Buying Guide
Our Guide to the Best Makita Cordless String Trimmers
The best Makita cordless string trimmers across the brand's 18V LXT and 40V XGT platforms, compared by brushless motor design and kit completeness.
By Gardening Is Ezee Editors
8 min read3 products evaluated
Makita offers genuine string trimmers with brushless motors across two battery platforms, its established 18V LXT ecosystem and the newer, higher-power 40V XGT line.
Gardening Is Ezee field notes
The Garden Fit Check
A quick way to connect the shortlist to the space, workload and ownership details that matter after the box arrives.
- Start with the job
- Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah leads this shortlist for buyers wanting a complete kit on Makita's broad LXT ecosystem. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
- Specs that separate the picks
- The first details to compare are Brushless Motor. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
- Trade-off to plan for
- Narrower 13-inch swath than higher-voltage alternatives overall
The Practical Shortlist
A garden-first look at 3 options, organized around the job each one suits best.
Best Overall
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah
buyers wanting a complete kit on Makita's broad LXT ecosystem
Our take Check price for Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah (opens in a new tab)
Best Tool-Only Pick
Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only
buyers comparing capacity, compatibility, included components and storage needs
Our take Check price for Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only (opens in a new tab)
Best Higher-Power Pick
Makita GRU01Z 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 15-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only
buyers wanting Makita's newer higher-power XGT platform
Our take Check price for Makita GRU01Z 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 15-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Best for | Key spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| buyers wanting a complete kit on Makita's broad LXT ecosystem | Brushless Motor | Check price for Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah (opens in a new tab) |
| buyers comparing capacity, compatibility, included components and storage needs | Brushless Motor | Check price for Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only (opens in a new tab) |
| buyers wanting Makita's newer higher-power XGT platform | Brushless Motor | Check price for Makita GRU01Z 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 15-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only (opens in a new tab) |
Why Each Pick Made the Cut
Best Overall1 of 3
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Choose Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah for brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power.
Best for
- buyers wanting a complete kit on Makita's broad LXT ecosystem
Why it made the shortlist
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah is positioned for buyers wanting a complete kit on Makita's broad LXT ecosystem. The documented setup centers on brushless Motor, 18V LXT Kit, 4.0Ah Battery Included.
The feature doing most of the work here is brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power. Its 18V LXT Kit specification sits at the lower end of the comparable range in this 3-product comparison. Treat the battery platform and included charger as part of the fit, not just the headline number.
The practical constraint here is narrower 13-inch swath than higher-voltage alternatives overall. Confirm whether the battery and charger are included with the exact package. Check platform compatibility and published runtime against the area or workload you need to cover.
Key dimensions & specs
- Brushless Motor
- 18V LXT Kit
- 4.0Ah Battery Included
Pros
- Brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power
- Genuinely complete kit, substantial 4.0Ah battery included
- Shares batteries with Makita's extensive 18V LXT ecosystem
Cons
- Narrower 13-inch swath than higher-voltage alternatives overall
Best Tool-Only Pick2 of 3
Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Choose Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only for brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power.
Best for
- buyers comparing capacity, compatibility, included components and storage needs
Why it made the shortlist
Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only is positioned for buyers comparing capacity, compatibility, included components and storage needs. The documented setup centers on brushless Motor, 18V LXT System, tool Only.
The feature doing most of the work here is brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power. Its 18V LXT System specification sits at the lower end of the comparable range in this 3-product comparison. Treat the battery platform and included charger as part of the fit, not just the headline number.
The practical constraint here is sold tool only, battery and charger not included. Confirm whether the battery and charger are included with the exact package. Check platform compatibility and published runtime against the area or workload you need to cover.
Key dimensions & specs
- Brushless Motor
- 18V LXT System
- Tool Only
Pros
- Brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power
- Genuine Makita manufacturing and warranty backing overall
Cons
- Sold tool only, battery and charger not included
- Real cost is higher without existing Makita LXT batteries
Best Higher-Power Pick3 of 3
Makita GRU01Z 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 15-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The strongest case for Makita GRU01Z 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 15-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only is wider 15-inch cutting swath than the LXT options.
Best for
- buyers wanting Makita's newer higher-power XGT platform
Why it made the shortlist
For buyers wanting Makita's newer higher-power XGT platform, this is one of the more relevant configurations in the shortlist. The documented setup centers on brushless Motor, 40V XGT System, 15-Inch Swath.
