The best brushcutters in the UK 2023

Yes, it is nice to have a garden, but to keep it in excellent condition, regular maintenance must be done. Today, you don't need to call in a professional to keep the green space around your property looking its best. With a powerful brushcutter and a little elbow grease, you can maintain your garden with maximum efficiency for results that will far exceed your expectations.

Fuxtec FX-E1RT20 1
9/10

Best value for money

Fuxtec FX-E1RT20

The best brushcutter in 2021

The Fuxtec FX-E1RT20 battery powered brushcutter gets its efficiency from its 20V battery, motor and most importantly its blade, which is capable of cutting weeds, brambles and shrub stems.

95,20 £ on Manomano

Fuxtec didn't do things by halves when manufacturing this battery powered brushcutter. The Fuxtec FX-E1RT20 is praised by users for its performance, but also for its light weight. In fact, it weighs only 2.2 kg, making it a featherweight in its class. Users also appreciate it for its discretion, it is the quietest in this buying guide. To prevent uncontrolled starts, this gardening tool has been equipped with a safety switch.

Versatile, the Fuxtec FX-E1RT20 will allow you to maintain all plant formations in your garden. To do so, simply adapt the speed of this battery-powered brushcutter according to the work you intend to do. Note that this gardening tool has a telescopic extension that extends its reach.

Bosch AFS 23-37 2
9/10

Best value for money

Bosch AFS 23-37

The best entry-level brushcutter

With its 950 W motor and 3-tooth blade, this corded brushcutter will allow you to cut through overgrown brush and weeds with amazing precision.

87,20 £ on Amazon

The Bosch AFS 23-37 electric trimmer is very appealing for its functional design and 3-headed blade that ensures a precision cut. At first glance, this corded model looks massive, but it weighs only 5.3 kg. This is a very appropriate weight for a model in this category. The 92.6 cm long handle guarantees maneuverability and safety insofar as it keeps your hands away from the sharp elements of the brushcutter.

The smart ergonomic handle, equipped with an anti-bounce system, promises excellent shock absorption. Note that the 2 m power cord is stored inside the handle. To facilitate the use of this electric brushcutter, Bosch has equipped it with a second handle with Softgrip and an adjustable harness for the back and shoulders.

Worx WG184E 3
8/10

Best premium value for money

Worx WG184E

The best high-end brushcutter

Lightweight and easy to handle, the Worx WG184E will get rid of weeds. Powered by 2 batteries, this brushcutter allows excellent mobility during your gardening work.

175 £ on Amazon

Does the sight of weeds disturb you? Equip yourself with the Worx WG184E brushcutter, equipped with an 80 W motor powered by two 20 V lithium batteries. These batteries give it a very good autonomy. Thanks to this completely autonomous power supply solution, you will be able to garden freely without the constraints of wire entanglement.

In addition, its 33-centimeter diameter cutting head will allow you to maintain a very large area in a very short time. And since it pivots and can swing through a 90° angle, getting rid of weeds at height or in hard-to-reach areas will be a breeze. Note that this model has a telescoping tube and an adjustable handle to work in all types of environments. If necessary, you can convert this brushcutter into an in-line edger.

GT Garden DEB32 4
8/10

Thermal brushcutter

GT Garden DEB32

A great thermal brushcutter

The GT Garden DEB32 is one of the cheapest thermal brushcutters in its class. But it is also one of the most powerful and complete. Ideal if you have a large garden.

103 £ on Amazon

GT Garden has outdone itself by designing the GT Garden DEB32 thermal brushcutter, with which you will perfect your garden. By opting for this tool, you will be protected from unpleasant surprises, in this case, oil or fuel leaks. As far as power is concerned, you will be particularly spoiled. Its 3 HP 2-stroke engine will allow you to carry out all types of gardening work.

