The Verdict: For most homeowners, battery trimmers have caught up. The EGO Power+ ST1623T matched our gas trimmer's power in 95% of conditions. Gas still wins for all-day professional use, but the convenience and lower maintenance of battery makes it the better choice for typical residential use.
I ran this test because I was skeptical. I've used gas trimmers for 15 years—they're loud, smelly, and require maintenance, but they work. Could battery trimmers really compete?
After a full season of side-by-side testing in Phoenix, I have my answer. Here's the data.
The Test Trimmers
EGO Power+ ST1623T
$299 with 4.0Ah battery
- 56V Lithium-ion
- 16" cutting swath
- Carbon fiber shaft
- Powerload auto line feed
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2825-21ST
$279 with 8.0Ah battery
- 18V (M18 system)
- 16" cutting swath
- QUIK-LOK attachment system
- Variable speed trigger
STIHL FS 91 R
$379
- 28.4cc engine
- 16.5" cutting swath
- Professional-grade build
- Easy2Start system
Echo SRM-2620T
$329
- 25.4cc engine
- 17" cutting swath
- Speed-Feed 400 head
- Commercial-grade durability
Runtime Test: Who Runs Out First?
This is where gas has traditionally dominated. I timed each trimmer doing continuous heavy trimming (thick Bermuda grass along fence lines) until empty:
| Trimmer | Runtime (Heavy Use) | Runtime (Light Use) | Refuel/Recharge Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| STIHL FS 91 R | 48 minutes | 90+ minutes | 30 seconds |
| Echo SRM-2620T | 42 minutes | 75 minutes | 30 seconds |
| EGO ST1623T (4.0Ah) | 28 minutes | 45 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Milwaukee M18 (8.0Ah) | 35 minutes | 55 minutes | 90 minutes |
The Reality Check: Gas wins on runtime and instant refueling. But here's what matters: how long does trimming actually take?
For my 8,000 sq ft property with 400 feet of fence line, flower bed edging, and obstacles: 18-22 minutes total trimming time. Both battery trimmers completed the job on one charge with power to spare.
Runtime Reality
Unless you're trimming more than 12,000 sq ft or running a commercial operation, battery runtime is sufficient. I tested on 15 residential properties—only 2 required a battery swap mid-job, and those were both over 15,000 sq ft.
Power Test: Cutting Through Thick Growth
I set up test sections of intentionally overgrown Bermuda grass (8-10 inches) and St. Augustine (6-8 inches) to simulate worst-case scenarios:
STIHL FS 91 R
Never bogged down. Cut through everything including woody weed stems. The professional benchmark.
EGO ST1623T
Matched the STIHL in grass cutting. Only slight hesitation on 1/2" woody stems. Impressive.
Echo SRM-2620T
Solid power for residential use. Slightly less torque than the STIHL in thick growth.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL
Good for regular maintenance. Bogged down slightly in the thickest Bermuda test section.
Key Finding: The EGO's 56V system genuinely matches gas power for grass trimming. The Milwaukee's 18V system is adequate for maintained lawns but shows limits in heavy growth.
What Nobody Talks About: Ergonomics
After 20 minutes of trimming, your arms know the difference:
| Trimmer | Weight | Vibration | Noise Level | Fatigue Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO ST1623T | 11.0 lbs | Low | 68 dB | Best |
| Milwaukee M18 | 12.1 lbs | Low | 71 dB | Good |
| Echo SRM-2620T | 12.3 lbs | Moderate | 96 dB | Fair |
| STIHL FS 91 R | 12.6 lbs | Moderate | 98 dB | Fair |
The battery trimmers are noticeably more pleasant to use. No exhaust fumes, significantly less noise (I can wear regular earplugs vs. full muffs), and nearly zero vibration. After a full season, the ergonomic advantage of battery is bigger than I expected.
Maintenance: The Hidden Cost
Over one season, here's what each trimmer required:
Battery Trimmers
- Replace trimmer line as needed
- Occasionally clean debris from head
- Store battery indoors during winter
Time spent: ~30 minutes/season
Cost: $15 (line)
Gas Trimmers
- Replace trimmer line as needed
- Mix fuel (2-cycle oil + gas)
- Replace spark plug annually
- Clean/replace air filter
- Drain fuel for storage or use stabilizer
- Carburetor cleaning/adjustment
Time spent: ~3-4 hours/season
Cost: $45-75 (fuel, oil, filters, plug)
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
EGO ST1623T (Battery)
- Initial cost: $299
- Second battery (optional): $199
- Trimmer line (5 years): $75
- Electricity: ~$15
- Battery replacement (year 4): $199
5-Year Total: $787
~$2.62/use (assuming 60 uses/year)
STIHL FS 91 R (Gas)
- Initial cost: $379
- Fuel & oil (5 years): $250
- Trimmer line (5 years): $75
- Maintenance parts: $150
- Professional tune-up (year 3): $75
5-Year Total: $929
~$3.10/use (assuming 60 uses/year)
Surprise: Battery is actually cheaper long-term for residential use. The fuel, oil, and maintenance costs of gas add up.
Reliability: What Broke?
Over 60+ uses per trimmer across the season:
- EGO ST1623T: Zero issues. The Powerload line system worked perfectly every time.
- Milwaukee M18: One instance of the bump feed jamming. Easy fix.
- Echo SRM-2620T: Carburetor needed adjustment at mid-season. Expected for gas.
- STIHL FS 91 R: Started hard after 3 weeks of storage. Needed new fuel.
The battery trimmers were more reliable in daily use. No fuel issues, no starting problems, no carburetor headaches. Push button, it runs.
When Gas Still Wins
Choose Gas If:
- You're a professional trimming 20+ properties per day—unlimited runtime matters
- Your property is huge (1+ acre of trimming edges)
- You need attachment versatility—many gas trimmers accept edger, brush cutter, pole saw attachments
- You already have a gas equipment ecosystem—same fuel for mower, blower, trimmer
- You trim infrequently—batteries lose charge over weeks; gas starts even after months (with stabilizer)
When Battery Wins
Choose Battery If:
- You're a homeowner with a typical suburban lot
- You hate maintenance—no fuel mixing, no carburetors, no spark plugs
- You have noise-sensitive neighbors—battery is 30 dB quieter
- You value instant starting—push button, always works
- You're already in a battery ecosystem—EGO, Milwaukee, or DeWalt tools share batteries
- You care about emissions—zero direct emissions vs. surprisingly dirty 2-cycle exhaust
My Recommendations
Best Battery Trimmer:
EGO Power+ ST1623T ($299) — The 56V system delivers genuine gas-equivalent power with the best ergonomics of the group. The Powerload automatic line feed is a game-changer.
Check Price on AmazonBest Value Battery:
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2825-21ST ($279) — If you're already in the M18 system, it's a no-brainer. Slightly less power than EGO but excellent reliability and battery compatibility with 250+ tools.
Check Price on AmazonBest Gas (Professional Use):
STIHL FS 91 R ($379) — If you need all-day runtime and maximum power for commercial work, STIHL remains the gold standard. Just accept the maintenance trade-off.
Final Verdict
After a full season of testing, I'm convinced: battery trimmers have matured enough for most homeowners.
The EGO ST1623T matched my gas trimmer in every realistic scenario. It starts instantly, runs quietly, requires almost no maintenance, and costs less over 5 years. For residential use, there's no longer a compelling reason to choose gas.
For professionals running trimmers 6+ hours daily, gas still makes sense—barely. But I suspect in 2-3 years, even that edge will disappear as battery technology continues improving.