The best makita hedge trimmers, compared.
Top pick: Makita DUH523RF LXT hedge trimmer with 3.0Ah battery – Only Makita-branded tool in the comparison, highest score, 4.7 from 1,254 ratings, a 520 mm blade and a 3.0 Ah battery in the title, at about £199.41. Best value: KIESBOHR CSL502 – A 51 cm bare bar at about £74.99, with 4.6 from 261 ratings, for a buyer who already has a Makita 18 V pack. Updated 23.10.2026.
A hedge trimmer is a powered cutter you use in the UK to shape a garden hedge. You recognise a suitable cordless one by the battery system, the blade length, the maximum opening, and a two-hand switch. An 18 V slide pack is not the same as a 40 V pack or a pack with another connector. A bare tool is a working cutter only when you already own a pack and charger the listing names. A housing that merely accepts that pack is a different product from a tool sold under the battery maker's name, and the warranty follows the seller of the housing. A handheld bar stops around shoulder height. A pole is a separate reach, often a little over two metres, and you should not aim it at an overhead line. Hand-held models, including poles up to 3.5 m, sit under BS EN 62841-4-2, which does not cover scissor-type grass shears. Check for a nest before you cut. How to match length, opening and reach is in our [hedge trimmer buying guide](/hub/lawn-and-garden-equipment/makita-hedge-trimmer/sub/makita-hedge-trimmer-buying-guide).
A hedge trimmer is a powered cutter you use in the UK to shape a garden hedge. You recognise a suitable cordless one by the battery system, the blade length, the maximum opening, and a two-hand switch.
36 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +22,800 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What do you already have?
Makita's DUH523RF is the only Makita-branded hedge trimmer in this comparison. The title includes a 3.0 Ah battery, the blade cell says 520 mm, the weight is 3.4 kg, and the price is about £199.41. The listing scores 4.7 from 1,254 ratings. UK reviews praise a light cut through hawthorn and privet and say it is for trimming, not heavy remodelling. One buyer finds the charge lamp hard to read. The cutting-width cell repeats 52 cm. Strokes, tooth gap and a two-hand switch are not in the amazon spec block. Makita UK states a 15 mm maximum opening, 26 mm tooth spacing, 2,700 strokes per minute, sound power of 84.3 dB(A) and vibration of 2.5 m/s² or less for the DUH523. Those figures are on the maker sheet, not in the amazon spec block.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A buyer who wants the Makita badge, a 520 mm bar and a 3.0 Ah battery named in the title, and who is trimming rather than remodelling.
Less suitable: You already own LXT packs and only need a bare bar, or you need a pole, or you need the opening printed on this amazon listing.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Makita DUH523RF a bare tool?
The title says it is a DUH523RF with a 3.0 Ah Li-ion battery. The spec block does not add a charger line. The listing price is about £199.41.
What blade length is printed?
520 mm. The cutting-width cell says 52 cm, which is the same length. No separate opening is in the amazon spec block. Item weight is 3.4 kg.
What does Makita UK state for the DUH523?
Makita UK states a 15 mm maximum opening, 26 mm tooth spacing, 2,700 strokes per minute, sound power of 84.3 dB(A) and vibration of 2.5 m/s² or less. About 75 minutes on a 3.0 Ah pack is the maker figure.
KIESBOHR's CSL502 is about £74.99 without a battery. The listing states a 51 cm cut, 16 mm tooth spacing, 18 V, a 5-step handle and 2 kg, and it says G-series packs do not fit. It scores 4.6 from 261 ratings, the largest third-party sample here that is not shared across two ASINs. UK reviews call it light and compatible with Makita packs. One reviewer treats it as a light-duty backup rather than a Makita. A 12-month warranty is in the bullets. The 16 mm figure is tooth spacing, not a stated maximum opening.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A full-size bare bar for someone who already has Makita 18 V packs and wants the largest independent review count among the third-party handhelds here.
Less suitable: You want a Makita badge, a pole, or a battery included at this price.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the KIESBOHR CSL502 come with a battery?
No. The bullets say the battery and charger are not included, and that G-series packs do not fit.
What blade does the listing state?
The cutting-width cell says 51 cm. The highlight line says 16 mm tooth spacing and a 2 kg weight. The spec weight is also 2 kg.
Why is this the best value listing?
It is about £74.99, with 4.6 from 261 ratings on its own ASIN, for a buyer who already has a Makita 18 V pack. The cheaper 52 cm listing shares its review text with another ASIN, so it is not used for this badge.