Note that the GT Garden DEB32 comes with a telescopic extension that, once deployed, brings the thermal brushcutter's reach to 3.3 m. These extra inches will help you reach hard-to-reach places. The 1 L tank capacity of this thermal brushcutter guarantees a long autonomy.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best brushcutter

Any specific needs?

The best brushcutter in 2021

The best entry-level brushcutter

The best high-end brushcutter

A great thermal brushcutter

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best brushcutters

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Fuxtec FX-E1RT20 5
9/10
Bosch AFS 23-37 6
9/10
Worx WG184E 7
8/10
GT Garden DEB32 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Fuxtec FX-E1RT20
Bosch AFS 23-37
Worx WG184E
GT Garden DEB32
The Fuxtec FX-E1RT20 battery powered brushcutter gets its efficiency from its 20V battery, motor and most importantly its blade, which is capable of cutting weeds, brambles and shrub stems.
With its 950 W motor and 3-tooth blade, this corded brushcutter will allow you to cut through overgrown brush and weeds with amazing precision.
Lightweight and easy to handle, the Worx WG184E will get rid of weeds. Powered by 2 batteries, this brushcutter allows excellent mobility during your gardening work.
The GT Garden DEB32 is one of the cheapest thermal brushcutters in its class. But it is also one of the most powerful and complete. Ideal if you have a large garden.
Comfort of use
Power consumption
Battery
2 m power cord
Lithium battery 20 V
Thermal 2-stroke engine
Power
20 V
950 W or 1.5 HP
80 W
3 HP
Weight
2.2 kg
5.3 kg
3.9 kg kg
7.8 kg
Other specificities
Fits all Fuxtec batteries
It will require an extension cord to use effectively
Average battery life of 30 min
Telescopic handle can extend to 3.3 m

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - brushcutter

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How to choose your brushcutter

In order to prevent you from making a risky purchase, here is a selection of parameters to consider when choosing a brushcutter.

#1 - The size of the terrain

For small areas under 1,000 m², opt for an electric brushcutter, while for larger areas, a combustion one is more suitable.

#2 - The weight of the machine

The combustion versions are heavy. Therefore, choose your brushcutter according to the volume and duration of the gardening work you intend to do, otherwise you risk ending up with a heavy, cumbersome and difficult-to-handle machine.

#3 - The motorization

If your garden is simply of average size and you only want to do some small finishing work, bet on an electric brushcutter. However, if your yard is overgrown with weeds, brambles, and brush, opt for a thermal brushcutter instead, which is far more powerful than its electric counterpart.

#4 - The safety of use

The use of a brushcutter is never without risk. Therefore, make sure your machine is equipped with a splash guard. This does not exempt you from wearing proper safety equipment.

#5 - The cutting head

Three types of cutting heads for your tool are available to you. For cutting grass, a nylon wire head will be more than sufficient. For brambles and tall grass, you can opt for a knife head which will be much more efficient. Finally, the blade head is perfect for heavy brush cutting.

The elements of comfort

Having a powerful machine is great! But if it's comfortable, it's even better! Indeed, it is better to garden in good conditions of comfort and safety. Here is a list of elements not to be neglected in order to work comfortably with your future brushcutter.

The harness

The role of the support harness is to distribute the weight of the brushcutter once the user is wearing it. This allows the user to spare his forearms, but also his back and shoulders. Make sure that the harness is adjustable to your size. For your information, there are several types of harnesses:

  • The single strap harness is recommended for a light brushcutter for short duration work.
  • The soft side hook harness is perfect for moderate use and is available for both left and right handed users.
  • The hard shell side hook harness can support the weight of a medium to heavy brushcutter.
  • The rigid harness with back support is suitable for owners of a thermal brushcutter.

Two-handed circular handle or handlebar

The circular handle allows the user to work in profile. This position makes it easy to angle the cut to ensure a clean finish. Make sure the handle is adjustable so that the cutting head does not hit the ground or any other obstacle (curbs, rocks, stakes, built-in sprinkler nozzles...).

