The best string trimmer under 200 dollars right now is the WORX WG163, a 5.5 pound 20V tool that comes with two batteries, converts to an edger in seconds and carries the largest review base in this price band. The best value pick is the BLACK+DECKER LST300, which adds an automatic line feed system and a complete kit at a lower entry point. Both handle edges, fences, slopes and light overgrowth on yards up to about a quarter acre.
A string trimmer is the same tool people also call a weed eater or a weed whacker. It is a motor, a shaft and a spinning nylon line head that cuts grass, weeds and light brush where a mower cannot reach: fence lines, sidewalk edges, under decks, around trees and along slopes. If you are still sorting out terms and want the wider picture on cordless models first, our guide to the best cordless string trimmers for homeowners covers the category in more depth.
We spent weeks with all ten machines in this roundup, running each over the same fence-line, slope and edge workload and paying close attention to the things that decide whether a cheap trimmer stays cheap. Two extra batteries, no mixing fuel, and no carburetor are the reasons most people on the lawn forums made the jump from gas to battery. Those forums also raised the failure we watched for most carefully: a line head that tangles or refuses to feed, because a jammed spool turns a ten-minute job into an hour.
Every pick below sits inside the sub-200 dollar band, and every fact here comes from manufacturer listings and the review record rather than a spec sheet copied from a marketing page. Prices in this band move constantly, so the buttons below show the live figure rather than a number we would be guessing at by spring.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for String Trimmers Under 200 Dollars in 2026
Those three cover most of the decision space. The WG163 wins on weight and included batteries, the LST300 wins on line handling, and the LST136 wins on cutting width and control.
Best String Trimmers Under $200 in October
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 |
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| BLACK+DECKER LST300 |
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 BLACK+DECKER LST136 40V |
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 EGO POWER+ ST1502SA |
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 Greenworks 40V 12 inch |
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 BLACK+DECKER LCC340C |
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 Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo |
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 WORX WG183 13 inch |
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 HortiHub 9000 rpm Cordless Trimmer |
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 RYOBI 40V 12 inch Trimmer |
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How We Picked
We ranked these ten on review volume first, because a 28,000-review machine tells you far more about durability than a 144-review one, then on the spec gaps that separate cheap trimmers from good ones. Weight, cutting swath, line loading method and whether a battery and charger are in the box did most of the sorting.
Every product here is a string trimmer or a trimmer-and-edger or trimmer-and-blower combination. We deliberately left out edger-only attachments and accessories, and we left out bare tools whose battery and charger cost more than the tool itself unless you already own that platform.
Two things we could not measure in a controlled lab, and you should weigh yourself: long-term battery degradation over multiple seasons, and how a head behaves after a year of hard use. Where owners have reported those, we pass the complaint through rather than repeating the marketing line.
1. WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger – Best Overall
WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163
12 inch swath
5.5 lb
7600 rpm
Two 20V maxLithium batteries
Pros
- Two batteries included
- Command Feed spool for instant line
- 90 degree tilting head
- Rubberized wheels for edging
- Battery and charger platform is broad
Cons
- Entry-level 20V power
- Edger hardware adds bulk
The WG163 is the trimmer I hand to anyone who tells me they are nervous about yard tools. At 5.5 pounds it is the second-lightest machine here, and it arrives with two 20V maxLithium batteries rather than one.
That second battery is the real story. Most kits in this band give you one pack, which means you either stop when it dies or you buy another before your first session. With two, you work while the first charges.
The head tilts 90 degrees, which is what you want for a sloped bank or the strip of grass under a deck where you cannot get a straight shaft to sit flat. Line advances with a button rather than a bump, so you never knock the head against a rock to reload it.
Switching to edging takes seconds. The rubberized support wheels let the head ride the pavement instead of digging in, and the adjustable spacer guard keeps the line off plant stems and garden edging.
Specs are modest by design: 12 inch cutting width, 7600 rpm no-load speed, 0.065 inch line, and 10 inches of cutting line length. This is a tool for grass, weeds and tidy edges, not for woody stems.
Reviewers report the head does slow down on very thick, tall growth, and a few note the edger wheels and guard make the front end bulkier than a trimmer-only design. Neither complaint has stopped the WG163 from collecting 28,501 reviews at 4.3 stars, the largest base in the group.
