Want to create a picture-perfect, barefoot-worthy lawn? If so, the best brush cutter is a must-have in your garden tool arsenal. Best Brush Cutter Compared
If you’re on the hunt for one, you’re in good company. I prepared a detailed brush cutter product review and buying guide after a comprehensive research process and hands-on testing of top-rated brush cutters.
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I’ll walk you through all you need to know, from what a brush cutter is, how it differs from a strimmer, brush cutter varieties to the best options in the market, based on essential performance specs.
If you’re at war with overgrown grasses and shrubbery on your property, you already know that a cheap low-powered weed whacker isn’t going to cut it.
You need something more powerful. But how do you choose a brush cutter that will handle the bushy undergrowth you have?
Do you want something that multitasks, or just a machine that’ll get the job done? Let’s get deep into the topic and find out everything you need to know about brush cutters and how they work.
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To Buy Best Brush Cutter Compared
Okay, so we have taken a thorough look at what a brush cutter is, and what attributes, features, and variations you need to look out for in your search for the perfect brush clearing tool.
I managed to get my hands on some of the more popular models on the market for domestic and light commercial use and put them through their paces.
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Brush cutters from the big brands such as Husqvarna, Makita, and Troy-Bilt.
My criteria for picking the best 5 include the overall best performance, comfort, and handling, as well as value for money. Best Brush Cutter Compared.
1. Husqvarna 336FR Bike Handle Pro Brush Cutter 34.6cc
Overall Best Brush Cutter
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The Husqvarna 336FR won my heart over immediately. It was my best buy because it offers value for money from the word go.
It’s a three-in-one brush cutter meaning you can use it for a diverse array of functions, and it has an X-Torq engine, so it’s not just pocket friendly but also eco-friendly.
Add in its lightweight, ergonomic design and an easy-to-start system, and it becomes one of the best investments you’ll make.
2. Makita MM4 4-Stroke Gas Powered Brush Cutter 25.4cc
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Makita is one of the top brands in the outdoor power equipment realm, so it should be no surprise they’re on my list twice.
That said, you’ll love the Makita-4-stroke brush cutter EBH252U. It packs many nifty features that make it exceptionally easy to use and good at its job.
It’s a 4-stroke brush cutter meaning you won’t be mixing oil and gas anytime soon. Its fuel system is easily accessible, and there’s even a clear oil level window that lets you keep track of oil levels in just a single glance. Best Brush Cutter Compared
Best Gas Brush Cutter To Buy Compared
3. Remington RM2700 Ranchero 27cc 2-Stroke Brushcutter
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The Remington brush cutter is powered using Quick Start technology. Designed to give you easier and smoother pull starts.
It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and offers both string and blade options. It offers multiple attachment options as well, and can be turned into a cultivator, hedge trimmer, or blower (attachments sold separately).
The cons for the Remington Ranchero are that it requires about two minutes to warm up to full capacity. And that it might need tuning right out of the box to get it functioning as you want it.
Neither one detracts massively from the Remington’s functionality, and it’s my personal pick for gas-powered cutters. Best Brush Cutter Compared
4. TIMBERPRO 52cc Heavy Duty Split Strimmer and Brush Cutter: Best Brush Cutter Compared
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| Type | Gas |
| Weight | 13 lbs before blades/accessories/gas weight |
| Warranty | May have warranty, depends on seller |
| Motor Type | 52cc 2-stroke |
| Features | Comes with a dual-line string trimmer head and three steel blades (3 tooth, 8 tooth, 40 tooth). |
The TIMBERPRO 52cc isn’t just a brush cutter, but a trimmer as well, crafted with a split shaft function for convenient yard cleaning.
It has a shoulder harness and bike-handle grips, and it’s easy to start and operate. It comes with a two-year warranty.
However, it’s expensive to repair if something develops a fault, and it is bulkier than most other models on the market.
Electric: Best Brush Cutter Compared
5. GreenWorks Pro GST80320 80V Cordless String Trimmer
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Since electric models often focus on being just string trimmers, it’s hard to find one that can handle outside attachments.
But the GreenWorks Pro GST80320 takes Ryobi Expand-It, TrimmerPlus and PoulonPro attachments.
This enables you to convert it to an electric and battery powered brush cutter, tiller, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, edger, or tree trimmer as needed.
As a string trimmer, it uses .080 cord, but can use as heavy as .095 if you want, giving it more weed-whacking ability.
Its 80V power makes it on-par with many gas models while still keeping it lightweight and manageable.
If there’s a drawback, it’s in the power packs, which often last only 25-30 minutes during heavier jobs, and take about the same amount of time to charge.
You’ll need at least two battery packs to have continuous workflow, and the battery packs aren’t cheap. Happily, the packs will work with many other GreenWorks tools as well. Best Brush Cutter Compared.
