The best cordless brush cutters

How we picked

This is our overall cordless shortlist, so the criteria are broader than a single use case: real cutting power (motor output and blade/line compatibility), runtime per charge, build quality and comfort over a full session, and value once you account for battery and charger costs. We favoured machines from platforms with a wide battery ecosystem, since that flexibility matters more long-term than a slightly lower headline price. Every model here has been tested against grass, weeds and, where blade-capable, light scrub, and we deliberately spread the list across several battery voltages and brands so there’s a sensible option whichever ecosystem you’re already committed to, or starting from scratch.

Our picks

The Makita DUR368LZ tops the list on the strength of Makita’s LXT platform: it’s brushless, well-balanced, and shares batteries with a huge range of other garden and workshop tools, which makes it easy to justify even before you weigh the tool itself.

The EGO Power+ ST1300E is the pick for raw runtime and polish — EGO’s 56V batteries and charging speed are class-leading, and the build quality feels closer to petrol than most cordless rivals.

The Greenworks GD40BC is our value choice: a genuinely capable 40V machine at a price that undercuts the premium platforms, making it a sensible entry point if you don’t already own batteries elsewhere.

The Einhell Agillo 36/255 BL stands out for its smart-battery telemetry and Einhell’s broad Power X-Change range, giving you real-time run data alongside one of the widest battery ecosystems on the market.

The DeWalt DCM571 suits anyone already invested in DeWalt’s 18V/54V FlexVolt system — it’s a rugged, trade-oriented tool that trades a little outright power for the toughness DeWalt is known for.

The Ryobi RBC36X26B closes the list as the budget all-rounder: it ships with a metal blade included, which is unusual at this price, and taps into Ryobi’s large ONE+ battery family.

Which should you choose?

If you want the safest all-round buy with a battery ecosystem you’ll still be using in five years, go with the Makita DUR368LZ. If runtime and charge speed matter most — say, larger plots where you can’t easily stop — the EGO ST1300E is the strongest performer here. Tight on budget but still want a real blade in the box? The Ryobi RBC36X26B is the pragmatic choice, and the Greenworks GD40BC is worth a look too if you have no existing batteries to protect. And if you’re already on Einhell’s Power X-Change or DeWalt’s FlexVolt platform, staying put with the Agillo 36/255 BL or DCM571 will usually beat switching brands just for a marginal spec gain.

Whichever you choose, remember that the battery and charger often cost as much as the tool itself, so price the whole kit — not just the bare unit — before comparing across brands.