As for the two-handed handlebar, it allows the user to handle the brushcutter facing him. This posture is particularly suitable for flat mowing in large areas such as meadows.

An automated cutting head

Some manufacturers offer automatic cutting heads that allow the user to unwind the brushcutter by simply touching the ground. This is one less operation that provides the user with a much appreciated comfort during use.

Important

Do not confuse a brushcutter with a trimmer. A trimmer is a mowing finishing tool used to maintain edges and trim around beds and under bushes.

The different types of brushcutters

Brushcutters come in different types: trimmer or rotary, portable, backpack and wheeled, which we will review.

The trimmer

The trimmer or rotary cutter is a relatively light weight, hand-held brushcutter. It is one of the easiest models to use. There are three types of rotary trimmers: thermal, corded electric and battery.

Benefits:

  • The rotofil allows you to tackle the finishing and cutting of small, hard-to-reach areas such as the edges of flower beds, paths, fence edges or even tree trunks
  • Due to its small size, it easily fits in various places and thus allows for more precise cutting work at these levels.

Disadvantages :

  • The trimmer's sole function is to finish the cuts after a mower has passed through and is therefore not suitable for large jobs over a fairly large area.

Who is it for?

The rotofoil is intended for finishing work in a garden.

Handheld brushcutters

The

portable trimmer usually comes with the motor attached to the end of the working handle and works on the same principle as a backpack trimmer. This is the most popular model for homeowners. This brushcutter has a cutting width of 25 to 40 cm and can handle brambles and small brush. The power of a thermal handheld varies between 30 and 40 cm3 against 1 000 and 2 000 watts for an electric handheld.

Advantages:

  • Can be adapted to different types of flat or sloping terrain
  • Can be used for both mowing and finishing work
  • Can handle brush and brambles depending on the type of brush cutter head

Disadvantages:

  • Weight: becomes quite annoying with prolonged use

Who is it for?

If you need to maintain a yard in the country or away from home, a portable brushcutter is ideal for you.

Backpack brushcutters

This

model is a brushcutter whose 2 or 4-stroke engine is disassociated from the metal shaft so that it can be carried directly on the user's back with straps, like a backpack. More powerful than a traditional portable brushcutter (over 40 cm3), the backpack brushcutter is much lighter for the arms and can treat areas of up to 5,000 m² and dense vegetation. Suitable for rough terrain, undergrowth and embankments, this type of brushcutter offers a cutting width of between 30 and 40 cm.

Advantages:

  • Easy to use
  • Less odor, noise and vibration
  • Allows you to work with ease on uneven surfaces or undergrowth
  • Can handle dense vegetation

Disadvantages:

  • Engine carried on the back is rather annoying

Who is it for?

If you want to clear a small area or a small piece of land that is uneven and/or infested with dense vegetation, a backpack brushcutter is ideal for you.

Wheeled brushcutters

The wheeled brushcutter is the most common model for households with large yards. Available as a three- or four-wheeled unit that must be pushed: a towed brushcutter or as a mini tractor: a ride-on brushcutter, it can work over long distances. The towed brushcutter is generally equipped with a 4-stroke engine with a capacity ranging from 150 to 200 cm3 or 3.5 to 6.5 HP. It is ideal for areas up to 10,000 m².

With a cutting width of up to 65 cm, the towed brushcutter easily cuts tall grass, brush and brambles. However, it is not suitable for slopes, steep slopes and undergrowth. As for the ride-on version, it is quite similar to the towed one but with a higher power of 8 to more than 20 HP and a larger cutting width of 90 cm.

Advantages:

  • Easy to use
  • Allows you to quickly cover large areas without having to make too much effort

Disadvantages:

  • A little bulky
  • Cannot handle undergrowth and sloping surfaces

Who is it for?

This is the ideal brushcutter if you have fairly flat land.

Why buy a brushcutter?

