Many of the best-selling string trimmers straddle the line between consumer and professional grade tools. They’re great if you have a large property or just love using the beefiest tools available. But if you have a modest yard to maintain or simply want a tool that’s lightweight and easy to store, then you may want to consider something simpler.
The Worx WG163 was one of the standouts when I put together a list of the top string trimmers for 2026. Its lightweight build (at just 5.6 pounds) and ease of use made it a favorite among myself and the friends and family I recruited to help test the machines. The Worx WG163, the Best Value recommendation in our buyer’s guide, was also in the running for most portable—due to its light weight and compact size—and most user-friendly, because of its string feed button and easy spool changing.
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| Weight | 5.62 lb |
| Voltage | 20 |
| Battery | 2.5 Ah |
I've been working in and around the construction industry for decades, as a residential and commercial contractor, and maintenance supervisor. I've used all kinds of gas and electric string trimmers to maintain properties for me and others. Over that time, I've concluded that the best machine for any given person is one that combines price, features, and usability.
For this review I relied on my previous testing, which included edging and trimming progressively thicker weeds, as well as a new batch of tests and trials over the course of two weeks. I used it to clear standard yard growth along fences and to address heavier weeds in unmaintained areas. In edging mode, I used it to clear sidewalks and free flower beds of thick edge growth. I tested it on my own home and took it to other locations where I could test it on different thicknesses of weeds.
I also asked friends to try out the Worx WG163, so I could see how it suited a variety of body types and experience levels. Their feedback on the WG163’s weight and usability provided a reality check on my assumptions— less experienced users preferred the WG163’s lighter weight over larger trimmers that weigh more, even knowing that it meant sacrificing some cutting power.
Through it all, the Worx WG163 delivered consistently strong results, making this a solid option for light to moderate use around your lawn and garden. (If need more power that’s still relatively beginner-friendly, check out the Greenworks ST60L414 in our buying guide.) Where the WG163 really shines is for those users who value a lightweight tool that’s highly portable.
The Worx WG163 is a battery-powered trimmer, with a 10-inch cutting swath using a 0.065-inch diameter line. Converting the WG163 between trimming and edging mode is simple—loosen and rotate the shaft, then manually adjust the angle of the head. I loved that as an edger it rides on two wheels when edging rather than one, which provided more stability.
It did strain when I used it on overgrown sidewalk edges or heavier weeds, requiring multiple passes to make a clean cut. This could be the result of having a single, relatively thin cutting strand. Higher-end trimmers have more powerful motors to drive two thicker strands (often 0.085 or 0.095) and a wider cutting swatch (16 inches or more).
The Worx WG163 has a telescoping body that extends to a maximum of 51 inches. The angle of the off-hand grip can also be adjusted so that you can find a height that’s most comfortable for you. But what impressed me more than the adjustable grip was the ability to retract the tool to a condensed length of only 36 inches. Compare that to the 68- to 70-inch length of a standard straight-shaft trimmer, and you can see why the Worx is so portable. It fits in the trunk of a sedan, allowing for easy transport with no mess or fuss.
I found the Worx WG163 easy to use, but of the volunteers who helped me test, the ones who really loved its ease of use were those who had limited experience with string trimmers. The Worx appealed to them for two main reasons: it’s lightweight, and it simplifies string management.
The lighter weight is a function of the WG163’s construction. Compared to heavier trimmers, the walls of the shaft and handle feel thinner, and the battery is significantly smaller. The trade-off to the lighter battery and materials is that the WG163 doesn’t have the power or durability of pro-grade tools. But if you don’t need professional-level durability, then why carry that added weight around as you work?
The user-friendly string management involves both feeding and replacing the trimmer string. As you use a string trimmer, the string ends wear down; to keep working, you need to feed more string out of the head. The WG163’s “Command Feed” feature makes this process of feeding string as simple as pressing a button. You can advance the string as needed, without mastering the bump feed found on many competing trimmers— smacking the head onto a flat surface while the trimmer is running— which can be daunting for new users.
Of course, sooner or later the string will run out completely. Worx sells replacement spools, so there’s no need to hand-wind replacement string or feed in one short length at a time. Spools aren’t as cost efficient as buying bulk string, but swapping them out is more manageable, especially if you don’t have experience winding string trimmers.
Something I found interesting with the WG163 is that the off-hand grip sits behind the point of balance. This means you need to apply some force on the back end in order to keep its cutting edge horizontal. For me, it made this tool more difficult to use. But some of the users who helped in testing found it more comfortable to handle than a longer straight trimmer. Whether you find it easier or more difficult to use likely boils down to personal preference.
