10 Best Brush Cutter [Buyer Guide]
We review the products we think are best in the category. By purchasing a product through an affiliate link, we may earn a small commission that helps keep the site running. Learn about our product selection process here.
A brush cutter, if you didn’t know already, is a fabulous multi-use garden tool. The perfect addition to any outside space, a brush cutter is a heavier duty version of a grass strimmer. Strimmers are perhaps more recognisable than a brush cutter, meaning you’ve probably heard a bit more about those in the past. If you’re needing something with a bit more oomf though, you should opt for its more powerful counterpart. You can use a brush cutter for a whole host of different tasks, too. Whether you’re adding the finishing touches to your lawn and need to trim the grass round the edges, or using it to reach an out of reach area – they are a real garden essential.
Brush cutters aren’t just confined to trimming grass. If you’re wanting to tidy up any bushes or hedges that you may have in your outside space, a brush cutter works perfectly for those too. Being both lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, you can use your brush trimmer for extended periods of time without straining yourself too much. They also make life just that bit easier if you’ve got any patches of overgrown grass or brambles that would be super difficult to remove by hand.
We do know, however, that when it comes to logistics of a brush trimmer and deciding which one is right for you, it can be difficult to even know where to start. Not to worry, we’re here to help! Here at Konservatory, we’ve put together this buyer guide for you. We review the top 10 brush cutters on the market now, and just after that we include a summary. In the summary, we discuss all of the buyer considerations to keep in mind before you purchase your brush cutter. We’ve also included an FAQ section, too!
Ryobi RBC1226I Brush Cutter
The Ryobi RBC1226I brush cutter is a powerful garden tool will make your life easier when you’re trimming your bushes, down to its powerful 1200w motor. This brush cutter is lightweight and manoeuvrable, which helps relieve pressure and strain on your arms when using for long periods of time. The Ryobi brush cutter is compatible with the unique SmartTool range to make your life even easier. This product is available in green and can be purchased as a stand alone item or with a cutting line.
Key Features:
Powerful 1200w motor
2 in 1 feature
Lightweight
Specification:
Brand
Ryobi
Colour
Green
Power source
Corded electric
Dimensions (L x W x H)
103 x 260 x 130cm
Weight (kg)
6
Pros
Easy to assemble
SmartTool compatible
Cons
Requires some self assembly
Ryobi OBC1820B Brush Cutter
The Ryobi OBC1820B brush cutter features a powerful 18v high performance motor, which makes cutting tough grass and weeds easier. This brush cutter comes with a blade and trimmer head, so you can specifically tailor this product to your personal needs. The cutting blade is made from a hardened steel which is perfect for tougher bushes! A soft grip handle design makes for comfort and ease of use so you can work for long periods of time. This brush cutter is battery powered so there is no need to worry whether the cord will stretch far enough, as you just pop the battery in and you’re good to go. The Ryobi brush cutter comes in a green colour which will be a non offensive addition to your garden and garage.
Key Features:
18V motor
20cm hardened steel blade
Soft grip handle
Specification:
Brand
Ryobi
Colour
Green
Power source
Battery powered
Dimensions
108 x 174 x 290cm
Weight (kg)
7
Pros
Great for tougher jobs
High performance
Cons
Can run out of battery
Einhell Brush Cutter
The Einhell brush cutter has a high grade and low vibration engine which makes this particular brush cutter easy to use. This brush cutter is also easy to start, making it more convenient to use and can be started up in seconds – as a result of the auto choke and electronic ignition. This brush cutter has a centrifugal clutch for a soft start with no load engagement. It has a unique split shaft design to save up space in your garage or cupboard. This brush cutter features a two-hand bike handle design, this is made to be more comfortable and easy to use due to the controls being easily accessible on each grip.
Key Features:
Lightweight
Split shaft
Centrifugal clutch
Specification:
Brand
Einhell
Colour
Red
Power source
Gas powered
Dimensions (L x W x H)
98 x 31 x 31cm
Weight (kg)
8.9
Pros
Easy to start
Space saving
Cons
Colour may not be for everyone
UWINGARDEN 52CC Brush Cutter
The UWINGARDEN brush cutter comes with some extra safety equipment such as goggles and a shoulder strap for comfortability and safety. This brush cutter comes with interchangeable heads which can also be used for tidying up areas of the garden such as around plants or trees, making it a versatile product that we definitely recommend! This brush cutter also comes with an extension pole so you can reach difficult places with ease.
