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Best Battery Whipper Snippers
Battery whipper snippers are now as quiet and lightweight as ever, and come with an abundance of features to pick and choose from. A battery or cordless whipper snipper helps maintain the neat lines made by a garden edger or lawn edger, which is why it’s important to choose the right model that helps you make light work of gardening. Continue Reading...
26 listings
Ryobi 18V One+ OED1850
A slightly more premium offering than the Ryobi 18V One OLT1830, this Ryobi 18V cordless line trimmer features a 220mm blade cutting depth that helps you cut tough grass.
Price (RRP) $179.00
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
Lightweight and easy to use
Long lasting battery
Quiet
- Build Quality3.8 (11)
- Value for Money4.1 (11)
- Ease of Use4.2 (11)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.4 (10)
- Noise Level4.2 (11)
- Safety4.5 (11)
- Battery Life4.0 (5)
- Voltage 18 V
- Cutting Head TypeBlade
- Cutting Width220 mm
AEG ALT18B
With a high power output and a long lasting battery, the AEG ALT18B whipper snipper lets you breeze through your gardening.
Price (RRP) $299.00
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
Comfortable to use
Long battery life
Makes little noise
- Build Quality4.1 (9)
- Value for Money3.9 (8)
- Ease of Use4.2 (9)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.3 (8)
- Noise Level3.5 (8)
- Safety4.4 (8)
- Battery Life4.2 (5)
- Engine TypesLithium-Ion Battery
- Voltage 18 V
- Cutting Head TypeLine
- Cutting Width370 mm
- Line Diameter24 mm
- Noise Level 97 dB
Makita DUR181Z
The Makita DUR181Z quietly powers through the gardening, making it a game changer for smaller-scale yard work.
Price (RRP) $129.00
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
Enduring battery
Simple to operate
Great value for money
- Build Quality4.3 (8)
- Value for Money3.8 (8)
- Ease of Use4.4 (8)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.3 (8)
- Noise Level4.6 (8)
- Safety4.6 (8)
- Battery Life3.0 (2)
- Voltage 18 V
- Cutting Head TypeLine
- Cutting Width260 mm
- Line Diameter1.6 mm
- Noise Level 63 dB
Bosch ART Series · includes 4 listings
If you’re after a lightweight whipper snipper that helps you breeze through simple yard work, the models in the Bosch ART Series might be up to the task.
Price (RRP) $279.00 to $299.00
- Pros & Cons
- Specifications
Straightforward to operate
Weight isn't burdensome
Suitable for precise lawn trimming
Struggles with thicker weeds
Battery not very durable
Blades need to be changed often
- Engine TypesLithium-Ion Battery
- Power94 W
- Voltage 18 V to 36 V
- Cutting Head TypeBlade and Line
- FeaturesEasy / Quick Start
- Cutting Width260 mm
Stihl FSA 65 / FSA 85 · includes 2 listings
Stihl’s FSA 65 and FSA 85 whipper snippers are a go-to for achieving precise lawn edges with little effort.
Price (RRP) $265.00 to $319.00
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
Simple to function and maintain
Durable and quick charging battery
High power output
Motor vulnerable to moisture
- Build Quality3.0 (6)
- Value for Money2.8 (6)
- Ease of Use4.0 (6)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.0 (6)
- Noise Level4.0 (6)
- Safety4.2 (6)
- Battery Life3.3 (3)
- Engine TypesLithium-Ion Battery
- Cutting Head TypeLine
- FeaturesVibration Damping
- Cutting Width300 mm to 350 mm
Why choose a battery whipper snipper?
A battery whipper snipper uses power from either a removable or built-in battery to cut grass and weeds. The motor is usually located at the cutting head rather than the handle (as is the case for petrol whipper snippers).
Pros
- Great for everyday use in your own garden.
- Fully portable.
- Doesn’t emit fumes.
- Doesn’t require ongoing maintenance.
- Relatively easy and quiet to operate, meaning that for some professional gardeners working in residential areas they may be more suitable.
