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. However, a walk-behind brush cutter can get the job done repeatedly 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 brand to purchase.

Rest assured, we examined the best models on the market and selected five brands as our favorites. Our reviews and buyer’s guide will help you determine which walk-behind brush cutter is ideal for your needs.

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. It has the best of both worlds since it’s powerful and easy to use. Even the toughest brush on your property is no match for its four-cycle gas engine. Remington states that the 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 knock out the brush, you can fold up the machine by the handle for easy storage. The one slight drawback is that the two-wheel design can get slightly shaky on uneven terrain. However, we think it is the best walk-behind brush cutter on the market.

2. Southland Outdoor SWFT15022 Power Equipment – Best Value

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

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

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

The Billy Goat 26 Inch Outback Brush Mower is a high-end walk-behind brush cutter, but the price is justified by the excellent performance. 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, and it’s simple 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 with 14-inch never-go-flat wheels that keep the machine stable on rugged and uneven terrain. This cutter can take on light brush, weeds, and taller grass with the help of its 150cc 4-cycle engine. Its durable frame helps distribute vibrations efficiently so they can barely be felt. The M205 Viper Engine also comes with one of the longer warranties, 5 years. However, buyers should be aware of the Earthquake’s stalling issues when cutting larger areas with 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. This machine has a 24-inch curing deck that helps speed up the brush-clearing process. The self-propel feature is convenient, and the mower is light, which makes it easy to use, but general wear and tear is no match for the durable construction.

A nice feature of the Swisher mower is the ability to adjust the cut depth. On the other hand, the self-propulsion system can get very choppy, especially in thicker brush, which is why it’s at the bottom of our list. Other models run much smoother.

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

Now that you know which models are the best on the market, we’ll discuss the key factors to consider before buying a walk-behind brush cutter.

Ease of Use

A primary factor in buying any tool is how easy it is to use. This becomes more significant when looking into large machines with around 11 horsepower.

Start-up

Many models have a pull-start, which is simple enough but requires more effort. Electric start cutters require less effort and time but are also prone to failure after prolonged use.

Terrain & Conditions

You’ll likely use your cutter in rugged terrain like bumpy fields, sloped ditches, and other challenging areas. Users should select the machine that best matches the property they want to use it for. If you want to cut the brush on sloped land, a lighter model is ideal since it’s less likely to tip over. For uneven terrain, you need a mower 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 machine, while tall grasses and weeds can be cut with less power. Most walk-behind brush cutters will get through just about anything but fall prey to the wear and tear issues. You should use a cutter only on materials recommended by the manufacturer.

Power

You’re buying a walk-behind brush cutter to remove the weeds and brush on your property, but 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.

Speed

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

The second is how quickly your machine moves. Most walk-behind brush cutters move slowly, generally 3-5 mph, but can vary. If you have a large, flat area, purchasing a faster machine is better. For hilly terrain, you can use a brush cutter with a lower blade speed.

Durability

The best brush cutters are composed of steel to protect from wear and tear. The tires should be sturdy and large because they roll over rough ground and must support the machine. The cutting deck should be sturdy enough to handle uneven terrain.

You must also consider who will be using the walk-behind brush cutter. Remember, they are large, powerful cutters. Users must 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. Based on our testing, the clear winner is the Remington High Wheeled String Trimmer. It combines strength, durability, and speed and is fun to use. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Billy Goat 26 Inch Outback Brush Mower is also an excellent choice.

It cuts a wider path and is stable through bumpy ground. If you don’t want to spend too much or have a smaller area to cut, the Southland Outdoor Power Equipment is the machine for you. Hopefully, the reviews provided give you an insight into which brush-destroying model best fits your needs.

Featured Image: Southland Outdoor Power Equipment, Amazon