Is The Makita Lawn Edger Worth The Hefty Price Tag? Here's Our Breakdown

Makita frequently ranks among the best power tool brands with a reputation for high performance and durability. Along with a bunch of budget-friendly tools you'd want to have in your garage or workshop, they also have an extensive range of outdoor power tools. Among these is the impressive Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless Edger. However, it does come with a hefty price tag, so the obvious question is whether it's worth the money?

At the budget end of the market, there are dozens of string trimmers that can double as edgers, but they use the same nylon cord for both purposes. It wears quite quickly, and it's easily deflected, so results may not be as tidy as people would like. The Makita lawn edger has a solid metal blade that slices through grass and dirt, leaving a precise, clean finish.

The current price of the Makita lawn edger is $449.00 as a bare tool. If you don't have a compatible battery and charger, they will add another $299.00. That's a lot of money for this type of garden equipment, and it's easy to wonder how the Makita could be worth the hefty price tag. To get a complete answer, we need to look at its performance and its competitors in more detail.

The Makita lawn edger is designed to compete with the performance of gas-powered edgers while offering the environmentally friendly benefits associated with battery power. In a highly competitive market, there are also other brands that produce dedicated cordless lawn edgers to rival the Makita. At the heart of the Makita is the powerful 40V brushless motor, which is designed to run at high speed and deliver maximum performance from the battery without risk of overheating. It also requires almost zero maintenance. It is claimed to provide power equivalent to a 31cc gas motor. There is a variable speed trigger providing a maximum speed of 4,800 rpm, with a noise level of 91 decibels. 

At the cutting end there is an 8-inch blade with a guard and mud flap to prevent debris being thrown at the user or passersby. Underneath is a skid plate to protect the gearbox. There is quick and easy depth adjustment and a line of sight indicator so the operator knows exactly where the blade is cutting. Makita also claims their lawn edger is lighter than gas-powered competitors, although they don't quote specific brands. The handle can be adjusted for user comfort.

The specification is impressive. For those who have already invested in Makita's 40V battery platform, particularly commercial operators or homeowners with large acreage, it could be an attractive proposition. But what about potential buyers who are comparing the Makita lawn edger with other popular brands?

We're going to assume that buyers are looking for an alternative to gas and are focusing on battery-powered cordless tools. Either way, the big bugbear is that hefty price. Numerous competitors offer similar specifications for a good deal less.

DeWalt is another brand with an outstanding reputation for quality and durability. The DeWalt 60V Max Lawn Edger is $299.00, and the only clear difference is a blade that's just a ½-inch shorter. Ryobi, another very popular brand of garden tools, has a 40V Brushless Stick Lawn Edger with an 8-inch blade that costs $259.00. The 56V model from Ego Power+, one of the leaders in battery technology, has an 8-inch blade and costs $199.00. None of these prices include a battery or charger, but however you look at it, the Makita lawn edger is still considerably more expensive. To be fair, it's important to do a more in-depth comparison of features and performance before making a decision, but there's no getting away from that price difference. It's difficult to explain why the Makita costs quite so much.

Much of the time, Makita tools are competitive in terms of price and performance, and it's understandable that the brand has many fans. However, there are a number of Makita tools that aren't worth buying, according to reviews. For many people, the hefty price tag means the Makita lawn edger will probably be among them.