To switch the WG163 to edging mode, simply flip a latch, rotate the head 90 degrees, tighten the latch and manually adjust the angle of the head. It takes only a few seconds once you get the hang of it. In edging mode, the Worx has two wheels on a single axle—a welcome addition—as many edgers use a single wheel, especially convertible trimmers/edgers. With just one wheel, you can have some wobble into the edge line. With two wheels stabilizing the WG163, it’s much easier to keep a vertical line on the edging.
The Works WG163’s string spins in a clockwise direction. (Imagine holding a clock face horizontally in front of you; the string’s spin would match the sweep of the clock hands.) There’s nothing wrong with a clockwise spin on its own, but to convert into edging mode, the head rotates to the left. Rotate that mental clock, so that the 9 is down and 3 is pointed up. Now, as the string sweeps past 12 o’clock it’s moving toward the sky and scattering debris into the air— making a mess and potentially hitting your face.
I expected this to be a bigger problem, but surprisingly little debris threw back at me during testing. The saving grace is the WG163’s especially large debris guard. It keeps the bulk of material from spraying directly back at the user, as it would with a smaller trimmer guard. Still, I’d prefer to see a counterclockwise spin or have the edging conversion rotate to the right; either option would mean that edging debris would be sent safely downward.
The Worx comes with two 20V batteries and a charger. I found the 2.5 Ah batteries were more than adequate to handle the trimming and edging on a quarter-acre lawn. If you’ve already got Worx chargers and batteries, you can pick up just the bare tool version and save some money.
The latest iteration on the Worx trimmer is WG170—which came out after I finished testing – and I’m hoping to review it in-depth in a future article. The main differences between the model I reviewed and the newer model are that the WG170 is a foot longer, and it can fold the wheels beneath it, allowing it to function as a “mini-lawn mower.”
Overall, the Worx WG163 is a fantastic combination trimmer/edger especially considering the price. If you're in the market for a portable or lightweight trimmer and you don't want to be tethered to a cord, it's a great way to cut your weeds to size and keep your edges orderly.
Best Overall
In our testing, the Husqvarna 110iL offered the most complete experience for the greatest number of users. The 110iL excels at being good at everything; it’s not too heavy, has a good battery life, is well balanced, isn’t too loud, it has the power to tackle any chores you’ll find in a typical yard – and it’s on the market at a very competitive price.
The Husqvarna 110iL comes with a dual trimmer/edger head, and you can swap out any other head in the FLXi line, meaning the same tool can function as a leaf blower, pole saw, hedge trimmer, and more.
Best Corded String Trimmer
The Black + Decker Powercommand is a 14-inch trimmer that weighs a little more than 5 pounds. It is limited in range to the length of your extension cord, but if you have a smaller yard, there’s no need to pay for the mobility of a battery- or gas-powered trimmer. The biggest drawback is that it’s noisy, even for a trimmer/edger combo.
The Powercommand’s edging conversion is unusual. Most trimmer/edgers are designed so that the user walks behind the cutting edge, but with the Powercommand, the user walks alongside it. It’s particularly useful for edging curved beds—simply stand in the center of the curve radius and brought the edger around.
Smoothest Bump Head Advance
If you’re thinking of moving to a more robust trimmer, but are intimidated by learning to bump advance, then the Greenworks ST60L414 is the pick for you.
Bump advance (or bump feed) trimmers advance the string by hitting the head on a flat surface while the trimmer is running. It’s made difficult by models with stiffer heads that require more of a whack than a tap. The Greenworks ST60L414 has a particularly smooth, beginner-friendly bump head advance. It really did require just a tap, and never jammed or failed to deploy during testing.
A former residential remodeler and maintenance manager, Dan Stout has worked in nearly every part of the construction and DIY industry, from project planning and permitting to plumbing, drywall, carpentry, and more. He loves to write about the weird history of everyday objects, and to help readers make informed decisions about their homes.
Colin Aylesworth attended Binghamton University and is a Deputy Editor with the Gear team at Popular Mechanics and Runner’s World, where he has been since 2022. Prior to joining Hearst Magazines, he worked for 11 years at U.S. News and World Report on the autos team.
His personal pursuits fit in well with the work he does for PM and RW. Aylesworth was on his college’s club rowing team and has maintained a routine running habit through most of his adult life as a means of getting exercise and spending time outdoors. Running creates a hearty appetite, which brings us to Popular Mechanics. That publication's expertise in the area of grilling is relatable to Aylesworth, who is an adherent to charcoal grilling. In fact, he’s been primarily using the same Weber charcoal kettle he bought on Craigslist in 2012.
Aylesworth also has experience in the lawn mower industry. Not only has he been mowing his and neighbor’s lawns during adolescence, one of his more recent endeavors is a side gig of repairing and restoring gas lawn mowers given up by their previous owners. Since joining PM, he has gotten more involved with the publication’s mower testing efforts and especially enjoys testing out new electric and zero turn mowers.
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