10 Best String Trimmers of 2026, Grass Trimmers Ranked for UK Lawns
The strip of grass along our shared fence grows faster than anything else in my terraced-house back garden, and the mower can't reach it, so a strimmer handles it from spring until the autumn leaves fall. For most UK lawns, the best string trimmer is the Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18V-26-500 Cordless Grass Trimmer: a 26cm cut, a semi-automatic spool that feeds line every time you release the trigger, and a tap-and-twist edging mode.
I haven't run all ten along my own borders, and this list doesn't pretend otherwise. It's a research ranking built from UK roundups, spec sheets and amazon.co.uk listings. Already own Ryobi batteries? The ONE+ grass trimmer is the obvious first look.
- Clean cutting power: A 26cm cut at 8500 RPM. Plenty for a typical suburban lawn.
- Low-fuss line changes: Semi-automatic spool feeds line on each trigger release. No bumping the head.
- Neat lawn edging: EdgeSimple mode switches to edging. Just tap and twist the handle.
- Comfortable to handle: Telescopic shaft adjusts to your height. Easier on your back along borders.
- Shared battery platform: Runs on 18V Power for All batteries. Shared across several garden brands.
- Tidy shed storage: Compact head and slim shaft. Leans in a shed corner without fuss.
- No battery: The listing is the bare tool. Battery and charger are sold separately.
- Clean cutting power: Switch between 25cm and 30cm cuts. The wide setting clears open lawn faster.
- Low-fuss line changes: Auto-feed spool with 1.6mm line. Keeps cutting without stopping to bump.
- Neat lawn edging: Four-position head turns for edging. Handles borders and paths well.
- Comfortable to handle: Telescopic shaft and a 2.3kg body. Light enough for a full lawn.
- Shared battery platform: Part of the Ryobi ONE+ range. One battery runs over 100 tools.
- Tidy shed storage: Slim body with no battery fitted. Hangs easily beside the rake.
- Bare tool: No battery or charger in the box. Factor that in if new to ONE+.
- Clean cutting power: A 28cm cut on 18V. Built for longer stretches of grass and paths.
- Low-fuss line changes: Standard trimmer line head. Nothing unusual to source when line runs out.
- Neat lawn edging: Sold as a trimmer and lawn edger. Handles borders as well as grass.
- Comfortable to handle: Compact and listed at 2.6 kg. Ergonomic grip with clear controls.
- Shared battery platform: A 4.0Ah Power for All battery is included. Up to 50 min claimed.
- Price tier: A premium outlay for a compact trimmer. Hard to justify for tiny lawns.
- Clean cutting power: Spins at 9000 RPM with clip-on blades. Fine for regular trims of soft grass.
- Low-fuss line changes: No line to rewind at all. Blades clip on, and 20 come included.
- Neat lawn edging: Doubles as a lawn edger. Handy along patio and path edges.
- Comfortable to handle: Just 1.85kg with a 120cm reach. Easy on arms and shoulders.
- Shared battery platform: The 18V battery also fits the Gtech HT50. One charger for two tools.
- Charge time: Four hours to recharge. Only about 30 minutes of trimming per charge.
- Clean cutting power: A 30cm cut at 7600 RPM. Covers lawn edges in fewer passes.
- Low-fuss line changes: CommandFeed extends line at a button press. No stopping to bump the head.
- Neat lawn edging: Converts to a wheeled edger in seconds. Crisp lines along borders.
- Comfortable to handle: Head pivots through 90°. Reaches under benches and garden furniture.
- Shared battery platform: PowerShare battery and charger included. The battery swaps into other Worx tools.
- Battery count: The listing is unclear on one or two batteries. Check before ordering.
- Clean cutting power: A 36V AK system with 2.0mm line. Copes with tougher grass and weeds.
- Low-fuss line changes: Takes thicker 2.0mm line. Fewer snapped lines against fence posts.
- Neat lawn edging: A cordless edge trimmer by design. Tidies borders and lawn edges.
- Comfortable to handle: A long 170cm overall length. Keeps you more upright while trimming.
- Thin listing: Sparse spec details on the listing. Some figures conflict with other sources.
