Cords suck, don’t they?
You’ve been used corded technology for years now and you STILL feel all the same frustrations you felt the first time you used them. People told you that you’d get used to it and that you’d grow to love using tools that require cords to operate. But here you are–well into your adult life–and you still haven’t figured how to embrace the corded life. Perhaps you want to, but it’s just too annoying for you to put up with it anymore.
Thankfully, you have other options.
You can always go cordless!
What Is A Power Edger?
Power edgers, otherwise known as lawn edgers, are grass-cutting devices that are used for refining the surface edges of your lawn. You may be thinking to yourself, “That’s all? Can’t I just use a trimmer or lawn mower?” While this is certainly a valid question, there’s really only one obvious answer we can give for it. Most questions asked can be given subjective answers, but not in this case.
The obvious answer is no, trimmers and lawn mowers are not suitable for these kinds of jobs. Trimmers don’t cut deep enough for edges to look natural and neat. Lawn mowers are especially inappropriate for edging jobs because they bring too much power. You want to refine edges, not scalp them!
Moral of this story, use power edgers for tasks that require refining–not full on cutting.
Why Go Cordless?
Because it’s much more convenient!
Seriously, how many times have you been held back (quite literally) by a cord that was just short enough to keep you from reaching the area that needs edging? How often have you found yourself accidentally unplugging your edger right in the middle of an edging job? What about all the times where your cord’s gotten snagged on an obstacle that hindered you from edging or trimming with the ease necessary to finish the job? Have you found yourself groaning and reliving each of these instances as you read them?
If you’re reading this article now, we’re willing to bet that you’ve experienced one or more of these scenarios a time or two!
Of course, cordless lawn edgers come with their own downsides as well. For instance, cordless edgers operate off of batteries, meaning they can easily die if you use them too much. You wouldn’t have to deal with that if you decided to stick with corded edgers. However, to argue this point, corded lawn edgers have the risk of overheating if they’re used for too long. Cordless edgers, on the other hand, only overheat if they’re used very harshly.
[TOP 10] Best Cordless Edgers
Comparison Chart
|
Product |
Our Rating |
Volt Power |
Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER LST400 |
#1 Editor Choice |
20V |
 |
| WORX WG163 GT 3.0 |
#2 |
20V |
 |
| BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 |
#3 |
20V |
 |
| BLACK+DECKER LST201 |
#4 |
20V |
 |
| WORX WG155 |
#5 |
20V |
 |
| BLACK+DECKER LST522 |
#6 |
20V |
 |
| BLACK+DECKER LST140C |
#7 |
40V |
 |
| Ryobi P2300A ONE+ |
#8 |
18V |
 |
| Worx WG162 |
#9 |
20V |
 |
| BLACK+DECKER LST560C |
#10 |
60V |
 |
*REVIEWS:
1 BLACK+DECKER LST400
Taking the crown for the best lawn edger on this list, we present to you the BLACK+DECKER LST400. Not only is it a badass cordless edger, but it’s also a badass cordless trimmer. Granted, you’ll notice that a lot of the edgers on this list second as highly efficient trimmers. The logic behind this, ladies and gentlemen, is fairly simple. When we say we provide you with top-tier edgers, we mean we provide you with pieces of grass-cutting technology that offers so much more than just one single function.
And correct us if we’re wrong, but cordless lawn edgers that simultaneously serve as trimmers rightfully deserve the rank of top tier!
It’s common for electric edgers to have an average runtime of 20 to 30 minutes. The BLACK+DECKER LST400, on the other hand, has a long runtime of one hour. Wait, an hour of straight edging?! How cool!
Our number one choice on this list is certainly the best black and decker cordless edger to date!
PROS
– Inexpensive
– Long battery life
– Extended runtime technology
– Powerful transmission
– Spool system is autofeed
CONS
– May be a burden for exceptionally tall people
2 WORX WG163 GT 3.0
The WORX WG163 GT 3.0 may not be the all-time best cordless edger on our list, but it certainly is the best cordless lawn edger with wheels. Granted, the wheels aren’t really necessary, as this grass-cutting machine weighs in at only five lbs. Heck you can get away with just hovering the blades over your edges if you wanted to. But it’s always great to have convenient options for your edging jobs!
