Head-to-head · Best String Trimmers

Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber vs Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12-Inch

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 narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.2). 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.

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 →

Ranked #4 in Best String Trimmers

Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12-Inch

4.2

$129

The Worx WG170 GT Revolution is the best value-tier cordless trimmer for owners of small flat suburban yards who care more about ease and weight than raw cutting power. At 5.5 lb with battery clipped on, it's roughly half the weight of the EGO ST1623T or Ryobi 40V picks above, and it converts in seconds to a wheeled edger or even a mini-mower. The trade-offs are real: T3 noted it chokes on anything thicker than quarter-inch growth, and the 12-inch cutting width forces more passes. For under-quarter-acre yards with maintained grass, none of that matters and the lightness and 3-in-1 flexibility win the day.

Strengths

— Just 5.5 lb working weight makes it the easiest pick on the wrists
— Three-in-one design converts between trimmer, in-line edger, and mini-mower
— Command Feed dispenses line at a button push — no bumping required

Watch-outs

— 12-inch cutting width is the narrowest of any pick here
— Battery life around 30-45 minutes on 4.0Ah pack falls short of larger-format competitors
— Cutting power stalls in anything thicker than light grass or quarter-inch weeds

$129 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12-Inch

Just over a third the weight of the EGO ST1623T (5.5 lb vs 12.6 lb) and a quarter the cost. Forfeits the cutting width and runtime of the Ryobi RY402110, but the 3-in-1 conversion (trimmer / edger / mini-mower) is something none of the other picks here offer. Lighter and quieter than the Black+Decker GH3000 corded pick but with the cordless freedom.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber	Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12-Inch
Power Source	40V battery (6.0Ah included)	20V battery (4.0Ah included)
Cutting Width	15-17 in (adjustable)	12 in
Line Diameter	0.095-0.105 in	0.065 in
Runtime	Up to 67 min	Up to 45 min
Shaft	Straight carbon fiber	Telescopic straight
Weight (with battery)	12.9 lb	5.5 lb
Line Feed	REEL EASY+ 3-in-1 bump-feed	Command Feed (push-button)
Warranty	5-year tool, 3-year battery	3-year limited
Edger Conversion	—	Yes (in-line wheeled)

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