The best string trimmers under 200 dollars in 2026 fall into three groups: a complete battery-and-charger kit with automatic line feed for the least money, a wider 40V kit when your yard has hard weeds, and a lightweight two-battery setup for anyone who wants less arm fatigue. All ten picks below ship with a battery or are priced as bare tools, so you know exactly what you are getting before checkout.
That last point matters more than anything else in this price band. Forums like r/lawncare and r/Tools are full of people who grabbed a headline price, then discovered at the register that the battery and charger were sold separately and the real number was far above their budget. We checked the included-components line on every model here, and we flag the bare tools explicitly.
There is a second caveat worth stating up front. The 200 dollar ceiling rules out the professional-grade straight-shaft gas trimmers that dominate most roundups, including the ECHO SRM-225i and the STIHL FS 40 C-E, which regularly sit above the line. That leaves homeowner-tier battery kits and corded electric tools, which is genuinely the right place to spend this budget on a yard under half an acre. Our gas trimmer guide for thick weeds covers the engine options if you are willing to stretch.
Over the past few weeks our team worked through the specifications, owner reviews and platform details for all ten trimmers in this roundup, then sorted them by the things that actually break a sub-200 dollar purchase: a head that will not feed line, a battery too small to finish the yard, and a shaft that does not fit the operator. Every pick below is included with its real weight, cutting width, motor speed and included components, so you can compare them line by line.
If your yard is small and you are more interested in edging than thick growth, start with our string trimmers for edging sidewalks picks. If weight and balance are your concern, the string trimmers for seniors guide is worth a look before you commit.
Table of Contents
Top 3 String Trimmers Under 200 Dollars in 2026
WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1
- 12 inch cut
- 5.5 pounds
- Two 20V batteries and charger included
- Push-button line feed
BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V
- 12 inch cut
- 5.7 pounds
- Automatic Feed Spool
- 2.0Ah battery and wall charger
All Ten Picks at a Glance in 2026
Every model below was checked against the ceiling. Kits include the listed battery and charger, and the two bare-tool listings are called out in their own review.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo |
|
Check Latest Price |
| BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V |
|
Check Latest Price |
 BLACK+DECKER LST136 40V |
|
Check Latest Price |
 EGO ST1502SA 15 inch Kit |
|
Check Latest Price |
 WORX WG183 40V 13 inch |
|
Check Latest Price |
 EGO ST1510T 15 inch Bare Tool |
|
Check Latest Price |
 BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Greenworks 40V 15 inch |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Greenworks 40V 16 inch Attachment Ready |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. WORX WG163 20V 2-in-1 – Best Overall Under 200 Dollars
WORX 20V 12″ 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer & Electric Lawn Edger, WG163
- Push-button line feed with free spools
- Two batteries plus charger in the box
- Lightest trimmer in the group at 5.5 lb
- Head tilts 90 degrees for slopes
- 12 inch swath is narrow
- 20V platform has less torque than 40V
The WG163 is the model I hand to friends who are buying their first cordless trimmer. It arrives with two 20V maxLithium batteries, a charger, a spool, the support wheels and the safety guard, so there is nothing to add before the first afternoon of work.
What separates it from the other budget kits is the command feed spool. Instead of tapping the head on the ground to push line out, you press a button on the head, and the manufacturer covers replacement spools for the life of the tool. On a 12 inch swath with a 0.065 line diameter, that convenience removes the single most common frustration on a small yard.
The head also tilts 90 degrees, which matters more than it sounds on sloped ground along a driveway or a bank behind a fence. The rubberized support wheels keep the edge guide steady when you flip the same head over for edging, so one tool covers both jobs without buying a separate edger.
At 5.5 pounds this is the lightest trimmer in the group, and the 7600 rpm no-load speed sits in the middle of the pack. Owners praise the quick conversion and the two batteries, and the 4.3 star average across more than 28,000 reviews reflects how settled this design is.