OHAISFELA's YYQH-HT52-MT is a bare handheld at about £59.99 with a 52 cm blade in the bullets, a 15 mm capacity claim, and a 2 kg spec weight. The listing scores 4.6 from 155 ratings. UK reviews praise Makita 18 V fit and the rotating handle, and one buyer says they had thought the tool was Makita. The same 155-rating line and the same review text appear on the 58 cm OHAISFELA ASIN, so this count is not a separate sample. One review limits the tool to light trimming.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A light handheld bar if you already own a named Makita 18 V pack and accept a non-Makita housing.
Less suitable: You want a Makita-badged tool, a battery in the box, or a pole for a tall hedge.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this OHAISFELA trimmer include a Makita battery?
No. The title and bullets say the battery and charger are not included. The bullets name Makita 18 V packs from BL1820 to BL1860, including B variants.
How long is the blade?
The bullets say a 52 cm dual-action blade and a 15 mm cutting capacity. The spec cell prints blade length as 20 inches and cutting width as 0.6 inches. Use 52 cm as the bar.
Are the 155 ratings only for this model?
No. The same 4.6-from-155 line and the same review text appear on the 58 cm OHAISFELA ASIN. Treat them as one shared sample.
OHAISFELA's YYQH-HT58-MT is a bare handheld at about £68.99, with a 58 cm double blade in the bullets, a 17 mm figure in the title and a 2 kg spec weight. The box line lists the trimmer, a blade cover, a screwdriver and a manual, and it does not include a battery or charger. The page prints 4.6 from 155 ratings and the same best-seller rank as the 52 cm OHAISFELA, and the review bodies match that listing, including talk of a 52 cm tool. Treat those 155 ratings as one shared sample, not as a second set of buyers. Named packs are Makita 18 V B-series batteries. A motor bullet claims 800 W and up to 3,000 rpm, which sits next to the sister listing's 22,000 rpm claim, so keep each figure on its own ASIN.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Only if you specifically want the 58 cm bullet length and you already own a named Makita 18 V B-series pack.
Less suitable: You need reviews that are clearly about this model, or you need a battery included.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the 58 cm OHAISFELA sold with a battery?
No. The title says the battery is not included. The box line lists the trimmer, a blade cover, a screwdriver and a manual.
Are the 155 ratings only for this 58 cm model?
The listing prints 4.6 from 155 and the same review text and best-seller rank as the 52 cm OHAISFELA ASIN B0FWBYNK6N. Treat the written reviews as shared, not as a second sample.
What opening does the title state?
The title states 17 mm. The bullets say a 58 cm blade. Keep the 3,000 rpm claim on this ASIN and do not merge it with the sister listing's 22,000 rpm claim.
HOIIME's 888D is about £84.55 with no battery. Bullets state a 50 cm dual-action blade, an 18 mm cut, a pole from 2.1 m to 2.6 m, a 150 degree head and 3.8 kg. The listing is 4.6 from 27 ratings, and seven UK reviews are available. Those reviews say the pole can come off, unlike the CSL401 comments, and that full reach can feel heavy. The colour cell prints a figure that is not a colour.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Someone who wants one bare tool for both low shrubs and a taller hedge and already has Makita 18 V packs.
Less suitable: You want a large UK review sample, or a Makita-badged pole.
Specifications
Common questions
Can the HOIIME be used without the pole?
UK reviews say yes: handheld for low bushes and the pole for height. That differs from the KIESBOHR CSL401 reviews, which say the pole stays on.
Is a battery included?
No. The title says no battery. The bullets name Makita 18 V packs such as BL1830, BL1840, BL1850 and BL1860B.
How far does the pole claim to reach?
The bullets state a pole from 2.1 m to 2.6 m, a 50 cm blade and an 18 mm cut. One review says full reach feels heavy. The listing weight is 3.8 kg.
KIESBOHR's CSL303 is about £49.99 and weighs 1.3 kg. The listing shows a 220 mm hedge blade, a 120 mm grass blade and an 8 mm branch claim, on Makita 18 V packs and not on G-series. The listing score is 4.5 from 229 ratings, but only four UK reviews are available. Those call it light and useful, and one finds the switch awkward to hold. It does not replace a 50 cm bar.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Small shrubs and grass edges when you already have a Makita 18 V pack.
Less suitable: A long hedge. The bar is 220 mm.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the CSL303 a full-size hedge trimmer?
No. The spec blade length is 220 mm, with a 120 mm grass shear and an 8 mm branch claim. It is a compact 2-in-1 for Makita 18 V packs.
Does it include the battery?
The bullets do not list a battery. They say it does not fit G-series packs. A UK reviewer used their own Makita battery.
What is the stated weight?
The listing weight is 1.3 kg. The score is 4.5 from 229 ratings. Only four UK review texts are available.
