Most folks reach for a string trimmer on Saturday morning with one goal: clean up the edges the mower missed. The right tool cuts your time on the lawn in half. The wrong one leaves you fighting a cord, swapping batteries, or pushing through brush that belongs to a brush cutter. Below, you’ll find five workhorse outdoor power tools that handle the same job corded trimmers tackle, with honest trade-offs for each.
A Fast Comparison Of The Options
WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer WG163
Worx WG752 40V 21″ Cordless Lawn Mower
HEYWORK 20V 12″ Cordless String Trimmer & Edger
WORX WG583 40V Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
WILD BADGER POWER 26cc Gas String Trimmer & Brush Cutter
A Closer Look At Each Pick
The WORX WG163 earns its place on a shortlist aimed at homeowners who want edging and trimming without hauling two tools around the yard. A pivoting head and inline wheel system let the same shaft switch between trimming along a fence line and laying down a clean edge along a walkway. In practice, that saves a real step on Saturday morning, especially if your lot mixes grass, hardscape, and garden beds.
For a townhouse or a quarter-acre suburban lot, the 12-inch cutting swath covers typical weekly touch-ups without wearing out the battery. Owners of small, mostly flat lawns with limited obstacle clutter tend to find the lightweight balance comfortable. Compared with the heavier Wild Badger below, this one is built for speed and convenience, not for chewing through brush.
The Case For It
- 2-in-1 design trims and edges with one shaft swap, cutting your tool count
- Inline wheels support straighter, more consistent edging lines on sidewalks
- Lightweight build reduces arm fatigue during longer front-yard sessions
- Pivoting head reaches under low shrubs and deck railings where mowers can’t
- 20V platform keeps the tool light enough for most householders to handle easily
Things To Consider
- The 12-inch swath moves more slowly through tall, thick grass than wider models
- Battery life varies with grass density, so larger lots may need a spare pack
Feature Snapshot
Right Fit For
Homeowners with small yards under a quarter acre who want a single tool for weekly trim and edge work.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The Worx WG752 makes more sense for shoppers needing a dedicated mower to match this trimmer for a larger property.
Step up from a trimmer to a mower when the lawn itself becomes the project. The Worx WG752 is a 40V cordless walk-behind with a 21-inch deck and 3-in-1 cutting modes, covering roughly half-acre lots. The aerodeck-style cutting design pushes more air through the deck, which tends to lift grass upright before the blade hits it. You see a more even cut on cool-season turf that likes to lay flat.
This is the right pick when you’re trying to replace a noisy gas mower without giving up deck width or runtime. Owners commonly report the swap from gas to battery cuts noise dramatically on early weekend mornings. The shared 20V/40V PowerShare battery compatibility also means it can pair with the WORX WG163 trimmer above if you already own one.
Strengths Worth Knowing
- 21-inch deck covers ground quickly on medium-sized suburban lots
- 3-in-1 cutting modes offer bagging, mulching, and side discharge in one frame
- Cordless 40V power avoids the maintenance headaches of small gas engines
- Quieter operation lets you mow earlier without disturbing the neighborhood
- Battery compatibility across WORX PowerShare tools reduces redundant charging gear
Honest Caveats
- Storage footprint is larger than compact electric mowers, so tight sheds may struggle
- Plastic deck construction can scuff over rocky ground if you’re not careful
- Not built for very tall, wet grass; the deck can bog down in heavy spring growth
Made For
Homeowners with roughly half-acre lots who want gas-like cutting performance without engine upkeep.
Not Your Match When
The WILD BADGER POWER 26cc trimmer suits shoppers who need a brush-cutting tool rather than a wide-deck mower.
HEYWORK slots in as a direct competitor to the WORX WG163 with the same 20V cordless platform and 12-inch cutting path. The real difference shows up in the 8000 RPM motor speed and the automatic line-feed system, which advances fresh trimmer line without bumping the head against the ground. That single convenience matters more than it sounds when you’re working through thick spring growth.
The 2-in-1 head pivots between trimmer and edger, so the tool handles both jobs that usually require a separate walk-behind edger. Beginners who want a low-fuss entry into yard maintenance tend to find the auto-feed a relief. Compared with the WORX WG163, this HEYWORK option puts more emphasis on motor speed than on wheeled edging support, which changes how clean your sidewalk lines look.
Standout Benefits
- Auto line-feed saves the stop-and-bump dance when line runs short
- 8000 RPM motor handles denser grass without bogging down
- Pivoting head converts from trimmer to edger without extra tools
- Cordless design removes the constant worry of cutting through a power cord
Points To Note
- Lacks the rubber guide wheel of some competitors, so edging accuracy depends on your hand
- Plastic guard hardware can loosen after repeated trim-to-edge conversions
Who It Suits Best
First-time yard tool owners and renters who want a low-cost trimmer/edger that handles weekly upkeep.
Skip It When
The WORX WG163 is a stronger pick for shoppers who value the guide wheel for consistent edging lines.
Trimming edges is half the chore; the other half is what falls off the lawn afterward. The WORX WG583 covers blow, vacuum, and mulching in one cordless tool, running on two 20V batteries for 40V total output. Air volume reaches 340 CFM and air speed tops out around 210 MPH, which is the kind of headroom that moves wet autumn leaves rather than just stirring them around the driveway.
The 3-in-1 design is most useful during fall cleanup, when leaves, grass clippings, and small debris pile up faster than a single-purpose blower can move them. Owners who already run WORX PowerShare gear benefit from sharing batteries with the WG163 trimmer or WG752 mower. Compared with the trimmer-focused picks above, this tool extends the season rather than just the edge work.
