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Ranked & Reviewed by Primea Reviews

The 8 Best Cordless Grass Shears of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed

By the Primea Editorial TeamUpdated November 1, 20269 min read8 products ranked

The short answer

The WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer is the pick for most yards: 20V power plus a 4-inch grass blade and an 8-inch bush blade in one tool. If you already own Ryobi batteries, the RYOBI ONE+ 18V shear is the smoothest fit. Own Makita or DeWalt packs? Buy the bare Makita XMU04Z or the DeWalt-compatible trimmer and skip a second battery. For tight borders and small lawns, the 7.2V WORKPRO is the light option.

The Primea Scoreboard

Ranked & Reviewed

01
Best Overall
WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer
20V power with both a grass blade and a bush blade. The most capable single tool here.
Outstanding
Check price
02
Best for Ryobi Owners
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Grass Shear
Ships with a 2.0 Ah battery and charger, and plugs into the wider ONE+ battery family.
Outstanding
Check price
03
Best for Black+Decker Owners
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT 3/8 in. Cordless Shear
A 20V MAX kit on the POWERCONNECT battery system with a 3/8-inch cutting capacity.
Excellent
Check price
04
Best Bare Tool for Makita Owners
Makita XMU04Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Grass Shear
Bare tool on the 18V LXT platform. Ideal if you already own Makita batteries.
Excellent
Check price
05
Best Craftsman Two-in-One
CRAFTSMAN V20 4 In. Cordless Handheld Grass Trimmer
A V20 two-in-one with a 4-inch grass blade and an 8-inch hedge blade, battery included.
Excellent
Check price
06
Best Compact Pick
WORKPRO 7.2V Cordless Grass Shear & Shrubbery Trimmer
The most compact, lightweight tool here. Handles grass and light shrubs without the bulk.
Very Good
Check price
07
Best Budget Kit
SnapFresh Cordless Grass Shear Bush Trimmer
A 7.2V two-in-one handheld with battery and charger included at an easy price.
Very Good
Check price
08
For DeWalt 20V Battery Owners
Cordless Hedge Trimmer Compatible with Dewalt 20V
A bare tool built to take DeWalt 20V batteries. Only worth it if you own them.
Very Good
Check price

A grass shear is a small tool that gets judged on a big question: whose battery does it run on? A shear that arrives with its own pack is convenient on day one. A bare tool that takes a battery you already own is cheaper on day one and cheaper again every year after. Most disappointment in this category comes from buying the wrong side of that choice.

We reviewed eight current shears on paper, covering the full voltage spread from 7.2V compacts to 20V platform tools. The ranking weighs battery situation first, then blade setup (grass only or grass plus shrub), then how much tool you carry for the kind of trimming a small yard actually needs.

Before you buy

What Actually Matters

Pick the battery before the tool

Cordless tools in one family share batteries, so the shear is cheap if you already own the pack and costly if you do not. A bare tool and a kit can differ by the price of a battery and charger. Check your garage first, then buy a bare tool or a kit accordingly.

Read voltage as a power tier

Voltage in this guide runs from 7.2V to 20V. Lower voltage means lighter tools but less force through thick growth, and a stall mid-cut is the usual complaint. If your grass is thick or you want to shape small shrubs, stay in the 18V or 20V class.

Match blades to your jobs

A grass blade of about 4 inches handles edges and lawns, while an 8-inch bush or hedge blade is for shaping shrubs. Two-in-one models swap between them. Decide whether you actually shape shrubs; if you do not, a grass-only shear is lighter and simpler.

Check the cutting capacity

Cutting capacity states how thick a stem the blades can take, such as the 3/8-inch figure on the Black+Decker. Shears are built for grass and thin growth, not woody branches. Read the number on the listing and keep a pruner for anything thicker.

Weigh the tool in your hand

Edging means holding a tool at a low angle for several minutes. Compact 7.2V models are easy on the wrist, while dual-blade 20V tools are heavier. Choose weight over power if your lawn is small and your trimming is occasional.

In-depth reviews

Our Ranked Picks, Reviewed

Best Overall

WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer

Outstanding

Check price on Amazon

Our verdict: 20V power with both a grass blade and a bush blade. The most capable single tool here.

WORX gives you a 20V motor and two interchangeable blades: a 4-inch grass shear and an 8-inch bush trimmer. That covers lawn edges, ornamental grasses and light shrub shaping with one tool, which is rare at this size.

