6 Best Cordless Edgers For Remote Pasture Edges Old-Timers Actually Trust
For remote pasture edges, you need a cordless edger with serious power and durability. We review the top models old-timers trust for battery life and reliability.
That back fenceline, a quarter-mile from the nearest outlet, is a constant battle against encroaching thistle and wire-grabbing briars. For years, the only answer was a heavy, sputtering gas trimmer that you had to haul out with a separate can of mixed fuel. But times have changed, and the best cordless edgers now offer a better way to keep those remote pasture edges clean and clear.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Cordless Power Beats Gas for Fencelines
The biggest advantage of battery power isn’t just about noise or fumes. It’s about readiness. A cordless trimmer hangs on the wall, charged and ready to go for that 30-minute window you have between other chores. There’s no stale gas to deal with, no carburetor to clean, and no yanking a starter cord until your shoulder aches.
For fenceline work, this is a game-changer. You can throw the tool in the back of the UTV with a spare battery and head out to the far corner of the property without a second thought. The quiet operation is a significant bonus, too. It won’t spook your livestock, and you can hear what’s going on around you—a key safety factor when you’re working alone.
The old argument was that battery tools lacked the power to cut through thick pasture grass and woody weeds. That’s simply not true anymore. Modern brushless motors and high-voltage batteries deliver torque that rivals, and sometimes exceeds, their gas-powered counterparts. The real decision is no longer if you should go cordless, but which cordless system is right for your property.
Stihl FSA 90 R: Pro-Grade Pasture Trimming
When you see a professional landscaping crew, you often see Stihl. The FSA 90 R brings that commercial-grade build quality to a battery-powered platform. This isn’t a lightweight, homeowner-grade tool; it feels solid and balanced in your hands, designed for hours of use without causing excessive fatigue.
The real strength of the FSA 90 R is its place within the Stihl KombiSystem. The powerhead is compatible with a wide range of attachments, from pole saws to cultivators. For a hobby farmer looking to get the most out of a single power unit, this versatility is a massive advantage. It streamlines your tool shed and ensures you’re invested in a single, reliable battery system.
The tradeoff is the cost and proprietary nature of the system. Stihl batteries and chargers aren’t cheap, and they only work with other Stihl tools. However, for those who value long-term durability and a professional feel, the investment pays for itself in reliability and performance when tackling tough fenceline growth.
DeWalt 60V MAX: Unmatched Brush-Cutting Power
If your fencelines look more like a jungle than a pasture edge, the DeWalt 60V MAX String Trimmer is your answer. This machine is built for raw, uncompromising power. It’s designed to chew through thick, matted grass, dense weeds, and even small saplings without bogging down. This is the tool you grab when you’re reclaiming an edge that’s been let go for a season or two.
The 60V platform is the key here. It delivers the high-wattage output needed to spin a heavy-duty line or even a brush-cutter blade with gas-like authority. The trimmer itself is robustly built, with a heavy-duty gear case and a solid shaft that can handle the abuse of clearing rough terrain. It’s not subtle, but it is incredibly effective.
That power comes with two main considerations: weight and battery consumption. This is one of the heavier cordless trimmers on the market, and you’ll feel it after an hour of work. Under a heavy load, it will also drain a battery faster than less powerful models. It’s the right tool for demolition, but it might be overkill for simple maintenance.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL: All-Day Fenceline Workhorse
This Milwaukee combo kit provides the power and speed you need for demanding drilling and driving tasks. The brushless motor delivers efficient performance, while the mechanical clutch ensures consistent fastener driving.
For many, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL String Trimmer hits the sweet spot between power and runtime. Its biggest advantage is its integration into the massive M18 battery platform. If your workshop is already full of red tools, adding this trimmer is an easy and cost-effective decision. You can use the same batteries that power your drills and impact wrenches.
This trimmer has more than enough power for typical pasture maintenance, easily handling tall grass and thick weeds. Where it truly shines is its efficiency. Paired with a high-output battery, the M18 FUEL can run for an impressively long time, often long enough to clear an entire multi-acre fenceline on a single charge. It gets up to full throttle instantly, which is perfect for the stop-and-start nature of clearing obstacles around posts.
While it may not have the brute-force torque of the 60V DeWalt for clearing saplings, its sustained performance is what makes it a trusted tool. It’s a reliable workhorse that shows up every day, ready to work as long as you are. This is the edger for the farmer who prioritizes getting the whole job done in one go.
