When it comes to choosing a new hedge trimmer it can be a daunting task with all the different makes and power types to get the best hedge trimmer.
We will cut all the jargon and get to the nitty-gritty of the issue and give you the best hedge trimmer in each power class.
If you want to find out more information on hedge trimmers then we have put together a complete buyers guide to help inform you and what we look for in a hedge trimmer.
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…
Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Below we will give you the best in all four categories battery, gas, electric and handheld we will give you a short overview of the reason we feel they are the best in their class so without further ado let get into it.
Best Battery Powered Hedge Trimmer
DEWALT DCHT820P1
- Powerful high output motor of the cordless hedge trimmer is designed for cuts up to 3/4-inch thick
- The battery powered hedge trimmer has 22-inch laser cut, hooked-tooth blade design
- Trimmers for plants have high capacity 5.0Ah Lithium Ion battery
- Compact and lightweight design
- Part of the 20V MAX* system of tools
Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The best battery powered hedge trimmer goes to the DeWALT DCHT820P1, DeWALT is the leading supplier of battery-operated power tools and they don’t let us down with this hedge trimmer.
With a ¾” cutting capacity you shouldn’t find many hedges that will need anything bigger in terms of cutting capacity and if they do I would go the chain saw the route.
The DeWALT DCHT820P1 comes with a 22” cutting arm that will allow you to get right across your hedge no problem, with a long arm like this cutting a straight hedge top should be achieved much easier.
5Ah Lithium-Ion battery is very powerful and should last for around 5 hours so no job should be too large included is a free standard charge so no extra cost there, also if you have any other DeWALT battery tools you can use there battery’s if you do need any extra power which we believe to be neat.
Weight can be an issue for some people and a battery can be heavy but at just 7.5lbs this is a light hedge trimmer and shouldn’t cause your arm to tier too quickly.
This DeWALT DCHT820P1 comes with a 3 years limited warranty and 1-year free service which gives someone who hasn’t used a DeWALT battery tool before extra peace of mind that they are buying a quality bit of kit.
Best Gas-Powered Hedge Trimmer
Poulan Pro PR2322
- Powerful 23cc 2 cycle full crank engine for maximum cutting performance
- Durable dual-action stainless Steel blades cut up to 22" wide and limbs up to 1" in diameter
- Rotating handle with comfort grip and advanced anti-vibration for superior comfort, reduced fatigue and maximum cutting control
- Lightweight design at Only 11.1 lbs
Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Looking for a little more power then you will need to step into the gas category to find a powerful hedge trimmer and the best gas-powered hedge trimmer for us is the Poulan Pro PR2322.
A powerful 23cc engine is what gives this hedge trimmer all its power and let me tell you this packs some power I can see any hedge standing in this hedge trimmers way, getting into the job will be easy as this engine comes with the easy starting system.
Such a powerful engine you would think heavy and lots of vibrations to cause strain and fatigue but not with the Poulan Pro PR2322 first you have the anti-vibration dampeners that help reduce the vibrations and it really works then the weight issue 11.1lbs is heavier than some of the others on the list but not as heavy as other gas hedge trimmers so if you need power this is one area you will need to compromise.
Packing a 22” length cutting arm will help get them straight lines on your hedges and a large 1” diameter cutting capacity this is what that extra power gives being able to cut such large branches.
At times is hard to get a hedge trimmer in the right direction without feeling a little unsafe but no longer with the Poulan Pro PR2322 as the rear handle rotates and this really helps you cut your hedge in any angle or orientation that you desire.
Best Electric Powered Hedge Trimmer
Greenworks 22-Inch 4-Amp Corded Hedge Trimmer
- 4 Amp motor to get the job done efficiently
- 22" dual action steel blade for optimal performance and maneuvering
- 9/16" cutting capacity perfect for bushes and shrubs
- Lightweight and compact design for easy handling
- Convenient cord lock to prevent accidental unplugging
Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have a yard that is not too big and you can deal with being tethered to a cord then we feel the Greenworks 22-Inch Hedge Trimmer will serve you well.
