5 Alternatives to the Bosch AdvancedGrassCut 36 — and 2 Better Buys for Most UK Gardens

The Bosch AdvancedGrassCut 36 sits in that middle ground many UK buyers want: cordless convenience, enough power for regular edging, and a 30 cm cutting width that makes quick work of small to medium lawns. At £219, though, it isn’t cheap, and the 36V platform means you’re paying for a more capable system than many casual gardeners actually need. If you’re only tidying a small back garden, or you already own batteries from Bosch, Makita, DEWALT or EGO, the alternatives below may make more sense.

Bosch Cordless Grass Trimmer EasyGrassCut 18V-26 — £75.00

This is the obvious budget alternative, and at £144 less than the AdvancedGrassCut 36 it saves a serious amount of money. The trade-off is clear: you get an 18V tool with a smaller 26 cm cutting diameter and no battery included, so the real cost depends on whether you already have Bosch 18V kit. In practical terms, this is better suited to light trimming around a typical UK patio, path, or small lawn edge rather than tackling long, wet spring growth or thicker, neglected grass. Build quality is what you’d expect from Bosch’s entry-level garden range: decent, lightweight, and easy to handle, but not as robust or confidence-inspiring as the higher-voltage Advanced line. The lower weight and narrower head make it less tiring for quick jobs, and that matters if you only trim every couple of weeks. Verdict: choose this if you have a small garden, want the cheapest Bosch option, and don’t need the extra grunt of 36V.

MAKITA 18V LI-ION Grass Trimmer DUM604ZX — £79.99

Makita’s DUM604ZX is only about £5 more than the Bosch EasyGrassCut 18V-26, but it brings Makita’s reputation for solid build quality and a more premium feel. It’s a product-only tool, so again you need to factor in battery and charger if you’re not already on Makita’s 18V LXT platform. Compared with the Bosch AdvancedGrassCut 36, you’re giving up power and likely cutting speed, but gaining access to one of the most established cordless ecosystems in the UK. For buyers who already own Makita batteries for drills, saws or hedge trimmers, the value is much better than buying into a new 36V Bosch system just for grass trimming. The practical impact is straightforward: it’s a sensible choice for regular maintenance on small to medium gardens, but it won’t feel as strong in dense, damp grass after a wet spell. Build quality is a strength here; Makita tools usually feel more durable than budget garden gear and stand up well to repeated use. Verdict: a smart buy for anyone already in Makita’s 18V ecosystem who wants reliable everyday trimming without paying Bosch 36V money.

DEWALT DCM563PB-XJ 18 V XR Cordless Bare Unit Hedge Trimmer — £125.99

Strictly speaking, this is a hedge trimmer rather than a grass trimmer, so it’s not a direct like-for-like replacement. That said, it may still appear in searches because buyers are comparing cordless garden tools in the same price bracket and battery platform. At £125.99 it’s £93.01 cheaper than the Bosch AdvancedGrassCut 36, but it’s aimed at hedge cutting, not edging lawns or tidying grass around borders. The practical difference is huge: a hedge trimmer will not give you the clean, precise finish you want on lawn edges, and it’s not the right tool for weeds or overgrown grass along fences. Build quality is typically excellent, as you’d expect from DEWALT, with a robust shell and a pro-grade feel that suits regular use. If you already own DEWALT XR batteries, it becomes a more compelling purchase, but only if your actual need is hedge maintenance. Verdict: choose this only if you’ve been drawn here by battery platform comparison or you need a hedge trimmer as well as a grass trimmer. For grass trimming, it is not a true alternative.

EGO Power+ String Trimmer ST1511T — £346.15

This is the premium option in the group and, at £127.15 more than the Bosch, it is a major step up in price. But you are also moving into a far more powerful 56V platform, with a 15-inch cutting width and EGO’s POWERLOAD system, which automatically winds the line with minimal fuss. For UK gardens with larger lawns, long edges, or more demanding growth through spring and summer, that extra power is noticeable. Wet grass, tougher weeds, and longer sessions are handled with less strain than on lower-voltage trimmers. The included 2.5Ah battery and charger make the package more complete too, which softens the sticker shock if you’re starting from scratch. Build quality is excellent: EGO tools feel serious, well-balanced, and designed for frequent use rather than occasional tidy-ups. The telescopic aluminium shaft also helps with comfort, especially if you’re trimming for longer periods or trying to avoid back strain. Verdict: this is the best alternative if you want a genuinely stronger cordless trimmer and don’t mind paying for it. It’s overkill for tiny gardens, but for medium to larger UK plots it is arguably better value than the Bosch if you want performance.

Bosch Cordless Hedge Cutter EasyHedgeCut 18-45 — £69.00

This is another non-direct alternative, but it’s worth mentioning because Bosch buyers often stay within the brand and 18V ecosystem. At £150 less than the AdvancedGrassCut 36, it is dramatically cheaper, and it includes a 2.0Ah battery in the box. However, it’s a hedge cutter with a 45 cm blade, so it won’t replace a grass trimmer for edging lawns or cutting around borders. The practical value is only there if your real need is hedge maintenance and you were considering Bosch because of the battery platform rather than the tool type. Build quality is good for the money and typical of Bosch’s Easy line: lightweight, easy to use, and suitable for domestic gardens rather than heavy-duty work. For the average UK homeowner, this makes sense if hedges are the priority and grass edging is already covered by another tool. Verdict: a strong budget Bosch buy, but not an alternative to the AdvancedGrassCut 36 unless you’ve realised you actually need a hedge cutter instead.

Overall, the best direct alternatives are the Bosch EasyGrassCut 18V-26 and the Makita DUM604ZX. They both make sense for smaller UK gardens where the main job is keeping edges neat rather than powering through thick, overgrown grass. If you want the best performance and are happy to pay more, the EGO ST1511T is the standout upgrade: it’s more expensive, but it’s also the most capable and the best suited to larger gardens, tougher growth, and regular use.

If you already own batteries, that should heavily influence your decision. Bosch 18V, Makita 18V LXT, DEWALT XR, and EGO 56V are all ecosystems with real long-term value, and buying into the wrong one can make an affordable tool expensive once you add batteries and chargers. For most buyers, the smartest choice is the one that matches the size of your garden and the batteries you already have, not just the one with the biggest headline cutting width.