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Brambles & scrub

The best brush cutters for brambles

Brambles need two things: torque and a metal blade. Nylon line just bounces off woody, thorny stems. These are the machines we'd pick to clear them, ranked.

By · Updated · first published

In short:To cut brambles you need a metal blade and enough power to keep it turning. For thick, established brambles, the semi-pro Stihl FS 131 (1.4 kW 4-MIX, 5.8 kg) and Honda UMK 435 (1.0 kW GX35 four-stroke, bike handle, double harness) lead; on a budget, the 52 cc Fuxtec FX-MS152 and Einhell GC-BC 52 give the most power for the money. For lighter brambles without petrol, Makita's twin-18V DUR369AZ (255 mm blade) and Ryobi's RBC36X26B kit (26 cm 3-tooth blade) work well.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    Stihl FS 131 semi-pro petrol brush cutter 36cc 4-MIX brambles heavy use
    Semi-pro

    STIHL · 36.3 cc · 4-MIX

    Stihl FS 131

    For tough land and heavy use: a 36.3 cc, 1.4 kW 4-MIX brush cutter with a bike handle, 5.8 kg and a 420 mm cut — Stihl's semi-pro petrol benchmark.

    8.7/10
    Read the review
  2. 2
    Honda UMK 435 GX35 4-stroke petrol brush cutter with harness and blade
    Pro 4-stroke

    HONDA · 35 cc · GX35 4-stroke

    Honda UMK 435 UE

    A bigger, tougher Honda 4-stroke: the 35 cc GX35 gives 1.0 kW for bramble clearing on a bike handle with a double harness, still without mixing fuel.

    8.6/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    Fuxtec FX-MS152 52cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter 3-tooth steel blade harness
    Value 52cc

    FUXTEC · 52 cc · 2-stroke

    Fuxtec FX-MS152

    A 52 cc, 2.95 hp petrol brush cutter with a metal blade, line head and padded strap included — huge cutting capability for tough, overgrown land.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  4. 4
    Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS 52cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter with 3-tooth blade
    Big value 52cc

    EINHELL · 51.7 cc · 2-stroke

    Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS

    A powerful 51.7 cc, 1.5 kW petrol brush cutter with a split shaft, 3-tooth blade, twin-line head and carrying strap included — a lot of clearing power for the money.

    7.8/10
    Read the review
  5. 5
    Makita DUR369AZ 36V LXT brushless cordless brush cutter bike handle 43cm cut
    Pro cordless

    MAKITA · 36V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR369AZ

    A professional twin-18V brushless brush cutter with a bike handle, 430 mm nylon cut and a 255 mm metal blade in the box — sold bare for LXT owners.

    8.6/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    Ryobi RBC36X26B 36V cordless brush cutter TriArc 3-tooth blade
    Blade + 4 Ah kit

    RYOBI · 36V MAX Power

    Ryobi RBC36X26B

    A 36V MAX POWER cordless brush cutter with a 26 cm 3-tooth blade and 30 cm line head, sold with a 4.0 Ah battery and charger — real scrub capability.

    8.1/10
    Read the review

Why brambles need a blade

Brambles are woody, springy and thorny. A nylon line flails against the stems, wraps and wears out fast. To cut them cleanly you need a metal blade — a 3- or 4-tooth brush blade for most patches — and enough torque to keep it spinning when the stems push back. Every machine on this list either comes with a blade or is set up for one by the dealer.

Power: what’s enough?

As a rule of thumb, look for 1 kW or more for regular bramble work:

  • Stihl FS 131 — 36.3 cc 4-MIX, 1.4 kW, 5.8 kg without guard or cutting tool. The best power-to-weight here, with Easy Start and a 0.71 L tank for long sessions.
  • Honda UMK 435 UE — 35 cc GX35 four-stroke, 1.0 kW, unmixed petrol, bike handle and double harness; about 7.5 kg dry.
  • Fuxtec FX-MS152 — 52 cc, 2.95 hp, metal brush blade included; the most quoted power per pound.
  • Einhell GC-BC 52 — 51.7 cc, 1.5 kW, 25.5 cm 3-tooth blade, split shaft; 8.5 kg.
  • Makita DUR369AZ — twin 18V LXT, bike handle, 255 mm blade supplied, 430 mm line cut; 5.9–6.3 kg.
  • Ryobi RBC36X26B — 36V kit with a 26 cm 3-tooth blade and 4.0 Ah battery.

Petrol or cordless?

For thick, established brambles across a large or neglected plot, petrol wins: you refuel in seconds and the engine keeps its torque all day. For lighter patches in a garden, or where noise matters, a twin-battery or 36V cordless with a blade is quieter and simpler — just budget for a spare battery on big jobs.

Handle and harness matter

Blade work needs two-handed control. Choose a bike handle (all six picks have one) and wear a harness that puts the weight on your shoulders — see the best brush cutter harnesses. It reduces fatigue and keeps the blade at the right height.

How to cut brambles

Cut from the outside of the patch inwards, taking the top growth first and then working down to the base. Swing right to left with a three-tooth blade so cuttings are thrown away from you, and keep the blade below knee height. Rake out cut stems as you go so they don’t wrap the head. Our how to use a brush cutter guide covers technique and kickback.

Stay safe

Brambles throw debris and thorns. Wear a visor or safety glasses, ear defenders, gloves, cut-resistant trousers and sturdy boots, and keep people and pets at least 15 m away. See safety gear for brush cutting.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Stihl FS 131 Petrol 36.3 cc · 4-MIX 5.8 kg (without guard and cutting tool) 8.7 / 10
Honda UMK 435 UE Petrol 35 cc · GX35 4-stroke About 7.5 kg dry (retailers: 7.53–7.6 kg) 8.6 / 10
Fuxtec FX-MS152 Petrol 52 cc · 2-stroke — 8 / 10
Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS Petrol 51.7 cc · 2-stroke 8.5 kg (listing) 7.8 / 10
Makita DUR369AZ Cordless 36V LXT · Brushless 5.9–6.3 kg (retailers) 8.6 / 10
Ryobi RBC36X26B Cordless 36V MAX Power 3.7 kg bare; 4.6–5.1 kg with battery 8.1 / 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

Frequently asked questions

What kind of brush cutter is best for brambles?

One that takes a metal blade and has a bike handle and harness for control — a petrol machine from about 35 cc, or a strong twin-battery cordless. Line-only trimmers can't cut brambles.

Can a battery brush cutter cut brambles?

Yes, for light to moderate brambles. Makita's DUR369AZ comes with a 255 mm blade and Ryobi's RBC36X26B with a 26 cm 3-tooth blade; Ryobi quotes up to 47 minutes of brush cutting per charge. For thick, established patches over a large area, petrol is more capable.

What blade should I use for brambles?

A 3- or 4-tooth metal brush blade, used with the guard your manual specifies. For saplings mixed in, a saw blade is better — see the best brush cutter blades.

Is a 25 cc machine enough for brambles?

Only for light, young growth. Entry machines such as the Einhell GC-BC 25/1 (600 W) come with a blade but run out of torque in thick brambles; 1 kW and up is a better starting point.