DeWalt DCM571 vs Greenworks GD40BC
Two brushless cordless machines that cut nearly 40 cm with line and take a metal blade. The DeWalt is lighter and runs on FlexVolt; the Greenworks comes with a blade, harness and D-grip handle.
In short:The DeWalt DCM571 is a 54V FlexVolt brushless trimmer with a 38 cm cut and two speed ranges, about 4.6 kg bare; UK X1 kits add a FlexVolt battery, a brush-cutter adaptor and blade. The Greenworks GD40BC is a 40V brushless brush cutter with a 40 cm cut using 2 mm bump-feed line, a 25 cm blade, a harness and a D-grip handle; its Amazon.co.uk listing is tool-only. Choose by the battery platform you own.
The DeWalt DCM571 and Greenworks GD40BC are both brushless cordless machines with wide line heads and metal-blade options. One is a premium trade-platform trimmer; the other a garden brush cutter with more in the box.
At a glance
| DeWalt DCM571 | Greenworks GD40BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 54V XR FlexVolt | Greenworks 40V (2 or 4 Ah) |
| Line cut | 38 cm, 2 mm line | 40 cm, 2 mm dual line, bump feed |
| Blade | Adaptor + blade in X1 kits; DT20654 for bare | 25 cm blade supplied |
| Handle / harness | Auxiliary handle | D-grip handle + harness supplied |
| Weight | About 4.6 kg bare (UK retailers) | Item weight 5.77 kg (listing) |
| Speeds | 0–5,100 / 0–5,600 rpm | — |
| Guarantee | — | 3 years (Greenworks) |
| Our rating | 8.2 | 8.0 |
What’s in the box
The Greenworks listing on Amazon.co.uk is tool-only, but that tool comes with a lot: a 2 mm bump-feed line head, a 25 cm blade, a harness and an adjustable D-grip. The DeWalt DCM571N is bare; the DCM571X1 kit adds a FlexVolt battery (3.0 or 9.0 Ah, depending on the retailer), a charger, and in UK kits a brush-cutter adaptor and blade.
Cutting and handling
Both cut close to 40 cm with line, so open grass goes quickly with either. For blade work on brambles and nettles, the Greenworks’ harness and D-grip make it the more comfortable setup out of the box; the DeWalt is lighter, with two speed ranges to balance runtime and power. Whichever you choose, use a harness for long blade sessions — see how to adjust a harness.
Batteries
DeWalt’s FlexVolt batteries also run its 18V XR trade tools; Greenworks’ 40V batteries run its 40V garden tools. Owning batteries on either platform usually settles the question — buying into a second platform costs more than the difference between these tools.
Which should you buy?
If you already own FlexVolt batteries, the lighter DeWalt DCM571 is a strong, flexible machine. For garden owners on Greenworks 40V — or starting fresh and wanting blade, harness and handle in the box — the Greenworks GD40BC is the more complete package. Compare more in the best cordless brush cutters.
Full specifications
| DeWalt DCM571 | Greenworks GD40BC | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Cordless | Cordless |
| Engine / power | 54V XR FlexVolt | 40V G40 |
| Type | Cordless line trimmer, blade-capable | — |
| Power system | 54V XR FlexVolt, brushless | — |
| Cutting width | 38 cm (2 mm line) | 40 cm (line) |
| Speeds | 0–5,100 / 0–5,600 rpm | — |
| Blade | Adaptor + blade in X1 kits; DT20654 for bare tool | — |
| Weight | 4.6 kg bare (UK retailers) | — |
| Versions | DCM571N bare; DCM571X1 with 3.0 or 9.0 Ah battery | — |
| Voltage | — | 40V G40 |
| Motor | — | Brushless |
| Battery | — | Not included (40V 2 or 4 Ah) |
| Included | — | 2 mm bump-feed line head, 25 cm blade, harness |
| Best for | DeWalt FlexVolt owners who need a trade-grade cordless trimmer that can take a blade for scrub and rough ground | Medium-to-large lawns where a wide cut speeds up the job, G40 platform owners. |
| Our rating | 8.2 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
Strengths and drawbacks
DeWalt DCM571
- + 54V brushless motor with two speed ranges for runtime or power
- + Wide 38 cm cut with 2 mm line
- + Takes a brush blade as well as line, so it copes with light woody growth
- + No fuel, no mixing, no choke routine, and none of the fumes of a two-stroke
- + FlexVolt batteries also run DeWalt's 18V XR tools
- − Bare DCM571N needs a FlexVolt battery and charger — an expensive start from scratch
- − Runtime per charge trails a petrol tank in heavy growth
- − About 4.6 kg before the battery — heavier than a basic trimmer
- − Overkill if you only need to trim lawn edges
Greenworks GD40BC
- + Wide 40 cm line cut clears open ground fast
- + Brushless motor, harness and D-grip handle included
- + Line head and 25 cm blade both in the box
- − Wide cut is less precise around obstacles
- − 40V ceiling below the toughest scrub work
- − Tool-only — battery and charger extra
Frequently asked questions
Do both take a metal blade?
Yes. The Greenworks GD40BC comes with a 25 cm blade as well as its line head. The DeWalt DCM571 takes a blade with the brush-cutter adaptor supplied in UK X1 kits, or the DT20654 blade for the bare DCM571N.
Which comes with a battery?
Neither, in the versions most often listed: the Greenworks on Amazon.co.uk is tool-only (it takes Greenworks 40V 2 Ah or 4 Ah batteries), and the DeWalt DCM571N is bare. DeWalt's DCM571X1 kit includes a 3.0 Ah or 9.0 Ah FlexVolt battery and charger.
Which is better for brambles?
Both handle light brambles with a blade fitted. The Greenworks has the edge in comfort for blade work because it comes with a harness and D-grip handle; the DeWalt is lighter. For thick thickets, a petrol machine has more reserve.