Corded or Cordless? Picking a CRAFTSMAN Electric String Trimmer

Best for
Restocking line on listed Craftsman models

The YWTESCH 8 Pcs CMZST0653 Weedeater String pack is third-party replacement line made by YWTESCH, not by CRAFTSMAN. It comes as eight preloaded spools, so you swap a spool instead of winding line yourself. The listing says the line is PA6 nylon reinforced with 30 percent glass fiber for abrasion and heat resistance, with a claimed tensile strength of over 100 pounds.

The fit list is what matters. YWTESCH names CMCST900, CMCST900B, CMCST900D1, CMESTA900, CMESTE920, CMZST98020, CMEST913 and CMCST915, and says the spools replace CMZST065 and CMZST0653 with the CMZST120SC cap. Of the trimmers in this guide, only the CMEST913 appears on that list. The corded CMEST900 and the V20 CMCST901 are not named, so the listing does not confirm they fit.

This suits owners of one of the listed models who want a stack of ready spools. The listing also asks buyers to read its compatibility notes, which is good advice: check the model number on your trimmer before ordering.

• Eight preloaded spools
• Nylon with 30 percent glass fiber
• Designed for automatic feed heads
• Listed as a CMZST065 and CMZST0653 replacement

Best for
Small yards near an outdoor outlet

The CRAFTSMAN String Trimmer Edger (CMEST900) is the lightest-duty trimmer here: a 3.5 Amp corded electric model with a 12-inch cutting swath and 0.065-inch line. Its automatic feed spool extends line without bumping the head on the ground, so you keep moving rather than stopping to tap.

It switches from trimming to edging with a turn-to-edge feature and a wire edge guide that helps keep a straight line along a sidewalk. An integrated hook hangs it on CRAFTSMAN’s VERSATRACK wall system, sold separately. The style name notes that the cord is not included, which means you need an outdoor extension cord.

Choose this for a small lawn, a townhouse strip or tidying edges before guests arrive for a match night. If your grass gets thick and weedy, the 6.5 Amp CMEST913 has more motor and a wider swath. If your yard runs past the reach of a cord, the V20 kit is the better match.

• 3.5 Amp motor with 12-inch swath
• Automatic feed, no bumping required
• Turn-to-edge with wire edge guide
• VERSATRACK compatible storage hook

Best for
Cord-free trimming across larger yards

The CRAFTSMAN V20 String Trimmer and Lawn Edger Kit (CMCST901M1) is the cordless pick. The kit includes the CMCST901 trimmer, a spool with 0.065-inch line, a CMCB204 V20 4.0Ah battery and a charger. The listing rates runtime at up to 63 minutes, with a footnote that this figure is per charge on low speed, so expect less when you run it at full power.

It has a 13-inch swath, two speed settings to balance power and runtime, Turn-To-Edge edging and an adjustable handle. CRAFTSMAN claims 52 percent more power, with a footnote that compares it on average against the CMCST915 trimmer. The battery is part of the V20 system, so if you already own V20 tools, the battery works across them.

This is the one for players who want to knock out the whole yard in one go without a cord. The listing does not specify weight in pounds, though it calls the tool lightweight. For raw cutting width, the corded 14-inch CMEST913 is wider, and the CMCST901 model number is not on either spool pack’s fit list, so buy line that names it.

• Up to 63 minutes runtime on low speed
• 13-inch swath with two speed settings
• 4.0Ah battery and charger included
• Turn-To-Edge and adjustable handle

Best for
Tough overgrowth within cord reach

The CRAFTSMAN WEEDWACKER String Trimmer (CMEST913) is the heavy hitter of the corded models. It has a 6.5 Amp motor and a 14-inch cutting swath, the widest in this guide, and it weighs 5.7 pounds according to the listing.

Unlike the CMEST900, it uses a push-button feed system to advance the 0.065-inch line, so you control when line comes out instead of relying on automatic feed. It has a telescoping pole, an adjustable auxiliary handle and turn-to-edge capability, plus a VERSATRACK hook for storage. Both third-party spool packs in this guide list the CMEST913 in their fit lists.

Pick this if your yard has thick overgrowth and your trimming area sits within cord reach. It gives way to the V20 kit if the cord becomes a hassle, and to the CMEST900 if you just need a light, quick tidy. If you also light up the yard at night, a flood light security camera pairs well with a freshly trimmed perimeter.

• 6.5 Amp motor, 14-inch swath
• Push-button line feed
• Telescoping pole and auxiliary handle
• Turn-to-edge and VERSATRACK hook

Best for
Backup spools for auto-feed Craftsman trimmers

The 8 Pack CMZST0653 Weed Eater String is made by Eventronic, another third-party brand, and is sold as compatible with Craftsman trimmers. You get eight pre-wound spools of 0.065-inch line, each 30 feet long, in PA6 nylon with 30 percent glass fiber. Eventronic claims tensile strength over 100 pounds and says the line is 40 percent tougher than conventional string, which is the seller’s own claim.

The features list CMCST900, CMESTA900, CMESTE920, CMZST98020, CMCST915, CMCST900D1 and the CMEST913 series, and the product replaces CMZST065 and CMZST0653. The item highlight line spells some models differently, as CMZST900 and CMZSTA900, so the listing is not fully consistent. Like the YWTESCH pack, it does not name the CMEST900 or the V20 CMCST901.

This suits the same buyer as the YWTESCH pack. The practical difference is that Eventronic states a 30-foot length per spool, while the YWTESCH listing does not specify line length.

• Eight pre-wound spools, 30 feet each
• 0.065-inch diameter glass-fiber nylon
• Snap-fastening cap design
• Listed fit includes CMEST913 series