Best Makita Hedge Trimmers: XGT and LXT Models Compared

Introduction

Makita’s current hedge trimmer range covers two battery platforms and some very different blade designs. The 40V XGT line, including the UH008G, UH007G, and UH014G, brings longer blades, more cutting power, and features like three speed settings and reverse. The 18V LXT models, such as the DUH751 and DUH523, remain popular smaller tools with a place in lighter work.

Having used both platforms side by side, the difference is noticeable the moment you get into thicker growth. The 18V models are perfectly fine, but they slow down and vibrate more in dense material, while the 40V models power through. That said, each tool here has a clear purpose, and the right choice depends on what and how you cut.

Makita UH008G: The 600mm 40V All-Rounder

The UH008G is one of six 40V XGT hedge trimmers in the current lineup, and it is the model we would point most people towards first. It carries a 600mm blade with a large cutting area, guides that drive foliage into the blades so material does not jam up at one end, and a fine cutting section at the far end of the blade. A bumper at the tip protects the tool and helps stop you from cutting something you should not.

The blade design is noticeably different from the 18V range: the blades are wider with more grunt behind them, and the bottom blade has a rounded tip. Compared with an 18V model like the DUH523, cutting with the UH008G feels effortless, with far less vibration and none of the slowing that the smaller tool shows in thicker growth. It also offers three speed settings, a reverse function, and an articulating rear handle, none of which the 18V DUH523 has.

It is IPX4 rated for water resistance, which is handy for use in damp conditions, and it has handled everything cut with it so far, including growth over three-quarters of an inch thick, without jamming. The reverse feature has not yet been needed for the simple reason that the blades have never jammed.

Makita UH007G: The 750mm 40V Long-Reach Option

The UH007G is also a 40V XGT tool, but it swaps the 600mm blade for a 750mm one, giving an extra six inches of reach. It cut through thick material with no complaints, comfortably handling branches over three-quarters of an inch.

Whether the extra length is worth it is a personal choice. For most people and most jobs, 600mm is already plenty long. The 750mm blade earns its keep if you regularly cut wider hedges or want that additional reach without stepping up to a pole-style tool. If you do not need the extra length, the UH008G is the more manageable tool.

Makita UH014G: The Single-Sided Specialist

The UH014G is the odd one out of the 40V trio. It has a 750mm single-sided blade, and it is designed for one purpose: trimming the top of low, dense hedges, particularly buxus in roughly the 800mm to 1,200mm height range, or around three to four feet.

Its big advantage in that specific role is how it scoops clippings up and throws them off as you cut along the top of the hedge. That is genuinely handy when you are covering a long run of box hedging.

The trade-offs are significant, though. Without a second blade side, you cannot make a reversing stroke, so if you miss a spot on the face of a hedge, you have to walk back and redo the pass. The unusual handle configuration also makes it uncomfortable to use for anything other than trimming the top of a low box hedge. This is a specialist tool, not a good all-rounder.

Makita DUH751 and DUH523: The 18V LXT Options

On the 18V side, the DUH751 offers a 750mm blade, while the DUH523 is the compact option with a shorter blade. The DUH523 in particular is easy to appreciate for its size, weight, and price: it is a genuinely good-value little hedge trimmer, and ours was only upgraded away because we were moving everything over to XGT, not because it was worn out or disliked.

That said, using an 18V model back to back with a 40V one makes the difference clear. The 18V blades are much narrower, so they lack the cutting force of the XGT tools, and they slow down and vibrate more when you get into thicker growth. Makita does make 18V LXT hedge trimmers with the wider blade design, so if you are staying on the LXT platform, those are worth a look. For light, occasional trimming, though, the DUH523 remains a solid and affordable pick, and the DUH751 adds reach for wider hedges.

Things Worth Knowing Before You Buy

A couple of practical notes on the XGT models apply regardless of which one you choose. On the UH008G, the area around the blade drive mechanism looks like it is missing a cover, and the exposed moving section can collect mud and debris when the tool is set down on the ground. The movement itself is normal and relates to vibration mitigation, but a plastic cover would be welcome.

The safety system also takes some getting used to: you need to hold the front handle and then squeeze the trigger and another control to start the tool. This can feel awkward when you want to reach high into a hedge, and it is worth testing the grip sequence in a store if high hedging is your main use case. Finally, fitting the blade cover has a small trick to it: the cover needs to go underneath the blade guard first rather than straight on, and once you know that, it is easy.

Buying Advice

For most buyers, the UH008G is the standout pick: a 600mm blade is long enough for the majority of jobs, the 40V power makes thick growth easy, and features like three speeds, reverse, and an articulating handle make it genuinely versatile. Choose the UH007G if you specifically want the extra reach of a 750mm blade. Choose the UH014G only if you maintain low box hedges regularly and want a tool built for that exact task.

If you are staying on the 18V LXT platform, the DUH523 is a strong budget-friendly option for lighter work, and the DUH751 adds reach for wider hedges. Just be realistic about the material you cut: in thicker growth, the 40V models are the ones that power through without slowing down.

Conclusion

Makita’s hedge trimmer range has a clear structure: the 40V XGT models for power and bigger jobs, with the UH008G as the most versatile all-rounder, and the 18V LXT models for lighter, more occasional trimming. Match the blade length and style to your hedge, and any of these tools will do the job they were designed for.