Radley Cordless String Lawn Trimmer Review: Best Value Lawn Care Tool?

What You'll Learn in the Radley Cordless String Lawn Trimmer Review:

Ever stood back to admire your freshly trimmed lawn, only to notice those pesky, uneven edges mocking you from the sidelines? Funnily enough, I've been there more times than I'd like to admit. That's why, when I got my hands on the Radley 10" Cordless Lawn Trimmer, I knew that the struggles of dealing with pesky outlying grass and jagged lines had been solved! Sure, there are hundreds of trimmers on the market, ranging from $50 to $2000, but none that stand out with the same value that this Radley trimmer brings to the table. So please, stick along and read A Cut Above's unbiased review of the Radley 10" Cordless Lawn Trimmer, and the reasons why we not only recommend, but relate to and use this affordable beast!

Unboxing & First Impressions

Let's dive into what's in the box, how to set it up, and what we think of all that's included.

1. The Unboxing Experience

• Packaging: The box was very straightforward and made from cardboard. Had some tape over the pull tab, and was super easy to open. The cardboard was recyclable which is great, especially if you see eco-friendliness as a top priority!

• For us, we opted to buy the package combo including the battery, so the package contents might vary depending on what you decide on. However, you can expect the trimmer, a 20 Volt POWR+ battery, a detailed manual, twine, charger, and the safety guard with a rotatable wheel.
  

2. Assembly & Setup

• Bim, bam, boom, and it was pretty much done! Really all that is needed for assembly and setup is for you to charge the battery, tighten the handle, adjust the length, and place in a pre-wound roll of trimming string. It's extremely straightforward and might even be easier than building a child's LEGO set.

• As easy as we made it seem, we still do recommend reading the instructions, as you may have a different approach to assembly.
  

3. Design & Build Quality

• $79.99... $79.99! That's the cost of this trimmer. Just think about it, what else can you get nowadays for $79.99? Maybe a fancy meal, a tank of gas, a new video game, or some full property aeration services from A Cut Above Yard Services... ;) However, realistically getting a ready to go out of the box trimmer that is built to last for only $80 is more than a bargain. Let's talk specifics.

• Weight: Weight wise, this machine is pretty much on par. It's not too heavy, only weighing in at about 7.5 lbs. But with that said, some may find it a little too light. For instance, just a few times I felt as if there wasn't enough beef to it, and I found myself holding it too high off of the ground, simply due to the weight or lack there of. A pretty simple solution to this is to just extend the shaft, or upgrade to a bigger and heavier battery, which are both things that I did.

• Design: Now let's talk design. Personally, I like the design of the Radley 10" Cordless trimmer for a few reasons. First is the adjustability. With the options to extend the shaft or rotate & tilt the handle, you're never limited to one way to hold it. The length of the trimmer is about 48 inches, or 4 feet. To some, this may seem a little bit short, especially if you're being forced to then bend your back to get the trimmer low enough. However, as a 5'11 male, I found that the light weight of the machine allowed me to comfortably bend a little bit at certain times, in order to get the perfect edges. Of course, if you're looking to spend $500+, you're going to get a "better designed" trimmer. But for such a compact, maneuverable, easy to use product such as this, $79.99 is a bargain and a half!
  

• Ergonomics: I can't speak for everyone, but I know the feeling of ringing ears, shaking hands, and a broken back after hours of trimming with a heavy, gas trimmer. With this product, you don't have to go through that. In my experience, I did 10-15 lawns over the course of two consecutive days with this trimmer and never once ran into any pain related to using it for an extended period of time. What's even better is the rotatable head that allows for it to be quickly shifted into an edger. Sure, it's not of the highest quality when it's switched to edge mode, but it gets the job done, and it gets the job done well! Plus, it's super easy to do and literally snaps in and out of each mode with the push of a button. The edge mode saves your back and shoulders from constantly rotating the trimmer to a vertical position. The only con, or comment on it would be the wheel sometimes rattles a little too much; but hey, it's an $80 multi tool.

• Material Durability: It's great. That's really all I can say. This was my one and only trimmer for the whole entire 2023 lawncare season. It was used and abused and probably saw over 200 hours of use. The shaft is constructed of metal, and most of the rest of the body is plastic. I've dropped this trimmer onto grass, cement, concrete sidewalks, driveways, pretty much everything. I've never had anything break, nor have had anything bend. Of course there are some scratches from wear and tear, but I'd much rather scratch some plastic rather than metal, since my plastic machinery wont rust! The only "issue" in material durability has been in the head being a little bit shaky when in edging mode. I am sure this can be fixed by tightening a screw. But once again, this machine was pushed to the limits by A Cut Above, a residential and commercial lawncare company. In most cases, people with a small residential lot will be buying the Radley Cordless trimmer and will be using it a couple of times a month. In our scenario, this tool saw more hours than any other tool we used, and still managed to push through, ready to go for another round! Proving it's surprising durability at a super low price point.

