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Most powerful

The most powerful brush cutters

For land that beats lighter machines — thick brambles, scrub and woody growth. These are the highest-output brush cutters we cover, with what the numbers really mean.

By · Updated · first published

In short:The highest-output brush cutters we cover are petrol: the Fuxtec FX-MS152 (52 cc, 2.95 hp quoted), Einhell GC-BC 52 (51.7 cc, 1.5 kW), Makita EM4351UH (43 cc four-stroke, 1.5 kW, very low vibration), Stihl FS 131 (36.3 cc 4-MIX, 1.4 kW at just 5.8 kg) and Stiga BC 545 B (42.7 cc, 1.25 kW). The most capable cordless is the twin-18V Makita DUR369AZ (430 mm line, 255 mm blade). Makers measure output differently, so compare weight and torque as well as headline figures.

Our picks, ranked

  1. 1
    Makita EM4351UH 43cc 4-stroke MM4 professional petrol brush cutter bike handle
    Pro 4-stroke

    MAKITA · 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4

    Makita EM4351UH

    A professional 43 cc MM4 four-stroke petrol brush cutter, 1.5 kW, with handle vibration of 2.1–2.2 m/s² — mix-free power for long working days.

    8.4/10
    Read the review
  2. 2
    Stihl FS 131 semi-pro petrol brush cutter 36cc 4-MIX brambles heavy use
    Semi-pro

    STIHL · 36.3 cc · 4-MIX

    Stihl FS 131

    For tough land and heavy use: a 36.3 cc, 1.4 kW 4-MIX brush cutter with a bike handle, 5.8 kg and a 420 mm cut — Stihl's semi-pro petrol benchmark.

    8.7/10
    Read the review
  3. 3
    Fuxtec FX-MS152 52cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter 3-tooth steel blade harness
    Value 52cc

    FUXTEC · 52 cc · 2-stroke

    Fuxtec FX-MS152

    A 52 cc, 2.95 hp petrol brush cutter with a metal blade, line head and padded strap included — huge cutting capability for tough, overgrown land.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  4. 4
    Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS 52cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter with 3-tooth blade
    Big value 52cc

    EINHELL · 51.7 cc · 2-stroke

    Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS

    A powerful 51.7 cc, 1.5 kW petrol brush cutter with a split shaft, 3-tooth blade, twin-line head and carrying strap included — a lot of clearing power for the money.

    7.8/10
    Read the review
  5. 5
    Stiga BC 545 B 42cc 2-stroke petrol brush cutter 3-tooth blade double harness
    Complete 42cc

    STIGA · 42.7 cc · 2-stroke

    Stiga BC 545 B

    A strong 42.7 cc petrol brush cutter supplied complete with a 3-tooth blade, Tap&Go head and double harness — ready for tough, regular clearing.

    8.0/10
    Read the review
  6. 6
    Makita DUR369AZ 36V LXT brushless cordless brush cutter bike handle 43cm cut
    Pro cordless

    MAKITA · 36V LXT · Brushless

    Makita DUR369AZ

    A professional twin-18V brushless brush cutter with a bike handle, 430 mm nylon cut and a 255 mm metal blade in the box — sold bare for LXT owners.

    8.6/10
    Read the review

Power, weight and the fine print

Headline power only tells part of the story. Weight decides how long you can work; low-speed torque keeps a blade turning in thick growth; and makers rate output in different ways. The Stihl FS 131 shows it: 1.4 kW at 5.8 kg against 1.5 kW at 8.5 kg for the Einhell GC-BC 52.

Our picks

  • Makita EM4351UH — 43 cc MM4 four-stroke, 1.5 kW, unmixed petrol, 2.1–2.2 m/s² vibration; 8.5–8.6 kg. Built for all-day work.
  • Stihl FS 131 — 36.3 cc 4-MIX, 1.4 kW, Easy Start; 5.8 kg without guard or tool. The best power-to-weight.
  • Fuxtec FX-MS152 — 52 cc, 2.95 hp quoted, metal brush blade; budget power.
  • Einhell GC-BC 52 — 51.7 cc, 1.5 kW, automatic choke, split shaft, 25.5 cm 3-tooth blade; 8.5 kg.
  • Stiga BC 545 B — 42.7 cc, 1.25 kW, 45 cm, 3T blade and double harness.
  • Makita DUR369AZ — twin 18V brushless, 430 mm line and 255 mm blade — the most capable cordless we cover.

Which should you choose?

For all-day professional clearing, the Makita EM4351UH; for the best power-to-weight, the Stihl FS 131; for maximum power per pound, the Fuxtec FX-MS152 or Einhell GC-BC 52. To stay cordless, the DUR369AZ. More: the best 52 cc brush cutters, brambles.

Our picks at a glance

ModelTypeEngine / powerWeightRating
Makita EM4351UH Petrol 43 cc · 4-stroke MM4 8.5–8.6 kg (retailers) 8.4 / 10
Stihl FS 131 Petrol 36.3 cc · 4-MIX 5.8 kg (without guard and cutting tool) 8.7 / 10
Fuxtec FX-MS152 Petrol 52 cc · 2-stroke — 8 / 10
Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS Petrol 51.7 cc · 2-stroke 8.5 kg (listing) 7.8 / 10
Stiga BC 545 B Petrol 42.7 cc · 2-stroke — 8 / 10
Makita DUR369AZ Cordless 36V LXT · Brushless 5.9–6.3 kg (retailers) 8.6 / 10

Weights are as stated by the maker, UK retailers or Amazon, so some include a battery or cutting gear and others don't — see each review for details.

Compare our picks head to head

Frequently asked questions

Is more cc always more power?

Not exactly. The 36.3 cc Stihl FS 131 is rated at 1.4 kW, close to the 1.5 kW of 52 cc and 43 cc machines, and weighs far less. Makers also rate output differently.

Can a cordless brush cutter compete with petrol?

For tall grass, nettles and light scrub, the best twin-battery machines like the Makita DUR369AZ come close. For sustained clearing of thick brambles, petrol still leads.

Do I need this much power?

Only for brambles, scrub and neglected land. For lawns and light growth, a lighter machine is easier and more pleasant to use.