Which cordless garden tool gives better value: Makita or Ryobi?

Display

This category doesn’t really apply to either product, because neither tool has a screen or digital display. On that basis, it’s a tie. What does matter is usability feedback: both tools are rated strongly by buyers, with the Makita scoring 4.4/5 from 7,067 reviews and the Ryobi 4.3/5 from 2,884 reviews. The Makita’s much larger review base gives it a slight credibility edge for real-world satisfaction.

Performance

Winner: Ryobi ONE+ 18V OPT1845.

The Ryobi is the more capable tool if your main job is hedge cutting. Its 45cm blade and pole design are designed for reaching the tops and sides of hedges without balancing on steps or a ladder, which is a big practical advantage in a typical UK garden, especially with leylandii, privet, laurel, or mixed boundary hedges. The Makita DUM604ZX is a grass trimmer, so it is not competing on the same task: it is for tidying lawn edges, trimming around borders, and cutting small patches of overgrowth. For that job, it will feel more precise and better suited, but it cannot replace a hedge trimmer. So if we’re judging raw task capability for the intended use of each tool, the Ryobi wins because it solves a harder, more demanding job.

Build quality and design

Winner: Makita DUM604ZX.

Makita has a strong reputation for compact, well-balanced garden tools, and the DUM604ZX follows that pattern. As a grass trimmer, it should be lighter, easier to manoeuvre, and less fatiguing for quick jobs around a small or medium garden. That matters in wet UK spring growth, when edging and touch-up trimming can become a weekly chore. Ryobi’s pole hedge trimmer design brings reach, but pole tools are inherently more cumbersome: they are longer, less nimble, and can feel front-heavy during extended use. If you value comfort, control, and ease of handling, the Makita is the better-designed tool.

Battery life

Winner: Tie, with a platform caveat.

Both are 18V body-only tools, so battery runtime depends heavily on the amp-hour rating of the battery you already own or plan to buy. In practice, the Makita grass trimmer will usually sip power more gently because it is doing lighter work, while the Ryobi hedge trimmer may draw more under load when cutting thicker growth. However, the bigger issue is ecosystem fit: Makita 18V LXT batteries are widely respected for tool quality and broad range, while Ryobi ONE+ is one of the most accessible and cost-effective DIY/garden platforms available in the UK. If you already own batteries, the winner is whichever platform you’re invested in. Without that context, it’s a tie.

Price and value for money

Winner: Makita DUM604ZX.

At £79.99, the Makita is £28.96 cheaper than the Ryobi, which costs £108.95. That is a meaningful saving for a body-only tool, especially if you already have compatible batteries and charger. For straightforward lawn edging and tidy-up work, the Makita offers excellent value: strong user ratings, a trusted brand, and a lower entry price. The Ryobi is more expensive, but its pole reach and 45cm blade justify some of that premium if you genuinely need hedge-cutting capability. Still, on pure value, the Makita wins because it delivers a highly useful, high-rated tool for noticeably less money.

Game library/features

Winner: Ryobi ONE+ 18V OPT1845.

Interpreting this as ecosystem and feature breadth, Ryobi wins. The ONE+ platform is famous for its huge range of compatible tools, which is a major advantage if you want to build a single-battery garden and DIY system over time. That means your hedge trimmer battery can potentially also power drills, saws, blowers, strimmers and more. Makita’s 18V LXT ecosystem is also excellent, but Ryobi tends to appeal more to homeowners who want broad compatibility at a lower overall cost. The OPT1845’s standout feature is the pole reach itself, which is a genuine productivity gain for hedge maintenance.

Overall user experience

Winner: depends on the job, but Makita is the safer all-round buy for most people.

The Makita is easier to live with if your main need is trimming grass edges, tidying around patios and flower beds, and keeping a smaller UK garden neat with minimal fuss. It is cheaper, better reviewed, and likely less tiring to use. The Ryobi is the better choice if your garden has substantial hedges and you want to stay safely on the ground while cutting the tops and outer faces. That said, pole hedge trimmers are more specialised, and many buyers underestimate how often they’ll still need a lighter trimmer for finishing work. Overall, the Makita gives the better mix of price, ratings, and everyday convenience, while the Ryobi is the more specialised tool.

Overall summary: If you need a grass trimmer, buy the Makita DUM604ZX. If you need a hedge trimmer with reach, buy the Ryobi OPT1845. But for most UK homeowners comparing value, ease of use, and confidence from reviews, the Makita is the stronger purchase.