Quick verdict
A steep bank is a footing problem first and a trimming problem second. Work from the bottom and the sides, never standing on the bank, with a straight-shaft trimmer that reaches uphill and a strap that carries its weight. The Ryobi 40V is the best all-round bank trimmer with a blade option; the Greenworks 60V 16-inch has the torque for overgrown banks; the Zero Gravity strap makes either safe for an hour.
Ryobi 40V Attachment Capable String Trimmer with 4 Ah Battery
A bank is trimmed from the bottom with the head swung uphill, which wants a long straight shaft, a wide adjustable swath and a strap mount. The Ryobi 40V has all three, plus a Reel-Easy head for fast reloads, a 13 to 15-inch adjustable width and an attachment-capable shaft for a brush blade on a bank that has gone to scrub. The kit includes a 4 Ah pack and charger.
The best weed eaters for a yard with steep banks: Ryobi 40V attachment capable, Greenworks 60V 16-inch, and the Good Vibrations Zero Gravity bungee strap, compared on reach, torque, weight and safety.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi 40V Attachment Capable String Trimmer with 4 Ah Battery | Best Trimmer for Banks | 8.6 | Check price |
| Greenworks 60V 16-Inch String Trimmer with 4 Ah Battery | Best Power for Overgrown Banks | 8.7 | Check price |
| Good Vibrations Zero Gravity Bungee Trimmer Strap | The Strap for Working a Slope | 8.5 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Ryobi 40V Attachment Capable String Trimmer with 4 Ah Battery
A bank is trimmed from the bottom with the head swung uphill, which wants a long straight shaft, a wide adjustable swath and a strap mount. The Ryobi 40V has all three, plus a Reel-Easy head for fast reloads, a 13 to 15-inch adjustable width and an attachment-capable shaft for a brush blade on a bank that has gone to scrub. The kit includes a 4 Ah pack and charger.
Reasons to buy
- Straight shaft reaches up a bank
- 13 to 15-inch adjustable width
- Attachment capable for a blade
- 4 Ah pack included
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy on a bank without a strap
- Plastic guard
- Bump feed
Greenworks 60V 16-Inch String Trimmer with 4 Ah Battery
Banks grow thick because they are mowed rarely, and the Greenworks 60V 16-inch has the brushless torque for the growth, a 4 Ah pack to finish a long bank and an attachment-capable shaft for a brush blade. Load N Go reloading keeps the stops short on a slope where stopping is awkward.
Reasons to buy
- 60V brushless torque
- 16-inch swath
- 4 Ah pack included
- Attachment capable
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy
- Needs a strap on a bank
- Straight shaft only
Good Vibrations Zero Gravity Bungee Trimmer Strap
On a bank the operator stands on a slope and holds the trimmer uphill, and a bungee strap carries that weight so the arms steer. The Zero Gravity strap absorbs the down-force a fixed strap cannot, claims the trimmer feels 75 percent lighter, connects to most shoulder-mounted tools with a quick clip and has a contoured pad that keeps the load on the shoulder.
Reasons to buy
- Bungee absorbs weight and bounce
- Quick connect to most trimmers
- Contoured shoulder pad
- Frees the arms to steer
Reasons to avoid
- Single shoulder, not a harness
- Bungee stretch takes getting used to
- Must be adjusted per user
Why banks are different
A steep bank cannot be mowed and cannot be stood on safely with a running tool, so it is trimmed from the bottom and the sides with the head swung uphill. That means a long straight shaft to reach, a strap to carry the weight while the arms steer and the feet stay planted, and a motor with torque for growth that gets cut a few times a season instead of weekly. The picks here are two trimmers that reach and a strap that makes either of them safe for an hour on a slope.
This guide is built from the published specifications and manuals of each product and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these products ourselves.
How the picks compare
| Pick | Role | Swath | Power | Blade option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi 40V attachment capable | Trimmer | 13 to 15 in | 40V | Yes |
| Greenworks 60V 16 | Trimmer | 16 in | 60V brushless | Yes |
| Zero Gravity strap | Strap | None | None | Fits most tools |
Ryobi 40V: the all-round bank trimmer
The Ryobi 40V has a long straight shaft that reaches up a bank from the bottom, a swath that narrows to 13 inches for control near rocks and widens to 15 for the open slope, a Reel-Easy head that reloads in a minute and a strap mount. The attachment-capable shaft takes a brush cutter blade for the once-a-year clear when the bank has gone to scrub. The kit includes a 4 Ah pack and a 90-minute charger.
Greenworks 60V 16-inch: torque for overgrown banks
A bank that gets cut three times a summer is thick every time, and the Greenworks 60V brushless motor is built for it. The 16-inch swath covers more slope per pass, the 4 Ah pack in the kit finishes a long bank, Load N Go reloads fast and the shaft takes a brush blade. It is heavy, which is why the strap below is not optional with it.
Zero Gravity strap: the safety item
A fixed strap holds a trimmer; a bungee strap carries it. The Good Vibrations Zero Gravity strap stretches with the swing, absorbs the down-force of a head held uphill and, per the maker, makes the trimmer feel 75 percent lighter. The arms steer instead of lift, the shoulders stay level and the feet stay planted, which on a slope is the difference between a job and a fall. It clips to most trimmers and blowers.
Working a bank safely
Stand on level ground at the bottom or the side and swing the head up the slope in arcs. Cut the top half of tall growth first, then the base. Never stand on a wet bank with a running trimmer, and never trim uphill of a drop. Wear boots with grip, glasses and long trousers. If the bank is too steep to reach from the bottom, cut it from the top edge swinging down, strapped, with a helper nearby. And consider planting the bank with a groundcover so it never needs trimming again.
Which one should you buy
Buy the Ryobi 40V for the best all-round bank trimmer with a blade option. Buy the Greenworks 60V 16-inch for overgrown banks that want torque. Buy the Zero Gravity strap with either.
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
Straight shaft
A long straight shaft reaches up a bank from the bottom. Curved shafts do not.
Strap
A strap carries the weight so the arms steer and the feet stay planted. On a slope it is a safety item.
Blade option
Banks go to scrub. An attachment-capable shaft takes a brush blade for the annual clear.
Battery
A bank is cut rarely and heavily. A 4 Ah pack or a spare finishes it.
Our verdict
A steep bank is a footing problem first and a trimming problem second. Work from the bottom and the sides, never standing on the bank, with a straight-shaft trimmer that reaches uphill and a strap that carries its weight. The Ryobi 40V is the best all-round bank trimmer with a blade option; the Greenworks 60V 16-inch has the torque for overgrown banks; the Zero Gravity strap makes either safe for an hour.
FAQs
Stand at the bottom or the side on level ground and swing the head up the slope. Never stand on a wet bank with a running trimmer.
For the first clear of scrub, yes. For the regular cut of grass and soft weeds, a trimmer with 0.095 line is safer and lighter.
On a bank, more than any other feature. It carries the weight, frees the arms to steer and keeps the operator balanced.
A groundcover such as creeping juniper, vinca or a native grass mix removes the trimming altogether.