Makita DUR368LZ vs Worx WG183E

Both machines are cordless string trimmers rather than blade-ready brush cutters, but they’re aimed at very different owners. The Makita DUR368LZ is a bare, professional-grade tool built to slot into an existing Makita LXT battery collection, while the Worx WG183E is a complete, batteries-included package designed for straightforward lawn maintenance. Compare the sticker prices alone and you’ll miss the real question: do you already own batteries, and how much machine do you actually need?

At a glance

	Makita DUR368LZ	Worx WG183E
Power	36V (2× 18V LXT), brushless	40V (2× 20V PowerShare), brushed
Weight	~3.9 kg	~2.2 kg (lighter)
Cutting	Line head, 23-35 cm	Line head, 33 cm, AutoFeed
Battery supplied	No — bare tool, buy 2× 18V LXT separately	Yes — 2× 20V + charger included
Battery ecosystem	Makita LXT (huge, cross-tool)	Worx PowerShare (broad, cross-tool)
Best suited to	Grass and light growth, longer sessions	Small-to-medium lawn edging, occasional use
Price position	Premium bare tool for LXT owners	Entry cordless, all-in package

Bare tool vs complete kit: the real cost question

This is where the two machines actually diverge. The Worx WG183E is sold as a finished package — two 20V PowerShare batteries and a charger are in the box, so what you pay is close to the true out-the-door cost. The Makita DUR368LZ’s “LZ” suffix means bare tool: no battery, no charger, nothing beyond the machine itself. Buy it from a standing start and you’re also funding two 18V LXT batteries, which usually pushes the real total well past the Worx. That calculation flips completely if you’re already running Makita LXT kit — drills, mowers, hedge trimmers — because then the DUR368LZ effectively costs only the tool, and the Worx’s included batteries become an expense you didn’t need to pay for.

Weight, motor and build quality

Weight tells its own story here, and it doesn’t favour the “pro” machine. At roughly 2.2 kg, the Worx WG183E is genuinely one of the lightest cordless trimmers around — a difference you’ll feel over a long stretch of edging. The Makita DUR368LZ, at around 3.9 kg, is heavier in absolute terms, but that extra mass comes with a brushless motor, three speed settings and the kind of build Makita positions for tradespeople and serious garden owners, not just casual lawn upkeep. The Worx uses a standard brushed motor, which is perfectly adequate for occasional use but won’t match the Makita for smoothness or long-term durability under repeated running.

Cutting capability: two string heads, one job

Neither of these is a brush cutter in the sense of tackling brambles or woody scrub — both are string trimmers at heart. The Makita runs a 23-35 cm line head with no option to fit a metal blade; Makita reserves that job for the heavier, blade-ready DUR369AZ. The Worx runs a 33 cm line head with AutoFeed, which automatically advances the cutting line as it wears so you never have to stop and tap the head on the ground. For grass, verges and general lawn maintenance, both do the job well; for anything genuinely woody, look elsewhere regardless of which of these two you’re considering — for a blade-capable option, see the Worx Nitro WG186E.

Ecosystem: LXT vs PowerShare

Both brands run substantial cordless battery platforms, and for many buyers that matters more than the trimmer itself. Makita’s 18V LXT is one of the largest platforms in the trade and DIY markets, spanning everything from drills to blowers to chainsaws — if you already own any LXT tools, the DUR368LZ effectively becomes a cheap add-on. Worx’s 20V PowerShare is smaller in scope but still covers a decent range of home and garden tools, and because the WG183E includes batteries, it’s a reasonable way to start a PowerShare collection from nothing without extra outlay.

Choose the Makita DUR368LZ if…

• You already own (or plan to buy into) Makita’s 18V LXT battery system
• You want the more powerful, brushless, professional-grade build
• Your sessions are longer or more frequent and you value that extra capability
• Paying more for a bare tool makes sense because you won’t be buying batteries twice

Choose the Worx WG183E if…

• You have no cordless batteries yet and want one simple, all-in price
• Low weight and easy handling matter more than raw power
• You’d rather not tap the line head — AutoFeed does it for you
• Your garden is small-to-medium and trimming is occasional rather than constant

Which should you buy?

If you’re starting from zero with no batteries and mainly need a light, hassle-free tool for lawn edging, the Worx WG183E is the simpler and cheaper way in — batteries and charger included, AutoFeed line, and barely 2.2 kg to carry around. If you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries, or you want the smoother brushless motor and sturdier build of a professional-grade machine for regular grass-cutting sessions, the Makita DUR368LZ is worth paying more for as a bare tool.

Either way, weigh up what batteries you already own before comparing prices — that’s usually what decides which of these two actually costs less once you’re using it.