The brushcutter is a very useful device in the maintenance of a garden or a lawn. It must be said that it has many advantages:

For an impeccable quality of mowing

If you want to maintain your garden and lawn or vegetable garden, you might as well do it impeccably. A brushcutter is very popular for fine-tuning the mowing of your lawn where the mower could not go. It gets rid of tall grass and undergrowth with ease and in no time. It will therefore be your ideal ally for the completion of impeccable mowing jobs.

Models to suit all needs

A brushcutter comes in various models adapted to all expectations. For the finishing touches to a cut, or for refreshing the edges of paths, an edger can do the trick. When it comes to rough terrain, slopes or undergrowth, a backpack brushcutter is the way to go. Finally, with a towed brushcutter, you can get rid of very dense vegetation.

Maximum mobility

You get maximum mobility when using a towed brushcutter. Working in dense vegetation, brambles and tall grass is child's play. This type of machine offers a cutting width of 65 cm and a frame with a profiled bow.

All types of surfaces

By opting for a backpack brushcutter, you can work on any type of surface. Indeed, this type of machine allows a wide margin of maneuvering to work undergrowth, slopes, or even uneven terrain. Optimal power delivered by a 2 or 4-stroke engine with a displacement greater than 40 cc is a factor in this performance.

Proven performance

The performance of a brushcutter is no longer in question. With portable, thermal or electric models, you can effectively work on surfaces of up to 2,000 m². Tall grass, small brush and brambles are no longer a secret for these three types of brushcutters. Even a simple trimmer can, with a good dose of willpower and perseverance, clear brush up to 1,000 m².

Increased portability

Hobbyists and professional gardeners can choose a specific portable brushcutter, depending on the type of area they need to work on. For example, a model with a two-wire cutting head allows them to finish mowing, with results that meet all expectations. On the other hand, a model equipped with a four-wire cutting head reveals its performance when it comes to small brambles or dense grass.

Ease of maintenance

Regardless of the type of brushcutter, maintenance after each use comes down to three points. Before each use, simply check the tightness of the tools and cutting heads, as a preventive measure against possible accidents. After use, the cutting table is cleaned to avoid corrosion of the metal parts. In the case of an electric brushcutter, it is also advisable to check the power cable.

Safe to use

A brushcutter is easy to use. To avoid the risk of accidents, all you need is the right equipment. Wearing protective glasses, closed shoes, long pants and thick gloves is highly recommended. Earplugs may also be necessary for a thermal brushcutter. With self-propelled models, it is sufficient to respect a certain safety distance in order to avoid projectiles coming from the cutting area.

Good to know

Thermal brushcutters are subject to noise regulations. The law therefore only authorizes their use on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In case of doubt, please contact your town hall.

The best brands of brushcutters

In our opinion, the best brands of brushcutters in 2022 are :

Husqvarna
McCulloch
Stihl
Einhell
GT Garden

This year, the famous Swedish brand Husqvarna has been awarded the trophy for the best brushcutter brand. Via its X-Torq engine that minimizes the polluting impact of thermals and its anti-vibration system, Husqvarna has nothing to envy to its competitors on many levels: comfort, ease of maintenance, autonomy, power, functionalities, design, etc.

Founded in 1943, McCulloch has a patented technology for its OxyPower engine, which guarantees an interesting performance with a minimum of vibrations for its brushcutters. A considerable asset that will especially allow professionals to work healthily.

Since its creation in 1926, the great German brand Stihl has built up a good reputation over the years in the world of gardening tools. The new generation of more ecological thermal brushcutters equipped with a 2-stroke engine STIHL 2 MIX last proves to be a beautiful and innovative initiative that deserves an investment.

Present in more than 50 countries, the Einhell brand is a German brand founded in 1964 and specialized in mid-range do-it-yourself and gardening electroportable devices. The advantage with this famous brand is that it offers innovative products at an affordable price.