Why this is the one most people should buy
Battery inclusion is where budget trimmers usually fail you, and this kit has two packs plus a charger. For a lot under half an acre, that means you can finish a cleanup on one battery while the other charges.
The 20V platform is not going to take down a wall of dried brambles. It will handle tall grass, weeds along a fence line and the weekly pass around flower beds without complaint.
Who should skip it
If your yard runs to an acre or more, or you cut heavy weed growth every week, step up to a 40V model with a wider swath. Twelve inches means more passes than a 15 inch head on the same job.
If you already own DeWalt, EGO or Greenworks batteries, the WORX platform will not share with them. Owners on r/lawncare repeatedly flag platform lock-in as the mistake they would not repeat, and this kit starts a third battery ecosystem in your garage.
2. Greenworks 40V Trimmer and Blower Combo – Two Tools From One Battery
Greenworks 40V 12 in String Trimmer & 390 CFM Blower Combo, 2.0 Ah Battery
- Trimmer and 390 CFM blower in one purchase
- 2.0Ah battery recharges in about 60 minutes
- Quiet 67 dB operation
- Three year warranty
- One small battery serves both tools
- 12 inch cut is the narrowest here
This bundle pairs a 12 inch Greenworks 40V trimmer with a 390 CFM leaf blower rated at 110 MPH. If you were going to buy both anyway, the economics of the pair are the whole argument.
The trimmer itself runs at 7500 rpm and uses 0.065 inch auto-feed line, with a three year head warranty behind it. Owners like the balance, and the blower carries cruise control so you are not riding the trigger through a whole cleanup.
Operation is quiet at 67 dB, which matters in neighborhoods where a gas engine would draw complaints. There is no carburetor, spark plug or oil to mix, and the single 2.0Ah battery is shared across the wider Greenworks 40V range.
The trade-off is battery capacity. One 2.0Ah pack has to cover both tools, and the charging time is around 60 minutes. For a homeowner with a small yard doing seasonal cleanups, that is workable. For a week of heavy brush work, you will be waiting on the charger more than cutting.
When the bundle makes sense
Buy this if leaf cleanup is on your list and you have never owned a battery blower. Two tools sharing one platform beats two tools on two platforms.
The 8 lb trimmer weight and auto-feed head keep long sessions manageable, and the 4.3 star average across more than 10,000 reviews shows a settled product rather than a new release.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want a wide swath. The 12 inch cut is the narrowest in this roundup, and you will make noticeably more passes than with a 15 or 16 inch head.
Skip it if you plan to grow into the platform with multiple tools and heavy use. One small battery across two tools leaves little room, and buying a second pack adds cost the bundle was supposed to avoid. Our cordless string trimmer guide covers the bigger-battery alternatives.
3. BLACK+DECKER LST300 20V – Best Budget Pick
- Automatic Feed Spool needs no bumping
- Lowest cost pick here
- 5.7 lb with adjustable handle
- Wall mountable charging base
- 6200 rpm is the slowest here
- 12 inch swath
- Small 2.0Ah battery
The LST300 is the least expensive trimmer in this roundup, and at 4.4 stars across more than 9,600 reviews it is also one of the better-rated. That combination is rare at the bottom of the price range.
Its Automatic Feed Spool advances line without the bump-and-tap routine, which is the same convenience idea as the WORX command feed spool. The 12 inch steel deck and 6200 rpm no-load speed are the mildest in the group, and the POWERDRIVE transmission adds enough torque to keep the line moving in normal grass.
The kit includes one 2.0Ah lithium ion battery, a wall mountable charging base, the spool, guard and adjustable handle. Height positions let you set the tool for a shorter operator without swapping tools.
Owners frequently note the reduced vibration at the grips, which is helpful on long sessions or for anyone sensitive to handle shake. At 5.7 pounds it is the second-lightest trimmer here.
Why this is the budget answer
You get a complete kit, not a bare tool, at the lowest cost in the group. If the ceiling is firm and you want a battery trimmer rather than a corded one, this is where the money stretches furthest.
The auto-feed head removes the most common point of failure on entry trimmers, and the 2 year limited warranty covers the parts that usually give out.
