Best Makita Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
The best Makita cordless string trimmers across the brand's 18V LXT and 40V XGT platforms, compared by brushless motor design and kit completeness.
At a Glance
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah
↓ See why we picked itMakita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only
↓ See why we picked itMakita GRU01Z 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 15-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only
↓ See why we picked itMakita offers genuine string trimmers with brushless motors across two battery platforms, its established 18V LXT ecosystem and the newer, higher-power 40V XGT line. We compared these two genuine models on kit completeness and price.
3 Criteria to Look For Before Buying 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.
Best Makita Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
Makita XRU23SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer Kit, 4.0Ah
About this pick
This genuine Makita model includes a substantial 4.0Ah battery and charger as a complete kit, with a brushless motor for efficient, sustained cutting performance.
Sharing batteries with Makita's extensive 18V LXT ecosystem, this is the strongest overall pick for a buyer wanting a ready-to-use complete kit.
Best for: buyers wanting a complete kit on Makita's broad LXT ecosystem
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Motor: Brushless
- System: 18V LXT
- Battery: 4.0Ah 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
- −Highest price among the Makita options compared here
- −Narrower 13-inch swath than higher-voltage alternatives overall
Makita XRU23Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 13-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only
About this pick
This tool-only version of the same trimmer offers a lower listed price for an existing Makita LXT owner who doesn't need another battery.
Without battery and charger included, the real cost is higher for a buyer starting fresh, so this makes most sense specifically for someone already invested in Makita's LXT platform.
Best for: existing Makita LXT owners wanting a lower listed price
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Motor: Brushless
- System: 18V LXT
- Sold As: Tool Only
Pros
- +Brushless motor delivers efficient sustained cutting power
- +Lower listed price for existing LXT battery owners
- +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
Makita GRU01Z 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 15-Inch String Trimmer, Tool Only
About this pick
Stepping up to Makita's newer 40V XGT platform, this model pairs a wider 15-inch swath with more sustained power for larger yards.
Sold tool only at a moderate price, this suits an existing or future XGT platform owner rather than someone invested in LXT.
Best for: buyers wanting Makita's newer higher-power XGT platform
Check price on AmazonSpecs
- Motor: Brushless
- System: 40V XGT
- Swath: 15-Inch
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 Evaluated These Makita Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
Each pick was assessed across 3 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Real, Current Listings
All three products are currently listed genuine Makita string trimmers verified against live Amazon catalog data for price and stated specifications.
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.
How to Choose the Right Makita Cordless String Trimmers (2026)
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 |
| Complete kit, higher price | 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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