Makita DLM382Z vs DLM432Z: which 36V mower is the smarter buy?

Display

Neither mower has a display or screen, so there is no difference here in the usual sense. Both are simple, battery-powered push mowers with a straightforward control layout, which is exactly what most UK gardeners want: no app, no complicated settings, and no unnecessary electronics to fail. Winner: tie.

Performance

This is the most important category, and it goes to the DLM432Z. Both models run on two 18V LXT batteries for a combined 36V system, so raw power is broadly similar, but the DLM432Z’s 43 cm cutting width gives it a real advantage in productivity. Compared with the DLM382Z’s 38 cm deck, you cover more ground per pass, which is noticeable on anything from a modest suburban lawn to a larger back garden. In practical terms, the DLM432Z is the better choice if you mow regularly and want to finish faster, especially when grass is growing quickly in late spring and early summer. The DLM382Z is still capable, but the narrower deck means more passes and slightly more effort on larger areas. Winner: DLM432Z.

Build quality and design

Both are Makita LXT tools, so both benefit from the brand’s generally solid plastics, sensible ergonomics, and widespread parts/commonality with other Makita kit. The DLM382Z is the lighter, more compact option, which makes it easier to store in a tight shed and easier to manoeuvre around narrow side paths, awkward borders, and smaller lawns. The DLM432Z, at 15.8 kg, is still manageable, but its larger deck makes it feel more substantial and a bit less nimble in confined spaces. For build and design, this is close, but the DLM382Z wins narrowly if you value compactness and easier handling; the DLM432Z wins if you value a more substantial cutting platform and better coverage. Overall winner: DLM432Z for design utility, but only by a small margin.

Battery life

Strictly speaking, battery life depends more on the batteries you fit than on the mower alone, but deck size affects runtime. The DLM382Z’s 38 cm width should be a little more efficient, so with the same pair of batteries it may squeeze out a bit more mowing time than the DLM432Z. That can matter if you’re using smaller 3.0Ah packs or if you already know your lawn is just on the edge of what your batteries can comfortably handle. However, because the DLM432Z cuts a wider strip, it often finishes the job in fewer passes, which partly offsets the extra drain. For most users with 5.0Ah or larger Makita batteries, either mower will handle a typical UK lawn without drama; for marginal battery capacity, the DLM382Z has the edge. Winner: DLM382Z.

Price and value for money

The DLM382Z is cheaper at £209.00, while the DLM432Z costs £229.99, a difference of £20.99. That’s not a huge gap, but it is enough to matter if you’re buying the bare tool and still need to budget for batteries and charger separately. On pure value, the DLM382Z is excellent: the ratings are identical at 4.6/5, and it has by far the larger review count at 2,913 versus 1,834, which suggests strong long-term buyer confidence. The DLM432Z asks for a modest premium, but it buys you a wider cut and better efficiency, which many people will happily pay for. If you’re cost-conscious, the DLM382Z wins value; if you prioritise time saved, the DLM432Z justifies its extra cost. Winner: DLM382Z.

Game library/features

For lawn mowers, this category translates to features and compatibility rather than games. Both are bare tools, so batteries and charger are not included, and both sit on Makita’s twin-18V LXT platform, which is a huge advantage if you already own Makita batteries from drills, strimmers, hedge trimmers, or blowers. That ecosystem compatibility is effectively the main feature here: you can share batteries across a wide range of tools, reducing overall ownership cost. The DLM432Z has the practical feature advantage because the 43 cm deck improves cutting efficiency, but otherwise the feature set is very similar. Winner: DLM432Z.

Overall user experience

For day-to-day mowing in a typical UK garden, the DLM432Z is the better mower to live with if your lawn is medium-sized or if you want to spend less time pushing back and forth. The wider deck makes it feel more efficient, and that matters more than the small price increase once you’re mowing regularly through the growing season. The DLM382Z is the better fit for smaller gardens, tighter spaces, and buyers who want to keep costs down while still getting a well-liked Makita cordless mower. Both are well reviewed, both are from a trusted platform, and both should perform well on standard domestic grass rather than overgrown rough ground. Overall summary: the DLM432Z is the better all-round buy for most people, while the DLM382Z is the smarter budget choice for smaller lawns and lighter use. If you want the definitive answer, buy the DLM432Z unless price and storage space matter more than speed.