Purchased by me
EGO’s top-of-the-line 16-inch carbon fiber trimmer against the basic 15-inch. Both cut well and get the job done. One adds longer reach, auto line feed and a lighter build. Here’s which one I’d buy.
Which to buy
Pick the EGO 16-inch ST1623T (carbon fiber) if
you’ve got a little more to spend and want longer reach, auto line advance, easy reloading and a lighter carbon fiber build.
Pick the EGO 15-inch 1502SA (basic) if
you want to save some money and don’t mind bumping and hand-winding the line yourself.
My pick
EGO 16-inch ST1623T (carbon fiber)
My pick
- Carbon fiber, so it’s lighter and easier to move around, with a 16-inch cut for more reach.
- Line IQ advances the line for you and keeps it at the right length.
- Power Load winds new line in about 15 seconds. Feed it, even it up, press the button.
- Telescoping handle to adjust the length, plus a low and high speed button. Cuts a little better than the 15-inch too.
EGO 15-inch 1502SA (basic)
The value pick
- Standard bump head. Bump it whenever you want more line.
- Manual wind head that’s honestly easy: hold the bottom, twist the top, and it feeds the line.
- Still does a great job cutting.
- Costs less than the carbon fiber model.
What they share
Both are EGO battery trimmers and both cut well. Power is close, and honestly either one will get the job done in the yard. The 15-inch isn’t a slouch, and its manual wind head is actually easier than most auto-wind systems I’ve used. You just hold the bottom, twist the top, and it feeds the line. So this isn’t about one of them not cutting.
What the 16-inch adds
The 16-inch carbon fiber model piles on the convenience. The 16-inch is lighter and easier to move around, and that extra inch of cut gives you a bit more reach and flexibility. Line IQ advances the line for you so it stays the right length, and Power Load reloads new string in about 15 seconds instead of you winding it by hand.
The 16-inch is also got a telescoping handle to set the length for whoever’s using it, and a speed button for low or high, where the 15-inch only changes speed by how hard you pull the trigger. And I did notice the 16-inch cuts a little better too.
Head to head
| What | EGO 16-inch ST1623T (carbon fiber) | EGO 15-inch 1502SA (basic) |
|---|---|---|
| Cut width | 16 inches, more reach | 15 inches |
| Line feed | Line IQ, auto advance | Bump head, manual |
| Reloading line | Power Load, about 15 seconds | Twist-to-wind by hand |
| Build & weight | Carbon fiber, lighter | Standard, heavier |
| Handle | Telescoping, adjustable | Fixed |
| Speed control | Low/high speed button | Variable trigger only |
The verdict
Both do a great job and both will get your yard done. If you want to save money and you don’t mind bumping and hand-winding the line, the 15-inch is a solid trimmer. You can absolutely get by with it.
But if you’ve got a little more to spend, I’d go with the 16-inch carbon fiber version. The longer reach, the auto line feed, the Power Load reloading and the lighter build just add up to a nicer tool to use, and it’s the one I’d buy.