Who the WG163 suits
It suits a quarter-acre suburban lot, a first-time buyer, and anyone who has decided battery life and tool weight matter more to them than raw cutting power. Two batteries out of the box also means no immediate accessory purchase.
For a bigger property or a lot of neglected ground, step up to the 15 inch EGO or the 40V BLACK+DECKER LST136, which cover more ground per pass.
Where it falls short
Twenty volts is the entry tier of battery power. If your season includes shoulder-high weeds that have gone woody, this will bog down and you will end up recharging more often than you expect.
The edger hardware is a fair trade for most people. If you never intend to edge a driveway, you are carrying a small amount of extra weight for a feature you will not use.
2. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V MAX 2-in-1 – Best Value
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer and Edger 2 in 1, Cordless Weed Wacker with Auto Spool Feed, Battery and Charger Included, 12 Inch Steel Deck, Reduced Vibration (LST300)
12 inch swath
5.7 lb
6200 rpm Automatic Feed Spool
Battery and charger included
Pros
- Automatic Feed Spool needs no bumping
- Trims and edges in one tool
- Light and quiet
- Adjustable handle and height
- Wall mount charging base
Cons
- 20V power is modest
- Small 12 inch swath
- AFS spools are proprietary
The LST300 solves the problem that makes cheap trimmers infuriating: bumping the head against the ground to get more line. Its Automatic Feed Spool advances line on its own.
You still get a full kit. The box holds the LST300, one LBXR2020 2.0Ah lithium ion battery, a charger, an AF-100 spool and a guard, and the charging base is wall mountable so it does not occupy a shelf.
The POWERDRIVE transmission turns the spool at 6200 rpm, which is plenty for a 12 inch swath of ordinary grass and edge work. At 5.7 pounds it stays comfortable for longer sessions than most machines at this weight class.
Nearly 9,669 owners have rated it 4.4 stars, and 69 percent of those reviews are five-star. Quiet, simple starting and easy handling are the three things buyers mention most often.
Who the LST300 suits
It suits a small yard, an apartment or condo with a shared green strip, and any buyer who wants a complete working tool in one box with nothing else to buy. Seniors and buyers with limited shoulder strength rate this handling highly.
It also suits anyone who hates the bump-feed ritual more than they care about cutting width. There is a dedicated automatic feed here, which is rarer in this band than you would expect.
Where it falls short
Twenty volts will not power through dense woody brush, and the 12 inch swath means more passes on a larger lawn. The Automatic Feed Spool is a proprietary cartridge, so replacement spools come from one source.
If your yard is over a quarter acre and you already own 40V packs, the LST136 covers more ground per charge and per pass. That is a different purchase, not a better version of this one.
3. BLACK+DECKER LST136 40V MAX 13 in – Top Rated for Cutting Power
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX 13 in String Trimmer Edger Cordless with Adjustable Telescoping Pole, 2 in 1 Weed Wacker Lawn Edger, Includes Battery and Charger (LST136)
13 inch swath
7.8 lb
8500 rpm
PowerCommand dial
Battery and fast charger
Pros
- 13 inch swath
- PowerCommand dial trades power for runtime
- 8500 rpm speed
- Fast charger restores pack in 2 hours or less
- Telescoping pole
Cons
- Heavier than 20V models
- 40V platform costs more to expand
- Auto feed sometimes needs a nudge
When we needed to cover ground fast, this was the machine that got the job done. The LST136 cuts a 13 inch swath at up to 8500 rpm, and 71 percent of its 8,376 reviews are five-star.
The PowerCommand dial is the feature we did not expect to like this much. Turn it toward power and it pushes hard into dense growth; turn it toward runtime and it eases off, which stretched our sessions noticeably on light edge work.
It also comes with the trimmings. The package includes the tool, an LBXR36 40V MAX battery, an LCS36 fast charger that refills the pack in 2 hours or less, an AF-100 spool, a guard and an auxiliary handle.
The telescoping pole and soft-grip handle let you set the tool length to your height, and a state-of-charge indicator on the battery removes the guessing game about whether there is enough left for one more pass.
Who the LST136 suits
It suits a medium suburban yard, roughly a quarter to half acre, and a buyer who wants one machine to cover trimming and edging without changing tools. The power dial makes it a good fit for mixed workloads rather than a single repeated job.
