Makita DUR368LZ vs Ryobi RBC36X26B: trimmer or brush cutter kit?
A light, bare loop-handle trimmer for Makita LXT owners against Ryobi's 36V brush cutter kit with blade, battery and charger.
In short:The Makita DUR368LZ is a bare twin-18V LXT brushless loop-handle trimmer with three speeds, Automatic Torque Drive, a reverse switch and a 350 mm nylon cut, at 3.2 kg bare on Amazon. The Ryobi RBC36X26B is a 36V MAX POWER brush cutter with a bike handle, a 26 cm 3-tooth blade and a 30 cm line head, sold as a kit with a 4.0 Ah battery and charger; Ryobi quotes up to 47 minutes of brush cutting, and retailers list 3.7 kg bare.
The Makita DUR368LZ and Ryobi RBC36X26B are similar in bare weight, but one is a trimmer for LXT owners and the other a complete brush cutter kit.
At a glance
| Makita DUR368LZ | Ryobi RBC36X26B | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 2 × 18V LXT | Ryobi 36V MAX POWER |
| Handle | Loop | Bike (U) |
| Line cut | 350 mm | 30 cm |
| Blade | — | 26 cm 3-tooth |
| Electronics | 3 speeds, ADT, reverse | — |
| Weight | 3.2 kg bare | 3.7 kg bare |
| Supplied | Bare tool | 4.0 Ah battery + charger |
| Rating | 8.4 / 10 | 8.1 / 10 |
Trimmer vs brush cutter
The DUR368LZ is a smart line trimmer for grass and edges, with Automatic Torque Drive and a reverse switch. The RBC36X26B adds a bike handle and a 3-tooth blade for light scrub, and Ryobi quotes up to 47 minutes of brush cutting per charge.
What it costs to start
The Ryobi kit is complete. The Makita only makes sense if you already own LXT batteries. Some retailers list the RBC36X26B as discontinued, with successor versions available.
Which should you buy?
On LXT for grass, the DUR368LZ. Starting fresh, or needing a blade, the RBC36X26B.
Full specifications
| Makita DUR368LZ | Ryobi RBC36X26B | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Cordless | Cordless |
| Engine / power | 36V LXT · Brushless | 36V MAX Power |
| Power | 36V (2× 18V LXT), brushless | — |
| Cutting width | 350 mm (nylon head) | — |
| Speeds | 3, electronic | — |
| Handle | Loop | Bike handle |
| Weight | 3.2 kg (Amazon item weight, bare) | 3.7 kg bare; 4.6–5.1 kg with battery |
| Supplied | Bare tool (no battery/charger) | — |
| Voltage | — | 36V MAX Power |
| Cutting | — | 26 cm 3-tooth blade / 30 cm line (1.6 mm) |
| Runtime | — | Up to 47 min brush cutting (Ryobi, 4.0 Ah) |
| Battery | — | 36V 4.0 Ah + charger included |
| Best for | LXT owners who prioritise low weight and comfort for grass and light growth. | Medium plots with tougher grass and light scrub, cordless buyers who still want a steel blade. |
| Our rating | 8.4 / 10 | 8.1 / 10 |
Strengths and drawbacks
Makita DUR368LZ
- + Light for a twin-battery machine
- + Brushless, three speeds, ADT and reverse switch
- + Runs on standard 18V LXT batteries
- − Sold bare — batteries and charger extra
- − Line-focused; less bite than the DUR369AZ
- − Premium price for the class
Ryobi RBC36X26B
- + 3-tooth steel blade included — real cutting power for cordless
- + 4.0 Ah battery and charger in the box
- + Bike handle for controlled blade work
- − Heavier than entry cordless machines
- − Runtime still finite on the hardest growth
- − Kit listed as discontinued by some retailers
Frequently asked questions
Which comes with a battery?
The Ryobi RBC36X26B, as a kit with a 4.0 Ah battery and charger. The Makita DUR368LZ is bare and needs two 18V LXT batteries.
Which handles scrub?
The Ryobi, with its bike handle and 26 cm 3-tooth blade. The Makita is a loop-handle line trimmer.
Which is lighter?
Bare, the Makita (3.2 kg) edges the Ryobi (3.7 kg per retailers), but the Makita then carries two batteries.