6. GreenWorks Pro ST80L210 80V 16-Inch Cordless String Trimmer: Best Brush Cutter Compared
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I know, this article is supposed to be about brush cutters, not string trimmers! However, this particular string trimmer has something which most others don’t.
Next to its easy-start button, there is a power control that enables you to push up the power to higher levels.
Since it can take up to .095 cord and has a dual-cutting capability, amping up the power gives you an almost brush-cutter like potency with a string trimmer.
Still, it doesn’t accept other attachments, and it does still run on batteries, so it comes in just shy of the other electric choice.
All in all, if you need the power of a brush cutter, I’d probably pick the gas cutter from Remington over the electric option.
But there’s a lot of good aspects of the GreenWorks model with all of its potential attachments, too. Which would you pick – gas or electric? Best Brush Cutter Compared
What Is A Brush Cutter? Best Brush Cutter Compared
A brush cutter is a versatile, powered garden tool used to cut and trim rough grass, weeds, and other foliage.
Brush cutters feature a robust, rotating blade and tackle thick shrubbery and tree trunks up to 4-inch thick.
They also get into hard-to-reach places quite efficiently. Most brush cutters come with a harness for comfortable use, and the blade’s rotation dictates which direction you should move.
What’s The Difference Between A Brush Cutter And Strimmer?
Although Brush cutters and strimmers (also known as string trimmers or weed eaters) look almost identical, they have several distinct differences, as discussed below:
1. Cutting Attachment:
Brush cutters use a thick, powerful blade for dense and tough vegetation, while a string trimmer uses a .06-.095 nylon trimmer line.
2. Functionality:
Because they come with a sharper, powerful blade and run on an engine with more horsepower, brush cutters are for demanding landscaping such as cutting through thick reeds and sapling trees.
Strimmers are ideal for light duties such as trimming grass and weeds for an immaculate, lush-green yard appearance.
3. Maintenance:
Brush cutters require regular, systemic maintenance to run at peak performance, while glass strimmers are simpler and require minimal maintenance efforts.
Clearing Saw Vs. Brush Cutter: Best Brush Cutter Compared
Like the strimmer, a clearing saw also looks similar to the brush cutter, but the two are entirely different.
A clearing saw is a powerful landscaping tool available in various sizes and feature sets. It has a circular brush knife and is suitable for clearing large patches of uneven terrain and forest clearance projects.
A clearing saw differs from a brush cutter in terms of:
1. Functionality:
Clearing saws are more powerful and often used for extensive landscaping tasks with thick and demanding vegetation. Brush cutters, while also powerful, are suitable for slightly demanding, general landscaping tasks.
2. Cost And Maintenance:
A clearing brush is more expensive than a brush cutter
Choosing The Best Brush Cutter:
Some brush cutters come with an extensive feature set, guaranteed to enhance your landscaping routine, while others have a high price tag with a basic feature set.
Knowing what to look for is the key to identifying and buying a brush cutter I described first. Before you swipe your credit card, check out the factors I prioritized while choosing the best brush cutters for this guide:
1. Multifunctional Operation
Besides changeable blades, some brush cutters boast compatibility with blowers and other commonly used gardening tools, allowing you to use your brush cutter for a range of functions.
2. Quick Change Heads
Although brush cutters are already versatile, models with a quick-change head improve the tool’s efficiency tenfold.
It allows you to switch between different head attachments with a simple technique instead of unscrewing the entire model.
3. Ergonomic Handles
A brush cutter handle helps you better control the tool and minimize fatigue, so you need to ensure it’s ergonomic.
Look for brush cutters with soft, spongy, and multiple grips. Remember, brush cutters can be either one or two-handed.
While one-handled brush cutters allow some ease of use, two-handled models are the best option because they offer better control, allowing you to complete the job quicker and greatly minimize fatigue, especially when used for prolonged periods.
4. Vibration & Noise
Brush cutters generate a lot of vibration, causing fatigue.
Repeated exposure to vibration from your brush cutter puts you at risk of neck, shoulder, back, and hip pain and conditions like hand-arm vibration syndrome.
Advanced brush cutters feature an anti-vibration feature to dampen vibrations and improve user comfort.
5. Service & Warranty
A warranty is a manufacturer’s assurance your brush cutter is engineered using high-quality materials and doesn’t have any defects.
Go for a model with at least a 2-years warranty. Check the level and quality of a manufacturer’s customer service, too, because reliable, professional support could make all the difference when you run into problems.
Manual, Gas, Or Electric Brush Cutters
Some brush cutter models run on gas or electricity, while others are cordless and battery-powered. Each type has its advantages, but also comes with definite disadvantages, which I discussed below so you can make an informed choice:
1. Electric Brush Cutter
Electric brush cutters run on electricity. They’re generally lightweight and, depending on the model you purchase, make little to no noise.
