Best Battery Powered Weed Eater – Worx Vs Black and Decker
The Battery Powered Weed Eater Competition: WORX WG170 GT VS BLACK+DECKER LSTE525
There are two kinds of cordless weed eaters; the gas-powered and the battery powered weed eater. Battery-powered tools are gradually replacing gas-powered and corded tools. Before now, people found it challenging using battery-powered devices because of their inability to last long. However, lithium-ion batteries have replaced older battery models, solving the problem of duration.
A weed eater makes use of a fast-spinning microfilament string to cut through weeds without damaging hard surfaces in your yard. It can deal with tricky grasses that a lawnmower will find difficult to access. The weed trimmer is also not as bulky as the mower.
If you already own a lawnmower, consider getting a trimmer to help you take down weeds from along the fence, surrounding a tree, or from other borderline areas. We have looked at several garden products, such as the leaf blowers and weed killers.
These trimmers come in different sizes, depending on the brand. They possess enough power and speed to weed large lawns efficiently. Depending on which equipment you pick, you can get features like a selectable speed setting to enable you to work at a comfortable pace.
9 Benefits of Using a Battery Powered Weed Eater
#1 Efficiency
There is a general assumption that battery weed eaters are not as efficient as their gas counterparts. However, lithium-ion battery technology has brought enhancements to the performance of these tools, making them able to compete with the gas-powered kind.
Some of these batteries charge quickly and can run for more than an hour on a single charge. Still, some come with spare batteries to keep you going. They are efficient enough to cover small to large yards for long durations. Powerful weed eaters can have a motor that has up to 80 volts, which is high enough to cut thick bushes and shrubs.
#2 Light-weight
Due to the lithium-ion battery, the weed trimmer is considerably light in weight. Other features that contribute to its light-weight are the lack of an internal combustion engine and, sometimes, the use of aluminum material in its shaft.
Some brands weigh less than 10 pounds, which allow you to lift and hold the machine comfortably, without expending much energy. This size will also encourage older people and older children to use them.
#3 Faster
The weed trimmer will enable you to work faster since it is light in weight. You can carry out your work on time and get on with other activities.
#4 Quiet
If you want to avoid noise pollution, the best weed eater to purchase is the cordless kind. They are way quieter than the noisy gas-powered trimmers and slightly quieter than the corded trimmers.
They are also not subject to vibrations. Due to their quiet nature, they won’t distract your neighbors during operation.
#5 No Air Pollution
Air pollution is hazardous. More states are tightening their emission laws to phase out tools with high environmental impact. The battery-powered machines have a minimal carbon footprint, offering you the benefit of breathing cleaner air.
#6 Mobility
Using corded tools will limit you within reach of a power outlet, and they can be annoying once the cords start getting in your way. Battery weed trimmers are cordless and, therefore, convenient to move around with and use anywhere. They won’t limit your mobility, and they will give you a great range, especially for sizable yards.
#7 Ease of Use
A cordless trimmer offers great ease of use, even for a beginner. Once you fix the battery, it is easy to start with a button and carry around your yard. Many of them also come with a feature that allows you to adjust the tool length to your height level.
#8 Cost-effective
Battery powered weed eaters require less repair and maintenance work. They also don’t require fuel to power them, saving you the cost of regular gas purchased. In a nutshell, they are very economical to use.
#9 Multi-purpose Nature
Some weed trimmers can easily transform into an edger, by simply rotating the edge. Others have a 3-in-1 function, with the added benefit of a mini mower. If you buy any of these multipurpose machines, you will enjoy the benefit of transforming from edge mode to trimmer to mower mode as you work.
A Review of Two Battery-Powered Weed Eaters: WORX WG170 GT VS BLACK + DECKER LSTE525
WORX WG170 GT
Product Details
- Power: 20V
- Battery: 2000mAh lithium-ion
- Charge time: 5 hours
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Cutting diameter: 12 inches
- Color: Black and orange
- Warranty: 3 years
Efficiency
The WORX WG170 GT has two 2000mAh lithium-ion batteries with a power of 20V each. One battery takes up to 5 hours to deliver a full charge.
Since the voltage is not as high as some weed cutters offering 40V, each battery will last long. On a single charge, one battery can last up to 60 minutes. Also, the tool comes with four indicator light options to show you the battery status.
Weight
With the battery inside, the WG170 is only 5.5 pounds, which is light-weight. A light tool is easy to carry around and makes your work quicker. Its compact size and adjustable body also make it easy to store.
3-in-1 Multi-purpose Nature
The WG170 GT is a trimmer, an in-line wheel edger, and a mini-mower. This feature saves you the cost of buying three separate tools. For regular string trimming, a diameter of 12 inches allows you to trim a wide swath at once. The tool-free switching between mowing, trimming, and edging is effortless using the wheel assembly.
The Wheel Assembly
The wheel assembly comprises two rubber wheels that provide support when the tool is in use. When you attach the wheels to the side of the trimmer head, the WORX 20V GT trimmer becomes an edger. You can then attach the safety guard and roll the edger along.
To convert to a mini mower, you can attach the support wheel underneath the safety guard, and roll it around as a mower.