Its case starts with wider 15-inch cutting swath than the LXT options. Its 40V XGT System specification sits at the upper end of the comparable range in this 3-product comparison. Treat the battery platform and included charger as part of the fit, not just the headline number.
The trade-off worth checking first is sold tool only, battery and charger not included. Confirm whether the battery and charger are included with the exact package. Check platform compatibility and published runtime against the area or workload you need to cover.
Key dimensions & specs
- Brushless Motor
- 40V XGT System
- 15-Inch Swath
Pros
- Wider 15-inch cutting swath than the LXT options
- Brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power
- More sustained power on the newer XGT platform
Cons
- Sold tool only, battery and charger not included
- XGT batteries aren't compatible with LXT tools
How We Built This Shortlist
Each pick was assessed across 3 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Real, Current Listings
- We compared capacity, compatibility, included components, operating limits and warranty documentation.
- Platform and Motor Verification
- We confirmed each model's specific voltage platform, LXT or XGT, and verified brushless motor technology across all three.
- Kit Completeness Comparison
- We noted which model includes a battery and charger versus being sold tool only, materially affecting real total cost.
What Matters Before You Choose a Makita Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
18V LXT vs. 40V XGT Platform
Makita's established 18V LXT ecosystem spans hundreds of compatible tools, while the newer 40V XGT line delivers more sustained power and a wider swath but with a smaller, growing tool selection.
Choose based on which ecosystem you already own or plan to invest in, since the two platforms' batteries are not interchangeable.
Complete Kit vs. Tool Only
One model here includes a battery and charger as a complete kit, while the other two are sold tool only for existing battery owners.
Factor in the real total cost of a tool-only listing if you don't already own compatible Makita batteries.
Brushless Motor Across the Lineup
All three Makita models here confirm brushless motor technology, generally more efficient and longer-lasting than a brushed alternative.
This is a consistent advantage across Makita's current string trimmer lineup regardless of which platform you choose.
Match a Makita Cordless String Trimmers (2026) to Your Garden or Yard
By Existing Platform
| Situation | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| No existing Makita batteries | XRU23SM1 Complete Kit |
| Already own Makita 18V LXT | XRU23Z Tool Only |
| Already own or want Makita 40V XGT | GRU01Z XGT Tool Only |
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| Mid-range tool only | XRU23Z LXT |
| Mid-range higher power | GRU01Z XGT |
| Compared using published specifications, included components, compatibility, and practical trade-offs. | XRU23SM1 |
LXT vs. XGT: The Verdict
The right choice depends on which platform you already own.
- Choose LXT if
- You're starting fresh, since its ecosystem spans the broadest range of compatible tools.
- Choose XGT if
- You already own or want the newer platform's wider swath and higher power.
By Cutting Swath
| Need | Recommended Pick |
|---|---|
| Wider swath | GRU01Z XGT 15-Inch |
| Standard swath | LXT options at 13-Inch |
For Existing Makita Tool Owners Specifically
- Look for
- Tool-only listings on your existing battery platform to avoid a duplicate battery purchase.
- In this comparison
- The XRU23Z and GRU01Z are specifically sold this way for existing battery owners.
When to Spend More
- Spend more if
- You want a complete kit ready to use immediately without existing batteries.
- Save if
- You already own compatible Makita batteries and just need the tool itself.
Before You Bring One Home
What's the difference between Makita's LXT and XGT string trimmers?
LXT is Makita's established 18V platform with hundreds of compatible tools, while XGT is a newer 40V platform with a wider cutting swath and more power, but a smaller tool selection. The batteries are not interchangeable.
Do Makita string trimmers include a battery and charger?
It varies by listing. One model compared here includes a substantial 4.0Ah battery and charger as a complete kit, while the other two are sold tool only.
Are all Makita string trimmers brushless?
The current models compared here all confirm brushless motor technology, a consistent efficiency advantage across Makita's lineup regardless of platform.
Which Makita string trimmer has the widest cutting swath?
The 40V XGT model has the widest swath in this comparison at 15 inches, wider than the 18V LXT models' 13-inch swath.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah — best overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all makita cordless string trimmers (2026) on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.