Husqvarna 128R vs Makita DUR368LZ

The Husqvarna 128R and Makita DUR368LZ both sit at the entry end of their categories, but they answer the same brief — a comfortable, dependable trimmer for grass and light growth — with completely different technology. One is a small, self-contained 2-stroke petrol engine you can refuel anywhere; the other is a battery-powered tool that trades fuel and noise for near-silent running, provided you already own the batteries to power it. Which one actually suits you depends less on raw performance, which is broadly similar, and more on how you feel about fuel, noise and what’s already sitting in your shed.

At a glance

	Husqvarna 128R	Makita DUR368LZ
Power source	28 cc, 2-stroke petrol	36V (2× 18V LXT), brushless cordless
Power output	~0.8 kW	Comparable grass-cutting power, no mixing
Weight	Light for a 2-stroke, but carries fuel and an engine	~3.9 kg — one of the lightest pro cordless machines
Cutting attachment	Line head (blade-capable in the wider range)	Line only, 23–35 cm
Starting	Smart Start pull-cord	Trigger start, instant
Supplied	Bike handle + harness included	Bare tool — battery and charger extra
Best for	Self-contained petrol simplicity, no batteries to manage	LXT owners wanting the lightest possible feel

Petrol simplicity vs cordless convenience

This is really the heart of the comparison. The Husqvarna 128R needs nothing but petrol and 2-stroke oil, which means you can refuel it anywhere in seconds and run it for as long as you have fuel — no batteries to charge overnight, no runtime anxiety mid-job. The trade-off is the ritual that comes with any 2-stroke: mixing fuel at the right ratio, the characteristic buzz and exhaust smell, and a pull-cord start (albeit eased by Husqvarna’s Smart Start system). The Makita DUR368LZ flips that entirely. Runtime is capped by battery charge, and it needs two 18V LXT packs plus a charger before it does anything at all — but once powered up, it starts instantly at the trigger, runs quiet enough to use near a house without a second thought, and needs no fuel, oil or exhaust maintenance.

Weight and handling over a session

The Makita has a clear edge here. At around 3.9 kg, the DUR368LZ is one of the lightest professional-grade cordless brush cutters available, and that shows directly in arm and shoulder fatigue over a long session. The 128R is a genuinely light 2-stroke as petrol machines go, but it’s still carrying an engine block, a fuel tank and the weight of the fuel itself — none of which the Makita has to deal with. If all-day comfort on mostly grass is your priority, the DUR368LZ’s spec sheet is the more forgiving one.

Cutting capability

Neither machine is aimed at heavy brush. The 128R’s 28 cc engine and the DUR368LZ’s line-only head are both entry-level, built around regular grass and light growth rather than brambles or woody scrub. In practice they perform similarly on that kind of ground: the Husqvarna’s engine gives it a slight edge in outright cutting torque, while the Makita’s brushless motor delivers smooth, consistent power without the surging you sometimes get from a small 2-stroke under load. If your land regularly throws up thick brambles, look past both of these — a 34 cc+ petrol engine or a blade-capable cordless model will serve you better.

Running costs and what’s actually included

The 128R arrives ready to work: bike handle and harness are in the box, and running costs are simply petrol and 2-stroke oil, which you can buy anywhere. The DUR368LZ is the opposite story — the “LZ” bare-tool designation means no battery or charger is included, so the real cost of getting started depends entirely on whether you already own Makita’s 18V LXT batteries. For existing LXT owners with drills, saws or blowers already on that platform, the DUR368LZ effectively slots in for the price of the tool alone. For anyone starting from zero, factor in a battery and charger before comparing headline prices between the two.

Choose the Husqvarna 128R if…

• You want a self-contained machine that never depends on charge state
• You don’t mind mixing 2-stroke fuel and are used to the routine
• You want a harness and bike handle included from the box
• You’d rather buy fuel locally than manage a battery ecosystem

Choose the Makita DUR368LZ if…

• You already own (or plan to buy into) Makita’s 18V LXT battery platform
• Low weight and quiet, instant-start running matter more than fuel independence
• You’d rather avoid mixing fuel and breathing 2-stroke exhaust
• You’re doing frequent, shorter sessions where charge is easy to manage

Which should you buy?

If you want a machine that runs as long as you can carry fuel, starts on a pull-cord, and comes complete with a harness and handle out of the box, the Husqvarna 128R is the simpler, self-contained choice — and it doesn’t care whether your battery drawer is empty. If you already have Makita LXT batteries, or you’re prepared to invest in that platform, the Makita DUR368LZ rewards you with one of the lightest, quietest brush cutters in its class, ideal for regular grass sessions where comfort matters most. Neither is built for serious brambles, so if that’s your ground, look further up either brand’s range before deciding between petrol and cordless at all.