Our verdict
The bottom line
A surprising performer — the 53cm cut and decent runtime make this a real petrol alternative for a Makita owner. Outsider buys should still pick EGO; the battery-platform lock-in matters.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Wide 53cm cut for cordless
- Self-propelled with variable speed
- Makita reliability
- Fits LXT ecosystem
Cons
- Heavy at 29kg
- Without batteries adds £250+
- Twin 18V drains fast on big lawns
Full specs
| Type | Cordless |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 53 cm |
| Engine / Power | 2x Makita 18V LXT |
| Weight | 29 kg |
| Deck | Plastic |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | Yes |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 70 L |
| Suited to lawn | Large |
| Noise level | 75 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used-market tip
£250–400 with batteries is fair used. Self-propel cable is the wear point — check it adjusts smoothly. As with the DLM382, batteries are 90% of the value. A bare body-only DLM539Z is worth £150 max.
Where to look: Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are usually 20–30% cheaper than eBay UK for petrol mowers because most sellers want local pickup. eBay tends to win on cordless and electric (lighter, easier to ship). Always insist on a starting demonstration before paying.