Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V vs Makita DUR368LZ

Both are 36V cordless brush cutters, but they’re built for different starting points. The Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V is an all-in-one entry package — battery, charger and tool for one price — while the Makita DUR368LZ is a bare, professional-grade tool designed to slot into an existing Makita LXT battery collection. Compare list prices alone and you’ll miss what actually matters here: what you already own, and what you’ll still need to buy.

At a glance

	Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V	Makita DUR368LZ
Power	36V (Power For All, 18V+18V)	36V (2× 18V LXT), brushless
Weight	~4.7 kg	~3.9 kg (lighter)
Cutting	Line head + plastic blade	Line head only, 23-35 cm
Battery supplied	Yes — 2 Ah + charger included	No — bare tool, buy 2× 18V LXT separately
Battery ecosystem	Bosch Power For All (huge, cross-tool)	Makita LXT (huge, cross-tool)
Best suited to	Small-to-medium maintained plots	Grass and light growth, longer sessions
Price position	Entry cordless, all-in package	Premium bare tool for LXT owners
Motor	Standard	Brushless (more efficient)

Battery included vs battery-ready: the real cost question

This is the comparison’s actual fork in the road. The Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V is sold as a complete kit — a 2 Ah Power For All battery and charger are in the box, so the sticker price is close to the true out-the-door cost. The Makita DUR368LZ’s “LZ” suffix means bare tool: no battery, no charger. Buy it from scratch and you’re also funding two 18V LXT batteries, which typically pushes the real total well above the Bosch. That equation flips entirely if you already run Makita LXT kit — mowers, drills, hedge trimmers — because then the DUR368LZ effectively costs only the tool, and the Bosch’s included battery becomes a redundant extra rather than a saving.

Weight and brushless power

Weight is where the Makita earns its “pro-grade” positioning. At roughly 3.9 kg it’s genuinely one of the lightest 36V cordless brush cutters on the market, helped by a brushless motor that’s more efficient and produces less heat than a standard motor for the same output. The Bosch, at around 4.7 kg, is still a manageable weight for a homeowner machine, but the near-800 g difference is felt across an hour of grass trimming. If your priority is minimising arm and shoulder fatigue over long sessions, the DUR368LZ has the clearer edge.

Cutting capability: line vs line-plus-plastic-blade

Neither machine is built for scrub or brambles, but they’re not identical either. The Bosch AdvancedBrushCut ships with both a line head and a plastic blade attachment, giving it a little more bite against light woody stems and denser weeds than a pure string trimmer. The Makita DUR368LZ runs a 23-35 cm string head only — it isn’t configured to accept a metal blade at all, and Makita’s own line-up reserves that job for the heavier, blade-ready DUR369AZ. For maintained lawns, verges and general grass, both machines are more than capable; for anything genuinely woody, neither is the right tool, though the Bosch’s plastic blade gives it a slight edge in mixed light growth.

Ecosystem: Power For All vs LXT

Both brands run some of the largest cordless battery platforms in the DIY and trade markets, so this decision often comes down to what’s already in your shed rather than the tool itself. Bosch’s Power For All 18V batteries cross over with a wide range of home and garden tools; Makita’s LXT platform is even more extensive, particularly on the trade side, spanning drills, saws, blowers and more. If you’re starting a battery collection from zero, either ecosystem is a reasonable long-term bet — but check what your other cordless tools (if any) already run on before choosing.

Choose the Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V if…

• You don’t already own 36V-compatible batteries and want one all-in price
• Your ground is a small-to-medium maintained plot rather than acres of grass
• You want the option of a plastic blade for light woody stems
• Quiet, light cordless running near a house or neighbours matters to you

Choose the Makita DUR368LZ if…

• You already own (or plan to buy into) Makita’s 18V LXT battery system
• Low weight and all-day comfort are the priority over a bundled battery
• You mainly cut grass and light growth and don’t need a blade option
• You value brushless motor efficiency and Makita’s professional-grade build

Which should you buy?

If you’re buying your first cordless brush cutter with no batteries to your name, the Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V is the simpler, cheaper way in — battery and charger included, and a plastic blade for a little extra bite. If you’re already invested in Makita’s LXT ecosystem, or you specifically want the lightest, most comfortable 36V cutter for long grass-trimming sessions, the Makita DUR368LZ is worth paying more for as a bare tool.

Either way, don’t compare the two on tool price alone — factor in whether you’re buying a battery from scratch, because that’s what actually decides which one is cheaper for you.