In addition to being a great edger on wheels, the WORX WG163 GT 3.0 also has a lovely dual-function spacer attached to it. What this spacer does is it helps guide each of your edging jobs while also preserving any vegetation that might be at risk of being whisked away. This is a MASSIVE lifesaver, as many users have complained about their edgers beings too powerful. After all, edgers are not supposed to be ultra-powerful grass-cutting machines–that title belongs to the lawn mowers!
PROS
– Inexpensive
– Super lightweight
– Dual-function spacer
– Command feed system
– Seconds as a trimmer
CONS
– Spool system may get jammed sometimes
3 BLACK+DECKER LSTE525
The BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 ranks a little lower than the BLACK+DECKER LST400 on this list, but it comes with its own perks that the number one entrant doesn’t have. For starters, this black and decker cordless edger comes with two different control speeds. This will come in handy when switching from edging to trimming, as you’ll want to change your running speed whenever you take a tougher cutting job (i.e. trimming your lawn and hedges). If you take into account the powerful transmission, you may agree that it comes in handy more so with this model than it does the number one champion!
Secondly, the BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 compensates for its lack of an autofeed spool system by interpreting both a Powercut system and a Powerboost system. What does this mean, you ask? Well, the Powercut system is pretty self-explanatory; it’s the overall enhancement of your cutting. As you’ll come to expect, this feature is more fitting for those looking to trim more than edge. But fear not, for the Powerboost system benefits both edging and trimming–thanks to its supporting boost to your overall runtime!
PROS
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Affordable
– Two control speeds
– Powerful transmission
– Easyfeed lines
– Powercut settings, Powerboost settings
CONS
– Spool system may get jammed sometimes
4 BLACK+DECKER LST201
Seeing a lot of black and decker cordless edgers on this list, aren’t you?
We’re certainly writing a lot about them, ourselves!
But hey, it’s for a good reason!
The BLACK+DECKER LST201 may very well be the least expensive power edger to be mentioned on this list thus far. While prices on Amazon are always subject to changing over time, it seems this guy has a way to go before it’s priced in the same range as the higher tier models. Considering you get adjustable heights AND trimming features at such a low price, we would wonder why you wouldn’t at least check it out! We know we would–and have!
PROS
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Spool system is autofeed
– Adjustable height
– Lightweight, Super cheap!
CONS
– May break down if not properly cared for
5 WORX WG155
The WORX WG155 is a fascinating cordless lawn edger. Unlike the other Worx models mentioned on this list, this lovely edger has two major perks that no other has. For one, this power edger takes little to no time in transitioning from “edge mode” to “trim mode”. Considering most of the other models have a delay time of a few seconds, this one doesn’t and that’s really cool!
What’s the second big perk, you ask? Well, after you’re finished edging and trimming your yard, you can put this bad-boy on the charger and it will be all set to work again within an hour. Yes, one whole hour! That’s impressive for an electric lawn edger, guys!
PROS
– Inexpensive
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Spool system is autofeed
– Seamless transitioning from edging to trimming
– Battery charges up very quickly
– Extremely lightweight
CONS
– May break down if not properly cared for
6 BLACK+DECKER LST522
And the black and decker cordless edgers just don’t stop coming!
The BLACK+DECKER LST522 continues the excellent trend of top notch cordless lawn edgers being produced under one brand. Once again taking up the mantle as a edger/trimmer combination, this baby can edge for as long as you need it. Just keep in mind that, like all power edgers, that you need to take great care of your products if you want them to continue working. Technology isn’t indestructible, you know!
PROS
– Inexpensive
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Powerful transmission
– Two control speeds
– Spool system is autofeed
– Extremely lightweight
CONS
– Spool system may get jammed sometimes
7 BLACK+DECKER LST140C
Oh look, another black and decker cordless edger!
The BLACK+DECKER LST140C is an interesting addition to this list due to its volt power. While most of the lawn edgers on this list have a capping power level of 20V, this bad boy can go up to 40V max. Of course, this comes at a slight downside when it comes to battery life. You see, more volt power often means more battery life used during a single job. What that entails, ladies and gentlemen, is the unfortunate downside of this edger’s battery dying before some of the “weaker” models do.