Who should skip it
Skip it for thick, dried stalks. At 6200 rpm with a 12 inch deck, it is built for grass and routine weeds, not for brush.
Skip it if you already own other BLACK+DECKER 20V tools only in the sense that you can reuse packs. The 2.0Ah capacity is small, so plan on charging between passes on a full yard.
4. BLACK+DECKER LST136 40V – Best Power Under 200 Dollars
- 8500 rpm is among the fastest here
- PowerCommand dial trades power for runtime
- Charge indicator on the battery
- Fast charger recharges in 2 hours or less
- Heavier at 7.8 lb
- Only a 2.0Ah battery in the kit
The LST136 is the pick for anyone whose undergrowth is more than ankle-high grass. It runs up to 8500 rpm through a POWERDRIVE transmission on a 13 inch cutting swath, and that speed is the reason it handles stems and dried stalks the smaller 20V kits stall on.
The PowerCommand dial is the feature that changes daily use. One position gives maximum power for a patch of weeds, the other stretches runtime on long perimeter passes. A state of charge indicator on the 40V MAX battery means you can see what is left before you start a row rather than after.
The fast charger brings the pack back up in 2 hours or less, and the automatic feed spool again avoids bump feeding. The telescoping pole adjusts for reach, and the soft-grip auxiliary handle gives you a second grip point for taller operators.
At 7.8 pounds it is heavier than the 20V BLACK+DECKER models in this roundup, and only a 2.0Ah battery is included. The 4.4 star average comes with a 71 percent five-star share, the highest satisfaction split among the BLACK+DECKER kits we looked at.
Why it earns the top rated badge
Speed and swath together. Most budget kits give you one or the other, and the 8500 rpm figure on this one is genuinely at the top of the class we compared.
The dial is not a gimmick. On a half-acre lot you will use both settings in a single session, and the 2 hour recharge means an afternoon of work is realistic.
Who should skip it
Skip it if weight is your priority. At 7.8 pounds it is more tool to hold than anything else in this roundup except the 16 inch Greenworks, and lighter options exist for smaller operators.
Skip it if you need wide passes. Thirteen inches is a step up from the 12 inch kits but still narrower than the 15 and 16 inch models here.
5. EGO ST1502SA 15 Inch – Best for Thick, Woody Weeds
EGO POWER+ 15″ Cordless Weed Trimmer with Battery and Charger – ST1502SA
- Brushless motor with low vibration
- Rapid Reload head
- Handles thick woody weeds and dried stalks
- Five year tool warranty
- Quiet with no fuel to mix
- 5800 rpm is slower than the 40V kits
- Bump feed can jam
- Restringing takes practice
The ST1502SA is the most capable brush cutter in this group, and it is the reason a 15 inch swath with 0.095 inch line matters. Thicker line moves less cutting speed but carries far more energy through woody stems and dried seed heads.
Owners consistently report cutting through tall dried stalks and thick weeds that stop other battery trimmers in their tracks. The high-efficiency brushless motor keeps vibration low, and the variable speed trigger lets you back off when you are trimming close to a shrub.
The Rapid Reload head speeds up line changes compared with a conventional bump head, and the kit includes a 2.0Ah-class battery sized at 2.5Ah with up to 45 minutes of runtime, recharging in 50 minutes on the supplied charger. The five year tool warranty is the longest coverage in this roundup.
The honest drawback is the 5800 rpm figure, the lowest of the 40V-class tools here, and the bump feed head. Several owners report it jamming, and the restringing procedure takes practice the first few times. The 4.2 star average across roughly 3,300 reviews reflects strong performance with a few recurring head complaints.
It also runs on the EGO 56V ARC battery platform, so if you are building one battery ecosystem across a whole garage, this is the trimmer that anchors it. The three year battery warranty backs the pack, and there is no oil, fuel or exhaust to deal with in an enclosed garage.
At 7.4 pounds it sits in the middle of the weight range here, light enough for long sessions without being the feather-light option. Quiet operation is another reason owners on forums move away from gas once they try it.
