Backyard Gear Pro

Best String Trimmers for Small Yards & Apartments (2026)

By the Backyard Gear Pro Editorial Team · How we test & rank

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A small, flat yard or an apartment courtyard doesn't need the voltage, weight, or price of a trimmer built for a thick-weed half-acre lot. The job is usually quick edging along a walkway, a patio border, or a strip of grass between a fence and a sidewalk — all tasks where a lightweight, easy-to-store trimmer beats a heavier, more powerful one.

The picks below favor low weight and one-handed control over raw torque, and several double as an edger so you're not buying two separate tools for one small space. Dealing with a bigger lawn, thicker weeds, or woody growth instead? Our best cordless string trimmers roundup covers higher-voltage, higher-torque picks built for that job.

We're linking to Amazon search results rather than specific listings, since exact models, prices, and availability change constantly — use these picks as a shortlist to compare current listings yourself before buying.

How we picked: We compared trimmers suited to small, flat lots and apartment-size spaces by weight, one-handed usability, whether the head converts to an edger, and battery platform, favoring compact, lower-voltage models over the higher-torque dedicated trimmers built for bigger or weedier yards.

At a glance

#PickWhy it stands outPrice
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Easy Feed String Trimmer/Edger (LST300)Top Pickall-around pick for small yards and patios - Converts between trimmer and edger without extra tools, covering both jobs on a small lotCheck Amazon
WORX GT 3.0 20V Cordless String Trimmer & Edger (WG163)Runner-up2-in-1 trimmer/edger for tight spaces - Adjustable head angle switches between trimming and edging on the same toolCheck Amazon
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless String Trimmer, Tool Only (P2008)Best Valueif you already own other Ryobi ONE+ tools - Shares batteries and chargers with Ryobi's wide ONE+ lineup, including its small-yard leaf blowerCheck Amazon
EGO Power+ 13-Inch String Trimmer (ST1300)Also greatbattery power without the bulk of a 15-inch head - 56V ARC Lithium power gives more torque than most compact trimmers at this weightCheck Amazon
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless String Trimmer, Tool Only (DCST922)Also greatlightweight pick on the DEWALT 20V MAX platform - Lighter and simpler than DEWALT's brushless XR trimmer, which suits quick small-yard jobs betterCheck Amazon

The picks in detail

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Easy Feed String Trimmer/Edger (LST300)

Top Pick

9.6/10Editor’s score

Best all-around pick for small yards and patios

  • Converts between trimmer and edger without extra tools, covering both jobs on a small lot
  • Easy Feed line advance skips fiddly bump-feed reloading
  • Light enough for one-handed control along walkways and patio edges

Watch out 20V platform has less torque than higher-voltage trimmers, so it's best kept to grass and light weeds rather than dense growth

Check price on Amazon

WORX GT 3.0 20V Cordless String Trimmer & Edger (WG163)

Runner-up

9.3/10Editor’s score

Best 2-in-1 trimmer/edger for tight spaces

  • Adjustable head angle switches between trimming and edging on the same tool
  • Compact and lightweight, easy to store in a closet or small shed
  • Shares WORX's 20V Power Share batteries with other WORX yard and shop tools

Watch out Lower cutting swath than larger trimmers, so it takes more passes on anything beyond a small patch of grass

Check price on Amazon

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless String Trimmer, Tool Only (P2008)

Best Value

9.0/10Editor’s score

Best if you already own other Ryobi ONE+ tools

  • Shares batteries and chargers with Ryobi's wide ONE+ lineup, including its small-yard leaf blower
  • Light enough for quick edging and touch-ups without fatigue
  • Lower upfront cost since no dedicated battery system to buy

Watch out 18V platform has less power than 40V+ trimmers, so it's best kept to small areas rather than a full yard of thick grass

Check price on Amazon

EGO Power+ 13-Inch String Trimmer (ST1300)

Also great

8.7/10Editor’s score

Best battery power without the bulk of a 15-inch head

  • 56V ARC Lithium power gives more torque than most compact trimmers at this weight
  • Smaller 13-inch cutting swath is easier to maneuver around flower beds and tight corners than wider heads
  • Line-load system skips fiddly bump-feed reloading

Watch out Battery and charger are typically sold separately, so it's best if you're on (or buying into) EGO's 56V platform

Check price on Amazon

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless String Trimmer, Tool Only (DCST922)

Also great

8.4/10Editor’s score

Best lightweight pick on the DEWALT 20V MAX platform

  • Lighter and simpler than DEWALT's brushless XR trimmer, which suits quick small-yard jobs better
  • Shares batteries with DEWALT's broad 20V MAX power tool lineup
  • Adjustable shaft and handle fit a range of user heights

Watch out Sold as a bare tool, and less torque than DEWALT's XR or higher-voltage trimmers in thicker growth

Check price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a good string trimmer for a small yard or apartment?
A lightweight 18V-20V trimmer, ideally one that converts to an edger, is usually plenty for a small, flat lot or an apartment courtyard — you don't need the torque or weight of a trimmer built for thick weeds or a larger property.
Do I need a higher-voltage trimmer for a small yard?
Usually not. Higher voltage mainly buys torque for dense weeds and woody growth over a larger area, which a small, regularly maintained lot doesn't have. See our best cordless string trimmers roundup if your yard is bigger or your grass gets away from you between mows.
Is a combination trimmer/edger worth it?
For a small space, yes — a head that adjusts between trimming and edging covers two jobs with one battery and one tool to store, which matters more on a patio or small lot than the extra capability of two single-purpose tools.
What line diameter should I use in a lightweight trimmer?
Stick to thinner 0.065-0.080 inch line unless your trimmer's manual says otherwise — compact, lower-voltage motors don't have the torque to spin thicker line effectively. See our string trimmer line size guide for how diameter affects cutting power and feed.

Keep reading

Category

String Trimmers Buying Advice

Guide

String Trimmer Line Size Guide: Diameter, Shape, and Length Explained