The lightweight, cordless Worx WG184 Power Share 2-in-1 40V Trimmer/Edger could solve your issues. This model is battery-operated, weighs 8.6 pounds, and will run for 20 to 30 minutes before you’ll need to recharge it. It features a variable speed throttle that an average adult can operate with one hand on the trigger, and an innovative command spool feed system, so it’s simple to feed more line with the press of a button. It’s easy to use and cost-effective, as long as you stick with the type of tasks this piece of Worx Power Share lawn equipment was designed to handle. How can I say all this for sure? I’ve been conducting a trial of this cordless electric model on my property. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. And while I’m married to a professional lawn care guy and asked him dozens of questions about weed eater-ology along the way, I have used this particular trimmer/edger myself. I was able to assemble it without much ado, using just a Philips head screwdriver, charge the batteries with the included charger, insert them, and get to work. I used this model to complete tasks like clipping the weeds below our thorny rose bush, and edging the untidy grass along the walkway in our side yard. I couldn’t be more pleased with the independence I have gained via this battery-operated tool. Worx WG184 Power Share 2-in-1 40V Trimmer/Edger Here’s what to expect: A battery-operated weed eater makes sense for people who are aiming to complete a specific type of lawn work. If you just want to slice weeds that are encroaching on the edges of your lawn or walkways, this type of equipment is an appropriate choice. It eliminates the need for long extension cords which are required for the plug-in models, and you can dispense with the noise and fumes associated with gas-powered trimmers, too. But there are certain situations where trimmer/edgers really won’t advance your progress at all, even if they’re powered by gasoline or attached to cords. So before we go any further, I want to spell out a few things about weed eaters. They’re trimmers, not bushwackers. The idea is to use them for repetitive or hard to reach weeding chores. A few examples of what the WG184 can accomplish include clearing crabgrass that constantly reappears in the driveway, tidying the edges of ivy or other creeping landscape plants, weed-whacking the tender ground covers that mound up a modest hillside, or cutting the liriope back in spring when it’s threatening to take over the whole yard. I’m sorry if this is going to burst your bubble, but that’s all, folks. You’ll quickly destroy a trimmer by trying to use it for hardcore jobs like clearing brush from a gulley or cutting scrub from a quarter-acre that hasn’t been mown for years. Nor should you use these types of tools to cut thorny canes, dry tree branches, entire lawns that are larger than 100 or so square feet, or overgrown vegetable gardens at the end of the season. As my husband relayed to me based on decades of experience, a tool like the WG184 might survive one of those jobs, but the duress would run through the battery charge really quickly and use up spool after spool of weed eater line. Trimmer/edgers are built for keeping the edges of the lawn tidy, and weeding spaces where you would be spending hours on your hands and knees and returning to do it again next week if you weren’t using a weed eater. They aren’t for clearing lots – yours or your neighbor’s. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the key features that set this model apart from the competition.
Key Features
I want to start by mentioning that Worx has a good thing going with its Power Share line. This collection of more than 75 models of lawn equipment and power tools can all be powered by the same Worx batteries, be they 20-, 40-, or 80-volt. With the two 20-volt batteries working in tandem to deliver 40 volts of power, this particular weed eater is more powerful in comparison to other smaller electric cordless versions available today, in some cases twice as much. Like most lithium ion batteries, you can anticipate that the two that come with the WG184 will last two or three years before they won’t recharge anymore and you’ll have to purchase new ones. WORX WA3578 PowerShare 20V Lithium Ion High Capacity Battery Another helpful feature is the dual charger that you may receive with your purchase or buy separately. It has a function available for charging a single battery, but it’s best to charge both at once since the power turns off if either battery runs down – they operate together as a unit in this trimmer. If you plan to charge the batteries outdoors, note that this charger works only at temperatures between 32 and 110°F. It stops immediately and flashes red once the temperature exceeds or falls below that range. Indicator lights on the charger flash green while charging is in progress, rest on green when the batteries reach 100 percent, or flash red to indicate that one or both batteries are defective. That translates to longer sessions between recharging, as well as boosted performance within larger areas or when dealing with taller weeds. The WG184 runs for 20 to 30 minutes on a single charge, which the manufacturer considers ample time to trim or weed-eat the edges of a half-acre property. It’s pretty easy to be safe with this model, too. It features a two-stage start, so a “lock off” button keeps the tool from starting unless you first press the lock off button and then pull the trigger that starts the action. The 13-inch safety guard attaches near the business end of the trimmer and prevents debris from flying up to injure the operator. It also covers a blade that keeps the weed eater string to a certain length. When assembled and fully loaded with batteries, the WG184 weighs 8.6 pounds and is 65.77 inches long by 13.75 inches wide by 9 inches high at the housing. The included spool of copolymer nylon resin and synthetic weed eater string is another handy feature, and it’s considered pro grade. The spool is already wound and you simply click it into place after opening the chamber with a push button. The shape of the spool is designed to minimize drag so the WG184 can make cuts more effectively, which also promotes longer battery life during operation. Replacement Grass Trimmer Edger Spool Line Its push button Command Feed™ spool system is another innovative bit of technology you’ll see on the WG184. This proprietary feature is one of my husband’s favorites. It allows you to feed more line merely by pressing a button. You do this while the machine is running until you hear a clattering sound that indicates the line is being cut to the proper length. The WG184 will safely halt the mower when the feed is engaged, and then restart once the line has been cut and is in place for more trimming or edging. While it’s not as light as some of the other Power Share power tools manufactured by Worx, most users will be able to lift it readily. I found I started getting tired of holding the trimmer only towards the end of my first 20-minute weed eating session, and I’m not able to lift more than 40 pounds at a go. A D-grip handle is another ergonomic feature of this model. You can use it to position the trimmer so you can hold it long enough to complete the task at hand. A pivoting head allows you to trim and edge on uneven terrain, like you might find alongside certain driveways. To change the angle of the head, you put your foot on the safety guard and pull up or down on the shaft to position the head at the desired angle. The WG184 also includes a set of detachable edger wheels. They clip on to the main rod of the trimmer easily, making it possible to stand upright and cut a straight edge while you roll the trimmer down a hard surface next to the vegetation you’re trimming. I’ve left the most fun feature for last. This edger includes a variable speed throttle. You can press the trigger to increase the speed when you’re faced with a rougher patch, and then release it bit by bit to decelerate and preserve battery power. That’s a fun activity, and you may find yourself indulging in unnecessary revving the first couple times you use the WG184. I know I did!
