Consumer Reports’ 2026 brand analysis gives five battery-powered string-trimmer brands scores above Ryobi: Makita, EGO, Worx, Greenworks and Toro. Greenworks and Toro are tied, so neither is uniquely fourth. These are aggregate brand scores—not ratings of every weed eater each company sells.
Which battery string-trimmer brands score higher than Ryobi?
Consumer Reports’ comparison, published July 1, 2026, ranks brands using ratings of battery-powered string trimmers. Here are the scores, from highest to lowest:
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| Brand | Consumer Reports brand score |
|---|---|
| Makita | 85 |
| EGO | 83 |
| Worx | 81 |
| Greenworks | 79 |
| Toro | 79 |
| Ryobi | 78 |
| Kobalt | 77 |
| DeWalt | 77 |
| Skil | 77 |
| Craftsman | 75 |
Greenworks and Toro share the fourth-highest score. The comparison supports naming either among the four higher-scoring positions, but not calling one the sole fourth-place brand. Consumer Reports’ 2026 brand analysis also reports ratings for more than 60 battery string trimmers, with more than half recommended; those product-level counts are context, not the basis for the brand ordering.
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These are aggregate brand scores, not scores for a particular model. Consumer Reports says its statistical model incorporates the Overall Scores of available rated battery trimmers. Those scores reflect performance, ease of use, predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. The brand analysis also accounts for price and convenience features, including a rotating head, telescopic handle, attachment compatibility and a shoulder strap. A brand must have at least three available rated models to qualify.
#1 Best Overall
- [2 IN 1 Trimmer & Edger ] JAGROM 2 in 1 Cordless String Trimmer equipped with a wheel, Just by simply adjusting the Angle of the machine head or the rotation shaft, it can be easily converted from a wire shearing machine to an edge grinding lawn tool. Meet your various needs for different gardening pruning methods and more
- [Powerful Cutting Power and Battery Life] With a no-load speed of 9500RPM and a cutting width of 12inch, the string trimmer helps you to complete the pruning and weeding of your garden and yard with ease. And string trimmer comes with two 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery and 1 charger. You can totally get a 30 minutes working time, can meet your need for complete yard work
- [Foldable & Adjustable] The shaft can be folded at 180° in three directions, which is convenient for storage and saves space. It uses a more ergonomic design, equipped a 90° adjustable cutting head and 180°adjustable auxiliary handle, as well as a 90° Rotatable shaft for you, with a line cut and wheel, you can choose the cutting angle according to the space and complete the pruning work efficiently
- [Portable Installation & Convenient Operation] It only requires simple assembly and then will be ready to use. The ergonomically designed handle provides a comfortable grip and simple operation. Even first-time users can quickly get the hang of it. Equipped with a simple start-up system, no complicated steps are required. Please clear grass buildup under the cutter and avoid contact with hard objects
- [Automatic Spool Line & Customer Care] When the spool line breaks during use, release the switch and then hold down the safety lock button and switch at the same time to restart. The balance slider will automatically sense and start the automatic rope ejection. To turn the unit on, press the safety lock button first and squeeze the trigger and hold it. Please make sure the battery has been fully charged before using
A higher brand score is a useful starting point, not a guarantee that every model from that brand will suit your yard or outperform every Ryobi model. The ranking also does not establish a single best trimmer for every buyer.
What the ranking does—and does not—cover
The comparison is specifically about battery-powered string trimmers. Consumer Reports excluded gas and corded-electric trimmers from its brand analysis because its sample of those types was too small. Do not apply these scores to every gas or corded product sold under the same brand names.
Rank #2
- RAPID RELOAD HEAD: The Rapid Reload head on EGO's cordless weed wacker allows you to quickly and easily load new cutting line.
- EASY CUTTING: With a 15-inch cutting swath and professional-grade 0.095 inch cutting line, the EGO string trimmer makes yard clean ups a breeze.
- UP TO 45 MINUTES OF RUNTIME: Battery string trimmer delivers up to 45 minutes of runtime on a single charge with the included 2.5Ah battery.
- VARIABLE SPEED: Match the speed of the electric weed wacker to your working situation.