If you were wondering why the higher volt powered edgers were so low on this list, now you know why!
PROS
– Inexpensive
– Very powerful
– Powerful transmission
– Spool system is autofeed
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Three year warranty
CONS
– Battery life isn’t that great
8 Ryobi P2300A ONE+
One of the few cordless edgers to be featured on this list that doesn’t second as a trimmer, the Ryobi P2300A ONE+ comes with a neato dual serrated blade, measuring in a nine inches. What this entails for edging jobs is efficiency and thoroughness. While most edger blades are sharp enough, dual serrated sides prove to be sharper and more deadly to unwanted strands of grass.
The Ryobi P2300A ONE+ is supported with both rear and front wheels. This comes in handy when you don’t feel like doing any heavy lifting, granted this edger isn’t too terribly heavy. It weighs in at 10 lbs, which is reasonable for most. Then again, some people don’t like lifting anything this heavy for a long period of time due to potential back pain. So to say the wheels are a godsend for those people would be an understatement, to be sure!
PROS
– Adjusts in four positions
– Rear and front wheel stabilized
– Comfortable handle
– Affordable
– Blade is dual serrated
CONS
– Battery life isn’t that great
9 Worx WG162
Another lovely Worx model worth talking about, the WG162 edges just as well as it trims (hint: it’s exceptionally great, much better than Earthwise products or DEWALT!). This bad boy comes to you at a reasonable price on Amazon, promising a number of awesome features at such a low price. For one, the handle shaft is completely adjustable. This makes any edging job a snap, as you can whip around surfaces without having to reposition yourself.
Secondly, the Worx WG162 has an auto-feed spool system. This will save you a lot of time from having to feed the spool line yourself. The only downside with this model is that it’s a little difficult to assemble due to the hard to read instructions. Some users have even reported receiving no instructions with their cordless lawn edger, but we’re sure this is a rare instance.
PROS
– Inexpensive
– Shaft is adjustable
– Spool system is auto-feed
– Seconds as a trimmer
CONS
– Instructions are difficult to follow
10 BLACK+DECKER LST560C
The BLACK+DECKER LST560C is the sixth and last BLACK+DECKER model to grace our list of the top ten best cordless edgers. Despite coming in last place on our list, this cordless edger trimmer still offers quite a bit of benefits for the user. For instance, this edger’s easyfeed lines make spooling a much easier task. Well, easy AND fast, as many people have commented about how time consuming spooling tends to be!
This baby also comes with a three year warranty plan, so you know you’ll be covered if anything doesn’t work. In fact, this may come in handy in case you accidentally get one of the few models that are reported to be defected. Granted, defected models are rare to come across–as is any mainline product. Nothing can be perfect, but at least the BLACK+DECKER LST560C is good most of the time!
PROS
– Very powerful
– Easyfeed lines
– Affordable, Three year warranty
– Two control speeds
– Seconds as a trimmer
CONS
– Battery life isn’t that great
– May break down if not properly cared for
Concluding Thoughts
Cordless lawn edgers have many perks when compared to corded power edgers. They can be carried to the furthest ends of your yard without the fear of detaching cords and they won’t overheat as easily. Granted, you unfortunately get the brand new responsibility of making sure the batteries are fully charged and in good shape. Most cordless lawn edger batteries are rechargeable, but you never want to be too careful!
Thankfully, the options mentioned on our list of the top ten best cordless edgers all have rechargeable batteries. And while we’ve duly noted that BLACK+DECKER is the supreme ruler brand of this buyer’s guides, Worx and Ryobi have brought their own flavors to this kitchen for us to taste. Despite the superiority of these brands, all three have proven to be the best options for those of you who want to break away from the realm of corded lawn edgers. Which one will you be taking home?
Sarah Eberle qualified and became a member of the Landscape Institute in 1980. Over the last 26 years she has practised landscape architecture and garden design, running her own business in Devon.
During the 1990s, Sarah joined Hillier Landscapes as Design Director, where she is still a shareholder but also runs her own practice in Hampshire.
Sarah has an esteemed record in RHS shows, having won eight Gold medals, Best in Show and the George Cook award for innovation twice at Hampton Court. Sarah has also exhibited at Tatton Park and BBC Gardeners’ World Live.