Head-to-head · Best String Trimmers

Black+Decker GH3000 7.5-Amp Corded 14-Inch vs Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.0 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Homeowners with half an acre to two acres who want gas-class cutting and don't already own an EGO battery platform. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best String Trimmers

Black+Decker GH3000 7.5-Amp Corded 14-Inch

4.0

$69

The Black+Decker GH3000 is the steady-power, no-batteries-no-fuel pick for owners of small flat suburban lots within extension-cord reach of an outlet. Top Ten Reviews rated it 4/5 and Consumer Reports has it in their string-trimmer test program. The 7.5-amp corded motor never fades partway through a job — unlike battery picks above, which trade runtime for portability. The trade-offs are obvious: you're tethered to a cord, the line is thinner (0.080-inch), and the curved shaft loses some reach. For under $70 with no battery to charge or fuel to mix, it's the best entry point into the category.

Strengths

— 7.5-amp motor delivers the steadiest continuous power of any pick in this list
— Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) eliminates bump-feed entirely — no button to press
— 6.9 lb working weight is lighter than every battery cordless on this list

Watch-outs

— Corded operation limits range to the length of your extension cord
— 0.080-inch line is thinner than other picks and wears faster in hard material
— Curved shaft sacrifices reach under hedges and along fences

$69 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best String Trimmers

Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber

4.4

$299

Ryobi's flagship 40V HP Brushless string trimmer in the Whisper Series gives you the closest cordless approximation to a 30cc gas trimmer most homeowners will find under $300. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.4/10 and called out over an hour of runtime on the 6.0Ah pack. The trade-off is size — at 72 inches and nearly 13 lb with battery, it's a commitment — but for buyers who want adjustable 15-to-17-inch cut width and the ability to drop in 0.105-inch line for tougher growth, the Ryobi is the sharpest mid-tier value in the cordless segment.

Strengths

— Brushless motor delivers gas-equivalent power roughly matching a 30cc 2-stroke
— Cutting width adjustable from 15 to 17 inches for fast cleanup of large lots
— Carbon-fiber shaft keeps total weight under 13 lb with the 6.0Ah battery

Watch-outs

— Bare tool weight is still close to 9 lb, heavier than smaller-class cordless
— 72-inch overall length can be unwieldy for shorter users
— Higher line draw with the 0.105-inch line option shortens runtime noticeably

$299 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Black+Decker GH3000 7.5-Amp Corded 14-Inch

The only non-battery/non-gas pick in this category — the trade-off is freedom from charging or fueling for the cost of being tethered to a cord. Lighter than the Worx WG170 GT Revolution (6.9 lb vs 5.5 lb battery-included is closer than you'd think) and outcuts it in heavier grass thanks to the 7.5-amp continuous draw. Cuts a wider 14-inch swath than the Worx's 12-inch.

Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber

Slightly outpowers the EGO ST1623T on raw cutting throughput thanks to the 0.105-inch line option, but loses the auto-feed and POWERLOAD spool ease. Far more capable than the Worx WG170 GT Revolution on large or weedy lots, with three times the runtime and a real metal-bodied head.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Black+Decker GH3000 7.5-Amp Corded 14-Inch	Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber
Power Source	Corded (7.5 A / 120 V)	40V battery (6.0Ah included)
Cutting Width	14 in	15-17 in (adjustable)
Line Diameter	0.080 in	0.095-0.105 in
No-Load Speed	7,500 rpm	—
Shaft	Curved	Straight carbon fiber
Weight	6.9 lb	—
Line Feed	Automatic Feed Spool (AFS)	REEL EASY+ 3-in-1 bump-feed
Edger Conversion	Yes (wheeled guide)	—
Warranty	2-year limited	5-year tool, 3-year battery
Runtime	—	Up to 67 min
Weight (with battery)	—	12.9 lb

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