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Buying Guide Β· 2026

Best Ryobi Cordless String Trimmer of 2026

KOBy Kevin O'Neil· Updated July 2026· 5 picks compared
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Quick verdict

For most homeowners, the RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13-inch trimmer with a 4.0Ah battery and charger is the easiest cordless RYOBI to recommend. Its head pivots for edging, the auto-feed line means no bumping, and the ONE+ battery works across RYOBI's huge tool range.

πŸ† Our Top Pick
RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger
β˜… Best Overall

RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger

This ONE+ 18V kit is the all-rounder, arriving with a 4.0Ah battery and charger so it is ready to run. The head pivots for edging, a variable-speed trigger gives you control, and the auto-feed line head means no bumping. The adjustable 11-to-13-inch cutting width lets you trade a wider path for longer runtime.

18V Voltage4.0Ah Battery
Check price on Amazon β†’

Best RYOBI cordless string trimmer guide: compare the ONE+ 18V 13-inch trimmer, bare P20014 and 40V attachment-capable model for trimming and edging.

Why you should trust this guide

RYOBI’s cordless lineup splits across two battery worlds, the 18V ONE+ system and the 40V system, and that trips up a lot of shoppers. I wrote this guide to make the choice clear. I read each listing to confirm which platform a tool uses, what is in the box, and whether the feed head is no-bump auto-feed or manual bump-feed. Two of the search results are not RYOBI at all, and I flag those as alternatives instead of pretending they fit the ecosystem.

The practical value of ONE+ is that one 18V battery powers a large family of RYOBI tools, so I weigh battery compatibility heavily. If you already own ONE+ batteries, a bare tool is the obvious save. If you have a bigger yard or want to share attachments with gas tools, the 40V route makes more sense, and I explain that trade-off rather than pushing one answer.

How we evaluated

I compared these trimmers on cutting width, line diameter, feed system, battery platform and voltage, and whether a battery and charger are included. For a cordless trimmer, the feed head matters a lot day to day, so I noted which models use no-bump auto-feed versus a bump-feed reel. I also tracked adjustable cutting width, since a narrower path stretches runtime while a wider one clears faster.

I have not run these trimmers in my own yard, so this is a research-based comparison of documented features, not a field test. Where a listing was thin on detail, like the sparsely described ONE+ model, I said so plainly rather than filling in specs that were not published.

What to look for

  • Battery platform: ONE+ 18V shares batteries across many RYOBI tools, while 40V is a separate, higher-power system.
  • Feed system: no-bump auto-feed is the most convenient, while bump-feed reel heads are simple and easy to reload.
  • Cutting width: an adjustable width lets you choose a wider path or longer runtime to match the job.
  • Edging capability: a pivoting head turns the trimmer into an edger for sidewalks and beds.
  • Included battery and charger: a kit is ready to run, while a bare tool only pays off if you already own compatible batteries.
  • Attachment capability: the 40V model accepts Expand-It and universal attachments to expand into other yard tasks.
  • Line diameter: heavier line such as 0.080-inch handles thicker growth than very light line.

How we test

We base every pick on real-world use, published manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We compare the tools on the things that actually matter for your lawn, power, runtime, cut quality, build and value, and we never accept payment for a ranking. When we have not used a specific model first-hand, we say so.

The picks at a glance

ToolBest forScore
RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/EdgerBest OverallCheck price
Ryobi One+ 18Best ValueCheck price
Ryobi ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/EdgerBest PremiumCheck price
20V Electric Weed Wacker Cordless Edger Lawn Tool 2 X 2.0Ah Best BudgetCheck price
RYOBI 40Also GreatCheck price

The picks, reviewed

RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger
β˜… Best Overall

RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger

This ONE+ 18V kit is the all-rounder, arriving with a 4.0Ah battery and charger so it is ready to run. The head pivots for edging, a variable-speed trigger gives you control, and the auto-feed line head means no bumping. The adjustable 11-to-13-inch cutting width lets you trade a wider path for longer runtime.

Reasons to buy

  • Lightweight design for portability
  • Head pivots for edging
  • Variable speed trigger for more control
  • Compatible with.065 and.080 trimmer line
  • Auto-feed line head

Reasons to avoid

  • 18V has less raw power than 40V for tall, dense growth
  • Runtime is limited by the single included battery
Voltage18V
Battery4.0Ah
Ryobi One+ 18
β˜… Best Value

Ryobi One+ 18

This is another ONE+ 18V lithium-ion trimmer and edger, but the listing carries almost no feature detail beyond being sold on Amazon. It belongs on the platform for anyone committed to ONE+ batteries, though the sparse description makes it hard to compare against the fully specified models.

Reasons to buy

  • Sold on Amazon

Reasons to avoid

  • Listing provides very little feature or spec detail
  • Nearly identical role to the better-documented 13-inch ONE+ kit
Ryobi ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger
β˜… Best Premium

Ryobi ONE+ 18V 13 in. Cordless Battery String Trimmer/Edger

The P20014 is the bare-tool version of the ONE+ trimmer, which is the money-saver if you already own RYOBI batteries and a charger. It keeps the pivoting edging head, variable-speed trigger and no-bump auto-feed, uses 0.080-inch line for durable cutting, and adjusts from an 11 to 13-inch cutting width.