- Clean cutting power: A 25cm cut on 18V. Right-sized for small lawns and borders.
- Low-fuss line changes: Automatic line feed. Keeps the line at length while you work.
- Neat lawn edging: Rotate the head to edge. A built-in wheel keeps lines straight.
- Comfortable to handle: Ultralight at 2.2kg. Easy to carry round a small garden.
- Shared battery platform: An 18V Power for All battery is included. Works across several garden brands.
- Runtime: About 30 minutes per charge. Enough for small plots, not big lawns.
- Cutting width: A narrow 25cm path. Bigger lawns need noticeably more passes.
- Clean cutting power: A 28cm cut with E-Drive gearing. High torque for longer grass.
- Low-fuss line changes: Auto-feed spool with 1.5mm line. Feeds as needed without bumping.
- Neat lawn edging: Flip-to-edge head. A quick switch from trimming to edging.
- Comfortable to handle: Telescopic shaft and adjustable second handle. Fits users of different heights.
- Shared battery platform: Part of PowerConnect. An 18V battery and charger come in the box.
- Thin line: The 1.5mm line is thinner than most here. Slower on dense weeds.
- Weight: At 2.6 kg, it's heavier than the Gtech and the Flymo.
- Runtime trade-off: Power Select stretches runtime. Full power drains the battery faster.
- Clean cutting power: Spins at 8500 rpm across a 24cm path. Fine for regular lawn tidying.
- Low-fuss line changes: Cuts with plastic blades, not line. They clip in with no spool.
- Neat lawn edging: An extra handle steadies the head. Helps along lawn borders and paths.
- Comfortable to handle: Light for its class, with impact-proof plastic housing. Comfortable for short jobs.
- Body only: No battery or charger included. Adds cost if you're new to Power X-Change.
- Tough weeds: Plastic blades suit soft grass. Thick weeds and nettles wear them faster.
- Clean cutting power: A 33cm cutting path on 40V. Covers more grass with each sweep.
- Low-fuss line changes: Auto-feed head with 1.65mm line. Three spare spools come in the bundle.
- Neat lawn edging: An edger wheel converts it in seconds. No tools needed to switch.
- Comfortable to handle: Telescopic shaft adjusts to your height. Compact design for easier carrying.
- 40V only: The battery won't fit common 18V platforms. Best for existing Greenworks owners.
- Little coverage: Scarce independent coverage of this model. Less evidence behind the ranking.
- Bundle confusion: The listing mixes the trimmer and a spool pack. Read the box contents carefully.
Other Grass Trimmers Worth Considering
- A dual-line head cuts more per pass.
- A 90° rotating head for edging.
- Charges on board or on a wall rail.
- Heavier than most picks here, per the listing.
- Little independent coverage to go on.
- Two-part shaft splits for compact storage.
- Two speeds plus an electric brake.
- A shoulder strap is included.
- Battery and charger not included.
- Little independent coverage of this model.
- Battery and charger come in the box.
- Telescopic shaft with six positions.
- Auto single-line feed keeps cutting steady.
- Up to 20 minutes per charge.
- A narrow cut for bigger lawns.
- A brushless motor on the XR platform.
- The split shaft packs down for storage.
- Takes 2.0mm line for tougher growth.
- Body only, with no battery or charger.
- Cutting width figures conflict on the listing.
In-Depth Reviews of the 10 Best String Trimmers
What the listed specs mean in a real UK garden, where each grass trimmer falls short and who it suits.
#1 · Editor's Choice
Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18V-26-500 Cordless Grass Trimmer
Edging the lawn beside my patio is the fiddliest ten minutes of any Saturday, which is why the EdgeSimple mode caught my eye. A tap and twist of the handle switches the Bosch from trimming to edging, and the semi-automatic spool feeds fresh 1.6mm line each time you let go of the trigger, so there's no knocking the head on the paving. The 26cm cut suits a typical suburban lawn, but it isn't a kit: this listing sells the tool alone, so you'll need an 18V Power for All battery and charger, and sources disagree on its weight.
The verdict: The best string trimmer for most UK lawns, if you budget for a Power for All battery.
