Greenworks 80V 16 Inch String Trimmer Review: Big Swath, Small Battery

Power First, Battery Second

Greenworks’ 80V platform was built to compete with gas, and this 16 inch string trimmer carries that intent. A brushless motor spins a dual-line head across a 16 inch swath, and the kit includes a 2.0Ah battery with a rapid charger. The trade-off is obvious from the spec sheet: plenty of motor, modest battery.

What follows draws on Greenworks’ documentation and on patterns in owner feedback rather than on our own field work.

Cutting Performance

With 80 volts behind it, the trimmer does not struggle in the situations that stall smaller cordless units. Owners describe clearing fence lines, tall seasonal growth and light weeds without bogging, and the variable speed trigger lets you slow down around delicate plantings. The dual 0.080 line is slightly thinner than the 0.095 some rivals use, which helps runtime but means the line wears faster against concrete edges.

Line Management

The head is a conventional bump feed. Advancing line while working is easy; reloading means removing the spool cap and winding by hand. It works, but after using EGO’s Powerload or Ryobi’s Reel-Easy heads, owners notice the extra effort. Pre-wound replacement spools are available if you prefer to swap rather than wind.

Runtime and Charging

This is where the kit shows its age. A 2.0Ah battery at 80 volts holds the same energy as a 2.9Ah pack at 56 volts, and owners report roughly half an hour of normal intermittent trimming. For a typical suburban lot that is sufficient. For acreage, it is not, and the fast charger becomes the workaround: about 30 minutes to refill, so one spare pack makes continuous work possible. If you already own an 80V mower or blower, the larger packs from those tools fit here and solve the problem outright.

Comfort and Build

The straight shaft is fixed length with an adjustable front handle. Weight is moderate, and balance with the 2.0Ah pack is good. Owners mention the motor is quiet and vibration is low. Build quality is typical Greenworks: sturdy where it matters, with plastic housings that look budget next to EGO or Husqvarna.

Ownership

Greenworks covers 80V tools with a four-year limited warranty, which is generous, and batteries with a shorter term. Owner complaints cluster around battery life after several seasons and the fixed shaft length. Motor failures are rare in the feedback we reviewed.

Setup and First Use

Assembly is a guard, a front handle and a 30 minute charge. The head arrives pre-wound, and owners advise keeping the first session to the lower half of the trigger to learn how quickly 0.080 line wears against fences and concrete. Clearing grass wraps from the head after each session keeps the bump feed working smoothly, and storing the battery indoors over winter preserves its capacity. A second 80V pack is the single upgrade that changes how this trimmer feels to own.

Alternatives to Consider

The EGO ST1623T costs more as a bare tool but adds Powerload and a telescopic shaft. Greenworks’ own 60V trimmers are lighter for small yards. Ryobi’s 40V HP Whisper 17 inch is the quiet choice for Ryobi owners.

Verdict

The Greenworks 80V 16 inch trimmer delivers more cutting power than its price suggests and makes most sense as an addition to an existing 80V setup. As a standalone kit it is a fair buy for ordinary lots, provided you accept short sessions or add a second battery.