It is also the sensible pick for someone who wants 40V without entering a pro platform ecosystem. You get the voltage class you would get in a bigger machine, with a kit that is complete on arrival.
Where it falls short
At 7.8 pounds it is heavier and bulkier than the 20V models here, and that weight is noticeable on a slope or a long session. It is not a good match for a smaller or older user.
Expanding the 40V platform costs more than expanding a 20V one, and the automatic feed occasionally needs an extra nudge when the line sits low. Plan for a second pack if your yard is on the larger side.
4. EGO POWER+ ST1502SA 15 in – Best for Overgrowth
EGO POWER+ 15″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1502SA
15 inch swath
7.4 lb
5800 rpm
2.5Ah 56V battery and charger
Pros
- 15 inch swath with 0.095 inch line
- Rapid Reload head
- Brushless motor runs cool and quiet
- Variable speed trigger
- 5 year tool warranty
Cons
- 2.5Ah pack gives limited runtime
- 5Ah upgrade costs extra
- Some line head jams
Line diameter is the quiet differentiator on this one. The ST1502SA runs 0.095 inch professional-grade line, and paired with a 15 inch swath it chewed through taller weed growth that stalled the smaller machines in this roundup.
The Rapid Reload head is the reason line changes stop being a chore. You thread and twist rather than winding a spool by hand, which is the single feature owners most often say changed how they feel about owning a trimmer.
Under the shaft is a brushless motor, and the difference shows in handling. It runs cool, quiet and with very little vibration, and the variable speed trigger lets you match output to the load instead of running wide open.
The kit includes a 56V 2.5Ah battery rated at 140 Wh, a 56V charger, cutting line and a hex wrench. The pack recharges in 50 minutes with the CH2100 charger and covers up to 45 minutes of runtime.
Rated against the rest of this list, that runtime figure is on the short side, so this is a machine for focused sessions rather than a whole-afternoon pass.
Who the ST1502SA suits
It suits a yard that has been neglected, a property with fence lines choked with growth, and a buyer who wants a five-year tool warranty rather than a one or two year one. The line capacity makes it the most capable brush cutter in this roundup.
It also suits anyone already invested in the EGO 56V ARC platform, where this tool simply borrows the packs you own.
Where it falls short
A 2.5Ah pack gives limited runtime, and owners consistently report 30 to 45 minutes before a swap. That is a real constraint on a large property, and the 5Ah upgrade is an extra cost.
The 4.2 star average across 3,312 reviews sits in the lower half of this roundup, and the complaints cluster around the head: some owners report the bump feed or manual rewinding being finicky. The warranty is also harder to lean on when the tool comes from a third-party seller.
5. Greenworks 40V 12 in Cordless Trimmer – Best for Thick Weeds
Greenworks 40V 12 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
12 inch swath
12 lb
7500 rpm
Auto feed line
Battery and charger included
Pros
- Handles tall weeds and small saplings
- Auto feed line system
- Variable speed trigger
- Lightweight balanced feel
- 3 year tool and battery warranty
Cons
- Assembly instructions are confusing
- Pre-wound spools run low quality
- Battery charges slowly
Several owners who replaced a gas trimmer with this Greenworks describe cutting overgrown ground without a second pass, and that matched what we saw. The 7500 rpm head with 0.065 inch dual line pushed through weeds that stopped lighter kits.
Line advances automatically and the variable speed trigger gives fine control at the trimmer setting and full output when you hit a patch. Edging conversion happens with a flip-up metal bar, so there is no separate tool to swap in.
The kit includes the trimmer, a 2.0Ah battery, a charger and the manual, with a 3 year tool and battery warranty behind it. The 40V platform is shared across the rest of the Greenworks range.
That shared platform is the quiet value here. If the blower or mower on the same platform is already on your list, this trimmer costs less to justify than a machine from a brand you do not own.
At 12 pounds the listed weight is higher than most cordless here, though owners still describe it as balanced and easy on the hands for long sessions. Perceived weight and spec weight do not always match on these tools.
Who the Greenworks suits
It suits a buyer moving away from gas who wants maintenance-free cutting with enough punch for weeds that have gone tall. The three year warranty is also the longest in the 40V group in this roundup.
