If you’re shopping for cordless garden tools in the UK, two names keep coming up: Bosch and Makita. One is German, the other Japanese, and both are serious tool makers with wide ranges of battery-powered mowers, hedge trimmers, strimmers, blowers and chainsaws. So which one is right for your garden?
The short answer: it depends on what you already own, how heavy your garden work is, and how much you want to spend. Below we compare the battery platforms, tool ranges, build quality and pricing – then pick the best Bosch and Makita garden tools you can buy on Amazon UK right now.
Quick Verdict
Bosch is the better pick for most home gardeners. The 18V Power for All system is kind to your wallet, works with Flymo and Gardena tools too, and the tools are light and easy to live with.
Makita is the better choice if you already own Makita power tools, do heavy or professional-level garden work, or simply want kit built to take a beating. Both brands are excellent – there are no losers here, just different fits.
Bosch Cordless Garden Tools: The Overview
Bosch splits its cordless world into two ranges. The green Home & Garden range is built for homeowners and runs on the 18V Power for All battery system, which is shared with Bosch green DIY power tools and – usefully – with Flymo and Gardena. If you already own a Bosch drill or a Gardena hedge trimmer, your batteries will fit a Bosch mower or strimmer too. Larger mowers such as the UniversalRotak 2x18V-37-550 run on two 18V batteries at once for extra power.
The blue Bosch Professional range is aimed at landscapers and trade users, and uses its own 18V Professional battery system, which isn’t compatible with the green range. Its garden line-up is smaller but more rugged.
Makita Cordless Garden Tools: The Overview
Makita’s cordless garden range is enormous. The 18V LXT platform is one of the largest cordless systems in the world, with hundreds of tools sharing the same battery – including a big line-up of mowers, trimmers, hedge cutters, blowers and chainsaws. The battery you slide into your Makita combi drill will also run an LXT lawnmower or leaf blower, which is a serious selling point if you’re already in the Makita ecosystem. Many of Makita’s bigger garden tools are “Twin 18V” models that run on two LXT batteries for 36V performance.
Alongside LXT sits the newer 40V Max XGT range: higher voltage, smart battery communication and tools designed for the heaviest jobs. The catch is that XGT batteries don’t fit LXT tools and vice versa, so you’re picking a lane.
Feature Comparison
Both brands make the same types of tool – mowers, trimmers, hedge cutters, blowers, chainsaws and pole tools. Where they differ is in the detail.
Battery platforms
Bosch Power for All 18V is the friendliest system for everyday gardeners. The cross-brand alliance with Flymo and Gardena means one battery goes a long way. Makita LXT batteries are aimed at trade users, with rapid chargers and cells built for heavy, sustained loads. XGT goes a step further with higher voltage and smarter charge management.
Build quality and durability
This is where Makita pulls clearly ahead. Makita garden tools are built to trade standards – designed to be used hard all day and thrown in the back of a van. Bosch green tools are plenty robust for typical home use but feel lighter-duty, with more plastic and less metal. Bosch Professional narrows the gap, but at that point you’re paying Makita-level money.
Tool range breadth
Makita wins on sheer choice, especially in trimmers, brush cutters and pole tools, where LXT includes split-shaft systems and specialist options Bosch doesn’t make. Bosch has the edge on consumer-friendly mowers and telescopic garden tools, which it has invested in heavily.
Ergonomics
Bosch tools tend to be lighter, with friendly grips aimed at occasional users. Makita tools feel more substantial and better balanced under load, but slightly heavier. If you use a tool for ten minutes a week, Bosch is the more pleasant experience. For an hour at a time, Makita’s balance starts to pay off.
Price
Bosch wins on entry price. A Bosch green kit with battery and charger typically costs noticeably less than a Makita LXT equivalent. The gap narrows if you already own batteries and buy “body only” tools – which is where Makita owners save big.
