What To Know Before Buying One Of Makita's String Trimmers

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Makita is known as one of the best power tool brands, and it's also a popular brand name for outdoor lawn care tools. Among those outdoor power tools, Makita string trimmers routinely receive high marks from reviewers for powerful performance in a lightweight design with plenty of features and versatility. Before you take the plunge and purchase a Makita string trimmer, you need to figure out which model will best fit your needs. The company offers various models of string trimmers, primarily powered by batteries. We'll break down what you need to know before deciding which Makita string trimmer to buy.

Before digging into the options for battery-powered Makita string trimmers, we have to mention that Makita still sells a couple of gas-powered string trimmers. Makita stopped making new gas-powered engines and lawn care tools in 2022, but it's still selling remaining inventory. The company is focusing on battery-powered outdoor power equipment that's more environmentally friendly. The 25.4cc MM4 4-Stroke Engine String Trimmer is still listed on the Makita website. If you can find it in stock at retailers, you can expect to pay around $400. As a four-stroke engine that runs off gasoline alone, it's easier to operate than a two-stroke engine that requires a gas-oil mixture. At 11.5 pounds, the Makita gas string trimmer only weighs a couple pounds more than the company's battery model that has a similar power equivalency. Because of its limited availability, though, it doesn't rank as one of the best gas-powered weed eaters.

Makita's XGT string trimmers all have a brushless design and run from a 40-volt battery. The brushless design allows for a wider range of rotational speeds and a quieter operation compared to brushed models. Makita offers its XGT system for high-demand jobs and environments. If you're cutting down large, thick weeds, you'll appreciate the Makita XGT's reverse function, which makes it easier to untangle from weeds. Costs for the XGT string trimmers range from about $380 for the 15-inch String Trimmer Kit to about $700 for the 17-String Trimmer Kit. The measurement indicates the cutting swath of the machine.

With some Makita XGT string trimmers, you receive a Makita Power Head, which allows you to purchase accessories and attach them to the shaft to gain additional outdoor power tool capabilities, such as cultivators, pole saws, and hedge trimmers. The ability to add accessories to the Makita cordless string trimmer makes this a highly versatile tool. It also includes a steel drive shaft that ensures maximum durability.

When using the 40V string trimmers from Makita, you can choose among three different speed settings. Running at faster speeds delivers more power, but slower speeds extend battery life. When running at maximum speed, it delivers power that's comparable to a 30cc gas-powered string trimmer. "This thing is incredibly powerful and versatile," one Home Depot customer reviewer said. "So great to get past gas and have something that is equivalent in power." 

Makita offers various designs of its LXT string trimmers, all of which are brushless motor designs. The LXT system uses 18-volt batteries. LXT outdoor power tools and string trimmers made to use in high-demand applications feature the X2 design, which uses two 18-volt batteries in a single product, delivering the equivalent of 36 volts of power. You might pay about $200 for the 18V 13-inch String Trimmer Kit and $450 for the 36V (dual 18V) 15-inch String Trimmer Kit.

The 18V LXT trimmer gives you two operational speed options, so you can choose extra power or extra battery life. If you select the dual-battery 36V LXT string trimmer design, you'll have three different speed options. The dual-battery design can deliver a maximum power level equivalent to a 30cc gas-powered string trimmer. (Makita doesn't list the gas-powered equivalent for the 18V cordless Makita string trimmer.) "This is a great tool for weed eating. I like the dual batteries for the extra time between charges," one Amazon customer reviewer wrote. "[It] does a good job for a large yard."

The power trimmer LXT system offers the same power head option found with the XGT system, providing access to other accessories for versatility. Some LXT string trimmers include XPT technology from Makita, which provides dirt and moisture protection for the device, ensuring a longer lifespan for the tool. They might also include Star Protection technology, which protects the battery and tool from overheating and overloading. Some XGT tools offer XPT and Star Protection, too.