Voltage sets the cutting power on a cordless edger, but the battery platform you already own usually decides the final cost.
A 60V edger can out-cut a 20V model all day and still be the wrong buy, because the batteries already sitting in your garage decide what the tool actually costs. Voltage covers cutting power and runtime; the platform covers whether you pay for a bare tool or a fresh set of packs and a charger.
Three things settle the call: the voltage class that fits your yard, the runtime the listing actually promises, and whether the edger runs on a battery family you’re already invested in.
How Much Voltage Does Your Yard Need?
Most suburban lots edge fine on a 20V MAX or 20V Power Share tool, while the 40V and 60V classes exist for longer sessions and tougher growth. Match the class to the amount of edge you cut in one pass, then check the runtime claim underneath it. A quarter-acre lot with a few beds doesn’t need a 60V machine; a half-acre corner property with a long driveway edge does.
- 20V/18V class: Light to moderate residential edging. The BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 is a string trimmer with an edger function, built for the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX system.
- 40V class: Bigger yards and longer sessions. The WORX WG184 string trimmer and lawn edger draws 40V from two 20V batteries, and WORX rates the included pair for an average 1/2 acre homesite on one charge.
- 60V class: Heavier-duty edging.
Watch the naming on the box. BLACK+DECKER states 20V as the maximum initial battery voltage and 18V as nominal, and DEWALT lists the DCED470B at 60V maximum with 54V nominal. A “20V” tool runs the same 18V cell stack as one labeled “18V.”
| Tool Or Platform | Voltage Rating | Verified Detail |
|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 | 20V MAX (18V nominal) | String trimmer with edger function |
| WORX 20V Power Share edger | 20V Power Share | One battery rated for an average 1/4 acre yard |
| WORX WG184 | 40V from two 20V batteries | Included pair rated for an average 1/2 acre homesite |
| WORX 20V Power Share family | 20V Power Share | Batteries work across 75+ tools in the family |
| WORX WG184 setup | 40V Power Share | Needs both 20V packs installed to run |
| DEWALT DCED470B | 60V MAX (54V nominal) | Up to 87 minutes of no-load runtime per charge |
| DEWALT DCED470B kit | 60V MAX | Sold as tool only; battery and charger not included |
Battery Compatibility: The Part That Sets Your Total Cost
Battery compatibility decides total cost more than voltage does, because packs rarely cross brand lines. Two 20V edgers from different makers almost never share a battery, so the cheapest bare tool can turn into the priciest purchase once a charger and a pair of packs go in the cart.
Each family has its own rules. WORX says its 20V Power Share batteries work across 75+ tools in the family — WORX’s Power Share battery system — and that batteries should be used only with tools of the corresponding voltage. BLACK+DECKER keeps the LSTE525 inside its 20V MAX system, and DEWALT’s 60V MAX tools run on their own packs.
Buying by voltage alone is the common trap. A 40V model that needs two 20V batteries costs more to run than a single-pack tool if you own just one. If none of these three platforms match packs you already own, you’re buying into a system, so price a charger and a battery alongside any bare tool.
Once you know which platform you’re joining, a tested roundup of battery operated edgers narrows the field fast.
What Runtime Claims Actually Mean
Runtime claims describe one battery, one load, and often a no-load test, so treat every figure as a ceiling rather than a promise.
Thick grass, damp growth, and a dull blade pull more current and shorten actual time well below those numbers. A larger-capacity pack usually buys more runtime than a jump in voltage does, and no-load ratings will always flatter what you get edging a tough border.
Check the box before you compare prices, too. The DEWALT DCED470B ships as a bare tool, so a shopper without 60V MAX batteries is also buying packs and a charger on top of the edger.
Three checks settle the purchase:
- Sort out which battery platforms you already own — WORX Power Share, BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX, or DEWALT 60V MAX.
- Match the voltage class to your yard: 20V for light edge work, 40V or 60V for longer sessions.
- Confirm what’s in the box — one battery or two, charger included or bare tool.
FAQs
Can I run a 40V edger on a single 20V battery?
Not on models built for a matched pair. The WORX WG184 takes two 20V batteries at once and won’t start with only one installed, and WORX’s own guidance is to pair batteries only with tools of the matching voltage. Some 40V tools do use a single 40V pack instead, so check the manual before assuming a spare 20V battery fits.
Does a higher voltage always mean more cutting power?
Voltage raises the ceiling, but it isn’t the whole story. The DEWALT DCED470B carries a 60V MAX rating with 54V nominal, while the WORX WG184 reaches 40V by pairing two 20V batteries. Motor design, blade size, and pack capacity shape what you feel in thick grass, so weigh runtime claims and platform fit beside the label.
How long will one charge actually last?
Expect less than the sticker in heavy growth. Thick grass and a dull blade draw more current and cut that time down.
References & Sources
- WORX. “20V Power Share Cordless String Trimmer & Edger” Source for Power Share battery sharing, the 75+ tool family, and the 1/4 acre runtime rating.
- BLACK+DECKER. “LSTE525 20V MAX Lithium EASYFEED String Trimmer” Source for 20V MAX system compatibility and