At a glance
The Makita DUB187Z occupies the premium end of the cordless leaf blower market in the UK. It uses Makita’s dual 18V LXT battery system – two standard 18V batteries working together to deliver 36V equivalent power – which makes it compatible with the enormous Makita LXT battery platform that many tradespeople and serious gardeners already own. The body-only pricing reflects this flexibility but means factoring in battery costs if you are not already in the Makita ecosystem.
What you get for that investment is the most powerful cordless leaf blower in our test group. We tested the DUB187Z over a full autumn season alongside its main competitors to find out whether that power advantage translates into meaningfully better results in a real UK garden. Read our best cordless leaf blowers UK comparison for the full five-way ranking.
Overview and first impressions
The Makita DUB187Z makes an immediate impression of quality. The build is professional-grade – this is a tool designed for tradespeople and serious gardeners, not casual domestic use – and the materials and finish reflect that. The two battery slots accept standard 18V LXT batteries with a reassuring click and the dual battery indicator gives a clear read on remaining charge during use.
The weight is the most significant practical consideration. At 2.9kg body-only the DUB187Z is relatively light, but with two 5Ah batteries fitted it reaches 5.2kg – the heaviest in our test group. After 20-25 minutes of continuous use this weight becomes noticeable. For most UK gardeners clearing leaves in sessions rather than marathon runs this is manageable, but it is worth being aware of before buying.
The three-speed settings plus variable trigger give an excellent range of control – from a gentle low speed for precision work around borders to full power for tackling heavy accumulations. The flat nozzle design is well thought out and very effective for directing airflow precisely into corners. Anyone moving across from the Ryobi RY36BLX50A will notice the step up in power and build quality immediately.
The DUB187Z is sold body only in most UK listings. Two 18V LXT batteries are required and not included. If you do not already own Makita 18V LXT batteries, add approximately £100-140 for a pair of 5Ah batteries to the purchase price. For existing Makita LXT owners this is a non-issue – for new buyers factor it into the total cost comparison with alternatives that include batteries.
Specifications and scores
How it performed in our tests
We tested the DUB187Z across seven scenarios designed to replicate the full range of conditions a UK leaf blower faces in autumn. Its performance advantage over the rest of the group is most apparent in exactly the conditions that define a UK autumn – wet leaves, damp mornings and the packed-down accumulations that build up against walls, fences and in corners.
On speed setting 3 the DUB187Z clears damp compacted leaves in a single pass where the Ryobi and Bosch equivalents needed two or three sweeps. The 763 m3/h air volume figure translates into a noticeably wider clearing width with each sweep. On open paving and lawns with dry leaves the performance advantage over mid-range alternatives narrows considerably – at speed setting 2 it is quieter and more controllable whilst still outperforming the competition.
Use speed setting 2 for most UK garden tasks. The DUB187Z’s full power on speed 3 is genuinely impressive but rarely necessary for everyday leaf clearance. Speed setting 2 handles most dry and slightly damp leaves efficiently, runs quieter and extends battery life noticeably. Save speed 3 for heavy accumulations of wet leaves where you need the reserve.
Battery system and runtime
The dual 18V LXT system is both the DUB187Z’s greatest strength and its main practical complication. Two batteries means more weight but it also means access to the widest battery ecosystem in the cordless tool market. Every Makita LXT tool shares the same batteries – a significant practical advantage for anyone who uses Makita tools regularly.
- Runtime with 2 x 5Ah batteries: approximately 38-42 minutes in mixed use
- Runtime with 2 x 3Ah batteries: approximately 22-25 minutes – sufficient for smaller gardens
- Charge time: approximately 45 minutes per battery with a rapid charger
- Cold weather: Makita LXT batteries have good cold weather tolerance with minimal performance drop above freezing
- Battery compatible with entire Makita 18V LXT range of garden and power tools
Performance and limitations
The Makita’s performance profile excels precisely where mid-range alternatives struggle. Damp compacted leaves, tight corners, heavy late-season accumulations – these are where the additional power is most apparent and most valuable. For a large garden with substantial deciduous tree coverage and heavy autumn leaf fall, the performance advantage justifies the cost difference over the Ryobi or Bosch alternatives.
- Most powerful cordless leaf blower in our UK test group
- Handles wet and compacted leaves better than any rival tested
- 3 speed settings plus variable trigger – excellent control range
- Compatible with entire Makita 18V LXT battery platform
- Professional-grade build quality
- Slightly quieter than most alternatives at 96dB
- Sold body only – batteries add significant cost for non-Makita owners
- 5.2kg with two 5Ah batteries – heaviest in our test group
- Most expensive option when batteries are factored in
- Dual battery system adds complexity for occasional users
- Overkill for small UK gardens where mid-range options are sufficient
- Existing Makita LXT tool owners with compatible batteries
- Large garden owners with heavy annual leaf fall
- Anyone regularly dealing with wet and compacted leaf accumulations
- Those who value build quality and longevity over initial cost
- Small garden owners who don’t need maximum power
- Budget-conscious buyers – mid-range alternatives offer good value
- Those who find heavier tools difficult to manage
- Anyone not in the Makita LXT ecosystem without other Makita tools
Final verdict – is it worth it?
The Makita DUB187Z is the most capable cordless leaf blower we tested and earns its premium position with genuine performance advantages that are most apparent in the wet and challenging conditions that define a UK autumn. The body-only pricing is the main practical complication – for existing Makita LXT owners it is an easy recommendation, for everyone else the total outlay with batteries needs to be weighed against the performance benefit.
For a large garden with heavy leaf fall and a pre-existing Makita tool collection, the DUB187Z is the clear choice. For smaller gardens or those without existing Makita batteries, the EGO LB5804E offers comparable performance with a battery included in the price and a simpler single-battery setup.
The honest summary is this: if you already own Makita LXT tools, add this to your collection without hesitation. If you are starting from scratch, factor the full battery cost in and compare the total against the EGO before committing.
The Makita DUB187Z is the most powerful cordless leaf blower in our test and the right choice for anyone already in the Makita LXT ecosystem or with a large garden and serious seasonal leaf clearance requirements. Build quality is excellent, performance is class-leading in wet conditions, and the three-speed control system gives versatility that cheaper alternatives cannot match. For the right buyer, the premium is fully justified.
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