It tops the list because it is the only pick that combines the higher 20V class with a true two-in-one blade kit. The Ryobi and Black+Decker shears match its voltage range roughly, but the 8-inch bush blade is what separates it, and the 7.2V models give up real power for the same two-blade promise.

Buy it if you want one trimmer for borders and small hedges. The caveat is bulk: a dual-blade tool is heavier to hold than a dedicated grass shear, so it is less fun for a long edging session.

Voltage: 20V
Grass blade: 4 in
Shrub blade: 8 in
Format: 2-in-1

What we like

+Two blades in one tool
+20V class power
+Covers grass and light shrubs
+No extra trimmer to buy

Watch out for

−Bulkier than a grass-only shear
−Battery platform is WORX only

Buy it if: Owners who want one tool for lawn edges and small hedges.

Skip it if: You only trim grass and want the lightest tool possible.

Best for Ryobi Owners

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Grass Shear

Outstanding

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Our verdict: Ships with a 2.0 Ah battery and charger, and plugs into the wider ONE+ battery family.

The Ryobi is an 18V shear sold as a complete kit, with a 2.0 Ah battery and a charger in the box. You can start trimming the day it arrives, and the battery then works across other ONE+ tools.

It sits just below the WORX because it lacks the second blade. Against the bare-tool Makita below it, you pay for a battery you may not need if you already own one, but you gain a charger and a ready-to-run kit if you do not.

This is the easiest recommendation for a first-time cordless buyer who plans to add more Ryobi tools. The caveat is that 2.0 Ah is a modest battery, so long jobs mean waiting on a recharge.

Voltage: 18V
Battery: 2.0 Ah included
Charger: Included
Platform: ONE+

What we like

+Battery and charger in the box
+Works with ONE+ tools
+Ready to use out of the box
+18V class power

Watch out for

−Single blade type
−2.0 Ah pack limits long sessions

Buy it if: First-time cordless buyers who may add more Ryobi tools.

Skip it if: You already own Makita or DeWalt batteries.

Best for Black+Decker Owners

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT 3/8 in. Cordless Shear

Excellent

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Our verdict: A 20V MAX kit on the POWERCONNECT battery system with a 3/8-inch cutting capacity.

Black+Decker pairs a 20V MAX motor with a 3/8-inch cutting capacity and its POWERCONNECT battery system. The spec that matters is that cutting capacity: it tells you the shear is meant for grass and thin stems, not woody branches.

It lands third because it is a solid, plain tool without the WORX blade versatility or the Ryobi's clear battery-in-box pitch. It is a better choice than the 7.2V models when your growth is thick, since it carries more voltage.

Best for homeowners already on Black+Decker batteries. The caveat is the same as any proprietary pack: it only pays off if you will use that battery in other tools.

Voltage: 20V MAX
Cutting capacity: 3/8 in
System: POWERCONNECT
Type: Grass shear

What we like

+20V MAX class power
+Battery shared across B+D tools
+Kit covers the basics
+Simple, familiar design

Watch out for

−No bush blade
−Capacity limited to thin growth

Buy it if: Homeowners already on Black+Decker batteries.

Skip it if: You need to cut anything woodier than light stems.

Best Bare Tool for Makita Owners

Makita XMU04Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Grass Shear

Excellent

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Our verdict: Bare tool on the 18V LXT platform. Ideal if you already own Makita batteries.

The XMU04Z is a bare tool, meaning no battery and no charger. It runs on 18V LXT packs, the same platform used across Makita's cordless line, and it comes from the brand itself rather than a third-party adapter.

That makes it fourth: unbeatable for a Makita owner, but the Ryobi and WORX kits are friendlier to a newcomer because they arrive ready to run. Compared with the DeWalt-compatible trimmer below, this is the more established brand option.

Buy it if you have spare LXT batteries. The caveat is blunt: without one, it is a tool-shaped paperweight, and buying a battery and charger first changes the value math.

Voltage: 18V LXT
Package: Bare tool
Brand: Genuine Makita
Platform: LXT

What we like

+Runs on existing LXT batteries
+Genuine Makita, not an adapter
+No duplicate battery to buy
+18V class power

Watch out for

−No battery or charger included
−Poor value without LXT packs

Buy it if: Makita owners with spare LXT batteries.

Skip it if: You have no Makita batteries yet.

