Husqvarna 122C vs 129R: trimmer or brush cutter?

The Husqvarna 122C and 129R sit either side of the line between trimmer and brush cutter. Pick the wrong one and you either overpay for power you won’t use, or end up with a tool that can’t handle your ground.

At a glance

	Husqvarna 122C	Husqvarna 129R
Engine	21.7 cc, 2-stroke	27.6 cc, 2-stroke
Power	0.6 kW	0.85 kW
Shaft	Curved	Straight
Handle	Loop	Bullhorn
Line cut	43 cm, Tap ‘n’ Go	43 cm
Supplied	Line head	Trimmer head, grass blade, double harness
Weight	4.4 kg (no cutting gear)	5.4 kg (no cutting gear)
Fuel tank	0.36 L	0.34 L
Rating	7.8 / 10	8.0 / 10

Shaft and handle: the real dividing line

The 122C’s curved shaft and loop handle keep its weight close to the body — easy to swing around beds, fences and corners. The 129R’s straight shaft and bullhorn handle suit an upright, two-handed stance and long sweeps, and its straight drive takes a blade.

What each can cut

The 122C is line-only: grass, edges and light weeds. The 129R adds a grass blade for coarse grass and thick weeds, with a double harness to carry it. Both share a 43 cm line cut, so on open grass they cover the same ground per pass.

Starting and running

Both are two-strokes, so fuel needs mixing (fuel ratio chart). The 122C’s Smart Start and air purge bulb make starting easy for beginners.

Choose the 122C if…

• Your job is grass edges and light tidying
• You want the lightest, easiest machine for short sessions

Choose the 129R if…

• Your garden mixes grass with thick weeds and coarse growth
• You do longer sessions and want a harness and bullhorn handle

Which should you buy?

For neat edges, the 122C. For anything rougher, the 129R covers the 122C’s jobs and more. See also Husqvarna 122C vs Stihl FS 55.

Full specifications

	Husqvarna 122C	Husqvarna 129R
Type	Petrol	Petrol
Engine / power	21.7 cc · 2-stroke	27.6 cc · 2-stroke
Type	Petrol curved-shaft grass trimmer	—
Engine	21.7 cc, 2-stroke, 0.6 kW	27.6 cc, 2-stroke, 0.85 kW
Cutting width	43 cm (Tap 'n' Go twin line)	43 cm (line)
Weight	4.4 kg excl. cutting equipment	5.4 kg excl. cutting equipment
Fuel tank	0.36 L	0.34 L
Shaft	Curved, fixed	Straight, solid drive
Handle	Loop handle	Bullhorn
Cutting attachment	Line only, no blade capability	—
Fuel	Petrol/oil 2-stroke mix	Petrol/2-stroke oil mix
Noise	—	115 dB(A) guaranteed sound power
Cutting equipment	—	Trimmer head + grass blade supplied
Harness	—	Standard double harness
Best for	Light garden trimming and grass edges, not overgrown or woody areas	Homeowners with a mix of grass, weeds and occasional light brush who want a dependable petrol all-rounder
Our rating	7.8 / 10	8 / 10

Strengths and drawbacks

Husqvarna 122C

• + Light at 4.4 kg without cutting equipment (Husqvarna UK)
• + Curved shaft and loop handle suit quick trimming jobs
• + Smart Start and air purge for easier starting
• + Compact size is easy to store and transport
• − Line only — no blade attachment for brush or scrub
• − 21.7 cc is on the small side for tall or dense grass
• − 2-stroke fuel mixing needed

Husqvarna 129R

• + 0.85 kW from 27.6 cc, at 5.4 kg without cutting equipment
• + Trimmer head and grass blade both supplied
• + Blade-capable for light brush and woody weeds, not just grass
• + Bullhorn handle and standard double harness included
• + Husqvarna build quality and wide dealer/parts network
• − 2-stroke means mixing fuel and oil every time
• − Still not enough engine for dense, established brush
• − Heavier and noisier than a cordless equivalent