The Best Combo Trimmer of 2026
The Milwaukee Quik-Lok system
One tool, multiple attachments
The opportunity to have a lot of different tools for a fraction of the cost? Sign me up! A lot of companies are coming out with some kind of combo trimmer product that allow you to purchase one “power head” and then a variety of different attachments. Instead of having a separate string trimmer (or weed wacker) and then a blower and pole saw and edger… now you can buy one unit and get the tool attachment that you want for a lot less. While other companies are doing this, we demoed Milwaukee’s “Quik-Lok” version. Here are 5 reasons why we think it’s the best:
Battery
If you’re already bought into a battery platform, the last thing that you want to do is start all over with another one, especially with most batteries running around $200 a piece. If you’re already into the Milwaukee platform, the Milwaukee Quik-Lok takes the same M18 batteries that you already have for your other tools AND the base unit comes with a Forge XC8.0 battery and a charger and the string trimmer attachment for only $379. Easy decision. If you aren’t already into the Milwaukee battery system… it’s something that you should consider. Keep an eye out for an episode of The Fix coming soon all about why their batteries are so good.
Variety of tools
The Milwaukee Quik-Lok system has 13 different attachments. As you can see in the video, the variety is there and we couldn’t really think of anything that they missed. In fact, some of the attachments were tools that we didn’t really think would be useful… until we used them. The variety of tools means that there are less full tools that you need to buy when it comes to yard equipment. Now if they could just figure out how to make one that puts up Christmas lights like in The Grinch…
Power
As we have found on a lot of Milwaukee tools, the power that is generated really exceeds expectations. The bristle brush attachment for example – it doesn’t look like it’s spinning that fast until you hit a dirty sidewalk with it. The pole saw tore through some pretty decent sized limbs in Travis’ yard. The edger unit really bit into the sod without slowing down. The M18 battery just has more power then you expect and it lasts. We found the same to be true when we had our friend Anthony, who works for the US Forestry Service, test out their Dual Battery Chainsaw.
Price
With the price of a typical battery trimmer hovering around $300 on the low end, $379 for the Milwaukee Quik-Lok string trimmer that comes with the battery and a charger is well worth the money. However, when you consider that most of the Quik-Lok attachments come in at less than $200 (some of the bigger ones are around $300)… For the quality that you get with a Milwaukee tool, that’s a good deal, and that’s not taking into account when they go on sale.
Innovation
Lastly, one of the things that makes the Quik-Lok system the best, in our opinion, is the innovation that went into their tools. Like we said above, some of the attachment tools we didn’t really see the attraction… until we used them. The reciprocating attachment, for example, was quieter and more powerful than a string trimmer and it didn’t throw the clippings in your face. The blower was amazing too – this is one of those tools that many of us probably have as a separate unit. To have one as an attachment was great. And the articulating hedge trimmer was extremely versatile.
The combination of the battery system, the variety, the power, the price, and the innovation is what makes the Milwaukee Quik-Lok the best combo trimmer units out there. Below you will find a list of all the attachments, linked if North 40 carries them currently.
String Trimmer Kit (battery & charger)
Articulating Hedge Trimmer
Reciprocating Attachment
Bed Redefiner
Bristle Brush
Rubber Broom
Cultivator
3-ft Extension
