Skil Brushless 13" String Trimmer and 400 CFM Leaf Blower Combo Kit

First impressions and what’s in the box

I picked up the Skil 20V combo to see if a single-battery kit could handle a typical suburban yard without feeling like a compromise. The package is straightforward and useful: a 13-inch brushless string trimmer, a 400 CFM brushless blower, one PWRCORE 20 4.0Ah battery, a charger, a flat blower nozzle, and two wall brackets for storage. It’s a sensible bundle—no filler, and the brackets are actually handy.

Both tools feel lighter than they look. The trimmer is under 6.2 pounds without the battery; the blower is 4.4 pounds. Nothing feels cheap or overly flexy. There’s a fold in the trimmer’s shaft for storage and transport, and the quick-adjust auxiliary handle makes it easy to dial in a comfortable stance.

Setup and ergonomics

Assembly is minimal. I set the auxiliary handle, unfolded the trimmer shaft, snapped in the battery, and was ready to go. The trimmer balances well with the 4.0Ah pack; the head is not overly heavy, which helps on longer sessions. I’m over six feet tall, and with the handle adjusted forward I could stand upright without hunching. The included strap isn’t necessary (there isn’t one), because the weight is low and the motor sits near your hands, not at the head.

The blower’s layout is simple: a speed dial on top and a cruise switch that locks the airflow. I like this a lot for walkway and driveway work—you set your speed and walk, no trigger tension. The included flat nozzle concentrates the air enough for clearing seams in concrete and packed corners without getting overly whippy at the tip.

Trimmer performance

For a 13-inch trimmer running .080 line, the Skil holds its own. It’s a dual-line bump feed with Skil’s Twist Load head, which genuinely makes line changes quick. You thread the line through, pull to center it, and twist the head to spool—no splitting the head or dealing with rat’s nests. Reloads take me under a minute if I have pre-cut lengths.

Cut quality is clean on grass and typical lawn weeds. Around fences, landscape edging, and raised beds, it’s controllable and doesn’t thrash mulch everywhere. With taller or thicker weeds, it’s still competent, but .080 line has limits; if you push into woody stems or knee-high crabgrass, you’ll feel the motor dip and you’ll burn through line faster. That’s not a flaw so much as a realistic boundary for this size category.

Edging is serviceable by rotating the trimmer and walking the line. It’s not as precise as a dedicated edger, but for cleaning up the curb and driveway edges once a week it works fine. The guard is sized correctly—enough coverage to deflect debris without obscuring the cut line.

Bump feed is consistent. I had to be deliberate on the bump—light taps didn’t always advance the line—but once I found the right pressure, feed was predictable and didn’t tangle.

Blower performance

At 400 CFM, the blower is squarely in the light-to-mid residential class. With the speed dial at 4–5 and the flat nozzle attached, I had no trouble clearing dry leaves, grass clippings, and sawdust from patios, walkways, and the garage. It also corrals pine needles better than I expected; the concentrated tip helps lift them from expansion joints.

Where it runs out of steam is exactly where you’d expect: soggy leaves matted into turf and heavy piles across a wide lawn. It will move them, but you’ll spend more time and need to swing closer. If your fall cleanup involves knee-deep oak leaves after a rain, you’ll want a bigger blower. For weekly maintenance, hard-surface cleanup, and quick driveway work, this one is easy to live with.

The cruise function is the unsung hero. Locking airflow lets you keep a steady pace without feathering a trigger, and it reduces hand fatigue. I’d still prefer a variable trigger in addition to the dial for quick bursts around corners, but the dial is smooth and easy to bump up or down with your thumb.

Battery life and charging

With the included 4.0Ah pack, I’ve consistently trimmed for about 20–25 minutes at a normal pace and then blown off hard surfaces for another 10–15 minutes on level 4 before the battery drops low. Running both tools flat-out trims those numbers, but for a small-to-medium yard that cadence works. If you have a lot of edging, taller grass, or heavier debris, a second battery is a smart upgrade. The charger brings the 4.0Ah pack back in a reasonable time for same-day chores, and Skil’s PWRCORE 20 pack keeps cool while charging and running—useful on hot days and over the long term.

Because the system is cross-compatible, the kit battery also fits other PWRCORE 20 tools. If you already own a Skil drill or inflator, this combo slots right in.

Noise, vibration, and comfort

Both tools have the brushless motor “whine” instead of the harsh buzz common to brushed tools. Measured at the ear, the trimmer and blower are in the neighborhood of 90 dB on high. It’s quieter than gas but not silent—hearing protection still makes sense for extended use. Vibration is low, and I didn’t notice tingling in my hands after a full yard session.

The lighter weight really matters here. Less fatigue means better control, and better control means you’re less likely to scalp turf or batter fence posts.

Build quality and maintenance

The housings are polymer, but the parts that matter feel robust: the trimmer head threads are solid, the latch on the foldable shaft locks positively, and the blower’s nozzle fit is snug. After several weeks, I’ve had no odd rattles, and both tools survived a few accidental bumps without complaint.

Maintenance is light. Brushless motors reduce wear, and the Twist Load head makes line swaps easy. My best practice tips:
- Use quality .080 twisted line for longer life and cleaner cuts.
- Pre-cut line lengths and keep them in the trimmer guard so reloads are grab-and-twist.
- Clean the trimmer guard and blower intake after each use—grass buildup robs power.
- Store the battery indoors; the included brackets make it easy to keep both tools off the floor and out of damp corners.

What it does best (and where it doesn’t)

Strengths:
- Lightweight, balanced tools that most users can handle comfortably.
- Fast, frustration-free line loading and reliable bump feed.
- Blower with a useful speed dial and cruise control; flat nozzle improves real-world clearing.
- Thoughtful storage and genuinely portable form factor thanks to the foldable shaft.
- Practical battery life for small to medium yards and weekly routines.

Limitations:
- 400 CFM is not a leaf-monster; heavy, wet seasonal cleanups will take patience.
- The trimmer’s .080 line is ideal for lawns, less so for thick, woody growth.
- No on-the-fly variable trigger on the blower; the dial is fine but not instantaneous for short bursts.

Value and who it’s for

As a kit, the Skil combo hits a sweet spot: one battery, two brushless tools, useful accessories, and no fluff. If you’re maintaining a smaller property, prefer lighter tools, and want cordless convenience without juggling cords or gas, this covers the core yard tasks well. It’s also a good gateway into the PWRCORE 20 platform if you plan to add other tools.

If you regularly tackle overgrown areas, heavy brush, or big-leaf cleanups on a large lot, you’ll either want a second battery and some patience—or step up to a higher-output blower and a trimmer that can run thicker line.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 20V combo for homeowners with small to medium yards who want a light, straightforward setup that handles weekly trimming and cleanup efficiently. The trimmer’s Twist Load head and honest cutting performance simplify a chore that often feels fiddly, and the blower’s cruise control and included flat nozzle make clearing hard surfaces quick. Battery life aligns with typical yard routines, and the tools store neatly when you’re done. If your use case leans toward heavy, wet debris or tough, woody weeds, look for more power or plan on an extra battery—but for routine maintenance, this kit is a practical and affordable fit.