Key Features:
Versatile
Interchangeable heads
50% oil saving method
Specification:
Brand
UWINGARDEN
Colour
Red and black
Power source
Petrol
Dimensions (L x W x H)
108 x 33 x 49cm
Weight (kg)
15.2
Pros
Comes with full range of safety equipment
Easy to assemble
Cons
Slightly heavier than other brush cutters in this guide
Tonino Lamborghini Brush Cutter
The Tonino Lamborghini brush cutter is a lightweight cutter, great for spending longer periods in the garden doing tasks. This brush cutter is designed for comfortable and stable use, down to the bike handle structure and soft hand grips. This brush cutters head is adorned with a 3-tooth knife which is built to cover a wider area when trimming your lawn.
Key Features:
Lightweight
Comfortable
3-tooth knife
Specification:
Brand
Tonino Lamborghini
Colour
Black and silver
Power source
Petrol
Dimensions (L x W x H)
168 x 67 x 45cm
Weight (kg)
7.4
Pros
Easy to use
Bike handle design
Cons
Could run out of fuel when using
McCulloh B33 Brush Cutter
The McCulloch brush cutter can be split at the shaft which allows you to easily convert the trimmer into a pruner, however the attachments are sold separately. This brush cutter is easier to start than others as it features a spring assisted starting system. This cutter comes in black and yellow.
Key Features:
Lightweight
Assisted starting system
Tap and go trimmer head
Specification:
Brand
McCulloch
Colour
Black and yellow
Power source
Gas powered
Dimensions (L x W x H)
110 x 30 x 30cm
Weight (kg)
7.4
Pros
Easier to start
Multi-tool compatible
Cons
Could run out when in use
STANLEY Brush Cutter
The STANLEY brush cutter is built with a JETForce3 engine that gives you more power whilst using less fuel. This results in you being able to use this cutter for a longer period of time. This cutter comes with a strong shoulder belt, giving you more control over the cutter. This brush cutter comes with multiple head attachments making it more versatile.
Key Features:
JETForce2 engine
Comfortable
Easy to start
Specification:
Brand
STANLEY
Colour
Black and yellow
Power source
Petrol
Dimensions (L x W x H)
101.5 x 26.5 x 28
Weight (kg)
13.2
Pros
Less fuel consumption
Easy to change tool heads
Cons
More expensive than other brush cutters in this guide
Stihl Brush Cutter
With a bike handle and ergostart, this brush cutter is easy to use and manoeuvre around your garden. It’s been designed with your comfort in mind, so it’s definitely one for those worried about that! In a sleek orange and grey, this power tool will make a fab addition to any outside space.
Key Features:
Ergonomically designed for comfort
Can also be used as an ordinary strimmer
Specification:
Brand
Stihl
Colour
Orange and grey
Power source
Gas powered
Pros
Bike handle design
Cons
Colour might not be everyone's cup of tea
Bosch Brush Cutter
The Bosch brush cutter comes with an adjustable belt and handle, so you can adjust it to suit you. Thanks to the powerful 950w motor, this brush cutter is sure to give you impressive results as it cuts through lawns with ease. This brush cutter allows you to easily change between a blade or cutting line depending on the task at hand.
Key Features:
Adjustable belt and handle
Powerful 950w motor
Lightweight
Specification:
Brand
Bosch
Colour
Green
Power source
Battery powered
Dimensions (L x W x H)
97.5 x 25.5 x 10.5cm
Weight (kg)
5.7
Pros
Easy to change settings
Battery included
Cons
Can run out of battery
Summary
So, after reading all of those – we hope you’ve found a brush cutter that’s right for you, your garden and your budget! In this section of the buyer guide, we discuss all things buyer considerations – just as we did in our hedge trimmer, grass seed, cordless pressure washer and lawn mower blogs – so check those out if you’re wanting to know a bit more about those garden essentials! These buyer considerations are the things you might want to keep in mind before you commit to your purchase. Like we mentioned in our introduction, brush cutters and strimmers are tools that are quite similar to one another. It’s just that brush cutters are that bit more heavy duty when they’re compared side-by-side. They’re more powerful than strimmers too which is something you should keep in mind depending on what you’re wanting to use it for. Speaking of what you’re planning on using it for, we’ve listed some considerations to make even before you’re shopping. So, without further ado – let’s get into it!