Since they feature fewer parts, electric brush cutters are also easier to maintain. On the downside, they’re expensive, limited to a power outlet, and may drive your energy bill to the roof.
2. Cordless Battery Powered Brush Cutter
The Cordless brush cutters run on Li-Ion batteries. Cordless battery-powered cutters are compact and super-portable.
The downside is that the batteries may run out of charge before you finish. Here’s what you need to consider when shopping for a cordless battery-powered brush cutter:
Battery Power(V)
High battery voltage means more power, and conversely, more time to run and use your brush cutter.
Battery Life (Ah)
Amp-hours or Ah refers to the amount of charge in a battery. As with the voltage, the higher the Ah, the higher the energy stored.
Note, your voltage determines how much power your brush cutter’s battery can hold, while the amp hours affect the run time and performance.
So, the higher the Ah ratings, the better your cordless brushcutter will perform.
Gas Powered Brush Cutter
These brush cutters run on gas and are considered the most powerful of all three options. They’re primarily used to tackle thick weeds, long grasses, and other demanding tasks.
Gas-powered brush cutters can feature either 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine configurations. Before you throw your hands in the air in exasperation and scream “too complicated,” here’s how the two types of engines compare:
2 Cycle Engine Vs. 4 Cycle
A two-cycle gas-powered engine completes a power cycle in two piston strokes (upward and backward).
2-cycle gas-powered brush cutters are often reliable, lightweight, have low maintenance requirements, and are generally affordable.
But, they’re also noisy, and because they use up more fuel, not very environmentally friendly. They also run hot when used for prolonged periods and can be hectic to use because you have to mix gas and oil every time.
In a 4-cycle engine, on the other hand, the piston makes two rotations to complete a single power cycle. 4-cycle brush cutter engines are often more fuel-efficient, less noisy, and you don’t have to mix gas and oil because they store the two separately.
The catch? A 4-cycle brush cutter will have you exhausted in a few hours because they’re relatively heavier. You’ll also have to spend more on a brush cutter model with a 4-cycle engine.
Types Of Brush Cutter Blades
The blade is the workhorse of your brush cutter, which is why you need to prioritize it on your search for the best brush cutter.
Plus, with more models coming in with a changeable blade design, learning your options now makes shopping blades for different functions in the future easier.
With this in mind, let me guide you through the various types of brush cutter blades you’ll find in the market:
1. Knife Blades
Knife blades feature a sharpened leading edge and can have two to forty edges. They’re manufactured either through lasering or stamping thin sheets and come in nearly any shape imaginable.
They work through slicing, and because they use the sharpened front edge to perform their function, a knife’s blade efficiency relies on the number of knife edges. Two and three-bladed knife blades (rectangular and star-shaped) are usually the most efficient in cutting and mulching and are also easy to maintain.
Knife blades are usually affordable, durable, and if you get the best one, quite efficient. At the same time, knife blades go blunt in time and are ideal for light to medium landscaping duties like cutting grass. Also, the blade is fixed, making knife blades susceptible to bending, or chipping on impact with rocks during use.
2. Chisel Blades
Chisel blades have their sharpened edge around the blade’s perimeter and are circular with a varying tooth design. Contrary to common belief, the lesser the number of teeth on a chisel blade, the better its performance.
Chisel blades are typically very sharp and highly efficient and seamlessly cut through branches up to 60mm thick. Due to their high cutting power, chisel blades are best for demanding landscaping tasks.
On the downside, they may have severe kickback if you try to cut through something thicker than 4inches.
They also get blunt quickly, and unfortunately, due to their design, they can be a pain to clean and sharpen.
Generally, a chisel blade is a great brush cutter accessory for those occasional woody weeds and taxing lawn maintenance duties.
What You Need To Consider:
Picking The Best Brush Cutter To Buy Both Gas and Electric
Before even looking at the various components of brush cutters or string trimmers, there’s a few aspects that need to be decided.
These include your budget, what materials you’re cutting down, if it’s a small or large job, and whether you can handle the machine you are getting.
1. Budget
Typically, brush cutters cost more than string trimmers… quite a lot more, in fact. So it’s important to decide if your job actually requires that level of power before laying out the money.
You might also be able to get a string trimmer that can use brush cutter blades, but dual-purpose models also typically cost more or require attachments.
Electric is generally cheaper than gas, but doesn’t always have the same power behind its cutting capability.
2. What Are You Cutting?
If you’ve got a whole lot of hard, tall, or thick weeds, slender tree saplings, or overgrown bushy material, that’s when you will generally need a brush cutter.
A good rule of thumb is that if the material you have to cut is a quarter of an inch in diameter and is brown, not green, you need the brush cutter.
3. Small or Large Job
Are you only working on a quarter-acre yard, or do you have five acres of property? The size of your job matters, in this case.