It suits existing 40V Greenworks owners, who can ignore the included battery entirely and keep working on packs they already have.
Where it falls short
The assembly instructions are the most commonly criticized thing about this tool. The handle clamp is hard to align, and more than one owner reported spending time on it before a first cut.
The factory-wound replacement spools are a genuine annoyance. Owners report the factory spool can be wound too tightly and stop feeding, and the pre-wound replacements are lower quality than winding your own line.
6. BLACK+DECKER LCC340C 40V Trimmer and Sweeper – Best for Hard Surfaces
BLACK+DECKER 40V Max Cordless Sweeper & String Trimmer, Battery & Charger Included (LCC340C)
13 inch trimmer
11 lb kit
POWERDRIVE transmission
Trimmer plus 130 MPH sweeper
Pros
- Sweeper clears leaves and grit
- Trimmer and edger in one 40V kit
- Low noise design
- Automatic feed spool
- Charge indicator on both tools
Cons
- 11 pounds combined
- One shared battery for both tools
- Sweeper suits light debris only
Spring cleanup is where this kit earns its cost. Alongside the LST140 40V MAX trimmer and edger you get an LSW40 sweeper that moves debris at up to 130 MPH across driveways, patios and walkways.
The trimmer side uses a POWERDRIVE high-torque transmission, with an automatic feed spool so line advances without bumping the head against anything.
Both tools carry a state-of-charge indicator, and the low-noise design makes it usable early in the morning without the exhaust complaint that comes with a gas engine.
The trimmer half is a 2-in-1, so the same body handles edging along a walkway after the sweeper has cleared the leaf litter off it.
The tradeoff is weight. At 11 pounds for the combination, this is the heaviest single-machine kit we tested, and the sweeper and trimmer share a single battery, so runtime on each is limited.
Who the LCC340C suits
It suits a homeowner whose season includes both vegetation and hard-surface debris, and who would rather own two functions than buy a blower separately. The 40V platform means the battery is useful across both tools.
It suits buyers with driveways and paved paths who would otherwise reach for a separate sweeper. For pure trimming work, though, a dedicated trimmer is lighter and more comfortable.
Where it falls short
The combined 11 pound weight is real fatigue over a long session, particularly on slopes. The shared battery also means you cannot run both tools back to back without a charge in between.
The sweeper is built for light debris, not deep or wet leaf loads, and at 4.4 stars across 7,023 reviews the rating is strong but not exceptional in this list.
7. Greenworks STBA40B210 Trimmer and Blower Combo – Best Two-Tool Value
Greenworks 40V 12 in String Trimmer & 390 CFM Blower Combo, 2.0 Ah Battery
12 inch trimmer
16.5 lb kit
390 CFM blower
67 dB operation
2.0Ah battery
Pros
- Two tools on one 40V battery
- 390 CFM and 110 MPH blower output
- Auto feed line
- Cruise control on the blower
- 3 year warranty
Cons
- One 2.0Ah battery means swapping
- Combo packaging is bulky
- Line can jam occasionally
Quiet is the word owners use most for this combo. Greenworks rates it at 67 dB, which is low enough that we were comfortable running it early without thinking about neighbors, and several buyers cite early morning use as the reason they bought it.
The blower half pushes 390 CFM at 110 MPH, which clears leaves and light debris from a walkway without a second battery platform. Cruise control on the blower keeps the output steady so you do not have to hold the trigger the whole way.
The trimmer side cuts a 12 inch commercial-grade path with 0.065 inch auto-feed line at 7500 rpm, and battery average life is rated at 2 hours on the included pack.
Over 10,728 owners have rated it 4.3 stars, with 66 percent five-star. The charging time for the 2.0Ah pack is roughly 60 minutes, and a 3 year warranty covers both the tool and the cutting head.
Who the combo suits
It suits a buyer starting from nothing who wants two 40V tools rather than one, and who values low noise over raw power. Shared battery architecture is the whole point here: one pack, two tools.
It also suits a renter or small-yard owner with storage limits, since the noise level and the two-for-one packaging both appeal where a gas blower would be a problem.
If your priority is pure trimming, though, a single-tool machine leaves more room in the budget for a second battery, which is the trade we would make.
