How we test

Every rating on BrushcutterHQ is built from the same framework so you can compare machines fairly. Here's exactly what we look at and how we weight it.

What we score

• Cutting performance — how the machine copes with grass, tall growth, brambles and scrub, with both line and blade where supported.
• Power & drivetrain — engine size and type (petrol), or voltage and motor (cordless/electric), and how that translates to real torque under load.
• Ergonomics & comfort — weight, balance, vibration, harness and handle design over a realistic session, not a two-minute demo.
• Runtime & refuelling — battery life and charge time, or fuel economy and tank size, in real use.
• Build quality & serviceability — materials, durability signals, ease of maintenance and parts/dealer availability.
• Value — performance relative to price, including the true cost of batteries or consumables.

How the score works

We combine those factors into a single rating out of 10. It is deliberately relative to a machine's class and price: a great budget corded trimmer and a semi-pro petrol machine can both score well because they're judged against what they're meant to do. A high score never means "most expensive" — it means "best fit for its job".

Where our data comes from

Our verdicts draw on hands-on use, manufacturer specifications, owner feedback at scale, and long-run reliability patterns. For pricing we use live retailer data (via the Keepa price API) so the figures you see reflect the real, current price rather than a stale RRP.

Independence

No brand pays for placement or a better score. We fund the site through affiliate commissions that don't change our conclusions — see our affiliate disclosure. When a product has real weaknesses, we say so, even when it would be more profitable not to.

Corrections

Specs change and models get revised. If you spot something out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll fix it.