Corded electric string trimmers are great for DIY homeowners that don’t have a whole lot of lawn to maintain, or that have clear areas where an extension cord doesn’t inhibit movement.
As the name implies, this kind of electric weed eater comes with a 120 volt AC power cable that needs to be plugged into an electrical socket. While these do not offer as much mobility as gas powered or cordless battery-powered string trimmers do, many homeowners don’t need that mobility. Plus they are quiet, eco-friendly, low-maintenance and inexpensive.
Though I typically use a 4 stroke weed eater, I personally like having an electric string trimmer around the house for small jobs. I often find myself taking it to my parents’ townhouse to help tame their weeds, as it’s light and not messy to transport like many outdoor power tools are. Or if I need to do work early in the morning, it won’t tick off the neighbors.
So here’s my take on the 3 best corded weed eaters on the market – they are all great options that you can’t go wrong with.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks.
The 3 Best Corded Electric String Trimmers – Buying Guide
1) GreenWorks 21102 Leading Mount String Trimmer
I’ve done a lot of research and used a lot of string trimmers in my life, and the Greenworks 21102 is one of the best.
The GreenWorks 21102 10 Amp 18-Inch Corded Top Mount String Trimmer is my favorite cordless trimmer, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of the top rated corded string trimmers on Amazon and Home Depot. It’s got 10amps of power, and 18 cutting path, and dual cutting lines. Additionally, this strimmer is priced under $100, and carries a 4 year warranty.
Let’s talk about the amount of power that the GreenWorks String Trimmer provides. Power is one of the most important things you would have to consider when picking a corded string trimmer, and one of the benefits over a cordless string trimmer. High power is crucial for cutting through tough weeds or edging curbs. The Greenworks 21142’s 10 amp electric motor makes it one of the most powerful trimmers out there. Of course, all else equal, a cordless string trimmer is going to have as much power as a gas-powered weed eater, but the Greenworks 21102 can certainly hold its own and can cut better than many gas-powered trimmers.
The Greenworks 21102 trimmer features a bump feed, and is attachment capable. Meaning that you can purchase blower, edger, hedge trimmer and tree saw attachments, making the tool extremely versatile. The power cord is lightweight yet heavy duty.
This Greenworks weed trimmer is absolutely a winner. It is lightweight, has a straight shaft, and features an easy to use design. It is very easy to wield, so much that my 80-year-old mother loves cutting weeds with it! It’s a great option for those with small yards, a nearby power source, and need a lawn edger to compliment your lawn mower.
It’s worth mentioning if you want something a bit smaller, the Greenworks 21212 is the 4 amp, 13 inch little brother to this one. Also a great option.
2) WORX WG119 Electric Yard Trimmer
The WORX WG119 15-Inch Electric Grass Trimmer/Edger, 5.5 Amp corded string trimmer is another fantastic option. According to corded string trimmer reviews on the website, this weed wacker is effective and its ergonomic design makes it extremely easy to use. Now, its 5 amp motor means it has half the power of the Greenworks 21142, so it’s not your tool if you’re looking to tame a jungle. But for routine weed eating it’s a great option, especially considering the cost is only around $50.
The Work WG119 features a dual line automatic feed, a 4-position trimmer head, and a telescoping shaft, making it extremely customizable for your height and preferences. As an added benefit, it comes with an extra spool of line.
The WORKX WG119 is it has a foldable spacer, which prevents strimmer’s line from unintentionally cutting flower beds and foliage when trimming edges. It also can easily turn into an edger, which will cut much better around sidewalks and curbs (edges are what make the lawn pop!).
In general, the WORX WG119 15-Inch Corded Grass Trimmer/Edger is one of the best and most affordable electric models out there for the casual DIYer.
3) Toro 51480 Corded 14-Inch Electric Trimmer/Edger
The Toro 51480 Corded 14-Inch Electric Trimmer/Edger is a 5 amps weed whacker with a 14″ cutting diameter. It features a telescopic shaft so you can adjust it to the height you desire. And the line feed spool is smooth and easy to use – just pull a trigger and more trimmer line will come out.
The Toro 51490 also features autofeed, a 2 year warranty, and a dual line feed.
One of the crucial functions of the Toro 51480 is its comfy assist handle. The handle of the Toro 51480, combined with its light weight makes using the trimmer easy for anyone. Don’t let it’s light weight fool you though, this trimmer can cut through tall grass and thick weeds if you need it to.
Finally, one of the best features is that you can rotate the cutting head and turn it into an edger if you need it to (one of the benefits over a gas string trimmer). The edger features a wheel that rests against the curb so that you can roll it up and down and cut a nice edge in your lawn.
Some find the the wire guard on this trimmer inconvenient, saying that it is too large to reach nooks and crannies in the lawn. Nonetheless, this corded trimmer is a great option if you want something inexpensive and easy to use.
Is a corded electric weed eater for you?
Now that we’ve gone over the best options, let’s quickly help you decide if a corded trimmer is for you, or whether you’re better off with a powerdrive gas trimmer, or a lithium-ion battery powered trimmer with a charger.
Corded Trimmers Are Best If:
- You have outdoor power outlets in your front and back yards
- You have a small yard, such as with a townhouse or row home
- You don’t need to use your trimmer often
- You don’t need to cut down super heavy brush
Corded trimmers are the least expensive out of all the trimmer types, so if you fit all the criteria above, go ahead and save yourself some coin and purchase one of the three electric string trimmers mentioned above:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a straight shaft or a curved shaft better?
Typically hand held weed eaters come in one of two forms: a straight shaft or a curved shaft, and the differences are exactly what you would expect given the names.
When it comes down to it, there are pros and cons of each type of shaft, and at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference.
Generally speaking, curved string trimmers are what most owners of small to medium sized suburban lawns will use. They are slightly shorter, easy to control, and easy to turn on the side for edging and reaching nooks and crannies. They are generally cheaper and easier to use, but a bit more awkard to store
Straight shafts are used by professionals, and while they are a bit more difficult to use, they are far more versatile when it comes to getting underneath bushes or hard to reach places. Additionally, straight shaft trimmers tend to be longer and heavier
What are the pros and cons of corded electric trimmers?
There are a lot of pros and cons of corded weed eaters, most of which are not a huge surprise.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Almost zero maintenance
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- No charging batteries
- No gas – easy storage
Cons:
- Dragging around (and potentially cutting) the cord
- Typically less powerful
At the end of the day, corded weed eaters area great, inexpensive option for those with small lawns or who don’t have to use their yard trimmer all that often.
What is the best electric weed eater on the market?
What are the other types of weed eaters?
There are a number of different types of trimmers, including the following:
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