Skil 40V 14 In. String Trimmer Kit

I spent a few weeks putting the Skil 40V trimmer to work around a typical suburban yard—fence lines, tree wells, garden edges, and the stretch along the driveway that always gets scruffy. It’s a straightforward, cordless setup: a brushless 40V powerhead, straight steel shaft, 14-inch cutting swath, dual-line bump feed, and a 2.0Ah PWRCORE 40 battery with a 60W charger. What stood out most is how consistently it trims grass and light weeds without drama, and how little fiddling it asks of you once you get the line loaded correctly.

Setup and design

Assembly is painless: attach the guard, slide on and position the auxiliary handle, click in the battery. The handle’s quick-adjust clamp makes it simple to tune the balance for your height, which matters because the tool feels long (nearly 70 inches overall) and you’ll want to get the grip position right. Bare weight is light on paper (just under 6 pounds), but with the 40V pack installed it feels more like a midweight trimmer. Balance is neutral to slightly rear-biased with the included 2.0Ah battery, which I prefer for control near obstacles.

Build quality is solid for this class. The straight steel shaft doesn’t twist under load, and the head’s “Twist Load” rapid reload system feels robust. An IPX4 rating is a nice touch—it shrugged off dewy mornings and light splash without issue. I wouldn’t run it in rain, but normal yard moisture hasn’t bothered it.

Line management: Twist Load and bump feed

Skil’s Twist Load head is the right kind of simple. Cut a length of 0.080-inch line, feed it straight through the head until the ends are even, then rotate the knob to wind it in. No disassembly, no spool direction guessing. The trick is to keep tension on both ends while twisting; do that and the line loads cleanly and evenly. Once loaded, the dual-line bump feed has been reliable. Taps advance line predictably, and the head clears snags with a quick blip of throttle.

The default 0.080-inch twisted line suits this trimmer well. It balances runtime, noise, and cut quality on turf. Heavier line can eat into runtime and isn’t necessary for typical grass trimming. If your yard regularly grows fibrous weeds, stay on the higher speed and keep fresh 0.080 line in the head—cutting performance stays crisp.

Performance and cut quality

There are two speeds: 4,800 and 5,800 RPM. On low, it trims ordinary lawn grass cleanly and efficiently, leaving a neat edge along mulch and stone without chewing up borders. High speed adds bite for taller patches, thicker weeds, and spots where the lawn has crept over pavers. I used high to reclaim edges at the start of the season and then lived in low for weekly maintenance.

The 14-inch swath is a good middle ground—wide enough to cover ground quickly, but tight enough to control near fences and plantings. Clockwise rotation throws clippings to the right, so walking left-to-right keeps debris off your legs and improves visibility of your cutting line. Vibration is modest and the brushless motor spools smoothly; full-trigger starts don’t jolt the tool.

If you’re coming from a small 20V trimmer, you’ll notice the torque bump immediately. Compared to gas, the Skil lacks that last bit of authority on woody stems, but for turf and typical weeds it’s plenty. I didn’t stall it once in normal use; it simply slows if you bury the head in dense growth, which is your cue to lift slightly and let the line do the work.

Ergonomics and handling

The adjustable front handle is key to comfort, and Skil’s quick clamp makes it easy to tweak. I set it slightly forward to lighten the nose for fence work and pulled it back for long passes along the curb. There’s a tab on the shaft for a shoulder strap, but my kit did not include one. After about half an hour of continuous trimming, I started wishing for a strap; the tool isn’t heavy-heavy, but the length and leverage add up. If you plan on sustained sessions, a strap is worth adding.

Trigger feel is good, and the two-speed selector is a simple slide switch within thumb reach. I appreciate the on-battery fuel gauge; quick checks before stepping outside saved me a pointless walk back to the charger.

Runtime and charging

With the included 2.0Ah battery, I averaged around 35–40 minutes on low and 18–22 minutes on high, using the stock 0.080 line. Mixed use (mostly low with bursts of high) reliably cleared a 1/4-acre lot’s trimming chores on a single charge. If you’re maintaining longer fence lines, outbuildings, or reclaiming edges, consider a second battery or stepping up to a higher-capacity pack.

The 60W charger is modest but consistent. From nearly empty to full, I saw charge times just over an hour. Top-offs are faster. It’s not a “sprint” charger, but for a single-battery homeowner setup, the cadence works: trim, charge during cleanup or mowing, then finish touch-ups if needed.

Edging and precision work

This trimmer doesn’t have a pivoting head or dedicated edging mode. You can rotate the tool and edge along a driveway in a pinch, but the guard angle and clockwise rotation throw debris toward you and visibility isn’t ideal. I could clean up soft edges, but the result wasn’t as crisp as a dedicated edger, and it’s not the most comfortable stance. If sharp, vertical edges are a priority, pair the trimmer with an edger or look for a model with a locking edger wheel and head rotation.

For precision around flower beds, low speed and a lighter touch work well. The dual line can scuff thin plastic edging if you hover too close; a steady, shallow sweep gives neater results than trying to carve in one aggressive pass.

Noise, durability, and maintenance

Noise is far lower than gas, and there’s no high-frequency whine some small cordless trimmers have. I’d still wear hearing protection for long sessions, but neighbors won’t notice much beyond the hum. Maintenance is minimal: keep the head free of debris, wipe down the shaft, and occasionally check that the guard screws and handle clamp are snug. The steel shaft and head housing stood up well to routine bumps on chain link and landscape stone.

Value and system fit

As a kit with a battery and charger, the Skil 40V trimmer makes sense for homeowners who want more headroom than entry-level 18V/20V tools without jumping to the cost and heft of top-tier 56V systems. It’s especially compelling if you’re building into Skil’s PWRCORE 40 lineup. Performance-wise, it’s a clear step up from compact cordless trimmers and absolutely yard-ready for weekly maintenance on small to mid-size lots.

What I’d change

• Include a shoulder strap. The mounting point is there; adding the strap would improve comfort for longer sessions.
• Offer a higher-capacity battery bundle option. The 2.0Ah pack is fine for maintenance, but a 4.0Ah kit would better serve larger yards.
• Add a true edging mode. A pivoting head or guide wheel would broaden the tool’s appeal for users who want one tool to do both jobs.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners maintaining turf, edging along beds, and trimming fence lines on small to mid-size lots.
• Anyone prioritizing simple line loading and reliable bump feed over complex head designs.
• Users already invested in or considering the PWRCORE 40 platform.

Who it’s not for:

• Folks who want a trimmer that doubles as a crisp, vertical edger.
• Properties with heavy brush or woody growth; a higher-voltage trimmer or gas unit is a better match there.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 40V trimmer for homeowners who want a no-fuss, cordless trimmer that balances power, runtime, and ease of use. It cuts cleanly on turf, the Twist Load head makes line changes painless, and the two-speed brushless motor gives you control over both cut and battery life. While it’s not a substitute for a dedicated edger and a shoulder strap would improve comfort for long sessions, it’s a well-rounded tool for routine yard maintenance, especially if you’re building into Skil’s 40V battery system.