Best Craftsman Two-in-One

CRAFTSMAN V20 4 In. Cordless Handheld Grass Trimmer

Excellent

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Our verdict: A V20 two-in-one with a 4-inch grass blade and an 8-inch hedge blade, battery included.

Craftsman's V20 trimmer mirrors the WORX layout: a 4-inch grass blade, an 8-inch hedge blade, and a battery in the box. It sits on the V20 platform, so the pack is shared with other Craftsman tools.

It ranks below the WORX because the WORX offers a clearer 20V spec and a stronger reputation for its cordless line, while the Craftsman page is vaguer on power. It beats the single-purpose 7.2V models on versatility alone.

A good fit for existing Craftsman V20 owners who want a two-in-one without a separate kit. The caveat is that the listing is light on motor detail, so compare power before buying.

Platform: V20
Grass blade: 4 in
Hedge blade: 8 in
Battery: Included

What we like

+Two blades in one tool
+Battery in the box
+Shares V20 packs
+Hedge blade handles small shrubs

Watch out for

−Thin power details on listing
−Tied to the V20 platform

Buy it if: Craftsman V20 owners who want a two-in-one.

Skip it if: You want a clearly stated motor spec before paying.

Best Compact Pick

WORKPRO 7.2V Cordless Grass Shear & Shrubbery Trimmer

Very Good

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Our verdict: The most compact, lightweight tool here. Handles grass and light shrubs without the bulk.

WORKPRO drops to 7.2V and a compact body, which makes it the easiest tool in the roundup to steer around flower beds and fence lines. It handles grass and shrub trimming with the same small footprint.

It ranks sixth because voltage is the trade: at 7.2V it will not push through thick growth the way the 18V and 20V shears can. It beats the SnapFresh below mainly on a more complete spec sheet and a slightly more refined pitch.

Best for small lawns and detail trimming where weight matters more than raw power. The caveat is that anything dense will stall it, so keep a bigger tool for heavier work.

Voltage: 7.2V
Design: Compact
Use: Grass and shrub
Weight class: Lightweight

What we like

+Lightest option here
+Easy in tight spaces
+Handles grass and shrubs
+Low price tier

Watch out for

−Lowest voltage class
−Struggles with thick growth

Buy it if: Small lawns and bed edges where weight matters.

Skip it if: Your yard has dense, overgrown patches.

Best Budget Kit

SnapFresh Cordless Grass Shear Bush Trimmer

Very Good

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Our verdict: A 7.2V two-in-one handheld with battery and charger included at an easy price.

SnapFresh is another 7.2V handheld, packaged as a two-in-one with the battery and charger in the box. It is the lightweight entry that asks the least from your wallet and your wrist.

It lands below the WORKPRO because the WORKPRO is the more detailed compact option, but the SnapFresh counters with an included charger and battery, which matter for someone with no cordless tools at all.

Best for light seasonal trimming on small patches. The caveat is that a 7.2V tool is a lawn-edge tool, not a hedge-shaping tool, so set expectations accordingly.

Voltage: 7.2V
Format: 2-in-1 handheld
Battery: Included
Charger: Included

What we like

+Battery and charger included
+Lightweight handheld
+Grass and bush capability
+Accessible price

Watch out for

−Low voltage class
−Not for dense growth

Buy it if: Occasional trimmers on small patches with no cordless tools.

Skip it if: You trim large areas or thick hedges.

For DeWalt 20V Battery Owners

Cordless Hedge Trimmer Compatible with Dewalt 20V

Very Good

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Our verdict: A bare tool built to take DeWalt 20V batteries. Only worth it if you own them.

This is an unbranded trimmer designed to accept DeWalt 20V batteries and sold bare, with no battery or charger. It uses a 20V pack you may already have in the garage.

It ranks last because it is the only third-party option on a major brand's battery, and a third-party tool carries more unknowns than the Makita XMU04Z. It is a hedge trimmer by name, so it is the least grass-shear-like pick here.

Only consider it if you own spare DeWalt batteries and want an inexpensive trimmer. The caveat is fit and support: compatibility depends on the maker, not on DeWalt.

Voltage: 20V
Battery: DeWalt compatible
Package: Bare tool
Type: Hedge trimmer

What we like

+Uses existing DeWalt packs
+No new battery system
+20V class power
+Low entry cost for DeWalt owners

Watch out for

−No battery or charger
−Third-party compatibility risk

Buy it if: DeWalt owners wanting an inexpensive add-on.

Skip it if: You do not already own DeWalt 20V batteries.

