Here's my honest review of the W863e Garden Multitool by Worx tools while cutting brambles and shrubs in an overgrown garden. Includes YouTube video.
We knew we needed something powerful, having moved recently to our smallholding, so assumed that petrol was the way to go. However, we were worried about the noise.
That's because we knew there would be weeks of this strimming, trimming and whacking brambles. And we didn't want to annoy our neighbours, or our ears while we head into Spring.
So onto YouTube I went and started looking for Petro Vs Battery Bushcutters or Brushcutters or a cordless string strimmer. I've found they have so many names!
Choosing Battery or Petrol
It turns out the technology is out there power-wise, but the only constraint is the cost of batteries. I specifically looked at brands where I knew we had power tools with existing batteries.
Others I considered were: Einhell, Erbauer, Stanley, Dewalt and Makita etc. And the other thing I noticed was that I wanted either 2 x 18v power 36v or 2 x 20V power 40v.
Put these criteria together and it was between 2 Brands for me, Worx or Einhell: both these were multitools where I could swap the heads, and have other functions like chainsaws/hedge trimmers, lawn edgers etc.
Worx Vs Einhell
I found the Einhell did have more options, like a rotivator that was tempting with our planting plans. But I already owned Worx' compact saw, jet washer, which I used a lot when we lived on the Narrowboat.
So having 5 x 2ah batteries and a 4ah swung it for me, plus It also had 25% off at Amazon and came with the brushcutter blade, string line, 2 4ah batteries and a double battery charger.
I felt confident this was the correct choice. So if you're looking at battery powered garden multitools for sale, then here you can read on to find my honest review while testing it on the job.
Jump to:
- Choosing Battery or Petrol
- Worx Vs Einhell
- What I'll be Covering
- ❓What is the Worx W863e?
- 🔎 Unboxing
- ➕Grass Strimmer Impressions
- 🧵Replacing the String Line
- 🪫Battery Performance
- 💡Additional Accessories
- 🌳Brush Cutter Performance
- ✂️Hedge Trimmer
- 🦺Safety Tips
- 🎯Does the Worx W863e Multitool Win My Garden Games?
- 💬 Comments
What I'll be Covering
I'll be talking about how My Worx W863e Garden Multitool performed with the following:
- Grass Trimming
- Brush cutting
- Hedge trimming
- Tree pruning
- Bramble Battling
- Cleaning, replacing, and maintaining the saw chain
- Tree pruning safety tips
❓What is the Worx W863e?
The Worx W863e is a powerful battery powered brushless motor, that is like a Swiss army knife for a domestic garden.
- a home DIYer tool
- prefer a tool-free chain replacement method
- short of storage space
- you need to perform light to medium gardening maintenance
- or you can't or don't want to lug around heavy machinery
🔎 Unboxing
The Worx W863e Garden Multitool, as I mentioned before, came with the string line and a triple blade brushcutter attachment.
Assembly was very quick. Firstly, I plugged in the charger and popped in the 2 x 4ah Batteries they came with, which was ⅔ full. So after 30 minutes, they are fully charged and ready to go.
While I was waiting, I attached the guard, and the handle, which all fixed on with the allen key included. Then all that was left was the strap to click on which I found useful to carry some of the weight while working.
➕Grass Strimmer Impressions
As the string line was already attached, my first test was to clear the grass away from my house's brick walls. As I clicked the batteries into the motor, (both required), I popped on my safety gear and pulled the trigger.
WOW, no cord pulling and playing with a choke, it was working immediately and other than a small hum, the only noise was the whirring of the string through the air.
I stood back and pointed it at the bottom of the wall and the grass started flying. When it looked like it wasn't cutting as well, a couple of bumps on the ground fed out more line and it was slashing grass again.
🧵Replacing the String Line
To feed it with more string, all I needed to do was line up the holes and thread through the strimmer line so you have 2 equal lengths either side with the dispenser in the middle.
Then simply keep twisting and it winds it up into the mechanism ready to go again.
If you have too much line protruding, the guard has a plastic blade that removes the excess.
🪫Battery Performance
The initial charge lasted me about 45 mins and that was plenty of time to go around the house, do a pathway and clear the overgrowth of between my rose garden.
💡Additional Accessories
My next task Involved testing out the blade attachment, but the thought of this scared me to begin with.
To change the attachment head, all you need to do is put in the allen key into the hole at the top of the head to lock it. Then spin off the line dispenser in a clockwise rotation. (This is a reverse thread head).
Once it's off, you can slot on the blade over it's little protrusion to sit on, then a large washer followed by a protector cup and finally a reverse thread 11mm locking nut*.
Note: you just need to tighten this with the socket provided.
🌳Brush Cutter Performance
It cuts very well and good on thick grass and nettles. It did work on brambles, but I must admit, I was quite disappointed with the speed of progress on this task, but I could tell it had the grunt to perform.
I was inundated with suggestions to use an Oregon blade instead. I found more heavy duty compared to the triple blade provided by Worx.
It mulched them up without a single struggle, which I was destroying 2 or 3cm diameter brambles. I enjoyed this so much I've just purchased a blade that's more of a wire disk brush, and can't wait to test it.
