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Makita XRU15PT 36V Review

Ergonomic and easy to use, this is one of our favorite cordless yard tools to use in a variety of weed-clearing scenarios
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Makita XRU15PT 36V Review
Credit: Hale Milano
Price:  $399 List
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Manufacturer:   Makita
By Hale Milano ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 24, 2023
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 10
  • Performance - 35% 8.0
  • Ease of Use - 35% 8.5
  • Battery - 20% 8.0
  • Noise - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

Delivering high results across the board, the Makita XRU15PT 36V is one of the top cordless string trimmers that we tested. This cordless yard tool packs plenty of power to cut through even dense vegetation and is exceptionally effective when it comes to weed-eating. It feels very well-balanced and comfortable to use, all while having a solid battery life and being one of the quieter models. We highly recommend this trimmer to anyone who wants a top-tier cordless yard tool. To compare it to the competition, check out our article on the top-rated string trimmers.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to use
Great battery life
Low noise
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the lightest tool around
Pricey
Editor's Note: We updated this review in July 2023, to reflect updated testing notes and scoring.

Compare to Similar Products

 
makita xru15pt 36v
This Product
Makita XRU15PT 36V
Awards Top Pick Award
Most Versatile String Trimmer
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall String Trimmer
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Best Buy Award
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Bottom Line A perfect blend of performance, ergonomics, and versatility, this trimmer is up to any taskA high performance trimming, detailing, and weed eating machine that comes with best-in-class features to make your yard chores a breezeCosting a fraction of the top-tier models, this yard tool does a great job of holding its own against much more expensive and full-size offeringsFor folks desiring a trimmed yard while sticking to a budget, this model is up to the taskThis model has some nice features, and does well on grass, but isn't the most ergonomic or powerful
Rating Categories Makita XRU15PT 36V Ego Power+ Powerloa... Black+Decker LST136 Craftsman V20 Weedw... Worx 20V Power Shar...
Performance (35%)
8.0
9.0
8.5
6.3
6.2
Ease of Use (35%)
8.5
9.0
7.0
7.0
5.5
Battery (20%)
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
2.0
Noise (10%)
7.0
6.7
6.6
7.5
7.1
Specs Makita XRU15PT 36V Ego Power+ Powerloa... Black+Decker LST136 Craftsman V20 Weedw... Worx 20V Power Shar...
Cutting path 15 in 16 in 13 in 15 in 12 in
Measured weight 10.2 lb 12.8 lb 6.6 lb 7.0 lb 5.2 lb
Number of speed settings 3 2 6 2 1
Shoulder strap attachment Yes Yes No No No
Line feed mechanism Bump Auto Auto Button Auto
Measured sound level from ear level 83.6 dBa 85.4 dBa 85.5 dBa 81.5 dBa 83.2 dBa
Measured no-load runtime 88 min 50 min 43 min 35 min 20 min
Nominal voltage 36 V 56 V 36 V 20 V 20 V
Measured Amp-hours 5 Ah 4 Ah 2 Ah 4 Ah 2 Ah

Our Analysis and Test Results

One fairly unique feature of this the Makita 36V trimmer is that it uses a pair of 18V batteries in series to achieve the higher voltage used by most cordless yard tools. This means that it uses the same batteries as many of Makita's cordless hand tools, like drills or impact drivers, allowing you to use the same battery across your entire spectrum of Makita tools, cutting down on the clutter of charging cords and chargers in your garage considerably.

Performance Comparison


makita xru15pt 36v - this trimmer is quiet, comfortable, and performs well across a...
This trimmer is quiet, comfortable, and performs well across a variety of weed-cutting tasks.
Credit: Hale Milano

Performance


Our most important rating metric for these tools is their weed-eating performance, with scores based on how effective each trimmer is at clearing vegetation, how much power it has for cutting through tougher plants, and how easy it is to use for making detailed or precise cuts. The Makita 36V delivered a phenomenal performance, earning one of the top scores overall.


