A strimmer is the tool that gets used on almost every garden job and the one that gets abused the most. It spends the day clipping fence lines, edging round paving and knocking back nettles along a boundary, usually while being dragged out of a van and dropped on gravel. If you are still carrying a petrol one, the case for switching to battery has got a lot stronger in the last few years.
This guide covers five cordless strimmers that you can actually buy from Amazon UK today, from a tool-only DeWalt at around £147 to a complete Stihl set at £280. They are picked mainly by battery platform, because a bare tool that runs on batteries you already own will almost always beat a better machine that needs a new set of packs and a new charger.
Prices and stock were checked on Amazon UK at the time of writing and move around, so treat the figures as a guide and check the live listing before you buy.
Quick Verdict
If you already run Makita 18V LXT, the Makita DUR193RT is the easiest complete kit to recommend because it comes with a 5.0Ah battery and charger. If you are on DeWalt 18V XR, the DCM561PBS is the best-supported bare tool, with a 33cm cutting swath and variable speed control.
Milwaukee M18 owners should look at the M18 BLLT-0, and anyone who wants a boxed professional set with no existing platform should look at the Stihl FSA 57, which is the only option here that comes ready to work with its own battery and charger from a garden-machinery specialist.
The Best Cordless Strimmers for UK Landscapers
Best Complete Kit for Makita Users: Makita DUR193RT
The DUR193RT is Makita’s 18V LXT line trimmer sold as a complete kit with one 5.0Ah battery and a charger. It is a straightforward, light and well-balanced strimmer, which is exactly what you want when you are holding it at arm’s length for hours.
Because it sits on LXT, the battery swaps with your drill, impact driver and the rest of the Makita garden range. If you already have a pile of batteries it is cheaper to buy the bare version, but at around £180 for the kit with a battery and charger it is a fair price for someone building up a platform from scratch.
The downside is that the review count is still modest compared with the bare-tool versions, and it is a lighter-duty machine than a brushcutter. For fence lines, borders and tidy-up work it is ideal; for rough ground with brambles you want something with a bigger head.
- Cordless grass trimmer
- Loop type handle
- 260mm cutting diameter
- Easy loading bump and feed cord feed system mechanism
- 1.65mm four leaf nylon cord
Best Premium Makita Bare Tool: Makita DUR191LZX9
The DUR191LZX9 is Makita’s brushless 18V LXT line trimmer, supplied as a bare unit with 2.0mm line. Brushless motors give you longer runtime from the same battery and more consistent power when the line hits dense growth, which matters on a strimmer that runs flat out for most of the job.
At about £215 for the body alone it is a lot to pay for a tool without a battery, so this is a purchase for people who already own several 5.0Ah or 6.0Ah packs. It is the one to buy if the cheaper Makita trimmer keeps running out of puff on long days.
The stock on Amazon was low when we checked, so if you want one, order it rather than waiting.
- DUR191LZX9 18v machine unit only supplied with a band assembly, cap, hex key and accessory bag cutting width 230/255/300mm 2.0mm nylon line diameter m10 x 1.25 l/h thread spindle brushless motor,
Best for DeWalt Users: DeWalt DCM561PBS
DeWalt’s 18V XR brushless string trimmer has a 33cm cutting swath, variable speed control and is sold as a tool-only unit. With well over 280 reviews on Amazon UK it is one of the best-tested options in this guide.
Variable speed is more useful than it sounds. Dropping the speed lets you work next to flower beds and paving without throwing debris, then you can open it up for open grass. The shaft is split, which makes it easier to get in the back of a van.
It is a bare tool, so budget for a 5.0Ah XR battery if you do not already have one. If you want to get everything in one purchase there is also a kit version, which is listed below.
- FAST, EFFICIENT COVERAGE: The 33cm cutting swath helps you trim large areas quickly and effectively, making site maintenance faster and more productive.
- BRUSHLESS POWER YOU CAN RELY ON: The 18V XR brushless motor delivers enhanced efficiency and long-lasting durability for demanding professional use.