Why it cuts deeper than the rest
The 0.095 inch line and the 15 inch swath together give it the best material throughput in the roundup. If your problem is volume of growth rather than neatness, this is the tool.
Long warranty coverage also matters on a heavier machine. Five years on the tool is a meaningful difference when a trimmer sees weekly use over a season.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you have never used battery line before and expect perfection on the first afternoon. The bump head asks for a short adjustment period, and a few owners report jams in heavy wet grass.
Skip it if you already own a different brand of battery. EGO 56V ARC packs are not interchangeable with other platforms, so this is a commitment to one ecosystem.
6. WORX WG183 40V 13 Inch – Best Lightweight Kit With Two Batteries
Worx Cordless String Trimmer, 40V 13″ Electric Weed Wacker, WG183
- Very light at 6.4 lb
- Dual-exit head improves cutting efficiency
- Automatic feed spool
- Two batteries and a dual charger included
- 13 inch swath
- 7000 rpm is mid-pack
- Smaller review base
The WG183 is the answer when a full battery kit is non-negotiable but weight is still the deciding factor. It ships with two 20V 2.0Ah batteries and a 2.0A dual charger, which means both packs charge while you are putting the second one away.
At 6.4 pounds for a 13 inch trimmer, the balance is the story. The streamlined body and adjustable auxiliary handle put the load closer to your hands, and owners on forums single out low fatigue as the reason they recommend it for long jobs.
The dual-exit cutting head is designed to pull material in from both sides, so a 13 inch swath works faster than the width suggests. The automatic feed spool handles line advance, and 7000 rpm sits in the middle of the range here.
Because it uses the same PowerShare platform as the WG163, any 20V or 40V WORX battery you already own works in it. That makes it an easy second tool rather than a new platform.
Why two batteries changes the session
A single-battery household finishing mid-yard with no spare pack is the most common cordless complaint in the forums. Two batteries remove that problem entirely for a lot this size.
Thirteen inches with a dual-exit head gives reasonable coverage without a long shaft, and the lighter body means you keep working after the arms would normally call it.
Who should skip it
Skip it for dense, dried growth. 7000 rpm and a 13 inch deck will not match the EGO on woody material, and the bump-free feed does not compensate for line speed.
Skip it if you want maximum ratings confidence. With roughly 1,460 reviews it has the smallest evidence base of the two-battery kits here, so owner data is thinner than the BLACK+DECKER models.
7. EGO ST1510T 15 Inch Bare Tool – Best Line Loading, Battery Sold Separately
- POWERLOAD threads and winds line with one button
- Telescoping aluminum shaft sizes to the user
- Brushless motor and IPX4 weather resistance
- Strong output in thick growth
- Five year tool warranty
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Some owners report line breaking near the head
- Head can take several attempts to load
The ST1510T is the tool to buy if you already own EGO 56V ARC batteries. That is the honest version of this recommendation, because the listing is a bare tool and neither the battery nor the charger is included.
For everyone else, read the package carefully. Add a battery and a charger and you are no longer inside the ceiling this roundup was built around, which is exactly the surprise r/lawncare users warn about.
What you get for that trade-off is the best line handling in the group. The POWERLOAD system threads line through the head and winds the spool with a single button press, with no winding by hand and no winding in the wrong direction. Given how often forum threads describe spools wound backwards, that alone removes a recurring annoyance.
The telescoping aluminum shaft adjusts for reach and comfort, the brushless motor keeps vibration low, and IPX4 construction means light rain and wet grass are not a problem. The 15 inch swath runs dual-line 0.095 spiral twist line, and the head uses bump feed for line advance during work.
Owners report strong power in thick growth, and the 4.4 star average comes with a 76 percent five-star share, among the highest satisfaction ratios in the roundup. A few reviews mention line snapping near the head and the head taking more than one attempt to load, so it is not flawless.
At 7.4 pounds it matches the EGO kit in weight, and owners with smaller frames note that the telescoping shaft is the feature that makes it usable.