#2 · Runner-Up
Ryobi ONE+ 18V 25-30cm Cordless Grass Trimmer, OLT1832
If there's already a Ryobi ONE+ battery on your shed shelf, this is the most affordable way into a decent grass trimmer. You get a cutting width that switches between 25cm and 30cm, an auto-feed spool with 1.6mm line, a four-position head and a telescopic shaft, all at 2.3kg before the battery goes on. One practical gripe from the listing: the screws arrive taped to the back of the safety guard, easy to miss when the box heads for the recycling. Next to the Bosch, it trades refinement for a wider cut and over 100 compatible tools.
The verdict: For Ryobi owners, it's the obvious buy. For everyone else, add the price of a battery before you compare.
#3 · Best for Large Gardens
Husqvarna Aspire T28-P4A 18V Cordless Grass Trimmer Kit
Most cordless trimmers on this list assume a small lawn and a quick tidy. The Husqvarna Aspire T28-P4A is the one I'd look at for a long garden or an allotment with grassy paths, because it comes with an 18V 4.0Ah battery and charger and a claimed runtime of up to 50 min. The 28cm cut sits between the Flymo and the Worx, and an included hook lets it hang on the shed wall instead of lying across the mower. The downside is the premium outlay for a trimmer this compact, and it's a fairly new listing.
The verdict: Worth the extra if your garden runs long and you want a big battery in the box.
#4 · Best Lightweight
Gtech GT50 Lightweight Cordless Grass Trimmer
If your arms tire before the lawn does, note that at 1.85kg the Gtech GT50 is one of the lightest trimmers in this list. It cuts with clip-on plastic blades rather than line, and 20 come in the box, so there's no spool to rewind with cold fingers in October. The 18V battery promises up to 30 minutes per charge, but a full recharge takes 4 hours, which rules out a second session the same afternoon. The 23cm cut is narrower than the Ryobi's, though its battery also fits the Gtech HT50 hedge trimmer (useful if the privet along your fence needs doing too).
The verdict: Pick it for light hands and small jobs; skip it if you trim in long sessions.
#5 · Best Trimmer and Edger
Worx WG163E 20V PowerShare Cordless Grass Trimmer and Edger
Buy this one if your lawn has long borders that you edge as often as you trim. The Worx WG163E converts to a wheeled edger in seconds, and the head pivots through 90° to reach under a garden bench. CommandFeed is the clever part: press a button and fresh line extends on the fly. It runs on the 20V PowerShare platform, and the kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and charger with a one-hour charge time. The battery count is muddled, though; the listing mentions two in one place and one in the box contents, so check before you order.
The verdict: The neatest edges on this list, with a battery question worth settling first.
#6 · Premium Pick
Stihl FSA 60 R Cordless Battery Grass Trimmer
I'll be straight: the listing for this one is thin on detail. The Stihl FSA 60 R runs on the 36V AK battery system, and this listing includes the battery and charger. It takes 2.0mm line, thicker than the 1.6mm on the Bosch, which should help with the coarse weeds at the bottom of a hedge. The listing quotes a 350mm cutting width while other spec sources give less, so treat that figure with caution. If you already run Stihl AK tools, the battery alone is a good reason to choose it.
The verdict: A premium, battery-led choice for Stihl owners rather than a first trimmer.
#7 · Best for Small Gardens
Flymo SimpliTrim 250 18V Cordless Grass Trimmer
Small gardens don't need a big machine, and the Flymo SimpliTrim 250 is sized for exactly the sort of plot I have: a square of lawn, a patio edge, two borders and the base of the shed. It weighs 2.2kg, cuts 25cm, and switches to edging when you rotate the head, with a built-in wheel to guide you along the lawn edge. Automatic line feed keeps the line at length without fuss, and the included battery is rated for about 30 minutes, which covers a small garden comfortably but not much more.
The verdict: Right-sized and simple for a terraced-house garden.
#8 · Best Value
Black+Decker PowerConnect 18V 28cm Cordless Grass Trimmer, STC1820PC-GB
Compared with the Flymo, this Black+Decker gives you a wider 28cm cut and a Power Select switch, so you can turn power up for long grass or down to stretch the battery. Edging is a flip of the head, there's an auto-feed spool, and the telescopic shaft suits taller gardeners. An 18V battery and charger come with it, but the 1.5mm line is the thinnest here, so dense weeds take longer, and at 2.6 kg it's no featherweight.