- BUILT FOR TOUGH CUTTING TASKS: The 2mm twisted line is designed for added durability, helping you tackle thicker grass and challenging overgrowth with confidence.
- QUICK LINE ADVANCEMENT: The bump line feed system provides fast and effective line feed, helping you maintain momentum and reduce interruptions while you work.
- POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT: The variable speed trigger gives you greater control over output, so you can match performance to the task at hand.
DeWalt DCM561P1S Kit With Battery
The DCM561P1S is the same split-shaft brushless trimmer sold with a 5.0Ah battery. It costs roughly £100 more than the bare version at the time of writing, which is about what a 5.0Ah XR battery costs on its own, so it makes sense only if you are starting on DeWalt or want a spare pack.
Kit version with 5.0Ah battery:
- 400 MWO Brushless Motor patented gear drive design, providing more torque and maintaining cut speed under load
- Fully variable trigger, offering total power control to the professional user
- Padded rubber aux handle for optimal user comfort
- Two-speed control, delivering versatility to the user for extended runtime or increased performance
- Includes:5Ah Battery, Charger, DCM561P1S-GB
Best for Milwaukee Users: Milwaukee M18 BLLT-0
The M18 BLLT-0 is Milwaukee’s brushless M18 line trimmer, sold as a bare tool at about £160. It has fewer reviews than the Makita and DeWalt, so there is less real-world evidence, but Milwaukee’s 18V batteries are some of the best in the business and the trimmer will run on any M18 pack.
If you are already on M18 for drills, saws and lights, this is the obvious option. If you are not, the DeWalt gives you more proven kit for the money.
- Battery system: Li-ion
- Voltage: 18 V
- Idle speed in the 1st Gear: 4,600 min-1
- Idle speed in the 2nd gear: 6,200 min-1
- Recommended ambient temperature when working: -18 to +50 degrees Celsius
Best Boxed Set: Stihl FSA 57
The Stihl FSA 57 is the odd one out. It is a compact battery brush cutter set from a garden-machinery brand rather than a power-tool brand, supplied here with an AK 10 battery and AL 101 charger, and at £280 it is the most expensive option in the list.
What you get for the money is a machine designed from the start for gardening, a Stihl dealer network for servicing and parts, and a ready-to-use kit. What you give up is cross-platform compatibility, since the AK battery will not work with your drill.
It makes most sense for a gardener who wants a dedicated, light strimmer and does not mind a second battery system, or for someone who is not on any power tool platform at all.
- This newly designed ergonomic cordless strimmer is a great choice for domestic users. It’s ideal for strimming lawns and grass along paths or around plants and objects, especially in noise-sensitive environments. Cutting circle diameter 350 mm. Ergonomic operating handle, loop handle, sturdy aluminium shaft. Spacer bracket for mowing around obstacles such as trees and shrubs. Supplied with the AutoCut C 3-2 mowing head.
- Features: Soft grip with control lever - The soft handle grip allows for better control and secure a grip in all conditions. Spacer bracket - Practical spacer bracket for mowing along with obstacles and around trees and bushes. Loop handle - The loop handle angle can be adjusted without tools using the Tommy screw. It is ideal for working in confined spaces, e.g. for clearing work between bushes and shrubs.
- Intermediate battery position in the device - The battery can be inserted into the device in 2 stages. In the first locking stage – the intermediate position – the battery is secured in the device but does not touch the contacts in the device. In the second locking stage – the operating position – the battery is completely inserted and touches the contacts in the device. Length-adjustable shaft - With its flexible handles and variable shaft length, the perfectly balanced strimmer can be ideally adapted to your specific way of working.
