5 Best Walk Behind Brush Cutters 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

You stare out at your property from the back porch and there is nothing but brush, tall grass, and weeds as far as the eye can see. It would take hours, maybe days to clear. You might think the only option is to hire a professional landscaper. Wrong. There is a machine, the walk behind brush cutter, that will get the job done over and over for the price you would pay to have the service done once.

Walk behind brush cutters have become extremely strong and durable, yet they can be used with little effort, saving wear and tear on the operator. Unfortunately, there have been so many innovative advancements in walk behind brush cutters that you might not know which way to look. No problem, we have done the looking for you in the reviews below.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Remington RM1159 High-Wheeled String Trimmer	Powerful engine Gets into hard to reach areas Easy to start and use	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Southland Outdoor SWFT15022 Power Equipment	Strong engine for cutting Good balance Easy start and storage	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Billy Goat 26-Inch Outback Brush Mower	Strong engine Makes clean cuts quickly Easy to start and control	CHECK PRICE
		EARTHQUAKE M205 Viper Engine	Stable on tough terrain Vibrations are kept to a minimum	CHECK PRICE
		Swisher Walk Behind Rough Cut Mower	Adjustable cut depth Affordable price	CHECK PRICE

The 5 Best Walk Behind Brush Cutters – Reviews 2023

1.  Remington RM1159 High-Wheeled String Trimmer – Best Overall

The Remington High Wheeled String Trimmer is the best overall walk behind brush cutter this year and here’s why: This trimmer has the best of both worlds in terms of being powerful and easy to use. Even the toughest brush on your property is no match for its 4-cycle gas engine. Remington states that this string trimmer is “battle tested and battle ready” and we agree.

Along with a powerful engine, the trimmer has a large 22-inch cutting swath for clearing brush in hard to reach places such as around fences and border walls. The RM1159 is also easy to use. Fill up the tank with gas and an easy-pull handle will get you trimming in no time. Once you are done knocking out the brush, you can fold up this machine by the handle for easy storage. The one slight drawback is the two-wheel design can get a little shaky on uneven terrain. Despite this, we think it is the best walk behind brush mower  on the market this year.

2. Southland Outdoor SWFT15022 Power Equipment – Best Value

The Southland Outdoor Power Equipment is the best walk behind brush cutters for the money. This is another powerful brush cutting machine with a 150cc engine. Despite its power, it also has great balance thanks to its 12-inch wheels. The cutting range is 22 inches and can hit a depth of 1.4 inches. This easy-start walk behind brush cutter has an anti-vibration handle for comfort when in use.

When the job is finished, you can fold up this brush cutter and store it easily in your shed or garage. On the downside, the cut depth level is not adjustable, but for the price, it is an excellent brush cutter.

3. Billy Goat 26-Inch Outback Brush Mower – Premium Choice

The Billy Goat 26 Inch Outback Brush Mower is one of the more high-end walk behind brush cutters, and the price fits for what this machine can do. First, the cutter runs on a 13-horsepower Honda engine, which makes it a strong candidate to tackle thick brush, weeds, and grass. The power is even more pronounced with its 26-inch wide cut deck. This helps improve both the speed and the quality of the cuts. What can be better than making great cuts quickly and doing it in less time?

And it gets better, with a caveat. The Billy Goat has an electric start and user-friendly controls so there’s little effort to shift from forward to reverse. Unfortunately, this cutter has an equally powerful vibration that you will feel in the handles.

4. EARTHQUAKE 28463 M205 Viper Engine

The EARTHQUAKE M205 Viper Engine is a maneuverable walk behind brush cutter iwith 14-inch never-go-flat wheels that keep the machine stable on tough and uneven terrain. This cutter can take on light brush, weeds, and taller grass with the help of its 150cc 4-cycle engine. Its one-piece is durable and helps to distribute vibrations easily so they can barely be felt. The M205 Viper Engine also comes with one of the longer warranties, 5 years. Buyers should take notice of stalling issues when taking on taller projects and thicker grass.

