Pro landscapers running cordless OPE just got another XGT option. Makita has shipped the GHU02 40V max XGT hedge trimmer, a dual-action tool built to compete with gas units in commercial trimming. The bare tool lists at $349. A kit (GHU02M1) with a 4.0Ah battery and charger runs $649. Acme Tools is the first major retailer to carry it.
What separates this trimmer from prior Makita hedge tools is the engineering around the cut. A brushless motor drives dual-action blades at three speeds (2,000, 3,600, and 5,000 SPM), with a reverse mode for unjamming. The 24-inch bar pairs with a 7/8-inch tooth opening, sized for maintaining well-kept hedges rather than reclaiming overgrown ones.
At 7.9 pounds bare and 10.3 pounds with a 4.0Ah pack, weight lands within a pound of the gas Stihl HS 82 T (11.2 pounds dry), which is the benchmark Makita is chasing.
GHU02 Specs at a Glance
- Model: GHU02 (bare) / GHU02M1 (kit)
- Battery platform: Makita 40V max XGT
- Bar length: 24 in.
- Tooth opening: 7/8 in.
- No-load speed: 2,000 / 3,600 / 5,000 SPM (3-speed)
- Weight: 7.9 lbs bare, 10.3 lbs with 4.0Ah battery
- Total length: 44 in.
- Noise (measured): 78 dB(A) at ear level
- Water rating: IPX4
- Warranty: 3-year limited
- Bare tool price: $349
- Kit price (4.0Ah + charger): $649
What Lands in the Box
- GHU02 (bare tool): Hedge trimmer, blade sheath. Battery and charger sold separately.
- GHU02M1 (kit): Hedge trimmer, one 40V max 4.0Ah battery (BL4040), rapid charger (DC40RA), blade sheath.
How It Stacks Up
Hands-on testing at Pro Tool Reviews logged 78 dB(A) at the operator’s ear, below the OSHA 85 dB threshold for mandatory hearing protection. Vibration dampeners near the gearbox let the bar move roughly an inch side-to-side, isolating the user’s hands. The reviewer called felt vibration “impressively low,” trailing only the Husqvarna 522iHD60 in their head-to-head.
Pricing puts the GHU02 right in line with comparable gas models from Echo and Husqvarna, and well below competing battery units from Stihl (HSA 150 T) and Husqvarna (522iHD60). The Stihl HSA 150 T is the most direct battery competitor and typically lists for more than double the GHU02’s bare tool price.
Built for Crews, Not Homeowners
A 7/8-inch cut capacity is a deliberate design choice. Makita optimized the GHU02 for routine maintenance work, which keeps cutting geometry tight and vibration low. Heavier reclamation jobs belong to a different tool class.
A rotating rear handle (45° and 90° detents) lets users change hand position without twisting their wrist. A metal tip guard takes the abuse when dragging along stone or brick edging. An IPX4 water rating means crews can run it in drizzle without worry.
Crews already running XGT have one less battery platform to manage. The GHU02 shares 40V packs with the GEU01Z cordless edger, the GCU08Z chainsaw, and the XGT grease gun. One 4.0Ah pack from the kit covers a full day of maintenance trimming for most crews.
Homeowners should look at a lighter 18V LXT trimmer instead. The GHU02’s weight, bar length, and $349 entry price are overkill unless the property has serious hedge coverage.
Three-Year Warranty and Service
Makita backs the GHU02 with a 3-year limited warranty on the tool, battery, and charger when sold as a kit. Repairs run through Makita’s national service network, which is one of the deeper service footprints in cordless OPE. Crews that need a same-day turnaround usually have an authorized service center within a 30-minute drive in most metros.
Where to Buy
Acme Tools is currently the easiest place to find the GHU02. Both the bare tool at $349 and the GHU02M1 kit (4.0Ah battery and charger) at $649 are listed. Amazon availability is rolling out through the Makita product page. Prices were around $349 bare and $649 kit at time of writing and may vary by retailer.
For more on Makita’s 40V XGT expansion across outdoor and trade tools, see our Makita vs Milwaukee 2026 comparison and the commercial hedge trimmer roundup.
Source: Pro Tool Reviews.