Quick verdict
Tall wet grass wraps heads, shortens line and stalls weak motors, so this is a job for a 16-inch swath with 0.095 line on 56V or more. The EGO ST1623T keeps its swath full automatically; the Greenworks 80V has the most torque per dollar; the Greenworks 60V kit has the battery to finish. Cut the top half first, then the base, and keep the head moving.
EGO Power+ ST1623T 16-Inch Trimmer with Line IQ
Wet grass wraps the head and shortens the line, and Line IQ answers both by sensing line length and feeding it automatically so the 16-inch swath stays full. The 56V brushless motor keeps 0.095 line spinning through heavy growth, Powerload reloads in seconds and the 4 Ah pack runs up to 60 minutes.
The best string trimmers for tall wet grass: EGO ST1623T Line IQ, Greenworks 80V 16-inch and Greenworks 60V 16-inch with 4 Ah battery, compared on torque, line feed, swath and runtime.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGO Power+ ST1623T 16-Inch Trimmer with Line IQ | Best Overall in Tall Wet Grass | 9.2 | Check price |
| Greenworks 80V 16-Inch String Trimmer with 2 Ah Battery | Most Torque for the Money | 8.7 | Check price |
| Greenworks 60V 16-Inch String Trimmer with 4 Ah Battery | Best Battery in the Kit | 8.7 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
EGO Power+ ST1623T 16-Inch Trimmer with Line IQ
Wet grass wraps the head and shortens the line, and Line IQ answers both by sensing line length and feeding it automatically so the 16-inch swath stays full. The 56V brushless motor keeps 0.095 line spinning through heavy growth, Powerload reloads in seconds and the 4 Ah pack runs up to 60 minutes.
Reasons to buy
- Line IQ keeps the swath full
- 0.095 line on 16 inches
- Powerload reload
- 60 minutes on 4 Ah
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive
- Head-heavy without a strap
- Line only
Greenworks 80V 16-Inch String Trimmer with 2 Ah Battery
Eighty volts through a brushless motor is the most torque in this group, and Greenworks aims it at thick grass and tough weeds with a 16-inch swath on dual 0.095 line and a bump feed head. The kit includes a 2 Ah pack and charger; the pack is small, but the motor never bogs.
Reasons to buy
- 80V brushless torque
- 16 inches on dual 0.095 line
- Bump feed
- Lower price than EGO
Reasons to avoid
- 2 Ah pack is small
- Heavy
- Manual spool winding
Greenworks 60V 16-Inch String Trimmer with 4 Ah Battery
A 4 Ah pack in the kit is what lets this 60V 16-inch trimmer finish a wet, overgrown lot on one charge, with a brushless motor for the torque, Load N Go reloading and an attachment-capable shaft for a brush blade if the grass hides woody weeds.
Reasons to buy
- 4 Ah pack included
- 60V brushless
- Attachment capable
- Load N Go reloading
Reasons to avoid
- Less torque than 80V
- Heavy
- Straight shaft only
Why tall wet grass defeats ordinary trimmers
A missed week and a rainy spell turn a verge into knee-high wet grass, and that is the hardest thing a trimmer does. Long wet stems do not sever at the first touch; they wind around the head, shorten the line and load the motor until it stalls. A 20V trimmer with thin line is useless in it, and even a 40V tool struggles. What works is a wide swath with 0.095 line on a motor with torque to spare, a feed system that keeps the line long and a battery that outlasts a job that draws twice the normal current. The three trimmers here are the strongest handhelds on their platforms.
This guide is built from the published specifications and manuals of each trimmer and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these trimmers ourselves.
How the three compare
| Trimmer | Power | Line | Feed | Battery in kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO ST1623T | 56V brushless | 0.095 | Line IQ auto | 4 Ah |
| Greenworks 80V 16 | 80V brushless | 0.095 dual | Bump | 2 Ah |
| Greenworks 60V 16 | 60V brushless | Standard | Load N Go | 4 Ah |
EGO ST1623T: the swath stays full
In tall grass the line wears fast and a shrinking swath is a bogging trimmer. Line IQ on the ST1623T senses the line length and feeds it automatically so the full 16 inches of 0.095 line keeps cutting, which is the one feature that changes this job. Powerload rewinds a spool at a button, the carbon fiber shaft telescopes and the 4 Ah pack is rated for 60 minutes, which is about 30 in grass this heavy. It is the trimmer to buy for a lot that gets away every summer.
Greenworks 80V 16-inch: the most torque
Eighty volts is the most electrical reserve on this list and Greenworks aims this trimmer squarely at thick grass and tough weeds, with dual 0.095 line on a 16-inch bump head. It does not bog. The kit pack is 2 Ah, which is thirty minutes of heavy cutting at most, so a second pack is the sensible add; the 80V packs also run Greenworks mowers and blowers.
Greenworks 60V 16-inch: the battery to finish
The 60V kit arrives with a 4 Ah pack, which is the difference between finishing an overgrown lot and walking back for the charger. The brushless motor has the torque for wet grass, Load N Go reloads fast and the attachment-capable shaft takes a brush blade if the grass turns out to be hiding brambles. It has a little less reserve than the 80V and a lot more battery.
Cutting tall wet grass well
Cut in two passes, top half then base, swinging the head so the line tips meet the stems rather than pushing the head into the stand. Keep the head moving; a stationary head wraps. Clear wrapped grass from the spool with the battery out. Trim when the grass has dried a little if the schedule allows, and bring a spare spool and a spare pack.
Which one should you buy
Buy the EGO ST1623T for automatic line feed and the best all-round tall grass trimmer. Buy the Greenworks 80V for the most torque at a lower price, with a second pack. Buy the Greenworks 60V kit for the biggest battery in the box and a blade option.
How we research
This guide is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of each product and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these products ourselves; where a maker does not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Torque
Wet grass loads the head. 56V, 60V or 80V brushless motors keep the line speed up.
Line feed
Wet grass shortens line fast. Automatic feed or a quick bump head keeps the swath full.
Line thickness
0.095 line cuts tall wet stems that wrap thinner line.
Battery
Heavy cutting halves runtime. A 4 Ah pack or a spare finishes the job.
Our verdict
Tall wet grass wraps heads, shortens line and stalls weak motors, so this is a job for a 16-inch swath with 0.095 line on 56V or more. The EGO ST1623T keeps its swath full automatically; the Greenworks 80V has the most torque per dollar; the Greenworks 60V kit has the battery to finish. Cut the top half first, then the base, and keep the head moving.
FAQs
Long wet stems do not cut cleanly at the first touch and wind around the spool. Thicker line, higher speed and cutting the top half first all help.
Damp grass, yes; the tools are built for it. Avoid trimming in rain and standing water.
0.095 twisted or square line. Thin line snaps and wraps in heavy growth.
Two passes: cut the top half first, then the base, swinging the head so the line tips meet the stems. Never push the head into the full stand.
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