- Technical Specification: Rated voltage - V 36 Weight kg 1) - 3.5 Weight without battery kg 2) - 2.7 Rated voltage V - 36 Sound pressure level dB(A) 3) - 74 Sound power level dB(A) 3) - 89 Vibration value, left m/s2 4) - 4 Cutting tool - AutoCut C3-2 Vibration value, right m/s2 4) - 4 Total length cm 5) - 149
At a Glance: Cordless Strimmers Compared
| Model | Platform | What You Get | Approx. Price |
| Makita DUR193RT | Makita 18V LXT | Trimmer, 5.0Ah battery, charger | £180 |
| Makita DUR191LZX9 | Makita 18V LXT | Brushless, bare tool | £215 |
| DeWalt DCM561PBS | DeWalt 18V XR | Brushless, bare tool | £147 |
| DeWalt DCM561P1S | DeWalt 18V XR | Brushless, 5.0Ah battery | £242 |
| Milwaukee M18 BLLT-0 | Milwaukee M18 | Brushless, bare tool | £160 |
| Stihl FSA 57 | Stihl AK | Trimmer, AK 10 battery, AL 101 charger | £280 |
Buyer’s Guide: What Actually Matters
Battery platform comes first
The single biggest factor in the cost of a cordless strimmer is whether you already own the batteries. A bare tool on your existing platform is usually £100 or more cheaper than a boxed kit, and you can swap packs between tools during the day. If you are already on Makita, DeWalt or Milwaukee, stick with it.
If you are not on any platform, think about the rest of your kit before you buy. A strimmer is rarely the only battery tool a landscaper needs, and a hedge trimmer, blower and chainsaw on the same battery are far easier to run than three different systems.
Brushless or brushed
Brushless motors are more efficient, run cooler and last longer, which matters on a tool that is run flat out for hours. For daily trade use it is worth paying for brushless. For occasional use on a domestic lawn a brushed motor is fine and the saving can be spent on a bigger battery.
Line or blade
Line heads are right for grass, edges and light weeds. If you are regularly cutting brambles or woody growth, a line trimmer will struggle and you need a brushcutter with a metal blade. Most of the machines here are line trimmers and say so in the specification.
Weight and balance
Weigh up the tool with the battery on, not without it. A strimmer is held at arm’s length and swung, so a tool that feels fine in the shop can be tiring after two hours. A split shaft makes transport easier but check how the joint feels in use.
Battery size and runtime
Plan on a 5.0Ah battery as a minimum for a full day, with a second to swap in. Strimming is a high-load task and smaller 2.0Ah or 3.0Ah packs will not last long on thick grass. If you are running two or three batteries, a fast charger is worth having.
FAQs
Are cordless strimmers powerful enough for trade work?
Yes, for grass, edges and light weeds. Modern brushless 18V strimmers are comparable to petrol machines for most garden maintenance, but for heavy brush and brambles a dedicated brushcutter is still the right tool.
How long does a cordless strimmer battery last?
It depends on the tool and the load. A 5.0Ah battery will usually give you somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes of continuous strimming, so most professionals carry two or three packs and rotate them.
Which battery platform is best for landscapers?
Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee all have broad garden ranges. Choose the one you already own. If you are starting from nothing, look at which brand has the hedge trimmer, blower and chainsaw you want as well as the strimmer.
Should I buy the bare tool or the kit?
If you already have 5.0Ah batteries and a charger from the same platform, the bare tool is the better buy. Buy the kit only if you are starting from scratch or want a spare battery.
Can I use a cordless strimmer in wet weather?
Most are splash-resistant rather than waterproof. Light rain is fine, but you should not leave one out overnight or use it in heavy rain, and you should wipe it down and let the battery dry before charging.
Final Word
For most UK landscapers the choice of strimmer is made by the battery already in the van. Makita users should look at the DUR193RT, DeWalt users at the DCM561PBS, and Milwaukee users at the M18 BLLT-0. If you are starting from scratch and want a ready-to-go boxed machine, the Stihl FSA 57 is the premium option, and the Makita kit is the most affordable way into a full platform.
Whichever you go for, buy a spare battery and a spare reel of line, because a strimmer that is down on a job is a day’s money lost.