Cons
- Generally have lower power output than petrol whipper snippers, which can make them less suited to heavy duty gardening.
- Must be charged in advance and charged again when the battery is low, making them a bit inconvenient for time-consuming gardening jobs.
Understanding the voltage of your whipper snipper
The voltage (V) of your battery indicates its power. It’s common to see power tools that take an 18V battery, but nowadays there are many models on the market that use batteries from 36V to as high as 82V. Generally speaking, a higher voltage battery means better cutting and trimming performance.
Although battery operated whipper snippers don’t quite offer the same level of power and run time of petrol models, developments in lithium ion battery technology are closing this gap between the two. Also take into consideration that the larger your lawn, the larger your battery will probably have to be.
How long does a trimmer battery last?
If you’re unfamiliar with battery cutting edgers, you may be surprised at their seemingly short battery life. The batteries for these whipper snippers usually last between 30 and 60 minutes of continuous use, and should take anywhere between 30 minutes to 3 hours to charge, depending on your battery and battery charger.
Features
When you’re shopping for a battery whipper snipper or garden bed edger, there are some features you should look out for that can take a lot of the hard work out of gardening.
- Vibration damping: A vibration damping feature steadies the handle of your edger trimmer, letting you hold it without feeling any discomfort from the vibrating machine.
- Shoulder strap: A shoulder strap helps take some of the weight of the machine off your hands, so you can power through large areas without working up too much of a sweat (and also saving you sore muscles later).
- Automatic line system: An automatic line feed system sends out more cutting line when it gets too short, as opposed to a manual feed system that requires you to turn off the whipper snipper and unwind the line.
- Pivoting head: A pivoting head lets you easily change the cutting direction (either horizontally or vertically) so you don’t need to tilt the entire machine.
Ease of use
Battery whipper snippers are generally easier to use and maintain than their petrol counterparts. You can just insert a charged battery when you’re ready to use it and start the motor at the push of a button. They make for a more lightweight whipper snipper.
You should however consider getting a second battery to keep with you, so that if you have a larger yard that needs more than one battery charge, you can easily switch them out - saving you time waiting for your battery to recharge.
The type of shaft on your whipper snipper also affects how easy it is to use.
The different types are:
- Straight shafts: Straight shafts are generally more ergonomic, as you don’t need to stoop to use them - making straight shaft models better suited to taller gardeners or those who need a further reach in their yard work. They’re more expensive, but are easier to service and find parts for.
- Bent shafts: A model with a bent shaft is more affordable and can do the job effectively if you don’t have a large yard or do simple gardening work. It can however be hard on your back over time as you may need to bend a little to use it.
- Split shafts: A split shaft lets you use the same motor to power other attachments for different gardening purposes, saving you valuable shed space.
- Extendable shafts: An extendable shaft gives you extra reach when trimming your lawn.
Cleaning and maintenance
Battery powered whipper snippers are generally easier to clean and maintain than their petrol counterparts, however you should still be aware of what’s needed to keep your machine spick and span before you buy one.
Luckily, you won’t have any fuel spills to clean up, but you will have to clean your machine with a damp cloth. You should keep any metal bits of your machine lubricated to prevent rust, and sharpen blades once a year. Ensure that before doing any maintenance or repair work on your garden tool, you turn it off and remove the battery cartridge.
Safety
When using a battery grass trimmer, ensure you follow these safety guidelines:
- Use ear protection, particularly if you’re going to be using your whipper snipper for a long period of time.
- Wear closed shoes (such as work boots), thick gardening gloves, safety glasses, thick long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Ensure that there aren’t any small children or pets near your work area.
- Check that the line of your tool is in good condition before starting your gardening, and replace it if required.
- Use the machine slowly, with even movements, while watching where you step - large rocks and pot plants can trip you up when you least expect them to.
- Ensure your battery trimmer is dry before you store it.
Price
Battery whipper snippers can set you back anywhere from $80 to upwards of $600, although most of these battery powered tools cost between $200 and $400.