Honda brush cutters

The 4-stroke engine benchmark

Honda builds petrol brush cutters around its GX mini four-stroke engines, which run on unmixed petrol. We review the UMK 425 LE and UMK 435 UE.

By the BrushcutterHQ editorial team · Updated 27 October 2026 · first published 11 July 2026

In short:Honda's brush cutters use its GX mini four-stroke engines, which run on unmixed unleaded petrol with separate engine oil. We review two: the UMK 425 LE (25 cc GX25, 0.81 kW, loop handle, 5.9 kg dry, line head and 3-tooth blade; £515 on Amazon.co.uk on 27 October 2026) and the UMK 435 UE (35 cc GX35, 1.0 kW, bike handle, about 7.5 kg dry, double harness per UK retailers), our best petrol pick without fuel mixing. Both are sold mainly through dealers.

OriginJapan · engines since 1948 Best known forPremium 4-stroke petrol engines (GX)

Honda (founded in Japan in 1948) is a small player in brush cutters but a large one in small engines. Its GX mini four-strokes, such as the GX25 and GX35, are used in its own UMK brush cutters and in machines from other makers.

The Honda machines we review

The UMK 425 LE has the 25 cc GX25 engine, producing 0.81 kW (1.0 hp) at 7,000 rpm, with a 0.55 L fuel tank and a 0.08 L oil sump. It has a loop handle with a barrier bar, weighs 5.9 kg dry and comes with a nylon spool head and a 3-tooth blade. On 27 October 2026 it cost £515 on Amazon.co.uk.

The UMK 435 UE has the 35 cc GX35 OHC engine, producing 1.0 kW (1.3 hp), with a 0.63 L tank and a bike handle. UK retailers list a double comfort harness, a dry weight of about 7.5 kg and a five-year domestic warranty. It is our best petrol brush cutter without fuel mixing.

Why choose a four-stroke

A four-stroke runs on ordinary unleaded petrol, with engine oil in its own sump, so there is no two-stroke mix to prepare or go stale. Four-strokes are also usually quieter and smoother at part throttle. The costs are weight — the UMK 435 is heavier than a two-stroke of similar power — and an oil level to check and change.

Things to weigh

Honda brush cutters are expensive and sold mainly through garden-machinery dealers, so online prices vary widely and the UMK 435 had no live Amazon.co.uk offer when we checked. Stihl’s 4-MIX engines, which also run on two-stroke mix, are the main alternative.

Who should buy Honda

Buyers who want petrol power without mixing fuel and value a quiet, durable engine over a low price. See the best Honda brush cutters, or compare in Honda vs Stihl, 2-stroke vs 4-stroke and our petrol guide.