Makita UR3501 vs Bosch AFS 23-37: corded line or corded blade?
Two mains machines with similar motors. The Makita is a lighter line trimmer; the Bosch a brush cutter with a 3-tooth blade, extra handle and strap.
In short:The Makita UR3501 is a corded 240 V line trimmer with a 1,000 W motor, a 350 mm cut with 2 mm line, a bent aluminium shaft, soft start and double insulation, at 4.3 kg on Amazon.co.uk. The Bosch AFS 23-37 is a corded brush cutter with a 950 W motor, supplied with a line spool (37 cm cut) and a 3-tooth metal blade (23 cm cut), an additional handle and an adjustable strap, at 5.3 kg. Makita for grass and weeds; Bosch for nettles and light woody growth.
The Makita UR3501 and Bosch AFS 23-37 have similar motors — 1,000 W and 950 W — but one is a trimmer and the other a brush cutter.
At a glance
| Makita UR3501 | Bosch AFS 23-37 | |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 1,000 W | 950 W |
| Line cut | 350 mm, 2 mm line | 37 cm |
| Blade | — | 3-tooth, 23 cm, supplied |
| Handling aids | Soft start, bent shaft | Additional handle, adjustable strap |
| Weight | 4.3 kg | 5.3 kg |
| UK availability (Oct 2026) | Sold by Amazon.co.uk | German-language listing only |
| Rating | 7.5 / 10 | 8.0 / 10 |
What each cuts
The UR3501 handles long grass, weeds and edges with tough 2 mm line, and its soft start avoids a jolt at the trigger. The AFS 23-37 adds a 3-tooth blade for nettles, tall grass and light woody growth, with an extra handle and strap for control.
Which should you buy?
For grass and weeds near a socket, the lighter Makita UR3501. For tougher growth, the Bosch AFS 23-37 — check UK stockists first. More in the best corded electric brush cutters.
Full specifications
| Makita UR3501 | Bosch AFS 23-37 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Corded electric | Corded electric |
| Engine / power | Corded 1000W | Corded 950W · Blade |
| Type | Corded electric line trimmer | — |
| Power | 1,000 W, 240 V | 950 W corded |
| Cutting width | 35 cm | — |
| Line | 2 mm nylon | — |
| Shaft | Bent, aluminium | — |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (Amazon.co.uk item weight) | 5.3 kg (listing) |
| Runtime | Unlimited, mains-powered | Unlimited (mains) |
| Cutting | — | 37 cm line / 23 cm 3-tooth blade |
| Best for | Medium gardens near a power outlet with long grass and weeds, where unlimited runtime matters more than roaming range | Small plots near a power socket that still have tough or tall growth. |
| Our rating | 7.5 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
Strengths and drawbacks
Makita UR3501
- + 1,000 W — strong for a corded line trimmer
- + Wide 35 cm cut with tough 2 mm line
- + Soft start and double insulation
- + Unlimited runtime on mains power, nothing to charge or mix
- + Sold by Amazon.co.uk as the UK 240 V version (UR3501/2)
- − Cable limits range and needs managing around obstacles
- − Bent-shaft line trimmer — not built for a metal blade
- − 4.3 kg is heavy for a corded trimmer
Bosch AFS 23-37
- + Real metal blade included — cuts tougher growth than most electrics
- + Unlimited runtime, no battery to buy or charge
- + Excellent value for a small tough plot
- − Tethered to a cable and socket
- − Not for large or remote land
- − Less mobile than battery or petrol
Frequently asked questions
Which comes with a blade?
The Bosch AFS 23-37, with a 3-tooth metal blade (23 cm cut) as well as a line spool. The Makita UR3501 is a line trimmer.
Which is lighter?
The Makita, at 4.3 kg against 5.3 kg for the Bosch (Amazon item weights).
Where can I buy the Bosch?
We found the AFS 23-37 only on a German-language Amazon listing, so check UK garden retailers for a UK-plug version. The Makita UR3501/2 is the UK 240 V model, sold by Amazon.co.uk when we checked.