DeWalt 60V String Trimmer (Tool Only)

I put this 60V trimmer to work the way it’s meant to be used: clearing shoulder-high weeds along a fence line, chewing through ditch grasses after a rain, and tidying up heavy overgrowth around outbuildings. It’s a serious machine, and it feels like one. The power is there, the cut width is big, and when you’re in the thick stuff it behaves more like a mid-size gas unit than a homeowner’s cordless trimmer. It also carries the typical trade-offs that come with that kind of performance.

Design and ergonomics

This is a high‑voltage, brushless trimmer with a motor mounted at the cutting head and a generous 17.5‑inch swath. It accepts both .095 and .105 line; I ran .105 most of the time to reduce breakage in brushy areas. The larger swath is great for productivity, but it does make the tool feel longer and more “sweepy” around delicate landscaping.

The bike-style handlebar setup and included strap make a real difference. Without the strap, the head‑heavy design gets tiring. With the strap properly adjusted and the bar ends level with my hips, I could settle into a comfortable, pendulum-like motion that kept the head floating at a consistent height. If you’re used to single D‑handle trimmers, the twin handles take a few minutes to get used to, but they provide better leverage and control over such a wide cut.

Build quality is what I expect from a heavy‑duty cordless: stout shaft, a large guard, and a head that looks more like a brushcutter’s than a light-duty trimmer’s. The LED status display near the rear handle is a nice modern touch and, as I’ll explain later, actually useful.

It’s worth noting this is a tool-only configuration. You’ll need to bring your own FlexVolt battery and charger. That adds to the total cost and, practically speaking, you’ll want a high-capacity pack to get the most from the platform.

Cutting performance

Power is the headline. On paper, DeWalt says peak torque and power outpace a 36cc gas trimmer with the right battery. In use, it certainly feels on par with a mid-size gas unit. With .105 line, the trimmer tears through tall, dense grass and light brush with authority. In blackberry runners, reed canary grass, and the inevitable mix of weeds along fencelines, it doesn’t bog easily. The 17.5‑inch sweep also means you clear a lot of ground quickly.

I did most heavy clearing in an arc with the left side of the head leading, letting the torque do the work rather than forcing it. The head‑mounted motor reacts instantly to load, which helps maintain line speed through variable material. You can absolutely “mow” with this if needed—ditch banks and pond edges are where it shines.

Precision trimming is a different story. Around ornamental beds, irrigation, and chain-link, the long reach and wide cut require a light touch. The trimmer is capable of being precise, but it’s not as forgiving as a compact 13‑ or 15‑inch unit. If your yard is all stone edging and tight corners, consider whether you want this much swath for every pass.

Noise and vibration

It’s substantially quieter than gas, especially at partial throttle, and there’s very little high‑frequency buzz in the handles. You still should wear hearing protection, but the difference in how your ears feel after 30 minutes is noticeable. Vibration is well controlled; what you do feel is the mass of the head winding up and the inertia of the wide line path when you change direction. Nothing out of line for a tool of this size.

Runtime and batteries

Battery choice dictates your experience. With a high‑capacity FlexVolt pack, I averaged roughly 25–35 minutes of continuous heavy cutting on a warm day using .105 line and a fast cutting pace. In lighter, drier trimming, runtime stretches further. Smaller packs will run it, but they choke the potential of the platform and introduce more frequent cool-down and swap cycles.

Because this is a high‑torque head with a big swath, line selection matters. .105 survives impacts with fencing and woody stems better, but it also draws more current. If you’re strictly maintaining lawn edges and lighter grass, .095 runs cooler and longer.

Thermal management and maintenance

The motor lives at the head, and that has consequences. In wet grass, clippings cling to the vents. If you push the tool hard with the vents clogged, heat builds up and the trimmer will protect itself by throttling back or shutting down until temperatures drop. On a very large job after rain, I tripped thermal protection multiple times at roughly 15–30 minute intervals. A two-minute break to clear the vents and let the head breathe usually brought it back.

This isn’t unusual for high‑power cordless heads, but it’s something to plan for. Two best practices helped a lot:
- Avoid stacking wet grass against the guard; vary your direction so the discharge side can sling clippings clear.
- Every few minutes, give the head a quick tap against your boot or blow the vents out to keep them open.

If you primarily trim small lawns in dry conditions, you may never encounter thermal cutback. If you’re tackling acreage after a storm, keep an eye on the vents and pace the work.

LED display and controls

The LED status readout is more than a gimmick. It provides clear indicators for load/overload and thermal status, which takes the guesswork out of “why did it slow down?” moments. The trigger response is crisp, and overall control is predictable. I’d still like a physical low/high speed selector for battery management on light days, but even without it, throttle modulation is intuitive.

Weight, balance, and fatigue

This is a heavy trimmer for residential users. The weight is justified by the motor and swath, but it’s not a one‑handed, quick‑around-the-garden tool. The strap and bike handles are mandatory for longer sessions. With the strap set so the head just kisses the grass at neutral, I could work longer with less fatigue; without it, the head weight gets old fast. If you’re under average height, the long overall length may also feel unwieldy in tight beds.

Value and warranty

You’re paying for pro‑leaning cordless power, and you still need to add batteries and a charger. If you’re already on the FlexVolt platform, the value calculus improves greatly. If you’re starting from scratch, factor in at least one high‑capacity pack.

The two‑year warranty is serviceable but not particularly generous in this category, and the real‑world value of any warranty depends on service access in your area. I’d prefer to see longer coverage on the motor and electronics at this price and performance level.

Who it’s for

• Great fit: Acreage owners, facility managers, and pros who want gas-like torque without the noise, fumes, or carb maintenance. If your work includes clearing tall grass, ditch banks, fence lines, and seasonal overgrowth, this trimmer is in its element.
• Maybe not: Homeowners with small, detail-heavy lawns, or anyone who needs long, uninterrupted runtime in wet conditions. The wide swath and head weight are overkill for light, precise trimming, and thermal management becomes part of the job when you push it continuously in heavy, damp material.

Recommendation

I recommend the 60V trimmer for users who prioritize cutting power and productivity over compactness and who are willing to manage the realities of a head-mounted motor. It’s a beast in tall grass and brush, the bike handles and strap make it workable for extended sessions, and the LED status display adds useful transparency in the field. Pair it with a high-capacity FlexVolt battery, use .105 line for heavy clearing, and keep the head vents clean—do that and it delivers gas-like performance with far less noise and fuss.

If your yard is small, full of delicate edges, or usually trimmed right after watering, you’ll be happier with a lighter, shorter trimmer with a narrower swath and longer warranty. But if you’ve got ground to cover and want cordless muscle that genuinely holds its own, this one earns its keep.