Switching to Battery – Why I Made the Jump
After many years happily using my trusted Stihl HS82RC, I decided it was finally time to try something different this year. It’s been an unusually warm season, and with the amount of hedge cutting I’ve been doing lately, wearing heavy ear protection all day has become uncomfortable — not to mention the extra weight and the noise of petrol machines.
Trying out a few battery trimmers from my colleagues — Stihl’s battery range and the Ego — really opened my eyes to how far battery tech has come. So I thought, why not see what Makita has to offer?
🔋 Why I Picked the Makita DUH750Z
I already own several Makita battery tools, so it made sense to stick with the same system — plenty of batteries on hand meant I only needed the bare unit.
Makita offer different sizes: 50cm, 60cm, and 75cm blades. Originally, I planned to go for the shorter 50cm, thinking I’d mostly use it for small hedges and shrubs. But I changed my mind for a simple reason — I’m tall, and I know from experience that shorter blades mean more stooping to tidy up the lower sections of big hedges. That’s back-breaking after a full day’s work! So I went for the longer 75cm blade for better reach and posture.
🛠️ First Impressions After a Month
I’ve been using the DUH750Z for about a month now, and honestly, I’m impressed. You can tell this machine was designed by someone who knows what a professional user needs from a hedge trimmer — solid build quality, great balance, and sensible features.
I’ve used plenty of hedge trimmers in my time, including some other brands that look the part but have glaring design flaws. With Makita, it’s clear they’ve paid attention to the practical details — the DUH750Z really fills a gap in the market for a professional-grade battery trimmer that actually does the job well.
⚙️ Key Features I Love
✅ 3-Speed Settings: This makes it really versatile for different jobs — from delicate shaping to tackling thicker sections.
✅ Brilliant Balance: It feels well-balanced in the hands, which makes longer jobs less tiring.
✅ Lightweight: Compared to my petrol Stihl, it’s noticeably lighter and easier on my arms and back.
✅ Good Battery Life: I’ve been running it with my 5Ah Makita batteries, and they hold up well for typical jobs — no complaints there.
🧩 One Minor Niggle
No tool is perfect — and after a week, I did run into a small issue. The tip protector screwed into the end of the bar came loose quite quickly, along with a few other screws. It could just be my machine, but it’s worth mentioning. I’ve re-secured them and added a bit of Loctite, which seems to have sorted it for now. I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same issue.
✅ The Big Question – Would I Recommend It?
So far, absolutely. I haven’t touched my Stihl HS82 since the Makita arrived — and I don’t miss the noise, the fumes, or the bulk. The DUH750Z has made hedge cutting quicker, quieter, and lighter work overall.
I’ll keep putting it through its paces as the season goes on and share more updates on how it holds up with heavy use.
🌿 Where to Buy
Note: This is an affiliate link — this means if you choose to buy through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to help support my blog and keep these honest reviews coming. Thank you for your support!
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re like me — a professional or serious gardener with other Makita kit already — the DUH750Z is definitely worth considering. Battery kit really has come a long way, and for regular trimming jobs, this hedge trimmer is a solid bit of kit that I’m genuinely enjoying using.
Thanks for reading — and if you’ve got any questions or want to share your own experiences with battery trimmers, drop a comment below!
