Skip to content
Makita

The best Makita brush cutters

Makita's range splits into LXT cordless machines and MM4 four-stroke petrol. This shortlist ranks the Makita brush cutters and trimmers we rate highest.

By · Updated · first published

In short:Makita's best brush cutters are the twin-18V DUR369AZ (bike handle, 430 mm line, 255 mm blade supplied) and the petrol MM4 four-strokes: the professional EM4351UH (43 cc, 1.5 kW, 2.1–2.2 m/s² vibration) and light EM2651UH (25.4 cc, 5.6 kg). The DUR368LZ (3.2 kg bare, ADT) is a light twin-battery trimmer; the DUR190LZX3 takes plastic and metal blades on one 18V battery; and the DUR189RF is a brushless lawn kit with a 3.0 Ah battery. Most LXT tools are sold bare.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    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
  2. 2
    Makita EM4351UH 43cc 4-stroke MM4 professional petrol brush cutter bike handle
    Pro 4-stroke

    MAKITA · 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4

    Makita EM4351UH

    A professional 43 cc MM4 four-stroke petrol brush cutter, 1.5 kW, with handle vibration of 2.1–2.2 m/s² — mix-free power for long working days.

    8.4/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    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
  4. 4
    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
  5. 5
    Makita EM2651UH 25cc 4-stroke MM4 petrol brush cutter bike handle no fuel mixing
    4-stroke

    MAKITA · 25.4 cc · 4-stroke MM4

    Makita EM2651UH

    A 25.4 cc MM4 four-stroke petrol brush cutter with a cow-horn handle, 0.77 kW and low vibration — runs on unmixed petrol, for regular maintenance.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    Makita DUR189RF 18V LXT brushless cordless grass trimmer kit with battery
    Complete 18V kit

    MAKITA · 18V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR189RF

    A complete 18V LXT brushless grass trimmer kit with a 30 cm cut, Automatic Torque Drive, three speeds, a reverse switch and an electric brake.

    8.0/10
    Read the review

Two ranges

Makita sells LXT cordless machines — single 18V or twin 18V for more power — and MM4 four-stroke petrol machines that run on unmixed petrol with notably low vibration.

Our picks

  • Makita DUR369AZ — twin 18V brushless, U-type bike handle, 430 mm line and 255 mm blade, motor brake; 5.9–6.3 kg. Bare.
  • Makita EM4351UH — 43 cc MM4, 1.5 kW, universal guard, tool-less handle clamp, 2.1–2.2 m/s²; 8.5–8.6 kg.
  • Makita DUR368LZ — twin 18V loop-handle trimmer, 350 mm, ADT, reverse; 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.
  • Makita EM2651UH — 25.4 cc MM4, 0.77 kW, cow-horn handle, 5.6 kg, 2.4–2.5 m/s².
  • Makita DUR189RF — brushless 18V kit with 3.0 Ah battery: 30 cm, ADT, brake, reverse.

Also in the range

The bike-handle DUR368AZ (350 mm, blade options), the loop-handle DUR369LZ (430 mm), the split-shaft DUR191LZX3, the DUR194 with barrier bar, the DUR192L and DUR193RT kits, the 12V UR100D and the corded UR3501 (1,000 W).

Which should you choose?

On LXT, the DUR369AZ for scrub and light brambles, the DUR368LZ for grass, or the DUR190LZX3 for blade flexibility on one battery. For petrol, the EM4351UH for all-day work or the EM2651UH for a garden. Comparisons: Makita vs Stihl, DUR368AZ vs DUR369AZ. Brand page: Makita.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Makita DUR369AZ Cordless 36V LXT · Brushless 5.9–6.3 kg (retailers) 8.6 / 10
Makita EM4351UH Petrol 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4 8.5–8.6 kg (retailers) 8.4 / 10
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
Makita EM2651UH Petrol 25.4 cc · 4-stroke MM4 5.6 kg (Makita datasheet) 8 / 10
Makita DUR189RF Cordless 18V LXT · Brushless 3.0–3.3 kg (UK retailers) 8 / 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

Makita cordless (LXT) or petrol (MM4)?

Cordless if you own LXT batteries and want quiet, low-maintenance cutting; MM4 petrol for all-day work or no charging. Both MM4 engines run on unmixed petrol.

Which Makita cordless machines take a metal blade?

The DUR369AZ comes with a 255 mm blade; the DUR368AZ lists a 230 mm metal blade option; the DUR190LZX3 takes a 230 mm metal blade and the DUR194 a 200 mm 8-tooth blade. The DUR368LZ, DUR369LZ and DUR189RF are set up as line trimmers.

Are Makita's cordless tools sold with batteries?

'Z' models are bare. Kits like the DUR189RF (3.0 Ah), DUR193RT and DUR192LRT (5.0 Ah) include a battery and charger.