The verdict: A sensible all-in kit that covers most small and medium lawns.
#9 · Best Plastic-Blade Trimmer
Einhell Power X-Change 18V Cordless Grass Trimmer, GC-CT 18/24 Li
Already on Einhell's Power X-Change batteries? Then this is an inexpensive add-on that cuts with plastic blades instead of line, at 8500 rpm across a 24cm path. There's an extra handle for two-handed control, but it ships body only, so budget for a battery and charger if you're starting from scratch, and the weight figures I found don't agree.
The verdict: Good for Einhell households. Otherwise, the kits above are simpler to start with.
#10 · Best 40V Trimmer
Greenworks 40V 33cm Cordless String Trimmer, G40LT33K2
This one earns its place on paper more than on reputation, since I found little independent coverage of it. The Greenworks 40V kit pairs a 33cm cutting path with a 2Ah battery and charger, plus three spare spools of 1.65mm line. The 40V battery only really makes sense if you already own Greenworks garden tools.
The verdict: Wide and well-equipped, but buy it for the platform, not the name.
How We Researched and Scored These String Trimmers
This ranking is built from UK editorial roundups, manufacturer spec sheets and amazon.co.uk listings, not a lab. Instead, we checked which grass trimmers independent UK reviewers covered, compared each pick with what its listing actually sells, bare tool or full kit, and scored all ten on the same weighted criteria. Where a pick has little independent coverage, the review says so.
What we compared for every trimmer:
- Editorial coverage: which models appeared in independent UK roundups
- Cutting: listed cutting width, motor speed and line diameter or blade type
- Line system: auto-feed, semi-automatic, push-button feed or clip-on blades
- Edging: rotating heads, flip-to-edge mechanisms and edging wheels
- Handling: listed weight, telescopic shafts, second handles and head angles
- Battery and kit: voltage, platform, and what's in the box
How we weighted the scores:
- Cutting performance (30%): cutting width, speed and line or blade, on paper
- Features (20%): line feed, edging mode and adjustability
- Ease of use (20%): weight, balance, shaft length and controls
- Build (15%): motor type, materials and warranty terms
- Value (15%): what you get within each tier, judged qualitatively
Where a listing and another spec source disagree, as on the Stihl's cutting width, I've followed the listing or left the number out.
What to Look For in the Best String Trimmer for a UK Garden
Strimmer, grass trimmer and string trimmer all describe the same tool: a motor on a pole spinning nylon line or plastic blades to cut the grass your mower can't reach. Every pick here is cordless and battery powered, which suits most UK gardens; a corded electric trimmer trails a cable round the patio furniture, and petrol only earns its noise on big, rough plots. The bigger decision is the battery. If your shed already holds Ryobi ONE+, Power for All (Bosch, Flymo and Husqvarna), Einhell Power X-Change or Worx PowerShare packs, a bare tool on that platform is the sensible buy, and the Ryobi, Bosch and Einhell are all sold that way.
On a small lawn, a 23cm or 25cm cut like the Gtech's or Flymo's is plenty, while 28cm to 30cm saves passes on long edges and allotment paths. Line thickness counts for tough growth: 1.5mm or 1.6mm suits regular trims, and 2.0mm, as on the Stihl, copes better with thick weeds along a hedge bottom. Plastic blades, on the Gtech and Einhell, clip in without rewinding a spool, but they wear faster against brick and stone. For edging, look for a head that rotates or flips, ideally with a wheel, as on the Worx and Flymo.
Weight is the spec your shoulders notice first: around 2kg, like the Gtech, feels manageable for a whole lawn. Before you start, walk the long grass and the base of the hedge; hedgehogs, frogs and slow-worms shelter there, especially in late summer, and a quick look or a rake through gives them a chance to move. Wear eye protection and long trousers, because spinning line flicks up grit (and the odd snail shell).