Specs at a Glance
Feature | Bosch (Home & Garden 18V) | Makita (LXT 18V / XGT 40V) |
Main battery platform | 18V Power for All | 18V LXT, 40V Max XGT |
Cross-brand compatibility | Yes – Flymo, Gardena, Bosch green DIY | No – Makita only |
Garden tool range | Broad, consumer-focused | Very broad, trade-focused |
Target user | Home and keen DIY gardeners | Trade and heavy home users |
Entry price | Lower | Higher (kits); competitive body-only |
Best for | Affordability, shared batteries | Durability, range, trade use |
Best Bosch Cordless Garden Tools to Buy
1. Bosch UniversalRotak 2x18V-37-550 Cordless Lawnmower
Cutting width: 37 cm | Lawn size: Up to 500 m² | In the box: 2 x 18V 4.0Ah batteries + charger
The UniversalRotak range is one of the main reasons to pick Bosch. This model runs on two 18V Power for All batteries for extra power and runtime, and Bosch rates it for lawns up to around 500 square metres – which covers the vast majority of UK gardens. The kit includes both batteries and a charger, so they’ll also run your other Bosch, Flymo or Gardena 18V tools.
Pros: Covers most UK lawns, batteries shared across the Power for All range, complete kit.
Cons: Needs two batteries to run, not built for very large plots.
2. Bosch UniversalHedgeCut 18V-55 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Blade length: 55 cm | In the box: Battery + charger
The UniversalHedgeCut is Bosch’s go-to cordless hedge trimmer for homeowners. The 55cm blade gets through a long run of privet or laurel quickly, and the tool is light enough to hold at shoulder height without tiring fast. This version comes with a battery and charger, so it’s a good way into the Power for All system.
Pros: Long 55cm blade, light and easy to handle, complete kit.
Cons: Not built for all-day trade use.
3. Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18V-26 Cordless Grass Trimmer
Cutting diameter: 26 cm | In the box: 1 x 18V battery
A tidy, lightweight strimmer for edging lawns and clearing around beds and fence posts. The 26cm cutting diameter is a good size for typical UK gardens, and the adjustable handles let you set it up comfortably whatever your height.
Pros: Lightweight, adjustable handles, shares batteries with the rest of the range.
Cons: Not for heavy brush or long, tough grass.
4. Bosch UniversalHedgePole 18 Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
Type: Telescopic pole hedge trimmer | In the box: 1 x 18V battery
Tall hedges and awkward boundaries are where Bosch’s telescopic tools really shine. The UniversalHedgePole extends so you can reach the tops of tall hedges from the ground rather than balancing on a ladder – a big safety win for many UK gardens.
Pros: Reaches tall hedges without a ladder, same battery as your other Bosch tools.
Cons: Heavier to hold at full stretch than a standard trimmer.
5. Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7 Compact Cordless Pruning Saw
Type: Mini chainsaw / pruning saw | In the box: 2.5Ah battery + charger
For most home gardeners, a full-size chainsaw is overkill. The EasyChain 18V-15-7 is a compact, one-handed pruning saw that makes quick work of branches, shrub stems and small logs – ideal for autumn tidying and cutting back overgrown shrubs.
Pros: Compact and easy to control, great for pruning, complete kit.
Cons: Not a replacement for a full-size chainsaw on big logs.
Best Makita Cordless Garden Tools to Buy
1. Makita DLM382PM2 Twin 18V (36V) LXT 38cm Lawn Mower
Cutting width: 38 cm | Power: Twin 18V (36V) LXT | In the box: Batteries + charger
The DLM382 is Makita’s popular mid-size LXT mower. It runs on two 18V LXT batteries for 36V performance, and the 38cm deck suits small to medium lawns. This kit comes with batteries and a charger – and if you already own Makita LXT batteries, you can buy the body-only DLM382Z instead and save.
Pros: Robust Makita build, runs on the same LXT batteries as your drill, kit and body-only options.
Cons: Costs more than the Bosch equivalent if you’re starting from scratch.
2. Makita DUH523Z 18V LXT 52cm Hedge Trimmer (Body Only)
Blade length: 52 cm | Power: 18V LXT | In the box: Tool only – batteries and charger not included
The DUH523Z is a favourite with landscapers and keen gardeners who already own Makita batteries. The 52cm blade is long enough for big hedges, and Makita’s trade-grade build means it stands up to regular heavy use. Buying body-only keeps the price down if you’re already in the LXT system.
Pros: Trade-grade build, 52cm blade, great value for existing LXT owners.
Cons: Battery and charger sold separately.
3. Makita DUR181Z 18V LXT Grass Line Trimmer (Body Only)
Power: 18V LXT | In the box: Tool only – batteries and charger not included
A simple, tough strimmer for edging and tidying. The DUR181Z is one of Makita’s longest-running LXT garden tools and a popular add-on for anyone with LXT batteries already on the shelf.
