Tackling the garden used to mean hauling out an old petrol mower or a variety of unwieldy manual garden tools, but now you can rely on even the cheapest 18V cordless grass strimmer or weed wacker to spruce up your garden with a minimum of hassle!
Strimmers or string trimmers are truly an ingenious design relying on the powerful centrifugal force of the monofilament line or string to literally “lash” through, weeds, grass and other foliage.
It makes short work of tidying up a lawn or border or keeping a patio weed-free. A cordless strimmer is even more convenient meaning that you aren’t tethered while you complete your garden chores.
And if you are looking to purchase the cheapest 18V cordless grass strimmer on the market you’ll be pleased to know that there are some decent models available.
So whether you are looking for a cheap strimmer under £50 or a cordless strimmer under $100 it should be easy to find one of these cheap garden tools online at a very low price.
To get your search started I’ve bought and tested 3 of the cheapest 18v Cordless grass strimmer models around. Read on for reviews of these dirt cheap strimmers and my take on whether or not they are up to the job of tackling your back garden.
If you want to know what to expect from a cheap cordless strimmer, why not watch this review video covering one of the cheapest 18 v cordless strimmer models in the UK?
Table of Contents
3 Popular Cheap 18 v cordless strimmers
1. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer
Product specifications
Power source: lithium battery-powered (cordless electric)
Battery voltage: 20 (18 nominal)
Power: 20 watts
Cutting swathe: 12 inches (30 centimetres)
Speed control: twin-speed
RPM: 5500 / 7200
Line size: 0.047 inches (1.2 millimetres)
Dimensions: 9.25 x 41.33 x 5.74 inches (23.49 x 104.97 x 14.57 centimetres)
Weight: 4.8 pounds (2.2 kilograms)
String trimmer includes:
- Cordless trimmer
- 2x 20V max Lithium batteries (18V nominal voltage)
- 1x charger
- 3m spool of cutting line
- 1x Guard
Colour: black and orange
Function: trimmer and wheeled edger
Warranty: 3-year home-use warranty
Description
For under $100 you can own a very handy easy feed string trimmer that also doubles up as an edger, meaning you can bring untamed areas of your garden like borders and flowerbeds under control.
The Black+Decker brand is reputable so to be able to get a cheap strimmer from them means you should benefit from great value and durability from this tidy cordless strimmer. It comes with two 20 volt batteries and a charger that can be used with other Black+Decker power tools.
Even though this is one of the cheapest 18V cordless strimmers, this string trimmer packs a punch with Black+Deckers Power Drive Transmission.
This feature increases the torque the trimmer can provide for greater cutting power from the string. You can also alternate between greater cutting power or longer running time by switching between the speed settings.
Pros
- Easy to handle: This string trimmer has a soft-grip handle that makes the strimmer comfortable to hold.
- Adjustable: Both the strimmer height and handle are adjustable which makes all the difference in using the strimmer safely for a prolonged period.
- Easy-feed trimmer line: The EASYFEED feature keeps your trimmer string moving so you don’t have to keep stopping to sort it out.
Cons
- The handle can pop out of position: even when it appears locked into place, the handle can come out of position mid-use.
- The performance is not up to more arduous garden clearance: this strimmer is not as effective as a gas trimmer and will struggle to tackle extensive wild vegetation overgrowth. This buy is limited to maintaining your lawn or lighter gardening.
My overall thoughts about the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer
This is not the most powerful strimmer that Black+Decker produces, but it is a reasonable entry-level model with batteries that are compatible with other Black+Decker garden tools. The power of the strimmer is suitable for light garden work.
I give it a 4 out of 5 rating, as it delivers great value for money!
2. FPGT18LI 18V 230mm Cordless Grass trimmer
Product specifications
Power source: lithium battery-powered (cordless electric)
Battery voltage: 18 volts
Cutting swathe: 9.05 inches (23 centimetres)
Line size: 0.065 inches (1.65 millimetres)
Dimensions: 9.25 x 41.33 x 5.74 inches (23.49 x 104.97 x 14.57 centimetres)
Weight: 6.3 pounds (2.85 kilograms)
String trimmer includes:
- Cordless trimmer
- 1x 18V Lithium battery
- 1x battery charging unit
- Strimmer guard and screws
- 1x 1.2 mm×3m cutting line
Colour: green
Function: grass trimmer
Description
This cheap strimmer is under $60 but is only available in B&Q and Argos in the UK. Similar strimmers are widely available online. It is quite basic and intended for trimming grass in small to medium-sized gardens. As you will see in the review video it comes with only a single battery and charger.
It is quick and easy to assemble with a crosshead screwdriver.
This strimmer is lightweight and height-adjustable and the handle can be rotated for edging tasks. The cutting line comes pre-loaded and can be replaced, though this is a little tricky for the first few attempts.
The battery was fully charged at unpacking and provided 40 minutes of continual strimming before needing a 2-hour recharge. It is unlikely that you could tackle a larger garden with a single charge.
The battery slots onto the handle and the strimmer is switched on via a push-button on the handle.
Using this strimmer is straightforward. The trimmer head has a metal bar on the strimmer head to prevent you from getting too close to the wall and snapping the wire. If it is removed to get close, you will snap the wire!
Pros
- Easy to clean: Once the battery is removed, this simple strimmer is easy to clean.
- Adjustable: Once fully extended, the strimmer was a comfortable length for me to work with.
