Makita XRU23Z + XED01Z Review

Introduction: Why I Made the Switch to Makita’s 36V Combo

After years of burning through gas trimmers and nursing the batteries on my old 18V system, I finally decided to make a serious investment in my yard care arsenal. I had heard the buzz around Makita’s 36V platform, but I wanted to see if the XRU23Z string trimmer paired with the XED01Z edger could truly replace two separate gas tools. I picked up the combo kit (sans batteries, as is the Makita way) and paired it with two 5.0Ah 18V LXT batteries I already owned. Over the past three months, I have put over 20 hours of run time on this setup, cutting everything from knee high weeds to dense St. Augustine turf along a 200 foot concrete driveway. This review is my honest, boots on the ground take on whether this combo lives up to its professional billing.

How I Tested It

I did not run this combo through a sterile lab. I used it on my own property and on two neighbor’s lots to get a real world spread of conditions. Here is exactly what I put it through:

• Weekly lawn maintenance: Trimming around fence lines, garden beds, and a brick patio. Edging along a concrete driveway and asphalt sidewalk.
• Heavy overgrowth: An abandoned side strip with 3 foot tall goldenrod and thistle. I ran the trimmer at full speed until the batteries died.
• Wet grass tests: I intentionally trimmed after a rain to see if the motor bogged down or if the line tangled.
• Continuous runtime: I used a stopwatch to track runtime with two 5.0Ah batteries on a full charge, both trimming and edging.
• Durability drops: I accidentally whacked a concrete curb edge three times with the trimmer head and once with the edger guard to test impact resistance.

I swapped between the XRU23Z trimmer and XED01Z edger roughly ten times during the test period to evaluate the tool less changeover. I did not use any third party attachments. All testing was done with factory Makita parts and standard 0.080 inch twisted line.

Performance: Power That Punches Above Its Weight

Trimmer Mode (XRU23Z)

The first thing I noticed was the torque. The 36V system (two 18V batteries in series) delivers a surprising amount of low end grunt. Where my old 18V trimmer would stall in thick, wet grass, the XRU23Z just chewed through it. The brushless motor spins up to 6,000 RPM on the high speed setting, and I found that speed setting 2 (out of 3) was enough for 90% of my trimming. The variable speed trigger gives you fine control, which I appreciated when trimming around delicate flower stems.

The bump feed head is a standard Makita design. It works reliably, but it does require a firm bump on the ground. I found that if you tap too lightly, the line does not advance. Once you get the rhythm down, it feeds consistently. The 0.080 inch line handled normal grass without issue, but for heavy weeds I wish it accepted 0.095 inch line. The head is not designed for thicker line, so keep that in mind if you have seriously overgrown property.

Cutting swath is 15 inches, which is slightly narrower than some gas trimmers. I did not find this to be a problem for residential use. In fact, the narrower head gave me better visibility when trimming around obstacles. The automatic line feeding feature is a nice touch, but I still had to manually pull line a few times when the spool ran low.

Edger Mode (XED01Z)

Switching to the edger attachment was where this combo really shined. The XED01Z uses a steel blade guard and a dedicated edger blade (included). The first pass along my driveway was clean and deep. The 36V motor did not bog down even when I hit compacted soil and small roots. The depth adjustment is tool less, which is a huge time saver. I adjusted from a shallow 1 inch edge to a full 3 inch depth in seconds.

The edger uses a 7.5 inch blade, which is larger than many cordless edgers. This translates to a cleaner cut with less vibration. I noticed significantly less handle vibration compared to my old gas edger, and my hands did not go numb after a full driveway edge. The steel guard is thick and took a few accidental curb hits without bending. The guard also directs debris downward, which kept my legs cleaner than I expected.

One thing I must mention: the edger attachment is not a quick swap. You need to remove the trimmer head and install the edger attachment using a hex wrench. It takes about two minutes once you know what you are doing. This is not a tool less system, so if you need to switch between trimming and edging frequently, you will want to plan your workflow.

Battery Life and Power Delivery

With two 5.0Ah batteries, I averaged 35 minutes of continuous trimming on speed setting 2. Edging used slightly more power, giving me about 28 minutes. This is with the batteries already cycled and broken in. If you use speed setting 3 (max RPM), expect about 20 minutes. For a typical suburban lot (0.25 acre), one set of batteries got me through a full trim and edge job with about 10% remaining.

The power delivery is consistent. Unlike some cordless tools that fade as the battery drains, the Makita maintained full RPM until the very end. The motor then cut out abruptly, which took some getting used to. There is no gradual slowdown. The 36V system also handles load better than 18V. When I pushed the trimmer into thick growth, the motor did not whine or struggle. It just kept spinning.