KIESBOHR's CSL401 is a pole trimmer at about £94.99 for Makita 18 V packs, with G-series excluded. The listing gives 2.9 kg, a 41 cm cutting-width cell, a lock up to 262 cm, 11 head angles and a shoulder strap. It scores 4.3 from 295 ratings. UK reviews say it reaches a tall hedge and runs on Makita batteries. Several also call it heavy at full stretch, and reviewers say the cutting head stays on the pole.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A tall garden hedge, if you already have Makita 18 V packs and can handle the weight reviewers mention at full stretch.
Less suitable: You need a short handheld as well, or you want the head to leave the pole.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the CSL401 include a Makita battery?
The bullets describe Makita 18 V compatibility and say it is not for the G-series. They do not list a battery or charger in the box.
Can you use it without the pole?
UK reviews say you have to use the long handle and that the cutter does not come off the pole. The shaft is described as adjustable up to 262 cm.
How heavy is it at full stretch?
The listing weight is 2.9 kg. Several UK reviews call it heavy when extended. The score is 4.3 from 295 ratings. Do not aim the pole at an overhead line.
STEEIRO's CK06221 is a bare handheld at about £49.99, with 50 cm and 20 mm tooth spacing in the title, 1,350 rpm and a 3.08 kg spec weight. The title says it is sold without a battery, and the bullets name Makita 18 V packs from BL1830 and BL1830B. The listing line is 4.3 from 12 ratings, and no review text is available, so there is no comment here on how it cuts or how the switches feel. One bullet calls it a brushless chainsaw, which fights the hedge-trimmer title. A safety baffle and a two-switch start are claimed, not shown by a UK review. At 3.08 kg it is heavier on the spec line than the 2 kg third-party bars here, and you still need a pack you already own.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Only if the 50 cm and 20 mm title figures match the hedge and you already hold a Makita 18 V pack. There is no review text to judge it.
Less suitable: You want UK review comments, or a lighter spec weight than 3.08 kg.
Specifications
Common questions
Are there written reviews for the STEEIRO trimmer?
The listing line says 4.3 from 12 ratings. No review text is available, so praised and criticised points are not known.
Does STEEIRO include a battery?
No. The title says without battery, and the bullets say the battery and charger are not included.
What do the 20 mm and the chainsaw bullet mean?
The title prints 50 cm and 20 mm tooth spacing. Tooth spacing is not the maximum opening. One bullet calls the tool a brushless chainsaw, which conflicts with the hedge-trimmer title.
ConBlom's 0137-MT is about £49.99 with no battery, a 24 cm blade, a 13.5 cm blade and a 1.78 kg spec weight. Bullets name Makita packs from BL1815 to BL1860 and a tool-less blade change. The listing is 4.0 from 13 ratings. In the UK text, packs fit and the grass blade runs longer than the hedge blade. One reviewer says it fell apart on the third use, and another calls it low powered and only for thin growth.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Light tidying of thin growth if you already have a Makita 18 V pack and accept a small review sample.
Less suitable: A full hedge, or if a reported third-use breakage is enough to put you off a 13-rating listing.
Specifications
Common questions
How long are the ConBlom blades?
The bullets say 24 cm for the long blade and 13.5 cm for the short blade. The cutting-width cell repeats 24 cm.
Did reviewers report a failure?
One UK review says the tool fell apart on the third use. Another calls it low powered and limits the long blade to thin growth. The listing is 4.0 from 13 ratings.
Is a battery included?
No. The listing is a bare tool. Bullets name Makita packs from BL1815 to BL1860. No cutting-capacity figure is printed.
Bekasa's ZXK0222 is the cheapest kept listing at about £33.24 and weighs 1.3 kg, with a 90 degree head. The cutting-width cell is in inches, and a centimetre blade length is not printed. It scores 3.6 from 26 ratings. Bullets name Makita 18 V packs and also say 24 V Max. UK reviews include a head that is awkward to fit, a small attachment that broke on first use, and a unit that smoked on the third use. It is a compact shear, not a 50 cm hedge trimmer.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Only a speculative low spend if you already understand it is a small shear, not a hedge bar, and you accept the 3.6 score.
Less suitable: Any full hedge, and anyone who wants a clear voltage and a clean review record.
Specifications
Common questions
Why do the Bekasa bullets mention 24 V and Makita 18 V?
Both phrases are printed: a compatibility line lists Makita 18 V packs, and a motor line says 24 V Max. The listing does not resolve that.
What failed in the UK reviews?
One reviewer says the small attachment broke on first use and is plastic inside. Another says the tool smoked on the third use. A third could not see which Makita battery the listing requires.
Is this a 50 cm hedge bar?
No. It is a compact 2-in-1 shear at about £33.24 and 1.3 kg. A centimetre blade length is not printed. The score is 3.6 from 26 ratings.
