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Loop handle

The best loop-handle brush cutters

Loop-handle machines trade a bike handle's leverage for agility around beds, trees and fences. Here are the best we cover, for grass, edges and light growth.

By · Updated · first published

In short:Loop-handle brush cutters are nimble around obstacles. The Makita DUR368LZ (twin 18V, 350 mm, 3.2 kg bare) and DUR369LZ (430 mm) are powerful trimmers; the Makita DUR190LZX3 (2.7–3.0 kg with battery) takes plastic blades and a 230 mm metal blade; the DUR194 has a barrier bar and an 8-tooth metal blade option; the Honda UMK 425 LE (GX25 four-stroke) comes with a 3-tooth blade and barrier bar; and the Stiga BC 700e (48V, 38 cm) has five harness hook positions. Keep blade work light with a loop handle.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    Makita DUR368LZ 36V LXT brushless cordless brush cutter lightweight loop handle
    Light twin-18V

    MAKITA · 36V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR368LZ

    A light twin-18V (36V) LXT brushless trimmer with a loop handle, three speeds, ADT and a 350 mm cut — comfortable for long grass sessions, sold bare.

    8.4/10
    Read the review
  2. 2
    Makita DUR190LZX3 18V LXT brushless brush cutter metal blade capable
    18V blade-capable

    MAKITA · 18V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR190LZX3

    An 18V LXT brushless loop-handle trimmer that runs line, plastic blades or a 230 mm metal blade, with three speeds and ADT — sold bare.

    7.9/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    Honda UMK 425 LE GX25 4-stroke petrol brush cutter blade harness premium
    Premium 4-stroke

    HONDA · 25 cc · GX25 4-stroke

    Honda UMK 425 LE

    A premium 25 cc Honda GX25 mini 4-stroke brush cutter — 5.9 kg dry, mix-free and dependable, with a 3-tooth blade and nylon head supplied.

    8.2/10
    Read the review
  4. 4
    Makita DUR194 18V LXT brushless cordless trimmer with loop handle
    LXT loop-handle

    MAKITA · 18V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR194

    A brushless 18V LXT loop-handle trimmer with a 28 cm nylon head that also takes plastic or 8-tooth metal blades — for lawns, edges and weeds.

    7.9/10
    Read the review
  5. 5
    Makita DUR369LZ 36V LXT brushless 1000W cordless brush cutter loop handle
    Twin-18V loop

    MAKITA · 36V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR369LZ

    A twin-18V (36V) LXT brushless trimmer with a loop handle, a wide 430 mm nylon cut, three speeds, ADT, an electric brake and a reverse switch — sold bare.

    8.5/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    Stiga BC 700e 48V ePower cordless brush cutter with loop handle
    48V ergonomic

    STIGA · 48V ePower · Brushless

    Stiga BC 700e

    A 48V brushless cordless brush cutter with a 38 cm dual-line head, a 3T arc blade, an adjustable loop handle and 5 harness positions — sold bare.

    8.1/10
    Read the review

Agility first

A loop (D) handle keeps the machine compact, so you can tilt the head, slide along fences and work around trees and beds. It’s ideal for grass, edges and light growth. Where makers allow a blade, they add a barrier bar and specify the guard.

Our picks

  • Makita DUR368LZ — twin 18V brushless, 350 mm, three speeds, ADT, reverse switch; 3.2 kg bare.
  • Makita DUR190LZX3 — one 18V battery, brushless, plastic blades supplied and 230 mm metal blade option; 2.7–3.0 kg with battery.
  • Honda UMK 425 LE — GX25 four-stroke, D-loop with barrier bar, nylon head and 3-tooth blade; 5.9 kg dry.
  • Makita DUR194 — brushless, loop with barrier bar, two speeds, brake; 200 mm 8-tooth metal blade option.
  • Makita DUR369LZ — twin 18V, 430 mm cut, ADT, reverse, brake; for big areas of tough grass.
  • Stiga BC 700e — 48V brushless, soft-grip loop handle, 38 cm line, five harness hook positions.

Using a loop handle well

Hold the loop with one hand and the throttle grip with the other, keep the head flat for mowing and tilt it for edging. Use the shoulder strap supplied. With a blade fitted, keep to light growth and never cut above knee height.

Need more leverage?

For brambles and big areas, see the best bike-handle brush cutters.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Makita DUR368LZ Cordless 36V LXT · Brushless 3.2 kg (Amazon item weight, bare) 8.4 / 10
Makita DUR190LZX3 Cordless 18V LXT · Brushless 2.7–3.0 kg with battery (Makita UK) 7.9 / 10
Honda UMK 425 LE Petrol 25 cc · GX25 4-stroke 5.9 kg dry 8.2 / 10
Makita DUR194 Cordless 18V LXT · Brushless 2.6–2.9 kg with battery (UK retailers) 7.9 / 10
Makita DUR369LZ Cordless 36V LXT · Brushless 5.7–6.3 kg (UK retailers) 8.5 / 10
Stiga BC 700e Cordless 48V ePower · Brushless 4.7 kg without battery (retailer) 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

Loop handle or bike handle?

A loop handle is lighter and quicker around obstacles; a bike handle gives two-handed leverage for blade work over big areas. See loop vs bike handle.

Can a loop-handle machine use a blade?

Only where the maker allows it, usually with a barrier bar on the loop and the right guard — as on the Honda UMK 425 LE, Makita DUR190LZX3 and DUR194. Keep blade work light.

Are loop handles only on cordless machines?

No: the Honda UMK 425 LE, Husqvarna 122C and Stihl FS 55 R are petrol loop-handle machines.