Earthwise 12-inch Rechargeable Trimmer Review

The Earthwise Rechargeable 12-inch Trimmer is lightweight and easy to handle.

My husband bought me the Earthwise 12-inch Rechargeable Trimmer last summer because the larger gas-powered trimmers were a little more than I could handle. Not only were they too long (I'm only 5'4") they were too heavy too. That meant putting a lot of pressure on my shoulders and arms. Because I have arthritis and have a tendency to develop bursitis and tendonitis, I thought weed whacking was a thing of the past for me. This weed trimmer proved me wrong.


Although it's not perfect, there are a lot of things I love about this trimmer - we'll get to the drawbacks later.

Things I love:

• Lightweight: This trimmer only weighs a bit over 8 pounds and feels light and comfortable in the hands. 
• Adjustable: The shaft adjusts from 34.5 to 43.5 inches, which means you can adjust it for your height. The shortest length works great for shorties like me, but there is plenty of room to adjust for those who are taller. The angle of the handle also adjusts to accommodate for arm length and preference. But that's not all. The head adjusts to make it easy to trim at awkward angles, too. I never use this feature, but it's nice to know I have the option.
• Power: I was a little concerned that this trimmer wouldn't be able to handle tall grass or tough weeds, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it does. I have used it in heavy grass that was up to 12 inches tall without a problem. It did, however, suck up the battery power and drain the battery quickly.
• Quiet with No Odor: Compared to gas powered trimmers, the Earthwise Rechargeable Trimmer is very quiet. I've never been bothered by the noise when using it. It is also odor free, which is definitely a plus.

Drawbacks

• Battery Life: The only real complaint I have about this trimmer is the 18-volt rechargeable battery only lasts about 20 minutes. I have read that with repeated charging the battery will last longer, but I haven't seen that yet. In fact, we got a second battery so we could always have another one ready to go.
• Releasing the Battery: While this isn't a problem for everyone, if you have arthritis in your hands, like I do, you may find it difficult to squeeze the release buttons to remove the battery from the trimmer for charging. You also need to repeat the "squeeze" to replace the battery.

This trimmer is great for anyone who has difficulty maneuvering a large gas powered trimmer. It's easy on the joints, back and arms. It is great for cleaning up around raised beds or around a walkway. While it isn't meant for heavy duty trimming, it can handle tough weeds when needed. If you have a larger yard or large areas to trim regularly, I'd recommend getting a second battery. While many of it's features are ideal for those with arthritis, if you have arthritic hands, you may need assistance changing the battery.