DeWalt 60V Max 17-Inch Battery-Powered String Trimmer Review
DeWalt 60V String Trimmer Features High Performance and Versatility
We’re moving into the Spring season and folks are starting to think about updating their OPE for the new year, but with so many options on the market, how do you choose? We decided to bring in the DeWalt 60V battery-powered string trimmer to see what the latest edition has to offer.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Shaft length and working angle makes it easier to use for tall people than most designs
- Strong cutting performance
- Quick-load trimmer head
- Compatible with all universal attachments
Cons
- A bit louder than other battery-powered options
- Low runtime compared to other brushless options
- Noticeably higher vibration than some competitors
DeWalt 60V Battery-Powered String Trimmer Performance
Cutting Power
We intentionally neglected our trimming for several weeks in anticipation of some cordless weed eater testing. Between grass and some beefy weed species, it was a tough chore. Even with the stock 0.080-inch line, we were impressed with the cutting power.
DeWalt’s brushless motor spins that or 0.095-inch line up to 5800 RPM in high and has the option of a 15 or 17-inch cutting swath. We recommend switching out the stock line (or just using it up) and moving to 0.095-inch Echo Black Diamond line to get the most out of the DCST972 weed eater’s impressive power.
Even though it feels like there’s enough power to go all the way up to 0.105-inch line, DeWalt doesn’t rate it that high, so avoid the temptation.
Runtime
With a 17-inch cutting swath and excellent power, runtime is a trade-off we expect to make. Running in high gear and under no-load, we got just over 31 minutes of runtime with the 3.0/9.0Ah battery that comes in the kit. That’s shorter than many, but they’re not spinning as much line at those high RPMs.
There’s a big BUT here. You have some options to extend your runtime. First, the cutter has two positions and you can shift it to the 15-inch position to gain efficiency. You can also cut in low mode instead of high. At 4650 RPM, it still does an excellent job for routine maintenance cuts.
So use the full power and cutting diameter when you have a large area to clear that doesn’t lend itself to a mower or you don’t have more than 30 minutes of trigger time to worry about. Make the high-efficiency adjustments when you need longer runtime to get the job done on a single charge.
Vibration
One thing we noticed during our field testing is the higher than average level of vibration. It’s less than most gas alternatives and we have tested some battery-powered models with more. However, it’s noticeable compared to brands such as EGO and Husqvarna.
Noise
There are a lot of things to like about this string trimmer but does produce more noise than some cordless weed eaters. Measured from our operator’s ear, it measured 87dB on high and 81dB on low. With the top models running 80 decibels in high, it’s a noticeable difference. That said, it’s still far quieter than a gas string trimmer.
DeWalt 60V Battery-Powered String Trimmer Design Notes
Attachment Ready
For those of you looking for more versatility, the DCST972 is an attachment-capable string trimmer. Thankfully, it uses universal attachments, so if DeWalt doesn’t happen to make the one you need, you have options from other brands.
Thanks to the performance level of the brushless motor, it’s one of the stronger battery-powered models available and that makes tougher attachments such a cultivator more confident.
Even if you don’t need any of the attachments right out of the gate, the three detent holes let you turn the string trimmer head 90° and use it as an edger more easily.
Ergonomics
This DeWalt weed eater is on the heavier side of the weight spectrum with the 3.0/9.0Ah 60V battery pushing the total weight to 13.5 pounds (10.3 pounds without the battery). The handle and trigger grip section is also a bit thicker than most, so you might not care for it if you have smaller hands.
The overall balance of this string trimmer is excellent. Even though the battery and motor weight are both on the back, it was very easy to maneuver around flower beds and driveway culverts.
Another aspect of this string trimmer I really like is the length of the shaft because gives me the optimal working angle for the head. I stand about 6 feet tall and I didn’t have to bend down while using it.
Additional Features
- Quick load trimmer head—just thread the line to the center and turn the head to load
- Top-mounted trigger safety is easy to engage
- Wide guard does a great job of blocking clippings
DeWalt 60V String Trimmer Price
The DeWalt DCST972 retails for $319 and comes with a single 9.0Ah 60V battery and a charger. The bare tool is $259, so that kit price is awfully attractive. DeWalt takes it a step further by offering combo packages with different attachments so you can get exactly what you need to get the job done.
The trimmer is covered by a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
The Bottom Line
The major strengths of this DeWalt 60V battery-powered string trimmer are its power and attachment versatility. The simplicity of its operation is likely a win for many folks as well. The trade-off is a bit more weight and lower runtime. If that’s something you can work with, the trimmer’s performance is sure to make short work of your trimming jobs.
DeWalt 60V Battery-Powered String Trimmer Specifications
- Model: DeWalt DCST972
- Power Source: DeWalt 60V Max battery
- Cutting Swath: 17-inch
- Max Line Diameter: 0.095
- Variable speed trigger
- Straight shaft design
- Shaft length: 67 in.
- No-load speed: 4650(low), 5800(high) RPMs
- Weight: 10.3 lbs (bare), 13.5 lbs (with 6.0Ah FlexVolt battery)
- Warranty: 3-year limited lifetime
- Price: $319.00
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