If you’re investing in a cordless garden tool platform, you want to pick the right ecosystem from the start — because batteries, chargers, and tools within a brand all work together. Two names come up time and again for serious UK gardeners: EGO Power+ and Makita. Both make excellent cordless garden tools, but they’re aimed at slightly different people. In this guide, we compare them head-to-head across lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, strimmers, and leaf blowers to help you decide which platform deserves a place in your shed.
Quick Verdict
| EGO Power+ | Makita | |
| Best for | Large gardens, petrol-equivalent power | Existing Makita tool owners, versatility |
| Battery system | 56V ARC Lithium | 18V LXT (36V paired) / 40V XGT |
| Price range | Premium | Mid to premium |
| Tool warranty | 5 years | 3 years |
| Battery warranty | 10 years | 3 years |
| Garden range | Focused, excellent quality | Vast, professional-grade |
In short: Choose EGO if you want maximum cordless power and long battery guarantees for dedicated garden use. Choose Makita if you already own their power tools and want battery compatibility across the workshop and garden.
Brand Overview: EGO Power+
EGO Power+ arrived in the UK market with a single mission: to make cordless garden tools that genuinely rival petrol performance. Their 56V ARC Lithium platform is dedicated entirely to outdoor equipment — lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, and strimmers — with no crossover into power tools like drills or impact drivers. This focus shows in the quality of their machinery.
The brand has built a strong reputation among UK gardeners with larger plots. Their five-year tool warranty and ten-year battery warranty are class-leading, giving buyers real confidence that the investment will last. EGO tools tend to cost more upfront, but the runtime figures and cutting performance genuinely back up the premium pricing.
EGO’s range in the UK is available through Amazon and specialist retailers including The Green Reaper and Just Lawnmowers. You won’t find EGO in your local DIY shed — it’s deliberately positioned above the mass-market competition.
Brand Overview: Makita
Makita is one of the world’s most established power tool brands, and their garden range benefits enormously from decades of engineering experience. Their primary system for outdoor equipment in the UK is the 18V LXT platform — where two batteries work together to deliver 36V of power — though they’ve been rolling out the newer 40V XGT system for heavier-duty machinery.
The big advantage Makita offers is ecosystem compatibility. If you already own Makita drills, circular saws, or other workshop tools, your existing 18V LXT batteries will work in compatible garden equipment. This can dramatically reduce the cost of entry. Makita tools are widely available through Amazon UK, Screwfix, and most major tool retailers.
The trade-off is that Makita’s garden range is somewhat more fragmented across multiple voltage platforms, and some older models can feel outclassed by EGO’s dedicated outdoor engineering. That said, their build quality is excellent and their support network is unmatched.
Head-to-Head: Key Categories
Lawnmowers
EGO: The EGO LM1903E-SP is a 47cm self-propelled cordless mower widely regarded as one of the best battery-powered mowers on the UK market. It handles up to 800 sq m on a single charge with a 5.0Ah battery, offers 7 cutting height positions, and runs near-silently compared to any petrol equivalent. Expect to pay around £550–£650 with battery and charger included.
Makita: The Makita DLM432Z is a solid 43cm twin-battery (36V) cordless mower that punches above its weight for regular maintenance cutting. It requires two 18V LXT batteries to run, which adds cost if you’re starting from scratch. Bare tool price is around £250–£320, but factor in two 5.0Ah batteries and a twin-port charger and the total rises to £450–£550. It can struggle with longer or wet grass compared to the EGO.
Winner: EGO — more power, bigger cutting width, and genuine large-garden capability out of the box.
Hedge Trimmers
EGO: The EGO HT5122E-SP 51cm hedge trimmer is a formidable tool, delivering near-petrol performance with twin-action blades and exceptional blade speed. It’s available at around £280–£350 with a 2.5Ah battery. The longer blade makes it ideal for formal hedges and larger topiary work.
Makita: The Makita DUH523 hedge trimmer (52cm, 18V LXT, bare tool) is a popular choice available for around £90–£130 bare or £180–£220 with a battery and charger. It’s lightweight, well-balanced, and handles most garden hedges without fuss. The Makita DUH551 offers a longer 55cm blade for around £120–£160 bare.
Winner: Makita — better value if you already have batteries; the EGO is more powerful but the Makita is more than adequate for most UK hedges.
Strimmers (Grass Trimmers)
EGO: The EGO ST1521E 38cm strimmer uses a dual-exit head for efficient line feeding and handles tough weeds and long grass confidently. Priced at around £180–£230 with a battery included, it’s a serious piece of kit for demanding use.
Makita: The Makita DUR365UZ 36V twin-battery strimmer (bare tool, around £100–£130) is a professional-grade trimmer with a brushless motor, well suited to commercial and domestic use. Add batteries and you’re looking at £250–£350. The lighter DUR190LZ 18V model is a good option for smaller gardens at around £60–£90 bare.