We found the Makita 36V to be very effective at clearing weeds and plants. It cuts a clean path wherever you point it. We also liked that you can cut almost flush with the ground without kicking up a giant cloud of dust. This tool also has plenty of power to slice and dice even tougher vegetation, cutting through woodier stems and thicker patches of weeds without getting bogged down or stalling at all.

makita xru15pt 36v - this weed-eater cut through even the toughest plants.
This weed-eater cut through even the toughest plants.
Credit: Laura Casner

While this cordless string trimmer does pack plenty of power, we still found it to be an awesome tool for making detailed cuts. It has a smaller guard that lets it be highly maneuverable and a slower speed setting so you can clear weeds away from objects and more delicate plants without completely destroying them in the process.

makita xru15pt 36v - we found the makita xru15pt string trimmer to be exceptionally...
We found the Makita XRU15PT string trimmer to be exceptionally well-balanced and easy to use.
Credit: Laura Casner

Ease of Use


After rating and ranking the weed-eating performance of each, we moved on to scoring the convenience and ease of use of each cordless yard tool. The Makita 36V once again delivered some exceptional results, earning its spot right at the top of the group.


This string trimmer uses a bump mechanism to dispense more line, which we found to operate very smoothly and efficiently. It is not the most intuitive to change the line the first time since there weren't any immediately apparent marks or labels to show where to release the cover. However, it was super easy to do once we consulted the manual, and we didn't have any issues once we figured it out.

It took us a little bit of effort to figure out how to swap the...
It took us a little bit of effort to figure out how to swap the string on the Makita model the first time.
It wasn't too much work to swap the string once we figured it out...
It wasn't too much work to swap the string once we figured it out after the first time.

This trimmer is just a bit heavier than some of the other models, but we didn't find this to be too much of an issue since the tool is so nicely balanced and ergonomically designed.

makita xru15pt 36v - this trimmer has plenty of battery life for all of your yardwork...
This trimmer has plenty of battery life for all of your yardwork needs.
Credit: Laura Casner

It's very comfortable to hold, even for marathon weed-eating sessions. The shoulder strap holds it at a good angle, and the handle has a rubber dampener that helps minimize fatigue from vibration. The handle also has a grippy texture and is easy to hold securely.

makita xru15pt 36v - you have three different speeds to choose from with the makita...
You have three different speeds to choose from with the Makita XRU15PT, which allows you to save battery power for the thick brush jobs that need it.
Credit: Laura Casner

We do wish that the guard performed a little better. It's small, so it does not get in the way while making precise cuts which is nice. But when cutting down large swaths of weeds, debris flung back on our legs and up to our face, which isn't ideal.

Battery


Our next round of tests focused on how long you could run each of these cordless tools and if you have the option of reducing power to maximize runtime. The Makita 36V continued to dominate, again earning one of the best scores of the group for its top-notch showing.


This string trimmer also offers three different speed settings — low, medium, and high — so you effectively balance your power and runtime requirements for maximum efficiency.

makita xru15pt 36v - in addition to being very powerful, the makita is also one of the...
In addition to being very powerful, the Makita is also one of the quieter models out there.
Credit: Laura Casner

This cordless string trimmer ran for just under an hour and a half continuously under no-load conditions using the stock batteries, which is one of the longest times of the entire group.


Noise


Our final round of tests looked at how loud each of these yard tools is, with scores based on measured noise levels for the operator. Though scores were based only on decibel ratings, we also noted which models that had particularly irritating tones or high-pitched whines. The Makita 36V wrapped up our metrics with another high performance.


This trimmer produced a fairly low-pitched hum which we found to be inoffensive for bystanders.

makita xru15pt 36v - the loudest part of the makita is the sound of weeds being chopped...
The loudest part of the Makita is the sound of weeds being chopped to bits.
Credit: Laura Casner

This cordless string trimmer is one of the quietest models of the entire group, with our SPL meter registering around 83 dBa at ear height.


Should You Buy the Makita XRU15PT 36V?


The Makita 36V is a top-performing trimmer that excels in its adaptability to a plethora of weed-trimming scenarios. If you find yourself trimming dense weeds just as often as edging a sidewalk, this comfortable trimmer should be at the top of your considerations. We highly recommend it, especially for those with other Makita tools for battery interoperability. It has plenty of weed-eating power and runtime, all in a comfortable and easy-to-use package.

makita xru15pt 36v - the makita 35v is one of our top-performing and top-favorite string...
The Makita 35V is one of our top-performing and top-favorite string trimmers.
Credit: Hale Milano

What Other Cordless String Trimmers Should You Consider?


If you're in the market for top-of-the-line performance, we also recommend the Ego Power+ Powerload with Line IQ ST1623T. The Ego is up to any task in your yard or field and clocks in slightly less expensive than the Makita. It's also backed by the impressive line of Ego batteries if you have other Ego tools. If you're shopping on a budget, Black+Decker LST136 offers excellent performance in a compact package at a more appealing price point.

Hale Milano
 

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