The best brush cutters for tall, overgrown grass
Tall, thick grass overwhelms a lightweight trimmer. You want power, a wide cut and thick line — ideally with a blade option for the heaviest patches.
In short:Tall, thick grass needs a strong motor, a wide cut and thick line. Petrol picks are the Stihl FS 70 C-E (0.9 kW, ErgoStart), Husqvarna 129R (0.85 kW, 43 cm cut, double harness) and Stiga BC 545 B (1.25 kW, 45 cm cut). Cordless picks are the Greenworks GD40BC (40 cm cut with 2 mm line, blade, harness) and twin-18V Makita DUR369AZ (430 mm cut). Near a socket, the corded Makita UR3501 (1,000 W, 350 mm, 2 mm line) handles long grass and weeds.
Our picks, ranked
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Power and width
Tall, dense grass needs sustained power so the head doesn’t stall, a wide cut to clear ground quickly, and thick line that doesn’t snap every few minutes. A strong line head copes with most of it; keep a blade for the worst, woody-stemmed patches.
Our picks
- Stihl FS 70 C-E — 27.2 cc, 0.9 kW, ErgoStart, bike handle; AutoCut 25-2 line head supplied.
- Husqvarna 129R — 0.85 kW, 43 cm cut, 5.4 kg without cutting gear, with a grass blade and double harness.
- Greenworks GD40BC — 40V brushless, 40 cm cut with 2 mm line, 25 cm blade and harness; tool-only.
- Makita DUR369AZ — twin-18V, 430 mm line cut and 255 mm blade; quiet and powerful.
- Stiga BC 545 B — 1.25 kW, 45 cm cut, 3T blade and double harness, for the thickest, neglected grass.
- Makita UR3501 — corded 1,000 W, 350 mm cut with 2 mm line; the budget choice near a socket.
Technique for tall grass
Cut in two passes: first take the top third off, then cut low. Swing the head right to left so the cuttings fall onto ground you’ve already cut, and work in strips. Don’t bury the head in the grass — let the tip of the line do the cutting. Rake up thick cuttings so they don’t smother the regrowth.
Match the machine to the area
Big open areas favour a wide cut and petrol or twin-battery runtime; smaller gardens with obstacles favour a lighter, more manoeuvrable machine. See our buying guide to size it right.
Our picks at a glance
| Model | Type | Engine / power | Weight | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stihl FS 70 C-E | Petrol | 27.2 cc · ErgoStart | 5.4 kg (without fuel and cutting tool) | 8.4 / 10 |
| Husqvarna 129R | Petrol | 27.6 cc · 2-stroke | 5.4 kg excl. cutting equipment | 8 / 10 |
| Greenworks GD40BC | Cordless | 40V G40 | — | 8 / 10 |
| Makita DUR369AZ | Cordless | 36V LXT · Brushless | 5.9–6.3 kg (retailers) | 8.6 / 10 |
| Stiga BC 545 B | Petrol | 42.7 cc · 2-stroke | — | 8 / 10 |
| Makita UR3501 | Corded | Corded 1000W | 4.3 kg (Amazon.co.uk item weight) | 7.5 / 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
Do I need a blade for tall grass?
Usually not — a strong line head handles most tall grass. For very dense, matted or woody-stemmed growth, a grass blade or 3-tooth blade cuts faster.
Petrol or battery for tall grass?
Both work. Petrol, like the Stihl FS 70 C-E, keeps going on big areas; a strong cordless like the Greenworks GD40BC or Makita DUR369AZ is quieter for regular cutting.
Does line thickness matter?
Yes. Thicker line — 2 mm or more — lasts longer and cuts tough stems better than the 1.6 mm line on light lawn trimmers. Use the size your head is designed for; see the best brush cutter line.