- FAST CHARGING: The included 2.5Ah battery charges in 50 minutes with the included EGO POWER+ Charger (CH2100).
“Weed eater,” “weed whacker” and “string trimmer” are common names for this tool category. “Battery-powered string trimmer” is the precise description of the products in this ranking. Consumer Reports’ electric string-trimmer overview says battery models are more plentiful and often perform better than corded models; that general observation is separate from the brand scores above.
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Choose an individual model based on the work you need it to do, not just its brand’s position. Consumer Reports’ brand scores do not provide a current, complete model-and-price comparison for the five higher-scoring brands. Check the listing and model details for:
Rank #3
- [Compact Storage and Easy Maneuvering] Designed for modern living, the innovative shaft folds 180° in three ways for vertical storage in tight corners, apartments, or crowded garages and it’s highly space saving. Featuring a 90° adjustable head and 180° rotatable handle, you can effortlessly tackle slopes, under-bench areas, and hard-to-reach corners, making a uniformly tidy garden
- [Powerful Cutting Capacity] Powered by an upgraded motor 9,500 RPM, this 12-inch string trimmer delivers gas-like power to blast through thick meadow grass and overgrown weeds instantly. Its wide 12" cutting swath clears large yards fast, making it the ultimate tool for efficient lawn care and garden edging. Avoid cutting excessively thick or dense grass to prevent line breakage
- [Automatic Line Feed] Say goodbye to manual bumping. Our intelligent auto-feed system detects line length and automatically dispenses cord as needed, saving your weekend for trimming. If the cord breaks, simply release the trigger, then press and hold the safety lock and switch simultaneously to reactivate. Please keep cutting head parallel to ground to avoid hitting hard objects and line breaking
- [Total 30-Minute Runtime] This cordless weed wacker comes with two 2.0Ah batteries and a charger. Two batteries provide up to total 30 minutes of continuous power which is enough to finish most yard jobs on a single charge. For optimal performance and to protect your investment, please let the batteries cool down for a few minutes post-use before recharging which can extends the overall battery lifespan
- [2-in-1 Functional Design] Instead of switching tools, simply adjust the pivoting head to switch between trimming tall grass and creating crisp lawn edges. Designed for small yards and tight spaces, this lightweight tool handles basic lawn maintenance, keeping your property looking neat and tidy without the heavy lifting
- Model-level rating: Compare ratings for the exact trimmer rather than assuming the brand average applies to it.
- Weight and cutting width: Consider how long you will carry the tool and how much ground you need to cover.
- Battery capacity and runtime: Match the battery setup to the size and density of the areas you trim.
- Kit contents: Confirm whether the price includes a battery and charger or is for a bare tool.
- Battery-platform compatibility: If you own other tools from the same brand, verify that their batteries actually work with the trimmer. Sharing batteries across a brand’s lawn tools can be a useful ownership consideration, but compatibility depends on the specific products.
- Attachments and current price: Check whether the model accepts the attachments you want and compare like-for-like kits at current prices.
For broader electric-trimmer context, Consumer Reports’ 2026 electric string-trimmer guide discusses battery sharing as a potential way to avoid buying duplicate batteries. Its string-trimmer reviews and category overview provide additional category information.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- [Walkway Warrior Combo] - 40V trimmer + blaster system clears overgrown edges along driveways/walkways in half the time, boosting curb appeal instantly.
- [Defeat Thick Brush Invasion] - 12" commercial-grade trimmer (.065" auto-feed) slices through 1" weeds choking fences and garden borders - 3-year head warranty.
- [Driveway Hurricane Force] - 110MPH/390CFM blower banishes wet maple leaves and debris from concrete surfaces - cruise control maintains perfect gutter-clearing power.
- [Universal 40V Power Hub] - 2.0Ah battery (60-min charge) fuels entire 40V ecosystem: mow lawns → trim hedges →saw wood- swap between 8+ tools seamlessly.
- [Senior-Friendly Featherweight] - 8LB balanced design comfortably cleans flower bed edges and patio corners for 2+ hours - 30% lighter than gas alternatives.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
