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Corded

The best corded electric brush cutters

Happy to work near a socket in exchange for unlimited runtime and a lower price? Here are the best mains-powered machines we cover, from blade brush cutters to light edgers.

By · Updated · first published

In short:Corded brush cutters that take a metal blade are the Bosch AFS 23-37 (950 W, 37 cm line, 3-tooth blade, 5.3 kg) and AL-KO BC 1200 E (1,200 W, 4-tooth steel blade, split shaft). The Makita UR3501 (1,000 W, 350 mm, 2 mm line, soft start, 4.3 kg) is the strongest line trimmer. For lawns, the Black+Decker GL9035 (900 W, 35 cm, 3.2 kg), Bosch EasyGrassCut 23 (280 W, 2 kg) and Black+Decker GL360 (350 W, 1.6 kg) are light and cheap. All need an outdoor extension lead and an RCD.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    Bosch AFS 23-37 corded electric brush cutter 1000W metal blade versatile
    Versatile

    BOSCH · Corded 950W · Blade

    Bosch AFS 23-37

    A true corded electric brush cutter with a 950 W motor and a 3-tooth metal blade in the box as well as a line head. Solid for a small, tough plot near a socket.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  2. 2
    AL-KO BC 1200 E corded electric brush cutter 1200W 4-tooth blade powerful
    Powerful

    AL-KO · Corded 1200W · Blade

    AL-KO BC 1200 E

    A 1,200 W corded brush cutter supplied with a Tap & Go line head and a 4-tooth steel blade, on a split shaft — strong for a mains machine.

    7.5/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    Makita UR3501 corded electric line trimmer, 1000 W motor, 35 cm cutting width
    Corded power

    MAKITA · Corded 1000W

    Makita UR3501

    A 1,000 W corded 240 V line trimmer with a 35 cm cut, 2 mm line, a bent aluminium shaft and soft start — strong for a mains trimmer near a socket.

    7.5/10
    Read the review
  4. 4
    BLACK+DECKER GL9035 corded electric grass trimmer 900W 35cm pivoting head edging
    Best corded edger

    BLACK & DECKER · Corded 900W

    BLACK+DECKER GL9035

    A 900 W corded grass trimmer with a 35 cm cut, 2.0 mm automatic-feed line and an edging function — the pick for a small-to-medium lawn near a socket.

    7.6/10
    Read the review
  5. 5
    Bosch EasyGrassCut 23 corded electric grass trimmer 280W 23cm line-only
    Cheapest corded

    BOSCH · Corded 280W

    Bosch EasyGrassCut 23

    A budget 280 W corded trimmer with a 23 cm cut, about 2 kg, and automatic line feed — the cheapest sensible way to keep small lawn edges tidy.

    7.0/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    BLACK+DECKER GL360 corded electric grass trimmer 350W 25cm ultra-light
    Cheapest edger

    BLACK & DECKER · Corded 350W

    BLACK+DECKER GL360

    An ultra-light 1.6 kg, 350 W corded grass trimmer with a 25 cm cut and a second handle — the cheapest, simplest way to keep a small lawn's edges tidy.

    7.0/10
    Read the review

Unlimited runtime, low price

A corded machine never runs out and costs less than cordless or petrol — no battery, no fuel. It suits small to medium gardens near a socket. Two of our picks take a metal blade for nettles and light scrub.

Our picks

  • Bosch AFS 23-37 — 950 W, 37 cm line and 23 cm 3-tooth blade, extra handle and strap; 5.3 kg.
  • AL-KO BC 1200 E — 1,200 W, Tap & Go double line and 4-tooth steel blade, split shaft; 4.1–5.1 kg.
  • Makita UR3501 — 1,000 W line trimmer, 350 mm with 2 mm line, soft start, double insulation; 4.3 kg.
  • Black+Decker GL9035 — 900 W, 35 cm, automatic feed with 2.0 mm line, edging function; 3.2 kg.
  • Bosch EasyGrassCut 23 — 280 W, 23 cm, automatic line feed; 2 kg.
  • Black+Decker GL360 — 350 W, 25 cm, second handle; 1.6 kg.

Working safely with a cable

Use an outdoor-rated extension lead on a reel, fully unwound, and plug into an RCD. Loop the cable through the strain relief on the handle and keep it behind you, working away from the socket. Unplug before clearing the head or changing line. Don’t cut in wet conditions.

Which should you choose?

For nettles and light scrub, the Bosch AFS 23-37 or AL-KO BC 1200 E. For long grass and weeds, the Makita UR3501. For lawns, the GL9035 or the very light GL360. Compare with cordless in battery vs electric.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Bosch AFS 23-37 Corded Corded 950W · Blade 5.3 kg (listing) 8 / 10
AL-KO BC 1200 E Corded Corded 1200W · Blade 4.1-5.1 kg (retailer listings) 7.5 / 10
Makita UR3501 Corded Corded 1000W 4.3 kg (Amazon.co.uk item weight) 7.5 / 10
BLACK+DECKER GL9035 Corded Corded 900W 3.2 kg 7.6 / 10
Bosch EasyGrassCut 23 Corded Corded 280W 2 kg (Amazon.co.uk item weight) 7 / 10
BLACK+DECKER GL360 Corded Corded 350W 1.6 kg 7 / 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's the advantage of corded over cordless?

Unlimited runtime and a lower price — no battery to buy or charge. The trade-off is the cable, which limits range and needs care around the cutting head.

Can a corded brush cutter handle brambles?

Light ones, with a blade: the Bosch AFS 23-37 (3-tooth blade) and AL-KO BC 1200 E (4-tooth steel blade) handle nettles, tall grass and light woody growth. Line trimmers like the Makita UR3501 don't take a blade.

How far from the house can I work?

As far as an outdoor-rated extension lead reaches — practical up to about 30 m. Beyond that, a cordless or petrol machine is the better tool.