Winner: Tie — EGO wins on convenience (dedicated 56V, single battery), Makita on ecosystem flexibility and choice of models.
Leaf Blowers
EGO: The EGO LB5804E is a backpack-style blower delivering petrol-equivalent airspeed and an impressive 800 CFM of airflow. It’s overkill for a small garden but transformative for large plots covered in autumn leaves. Priced at around £350–£450 with battery.
Makita: The Makita DUB362Z twin-18V blower (around £90–£120 bare) is a handheld unit offering strong airflow for its size. It’s practical, lightweight, and works well for clearing paths and patios. Not quite in the same league as the EGO backpack blower, but significantly cheaper.
Winner: EGO for large gardens; Makita for everyday garden tidying.
Specifications Comparison Table
| Category | EGO Model | EGO Price (with battery) | Makita Model | Makita Price (with battery) |
| Lawnmower | LM1903E-SP (47cm) | £550–£650 | DLM432Z (43cm) | £450–£550 |
| Hedge Trimmer | HT5122E-SP (51cm) | £280–£350 | DUH523Z (52cm) | £180–£220 |
| Strimmer | ST1521E (38cm) | £180–£230 | DUR365UZ (36V) | £250–£350 |
| Leaf Blower | LB5804E (backpack) | £350–£450 | DUB362Z (handheld) | £120–£160 |
Makita bare-tool prices are significantly lower if you already own compatible 18V LXT batteries.
Who Should Choose EGO?
EGO Power+ makes the most sense if:
- You have a large garden (300 sq m or more) and need maximum power and runtime
- You’re starting from scratch with no existing battery ecosystem
- You want petrol-equivalent performance without the noise, fumes, or maintenance
- You value long warranties (5 years tool, 10 years battery)
- You’re happy to pay a premium for the best cordless garden tools available
EGO’s dedicated focus on outdoor power means every tool in their range is engineered to excel at garden tasks specifically. There’s no compromise from trying to also power workshop drills or sanders.
Who Should Choose Makita?
Makita is the better choice if:
- You already own Makita 18V LXT tools and have batteries you can reuse
- You need tools for both the workshop and garden on one platform
- Your garden is medium-sized (under 300 sq m) and doesn’t demand petrol-level power
- You want access to a wider range of tool types and professional-grade accessories
- You want to shop at mainstream retailers like Screwfix, Toolstation, or Amazon without hunting for specialist stockists
Makita’s ecosystem breadth is unmatched. If your shed already has their tools, adding garden equipment is a sensible and cost-effective extension.
What About Battery Compatibility?
This is one of the most important practical considerations. EGO and Makita batteries are not cross-compatible — you must choose one platform and commit to it. However, within each brand, compatibility varies:
- EGO: All 56V ARC batteries are compatible across the full EGO garden range. One battery system, full stop.
- Makita: The 18V LXT range is vast and well-established. The newer 40V XGT platform is more powerful but uses different (larger, more expensive) batteries. The two systems are not cross-compatible.
If you’re leaning Makita, check carefully which voltage system each model requires before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EGO available in B&Q or Screwfix? Not usually. EGO is stocked by specialist garden machinery retailers and Amazon. You won’t typically find it in mainstream DIY sheds, which can make hands-on demos harder to arrange.
Can I use Makita 18V batteries in EGO tools? No. EGO uses a proprietary 56V ARC Lithium battery that is unique to their platform. Makita 18V batteries will not fit EGO tools.
Which brand is quieter? Both are significantly quieter than petrol equivalents. EGO tools are notably quiet — the LM1903E-SP mower, for example, operates at around 75dB, which is well within acceptable use during neighbour-friendly hours.
Is EGO worth the extra cost over Makita? For gardeners with large plots who are starting fresh, yes — EGO’s power, runtime, and warranties justify the premium. For those who already own Makita batteries or have a smaller garden, Makita offers excellent value and capability.
Where can I buy EGO and Makita tools in the UK? Both are available on Amazon UK. Makita is also at Screwfix, Toolstation, and most electrical wholesalers. EGO is available at The Green Reaper, Just Lawnmowers, and other specialist outdoor power equipment retailers.
Final Verdict
Both EGO Power+ and Makita produce excellent cordless garden tools, but they serve different gardeners well. EGO is the premium choice for power and performance — if you want the closest thing to petrol without the fuss, and you’re starting from scratch, EGO’s 56V system is outstanding. Makita is the smart choice for versatility and ecosystem — if you already use their power tools, or if your garden demands vary and you want access to a broader range.
For most UK gardeners building a garden tool setup from scratch with a large lawn and substantial hedging, we’d lean towards EGO for the major items (mower and blower) and consider Makita’s excellent hedge trimmers for value. But if you’re already deep in the Makita ecosystem, there’s no compelling reason to switch — their garden range has come a long way and will serve you very well.