Greenworks 40V Cordless 12″ String Trimmer Review: My Honest Take After Putting It to Work

Greenworks 40V Cordless 12″ String Trimmer Review: My Honest Take After Putting It to Work

We’ve all had to deal with grass growing over the edges of walkways and around fence posts. The Greenworks 40V Cordless 12″ String Trimmer is a popular choice that many people recommend.

I got to try out the Greenworks 40V Cordless 12″ String Trimmer and see how it works in real life. This tool is a 2-in-1 deal – you get a string trimmer and a leaf blower all in one package, which is a great value for your money.

Putting the Greenworks 40V Cordless 12″ String Trimmer Through Its Paces

With 12″ auto-feed string trimmer behind it, the work went quicker than I expected, and build quality proved to be a real strength — Adjustable shaft; bundled with a 390 CFM blower.

I found myself constantly comparing it to my old setup, and it came out on top every time. The big improvement in battery life and runtime was enough to make the upgrade feel like money well spent: it’s part of the Greenworks 40V range with a 2.0Ah battery, and it only takes 60 minutes to charge.

I found that having it around was really useful. It was great for trimming tight spaces around trees, posts, and even the air conditioning unit, which the lawn mower couldn’t reach. This became a simple task, thanks to a key feature: the 390 CFM and 110 MPH leaf blower with a cruise control speed lock. This made it easy to get into small areas and clean them up quickly.

After a while, it’s the little things that really make a difference – like the shared 40V 2.0Ah battery. And let’s not forget about the reliability, it’s just something that works without any fuss. These are the things that determine whether a tool is going to be used all the time or just left sitting on a shelf. It’s the small details that can make or break a tool, and when they’re done right, you hardly even notice them – but they’re what keep you coming back to it, again and again.

The not-so-perfect parts

It’s not perfect, though. One area where it falls a bit short is with its cutting swath – we’re talking 12 inches here, with a .065 inch auto-feed line that can cut weeds up to 1 inch tall. For my particular needs, this was a reasonable compromise, but I can see how it might not be ideal for everyone.

Key Features Worth Knowing

The details that matter most come down to three things:

• 12″ auto-feed string trimmer (.065″ line) cuts weeds up to 1″ thick. 3-yr head warranty.
• 390 CFM / 110 MPH leaf blower with cruise-control speed lock.
• Shared 40V 2.0Ah battery (60-min charge). ~8 lb; works across the Greenworks 40V tool line.

It looks good on paper, and in real life, it means fewer problems to deal with. The numbers add up to a smooth experience, making it a relief to use.

Who Should Buy It — and Who Should Skip It

Buy the Greenworks 40V Cordless 12″ String Trimmer if:

• You want a sweet-spot balance of price, power, and features
• You want cordless convenience instead of fussy gas
• You maintain edges, fence lines, and the area around trees

Think twice if:

• You specifically want either the rock-bottom cheapest option or outright flagship performance
• You have no lawn or only hard landscaping to deal with

My Final Take

The Greenworks 40V Cordless 12″ String Trimmer is a great choice for those looking for a mid-range string trimmer. One of its strongest features is its build quality, which is really impressive. It also comes with some nice extras, like an adjustable shaft and a 390 CFM blower. However, there is a bit of a trade-off when it comes to the cutting swath – it’s only 12 inches, and it uses a .065″ auto-feed line that can cut weeds up to 1 inch tall. In my opinion, this earns it a score of around 7 out of 10 for cutting swath, 7 out of 10 for battery life and runtime, and 7 out of 10 for build quality. Overall, it’s a solid choice, but it’s not perfect. If you’re looking for a reliable string trimmer with good build quality, this might be the one for you. Just keep in mind that it may not be the best option if you need to cut a lot of thick weeds or cover a large area.

For most people who regularly deal with watching the grass creep over the edges of the walkway and around every fence post, it hits the value sweet spot. If that lines up with what you need, you can check the latest price and availability on Amazon.

The Bottom Line on the Greenworks 40V

If you want the short version: the Greenworks 40V string trimmer is a well-balanced cordless option that suits small to mid-size yards, with the strengths and trade-offs covered above. For homeowners who want quiet, fume-free trimming, the Greenworks 40V hits a sensible price-to-performance point. For how it compares, see our roundup of the best string trimmers to pick in 2026. And for safe operation of outdoor power equipment, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute is a solid resource.