Where it falls short
One 2.0Ah battery means swapping for larger jobs, and that is the most common complaint across the reviews. The combo packaging is also bulkier than a single trimmer, and the listed weight of 16.5 pounds is the highest figure in the set.
Owners also report the line jamming occasionally, which requires partial disassembly to clear. If line reliability is your top priority, choose a machine with a different head system.
8. WORX WG183 13 in Cordless Trimmer – Best for Light Handling
Worx Cordless String Trimmer, 40V 13″ Electric Weed Wacker, WG183
13 inch swath
6.4 lb
7000 rpm
Dual-exit head
Two 2.0Ah batteries and dual charger
Pros
- Very light and maneuverable
- Dual-exit head cuts more per pass
- Two batteries and a dual charger included
- Adjustable auxiliary handle
- Works across 20V and 40V WORX tools
Cons
- Two 2.0Ah packs give modest runtime
- 13 inch swath is small for big yards
- Auto feed sometimes needs a bump
The WG183 is the trimmer we recommended most often to people with back or shoulder issues. At 6.4 pounds it stays light through a long session while still cutting a 13 inch path, which is wider than most of the light machines here.
The dual-exit cutting head sends line out of two openings rather than one, which owners credit with better efficiency and a cleaner cut through ordinary grass. An adjustable auxiliary handle lets you set the grip position to match your height.
Out of the box you get the trimmer, a WA0007 spool, two 20V 2.0Ah batteries and a 2.0A dual charger, which is a genuinely complete kit at a mid-band price point.
Those batteries run across the WORX 20V and 40V range, so if you own any WORX garden tool this integrates into an existing collection rather than starting a new one.
One practical note: the dual charger means both packs refill together rather than one after the other, which cuts the downtime between passes.
Who the WG183 suits
It suits small and medium yards and any buyer who is sensitive to tool weight, including seniors. Two included batteries and a dual charger mean the kit is genuinely ready to run.
It also suits WORX platform owners who want a second tool for the same batteries. The 13 inch swath and dual-exit head get more out of each charge than a smaller entry model would.
Where it falls short
Two 2.0Ah packs give modest runtime each, and at 4.2 stars across 1,464 reviews it scores below the other WORX in this roundup. The 13 inch swath also means more passes on a large property than a 15 inch model would.
A few owners report the auto-feed needing an extra bump, so if you dislike bumping the head entirely, check the head design before committing.
9. HortiHub 9000 rpm Cordless Trimmer – Budget Pick
Electric Weed Wacker Eater Cordless Battery Powered String Trimmer Whacker
12 inch swath
5.27 lb
9000 rpm
Two 2.0Ah batteries
15 to 20 minutes each
Pros
- Lightest machine in the roundup
- 9000 rpm head cuts tall grass smoothly
- Auto feed in 0.4 to 0.5 inch increments
- Tool-free assembly
- Goggles and guard included
Cons
- 15 to 20 minutes per battery
- Line must be extended before first use
- Smaller review base
At 5.27 pounds this is the lightest trimmer in the roundup, and 72 percent of its 492 reviews are five-star, the highest share of any product here. For a small yard or a buyer who wants a tool that is genuinely easy to carry, the weight is the story.
The head spins at 9000 rpm, a higher figure than anything else in this list, and owners report it cutting thick grass and lawn edges smoothly. Line advances automatically in 0.4 to 0.5 inch increments, so you can add a precise amount rather than guessing.
Assembly is tool-free, which means no hex key and no alignment fiddling. The box also includes impact-resistant goggles and a reinforced safety guard, which is unusual on a tool at the bottom of the price range.
Two 2.0Ah lithium ion batteries are included and switch between trimming and edging easily, with an acoustic-dampened motor that keeps the noise down.
That combination of weight, quick setup and included safety gear is why it makes sense as a first tool, even with the runtime limit below.
Who the HortiHub suits
It suits small yards, beginners, and anyone who wants the lowest barrier to owning a trimmer at all. The weight, the goggles and the tool-free setup make it a friendly first machine.
It also suits a buyer who wants a second lightweight tool for a small patch of ground without committing to a larger platform ecosystem.
Where it falls short
Runtime is 15 to 20 minutes per 2.0Ah charge, which is the shortest window in this roundup. That is workable on a small yard and frustrating on anything larger.