On budget, entry-level bare tools like the Einhell and Ryobi suit batteries you already own, mid-range kits like the Flymo and Black+Decker come ready to go, and the Husqvarna and Stihl sit at the premium end. If you want one cordless strimmer that trims and edges a typical UK lawn without much thought, buy the Bosch UniversalGrassCut, add a Power for All battery, and call it a day.
Key Specs Compared
| Product | Power | Cutting Width | Kit | Our Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18V-26-500 Cordless Grass Trimmer | 18V Power for All | 26cm | bare tool | 9.9 |
| Ryobi ONE+ 18V 25-30cm Cordless Grass Trimmer, OLT1832 | 18V ONE+ | 25-30cm adjustable | bare tool | 9.8 |
| Husqvarna Aspire T28-P4A 18V Cordless Grass Trimmer Kit | 18V Power for All | 28cm | 4.0Ah battery + charger | 9.6 |
| Gtech GT50 Lightweight Cordless Grass Trimmer | 18V | 23cm | battery + charger | 9.4 |
| Worx WG163E 20V PowerShare Cordless Grass Trimmer and Edger | 20V PowerShare | 30cm | 2.0Ah battery + charger | 9.2 |
| Stihl FSA 60 R Cordless Battery Grass Trimmer | 36V AK system | 350mm (listing) | AK battery + charger | 9.0 |
| Flymo SimpliTrim 250 18V Cordless Grass Trimmer | 18V Power for All | 25cm | 2.0Ah battery + charger | 8.8 |
| Black+Decker PowerConnect 18V 28cm Cordless Grass Trimmer, STC1820PC-GB | 18V | 28cm | 2.0Ah battery + charger | 8.6 |
| Einhell Power X-Change 18V Cordless Grass Trimmer, GC-CT 18/24 Li | 18V Power X-Change | 24cm | bare tool | 8.4 |
| Greenworks 40V 33cm Cordless String Trimmer, G40LT33K2 | 40V | 33cm | 2Ah battery + charger | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which string trimmer is best for most UK gardens?
The Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18V-26-500 is our pick for most UK gardens. It pairs a 26cm cut with a semi-automatic spool and tap-and-twist edging. It's sold as a bare tool, so without a compatible battery, a kit like the Flymo SimpliTrim 250 or the Black+Decker STC1820PC-GB may work out simpler.
String trimmer vs brush cutter: which do I need?
A string trimmer is for grass, while a brush cutter is for brambles, thick weeds and woody growth. Trimmers spin nylon line or light plastic blades for lawn edges, whereas brush cutters take metal blades. For a typical back garden a trimmer is the right tool; an allotment that's gone wild may need a brush cutter.
Do I need a strimmer if I already have a lawn mower?
Most gardens with borders, fences or a patio do need one. A mower can't reach the strip along a fence, around a shed base or under a bench, and those shaggy edges make a freshly mown lawn look untidy. It won't replace the mower, though; a whole lawn takes ages and looks uneven.
Should I buy a bare-tool strimmer or a kit with a battery?
Buy the bare tool only if you already own batteries on the same platform. The Bosch, Ryobi and Einhell here are sold without a battery or charger. Starting from scratch, a kit like the Husqvarna, Gtech, Worx or Flymo is simpler, and usually cheaper than buying the parts separately.
Are plastic blades better than line on a grass trimmer?
Neither is better outright; it depends on your garden. Plastic blades, as on the Gtech GT50 and the Einhell, clip on quickly and cut soft grass cleanly, but wear fast against brick and fence posts. Nylon line is easy to replace and copes with tougher growth, especially thicker 2.0mm line like the Stihl's.
How do I keep hedgehogs safe when strimming?
Check long grass and hedge bottoms by hand before you start. Hedgehogs, frogs and toads hide exactly where a strimmer reaches. Part the grass first, cut high before working down, and leave a wild strip if you can. Late summer and autumn, when young hedgehogs are about, need the most care.
The Bottom Line
If you want one grass trimmer that cuts, edges and stays simple on a typical UK lawn, the Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18V-26-500 is the one I'd buy, battery permitting. The Ryobi ONE+ is the smart bare-tool choice for existing Ryobi owners, and the Worx WG163E suits anyone who cares most about crisp edges.
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