A smaller 4 Amp motor than the other hedge trimmers we have looked at but this is reflected in the price but don’t let this put you off as this will be able to deal with most jobs you will just need to take a little more time to get the job done efficiently.
22” length cutting arm is an industry stranded and for good reason it really helps get a straight line on your hedges, packing steel blades helps with the cutting.
9/16 Inch cutting capacity puts this is the bushes and shrubs category so nothing too large should be tackled with this hedge trimmer this will be the right fit for a lot of people with hedges.
We really like the 180 rotating rear handle that allows you to angle or orientation that you desire with a wraparound main handle and at 7.25lbs this is a Lightweight and easy to handle hedge trimmer.
Despite the fact that this Greenworks Corded Hedge Trimmer may not be packing as much power as the other hedge trimmers on the list this doesn’t mean you are buying a bad quality item, this is a great quality item and the reason it’s on the list of our best hedge trimmer and this is backed up by Greenworks who offer a 4-year warranty yes that’s right 4 years that is 2 years longer than the industry standard.
Best Handheld Hedge Trimmer
Worx WG801 20V Shear Shrubber Trimmer
- QUICK & EZ SHRUBS: The WORX 20V Power Share Garden Shear Shrubber is easy to maneuver, easy to maintain, and makes it easy to cut clean-looking...
- DUAL ACTION BLADES: Each blade cuts once, then again on the backside, which makes for a smooth, sharp cut.
- SAME BATTERY, EXPANDABLE POWER: The same battery powers over 75+ 20V, 40V, and 80V lifestyle, garden, and power tools in the Power Share family.
- DIFFERENT SIZED BLADES: Comes with a 4" Grass Shear blade and an 8" Shrubbery blade. So it’s really two tools in one, with an optional pole...
- SHEATH GUARD: Extends the life and improves the performance of your blade when in storage. You’ll want this tool around for a long time.
Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Now is this a hedge trimmer or not we think it is and makes it onto the list of best hedge trimmers.
If you have a small bush or a small amount of hedging then taking out a big hedge trimmer can just be overkill hence the reason to buy the Worx WG801.
2 different blade options are available to make different jobs easier to tackle, a 4 inches grass Shear blades this is a short stumpy blade and an 8 inches shrubbery blade that is a longer thinner blade.
A soft-grip handle makes this really easy to use and at just a mere 2lbs you should have little to no arm strain.
Have other Worx battery tools then you are able to share the batteries saving you time and money we feel this is a neat feature and one that other brands are now doing.
So if you have little tasks that don’t need a large hedge trimmer then this is the perfect solution for you.
Hedge Trimmer Buyers Guide
When it comes to trimming trees and hedges for year’s people have used hand shears, but the days of hard toil could be over with a hedge trimmer to get your hedges in great shape at a fraction of the time spent with hand shears. There are varying different models on the market from light trimmers for smaller areas that you will be covering and they are very easy to maneuver, they also move up to heavy-duty gas trimmers that are great for larger areas that need trimming.
Choosing the right hedge trimmer is crucial for making the job easier we hope that our guide takes you thought the buying process to help you get the correct hedge trimmer for your garden.
Below we run you thought all the different options that there are on the market and what situation they best fit.
Survey Your Garden
The first thing that you need to do before buying your hedge trimmer is to survey your garden to see what you will be tackling, getting a good idea of what you will be tackling with your new hedge trimmer will make the job choosing your trimmer much easier.
- What type of hedge will you be using it on?
- How thick is the hedge you will be using it on?
- How accessible is your hedge
- Do you have obstacles that you will be tackling
- How big is the area you will need to be trimming
Answering the above questions will give you a much better idea of what is the perfect fit for you and your garden when you come to buy your hedge trimmers, this will allow you to pick the correct power output if you have a large or small garden. Obstacles in your garden and you may want a shorter hedge trimmer so it’s easier to maneuver.
