DeWalt 60V MAX 17-1/2 in. Brushless Cordless String Trimmer Kit

Why I reached for this trimmer

I keep a couple of gas trimmers in rotation for the gnarlier parts of my property, but I’ve been hunting for a cordless machine that could handle real work without turning into a battery babysitting exercise. The DeWalt 60V trimmer immediately stood out because of its torque claims and the unusually wide 17.5-inch cutting swath. After a month of mixed use—lawn edges, fencelines, tall grass, and patches of stubborn weeds—it’s earned a permanent place in my shed, with a few caveats you should know about.

Setup, build, and controls

Assembly was straightforward: shaft sections mate cleanly, the D‑ring handle adjusts quickly, and the guard bolts on without fuss. Fit and finish are generally good. The balance with a 9.0Ah pack is slightly head-forward, which I actually prefer when sweeping a wide swath. The kit includes a single‑shoulder strap that clips on easily. It’s basic but useful; I’d still like to see a two‑point or padded harness option from DeWalt for longer sessions.

Controls are familiar: variable‑speed trigger with a safety lockout and a two‑speed selector. An onboard LED display provides simple status at a glance—handy for confirming you’re in Low or High and checking battery state when you’re mid-task. Nothing flashy, but it’s readable in daylight and more useful than I expected.

Power and cutting performance

DeWalt claims peak torque up to 63% higher than a 36cc gas trimmer and 18% more peak power (tested against a Stihl FS 131). Claims aside, what matters is how it feels in the grass. In Low, the motor has enough grunt to keep .105-inch line moving with authority through typical lawn trimming, ditch edges, and light weeds. In High, it transitions to a brush-hogging attitude: tall, thigh‑high grass lays down without the motor bogging, and the wide 17.5-inch swath chews through large areas quickly.

That wide swath is a productivity boost but also a reality check: you’re moving a lot of line through a lot of material, and that costs energy. If you’re trimming around delicate features or edging tight beds, be mindful—this is a broad brush by design. It excels in open stretches, fence lines, and field edges. For woody stems, vines, and anything that starts to resemble brush cutting, a dedicated blade‑capable tool is still the right call. But for grass and soft‑stemmed weeds, this trimmer punches above its cordless weight.

Noise and vibration are notably low for the power on tap. DeWalt cites roughly 70% less noise than a comparable 36cc gas unit; while I didn’t measure decibels, I could comfortably converse when feathering the trigger. I still wear hearing and eye protection, but the reduction in fatigue—no fumes, less buzz—is real.

Line, head, and the learning curve

The head is a modern, quick‑load style that’s easy to live with once you get the hang of it. Two tips:

• Match the line to the job. The tool supports .095 and .105-inch line. .095 is great for lawns and keeps runtime up; .105 lasts longer against fences and in heavy grass but draws more power. I ran .105 for most of my testing and only switched down when I wanted finesse around stonework.
• Don’t overfill the spool. Stuff too much line in or wind it unevenly and you’ll invite tangles, binding, and premature breakage inside the head. Load to the recommended capacity, keep the wraps neat, and the bump‑feed behaves predictably.

Once properly loaded, feed rate was consistent and I didn’t fight with the head. If you’ve only used older bump‑feed designs, expect a short adjustment period; after that, the convenience is hard to give up.

Ergonomics and balance

With the 9Ah pack, the tool isn’t featherlight, but the balance is sensible. The adjustable D‑ring lets you find a neutral grip for your height and reach, and the long guard doesn’t obstruct sightlines. The included shoulder strap takes the edge off for longer sessions by transferring some weight back to your torso. I’d still recommend swapping to a padded, two‑point strap if you regularly run more than 30 minutes at a time; the power is there to do that, and your shoulders will thank you.

Trigger modulation is excellent. On Low, I can hover the head along delicate edges without shredding mulch. On High, the ramp‑up is fast and predictable, so you can dip into power only when you need it for thick patches.

Runtime and charging

Battery life is the trade‑off that comes with the torque and wide swath. With the included DCB609 9.0Ah batteries:

• Low speed, mixed trimming with .095 line: roughly 25 minutes per pack
• High speed, heavy cutting with .105 line: roughly 15–20 minutes per pack

Those are real-world numbers from repeated sessions, not a single pass on a manicured lawn. The kit does include two 9Ah batteries, so expect 30–50 minutes total on hand depending on how hard you’re pushing. The included DCB118 fast charger is fan‑cooled and brought a fully drained 9Ah pack back in a bit over an hour in my shop. With two batteries in rotation, I could work continuously if I planned my sequence: run one pack at Low for finish work while the other charges, then switch to High for the heavy sections.

If you’re maintaining a small to medium suburban yard, the included batteries will feel ample. If you routinely clear large, overgrown areas, you’ll either want more FlexVolt packs or you’ll pace your work around charging windows.

Maintenance and durability

A brushless motor and no carb means less tinkering and no fuel issues in storage. Keep the head clean, blow out the vents, and check the guard fasteners; that’s about it. After several weeks of use, I see normal scuffing on the guard and head but no undue wear. The electronics haven’t indicated any thermal throttling, even during long high‑load runs in warm weather. The LED status is a surprisingly helpful nudge to back off before you cook a pack.

Fit-and-finish nitpick: the decals on my unit weren’t perfectly straight. It doesn’t affect performance, but I noticed it. Otherwise, tolerances feel tight and the shaft locks up solidly.

What I’d change

• Harness: The single‑shoulder strap is better than nothing but not great for extended sessions. A more supportive harness would make the most of the tool’s long‑runtime potential with multiple packs.
• Guard options: A narrower guard or a bolt‑on edge guide accessory would add finesse for edging days, though that’s a minor ask given the trimmer’s “wide swath” mission.
• Head instructions: Loading technique matters. Clearer, on‑tool guidance for capacity and winding direction would help new users avoid the usual first‑use tangles.

Value and who it’s for

As a kit, this is compelling: two FlexVolt 9Ah packs plus an 8A fast charger, a high‑torque powerhead, and a 17.5-inch cutting path. If you’re already invested in DeWalt 20V/60V batteries, the math is easy—those packs will work across tools, and this trimmer gives you gas‑like torque without the gas baggage. If you’re starting from scratch, the value is still there, but you should honestly assess your runtime needs. For fast weekly trims and periodic heavy cleanups, it’s excellent. For multi-acre trimming marathons, the battery budget may push you back to gas or to a bigger battery fleet.

DeWalt backs the kit with a 2‑year limited warranty. Given the simplicity of the drivetrain compared to gas, I expect the tool to age well as long as you don’t use it as a brush cutter stand‑in.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 60V trimmer for users who want near‑pro cutting torque, a wide and efficient cutting swath, and the convenience and lower fatigue of cordless. It’s at its best in light‑to‑medium vegetation where speed and coverage matter—lawns, fence lines, tall grass, and weedy edges. Runtime is honest and finite: expect 15–25 minutes per 9Ah pack depending on speed and line, and plan accordingly. If you can live within that window (or add a pack or two), you’ll gain a powerful, quieter, low‑maintenance tool that makes weekly chores go faster with less fuss.

If you need to run continuously for hours, or you’re primarily cutting woody brush, stick with a dedicated brush cutter or a gas trimmer built for that work. For everything else, this trimmer strikes a very good balance of power, control, and convenience—and it does it without the noise, fumes, and upkeep of a small engine.