EGO Power+ ST1521S: Balanced Power and Comfort
EGO has built its reputation on smart design and user-friendly features, and the ST1521S string trimmer is a prime example. Its most talked-about feature is the Powerload string head, which lets you feed new line through the head and press a button to have it wind itself automatically. This single feature eliminates one of the most frustrating parts of trimmer maintenance.
Beyond that convenience, the EGO is a remarkably well-balanced tool. The carbon fiber shaft reduces weight and dampens vibration, making it comfortable to use for extended periods. The 56V battery provides ample power for all but the most extreme clearing jobs, and the variable speed trigger gives you excellent control for working around delicate fence insulators or young trees.
The main consideration with EGO is that you’re buying into a dedicated outdoor power equipment ecosystem. While their mowers, blowers, and chainsaws are excellent, the batteries won’t power the other tools in your barn. For those starting a cordless collection from scratch, however, EGO offers a powerful and comfortable system that’s a pleasure to use.
Husqvarna 320iL: Lightweight and Reliable
Not every fenceline requires a brute. For regular maintenance and keeping already-cleared areas tidy, the Husqvarna 320iL is an outstanding choice. Its defining characteristic is its light weight and excellent maneuverability. This is a tool you can use all afternoon without feeling like you’ve been in a wrestling match.
Don’t mistake its light weight for a lack of quality. Husqvarna has a long legacy of building durable outdoor equipment, and the 320iL is no exception. It features a quiet, efficient brushless motor and a simple, intuitive user interface. The balance is superb, making it easy to swing in a wide, even arc for a clean cut.
This trimmer is not designed for clearing a decade of overgrowth. Its power is tuned for efficiency and control, not raw destruction. It’s the perfect tool for the person who prefers to stay on top of the job with frequent, less strenuous work sessions rather than letting things go and facing a massive clearing project later.
Makita XRU15PT 36V: Tough on Overgrowth
Makita takes a unique approach with its 36V String Trimmer, using two 18V LXT batteries to power the tool. For anyone already invested in Makita’s extensive 18V tool lineup, this is a huge benefit. You get 36V power without having to buy into a new, separate battery and charger system.
The XRU15PT is a serious machine with a steel drive shaft and a powerful brushless motor that can be set to three different speeds. This allows you to match the power to the task at hand, conserving battery when trimming light grass and unleashing full torque for thick, woody weeds. It has the feel and performance of a professional gas model, just without the noise and hassle.
This is a direct competitor to the pro-grade offerings from Stihl and Husqvarna. It’s a tough, reliable trimmer that can handle the daily demands of farm life. Its weight is substantial, placing it in the heavyweight class with the DeWalt, but its performance on tough overgrowth makes it a trusted choice for demanding conditions.
Choosing Your Edger: Battery Life vs. Raw Power
There is no single "best" cordless edger; there is only the best one for your situation. The decision ultimately comes down to a fundamental tradeoff between raw cutting power, battery runtime, and user comfort. You can’t maximize all three at once.
Start by honestly assessing your fencelines. Are you reclaiming severely overgrown areas filled with saplings, or are you maintaining a relatively clear edge?
- For pure destruction: The DeWalt 60V MAX is the clear winner. Its power is unmatched, but be prepared for its weight and battery appetite.
- For all-day work and tool integration: The Milwaukee M18 FUEL is the workhorse. Its exceptional runtime and compatibility with a huge tool system make it a practical choice for long days.
- For a balanced, pro-grade feel: The Stihl FSA 90 R and Makita XRU15PT offer professional build quality and performance. Choose Stihl for its attachment versatility or Makita if you’re already in their 18V battery system.
- For comfort and ease of use: The EGO Power+ leads with user-friendly features and low vibration. The Husqvarna 320iL is the top choice for anyone prioritizing light weight and maneuverability for regular maintenance.
Think about your work style. Do you prefer one massive clearing session per season, or smaller, more frequent touch-ups? Your answer will point you toward either a high-power model for the big jobs or a lighter, more efficient model for the routine ones. The right tool makes the work easier, and that’s what good equipment is all about.
Ultimately, switching to a high-quality cordless edger means less time wrestling with equipment and more time managing your pasture. It transforms fenceline maintenance from a dreaded, all-day project into a quick, manageable chore. That’s a trade any old-timer would agree is worth making.