- Lightweight: This strimmer is the lightest of the bunch making it easy to work with for a sustained period.
Cons
- Only one battery is supplied: a single battery will make prolonged sessions with this strimmer a real hassle. Because there are no replacement parts, you cannot purchase another battery.
- No battery light: the absence of a battery light means that you cannot tell when the battery is fully charged.
- No auto-feed on the wire: unlike many strimmers, you have to manually pull out the strimmer string when it snaps. This involves removing the entire reel which is rather fiddly.
- No replacement parts: Other reviewers have mentioned that there are no replacement parts for this strimmer and even replacement reels may be difficult to come by. So when it breaks it is probably heading for the scrapheap!
My overall thoughts about the FPGT18LI 18V 230mm Cordless Grass Trimmer
This strimmer seems to be only up to very light use. It isn’t very powerful and I would give it a rating of 3 out of 5 overall.
If it breaks after 12 months, then its lifespan ends there as there are no real parts available to repair. The lesson with this strimmer appears to be that you get what you pay for! It’s a throw away product for the price.
3. Litheli 20V Cordless String Trimmer
Product specifications
Power source: lithium battery-powered (cordless electric)
Battery voltage: 20 (18 nominal)
Power: 20 watts
Cutting swathe: 12 inches (30 centimetres)
Speed control: twin-speed
RPM: low-speed – 4500 RPM high speed – 6550 max
Line size: 0.065 inches (1.2 millimetres)
Dimensions: 35.6 x 11 x 5 inches (90.42 x 27.94 x 12.7 centimetres)
Weight: 4.5 pounds (2.04 kilograms)
String trimmer includes:
- Cordless trimmer
- 1x 20V max Lithium batteries (18V nominal voltage)
- 1x charger
- 3m spool of cutting line
- 1x Guard
Colour: grey and aqua blue
Function: trimmer and wheeled edger
Warranty: 3-year home-use warranty
Description
This is the most expensive of the cheap strimmers I reviewed, but it still comes in at under $100. Like the Black+Decker strimmer, it is dual-function with the hassle-free edging function that the B&Q strimmer did not have. In addition, the cutting head is adjustable through many angles for precision cutting.
The setup of this strimmer is straightforward and it is height adjustable via its standard telescoping shaft.
The automatic line feed delivers the strimmer line without the hassle of pulling it out.
It only comes with one Lithium-ion battery which does not last particularly long if you use the higher of its two-speed settings. It has a one-hour quick charge and you have the option of upgrading the battery from the 2.0 Ah to a 4.0Ah volt unit.
Like the other cheap strimmers, Lithelo’s strimmer is lightweight and easy to control with a switch-lock for your safety. The strimmer also has a flower guard to protect any delicate foliage.
Pros
- Adjustable cutting head: The range of positions of the angled cutting head makes this strimmer very versatile.
- Twin speed settings: the two speed settings provide the option of using the lower speed setting to prolong the battery life.
- Replacement parts are available: Litheli produces a wide range of garden power tools and can be readily contacted for replacement parts, both on and off warranty. The reel is also easily replaced with a standard wire of the specified diameter (0.065 inches).
Cons
- Only one battery is supplied: a single battery will affect your ability to use this strimmer for prolonged periods of yard work. For a similar price, Black+Decker provide two batteries. Other owners of this string trimmer purchase another power tool in the range to get an additional battery.
- Not very powerful: Though this strimmer has some welcome features, it is not particularly powerful, limiting its use to light garden tasks only.
My overall thoughts about the Litheli 20V Cordless String Trimmer
This strimmer does not deliver as much value and performance as the Black+Decker strimmer but is clearly better than the lower-spec B&Q model. The adjustable cutting head is a stand-out feature but the single battery hampers prolonged use.
I give this strimmer a rating of 3 out of 5.
F.A.Q Cheapest 18V cordless grass strimmer
What are the benefits of having a cordless electric strimmer?
Strimmers are an incredibly versatile garden tool and more than adequate for keeping lawn growth, foliage and weeds under control.
In a small garden, a string trimmer is a great alternative to a lawnmower.
Strimmers can be used for:
- Scything long grass around trees and obstacles
- Tapering grass for a variety of effects
- Screeding weeds on a patio
- Neatly edging your borders
A cordless electric strimmer provides added convenience as you do not need to deal with a long cable. This can be a safer option as a cable can present a trip hazard or become damaged by the trimmer.
How can I clean my cordless strimmer?
The plant juices and leaf material that accumulates on your strimmer needs to be cleaned off so that it does not corrode and damage the strimmer.
Keep your strimmer clean by removing the build-up of grass, soil and other debris that is on the cutting head. Remove the battery and recharge it at the same time. Wipe it down thoroughly with a wet cloth. If your strimmer has metallic surfaces, these can be lightly oiled with regular mineral oil.
Have I got the right strimmer for my garden jobs?
These cheap cordless strimmers are really for light garden work in small gardens. For larger gardens and tougher and more extensive overgrowth, a more powerful string trimmer is needed.
The type of power and motor of the strimmer will determine its performance with heavier garden work. Petrol and mains-powered corded strimmers tend to be more powerful.
Rounding up
As you can see there are a lot of options for cheap battery-powered strimmers. However, these are almost always lower voltage models with a less powerful engine.
When it comes to performance, you really get what you pay for as these strimmers will not be up to the rigours of heavy-duty weed whacking!