Notable Upsides
- 340 CFM air volume clears thick leaf piles in fewer passes
- Blower, vacuum, and mulcher in one tool cuts equipment clutter
- Shares batteries across the WORX 20V/40V/80V PowerShare ecosystem
- Cordless design means no dragging extension cords across wet grass
Minor Gripes
- Vacuum mode adds noticeable weight at the front of the unit
- Mulched debris bag fills quickly on heavy oak or maple leaf drops
Feature Card
Best Suited To
Homeowners with mature trees who handle heavy fall leaf cleanup alongside weekly edge work.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
The HEYWORK trimmer is a tighter fit for shoppers whose main job is grass edging, not leaf management.
When the lawn edges give way to overgrown brush, saplings, and tall weeds, the cordless trimmers above start to lose grip. The WILD BADGER POWER WBP31BC steps in with a 26cc 2-cycle gas engine, a 17-inch trimmer swath, and a 10-inch brush-cutter blade for heavier growth. The full-crank design is a real spec worth noting: full crank means the crankshaft runs the full length of the engine, which is generally associated with longer service life than half-crank engines.
Gas power brings trade-offs the battery picks avoid, including mixing fuel, more vibration, and louder operation. That balance makes sense for property owners dealing with thick weeds, fence-line overgrowth, or pasture edges. For shoppers needing to clear a single backyard flower bed, the WORX WG163 or HEYWORK above is the easier tool to live with.
What Stands Out
- 26cc gas engine cuts through brush and saplings that stall battery trimmers
- Interchangeable trimmer head and brush-cutter blade broaden the use cases
- Full-crank engine design supports longer engine life under heavy workloads
- Shoulder strap and rubber handle reduce operator fatigue during long sessions
- 17-inch cutting swath finishes wide edge runs faster than 12-inch tools
Some Limits To Know
- 2-cycle engine requires fuel-oil mixing, which adds maintenance steps
- Louder operation makes early-morning use less neighbor-friendly than electric options
- Heavier than battery models, so extended trim sessions can tire the arms faster
Who Will Love This
Property owners with rough edges, fence lines, or pasture borders who need serious cutting power.
Look Elsewhere When
The WORX WG752 mower is a better match for shoppers focused on large open lawns rather than brush cutting.
What Matters Most Before Choosing Corded String Trimmers
Cutting Swath And Deck Size
The swath width determines how much grass you cut in one pass. A 12-inch swath, like the WORX WG163, fits narrow beds and tight fence lines but moves slowly through open areas. A 17-inch gas swath covers wider stretches faster but weighs more and needs more power to keep spinning. Match the swath to the lot, not the other way around.
Power Source Trade-Offs
Cordless 20V and 40V platforms trade raw torque for convenience: no fuel mixing, no cord management, near-silent operation. Gas engines like the WILD BADGER POWER 26cc deliver stronger cutting through brush but require mixing oil, more maintenance, and ear protection. The right answer depends on how much thick growth you’re clearing versus how often you want to start the tool without thinking about fuel.
Weight And Ergonomics
A trimmer held at waist height for 30 minutes feels very different from one used for 10. Battery trimmers in the 6 to 8 pound range stay comfortable for most owners, while gas models can run heavier once fuel and a blade are added. Shoulder straps, rubberized grips, and adjustable shafts all reduce fatigue during longer edge runs.
Compatibility Across Tools
If you already own WORX PowerShare batteries, sticking with that ecosystem means fewer chargers and shared runtime. The WG163 trimmer, WG752 mower, and WG583 blower share the same battery platform. That kind of cross-compatibility turns a string trimmer into the start of a complete cordless yard kit rather than a standalone purchase.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Common Shopping Slip Ups
The most frequent mistake is buying a 12-inch trimmer for a half-acre lot with thick spring growth. The tool works, but you’ll spend twice the time per pass and burn through batteries. Match the tool to the lot size first, then look at features. Another trap is assuming gas is always stronger; for clean grass edges and weekly touch-ups, a quality cordless trimmer runs quieter and lasts longer per session.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Stepping up from the HEYWORK to the WILD BADGER POWER gas model gains you brush-cutting capability, a wider swath, and the option to swap in a steel blade. The trade-off is weight, noise, and fuel mixing. For shoppers who face thick weeds or pasture edges, that upgrade pays off fast. For tight suburban lawns, the higher tier mostly adds complexity you don’t need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a string trimmer and a brush cutter?
A string trimmer uses a spinning nylon cord for soft grass and weeds. A brush cutter uses a metal blade for thick brush, woody stems, and saplings. The WILD BADGER POWER above supports both with swappable heads.
How wide should a cordless trimmer’s cutting swath be?
For most home lots under a quarter acre, a 10 to 12-inch swath strikes a good balance between reach and battery life. Larger properties benefit from wider swaths but require more battery capacity per pass.
Can cordless trimmers handle wet grass?
Most cordless trimmers perform poorly in wet grass because damp clippings stick to the guard and reduce cut quality. Waiting for the lawn to dry usually delivers a cleaner cut and extends battery runtime.
Do gas trimmers need more maintenance than cordless models?
Yes. Gas trimmers require fuel-oil mixing, spark plug checks, and air filter cleaning. Cordless trimmers need battery care and occasional line replacement, but skip most engine maintenance entirely.
Is a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine better for trimmers?
2-cycle engines are lighter and simpler, which suits handheld tools. 4-cycle engines run cleaner but add bulk. Most homeowner-grade gas trimmers, including the WILD BADGER POWER above, use 2-cycle designs.
Closing Remarks
The right pick depends on your lot size, the thickness of your growth, and how much maintenance you want to take on. For tight yards and weekly upkeep, the WORX WG163 or HEYWORK trimmer keeps things simple. For brush-heavy property, the WILD BADGER POWER gas model earns its keep. Match the tool to the work and you’ll spend less time fighting the equipment and more time enjoying the lawn.