Using the support wheel as an edger was more comfortable for me. Since the tools were light, during trimming and mowing, I didn’t need the wheels for support. And they only got in my way. However, you can attach the wheels to keep the trimmer head at a safe and consistent distance above the ground.
Adjustable Trimmer Head and Spacer Guard
The angle of the trimmer head can rotate in six positions using two clicks; one to unlock and the second to lock. The pivoting head enables you to trim, mow, and edge hard to reach places.
You’ll also notice the metal wires. That’s the adjustable spacer guard that prevents you from trimming valuable flowers when you are working around them. When working along walls or rocks, you can extend the spacer guard so you can get closer to the object.
Telescopic Shaft
This machine has a telescopic shaft that can accommodate any height. You can extend or retract the shaft to suit your height. It will be perfect for you, whether you are tall or short.
Ergonomic Handle
The front auxiliary handle can rotate around 180 degrees into seven different positions. You can adjust the handle to find a grip that is comfortable for you when you work. Between the telescopic shaft and the ergonomic handle, you can easily get a perfect posture.
Command Feed
WORX WG170 GT features a patented technology called CommandFeed. This system instantly feeds the line out of the spool, when you push the CommandFeed button on the handle. The single-line feed ensures no bumping to extend the line.
Spools and Spool Holder
It comes with three trimmer spools of Double Helix 0.065” line and an onboard extra spool holder to hold the spools in place. The goal is to eliminate downtime and wasted trips to the garage.
Ease of Use
Operating the WORX WG170 is as simple as fixing in the battery and pushing the ‘On’ button. You don’t have to fill a tank or push a cord before you start. Only ensure that your batteries have a full charge.
Pros
- A trimming, edging, and mowing tool
- Easy height and position adjustments
- Compact and light-weight, an ideal battery powered weed eater.
- Adjustable head trimmer and spacer guard
- Command Feed automatic bumping feature
Cons
- Wheels limit movement during trimming and mowing
- The battery has a long charge time
BLACK + DECKER LSTE525
Product Details
- Power: 20V
- Battery: 15000mAh lithium-ion
- Charge time: 5 hours
- Weight: 6.3 pounds
- Cutting diameter: 12 inches
- Speed: 5500 – 7200 RPM
- Color: Black and orange
- Warranty: 2 years
Efficiency
The Black + Decker LSTE525 comes with two 1500mAh batteries of 20V each. One battery can spend up to 5 hours before getting full and will run for up to 60 minutes before needing a recharge. Its power makes it appropriate for light trimming in smaller yards.
The two-speed selector is a bonus. You can use the slower speed for light cutting and extend your runtime or switch to the faster speed when you have tougher weeds and get more power. It also features the PowerDrive transmission, which increases torque for more cutting power.
Weight
At 6.3 pounds, the Black and Decker LSTE525 is light-weight. Its size allows you to work for hours with no fatigue at all. It also has an adjustable body that makes storage easier
2-in-1 Multi-purpose Nature
The Black and Decker weed eater converts from a trimmer to a wheeled edger in a simple process. All you have to do is rotate the shaft with a pull and twist motion. The trimmer has a 12-inch cutting swath in a single sweep, meaning that you will get a lot done in a short time.
The Wheel
The wheel helps a lot with support both for edging and trimming operations. It keeps the tool at a reasonable distance from the ground and helps the string cut properly.
Adjustable Shaft and Handle
The LSTE525 comes with an easily adjustable shaft to suit your height and an adjustable handle to give you a perfect working position. The handle also has a premium micro-texture soft-grip that offers comfortable use.
The Protective Guard
Part of its accessories includes a guard. The guard must always be in place, to prevent the motor from overheating and protect you during use.
EasyFeed
The Black and Decker weed eater features the EasyFeed technology, which allows you to adjust your trimmer line with the push of a button. This system eliminates the need for manual bumping of the line.
Spools
It comes with just one AF-100 spool of line size 0.065 inches, unlike the WORX trimmer that has three spools. If you need more spools, you’ll have to buy them separately.
Ease of Use
My experience using this Black and Decker tool for the first time was stress-free. It requires no technical installation, and you can follow the instruction manual for guidance. When you are ready to trim, all you need to do is push the trigger before starting.
Pros
- Functions as a trimmer and edger
- Two-speed selector settings
- EasyFeed instant feed technology
- Adjustable handle and shaft
- light-weight and easy to use
Cons
- Long charge time
- Not powerful enough for use in large surface areas
Choosing The Best Battery Powered Weed Eater
In selecting the best cordless weed eater, you must consider the efficiency, weight, design, and ease of use of each tool.
One WORX WG170 battery can bring down both light and dense weeds within 60 minutes before running out. One Black and Decker LSTE525 battery can last for the same time. But the weeding machine is only suitable for light weeds.
The WORX WG170’s weight of 5.5 pounds is also lighter than the Black and Decker’s weight of 6.3 pounds. The size of the WORX will delay fatigue.
WORX WG170 is a trimmer, edger, and mini-mower while the Black and Decker LSTE525 is a trimmer and an edger. This 3-in-1 feature gives the WG170 an advantage. WORX also has more trimmer spools as part of its accessories.
Although the Black and Decker trimmer is cheaper, I will choose the WORX trimmer/edger/mini-mower any day. The features of the WORX WG170 makes it the best cordless weed eater.