When the bare tool is the right call
If you own any EGO 56V ARC battery, this is close to a free upgrade to a better trimmer. Your existing packs are the price you have already paid.
The telescoping shaft and the fastest line changes in the roundup are the two reasons to prefer this model over the battery-included EGO kit for a shared-garage household.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are starting from zero batteries. This is the one pick in the roundup that can quietly push a first-time buyer past the budget, and no amount of shopping discipline fixes that at checkout.
Skip it if you dislike bump feed. The POWERLOAD system only handles winding; line is still advanced by tapping the head, unlike the automatic spools on the BLACK+DECKER and WORX models.
8. BLACK+DECKER LST140C 40V – Best Battery Capacity in a Budget Kit
- 4.0Ah battery is larger than most kits at this level
- Charge indicator on the pack
- Automatic line feed needs no bumping
- Wall mountable charger saves space
- Three year warranty
- 13 inch swath
- 4.3 star average trails the other BLACK+DECKER kits
The LST140C solves the complaint that comes up most often about budget cordless kits: a battery that is too small to finish the job. It includes a 4.0Ah pack, and amp-hour capacity is the single number that drives runtime, so doubling the Ah from 2.0 to 4.0 roughly doubles the work you get per charge.
Everything else in the kit is straightforward. High-torque POWERDRIVE transmission for cutting strength, automatic line feed so there is no bumping, and a wall mountable charging base to keep the corner of the garage tidy.
The 40V MAX battery carries a state of charge indicator, so you can check remaining capacity before you walk to the far end of the yard. The trimmer converts to an edger in seconds, with the usual auxiliary handle and guard in the box.
At 6.4 pounds it is light for a 40V machine and only a pound heavier than the 20V kits in this roundup. The 13 inch cut and 3 year limited warranty make it a balanced middle option, with a 4.3 star average across roughly 5,700 reviews.
Why 4.0Ah changes the buying decision
Most kits at this level include a 2.0Ah pack, and most complaints about them are about runtime. A 4.0Ah pack halves the number of charge cycles you need and removes the mid-yard battery anxiety.
It also makes this the better choice if you plan to add a second BLACK+DECKER 40V tool later, because you will not need to buy a spare pack first.
Who should skip it
Skip it if wide passes are your priority. Thirteen inches is narrower than the 15 and 16 inch models here, and the POWERDRIVE torque does not make up for the extra passes.
Skip it if you want the sharpest rating. The 4.3 average sits just below the LST300 and LST136, so if you are choosing purely on owner satisfaction the 20V models have the edge.
9. Greenworks 40V 15 Inch – Best Wide Swath With Torque Boost
Greenworks 40V 15 in Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
- 15 inch cutting path with TORQDRIVE torque
- Variable speed trigger plus two speed modes
- Push button start with no fuel mixing
- Head releases line without accidental bump discharge
- 12.3 lb is heavy for cordless
- 5500 rpm is the lowest here
- Some owners report short runtime
Coverage per pass is this trimmer’s argument. A 15 inch path on a bump feed head with 0.085 inch dual line means fewer trips up and down a property line than a 12 or 13 inch kit, and the TORQDRIVE system adds 30 percent more torque to the line.
Controls are unusually good for a budget machine. You get a variable speed trigger plus a two-speed selector, so you can dial down for a flower bed and up for a patch of weeds without changing tools.
Start-up is a push button, and there is no gas, oil, carburetor, spark plug or pull rope anywhere in the maintenance schedule. The battery and charger are included, and the head design is meant to avoid an accidental bump discharge when you set the tool down on a head full of line.
Two things pull it down. At 12.3 pounds it is the second-heaviest cordless trimmer in this roundup, and heavier tools drain a pack faster. The 5500 rpm figure is also the lowest of the group, which is why the 4.2 star average sits below the BLACK+DECKER models despite the wider cut.
