Honda vs Makita brush cutters: four-stroke petrol and cordless
Honda and Makita both build small four-stroke petrol brush cutters. Makita also sells one of the widest cordless ranges, on its 18V LXT batteries.
In short:Honda and Makita both sell four-stroke petrol brush cutters that run on unmixed petrol: Honda's UMK 425 (25 cc GX25, 0.81 kW) and UMK 435 (35 cc GX35, 1.0 kW); Makita's EM2651UH (25.4 cc MM4, 0.77 kW, 2.4–2.5 m/s²) and pro EM4351UH (43 cc, 1.5 kW). Makita adds cordless machines on 18V LXT batteries, from the DUR194 and DUR190 trimmers to the twin-battery DUR369AZ with a 255 mm blade. Honda suits petrol buyers; Makita covers both.
Honda and Makita overlap more than most people expect: both make small four-stroke petrol brush cutters that run on unmixed petrol. Makita then goes much further, with a large cordless range on its 18V LXT batteries.
Models we cover
| Honda | Makita | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 cc four-stroke | UMK 425 LE — GX25, 0.81 kW, D-loop, 5.9 kg dry | EM2651UH — MM4, 0.77 kW, bike handle, 5.6 kg |
| Larger four-stroke | UMK 435 UE — GX35, 1.0 kW, double harness | EM4351UH — 43 cc, 1.5 kW, pro |
| Cordless brush cutters | — | DUR369AZ, DUR368AZ — twin 18V |
| Cordless trimmers | — | DUR190LZX3, DUR194, DUR181RF, UR100D |
| Corded | — | UR3501 — 1,000 W |
Petrol: two four-stroke philosophies
Honda’s GX engines and Makita’s MM4 engines both avoid fuel mixing and can be tilted while working. Power is close in the small class (0.81 kW vs 0.77 kW); at the top, Makita’s 43 cc EM4351UH is a professional all-day machine with 1.5 kW. Makita publishes notably low vibration figures for both; Honda’s UMK 435 UE stands out for its double harness and five-year domestic warranty listed by UK retailers.
Cordless: Makita only
Makita’s LXT batteries run hundreds of tools. Its twin-18V DUR369AZ brings a bike handle, a 430 mm line cut and a 255 mm blade; the single-battery DUR190LZX3 and DUR194 handle trimming and edging. Most are sold bare, so they make most sense if you already own LXT batteries.
Choose Honda if…
- You want a refined petrol four-stroke with dealer support
- The UMK 435’s bike handle and double harness suit your rough ground
Choose Makita if…
- You want the lowest-vibration four-stroke, or a pro 43 cc machine
- You already own LXT batteries and want a cordless option
Which should you buy?
For petrol, both brands make excellent small four-strokes — compare them in Honda UMK 425 vs Makita EM2651UH and Honda UMK 435 vs Makita EM4351UH. For cordless, Makita is the choice. Brand pages: Honda, Makita.
The models we review from each brand
Honda— Premium 4-stroke petrol engines (GX)
| Model | Type | Engine / power | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda UMK 435 UE | Petrol | 35 cc · GX35 4-stroke | 8.6/10 |
| Honda UMK 425 LE | Petrol | 25 cc · GX25 4-stroke | 8.2/10 |
Makita— Professional cordless (LXT 18V / XGT 40V)
| Model | Type | Engine / power | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DUR369AZ | Cordless | 36V LXT · Brushless | 8.6/10 |
| Makita DUR368AZ | Cordless | 36V LXT · Brushless | 8.5/10 |
| Makita DUR369LZ | Cordless | 36V LXT · Brushless | 8.5/10 |
| Makita DUR368LZ | Cordless | 36V LXT · Brushless | 8.4/10 |
| Makita EM4351UH | Petrol | 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4 | 8.4/10 |
| Makita DUR189RF | Cordless | 18V LXT · Brushless | 8/10 |
| Makita EM2651UH | Petrol | 25.4 cc · 4-stroke MM4 | 8/10 |
| Makita DUR190LZX3 | Cordless | 18V LXT · Brushless | 7.9/10 |
| Makita DUR192L | Cordless | 18V LXT · Brushless | 7.9/10 |
| Makita DUR193RT | Cordless | 18V LXT | 7.9/10 |
| Makita DUR194 | Cordless | 18V LXT · Brushless | 7.9/10 |
| Makita DUR191LZX3 | Cordless | 18V LXT · Brushless | 7.8/10 |
| Makita DUR181RF | Cordless | 18V LXT | 7.5/10 |
| Makita UR3501 | Corded | Corded 1000W | 7.5/10 |
| Makita UR100D | Cordless | 12V max CXT | 7.4/10 |
Ratings are judged against each machine's class and price; see how we review.
Frequently asked questions
Do both brands make four-stroke brush cutters?
Yes. Honda uses its GX25 and GX35 engines in the UMK 425 and UMK 435; Makita uses its MM4 engines in the EM2651UH (25.4 cc) and EM4351UH (43 cc). All run on unmixed petrol with oil in a sump.
Which has lower vibration?
Makita publishes very low figures for its four-strokes: 2.4–2.5 m/s² for the EM2651UH and 2.1–2.2 m/s² for the EM4351UH per Makita and UK retailers. Honda declares 3.1–8.9 m/s² for the UMK 425.
Can a Makita cordless replace a Honda petrol?
For most gardens, yes: the twin-18V DUR369AZ has a bike handle, a 430 mm line cut and a 255 mm blade. For all-day clearing, petrol still wins on runtime.