Ten amazon.co.uk listings are scored from the published star rating. Each score is that rating multiplied by 20 and rounded, so 4.6 becomes 92. No hedge was cut for this page. The top pick is the only Makita-branded listing, which also has the highest score. Best value is a separate listing choice: a 51 cm bare bar with its own review sample, for someone who already has a suitable 18 V pack. The cheaper 52 cm listing is not used for that badge because its review text is shared with another ASIN.
Amazon stars
100%The published score is the amazon.co.uk star rating multiplied by 20 and rounded. A 4.7 becomes 94 and a 4.6 becomes 92. Review count, price and a missing pack are not subtracted from that number. They are used only when the badge is chosen.
Choose the battery system first, then the name on the housing, then blade length, opening and reach. A bare cordless body is a working tool only when the matching pack is already yours. Stars do not settle the connector, the opening, or whether a battery is in the box.
A cordless hedge trimmer here is either a Makita 18 V LXT machine or a third-party bare tool sold as running on a Makita 18 V pack. The first check is the battery system. LXT 18 V slide packs are the system on the DUH and DUN sheets. XGT 40 V max packs do not fit. G-series 18 V packs use another connector, and KIESBOHR bullets in this set say they do not fit G-series. A bare tool is only cheap if you already own a suitable pack and charger.
A bullet that names a Makita 18 V pack does not make the tool a Makita. UK reviewers of one 52 cm listing said they had thought the tool itself was Makita. The warranty on a third-party shell is the seller's warranty.
Nine of these listings exclude the battery and charger. The lower price is a working cutter only if a suitable 18 V slide pack and charger are already yours. G-series packs are a different connector.
A 52 cm cutting-width cell next to a 520 mm blade is the same length, not the opening. A 16 mm or 20 mm tooth spacing is not the maximum opening. A marketplace rpm figure is not Makita's strokes per minute. Forcing wood past the stated opening stalls the blades.
Battery system is the first decision. LXT 18 V slide packs are the system on the Makita DUH and DUN sheets. XGT 40 V max packs do not fit. G-series 18 V packs use another connector. KIESBOHR bullets in this set say G-series packs do not fit. A bare tool is a finished price only when the pack and charger are already yours. The DUH523RF title includes a 3.0 Ah battery. The other nine listings say the battery is not in the box. A named pack list, such as BL1820 to BL1860, is that listing's claim.
Blade length and opening are the second decision. Makita UK states 520 mm and a 15 mm maximum opening for the DUH523, with 26 mm tooth spacing. The kit's amazon spec block prints the 520 mm blade and does not print the opening. Third-party bullets in this comparison claim openings of 15 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm or 8 mm. Where the line says tooth spacing, 16 mm or 20 mm, that is not the opening. Handheld bars stop around shoulder height.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You already own LXT slide packs and want a bare bar for privet and shrubs. The KIESBOHR CSL502 is a 51 cm bare tool at about £74.99, with 4.6 from 261 ratings, and the bullets say G-series packs do not fit. The battery is not in the box.
You have no Makita packs, so a bare shell is not the cheaper finished tool. The Makita DUH523RF is the kit whose title includes a 3.0 Ah battery, at about £199.41, with a 520 mm blade and 4.7 from 1,254 ratings. The spec block does not add a charger line.
You need a pole and should expect the weight UK reviewers mention. The KIESBOHR CSL401 claims a lock up to 262 cm, scores 4.3 from 295 ratings, and costs about £94.99 with no battery. Reviewers say the head stays on the pole and that full stretch feels heavy.
The top pick is the Makita DUH523RF, at about £199.41, with 4.7 from 1,254 ratings, a 520 mm blade and a 3.0 Ah battery named in the title. It is the only Makita-branded tool in this comparison, and it has the highest score. The best value is the KIESBOHR CSL502, at about £74.99, a 51 cm bare bar with 4.6 from 261 ratings, for a buyer who already has a Makita 18 V pack. The cheaper OHAISFELA 52 cm listing is not the value badge because its 155-rating line is shared with a second ASIN. These figures are amazon.co.uk listings, not a lab test.
Makita DUH523RF LXT hedge trimmer with 3.0Ah battery
Only Makita-branded tool in the comparison, highest score, 4.7 from 1,254 ratings, a 520 mm blade and a 3.0 Ah battery in the title, at about £199.41.
KIESBOHR CSL502
A 51 cm bare bar at about £74.99, with 4.6 from 261 ratings, for a buyer who already has a Makita 18 V pack.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Makita UK product sheets, the British Standard for hedge trimmers, HSE guidance, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, GOV.UK hedgerow rules and the RSPB. Prices, stars and review counts are from the amazon.co.uk listings. Checked on 23 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through a link to amazon.co.uk we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are from amazon.co.uk listings. We did not run a lab test.