When 15 inches earns its keep
If your trimmer work is mostly long straight runs, a fence line, a roadside edge or an open side yard, swath width is the number that reduces total time. Fifteen inches is the practical jump between the compact 12 inch kits and the widest machines.
The two-speed setup also means this works as a gentle tool around plantings, which matters if the same run passes close to shrubs.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are older, recovering from an injury, or simply sensitive to weight. Owners mention arm fatigue, and the 2.0Ah battery means extra weight is not compensated by extra runtime.
Skip it if you want cutting speed on stems. At 5500 rpm with 0.085 line, the EGO with 0.095 line is the better tool for thick growth.
10. Greenworks 40V 16 Inch – Widest Cut and the Attachment Platform
- Widest 16 inch cutting width here
- Brushless motor extends motor and runtime life
- Attachment platform covers edger hedge polesaw cultivator and blower
- Two speed modes with variable trigger
- 4.0Ah battery for longer runtime
- Heaviest unit in the roundup at 15.2 lb
- Highest current cost of the group
- Smallest review base
The 16 inch Greenworks is the widest cutting path in the roundup and the only one designed around a full attachment platform. The same power head accepts an edger, hedge trimmer, polesaw, cultivator and blower, which turns one purchase into the anchor for a whole yard tool setup.
The brushless motor is the technical reason it holds up. Brushless motors generate less heat and friction than brushed designs, which extends motor life and improves runtime per charge, and the 4.0Ah battery in the box is the larger capacity found in any kit here.
Two speed modes and a variable speed trigger give control similar to the LST136 dial, and the 0.095 inch dual line means it can handle real material rather than only grass. The listing states it is 25 percent lighter than comparable gas models while weighing 15.2 pounds as shipped with the battery.
The caution here is the purchase price. This is the most expensive model in the roundup by a clear margin, and adding attachments to the platform means the true cost of this choice is well beyond the trimmer itself. It is a value decision only if you will genuinely use the other attachments.
The 4.5 star average is the highest in the roundup, but it comes from roughly 120 reviews. That is a thin evidence base, and long-term durability data on this specific model is limited compared with the kits above.
Why the attachment platform matters
One power head with a shared battery often costs less than two standalone budget tools, and the 40V Greenworks range already includes edger, hedge, polesaw, cultivator and blower options. If your yard work spans more than trimming, the math starts working.
Brushless construction and a 4.0Ah pack also make it the most future-proof machine here, since those are the two features that decide whether a cordless trimmer still works well in year five.
Who should skip it
Skip it if trimming is your only job. At 15.2 pounds it is the heaviest unit in the group, and you would be paying for platform access you never use.
Skip it if your total budget is fixed. This model plus a battery ecosystem is the most likely way to cross the ceiling without meaning to, and it is better suited to a buyer who has already committed to the 40V platform.
How We Picked and Tested These Trimmers
We built this list around one constraint: the tool has to work within a homeowner budget without a second purchase. That ruled out every bare-tool listing except the EGO ST1510T, which we kept because it is the correct choice for anyone who already owns that battery platform, and we labeled it as such.
For each model we read the full specification block, then checked the owner reviews for the same five things. Does the head feed line the way the manufacturer claims. Does the included battery finish a realistic session or run out early. Is the tool comfortable at its listed weight. Are there repeated complaints about a single part. And is the warranty long enough to cover the failure.
We also verified that the review counts and star averages in each card match the current owner data, because a tool with 122 reviews tells you far less about year three than one with more than 28,000. Where the two conflict, we said so plainly rather than averaging the disagreement away.
One thing we did not do is test these on our own property, so treat the field impressions as a summary of what owners report plus a close read of the engineering. What we can say confidently is that every specification, runtime figure and included component listed in this roundup comes from the manufacturer data rather than a summary of it.
How to Choose a String Trimmer Under 200 Dollars
Gas, cordless or corded: the honest answer at this budget
Gas wins on raw power and runtime, and it loses on noise, maintenance and starting. At this ceiling, the gas options that fit are thin-brand engines that owners on forums describe as loud and vibration-heavy compared with premium machines. The professional gas trimmers most people cite as the standard, the ECHO SRM-225i, STIHL FS 38 and Husqvarna 330LK, sit above the line.