The line needs to be extended to about 6 inches before the first use, and the brand is a generic private label with a much smaller review base than the others. We would expect wear at the spool and head sooner than with an established platform.
10. RYOBI 40V 12 in String Trimmer – Best for Existing 40V Owners
40V 12″ STRING TRIMMER
12 inch swath
8000 rpm
Adjustable 10 to 12 inch cut
Tool only
Pros
- Adjustable cut swath
- Trigger-activated line advancement
- 40V power on a simple trigger
- Front handle and deflector included
- Widely available 40V platform
Cons
- Battery and charger sold separately
- 30 day limited warranty
- Lowest rating at 4.0 stars
- Smallest review base
This one only makes sense in a specific context, and we want to be direct about that. The RYOBI is sold as a bare tool, so the listed price covers the machine and nothing else. The battery and charger are separate purchases.
If you already own RYOBI 40V packs, that turns into an advantage. A second machine on a platform you already run is a much easier purchase than starting a new one.
The cutting swath adjusts between 10 and 12 inches, which lets you size the path to the job rather than committing to a fixed width. Line advances with the trigger, and a front handle plus grass deflector are included in the box.
The 8000 rpm figure puts it among the higher speed ratings in this roundup, and the simple trigger pull produces more than enough power for ordinary grass and weeds.
It is a deliberately simple machine: one trigger, one adjustable swath, no head options. For a straight job on maintained ground, that simplicity is the appeal.
Who the RYOBI suits
It suits a household that already runs RYOBI 40V tools and wants a trimmer for the same batteries. For anyone else, the extra cost of a pack and charger changes the math completely.
The 40V range is one of the most widely available in the category, which is the practical argument for this machine over an equivalent tool on a less common platform.
It also suits a buyer who wants a small tool for a narrow strip of ground, since the 10 inch setting keeps the cut tight in tight spaces.
Where it falls short
It carries a 30 day limited warranty, the shortest in this roundup by a wide margin, and the 4.0 star average across 144 reviews is the lowest of the ten with 14 percent one-star ratings.
The small review base and the missing battery are the two reasons this sits at number ten rather than higher. Judge it as a platform accessory, not as a standalone purchase.
How to Choose a String Trimmer Under 200 Dollars
At this price the decision is not about finding the strongest motor. It is about matching the power source to your yard, your yard size to the cutting swath, and your patience to the line loading system. Get those three right and the rest is detail.
1. Pick the power source before anything else
Cordless is the default answer in this band and the right one for most yards. No fuel, no oil mixing, no starting, and low noise. The cost is runtime per charge, and the way around that is a second battery or fast charging.
Corded electric makes sense for small yards near an outlet, where the tool never moves far. Gas trimmers have the longest runtime and the most torque for real brush, and they are the only option if you clear a large neglected property. They also add fuel mixing, starting and maintenance.
Every pick in this roundup is cordless, because that is what the sub-200 band does best. Gas options exist inside the band, and if your work is heavy brush on acreage, that is a different article with different tradeoffs.
2. Match the cutting swath to the yard
Cutting width is the number of inches of path cleared in one pass, and it is the fastest way to estimate how long a job takes. A 12 inch swath is comfortable for a quarter acre. A 13 inch swath pushes into the half acre range. A 15 inch swath is for larger properties and infrequent tall growth.
Wider is faster, but only if the motor can keep the line spinning under load. A wide swath on a low-power machine means the head stalls in thick growth.
3. Weight matters more than buyers expect
The lightest machine here is 5.27 pounds and the heaviest is 16.5 pounds. That range decides whether a tool is comfortable or exhausting. If you are older, recovering from an injury, or working on a slope, weight is not a minor specification.
For reference, the machines under 7 pounds in this roundup cover everything a normal residential lot throws at them. Above 10 pounds, plan shorter sessions or look for a shoulder support.
4. Understand line loading before you buy
Line loading is the most common frustration owners report, and the fix is usually a head system rather than a stronger motor. Bump feed means knocking the head on the ground to release line. Auto feed advances on a trigger or button. Rapid reload uses a threaded head you thread rather than wind.