Pros and Cons
For my money, the main benefits of the WG184 include its ergonomic features, its relatively long-lasting batteries, its safety features, and the technology that allows you to feed more line using only a push button. I also value the safety features, including the two-step starter and the safety guard. And I appreciate the two-year warranty that can be extended to three years by registering online within 30 days of purchase. The only two potential drawbacks I found are not a big deal. The first pertains to where the motor is located. Having it installed at the end of the trimmer that reaches the vegetation, instead of near the handle, makes it just a wee bit harder to control the motion you use to swipe the trimmer back and forth. If this was a big, heavy, gas-powered trimmer and edger, it would be impossible to maneuver if the motor was close to the ground like that. But since this model weighs less than nine pounds, it’s not much of an issue. Also, that extensive, 13-inch safety guard enhances the reach of the WG184, allowing it to cut in a 13-inch circle without tossing debris into the air. But this can also make it hard to see what you’re trying to cut, since it covers so much area. Again, I’m willing to live with the obscured view for safety’s sake, but it can be a drawback if you can’t remember to first carefully determine where you’re cutting and how much power you’ll need from that fabulous throttle ahead of activating the tool.
Specs
Need a recap before you reach any conclusions about the WG184? Here’s a summary of the specs for this product:
Dimensions: 65.77 inches (L) by 13.75 inches (W) by 9 inches (H) assembled, plus 13-inch diameter safety guardAccessories included: Spool of 20ft weed eater line, edger wheels, 2 20V MaxLithium PowerShare batteries (optional), charger (optional)Safety features: 13-inch safety guard, 2-stage startTrimmer/edger weight with batteries installed: 8.6 poundsTotal product weight with battery charger: 10.7 poundsBattery power type: Lithium ionBattery amp hours: 2.0 AhBattery life: 20-30 minutes, depending on useRecharge time: Around an hourEngine type: Electric motorPower level: 40VManufacturer’s warranty: 3 years with online registration within 30 daysCutting diameter: 13 inchesLine diameter: 0.08 inchesShaft type: FixedHead type for terrain: 90 degrees rotatingEdging capability: Rotating shaft with optional wheel guidePower type: CordlessStart type: ElectricSpeed: Variable speed throttle
It helps me to be more independent, sure, but it’s also gratifying to watch it make a clean cut along the ragged edges near our walks and driveway, or beneath the Knock Out rose bushes where the mower can’t reach. And I don’t have to wait for assistance with minor edging and trimming chores, which eliminates a common source of frustration. My favorite feature is the ease with which you initially assemble the edger using just your hands and a Phillips head screwdriver. One screw? I’ve got this! I also value the push-button ease of engaging the automatic feed on the spool system. My husband will still be using bigger gas-powered models in his lawn care business, but he also loves having this lighter, more environmentally-friendly weed eater to use for the smaller jobs at our house. And he surprised me by being the one to note how lovely it is to trim the edges of the lawn without the usual uproar from a gas-powered motor. “We can even have a conversation while we work,” he added. The hum of the electric motor sounds much like one of our space heaters, and even the whinging of the string as it whirls about slicing vegetation is acceptable. And when I mentioned this model on a Zoom call with my six adult siblings, we all agreed that the interchangeable Power Share batteries were just the kind of practical touch a frugal family like ours can really appreciate. If you’d like to get tidy results on the edges of your lawn, walkways, or gardens, without the heavy lifting or gas fumes, I would definitely recommend the Worx WG184 for an average adult who does their own yard work. Worx WG184 Power Share 2-in-1 40V Trimmer/Edger Choose from tool-only or with two 20-volt batteries and charger included. If you’re considering investing in other lawn and garden hand tools and equipment, or you just want to check out the possibilities, Gardener’s Path can provide expert advice to guide your decision. We’ve got consumer info and reviews of hand tools and equipment that run the range from extra-simple to contractor-quality – and cover options that are battery- or gas-operated, or that run off of electrical cords or good old human muscle power. To learn more about our favorites, check out these gardening gear roundups and reviews next:
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