Makita DUR368LZ vs Greenworks GD40BC

Both machines are cordless, both are aimed at grass and light growth, and both sit in the mid-tier of their respective battery platforms — but the Makita DUR368LZ and the Greenworks GD40BC solve the “cordless brush cutter” problem in almost opposite ways. One strips weight down to the bone and leaves you to supply the batteries; the other arrives ready to run with a wide cut and a blade in the box, at the cost of extra bulk.

At a glance

	Makita DUR368LZ	Greenworks GD40BC
Platform	36V (2× 18V LXT), brushless	40V G40
Cutting width	23-35 cm (line)	~40 cm (line, widest)
Weight	~3.9 kg (lightest)	Noticeably heavier — built for width, not weight
Handle	Loop handle	Standard bike-style handle
Blade capability	Line-focused, not blade-set-up	Line head + blade attachment included
Supplied	Bare tool (no battery/charger)	4 Ah battery included
Best suited to	Grass, light growth, all-day comfort	Open lawns, medium-to-large ground, faster clearing
Platform breadth	Huge Makita LXT ecosystem	G40 ecosystem — 40+ Greenworks tools

Weight vs width: the core trade-off

This comparison really comes down to a single design choice each brand made. Makita chose weight: the DUR368LZ sits at roughly 3.9 kg, which puts it among the lightest professional-grade cordless brush cutters sold anywhere, and its loop handle is built for fast one-handed repositioning around borders and fences. Greenworks chose width: the GD40BC’s line head cuts a swath of around 40 cm, close to a third wider than the Makita’s 23-35 cm head, which means fewer passes over open ground. That width doesn’t come free — the GD40BC is a bulkier, heavier tool to swing for an hour straight, and if all-day comfort is your priority, the Makita’s weight advantage is hard to ignore.

What’s actually included in the box

This is where the two machines diverge sharply on value. The DUR368LZ is sold bare — no battery, no charger, and the head is set up for line only, not a metal blade. It only makes financial sense if you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries from other tools, since buying two packs and a charger from scratch adds a real chunk to the sticker price. The GD40BC, by contrast, includes a 4 Ah battery plus both a line head and a blade attachment, so it’s ready to work on grass or light brush the day it arrives. If you’re starting a cordless setup from zero, that difference matters more than the spec sheet suggests.

Platform thinking: LXT vs G40

Neither brush cutter exists in isolation — both are entry points into much larger battery ecosystems. Makita’s 18V LXT system is one of the largest cordless platforms on the market, covering everything from drills to mowers, so existing owners effectively get the DUR368LZ’s battery cost for free. Greenworks’ 40V G40 platform is smaller but still spans more than 40 garden tools, and because the GD40BC already includes its battery, you’re not locked into buying more kit just to get started. If you’re choosing a first cordless tool with an eye on future purchases, which ecosystem you’d rather build out matters as much as which brush cutter wins on paper.

Choose the Makita DUR368LZ if…

• You already own Makita 18V LXT batteries and don’t want to pay for more
• Low weight and all-day comfort matter more than cutting width
• Your ground is mostly maintained grass and light growth
• You don’t need a metal blade fitted

Choose the Greenworks GD40BC if…

• You want a battery and blade included in the box, ready to run
• You’re covering medium-to-large open lawns where a wider cut saves time
• You’re starting a cordless setup from scratch, not upgrading an existing one
• You don’t mind extra bulk in exchange for cutting width

Which should you buy?

If you’re already carrying Makita LXT batteries, the DUR368LZ is the easier buy — it slots straight into kit you own, and its low weight makes long grass-trimming sessions far less tiring. If you’re starting fresh and want one purchase that covers battery, line head and blade, the Greenworks GD40BC is the more complete package, and its wider cut will clear open lawns faster.

Neither is the wrong choice for grass and light growth; the decision really turns on whether you value the DUR368LZ’s featherweight handling or the GD40BC’s all-in-one convenience and reach.