DeWalt 0.015 in. x 180 ft Trimmer Line

Why I reached for this line

After a season of swapping between bargain spools and premium cords, I wanted a line that played nicely with cordless trimmers without feeling like I was constantly bump-feeding or stopping to re-spool. The DeWalt trimmer line (model DWO1DT101) promised an aerodynamic profile and impact resistance, so I loaded it into two bump-heads—one on a 20V brushless trimmer and another on a 60V—then put it through mixed residential work: lawn edging, fence-line cleanup, tall weeds around a drainage swale, and the occasional gravel border where lesser line tends to vanish.

First impressions and what’s in the box

It’s a single 180‑ft coil in a plastic canister, enough for multiple refills. The line carries DeWalt’s black/yellow coloring and an aerodynamic cross-section that’s slightly streamlined rather than a classic square or star profile. The spool container is basic—no instructions—but there’s a center feed port. I poked the free end through that port and left the rest in the canister; that kept it from turning into a bird’s nest in the truck.

One important note on sizing: the diameter is listed as 0.015 in in some materials and 0.105 in elsewhere. In hand, my spool measured out as a heavy-duty 0.105 in, which matches what most commercial/bigger residential bump heads accept. If your trimmer head is designed for 0.080 or 0.095 in, verify compatibility before you buy. The model number is DWO1DT101 if you’re cross-checking against your head’s spec sheet.

Setup and spool management

Winding went smoothly. On both heads, I cut roughly 20–25 ft per refill, which gave me a full, even wind without binding. The line has a touch of stiffness when new; that’s helpful for feeding through eyelets but does mean you’ll want to pre-bend the first inch to make insertion easier. As with any thicker line, don’t overstuff the spool—leave a few millimeters below the rim and keep the wraps tight and parallel. That reduced any chance of the line “self-feeding” on bumps.

A quick tip: if you commonly store line in a hot garage, moving it indoors or giving a fresh length a brief soak in water before winding can reduce memory and make it less springy. I did this for the second refill and it helped the wraps lay down tidier.

Cutting performance

On turf edging along concrete, the line leaves a crisp edge without tearing the grass crown. The aerodynamic profile seems to cut with less whistling and slightly less drag than comparable square lines I’ve used. Through typical lawn grass and light weeds, it trims cleanly at lower RPMs, which is exactly what I want from a cordless-friendly line.

Where it separates itself is in the tougher stuff. Around the swale, I pushed it into thigh-high grass, seed-stem clumps, and the occasional woody volunteer. The line didn’t feather apart immediately as many round profiles do; it retained a usable tip longer, so I wasn’t bumping constantly. Around chain-link fence, it held up for a reasonable stretch before sacrificing the outer edges. It’s not magic—metal, rock, and concrete will still chew—but the wear rate felt slower than average for a 0.105-in line with a smooth profile.

I also liked how predictable it was near brittle surfaces. Some aggressive square or star lines can chip stucco or bark a fence picket fast; this one is easier to modulate. If you’re careful on throttle, you can kiss a foundation or tree ring without doing instant damage.

Durability and break resistance

Impact resistance is the claim, and it mostly checks out. I didn’t experience random mid-length snaps. I did see the usual end wear when I got too aggressive near gravel and steel posts, but the line didn’t weld to itself inside the spool—a failure I’ve had with bargain nylon on hot days. The material here tolerates heat well: after extended high-RPM edging, I could pull new line without it sticking or fusing.

I purposely ran it at full speed along a long stretch of rough sandstone pavers where other line frays and shortens quickly. The DeWalt line rounded off at the tip as expected, but I could keep cutting without an immediate bump. Over a couple hours of mixed trimming, I used fewer bump cycles than with a cheaper round 0.095-in line, which translates to less downtime.

Battery efficiency and noise

On the 20V trimmer, I noticed a small but real gain: I could run at one click lower on the variable trigger and still get a clean cut in ordinary grass. Less drag means better runtime, and across a few batteries the consumption felt modestly improved versus a squared 0.095-in line I tested earlier this year. Noise is also a touch lower; the line has a smoother “whoosh” than the whistle you get from sharp-edged profiles.

Compatibility and fit

• Ideal head size: Any bump head rated for 0.105 in line.
• Works on: Both my 20V and 60V heads without binding in the eyelets.
• Not ideal for: Compact cordless heads that max out at 0.080 or 0.095 in. Check your cap and eyelets; forcing a heavy line through a tight guide makes feeding inconsistent.

If you’re unsure about the diameter on your spool, check the molded label on your trimmer head or your manual. You want the sweet spot where the line is thick enough to last, but not so thick that it drags down RPMs or jams.

Downsides

• Initial stiffness: Fresh off the spool, the line is fairly rigid. If you wind it carelessly or overfill the head, it can creep a tiny bit on bumps. Careful winding and leaving headroom solved it for me.
• Spec confusion: The mixed 0.015 vs 0.105 in spec is confusing. Mine was unquestionably 0.105 in; verify before purchase.
• Consumable, no warranty: Not a surprise for line, but worth noting—this is a use-and-replace item with no listed limited warranty.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with medium to large properties who want fewer stops to re-spool and better runtime out of cordless trimmers.
• Users who frequently trim along hardscapes, fences, and taller weeds and need a line that won’t disappear in minutes.
• Folks who prefer a calmer acoustic profile and smoother cutting over the bite of a sharp square line.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Owners of small, lightweight trimmers capped at 0.080 or 0.095 in line.
- Pros running constant heavy brush in rocky terrain might still prefer an ultra-tough serrated square for maximum bite, accepting the extra noise and battery draw.

Tips for best results

• Use the spool’s center feed port to dispense line straight from the canister; it keeps the coil tidy.
• Cut 20–25 ft per refill for most 0.105-compatible bump heads. Pack the wraps tight, even, and below the rim.
• If the line feels springy, a quick soak in water before winding can reduce memory.
• Keep the head clean. A dusty, hot head is where line welding starts.
• Don’t over-throttle. Let the line’s speed and profile do the work; lower RPMs often cut just as well and save battery.

The bottom line

After several weeks of mixed trimming, the DeWalt line has earned a spot in my kit. It balances durability, cutting smoothness, and cordless efficiency better than the average round or square line I’ve used this year. The aerodynamic profile isn’t a gimmick—you can hear and feel the reduced drag—and the material holds up well against everyday abuse without constant bumping.

Recommendation: I recommend this line if your trimmer head supports 0.105 in and you value fewer re-spools, quieter operation, and steady performance on both grass and moderate weeds. Verify the diameter on your trimmer before buying; if you’re locked into smaller line, choose a compatible size instead. For the right head, this is a dependable, efficient choice that makes cordless trimming less of a chore and more of a rhythm.