Makita DUR368AZ vs DUR369AZ

The Makita DUR368AZ and DUR369AZ look almost identical on paper: both are bare, bike-handle brush cutters running on two 18V LXT batteries for a 36V brushless output. But they sit at different points in Makita’s cordless line-up. The DUR368AZ is the versatile, lighter all-rounder that already includes a blade and heads; the DUR369AZ is the professional-grade machine built for wider cuts and tougher, more sustained work. The right pick depends less on brand loyalty and more on how demanding your land actually is.

At a glance

Attribute	Makita DUR368AZ	Makita DUR369AZ
Handle type	Bike handle (dual-grip)	Bike handle (dual-grip)
Power	36V (2× 18V LXT), 550W brushless	36V (2× 18V LXT), brushless — higher output tier
Cutting width	350 mm line / 230 mm blade	Up to 43 cm
Weight	~4.7 kg (excl. battery)	~6.5 kg (with batteries fitted)
Cutting supplied	4-tooth metal blade + 2 line heads	Bare tool, blade/head fitted per your kit
Positioning	Mid-range, everyday all-rounder	Professional, near-petrol performance
Batteries/charger	Not included (bare tool)	Not included (bare tool)

Clear wins: the DUR368AZ wins on weight and value with a blade already in the box; the DUR369AZ wins on cutting width and raw capability for sustained, tougher work.

Where the two actually differ

Both machines share the same fundamentals — twin 18V LXT batteries feeding a brushless motor through a bike handle — so the differences are about scale rather than design philosophy. The DUR368AZ is tuned to be light, easy to handle, and immediately useful: at roughly 4.7 kg without batteries, and with a metal blade and two line heads already supplied, it’s a genuinely capable all-in-one for grass, weeds and occasional light scrub. Full detail is in our Makita DUR368AZ review.

The DUR369AZ steps up a tier. Makita positions it as a professional tool, with a wider cutting path of up to 43 cm and a build that, fitted with a blade, gets close to semi-pro petrol performance on tall grass, dense scrub and light brambles. That extra capability comes with more weight — around 6.5 kg once batteries are fitted — and a noticeably higher price once you account for the batteries and charger it doesn’t include. See the full breakdown in our Makita DUR369AZ review.

Weight and handling over a long session

This is where the gap is most obvious in practice. The DUR368AZ’s lower weight makes it easier to swing and hold at extended reach for an hour or more, which matters if you’re doing overhead trimming under hedges or working slopes where balance counts. The DUR369AZ’s extra heft buys you more cutting width and stamina against tougher material, but it will tire your arms and shoulders faster over a long session — something worth weighing honestly against how large and how overgrown your plot really is.

Cutting capability: grass vs scrub

If your typical job is lawn edges, meadow grass, weeds around fences and beds, and only occasionally something woodier, the DUR368AZ’s 230 mm blade and 350 mm line head are already more than enough, and you’re not paying for capability you won’t use. The DUR369AZ earns its keep on larger plots with persistent scrub, brambles or rough ground that would bog down a lighter machine — its wider cut covers more ground per pass, which also means fewer passes and less time on your feet.

Batteries and the LXT ecosystem

Neither machine includes batteries or a charger — both carry the “Z” suffix that marks them as bare tools, and both run on two 18V LXT packs. This is good news if you already own Makita LXT batteries from other tools: either brush cutter slots straight into your existing kit at no extra outlay. Starting from zero, though, batteries and a charger are a mandatory add-on for whichever model you choose, and that cost matters more, proportionally, on the cheaper DUR368AZ than on the already-pricier DUR369AZ.

Choose the DUR368AZ if…

• Your work is mostly grass, weeds and occasional light scrub, not sustained heavy clearing
• You want a lighter machine that’s comfortable to use for a full session
• You’d rather not pay a professional-tier premium for capability you won’t regularly need
• Having a blade and heads included out of the box matters to you

Choose the DUR369AZ if…

• You’re clearing larger areas, dense scrub or light brambles on a regular basis
• Wider cutting width per pass, saving time over a big plot, is worth the extra weight
• You want a machine built to professional standards rather than a general-purpose all-rounder
• You’re comfortable with the higher price once batteries and charger are added

Which should you buy?

For most gardens and smallholdings, the DUR368AZ is the smarter buy: it’s lighter, already comes with a blade and heads, and comfortably handles grass, weeds and the odd patch of scrub without asking you to pay for more machine than you need. Step up to the DUR369AZ only if you know your land regularly demands more — bigger areas, tougher growth, or brambles that a 230 mm blade would struggle to clear efficiently. Whichever you choose, remember both are bare tools, so check your existing LXT battery stock, or budget for two packs and a charger, before comparing sticker prices.