Best battery-run grass trimmers 2023: keep your garden tidy with an environmentally friendly electric trimmer
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Unrestricted by cumbersome cables and free from filthy petrol emissions, battery powered trimmers provide the gardener with an easy means through which to tame long grassy areas and gnarly bramble thickets. Modern Li-Ion batteries and advancements in engine tech means that some of the top spec trimmers can generate slicing power comparable with petrol-driven machines but without the negative environmental impact caused by a belching exhaust.
Battery longevity still remains an issue with many of the lower cost machines offering around 20 minutes or so of cutting time. Fine if you’ve only got a small area to deal with, but if you are planning a titanic trimming session, you may wish to consider investing in extra batteries to have on charge whilst you work.
Things to look for in a battery grass trimmer
Cutting head
Check the size of the cutting head and choose appropriately for your needs. A large cutting head means you can trim a larger area quickly, but the flipside is extra weight and a reduction in maneuverability when trimming in confined areas such as narrow pathways between flowery borders.
Some of the more expensive trimmers incorporate bump-feed line mechanisms. During use the trimmer wire will wear down, so by bashing the base of the cutting head on the ground the mechanism will feed out more line to facilitate uninterrupted work.
Ergonomics
Most trimmers are easily adjustable to suit the height and posture of the user so in theory you should be able to buy blind without trying them out first. That said, it’s always best to take one for a spin in a showroom or garden centre first, just to make sure it suits your stance.
Batteries
Power tool batteries are expensive, but if you already own cordless power tools you may be able to swap and share. Many power tool brands are now utilizing the ‘powershare’ model, meaning you can swap similar batteries from tool to tool and from manufacturer to manufacturer. For companies who use their own bespoke battery range, It might make sense to stay loyal to the brand (or brands) you own.
Price: Base unit £259. AL301 quick charger £71.49. AP 200 Battery £139
The FSA 86 is Stihl’s mid-range cordless trimmer and is designed to take on large garden jobs where long grass and scrub requires beating into shape. It’s a well balanced, ergonomic tool to use, featuring a soft grip handle, intuitive locking trigger and safety switch and runs incredibly quietly with very little vibration.
As you would expect from Stihl, battery performance is top drawer, with a fully charged AP 200 battery giving you around 35 minutes of strimming time using a nylon line mowing head. It’s also worth noting that the FSA 86 R can also be fitted with a variety of cutting tools, and swapping to a Stihl 6-2 polycut mowing head will increase the runtime to around 60 minutes.
Price: £149.99 including battery.Available from: Gtech.co.uk
This smart, dyson-esque trimmer from Gtech is a great grab-and-go trimmer for neatening up a lawn or grassy verge. It is powered by an 18V Li-ion battery that slots into the base of the trimmers handle and grants approx 30 minutes cutting time from a four hour charge. Including battery, the unit weighs in at 1.85 kg which makes it the lightest trimmer on test, and whilst it might not have the largest cutting head, it does mean you can easily access areas that larger trimmers may struggle to reach.
Further flexibility is offered by rotating the cutting head into an upright position to enable edge trimming for neat lines around your borders. This trimmer uses plastic cutting blades which have a tendency to wear down quite quickly – especially if your trimmer comes into contact with stones or raised paving – but they are easy to replace and you can buy them in bulk relatively cheaply from the Gtec online shop.