Cordless is the right default for most lots under half an acre. Every pick in this roundup is cordless for that reason, and the 12 to 16 inch swaths here handle grass, weeds and fence lines without the fuel handling gas demands.
Corded electric still wins on price and on anyone who trims for ten minutes at a time. Its limit is reach, since a 50 foot cord does not cover a yard on its own. If your usage is light and your yard is small, it remains a defensible choice. Our string trimmers for small yards guide covers where corded makes sense.
2-cycle versus 4-cycle engines, if you do buy gas
A 2-cycle engine is lighter, cheaper and revs higher, and it burns a fuel and oil mix at roughly 50 parts fuel to 1 part oil. Buying premixed fuel removes the measuring step, which is the single biggest quality-of-life improvement for occasional users.
A 4-cycle engine runs on straight gas, starts more easily and lasts longer, but it is heavier and costs more. The practical rule for the buyers we see in the forums is simple. Occasional spring and fall cleanups justify a 2-cycle, and anyone trimming weekly or working a side job should step up in displacement rather than in brand.
Cutting width by yard size
Cutting width is the cutting swath, or the diameter of the path the head clears in one pass. It is the number that determines how many trips across your property a job takes.
Under a quarter acre, a 12 inch swath is genuinely enough and lighter tools win. A quarter to half acre, 13 to 15 inches is the sweet spot and the reason most of the picks here sit there. Over half an acre, look for 15 or 16 inches, and consider whether you need the fuel endurance of a larger engine instead.
For people who mostly edge rather than trim, the accessory support wheels on a 2-in-1 head matter more than width. Our cordless trimmer roundup compares that head geometry in detail.
Straight shaft versus curved shaft
A straight shaft keeps the motor at your hip and puts the weight where your body already carries it, which makes it the right choice for taller operators and for reaching under fences or into tight corners. A curved shaft puts the load toward the front hand instead, which is easier on your back but can feel heavier in the hands.
None of the picks in this roundup use a curved shaft, because curved-shaft models at this budget are typically the thin-brand gas trimmers. For a battery buyer, the equivalent question is telescoping shaft versus fixed shaft, and the EGO ST1510T is the only adjustable model here.
Line feed systems and line diameter
A bump feed head advances line when you tap it against the ground. A speed feed or auto feed head advances it on a button or automatically, which is faster and cleaner around flower beds. The BLACK+DECKER LST300, LST136 and LST140C and both WORX models all use automatic spools, and the EGO models use bump feed with faster winding systems.
Line diameter is the second half of that decision. 0.065 inch line is the general-purpose choice and is what the 12 and 13 inch kits in this roundup use. 0.080 inch is heavier and better for dense growth. 0.095 inch is what the EGO and 16 inch Greenworks run, and it is the one to buy if you are cutting stems rather than grass.
Matching diameter matters. A head designed for thinner line will not behave correctly with a heavier spool, so use the diameter the manufacturer specifies rather than the strongest line you can find.
Kit versus bare tool, and platform lock-in
This is where a 200 dollar budget quietly breaks. A bare-tool listing looks like a deal until you price a battery and a charger, which together can move the real number well past the ceiling. Check the included-components line before you add anything to a cart, and treat any listing that says battery not included as a two-item purchase.
Platform lock-in is the second trap. Every brand here uses its own battery, and none of them interchange. Owners on r/BuyItForLife and r/Tools consistently advise buying into the platform you already own rather than starting a new one for a single tool.
Then count the tools you might add. A power head plus a blower and a hedge trimmer on one battery platform is often cheaper than two standalone cheap tools, and the attachment ecosystems in this roundup are the widest on the Greenworks 40V and EGO 56V ARC lines.
Noise, ordinances and maintenance
Cordless tools sidestep neighborhood noise disputes entirely, and a quiet trimmer is easier to run early on a weekend without a complaint. Before buying gas anywhere, check your local noise ordinances and your HOA rules, because a restriction after the purchase is a restriction you cannot undo.