Build Quality and Value: Professional Grade, Professional Price

Construction

The XRU23Z trimmer features an aluminum shaft. This is a big deal. Most cordless trimmers in this price range use steel or fiberglass shafts. Aluminum is lighter than steel while being more rigid than fiberglass. The shaft on this trimmer has zero flex, even when I leaned into thick brush. The grip area is rubber overmolded and provides good traction even with wet gloves.

The XED01Z edger has a steel blade guard that is welded, not stamped. It feels like it could survive a drop from a pickup truck bed. The blade itself is made of hardened steel and stayed sharp through my entire test period. I did not need to sharpen it, but it is user serviceable with a standard file.

Both tools use Makita’s standard LXT battery interface. The batteries click in firmly with no wobble. The battery terminals are sealed with rubber gaskets to keep out debris. After three months of use in dusty and wet conditions, I have had zero electrical issues.

Ergonomics

Here is where the trade offs become clear. This combo is heavier than most competitors. The XRU23Z trimmer alone weighs about 9.5 pounds with two 5.0Ah batteries. The XED01Z edger is similar. For comparison, a typical 18V trimmer is around 7 pounds. The extra weight comes from the dual battery system and the aluminum shaft. I noticed the weight after about 20 minutes of continuous use. My shoulders and arms felt it the next day.

That said, the weight distribution is good. The batteries sit at the rear of the tool, which balances the head. The edger has an adjustable auxiliary handle that lets you find a comfortable grip. The trimmer has a loop handle that is comfortable but non adjustable. If you are tall or short, you may find the loop handle position less than ideal.

Value Proposition

This combo is not cheap. The XRU23Z and XED01Z sold as a kit without batteries typically runs in the upper end of the cordless trimmer market. You also need two 18V batteries and a charger, which are sold separately. If you are already invested in Makita’s 18V LXT system, this is a no brainer upgrade. If you are starting from scratch, the upfront cost is significant.

However, consider the long term value. Gas trimmers require fuel, oil, spark plugs, air filters, and carburetor cleanings. Over five years, the maintenance costs add up. This Makita combo has zero maintenance beyond blade sharpening and line replacement. The batteries, if cared for, should last several hundred charge cycles. I have had Makita 18V batteries last over five years in other tools. The build quality suggests this trimmer and edger will outlast multiple gas units.

Who Should Buy It (And Who Should Skip It)

Buy It If:

• You are a professional landscaper or a serious homeowner who wants commercial grade reliability without gas engine headaches.
• You already own Makita 18V tools. This combo leverages your existing battery investment and gives you access to the 36V platform.
• You need a dedicated edger. The XED01Z edger attachment is genuinely excellent and produces clean, deep edges that rival gas powered units.
• You value power over weight. If you have the upper body strength to handle a 9.5 pound tool, the performance is outstanding.
• You hate dealing with gas. No mixing, no stale fuel, no pull cords. This combo starts every time with a trigger pull.

Skip It If:

• You are on a tight budget. The initial investment plus battery cost is steep. You can get a capable gas trimmer and edger for less upfront.
• You have a small yard (under 0.1 acre). A lighter 18V trimmer will be more comfortable and cheaper for light work.
• You need tool less head changes. The hex wrench swap between trimmer and edger is a dealbreaker if you switch tasks frequently.
• You are physically limited or prefer lighter tools. The weight is real. If you have shoulder or back issues, look at lighter 18V options.
• You need to use thicker trimmer line. The bump head is limited to 0.080 inch line. If you regularly cut heavy brush, you may want a trimmer that accepts 0.095 or 0.105 line.

My Verdict: A Serious Tool for Serious Users

After three months of hard use, I can say this: the Makita XRU23Z + XED01Z combo is one of the best cordless trimming and edging solutions I have ever used. The power from the 36V system is genuinely impressive. It cuts through overgrowth that would stall lesser tools. The aluminum shaft and steel blade guard inspire confidence that this tool will last years. The edger attachment, in particular, is a standout. It produces a clean, professional edge that makes my property look like a golf course.

But I cannot ignore the cons. The weight is a real factor. If you are used to lightweight 18V trimmers, this will feel like a workout. The need for two batteries (sold separately) adds cost and bulk. The tool less head change would be a welcome improvement for future models. And the line size limitation means this is not a brush cutter replacement.

For me, the pros outweigh the cons. I have not touched my gas trimmer since buying this combo. The convenience of grabbing a tool and pulling the trigger, the consistent power, and the lack of maintenance have changed my yard care routine. If you are a professional or a dedicated homeowner who already has Makita batteries, this is a no brainer upgrade. If you are starting from scratch, be prepared to invest, but know that you are buying a tool that will likely outlast your current house.

I give this combo a strong recommendation for the right user. It is not perfect, but it is honest, powerful, and built to work hard. That is exactly what I look for in a yard tool.