Founded in 2012, GT Garden is a French brand of gardening equipment for individuals. Its entry or mid-range products of acceptable quality sold at a very good quality/price ratio are very convenient to use and the quality of its after-sales service is very much appreciated by consumers.

Tips

Maintain your brushcutter properly

After each use, it is necessary to rid your brushcutter of plant debris and dust. So remember to clean the cutting system, the ventilation fins and the inside and outside of the housing as well as the protective covers. For a thermal brushcutter, also remember to drain the tank and restart the engine until the carburetor is empty.

Do a reconnaissance walkthrough

Before starting your brushcutting job, first do a reconnaissance walk around the area to be cleared. This will allow you to check the area for rocks, thick stumps, or objects that could damage the cutting system.

Take precautions before working on the unit

If you need to work on the cutting head or housing of your brushcutter during the job, be sure to turn off the engine first. Then, make sure the spark plug wire (if using an internal combustion engine) or the extension cord (if using an electric motor) is disconnected before doing anything.

Use proper cutting technique

When clearing brush, move back and forth over the vegetation while respecting the direction of rotation of the blade or the wire. On sloping ground, use the strip method to clear brush effectively. On flat land, use the square method, working from the outside in.

Consider using goats and sheep

If you have a large piece of uncultivated land, this is an ecological and economical way to clear your land. Indeed, goats and sheep are known to be great eaters and above all, they eat everything. After their passage, you will only have to make some finishing touches if necessary.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. How to choose your brush cutter?, leroymerlin.fr
  2. Choosing your brush cutter, gammvert.fr
  3. How to choose your brush cutter, conseil.manomano.fr
  4. The different types of brush cutters, weeza.fr
  5. The brush cutter: how to use it?, ladepanne.fr
  6. Tips 10 Tips for Choosing Your Brush Cutter, univers-tondeuse.com
  7. Stihl, stihl.fr
  8. Best Brush Cutter Reviews: Complete Buyer's Guide, gardenbeast.com
  9. 7 Best Brush Cutter Blades (Weed Eater Blades) in 2021 Reviewed, bumpercroptimes.com
  10. How to Choose the Right Brush Cutter | Read This Before Buying, shakedeal.com
  11. Brush Cutters | Leroy Merlin, leroymerlin.fr
  12. Brush Cutters - Castorama, castorama.fr
  13. Brush Cutters : Amazon.co.uk, amazon.co.uk
  14. Battery and electric brushcutters ..., husqvarna.com
  15. Silex France thermal brushcutters., silexfrance.fr
  16. Brushcutter | Bricomarché, bricomarche.com
  17. Brushcutter rental - Kiloutou, kiloutou.fr
  18. Brushcutter delivered to your home for free - lambin.fr, lambin.fr
  19. Debroussailleuse STIHL Thermal or battery brushcutter ..., jardins-loisirs.com
  20. Brushcutter - ManoMano, manomano.fr
  21. Brushcutter - Black Week Cdiscount Jardin, cdiscount.com
  22. Our brushcutters for the maintenance of your green spaces, sabre-france.com
  23. Brushcutter Cheap | Bricorama, bricorama.fr
  24. Brushcutters Husqvarna, husqvarna.com
  25. Comparative of the best brushcutters | Tests & Reviews ...., debroussailleuse.info
  26. Brushcutter | OOGarden, oogarden.com
  27. Brushcutter parts - 48 hour delivery ..., adepem.com
  28. Brushcutter - Wikipedia, fr.wikipedia.org
  29. Buying guide to choose your brushcutter, ledebroussailleur.pro
  30. Brushcutter STIHL - Smaf Touseau, smaf-touseau.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Fuxtec FX-E1RT20 9
Fuxtec FX-E1RT20
Bosch AFS 23-37 10
Bosch AFS 23-37
Worx WG184E 11
Worx WG184E
GT Garden DEB32 12
GT Garden DEB32

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