Gas vs Battery String Trimmers | Is 1 Battery really equal to 1 tank of gas?

Battery String Trimmer manufacturers claim that their battery runs for as long as a tank of gas would in a traditional gas string trimmer. Today, we put that claim to test!

Join Chip & Stu, as they pit a Battery powered string trimmer against a traditional gas string trimmer, in this contest of run time and industry fact-check.

#stringtrimmer #batterypowered #yardcleanup

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[ PRODUCT(S) DISCUSSED IN THE VIDEO ]

- STIHL FSA 135 with a AP 300S Battery

- STIHL FS 91R

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[ RELATED VIDEOS ]

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[ VIDEO CHAPTERS ]

00:00 Video Introduction
01:05 Battery Options
01:51 Trimmer Details
02:43 Trimming Sections
04:33 Thoughts so far
05:14 Run Time Comparison
05:39 Numbers
06:17 Final Thoughts
08:15 Costs & Convenience Comparison
10:09 Thank You!

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[mainstreetmower]

One factor we didn’t account for very well in this video is the cost of fuel. The FS91R would burn an average of 80 gallons per year (($3.79/gallon + $2 oil) x 80 gallons per year = $463/yr) not to mention maintenance. That makes the breakeven on (3) AP300 $299 at about 2 years.

[joycejudd]

good video. I'm a gas person, all the way. Just as slowing down the motor on the battery would give longer run time, slowing down the gas unit would also...make the gas last longer. For me: when the battery dies, it's dead. So, you need 2 batteries. When the gas runs out, you just fill it up and go on.

[roybatty]

I have a large garden and use a strimmer, hedge trimmer, blowers and chain saws, all using the same batteries. They charge fast and having a couple of spares avoids any downtime. It’s perfect. I would only go back to engines if I was a commercial gardener or had a much larger plot.

[norduferhandel]

I use 40v Ryobi trimmers, blower, amd mower in a 1/2 homeowners setting.
After mowing and trimming 4.5 acres previously i enjoy not having to deal with IC engines and fuel.

Just grab a battery and go, i use two or three batteries to string trim my entire yard since its too hilly to mow 70% of it. Still using the original batteries after almost 5 years.

[jonathonrossebo]

Gas wins. Longer run time and no waiting around for batteries to charge. If you're using it commercially doing multiple properties a day the more time you have to wait for batteries to recharge the less time you're actually spending making money. Gas is still the most practical choice for commercial use everyday.

[joycejudd]

I would love to see video re: gas blowers vs battery blowers. I'm old, so would prefer smaller (1/2 gal tank, for instance). And I only do my yard and the neighbors, but am sick to death of stretching out 100' cords to reach where I need (want) to go 🙂 Really enjoying your channel!

[sirvozelo]

I have the FSA135 in a bicycle handle configuration and yes it performs great I am 100% satisfied with its performance, however I sure have rune into the same problem as with MSA300 chainsaw, even the top battery the AP500S isn't a match for this great machines.
Feels like driving a Mustang GT with gas tank in the reserve, also the batteries are priced like gold.

[markclark]

I'll stay with my gasoline trimmers hands down. I have the Sthil FS - 111- R and the Husqvarna 322- l and I have no issues with them. The sthil 4 mix engines are durable for sure and powerful. Maintaining the valve adjustment is easy. The Husqvarna trimmer is easily maintained also.

[constantinevu]

Thank you! That was i looking for. For my home needs battery powered would be great, but that price difference is just a bit too much for myself. I use around 3 gallons of fuel yearly in my case up to 20$ with the oil. Also maintenance with such low usage is not a big deal, dry it, clean it and storage for the next season.
Also the biggest benefit of gas powered is when someone asks for help i can just jump on without worrying if the batteries are charged up.

[bernisrogerson]

That a great test . For that knee and to show us the comparison.thank you

[disndat]

That was an obvious question, super adquately addressed. I thought I am one of 4 people on the planet taking an interest in this and then I see pages and pages of commentary...Good job.

[qdogbenson]

Absolutely no need to switch for my situation. I like engines, like the smell and feel. 1/2 the use time on battery and then recharge or just fill up in 1 minute. The battery tools always seem to stop at just the right moment. Last weekend I used cordless saw for entire morning. One 2x10 cut to be finished and it died. Go figure.

[davids.]

I have a 2 acre lawn and 10 acres of wooded area. I have a little Kubota tractor I use for the mowing and leaf vac, but everything else I went all electric and never looked back. I even went 40v Ryobi which is not a top name brand (they had a sale I could not say no better in almost every way to my old echo equipment.
I grew up on a dairy farm, built a classic car, and consider myself a gear Electric is the way and I am now a believer.

Some people just wont even consider it, but if you think about it, there are still people who use dial up internet and
Its the same people who held on to there plug in drills for years. Most finally caved into but Im sure there a few hold outs.

[entorid]

For casual homeowner sure battery might work, but for commercial use there is no way electric will be the choice. We run 2x trimmers sometimes for around 8hours/day, imagine how many batteries we would need to buy and how much would that cost :D also if we would be recharging batteries on site, we probably would be using a generator anyway :D

[hootowl]

I have several gas Stihl tools. But I'm buying an electric hedger this time because I get tired of maintaining gas engines - pull, pull, pull, replace the spark plug, etc. - no, thank you. I'm a homeowner who has time. If the battery goes dead, big deal, just charge it up and continue later. If they stop making these batteries, someone somewhere will have another, even if it needs an adapter. A backpack battery would do the same thing and lessen the weight of the machine - win-win. Gas for chainsaws, electric for home hedging. Looking forward to not going to gas stations for a gallon of gas and then coming home and finding the oil I thought I had is not there. Old technologies usually die for good reasons.
You know, as battery technology improves, they will soon have better ones that can be used on these tools. With gas, you're stuck with gas. Electric is quieter too, and some cities are banning gas engines because of the noise. I'd go with gas though if I were a commercial user.

[unclefester]

It all depends on your needs! If you are in the business then use Gas! But avg household resident can get what they need done with 2 fully charged batteries

[lynnanderic]

I like them both but the price on the electric is way to much for a average home owner... you can buy 3 gas to one electric thanks for the video!

[fredhicks]

I've had a Dewalt 54v brushcutter/strimmer since last Oct. When it's running it's pretty nice. Mine has gone kaput twice now while using the blade....I get a fair amount of vibration when using the blade. I just don't think there is enough oomph to use it on heavy grass and berry vines. I use it to clear the local walking paths and I might just try a Stihl 131 so I can use an Oregon mulching blade. I would expect to go a LOT faster with something like the 131....really need to take it easy with the Dewalt or it would bog down.

[rawsonreich]

In my opinion gas is better than electric because you can use it more and gas has more power

[vink]

Battery good for home owners and diy but real professionals know gas is the way to go