Reasons to buy

  • Works with all Ryobi batteries and chargers (Battery and charger NOT INCLUDED)
  • Head pivots for edging
  • Variable speed trigger for more control
  • 0.080 in. line offers durable cutting
  • No bumping with the auto-feed line head

Reasons to avoid

  • Battery and charger are not included
  • Same 18V power ceiling as the other ONE+ models for heavy weeds
Voltage18V
20V Electric Weed Wacker Cordless Edger Lawn Tool 2 X 2.0Ah
β˜… Best Budget

20V Electric Weed Wacker Cordless Edger Lawn Tool 2 X 2.0Ah

This is a 20V off-brand trimmer and edger, not a RYOBI, included because it appears in the same search. It ships with two 2.0Ah batteries and a charger, folds three ways for compact storage, uses an auto line feed and pivots between trimming and edging. It is a budget alternative rather than a ONE+ tool.

Reasons to buy

  • [Compact Storage and Easy Maneuvering] Designed for modern living, the innovative shaft fo
  • [Powerful Cutting Capacity] Powered by an upgraded motor 9,500 RPM, this 12-inch string tr
  • [Automatic Line Feed] Say goodbye to manual bumping. Our intelligent auto-feed system dete
  • [Extended 30-Minute Runtime] This cordless weed wacker comes with two 2.0Ah batteries and
  • [2-in-1 Functional Design] Instead of switching tools, simply adjust the pivoting head to

Reasons to avoid

  • Not a RYOBI, so it does not use ONE+ batteries
  • About 30 minutes of runtime from small 2.0Ah packs
Voltage20V
Battery2.0Ah
RYOBI 40
β˜… Also Great

RYOBI 40

This RYOBI 40V trimmer is the power step-up. It is attachment-capable, accepting RYOBI Expand-It and other universal gas attachments, and includes a 40V high-capacity battery with a 90-minute charger. The 13-to-15-inch adjustable width and reel-easy bump-feed head suit larger yards and tougher growth.

Reasons to buy

  • Attachment capable: accepts RYOBI expand-it attachments and other universal gas attachment
  • 40-Volt lithium-ion high capacity battery and 90-minutes charger included
  • 13 in. to 15 in. adjustable cutting width for longer run time or wider cutting path
  • Reel-easy bump-feed string head for fast and easy reloading
  • Variable speed trigger for cutting control

Reasons to avoid

  • Uses a bump-feed head rather than the no-bump auto-feed of the 18V models
  • 40V battery is a separate platform from ONE+ 18V tools you may already own
Battery4.0Ah

What to look for

Choose your battery platform first

ONE+ 18V shares batteries with a huge RYOBI range, which is its biggest advantage. Only move to 40V if you need more power or want to run gas-style attachments.

Decide kit versus bare tool

If you already own ONE+ batteries, the bare P20014 saves money. If you are new to RYOBI, buy a kit that includes a battery and charger.

Prioritize the feed head

No-bump auto-feed is the most convenient way to advance line. Bump-feed reels are simpler but require tapping the head on the ground.

Match power to your growth

18V is plenty for regular grass and light weeds, while 40V has the extra torque for taller, denser growth and bigger properties.

Watch out for off-brand look-alikes

Some results in this category are not RYOBI and will not accept ONE+ or 40V batteries. Stick with genuine RYOBI listings for platform compatibility.

Our verdict

For most homeowners, the RYOBI ONE+ 18V 13-inch trimmer with a 4.0Ah battery and charger is the easiest cordless RYOBI to recommend. Its head pivots for edging, the auto-feed line means no bumping, and the ONE+ battery works across RYOBI's huge tool range.

FAQs

Do RYOBI 18V and 40V trimmers share batteries?

No. The ONE+ 18V and the 40V systems are separate platforms with different batteries. ONE+ batteries fit the large RYOBI 18V tool family, while 40V batteries power the higher-output tools.

Which RYOBI cordless trimmer is best for a small yard?

The ONE+ 18V 13-inch kit is a strong fit for small to medium yards. It pivots for edging, uses no-bump auto-feed, and shares its battery with other ONE+ tools.

Should I buy the bare P20014?

Buy the bare P20014 only if you already own RYOBI ONE+ batteries and a charger. Otherwise a complete kit with a battery and charger is the better value.

Can RYOBI trimmers also edge?

Yes. The ONE+ models here have a head that pivots to an edging position, letting you cut clean lines along sidewalks and garden beds without a separate tool.

Is the 40V model worth the step up?

For larger lawns or tougher weeds, the 40V model adds power and accepts Expand-It and universal attachments. For routine trimming on a smaller yard, the 18V ONE+ is usually enough.

KO

Kevin O’Neil didn’t set out to become a leaf blower expert. After a decade working in landscape maintenance, he grew frustrated by inflated marketing claims and tools that failed on real lawns. Seven years ago, he turned that frustration into YardToolLab, where he now serves as Lead Leaf Blower Tester. His focus is simple: test every blower the way a homeowner actually uses it. That means measuring real world runtime, noise at ear level, and how a backpack strap feels after an hour of cleanup. Kevin has personally tested over 50 blowers, from cordless models to commercial grade units. He does not rely on lab simulations. He buys the tools, runs them through mud, wet leaves, and long driveways, then reports honestly. Readers trust him because he has nothing to sell except the truth.

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