Cordless Trimmer/Blower Recommendation?

[JoeyGee]

I am looking to get a cordless line trimmer and blower. I really don't like messing with gas and dealing with cords is a major PITA. So much that I really hate to use them and my yard goes to crap because of it.

Are there any out there that are worth the money? I really don't have a huge yard. I just want to be able to trim/edge sidewalks, the driveway, trees, etc.

I searched and I found I asked the same question in 2007. At that time I sucked it up and bought corded. I hope the technology and prices have improved since then.

[cabinetman]

I was thinking about getting the Worx GT...
https://worxgt.buytvtools.com/?leads...-be-2101725218

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[Cochese]

I am looking to get a cordless line trimmer and blower. I really don't like messing with gas and dealing with cords is a major PITA. So much that I really hate to use them and my yard goes to crap because of it.

Are there any out there that are worth the money? I really don't have a huge yard. I just want to be able to trim/edge sidewalks, the driveway, trees, etc.

I searched and I found I asked the same question in 2007. At that time I sucked it up and bought corded. I hope the technology and prices have improved since then.

I've been pleasantly surprised with my One+ trimmer. Came with the larger Lithium battery, which more than handles the edging and spot trimming duties. I know at one point they were bundling the blower in with trimmer.

Now if you have large leaves, or they tend to be wet or you're lazy like I am and leave it all until they stop falling, the blower will disappoint. Not sure if it's a symptom of it being cordless, or the Ryobi is just plain gutless.

These were the 18v ones. I'm sure the 40v is better still.

[gerti]

I like my One+ trimmer as well. Researched blowers last year, don't think they are quite there yet. I ended up buying a corded one, since I use it fairly infrequently.

[capncarl]

None are worth the money. For that price you expect a tool that will last many years. If your wife bought a kitchen appliance for that price and it died in 2 years and was useless you would be pissed. It is the same thing here. The batteries are going to die in a couple of years and regardless to how quality of machine you bought, it is trash now. Just like its gas counterpart you just figure that it cost, say $100. and you use it 20 times it cost you $5 per use. That is the cost of ownership, and you throw it away when you get fed up with it and buy another. Sad but true.
capncarl

[cabinetman]

None are worth the money. For that price you expect a tool that will last many years. If your wife bought a kitchen appliance for that price and it died in 2 years and was useless you would be pissed. It is the same thing here. The batteries are going to die in a couple of years and regardless to how quality of machine you bought, it is trash now. Just like its gas counterpart you just figure that it cost, say $100. and you use it 20 times it cost you $5 per use. That is the cost of ownership, and you throw it away when you get fed up with it and buy another. Sad but true.
capncarl

Moneywise that is true. But there may be a cost factor for convenience. I see it that way. If I get a gas model, I'm looking at the problems gas models can present. You need gas, oil, and then mix. You have to pull start, and deal with the noise, and the smell. Not a tool my wife would use.

With electric, you have the cord problem. A battery model just seems so convenient. Just grab it and go to work. Of course, you need a charged battery, and trimmer line. With the Worx, it's free for life.

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[Cochese]

None are worth the money. For that price you expect a tool that will last many years. If your wife bought a kitchen appliance for that price and it died in 2 years and was useless you would be pissed. It is the same thing here. The batteries are going to die in a couple of years and regardless to how quality of machine you bought, it is trash now. Just like its gas counterpart you just figure that it cost, say $100. and you use it 20 times it cost you $5 per use. That is the cost of ownership, and you throw it away when you get fed up with it and buy another. Sad but true.
capncarl

Perhaps I have better luck than you, but my batteries and my tools have been living in my workshop since I brought them home - a drafty, poorly insulated and temperature/humidity controlled building. I've had one lithium battery fail out of six, and that was because I didn't revive it quickly enough after a hard freeze.

****, my NiCds that came with the original set almost five years ago still work fine, and have been through the same torture as the others.

[capncarl]

My main point was that we tolerate some equipment as having to be throw away without question. When you get to looking at it, that is about the only way we could afford a piece of equipment that you grind up dirt with, beat on the ground and saw limbs with. If it was sturdy enough to last what it cost we could not tote it much less afford it. Just like the debate on sliding miter saws, bet better the design the more the cost. You probably will not see many of the B&D Firestorm batteries lasting 5 years. The battery powered yard tools are built for the residental home owner, just like the cheaper gas powered yard tools. The cheap gas yard tools are of little better quality and seldom last much longer. At least there is a commercial line of gas powered yard tools available that will last longer than their cheaper brothers.
capncarl

[cabinetman]

You probably will not see many of the B&D Firestorm batteries lasting 5 years.

Maybe it's a fluke, but my Firestorm/Skil 14.4 LI, still works fine after 5 years.

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[woodturner]

I like my One+ trimmer as well.

+1 on the One+ ;-)

I've had mine several years, works great, wouldn't go back to corded or gas powered.

[JimD]

I bought a new Husky line trimmer last year when my old gas model stopped working. I have lots of mixed gas around because my boat also uses mixed gas. It is noisy but it is also powerful.

I wouldn't worry about about batteries for a 18V Ryobi. I have too much of that equipment to be without batteries. I think I have 3 relatively good ones right now and 1 that will do a little work. I have two drills, one impact driver, a light, a circlular saw, a reciprocating saw and a jig saw.

Jim

[JoeyGee]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I am going to try the +1 line. I think I am going to go with the 18 volt--cheaper and there is a broad range of other tools. I don't need a lot of power for what I need them for, also.

I am going to get both the trimmer and the blower. I know the blower isn't strong, but all I want it for is to blow grass clippings around. One "bonus" I see mentioned is that they aren't strong enough to move mulch when blowing grass clippings out of mulch beds . Even it doesn't work real well, at least I'll have the battery from it.

I will still have my corded trimmer and blower for when the battery powered ones won't do the job.

[JoeyGee]

CMan, make sure you post a review of that Worx if you end up getting it. It looks interesting. I never really considered it.

I did see the free trimmer line, but you do have to pay $8 for S/H.

[capncarl]

Having all one brand of battery tool makes it a lot easier to swap batteries, and easier to justify buying an extra battery and can still keep everything running. The +1 offerings seem better than most and their price beats them all.
capncarl

[JoeyGee]

Took the plunge and picked up the +1 18v trimmer:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-One...i#.UYVUBLXigUo

and the +1 18v blower:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-One...0#.UYVUQLXigUo

I have been very pleased with both in the very limited amount that I have used them. The trimmer has plenty of power for what I need and actually performs as well as the 6+ year old B&D corded trimmer I have. It edged surprisingly well, too. I am still planning on keeping my corded for "heavier" jobs, but I will be plenty happy to use this one 95% of the time.

The blower is a sweeper only and should be marketed as such. I only bought it for clearing off the driveway and beds after I trim, and it should be perfect for this. I would not want to blow any leaves with it.

Both units are LIGHT and very easy to use. It's such a joy to pick them up, put the battery in and go.

Very happy.