The GroWorks 60043 battery-powered weed trimmer is a uniquely designed tool, with its rechargeable Ni-Cad battery housed in a separate case and connected to the trimmer with a cable. The nonstandard two-piece design might not be the best choice for some, but if you can get past the fact that the battery isn't attached to the unit, this trimmer has a few positive points that make it worth considering, most notably its light weight and easy-to-use design.

The trimmer itself weighs about 4.5 pounds, so it's a great choice for trimming on hills, or under decks or lawn furniture -- anywhere one-handed operation comes in handy. It can be awkward to lean or dip wearing the battery pack on your shoulder, though, so we preferred using the waist belt, too, to provide a more secure fit. A fully charged battery will power the trimmer for about 40 minutes.

The GroWorks 60043 battery-powered weed trimmer has a telescoping shaft that can be adjusted anywhere from 37 to 49 inches long. That 9-inch span makes it easy for people of just about any size to comfortably use this tool. And the trimming head pivots, which is another nice feature because it allows you to reach into spaces that are ordinarily tough to access.

This unit isn't technically a string trimmer; it uses snap-on plastic blades instead of line. Although replacing the blades is far easier than going through the usually elaborate spool-replacement process, this design isn't without its challenges. Early users of this product -- including Consumer Guide -- quickly found that the blades eroded away or broke off if they came in contact with anything other than grass or the thinnest weeds. The manufacturer claims that it's licked that issue by using more resilient blades on the latest version of the product.

The GroWorks 60043 battery-powered weed trimmer comes with a 90-day warranty.


Pros: Lightweight, telescoping shaft
Cons: Price, fragile blades

Warranty
90 days