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String TrimmersGuide

Greenworks or DEWALT: Choosing a 60V String Trimmer

Our pick for a 60V string trimmer is the Greenworks 16 inch with a battery included, with a Greenworks blower combo and a DEWALT FLEXVOLT option for different needs.

If you want a 60V string trimmer that runs the day it arrives, our pick is the Greenworks 60V 16 inch, because it ships with a 4.0 Ah battery and cuts a wider 16 inch path. Step up to the Greenworks 13 inch combo if you also want a blower in the box, and choose the DEWALT FLEXVOLT only if you already own DEWALT 60V batteries, since it is sold as a bare tool.

The short answer: which 60V trimmer we would choose

Across these three 60V options, the one that fits the most people is the Greenworks 60V 16 inch. It is the only pick that both includes a battery and gives you the widest cut here, a 16 inch swath, which means fewer passes to finish a lawn and nothing extra to buy before you start. For a buyer who simply wants a capable cordless trimmer and does not already live inside a tool battery platform, that combination is hard to beat, and it is why it stands out as our pick.

Greenworks 60V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer

Greenworks 60V 16 in Cordless String Trimmer

Ships with a 4.0 Ah battery and clears a 16 inch path, so it runs the day it arrives and covers more ground per pass than the narrower models here.

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That said, the right trimmer depends on what else you need done in the yard and which batteries, if any, are already sitting on your shelf. The two alternatives below each win in a specific situation, so it is worth reading past the headline before you decide.

When each pick is the better choice

The Greenworks 60V 16 inch is the all rounder. It arrives with a 4.0 Ah battery, so there is no separate purchase to get moving, and the 16 inch cutting width makes short work of open lawn and long edges. If you are buying your first serious cordless trimmer and want the least friction, this is the one we would reach for.

The Greenworks 60V 13 inch trimmer and blower combo is for the person who needs two jobs handled. It pairs a 13 inch trimmer with a 540 CFM blower and still includes a 4.0 Ah battery, so you can trim the grass and then clear the clippings off the drive without switching platforms. The trade is a narrower 13 inch cut, which is actually easier to steer around beds and fence posts but means a few more passes on wide lawn. If a blower is on your list anyway, buying the pair together is the sensible move.

The DEWALT DCST970B FLEXVOLT 60V MAX is the specialist. It is sold tool only, with no battery in the box, so it makes sense almost entirely for people who already own DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V batteries from a drill, saw or other tool. For that buyer it is an easy add, because the battery and charger are already paid for. For a first time buyer with no DEWALT batteries, remember you still need to buy a 60V pack before it will run, so weigh that in.

What actually matters with a 60V trimmer, and what to ignore

The number on the box, 60 volts, mostly tells you these sit in the higher power tier of cordless trimmers rather than the lighter 20 and 40 volt class. That extra headroom helps in thicker growth, but voltage alone is not a reason to pick one 60V tool over another, since all three here share it. The decisions that actually change your day to day experience are simpler: is a battery included, how wide is the cut, and do you need a second tool like a blower.

On trimmer line, the honest answer is to let the tool decide. The line diameter and the loading method a trimmer accepts are set by its cutting head, not by a general rule, so the right size is whatever the maker lists for your exact model. Before you buy spools, open the manual or the product page for the head on your trimmer and match the line to that spec. Running line that is too thick can bog the head or jam the feed, and line that is too thin wears out fast, so this is one place to follow the maker instructions rather than guess. The same goes for whether the head takes pre cut lengths or a wound spool.

A few things get more attention than they deserve. Headline run time figures assume light, steady cutting and rarely match a yard full of heavy weeds, so treat them as a rough guide, not a promise. Cross brand battery claims are also a distraction, because a DEWALT pack will not run a Greenworks tool and the reverse is just as true. Pick the platform first, then the tool. If you are also looking after a boundary of shrubs, our hedge trimmers guide covers the matching cordless options so you can keep one battery family across jobs where that is possible.

Whichever you choose, treat it as the powered cutting tool it is. Wear eye and ear protection and sturdy footwear, keep bystanders and pets clear of thrown debris, follow the maker instructions for loading line and charging the battery, and check any local codes or permits that apply to noise or where you can work. None of that is exciting, but it is the part that keeps a simple chore from turning into an injury.

How the three compare

Line them up and the split is clear. The Greenworks 16 inch is the ready to run generalist: battery included, widest cut, nothing else to buy. The Greenworks 13 inch combo trades cut width for versatility, adding a 540 CFM blower and still including a battery, which makes it the value play for anyone who wants both tools in one order. The DEWALT FLEXVOLT is the ecosystem pick, a capable bare tool that only makes financial sense once you already own the batteries.

Put another way, start from your shelf. If it is empty of compatible batteries, one of the two Greenworks options is the practical choice because they come with a pack. If it already holds DEWALT 60V FLEXVOLT batteries, the DEWALT closes the gap at the lowest extra outlay. And if you know a blower is coming anyway, the combo saves you a second shopping trip. You can see all of these side by side in our 60V string trimmer hub whenever you want to revisit the lineup.

Our honest verdict

For most people the Greenworks 60V 16 inch is the one we would choose. It removes the two biggest friction points of a cordless trimmer, a missing battery and a narrow cut, and it does so without asking you to already own a tool platform. That is why it is our pick for a first 60V trimmer or a straightforward replacement.

If your needs are a little different, the other two are not compromises so much as different jobs. Choose the Greenworks 13 inch combo when a blower belongs on the same receipt and you are happy to trade a little cut width for maneuverability. Choose the DEWALT FLEXVOLT when your garage already runs on DEWALT 60V packs and you simply want to add a trimmer to the set. Match the tool to your yard and your batteries, follow the maker instructions on line size and safety gear, and any of the three will handle a season of edging and trimming without drama.

Common questions

What line size and type should a 60V trimmer use?

There is no single answer, because the correct line diameter and loading style are set by your trimmer head, not by the voltage. Check the manual or product page for your exact model and match the line to the maker spec. The wrong size can jam the feed or wear out quickly.

Does the Greenworks 60V 16 inch come with a battery?

Yes. The listing for the Greenworks 60V 16 inch includes a 4.0 Ah battery, so it is ready to run without a separate battery purchase.

Is the DEWALT DCST970B sold with a battery?

No. The DEWALT DCST970B FLEXVOLT is a tool only listing with no battery in the box. You need a compatible DEWALT 60V FLEXVOLT battery and charger to run it, which is why it suits people already in the DEWALT platform.

Which of these has the widest cutting width?

The Greenworks 60V 16 inch has the widest cut at 16 inches, compared with the 13 inch width of the Greenworks combo. A wider cut means fewer passes on open lawn.

Which should I buy if I also need a blower?

The Greenworks 60V 13 inch combo pairs the trimmer with a 540 CFM blower and includes a battery, so it is the one to pick when you want both tools in a single order.

Can I share one battery across Greenworks and DEWALT?

No. Batteries are brand specific. A DEWALT FLEXVOLT pack will not power a Greenworks tool and the reverse is also true, so choose your platform first and then the tool.

Is 60V enough power for thick weeds?

A 60V trimmer sits in the higher power tier of cordless tools, which helps in heavier growth. Results still depend on using the right line and technique, so follow the maker instructions and wear eye, ear and foot protection.