Performance Review

Moving on, let's focus on the performance portion of the Radley cordless string lawn trimmer review, and see how it performs in real world scenario's, how long the battery lasts, and evaluate the cutting efficiency.

1. Cutting Efficiency

• Overall, this machine cut very well. When trimming through grass and weeds, I never had any issues. In fact, oftentimes I was constantly checking the string expecting it to be completely frayed, and I was never unpleasantly surprised. One thing that I would say is that it sometimes has issues cutting through larger weeds or even wood-like plants. Of course this isn't something most people would use this tool for, however a more "heavy duty" machine would most definitely cut through some of these bigger, thicker materials I'm referring to. But then again, you'd be looking at spending $400-700 on something like that. So for a small, residential property, the Radley Grass trimmer is all you'd need.
  

2. Battery Life & Charging

• Upgrade. For use at A Cut Above, we were cutting 10 lawns in a day with this machine. With that, we decided to upgrade to the Radley 5.0 AMP batter, which got us through a full day on one charge, being used for about 20 minutes per lawn. For most people, not buying a larger battery shouldn't be an issue, since theoretically you should be able to get "5 lawns" done since it is just under half the size at 2.0 AMP's.

Radley 5

• For the smaller 2.0 AMP battery which is included, it takes just under an hour and a half to charge. For the larger, 5.0 AMP battery which we recommend, it takes just under three hours, which shouldn't be an issue if you charge it overnight or when you don't need it.

• What's nice about these batteries is their POWR+ feauture, which means that this "battery is compatible Radley cordless products with the "POWR+" logo."

3. Noise Level

• The noise level of the Radley 10" Grass Trimmer is very minimal. Since it's electric it does not emit nearly the same amount of noise as any gas powered trimmer. No spec's regarding exact sound output could be found, however the loudest part of use is probably the odd time the string hits something a little too hard, making a cracking noise.

Exact Specifications

• Cutting swath: 10" or 12"

• 0.065" automatic single line feed for continuous trimming

• Shaft quickly rotates 180° to convert from trimmer to edger

• Wire retractable guard helps protect flowers and other delicate areas

• Adjustable auxiliary handle can accommodate users of any size

• Soft grip on handle for added comfort and control

• Easy front button battery release

• Includes 20V Max 2.0Ah removable lithium-ion battery and fast charger (charging time: approx. 70 mins)

• Battery is compatible with many other Radley cordless tools (sold separately)

• Replacement batteries: HH #5350-547 (2Ah) and HH #5350-014 (5Ah)

• Replacement trim line: HH #5073-050

• Replacement charger: HH #5350-013

• Replacement spool cap cover: HH #5073-098

• Approximately: 41.7" L x 6.7" W x 8.5" H

Specifications from Home Hardware

Overall Value

After rigorously testing the Radley 10" Cordless Lawn Trimmer throughout an entire season, pushing it to its limits across more than 200 hours of operation, the verdict is in: this trimmer is not just a tool, it’s a dependable ally for both the professional landscaper and the home gardener. Priced at an unbeatable $79.99, its value far exceeds the monetary investment. When considering its robust design, the versatility of extending the shaft or upgrading to a heftier battery (like the Radley 5.0 AMP battery), and the POWR+ feature that ensures compatibility with a wide range of Radley cordless products, it's clear this trimmer punches well above its weight class.

For those intrigued by the promise of effortless switching from trimming to edging, the Radley 10" Cordless Lawn Trimmer delivers with ease, enhancing your lawn’s appearance without the backbreaking effort typically associated with edging. And let’s not overlook the eco-friendly aspect — from the recyclable packaging to the battery that keeps you away from gas emissions, it’s a win for your yard and the planet. Considering you can keep this trimmer running in top form with readily available replacement parts, like the spool cap cover or the trim line, it’s evident that Radley has not only invested in the durability of their products but also in the sustainability of your lawn care practice.

In essence, if you're seeking a high-performing, environmentally conscious, and budget-friendly solution to your lawn care needs, the Radley 10" Cordless Lawn Trimmer exemplifies exceptional value. Whether you’re tackling the untamed wilderness of a backyard or the precise edges of a commercial landscape, this trimmer is up to the challenge. Check it out [here] and explore compatible Radley products to complete your lawn care arsenal.