Methodology

How We Ranked These

Battery situation

We separated kits with a battery and charger from bare tools, then weighed each against the buyer who owns a platform and the buyer who does not.

Voltage class

Voltage ranged from 7.2V to 20V in this field. We treated it as a rough proxy for how well a shear copes with thicker stems.

Blade setup

Grass-only shears, two-in-one grass and shrub tools, and a hedge trimmer were scored by how well each blade layout suits small-yard trimming.

Spec transparency

Listings that state cutting capacity, blade lengths and battery size scored higher than those that leave power details out.

Value within the field

Price tier was compared only against the other shears in this guide, never against outside products.

Every Primea Score uses the same weights: Performance 30% · Build & Materials 20% · Everyday Usability 20% · Value 20% · Owner Satisfaction 10%. Full scoring rules

Buyer's guide

How to Pick the Right One for You

By Battery You Own

Start with the battery already in your garage.

You own	Our pick
Ryobi ONE+ batteries	RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Grass Shear
Makita 18V LXT batteries	Makita XMU04Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Grass Shear
DeWalt 20V batteries	Cordless Hedge Trimmer Compatible with Dewalt 20V
Craftsman V20 batteries	CRAFTSMAN V20 4 In. Cordless Handheld Grass Trimmer
No cordless tools	WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer

By Budget

Budget approach	Our pick
Cheapest working kit	SnapFresh Cordless Grass Shear Bush Trimmer
Cheap and compact	WORKPRO 7.2V Cordless Grass Shear & Shrubbery Trimmer
Middle, kit with battery	RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Grass Shear
Pay for versatility	WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer

Bare Tool vs Kit

Bare tool

No battery or charger, so it costs less if you already own the platform. Picks: Makita XMU04Z and the DeWalt-compatible hedge trimmer.

Kit with battery

Arrives ready to run and adds a charger you may not need to buy separately. Picks: RYOBI ONE+ 18V, CRAFTSMAN V20, SnapFresh.

Default to a kit unless you can name the battery platform you already own.

By Type of Trimming

Main job	Our pick
Lawn edges only	BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT 3/8 in. Cordless Shear
Edges plus small shrubs	WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer
Light, quick tidy-ups	WORKPRO 7.2V Cordless Grass Shear & Shrubbery Trimmer
Small hedges	CRAFTSMAN V20 4 In. Cordless Handheld Grass Trimmer

For Small Yards and Patios Specifically

Look for

A lightweight body, a battery you can top up between jobs, and blades short enough to work around planters.

In this comparison

The WORKPRO 7.2V is the lightest option and the easiest to steer in tight beds, with the SnapFresh as the kit-in-box alternative.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

You shape shrubs or have thick growth. The WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer gives you 20V and two blades for one purchase.

Save if

You only edge a small lawn now and then. The SnapFresh Cordless Grass Shear Bush Trimmer includes battery and charger for less.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cordless grass shears worth it over a string trimmer?+

For edges, borders and tight spots, yes. A shear is lighter and quieter. A string trimmer still wins on large lawns, so most yards use a shear for detail work only.

Do I need a bare tool or a full kit?+

If you own a compatible battery, the bare Makita XMU04Z or DeWalt-compatible trimmer saves money. If not, a kit such as the RYOBI ONE+ 18V is cheaper than buying battery and charger separately.

Can these cut small shrubs?+

The two-in-one tools such as the WORX and the CRAFTSMAN V20 have an 8-inch blade for light shrub shaping. The 3/8-inch capacity on the Black+Decker is a good reminder that none replace a pruner for woody branches.

Is 7.2V enough?+

For soft grass and small tidy-ups, yes. For dense or overgrown patches, a 7.2V tool like the WORKPRO may stall, and an 18V or 20V pick is safer.

How do I keep the blades working well?+

Brush off clippings after each use and keep the blades dry. Wipe residue from the blades before storing and recharge the pack before a long session.

Does the DeWalt-compatible trimmer carry a DeWalt warranty?+

No. It is a third-party tool built to accept DeWalt batteries, so support comes from the maker rather than DeWalt. Check the seller's terms before buying.

Final take

For most yards, the WORX Cordless Grass Shear & Shrub Trimmer is the right buy: 20V power and two blades in one tool. Own Ryobi packs? The RYOBI ONE+ 18V is the easy fit. Own Makita? The bare XMU04Z saves money. For small lawns and tight borders, the WORKPRO 7.2V keeps weight down.

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