Why you should trust this review
I have run cordless string trimmers across multiple seasons on a half acre suburban lot, including the Greenworks 40V, the Husqvarna 128LD gas, and the DeWalt 20V. The EGO ST1623T is EGO’s telescoping flagship trimmer, sold both as a kit and a tool only unit. We purchased the kit at retail.
This review covers seven months of weekly use across spring through fall. See The Tested Hub methodology page for our standardized testing protocol.
How we tested the EGO ST1623T
- Twelve full perimeter trim sessions on a half acre lot with mixed grass, weeds, and edge work.
- Heavy weed clearing run at back fence line with woody stalks up to half inch diameter.
- Powerload reload time measured with a stopwatch from start to ready.
- Battery runtime per 2.5 Ah pack measured against actual trigger time.
- Operator ear noise at 3 ft using a calibrated sound meter.
- Shaft length adjustment cycled 30 times to test the telescoping clamp.
Who should buy the EGO ST1623T?
Buy the EGO ST1623T if:
- You have a quarter acre to one acre lot with significant trim work.
- You already own EGO 56V tools and want shared batteries.
- You want the fastest line reload available on a cordless trimmer.
Skip the EGO ST1623T if:
- Your lot is small (under 5,000 sq ft). The Ryobi 40V Carbon Fiber trimmer is plenty.
- You are tied to a different battery system already.
- You want the lightest cordless trimmer. This unit is heavier than 40V competitors at 9 lb.
Cut power: gas trimmer comparable
On grass edge work the 56V brushless motor cut cleanly at variable trigger speeds well below full throttle, which preserved battery and reduced operator fatigue. On heavy weed clearing at the back fence with stalks up to half inch in diameter, the trimmer pulled through without bogging at full throttle. That is the threshold most cordless trimmers fail. The ST1623T does not.
The Powerload head: real time saved
The Powerload bump head is the practical upgrade. To reload, you feed line through a port on each side of the head, snap line into the spindle, and press the button. The head winds line in about 30 seconds. Across a season I reload line four to six times depending on edge work volume. Each reload on a traditional bump head takes 5 to 10 minutes after disassembly. Powerload saves roughly 25 to 50 minutes per season.
The bump-feed itself wants a firm tap. Light bumps do not advance line which I noted as a small con. Once you learn the rhythm it is not an issue.
Telescoping shaft and ergonomics
The carbon fiber shaft adjusts from 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 2 in via a screw clamp. Two users in our household share the trimmer with different reach preferences and the adjustment took about 10 seconds per swap. After 30 cycles the clamp shows no slip or play.
Weight is the main ergonomic con. At 9 lb with battery the ST1623T is heavier than 40V trimmers by about 2 lb. On long sessions the strap shoulder loop helps. The grip placement is well balanced so the perceived weight at the hands is less than the spec sheet implies.
Battery and runtime
The 2.5 Ah included pack delivered 44 minutes of typical edge and trim work mixing variable trigger speeds across multiple sessions. Full throttle weed clearing dropped runtime to about 28 minutes which is expected. Charge time on the 56V rapid charger ran about 30 minutes from empty, which is fast enough to top up before a long session.
If you already own a 5 Ah or 7.5 Ah EGO 56V pack, swap into the trimmer for double the runtime. The ST1623T accepts the full EGO 56V battery range.
Build, noise, value
The shaft is carbon fiber, the head is hard plastic with metal internals, and the trigger housing is rubberized. Operator ear noise measured 80 dB at 3 ft from the head at full throttle which is well below a typical 2-stroke gas trimmer at 95 dB.
At $249 the ST1623T is at the upper end of the cordless trimmer market. The price premium versus the Ryobi 40V Carbon Fiber at $179 covers the 56V power, the Powerload head, and the EGO ecosystem. For half acre and larger lots the EGO is the right buy. For smaller lots the price gap is harder to justify.
EGO Power Plus ST1623T 16-Inch Telescoping Carbon Fiber Shaft String Trimmer vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Voltage | Width | Runtime | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO ST1623T 16-Inch | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 56V | 16 in | 45 min | $249 | Top Pick |
| Greenworks 60V Brushless 16-Inch | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 60V | 16 in | 40 min | $199 | Best Value |
| Ryobi 40V Carbon Fiber Trimmer | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 40V | 15 in | 35 min | $179 | Recommended |
| Husqvarna 128LD Gas Trimmer | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | Gas 28cc | 17 in | Tank dependent | $269 | Best Gas Pick |
Full specifications
| Cutting width | 16 inches |
| Voltage | 56V Arc Lithium brushless |
| Battery (included) | 2.5 Ah |
| Runtime | About 45 minutes typical use |
| Line type | 0.095 in twisted line |
| Head | Powerload bump feed |
| Shaft | Carbon fiber, telescoping |
| Length adjust | 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | About 9 lb with battery |
| Speed control | Variable trigger |
| Warranty | 5 year tool, 3 year battery |
Should you buy the EGO Power Plus ST1623T 16-Inch Telescoping Carbon Fiber Shaft String Trimmer?
The EGO ST1623T is the EGO trimmer most owners actually want. The carbon fiber telescoping shaft adjusts to user height, the Powerload bump head reloads the line in about 30 seconds without disassembly, and the 56V brushless motor matches gas trimmer power on weeds. Runtime on the 2.5 Ah included battery is about 45 minutes which covers a half acre lot perimeter. Heavier than budget 40V trimmers and pricey at the kit level.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EGO ST1623T worth $249 in 2026?+
Yes if you have a half acre or larger lot and you want a cordless trimmer that genuinely matches a gas trimmer. The Powerload head saves real time across a season. If you have a smaller lot, the [Greenworks 60V Brushless](/reviews/greenworks-60v-brushless-trimmer) is the value pick at $50 less.
How does Powerload work?+
Feed line through the head, attach to the spool spindle, hit the button on the side. The head winds the line itself in about 30 seconds. Compared to taking apart a traditional bump head and hand winding 20 ft of line, that is the upgrade most owners notice immediately.
Will it cut heavy weeds?+
Yes. The 56V brushless motor pulled through dense weed stands at the back fence line without bogging. We did not need to switch to a brush blade across a season of normal use.
How long does the 2.5 Ah battery actually last?+
We measured 44 minutes of typical edge and trim work mixing variable trigger speeds. Full throttle weed clearing dropped runtime to about 28 minutes. Charge time on the 56V rapid charger ran roughly 30 minutes from empty.
Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma writes for The Tested Hub.
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