Anyone who has knelt in the grass fighting to thread trimmer line through a stubborn spool understands why the EGO Powerload string trimmer became a bestseller almost overnight. Its headline feature does exactly what the name says: feed the line through the head, push a button, and the trimmer winds it perfectly in seconds, no disassembly, no tangles, no frustration. Beyond that party trick, the EGO Powerload string trimmer delivers 56V of brushless power that genuinely rivals gas, making it one of the best all-around cordless trimmers you can buy.
I have run the Powerload across overgrown lots and manicured lawns, and both the reloading and the cutting power hold up. Here is the full breakdown.
How the Powerload System Works
The Powerload head solves the most hated chore in string trimming. Instead of opening the spool, winding line by hand, and threading it through the eyelets, you feed a single length of pre-cut line straight through the head until it is even on both sides, then press a button. The motor spins and winds the line onto the spool automatically, evenly and tightly, in about three seconds.
This matters more than it sounds. Reloading line is the friction point that makes people avoid trimming, and eliminating it means you actually keep the edges clean all season. The head uses standard 0.095-inch line, widely available and cheap, so you are not locked into a proprietary cartridge like some competing quick-load systems.
The Powerload Model Lineup
EGO offers the Powerload head on several trimmer models, differing in cutting width and shaft type:
- ST1511T / ST1521 (15-inch): the standard homeowner Powerload, straight shaft, roughly $180-$230 as a kit with battery and charger.
- ST1623T (16-inch): carbon-fiber shaft, foldable for storage, higher-end at $250-$300.
- Powerload with Line IQ (ST1623T and newer): combines Powerload with auto-line-feed that senses when line shortens and feeds more without bumping.
The 15-inch models suit most suburban yards, while the 16-inch carbon-fiber versions add durability, reach, and the convenient fold for storage in a tight garage. Line IQ is worth the upgrade if you want to eliminate bump-feeding entirely, since the trimmer feeds line automatically as it wears down.
Power and Cutting Performance
The 56V brushless motor is what makes this more than a convenience gimmick. EGO’s ARC Lithium platform delivers torque that cuts through thick grass, weeds, and light brush without bogging, and a high-speed mode gives you full power for the tough patches. The variable-speed trigger lets you dial back for delicate trimming around flower beds and mailbox posts.
Cutting width of 15 to 16 inches covers ground quickly, and the straight shaft reaches under bushes and along fences that curved-shaft trimmers miss. In real use it handles everything a homeowner throws at it and matches the performance of a 25cc to 28cc gas trimmer, which is EGO’s longstanding claim across its lineup.
Battery Life and the EGO Platform
Run time depends on the battery you pair with it. The Powerload trimmer works across EGO’s entire 56V battery family:
- 2.5Ah battery: about 20-30 minutes of trimming, fine for small lots
- 4.0Ah battery: roughly 40-45 minutes
- 5.0Ah or 7.5Ah: 50-75 minutes, enough for large properties
The big advantage of buying into EGO is the shared battery platform. The same pack powers EGO’s mowers, blowers, chainsaws, and snow blowers, so a single battery investment covers your whole yard. EGO’s rapid charger refills a 2.5Ah pack in about 40 minutes, so a two-battery setup keeps you working without pause.
Ergonomics and Build
At about 12 to 13 pounds with a mid-size battery, the Powerload is balanced well thanks to the rear-mounted pack. The adjustable auxiliary handle and a comfortable grip reduce fatigue over longer sessions. The carbon-fiber shaft on the higher models resists bending and shaves weight while adding a fold point for compact storage.
EGO backs the trimmer with a five-year tool warranty and a three-year battery warranty, among the best in cordless outdoor power equipment. The weather-resistant construction handles morning dew and light rain, though as with any electric tool you should not submerge or pressure-wash it.
How It Compares to Rivals
Against the Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 60V, and Ryobi 40V trimmers, the EGO Powerload wins on the combination of raw power and the genuinely excellent auto-reload head. Milwaukee and DeWalt appeal to those already on those tool platforms, and Ryobi undercuts on price. But for a dedicated cordless trimmer where trimming performance and convenience are the priority, EGO is consistently at or near the top of the class.
The main knock is price: EGO kits cost more than Ryobi, and the batteries are a premium investment. But that cost is offset if you build out the EGO ecosystem for your other yard tools.
Line Types and Getting the Best Cut
Even with the Powerload head doing the winding, the line you feed it affects performance. The trimmer is designed around 0.095-inch line, and staying with that diameter keeps the auto-feed and head balance working as intended. Twisted or serrated line cuts thick weeds more aggressively than round line and runs quieter with less of the whip noise round line produces. Round line is cheaper and fine for standard lawn grass along walkways.
Cut your reload lengths a little long rather than short; the Powerload system trims excess as it winds, and a length that is too short may not seat evenly on both sides of the spool. Store your line indoors, because line left in a hot garage or exposed to sun dries out, becomes brittle, and snaps far more often. A quick soak of a spool of line in water for a day before use restores flexibility to old, brittle line, an old landscaper trick that noticeably reduces breakage.
For edging and trimming near hard surfaces like concrete and brick, expect faster line wear, so keep the trigger dialed back near obstacles. Around chain-link fences and gravel, line disappears quickly no matter what you do; the fast Powerload reload is exactly what makes those jobs bearable.
Maintenance and Storage
The Powerload trimmer needs very little upkeep compared to a gas unit, but a few habits extend its life. After each use, wipe grass and debris off the head and shaft, and clear any wound-up grass from around the spindle, which can bind the head over time. Keep the head’s eyelets clear so line feeds smoothly.
Store the battery indoors at a moderate temperature and at roughly a half charge if it will sit for weeks, since EGO’s ARC Lithium packs, like all lithium batteries, degrade faster in extreme heat or cold and when stored fully charged or fully drained. The foldable carbon-fiber models store upright in a corner or hang on a garage hook, taking almost no floor space. Inspect the guard and head periodically for cracks, and replace the spool if the Powerload mechanism ever stops winding cleanly, though that is rare within the warranty period.
Is the EGO Powerload Right for You
Buy the EGO Powerload string trimmer if you want gas-level cutting power without the fuel, noise, and maintenance, and if you are tired of fighting with trimmer line reloads. The Powerload head is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade that makes you more likely to keep your edges sharp all season, and the 56V power handles anything a typical yard demands.
Choose a Milwaukee or DeWalt instead only if you are already committed to those battery platforms, or a budget Ryobi if price is your top concern. For the best blend of power, convenience, and a battery system that grows into a full cordless yard kit, the EGO Powerload is one of the smartest trimmers on the market. Pair it with a 4.0Ah or larger battery, keep a spare charged, and yard trimming stops being a chore you dread.