5. Swisher Walk Behind Rough Cut Mower

The Swisher Walk Behind Rough Cut Mower utilizes an 11.5-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine with a 4-speed transmission and includes reverse. This machine has a 24-inch curing deck that helps speed up the brush clearing process. The self-propel feature is super convenient and this machine is light, which makes it easy to use, but general wear and tear is no match for the durable construction.

A really nice feature of the Swisher mower is the ability to adjust cut depth. On the other hand, the self-propulsion system can get very choppy, especially in thicker brush, which is why it’s this far down the list. Other models run much smoother and with better predictability.

Buyer’s Guide – Purchasing the Best Walk Behind Brush Mower

Now that you know what models are out there, let’s look at some key factors to consider before spending your hard-earned money.

Ease of Use

A major key factor in buying any tool is how easy it is to use. This becomes an even bigger question when you start looking into large machines that run around 11 horsepower and their sole purpose is to destroy (plant) life.

Start-up

When looking at brush cutters, you must start at the start, as in: How do you start the machine? Many models have a pull-start, which is simple enough; but over time, can be less reliable. Electric start cutters require less effort and time but they’re also prone to failure after prolonged periods of use.

Terrain & Conditions

You’re likely to be using your cutter in tough terrain – bumpy fields, sloped ditches, and other problem areas. Users should select the machine that best matches the property they want to use it for. This means if you’re looking to cut more sloped land, a lighter model with less of a tipping risk would be ideal.

For uneven terrain you probably want something with larger tires to offset the bumps.

What Can It Cut?

Stronger motors equate to more destruction. Harder woods like smaller trees and saplings need to be attacked with a powerful motor while tall grasses and weeds can be attacked with less power. Most walk behind brush cutters will get through just about anything, but fall prey to the wear and tear issue. You should always use a cutter only on materials that are recommended by the manufacturer.

Power

You’re buying this machine for a reason, to knockout anything in its path. However, before you buy, you should know if it’s strong enough to knock out everything in its path. Make sure your walk behind brush cutter has the power to perform the job you want done.

Speed

Speed is a factor to look at in two ways when buying a walk behind brush cutter. The first factor is how fast does the machine cut. To estimate the speed of cuts, consider the acreage speed combined with the blade speed. This is the true efficiency rating of the machine.

The second speed factor is how quick your machine actually moves. Most walk behind brush cutters move at slow speed, genrerally 3-5 mph, but they do vary so it is important to remember if you have a large flat area you can look into a faster machine, areas that have uneven, slopped, or hilly terrain should look for a slightly slower top-end speed.

Durability

The best brush cutters are composed of steel to protect from the wear and tear these machines take. The tires should be sturdy and large because they roll over rough ground and need to support the machine. The cutting deck should be sturdy enough to inspire confidence.

You must also consider who will be using the walk behind brush cutter. Users should select a machine that is easy and convenient for them to use. Remember, these are large and powerful cutters. Users need to let the machine do the work and should not struggle and be sore after operating the equipment.

Conclusion

Walk-behind brush cutters are powerful tools to use in the fight to keep your property brush and weed free. With the advancements in technology there are now many options to select from.

Based on our testing, the clear winner of being the overall best brush cutter is the Remington High Wheeled String Trimmer. It combines strength, durability, and speed in all aspects, and it is fun to use. If you’re willing to spend a bit more the Billy Goat 26 Inch Outback Brush Mower is also a great choice. It cuts a wider path and is stable through bumpy ground. If you’re not looking to spend too much or if you have a smaller area to cut through the Southland Outdoor Power Equipment is the machine for you as it is strong in getting the job done, yet slightly smaller and won’t break the bank. Hopefully, the reviews provided give you an insight as to which brush destroying model best fits your needs.

Featured Image: Southland Outdoor Power Equipment, Amazon