Cordless maintenance is close to nonexistent. No oil to mix, no carburetor to clean, no spark plug to gap, and a lithium battery stored off the heat lasts years. The only real tasks are reloading line and occasionally cleaning the head and guard after a season of wet grass.
How to avoid going over budget
Buy a kit that states the battery and charger are included, and count the line and guard against what is already in the box. Add a second battery only if the included capacity is under 2.0Ah. Buy the wider head only if your yard passes per session are what limits you. And resist the bare tool unless you already own that exact battery.
Set the total you are willing to spend including a spare battery and a season of line before you start, then work backward to the tool. That single step prevents nearly every overrun described in the forums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best inexpensive string trimmer?
The BLACK+DECKER LST300 is the best inexpensive string trimmer in this roundup. It is a complete 20V kit with a 2.0Ah battery and wall mountable charger included, an automatic line feed spool that avoids bump loading, a 5.7 lb body and a 12 inch cutting swath. It holds a 4.4 star average across more than 9,600 owner reviews, which is unusual at the bottom of the price range.
What is the best bang-for-buck string trimmer?
The WORX WG163 is the best bang-for-the-buck pick because it includes two 20V maxLithium batteries, a charger, a spool, support wheels and the guard, so nothing else needs to be bought. Its command feed spool advances line with a button instead of a ground tap, the head tilts 90 degrees for sloped ground, and the whole tool weighs 5.5 pounds. It also carries the largest review base in the roundup at more than 28,000 reviews.
What is the best gas trimmer under 200 dollars?
Under this ceiling, gas options are limited to thin-brand 2-cycle engines that owners describe as loud and vibration-heavy. The machines most people consider the gas standard, including the ECHO SRM-225i, STIHL FS 38 and Husqvarna 330LK, regularly sit above the line. For most lots under half an acre, a 40V cordless kit gives more usable power with no fuel mixing and no exhaust, which is why every pick in this roundup is cordless.
Is ECHO or STIHL better?
For a homeowner doing seasonal cleanups on a small yard, the honest answer is that both brands are above this budget, so the question is academic here. Owners in lawn care forums repeatedly point to the ECHO SRM-225i as the durability benchmark, with some reporting a power head running for well over a decade. Neither fits under 200 dollars, so the practical comparison is a battery kit now versus a premium gas purchase later.
What is the most reliable string trimmer?
Reliability tracks the review base as much as the brand. The BLACK+DECKER LST300 at 4.4 stars over more than 9,600 reviews and the WORX WG163 at 4.3 stars over more than 28,000 reviews both have long records of owner feedback, which is stronger evidence than a high average on a few hundred reviews. The most common failure point across every budget trimmer is the line head, so automatic feed spools reduce risk wherever they are available.
Which String Trimmer Under 200 Dollars Should You Buy?
Buy the WORX WG163 if you want the most complete package in the roundup: two batteries, a charger, wheels, guard and the easiest line feed on any budget model, all at 5.5 pounds. It is our pick as the best string trimmer under 200 dollars for most homeowners.
Buy the BLACK+DECKER LST300 if the ceiling is tight and you want a full kit at the lowest cost with a 4.4 star average. Buy the LST136 if your weeds are tall and stubborn and you want 8500 rpm and a power-to-runtime dial. Buy the LST140C if your biggest complaint about battery tools is runtime, because its 4.0Ah pack is the largest in this group.
Buy the EGO ST1502SA for genuinely thick, woody growth and the longest warranty here. Buy the WORX WG183 for the lightest two-battery kit. Buy the Greenworks 40V 15 inch for wide passes, and consider the 16 inch model only if you will genuinely use the attachment platform.
The one to check before buying is the EGO ST1510T, and only if you already own 56V ARC batteries. It is the best line loader in the roundup, but it arrives without a battery or charger, which is the fastest way to cross the budget. Set your total, confirm what is in the box, and one of these ten will fit.