✂️Hedge Trimmer
When I was confident I was happy with my new tool, I started to collect the attachments I knew I needed. The first on the list was the hedge trimmer, it was shorter than I expected but it packed a punch.
It made light work of the bramble vines growing inside the greenhouse. What took me all morning on 1 greenhouse with pruners, took me 10 minutes with the hedgetrimmer.
It has multiple cutting angles and simply clicked onto the motor in a plug and play fashion. This has a great reach and while you're swaying it around cutting through hedges like butter, all you're thinking is, "there's a lot of green waste to dispose of here".
🪚Pole Saw
This pole chain saw attachment actually came with an extension pole that can be used with hedgetrimmer. I knew with this being a chainsaw it would require more maintenance than the other attachments.
It wasn't as simple as attaching it to the motor - this required a chainsaw oil reservoir filling first. But when it got turning, it was so much fun pruning overhanging branches and trimming them for logging or compost.
I even managed a couple of hazel trees that had popped up in the brambles. The chain did come off after some heavy use, but all I needed to do was take out the battery to tinker, then use the socket that was supplied.
Then remove a cover, aligned the chain back where it lived and pulled the guidebar away to tension it. To secure it, I screwed the cover back on and tightened the single socket again and I was away.
🦺Safety Tips
- Make sure you get it up to full speed before cutting with a pole saw
- Wear PPE such as goggles and gloves. You should also wear a helmet if there is a risk of falling objects.
- ALWAYS remove the battery when not using,or doing any kind of maintenance, or transporting it from job to job
- Ease off if you feel resistance. I tend to then start on the other side of a branch, so I'm chipping away
- Don't overreach when cutting branches or hedges to prevent the risk of a fall
- Do a practice rehearsal to imagine where a branch will fall or whether obstacles will put you in danger
- Cut from above a branch after a small cut underneath for a controlled fall, not from underneath in case it forcefully pushes your arms down
- Wear steel toe cap shoes if there's a risk of branches or similar falling on your feet
- Wait until the motor completely stops, away from you, before placing it down. There's approximately a 1 second delay of momentum from releasing the trigger
- Keep it away from children
- Keep long hair tied up and don't wear any loose clothing or jewellery that could get caught in the chain or blades
- These are just a handful of the safety tips, so ALWAYS read the instruction manual yourself
🎯Does the Worx W863e Multitool Win My Garden Games?
The first bramble-battling session after moving to your new smallholding was like a war zone, and a petrol strimmer I tried sounded like car with an exhaust problem.
Not exactly neighbourly, especially with Spring looming and the brambles multiplying. But before I sing its praises, let's break down why this little green wonder should be your new gardening bestie:
1. Peace Out, Petrol: Ditch the fumes, ditch the noise, ditch the fuel can tango and general maintenance. This battery-powered beauty keeps things quiet and eco-friendly, leaving your ears and the planet happy. No more weekend mornings spent inhaling fumes or untangling yourself from extension cords. Hello, zen gardening!
2. Master of Many Mows: This isn't a single-use tool. The W863e is a multitool maestro, transforming from brushcutter to hedge trimmer to pole saw with just a click. Think one tool, endless possibilities (and less clutter in your shed). Plus, if you're a Worx fan like me, you can use your existing batteries, making it a budget-friendly hero.
3. Power Up, Without the Bulk: Don't let the battery fool you. This little green machine packs a serious punch with 40v of power, tackling overgrown areas and thick brush like a champ. But unlike its petrol-guzzling counterparts, it's lighter and easier to handle, making those long gardening sessions a breeze.
4. Convenience is Queen: No more messing with petrol, no more yanking on cords. The W863e starts with a push of a button and is generally easier to maintain. Plus, it's safer to operate, especially if you have little green helpers (aka kids) who like to lend a hand (or a tool).
5. Save Money, Save the Planet: Sure, the initial cost might be a tad higher than its petrol pals, but hear me out. No more fuel costs or maintenance headaches. Plus, if you're already a Worx convert, you're golden. And let's not forget the biggest bonus: it's kinder to Mother Nature. We all win!
Now, before you jump on the green bandwagon, a few things to ponder:
- Battery Life: Like any good party, the fun eventually ends. Battery life can be a concern, so make sure the 4Ah batteries included will jive with your gardening plans. Extra batteries are always an option, but remember, they add to the cost.
- Power Play: While mighty for a cordless warrior, the W863e might not match the raw power of some commercial petrol beasts. Consider your garden gladiatorial needs before choosing your champion.
- Attachment Army: Check if the W863e can handle the attachments you need to transform your garden into a masterpiece. Versatility is key!
All in all, the Worx W863e Garden Multitool is a green dream machine for eco-conscious gardeners who crave convenience, power, and versatility. If you're already part of the Worx family, it's a no-brainer. Just remember, like any good garden tool, it's all about choosing the right one for your unique needs and green thumb dreams.
Where to Buy the Worx W863e Garden Multitool
If you are looking to buy one, you can order a Worx Powershare brushless trimmer or check out your local dealership.
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