Before you begin
We recommend that you ask yourself the following questions to help decide on what will be the best option for you and your outside space.
Identify what will you be cutting
Firstly, you should think about what type of grass you’ll be cutting most often. Will it be a lawn, or coarser, more overgrown vegetation and/or weeds? For trimming short to medium-length grass, tidying edges and reaching places that a lawn mower can’t, your best bet will probably be a grass strimmer is the best option. For long and overgrown grass, weeds and small trees, you should then consider a brush cutter, as it’s got a whole lot more power. If you’re not sure what you’ll be cutting most of, or you reckon you’ll probably cut an equal mix of both – there are some machines that are both grass trimmers and brush cutters. Or, if all else fails – we recommend going for a brush cutter that can do both. By quickly identifying exactly what you’re wanting to use it for, it’ll make your job of choosing a brush cutter much easier when it comes to it.
Is your garden on the larger side?
If you have a large garden or patch of land, or plan to trim far away from home and are looking for a more portable option, go for something that doesn’t have to be plugged into the mains. This in turn will give you more movement and will be a whole lot less restrictive if you’ve got a big outdoor space. Similarly, a lightweight brush cutter will help you stay comfortable for however long you’re wanting to spend in the garden completing the task. Also, it might be worth considering how many plants are in your outdoor space is. For example, if you need to trim and work around a lot of flowers, bushes , hedges or trees, go for a brush cutter that has a smaller head so you can work your way around them without damaging anything.
Types of brush cutters
After you’ve thought about what you’re actually wanting to use your brush cutter for – you should be aware that there are a few different types to choose from. Again, we’re here to help and take some of the strain of choosing the right brush cutter, so we’ve taken the liberty of listing all the different types of trimmers and brush cutters for you here:
- Corded electric brush cutters
So this type is a corded brush cutter, which is quite self explanatory – it has a cord that is connected to the mains. Corded brush cutters are a good option because they will provide constant and unlimited energy. This means that you won’t have to worry about things like fuel or a battery running out. Easy to handle, while still being incredibly powerful, electric corded brush cutters are ideal for use close to the house (or an energy supply) and don’t require much up-keep. Obviously, the downside of a corded electric brush cutter is that they do have a cord, which means you’ll have to be careful with it trailing behind you whilst you’re cutting. Make sure that your outdoor power source, and any extension cables that you may have used, have a residual current device (RCD) – these shut off power when there’s a fault or the cable is damaged, making sure that a nasty accident doesn’t happen and that you don’t get a shock.
- Cordless electric brush cutters
If you don’t happen to have easy access to a power source, or would simply prefer the freedom to easily move around if you have a larger garden, then a cordless electric brush cutter is the option for you! They’re also great if you’re particularly worried about cutting through a cord, too. Most cordless brush cutters are actually a lot less weighty than their corded counterparts, and some can actually charge in as little as an hour. Cordless brush cutters are the best option for s medium or larger sized gardens so you don’t have a cord holding you back – and also for areas that you’re wanting to use your brush cutter in away from home, such as an allotment or for work – similar to a cordless pressure washer.
- Petrol powered brush cutters
For gardens with long grass, coarse weeds or rough vegetation, a petrol brush cutter or grass trimmer is ideal. They’re powerful, portable and allow for easy movement around your outside space. Petrol brush cutters will be a very powerful option, as with most petrol garden tools – like a petrol pressure washer and a petrol lawn mower.
Cutting width
Another thing you might want to keep in mind would be the cutting width of your brush cutter. The size of your trimming area determines the size you will need, i.e. the bigger the cutting width, the more grass the brush cutter can clear in one go. Larger cutting widths will make cutting large areas quicker, but are not the best choice for those smaller, difficult to reach areas.
