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