The best 25cc brush cutters
Looking for a light petrol machine that won't wear out your arms? Here are the best 25–28 cc brush cutters we cover, ranked for grass and light growth, not heavy brush.
In short:In the 25–28 cc class, the Honda UMK 425 LE (GX25 four-stroke, 0.81 kW, 5.9 kg dry, blade included) and Makita EM2651UH (MM4 four-stroke, 0.77 kW, 5.6 kg, 2.4–2.5 m/s² vibration) run on unmixed petrol. The two-stroke Stihl FS 55 (0.75 kW, 4.4–4.9 kg) is the lightest, and the Husqvarna 128R (0.7 kW, Smart Start) comes with a grass blade and double harness. On a budget, the Fuxtec FX-MS125 (5.5 kg) and Einhell GC-BC 25/1 include a blade and harness.
Our picks, ranked
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What matters at 25 cc
At 25–28 cc, power is modest — roughly 0.6 to 0.8 kW — so the differences are weight, starting, engine type and kit. A kilogram less matters more here than a few extra cc: none of these is meant for heavy brush.
Our picks
- Honda UMK 425 LE — GX25 four-stroke, 0.81 kW, D-loop handle, 5.9 kg dry, nylon head and 3-tooth blade; unmixed petrol.
- Makita EM2651UH — MM4 four-stroke, 0.77 kW, cow-horn handle, 5.6 kg, very low vibration (2.4–2.5 m/s²).
- Stihl FS 55 — 27.2 cc two-stroke, 0.75 kW, the lightest at 4.4–4.9 kg; the C-E version adds ErgoStart and a metal blade.
- Husqvarna 128R — 28 cc, 0.7 kW, Smart Start with fuel pump, bullhorn handle, grass blade and double harness.
- Fuxtec FX-MS125 — 25.4 cc, 0.74 kW, 5.5 kg, bike handle, metal blade and shoulder harness.
- Einhell GC-BC 25/1 — 25.4 cc, 600 W, 42 cm line and 23 cm 3-tooth blade, harness; about 6.4 kg.
Which should you choose?
If you hate mixing fuel, the Honda UMK 425 or Makita EM2651UH. For the lightest machine with dealer support, the Stihl FS 55; for easy starting and a harness in the box, the Husqvarna 128R. On a budget, the Fuxtec FX-MS125 or Einhell GC-BC 25/1. For brambles, step up to the 40 cc class.
Our picks at a glance
| Model | Type | Engine / power | Weight | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda UMK 425 LE | Petrol | 25 cc · GX25 4-stroke | 5.9 kg dry | 8.2 / 10 |
| Makita EM2651UH | Petrol | 25.4 cc · 4-stroke MM4 | 5.6 kg (Makita datasheet) | 8 / 10 |
| Stihl FS 55 | Petrol | 27.2 cc · 2-stroke | 4.4–4.9 kg (retailers) | 7.8 / 10 |
| Husqvarna 128R | Petrol | 28 cc · 2-stroke | 5.8 kg excl. cutting equipment | 7.9 / 10 |
| Fuxtec FX-MS125 | Petrol | 25 cc · 2-stroke | 5.5 kg (Fuxtec) | 7.5 / 10 |
| Einhell GC-BC 25/1 I AS | Petrol | 25.4 cc · 2-stroke | 6.4 kg (listing) | 7.4 / 10 |
Weights are as stated by the maker, UK retailers or Amazon, so some include a battery or cutting gear and others don't — see each review for details.
Compare our picks head to head
- Einhell GC-BC 25/1 vs Fuxtec FX-MS125: budget petrol duel
- Einhell GC-BC 25/1 vs Honda UMK 425: cheap 2-stroke or Honda 4-stroke?
- Fuxtec FX-MS125 vs Einhell GC-BC 25/1: a first petrol brush cutter
- Honda UMK 425 vs Makita EM2651UH: 25 cc four-stroke duel
- Husqvarna 128R vs Einhell GC-BC 25/1: premium or budget entry?
- Husqvarna 128R vs Honda UMK 425: two-stroke or four-stroke?
Frequently asked questions
Is a 25cc brush cutter powerful enough for brambles?
Only light, young growth. With a metal blade fitted, this class handles nettles and thin brambles, but dense or woody growth needs about 1 kW or more — a 35 cc+ machine.
Should I get a 2-stroke or 4-stroke 25cc model?
Two-strokes like the Stihl FS 55 are lighter and cheaper but need mixed fuel. Four-strokes like the Honda UMK 425 and Makita EM2651UH run on unmixed petrol and sound smoother, but cost more.
Is 25cc enough for a first petrol brush cutter?
Yes, for most gardens. These machines are light enough for beginners and cover the grass-and-light-growth jobs most homeowners face.