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Six Models Examined

The Best Cordless Grass Trimmers in Practical Tests

Lawn Trimmer Test
Which String Trimmer Stands Out in the Test? Photo: Christian Lohse / BILD

September 15, 2026, 11:22 am | Read time: 5 minutes

Where the lawnmower can’t reach, a grass trimmer can help. But how well do battery-powered models perform in practice? myHOMEBOOK presents the three best devices.

Battery-powered grass trimmers are mainly intended for areas that a lawnmower can hardly reach. Instead of a blade like a traditional lawnmower, a rapidly rotating plastic line is usually used. Some devices can alternatively work with small plastic blades. In a large test by BILD, six battery-powered grass trimmers from Bosch, Einhell, Gardena, Makita, Parkside, and Worx were tested in the garden.

Grass trimmer test field
A total of 6 grass trimmers were tested

What stood out in the test

Models with a rotatable trimmer head are practical. This allows the device to be guided vertically to neatly trim lawn edges. An adjustable shaft also makes it easier to adapt to your own height.

Makita grass trimmer
Makita scored particularly well with flawless workmanship

When buying, it’s also worth looking at the battery system. Those who already own garden tools or equipment from a manufacturer can often reuse existing batteries and save on purchasing an additional power source.

The 3 best battery-powered grass trimmers in the test

The biggest differences in the test were in cutting quality, battery life, and ease of use. The test winner was the Makita DUR193Z grass trimmer. It was followed by the versatile Einhell GE-CT 18/25-1 and the Bosch EasyGrassCut 18V-26.

1. Makita DUR193Z

The Makita DUR193Z delivered the best overall package in the test. Especially in actual trimming, the device stood out from the competition. The cut was particularly clean, lawn edges were neatly trimmed, and the trimmer could be guided very precisely around trees or flower bed borders.

Makita also led in battery life. With the 2-Ah battery used for comparison, the DUR193Z worked for 35 minutes in the practical test–longer than all other devices. At the same time, the trimmer runs pleasantly quietly and was the quietest model in the comparison at 73 decibels.

Additional comfort is provided by the infinitely adjustable shaft and the rotatable and pivotable trimmer head. Conveniently, a shoulder strap is also included. The only less convincing feature was the line feed via tap automation, which did not always work reliably in the test.

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2. Einhell GE-CT 18/25-1

The Einhell GE-CT 18/25-1 took second place and impressed with its good price-performance ratio. A special feature is the flexible cutting system: In addition to the classic line spool, plastic blades can also be used. Both are already included.

The cutting performance was good, and the 2-Ah battery used in the test lasted 30 minutes. This gave Einhell the second-best runtime in the comparison. The grass trimmer is well-balanced in the hand, its shaft can be adjusted continuously, and the head can be both rotated and tilted.

Those who already own devices from Einhell’s Power-X-Change system can use existing batteries. However, it should be noted that the grass trimmer is regularly offered without a battery and charger. Additionally, it is one of the louder devices in the test at around 80 decibels.

Grass trimmer in the test
Edge trimming was just one of many criteria in the test

3. Bosch EasyGrassCut 18V-26

The Bosch EasyGrassCut 18V‑26 landed in third place. The grass trimmer impressed with a good cut and worked particularly precisely around obstacles. Especially around trees, flower beds, or other hard-to-reach areas, the lightweight device can be controlled easily.

The line feed is also practical: Bosch dispenses with the usual tapping of the cutting head found in many grass trimmers. Instead, a bit of line is automatically fed when the switch is pressed.

With the 2-Ah battery used, the Bosch lasted 23 minutes in the test, placing it in the middle range. The fixed shaft, whose length cannot be adjusted, is less flexible. At 81 decibels, the Bosch was also the loudest device in the comparison.

A benefit for users of other garden tools is the battery system: Bosch uses the cross-brand 18V Power for All Alliance. Compatible batteries can thus be used in numerous other devices, such as those from Gardena.

Grass trimmer line spool
How easy is it to change the line spool?
More on the topic

How the test was conducted

The focus of the test was the practical use in the garden. The main criteria were cutting performance, battery life, operation and ergonomics, safety and noise level, as well as features and maintenance.

For the evaluation of cutting performance, the devices had to cut normal grass and lawn edges, among other things. It was also tested how precisely they could be guided around obstacles and how much the cut material was distributed.

To compare battery life as accurately as possible, all grass trimmers worked with 2-Ah batteries of their respective systems under comparable conditions. Additionally, adjustability, balance, vibrations, line feed, workmanship, and cleaning were included in the evaluation.

Conclusion: The top 3 in the grass trimmer test

The Makita DUR193Z secures the test victory. It delivered the cleanest cut in the comparison, was particularly precise to guide, and achieved the longest runtime at 35 minutes. It also operates quietly and is comfortable to hold.

The Einhell GE-CT 18/25-1 is an interesting alternative for those who want to spend a little less. It cuts well, lasts about 30 minutes with a 2-Ah battery, and can be operated with either line or plastic blades.

The Bosch EasyGrassCut 18V-26 completes the top 3. It scores mainly with good cutting performance, light weight, and precise work around obstacles. Those who already own a compatible Power for All battery can save on the purchase.

What really matters in grass trimmers

“A large cutting circle alone does not make a good grass trimmer. In the test, a clean cut, precise work on edges and obstacles, and a decent battery life were crucial.”

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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