As a general rule:
- 200 to 300mm is a good width for light grass trimming and small-to-medium lawns
- 301 to 399mm is a better width for thicker grass and medium-to-large lawns
- 400mm and above is perfect for heavier work, like thick grass, undergrowth and large gardens.
Battery life
For cordless models, you’ll want to fo for a brush cutter that has ample battery life. This will mean that you won’t have to stop to charge so often, saving you time and hassle. The battery life is measured in ampere hours (Ah) or amp rating. The batteries are measured in Amperes (Ah) and this tells us the runtime that the battery will give you. The higher the capacity, the longer the battery will run for. It’s also a good idea to look out for brush cutters that have batteries that can also be used in other products, as this will mean you can use it for all sorts of different things.
Weight
Having a lightweight brush cutter will serve you well, as you won’t have to worry about causing any injuries if you’re planning on using it for long periods of time. A lightweight brush cutter will also ensure ease of use, too. You’ll be able to manoeuvre it around a whole lot easier. Plus, it’ll also make it easier to reach those harder to reach areas. It’s important to note that corded and petrol brush cutters may be heavier than cordless alternatives, so it all comes down to personal preference.
Power output
When considering an electric brush cutter, you should be aware that the bigger the power output, the more powerful the motor will be. This basically means that cutting thicker grass or woodier weeds will be a whole lot easier. Electric motor power is measured in watts, while their cordless counterparts will be measured in volts. If you’ve only got a small garden, perhaps opting for electric models from 250 to 400W or cordless models with 12V and above would be the best option for you and your outside space. For larger lawns with more difficult areas or patches of overgrown grass and weeds, more power will be required. We recommend opting for a cordless electric model above 14V, a corded brush cutter above 450V or a petrol model. Like we’ve mentioned above, the most powerful option will be a petrol brush cutter.
Cable length
If you’ve opted for a corded electric option, make sure you choose a brush cutter that has a long cable – so it won’t restrict you as much. Remember that you’ll always have to keep an eye on the cord so no accidents happen when you’re trimming.
FAQ
What is a brush cutter?
A brush cutter is a powerful garden tool used to trim weeds, small trees, and other foliage (brush) not accessible by an ordinary lawn mower or rotary mower.
Is a brush cutter the same as a strimmer?
No, brush cutters are not the same as a strimmer. String trimmers or strimmers are a less powerful version of a brush cutter and are better suited to smaller tasks that don’t require too much power. A brush cutter is better suited for more strenuous tasks, like chopping down overgrown patches of grass or woodier weeds.
Do I need a brush cutter?
Depending on what you’re wanting to use it for a brush cutter is a great addition to any garden, but more specifically if you have areas of rough vegetation or overgrown grass. If you have any bushes or hedges, a brush cutter is also something you might want to consider adding to your tool collection.
Can a brush cutter cut grass?
A brush cutter can indeed cut grass, it has been designed with reach those difficult to reach areas in mind. For example, a brush cutter ensures that you’ll be able to neaten up any edges around the perimeter of your lawn, or tidy up where your grass meets any paths or flowerbeds.
What size brush cutter do I need?
A good rule of thumb to follow is what we mentioned earlier on in the size section of the blog. We’ll repeat it again for you here, though!
As a general rule:
- 200 to 300mm is a good width for light grass trimming and small-to-medium lawns
- 301 to 399mm is a better width for thicker grass and medium-to-large lawns
- 400mm and above is perfect for heavier work, like thick grass, undergrowth and large gardens.
Are brush cutters dangerous?
As with any power tool, and especially those with blades, it’s always a good idea to use them with caution. Brush cutters can indeed be dangerous as they could fling up any stones or heavy objects, however we always recommend special garden clothing (see our blog on gardening trousers and gardening boots) and protection such as protective googles.
What do I do when my brush cutter won’t start?
We know how frustrating that might be, especially when you’re wanting to use it desperately. However, we’ve found a blog post for you here telling you what to do when your brush cutter won’t start.
How do I clean my brush cutter?
Caring for your brush cutter and keeping up general maintenance is super important. Cleaning your cutter is simple and easy, we’ve attached a YouTube video here showing you exactly how it’s done.