If you’ve got a reasonably small yard, there’s alternatives to brush cutters which are a whole lot cheaper, but if you have a lot of property, you’re going to want to speed up the process of maintaining your land.
4. When It’s Too Much To Handle
Brush cutters are weighty beasts. They have to be, just to handle the rigors of demolishing the rough stuff.
That’ll start to take a toll on you physically as you maneuver this big contraption around, so be mindful of how long you use your brush cutter.
Treat it like an exercise routine, because it can really be one. You’re directing a vibrating, heavy-weight implement around and keeping it stationary as it chews through heavy materials.
Stay hydrated, take regular breaks, and if you start to get sore, it might be time to stop for the day.
Features To Look For: Best Brush Cutter To Buy
There’s some key features of both brush cutters and of string trimmers that you’ll need to be aware of before you buy.
1. Gas or Electric?
The vast majority of brush cutters on the market are gas powered. But you can find some crossover electric units that combine the relative quiet of an electric machine with the ability to use either string-trimming or bladed brush cutter attachments.
Really, the choice is up to you, although finding a quality crossover unit can be quite difficult.
If all you need is a string trimmer, electric units are widely available and tend to be much lighter-weight than their gas-powered counterparts, which makes them easier to maneuver into tight spaces.
However, electric options either use battery packs that wear down quickly, or they’re tethered by a power cord to their power source, which does limit their use somewhat if you’ve got a large area to clear.
Gas units are far noisier than electric, but you aren’t tethered to a power source, which is a perk. They also tend to be hefty, often coming with some form of harness to help you hold on to their drastically-increased weight.
2. Engine Power
Gas powered brush cutters come with either 4-stroke or 2-stroke gas engines. The main difference in the type of engine is in how they function.
- 4-stroke engines are heavier, give more power output, and run cooler. The design tends to be a bit unbalanced, is more complicated to maintain, and also tends to cost more.
- 2-stroke engines are easier to maintain, tend to operate with much more balance, and have smaller engines, making them well-suited for handheld garden tools.
Electric units tend to be available in 20 volt or 40 volt options, with occasional 60 or 80 volt versions available.
20 volts is fine for the average yard maintenance offered by a string trimmer, but to effectively cut through heavier materials with a metal or vinyl blade, 40 volts or more is recommended, and 60-80 volts is preferred.
3. Shaft Style
You can either have a straight or curved shaft. Usually a steel shaft, it’s what connects your working head to the cutter’s motor.
A) Bent Shaft:
Choosing a bent shaft will help you work closer to the project, but due to its design, these types are more likely to encounter mechanical issues. The best walk behind brush cutter will likely have a straight shaft.
B) Straight Shaft:
A straight shaft brush cutter has a more direct line to its power source. In addition, they often work better with various attachments than bent shaft models.
4. Handles
Since brush cutters tend to be heavy duty, good handhold options are essential. A double handle “bike handle” design or a looped handle offer good control and are the most popular options.
Both styles require both of your hands to control and direct the tool. Since you’ll likely be using blades for more serious work, a sturdy grip is key to staying safe.
5. Vibration
A lot of gas engines come with anti-vibration technology for when you aren’t using your tool, but the power is still on.
The best brush cutters will try to minimize vibration while in use, but you will still be dealing with some consistent vibration that can cause muscle fatigue. They may even include an anti-vibration handle.
Electric engines tend to be either on or off. That means when you’re not actively cutting, they aren’t vibrating, and that can give you a short break from all of that vibration and noise.
6. Blade Material and Cord Diameter
If you’re investing a lot of money into a piece of equipment like this, you’ll want to consider the types of blade available for your unit, as well as the cost of replacement blades.
Similarly, even string trimmers offer different diameters of cord, and units which use thicker cord often can handle more rugged cutting duties than their lightweight cousins.
Blades often are available in nylon or metal versions. In most situations, a metal blade is better as it can handle the heavy-duty materials with ease. Within that category, a steel blade is the best choice by far.
Nylon is generally meant for more typical lawn care solutions, as they rapidly get dinged up and can break far easier.
Overall, I personally prefer to go for the more heavy-duty options over the lighter ones, as you’ll be regularly replacing lighter cord or nylon blades and can get more longevity over the heavier options.
7. Quick-Change Heads And Other Add-Ons
In order for brush cutters to be more versatile, interchangeable heads and multiple attachments are a must. Selecting a model with an attachment system like this means it’s more affordable over time since it will work for both large and small tasks.
The most convenient and popular options come with a blade attachment and a string trimmer head, allowing you to use the brush trimmer to whack weeds and edge along with cutting heavier stuff.
A quick change function will let you switch out attachments using a lever or other simple tool, instead of needing to take off the whole head.
This gives you convenience in swapping from nylon to metal blades, or replacing spools of nylon cord. But be sure before you buy that this option supports everything you want in your machine!
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