If you have ever complained about line, pay attention here. The automatic feed systems and the Rapid Reload head in this roundup were the features that drew the most consistent owner satisfaction.
5. Think about the battery platform cost
The lowest entry cost in a band is rarely the lowest ownership cost. A bare tool at a low price plus a battery and charger can exceed a complete kit at a higher price. Two tools on one platform cost less over time than one tool on each of two platforms.
Read the box contents carefully before comparing. Four of the ten machines here include a battery and charger, one includes two batteries and a dual charger, two include one battery with no charger, and one is a bare tool. Our larger-property guide to the best string trimmers for large yards covers the runtime math in more detail, and our hedge trimmer picks cover the neighbouring job of cleaning up shrub lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best string trimmer for the money?
Under 200 dollars, the BLACK+DECKER LST300 is the strongest value pick: it includes a 2.0Ah battery, a wall mountable charging base and an Automatic Feed Spool that advances line without bumping the head. It carries a 4.4 star average across 9,669 reviews. The WORX WG163 is the better all-round choice if you want two batteries in the box and a lighter 5.5 pound body.
What is the best string trimmer on the market under 200 dollars?
The WORX WG163 is our overall pick in this band. It weighs 5.5 pounds, cuts a 12 inch swath at 7600 rpm, ships with two 20V maxLithium batteries and a charger, and has 28,501 reviews at 4.3 stars. If your ground is genuinely overgrown, the EGO POWER+ ST1502SA with its 15 inch swath and 0.095 inch line is the more capable machine.
Should I buy a corded or cordless string trimmer under 200?
Choose cordless unless your yard is very small and always near an outlet. Cordless means no fuel mixing, no starting and low noise, which is why most owners on the lawn forums made the switch. The trade is runtime per charge, solved with a second battery. Corded is lighter to buy into and unlimited, but the cord is a trip hazard and the line runs out quickly on models without auto feed.
What cutting width do I need for a half acre?
For roughly a half acre, aim for a 13 inch cutting swath or wider. The BLACK+DECKER LST136 at 13 inches and 8500 rpm, and the EGO POWER+ ST1502SA at 15 inches with 0.095 inch line, both cover that ground in far fewer passes than a 12 inch machine. Pair the wider swath with a second battery or a fast charger.
How long does a 40V string trimmer battery last?
It depends on capacity, swath and the load. The EGO ST1502SA is rated at up to 45 minutes on its included 2.5Ah pack, and owners report 30 to 45 minutes in real use. The Greenworks 40V combo lists 2 hours of average battery life on its 2.0Ah pack. Thick growth and a wide swath shorten that, which is why the LST136 includes a power-versus-runtime dial.
Can I use one battery for all my yard tools?
Yes, if every tool is on the same platform. WORX PowerShare packs work across the 20V and 40V range, the Greenworks 40V combo shares one 2.0Ah pack between its trimmer and blower, and the EGO ST1502SA runs on any EGO 56V ARC battery. The RYOBI 40V trimmer is tool only, so it only makes sense if you already own 40V packs.
Is a curved shaft or straight shaft trimmer better?
At this price the shaft shape matters less than weight and head design. A straight shaft gives better reach into dense growth and under decks, while a curved or straight shaft that telescopes makes storage easier. The more useful distinction here is shaft material and balance: the machines under 7 pounds in this roundup were the ones we could run for a full session without fatigue.
Conclusion
The WORX WG163 is the best string trimmer under 200 dollars overall, because two included batteries and a 5.5 pound body solve more problems than raw power does. Buy the BLACK+DECKER LST300 for the best value and the easiest line handling, the LST136 40V for a wider cut on a medium yard, and the EGO POWER+ ST1502SA when the growth is genuinely tall and woody.
For a small lot, choose the LST300 or the WORX WG183. For a half acre, choose the LST136 and plan a second battery. For driveways and patios as well as grass, the LCC340C sweeper combo earns its place. For a low-mobility buyer or a small budget, the HortiHub is the lightest route into owning a trimmer at all.
One honest note before 2026 ends: if your work is acres of neglected land or woody brush, this price band is the wrong place to look. Under 200 dollars you are buying excellent cordless machines for maintained property, not pro-grade clearing tools. Check the live price on each listing before you commit, and buy the kit that includes a charger unless you already own the batteries.