Quick verdict
EGO's Powerload head winds new line at the push of a button, which removes the single most hated chore in trimming. Add a telescopic carbon fiber shaft with a lifetime warranty and a 16 inch swath, and the ST1623T is the trimmer most battery buyers should start with. This listing is the bare tool, so budget for a 56V battery.
Strengths
- Powerload head feeds and winds line automatically at the press of a button
- Telescopic carbon fiber shaft adjusts to your height and carries a lifetime warranty
- 16 inch cutting swath clears wide strips quickly
- Brushless motor with low vibration
- Up to 45 minutes on a 2.5Ah battery per EGO
Weaknesses
- Battery and charger not included in this listing
- Heavier at the head than small 20V trimmers
- Powerload head still needs 0.095 line cut to length before loading
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
The Trimmer That Fixed Line Loading
Ask anyone who has owned a string trimmer what they dislike most and the answer is rarely the trimming. It is the ten minutes spent prying open a head and winding line in the right direction. EGO’s Powerload system answers that directly: feed a length of line into the head, press a button, and it winds itself. The ST1623T is the current 16 inch model built around that head, with a telescopic carbon fiber shaft and a brushless motor, sold here without a battery.
This review is based on EGO’s specifications and manual together with recurring owner feedback. It is not a YardToolLab field test.
Cutting Performance
A 16 inch swath puts the ST1623T at the wide end of consumer trimmers, and owners consistently describe it as having gas-like authority on tall grass and light brush. The brushless motor adjusts to load, so the head holds speed when it meets a clump rather than slowing audibly. EGO supplies 0.095 inch twisted line, which is thicker than many battery trimmers use and contributes to the cutting feel. For edging along walks the shaft rotates easily and the swath is wide enough to be efficient.
Powerload in Practice
The head takes a pre-cut length of line, roughly 16 feet, threaded straight through. Hold the button and the spool winds in a few seconds. Owners report it works reliably as long as the line is fed fully through and cut square. Advancing line while working is a normal bump feed. The practical result is that people actually keep the line at full length instead of nursing a short stub to avoid a reload, which improves cutting more than any motor specification.
Shaft, Balance and Comfort
The carbon fiber shaft is both lighter than aluminium and backed by a lifetime warranty, and it telescopes so the trimmer fits users of different heights. The auxiliary handle slides without tools. Balance depends on the battery you fit: a 2.5Ah pack sits nicely, while a 7.5Ah mower pack makes the rear heavy. Vibration is low thanks to the brushless motor, and owners who moved from gas routinely mention the reduced arm fatigue.
Runtime
EGO quotes up to 45 minutes with a 2.5Ah battery in normal grass. Trimming is intermittent work, so that figure stretches across a typical property’s edges and beds with room to spare. Heavy brush at full trigger drains packs faster. Any 56V ARC Lithium battery fits, which is why this bare tool is attractive to households that already own an EGO mower or blower.
Ownership
EGO’s five-year limited tool warranty applies, and the Powerload head is a serviceable part. Complaints in owner feedback are few: a minority find the trimmer heavier than expected, and some wish a battery were included at the bare-tool price. Reliability reports are strong.
Alternatives to Consider
EGO’s ST1511T is the lighter 15 inch Powerload model for smaller yards. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Quik-Lok trimmer is the pick for people already on Milwaukee batteries, and the Greenworks 80V 16 inch trimmer competes on swath and price with a battery included.
Verdict
The ST1623T is the best all-round battery trimmer for most homeowners. Powerload alone would justify a premium, and the carbon shaft, wide swath and brushless power make it a complete package. Buy it as a bare tool if you own EGO batteries; otherwise price the kit version.
Full specifications
EGO Power+ ST1623T 16 Inch Powerload String Trimmer FAQs
Thread a pre-cut length of line through the head, hold a button, and the head winds it onto the spool in seconds. It replaces the usual disassemble-and-wind routine.
EGO ships it with 0.095 inch twisted line. Standard 0.095 round or twisted line from other brands works with Powerload as well.
A 2.5Ah pack gives up to 45 minutes and keeps the weight down. If you already own a larger EGO pack from a mower or blower, it fits but adds weight at the rear.
Yes. The telescopic carbon fiber shaft and sliding auxiliary handle let tall and short users set a comfortable reach.