Pros: Proven, tough design, low cost for existing LXT users.
Cons: Battery and charger sold separately.
4. Makita DUB184Z 18V LXT Brushless Blower (Body Only)
Motor: Brushless | Power: 18V LXT | In the box: Tool only
Makita’s brushless LXT blower is ideal for clearing leaves off patios, paths and driveways in autumn. The brushless motor is efficient, getting more work out of each battery charge – and it’s another tool that runs on the same LXT batteries.
Pros: Efficient brushless motor, light and easy to carry.
Cons: Battery and charger sold separately.
5. Makita DUC353Z Twin 18V (36V) LXT 35cm Brushless Chainsaw (Body Only)
Bar length: 35 cm | Power: Twin 18V (36V) LXT, brushless | In the box: Tool only
If you need a proper chainsaw for logs and fallen branches, the DUC353Z is where Makita pulls well ahead of Bosch green. It runs on two LXT batteries for 36V power, with a 35cm bar and a brushless motor – serious capability without the noise, fumes and fuss of petrol.
Pros: Proper full-size chainsaw, brushless, no petrol hassle.
Cons: Needs two batteries, sold separately.
6. Makita 18V LXT 5.0Ah Battery + DC18RC Charger Kit
In the box: 1 x BL1850B 5.0Ah battery + DC18RC rapid charger
New to Makita and planning to buy body-only tools? Start here. This power source kit gives you a genuine 5.0Ah LXT battery and Makita’s rapid charger, which will run any of the 18V LXT tools above. Add a second battery if you want to run the Twin 18V mower or chainsaw.
Pros: Genuine Makita battery, rapid charger, works with the whole LXT range.
Cons: Twin 18V tools need a second battery.
Who Should Buy Bosch?
Pick Bosch if you have a small to medium UK garden, you already own Bosch green DIY tools (or Flymo/Gardena kit), and you don’t want to spend professional-grade money. The 18V Power for All system is plenty for mowing lawns up to around 500 square metres, keeping hedges trim and clearing leaves in autumn. The UniversalRotak mowers are particularly good value, and the telescopic hedge tools are among the best around for awkward boundaries.
Bosch is also the right call if you value simplicity: one battery, lots of tools, no platform decisions.
Who Should Buy Makita?
Pick Makita if you have a larger garden, do a lot of hedge or tree work, or already own Makita LXT tools from trade or DIY use. Longer runtimes under load, tougher build quality and a huge choice of tools make Makita the better long-term investment for anyone who works their kit hard.
If you’re building a serious garden tool collection from scratch and expect to add several tools over the years, Makita’s LXT ecosystem rewards the commitment – and body-only tools make each new addition cheaper. If future-proofing matters most, keep an eye on the XGT 40V platform, where Makita is putting much of its development effort.
Final Verdict
There’s no bad choice here. Bosch and Makita are both at the top of the cordless garden tool tree in the UK. Our recommendation: Bosch for most home gardeners on a sensible budget; Makita for heavier use, larger gardens, or anyone already invested in LXT batteries.
Whichever you pick, our biggest piece of advice is to commit to one platform and stick with it. The real value in cordless garden tools comes from sharing batteries across your mower, trimmer, hedge cutter and blower – and that only works if you stay loyal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bosch and Makita batteries interchangeable?
No. Each brand uses its own battery design. Third-party adapters exist, but we don’t recommend them – they can void the tool warranty and risk damaging the battery electronics.
Is Bosch Green or Bosch Professional better for the garden?
For most home gardeners, the green Home & Garden range is the right call. The Professional range is built for trade users, and the price reflects that.
Should I buy Makita LXT or XGT?
If you already own Makita LXT tools, stick with LXT – battery sharing is the whole point. If you’re starting fresh and want the latest high-power technology, XGT is more future-proof, but the range is smaller and the kit costs more.
Which is better for a small UK garden?
Bosch. It’s lighter, cheaper, and the 18V Power for All platform has more than enough power for a small garden. A Makita kit would be overkill.
What warranty do Bosch and Makita offer?
Both brands offer extended warranties in the UK when you register your tool online after purchase. Check the current terms on the Bosch and Makita UK websites before you buy.
Need more help choosing? Take a look at our guides to the best cordless lawnmowers UK, the best cordless hedge trimmers UK, and our buyer’s guide to choosing garden hand tools.
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