Makita DUR194 Review
A brushless 18V LXT loop-handle trimmer with a 28 cm nylon head that also takes plastic or 8-tooth metal blades — for lawns, edges and weeds.
In short:The Makita DUR194 is an 18V LXT brushless cordless trimmer with a loop handle and barrier bar, two speeds (up to 4,500 and 6,000 rpm), soft start and an electric brake. UK retailers list cutting widths of 280 mm with the nylon head, 230 mm with three-blade plastic cutters and 200 mm with an 8-tooth metal blade, and a weight of 2.6–2.9 kg with battery. Versions include the bare DUR194Z and kits such as the DUR194SFX2 with a 3.0 Ah battery.
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Pros
- Brushless 18V LXT motor with two speeds
- Takes a nylon head, plastic blades or a small metal blade
- Light — 2.6–2.9 kg with battery per UK retailers
- Soft start and electric brake
- Loop handle with barrier gives close control around beds and edges
Cons
- 200 mm metal blade and loop handle suit light weeds, not real scrub
- Single 18V battery limits runtime on large plots
- Kit codes vary — check which battery, if any, is included
What UK retailers specify
The Makita DUR194 is a brushless 18V LXT trimmer with a loop handle and barrier bar, two speeds (up to 4,500 and 6,000 rpm), soft start and an electric brake. UK retailers list three cutting options: a 280 mm nylon head, 230 mm three-blade plastic cutters and a 200 mm eight-tooth metal blade, and a weight of 2.6–2.9 kg with battery. Our Amazon.co.uk link is the DUR194SFX2 kit with one 3.0 Ah battery and a charger, which showed as currently unavailable when we checked in October 2026.
What it’s good at
The loop handle keeps the head close to the body, so it’s easy to follow lawn edges, work around flower beds and trim tight corners without fighting the tool. At under 3 kg with a battery it stays comfortable over a session, and the brake stops the head quickly between cuts. Being on the 18V LXT platform, it slots straight into a collection of Makita drills, saws or blowers.
The blade options are a genuine bonus: plastic cutters cope with coarse grass better than line, and the small metal blade takes on tough weed stalks.
Where it falls short
It’s still a light trimmer. The 200 mm metal blade and loop handle aren’t a substitute for a proper brush cutter on brambles or woody saplings — see line vs blade. A single 18V battery also limits runtime on a large or overgrown lawn.
Who should buy it
Makita LXT owners who want a light, precise trimmer for lawn edges, borders and general tidying. Anyone starting a battery system from zero should compare the kit price with complete kits elsewhere in the best cordless brush cutters; for real scrub, look at the DUR369LZ.
A light, precise 18V trimmer for Makita LXT owners doing lawn edges and borders, with the bonus of plastic and metal blades for tougher weeds.
Makita DUR194 — frequently asked questions
Can the Makita DUR194 take a metal blade?
Yes — UK retailers list three cutting options: a nylon head (280 mm), three-blade plastic cutters (230 mm) and an 8-tooth metal blade (200 mm). The small metal blade is for tough weeds and stalks, not woody scrub; for that, a bike-handle brush cutter is the right tool.
Does the DUR194 come with a battery?
It depends on the code. The DUR194Z is the bare tool; the DUR194SFX2 on our Amazon.co.uk link is a kit with one 3.0 Ah battery and a charger; other kits come with a 5.0 Ah battery.
Is the 28 cm cut enough for a normal garden?
For lawn edges, borders and touch-ups around obstacles, yes — and it keeps the head light and manoeuvrable. On a large plot with lots of open grass, a wider-cutting trimmer will be quicker.
Our score
7.9/ 10
A light, precise 18V trimmer for Makita LXT owners doing lawn edges and borders, with the bonus of plastic and metal blades for tougher weeds.
Who this one is for
Makita LXT owners wanting a light, precise trimmer for lawn edges, borders and light weeds
Guides that feature it
Price and availability
Details checked on October 26, 2026.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer sheet and Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. No product on this site has been physically tested.
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MAKITA · 36V LXT · Brushless
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