Hedge Trimmer Power options
Hedge trimmers come in 3 different power options mains electric, gas and battery all have their positives and their own set of negatives but looking at each will allow you to see what power output will best suit you for your garden.
Mains Electric Hedge Trimmer
Ready to use once plugged into the mains and you’re ready to get going, most mains electric hedge trimmers are much lighter than there gas counterpart. If you are worried about the noise then an electric hedge trimmer is much quieter than a gas-powered option, they pack a powerful punch this is all measured in AMP so the higher the AMP the higher the power.
Bear in mind mains electric hedge trimmers comes with a power cord so you will need to check the length to make sure that you can get to the furthest part of your garden.
A mains electric hedge trimmer will best suit most home users below should cover all the good a bad points
Gas Powered Hedge Trimmer
Have a large garden with large hedges then a gas-powered hedge trimmer may be the option for you, the cost will be more than a mains electric hedge trimmer but needs must if you have a large garden. The gas power option is much more powerful so it will make jobs quicker to complete this dose come with a downfall that they are heavy and much louder than the other two power options.
I have used all power output options and I recommend getting a mains powered hedge trimmer if you have never used a hedge trimmer before, the reason for this is that gas-powered trimmers are much harder to handle, maneuver and it’s much harder to learn with the heavy build. If you will not be able to reach the furthest part of your garden then a battery option will be a good idea.
Below we list all the pros and cons of a gas-powered hedge trimmer
Battery Powered Hedge Trimmer
This is a perfect power option if you have a small garden as they are very light and easy to maneuver around obstacles, they can also be great for larger gardens if you don’t want to start with a gas-powered option as they have a bigger reach as you don’t have a power cable to think about.
Don’t let the battery put you off as they still can be powerful for most home users the power output is measured in AMP so the larger the AMP the more powerful the trimmer will be. There is a downfall of a battery power option especially if you have a larger area to cover you will need extra batteries, the run time is between 20/60 minutes.
On the battery point if you have the same brand power tools as the hedge trimmer you purchase then a lot of batteries are interchangeable.
So again we will list all the pros and cons allowing you to see them in an easy to read list
Hedge Trimmer Extras
So we hope that the above should give you a good idea of what power output will best suit your needs, so now we will look at other key extras that you can consider to see which will help you in trimming your hedges.
Hedge Trimmer Length
Hedge trimmers come in a variety of different lengths, the longer the length the easier it will be to get a more even cut on your edge, but that length brings problems if you are working in tight areas as it will make maneuver harder.
We find that an 18” blade suits most people and are just about the right size, dealing with a large hedge then a 20” blade will make your work easier but bear in that it’s harder to maneuver if you have obstacles. If this will be your first hedge trimmer we recommend the smaller blade as there much easier to use.
Hedge Trimmer Blade Types
There are two main types of blades single-sided blades and double-sided blades, each has its positives and negatives.
Single-sided blades are safer to use and may suit someone a little new to power tools as there is only one set of teeth on one side you can point these away from yourself keeping you safe they are also easier to maneuver.
Double-sided blades are for people who feel a little more confident with a power tool they are more common than the single-sided blade and will speed up your trimming jobs as it cuts with both sides of the blade.
Hedge Trimmer Teeth spacing
The distance between the teeth of the blade gap will affect the size of branches that you can tackle with your trimmer. This is something to look at if you have larger branches in your hedges the standard size is around a 3/8 inch or more, this in most cases will suit most home users.
Hedge Trimmer Weight
Weight has a big impact on the ease of use heavy hedge trimmers will take a bigger toll on your arms for any long period of use, the lighter hedge trimmer will be much easier to use and are much more suited to someone new and learning to use a hedge trimmer.
Hedge Trimmer Handguard and Safety Switches
This is a safety feature that is worth looking at most hedge trimmers will come with a large hand guard but you want something that is large and will protect your whole hand. Also, a great feature that some trimmers are now coming with is a safety switch so if you hit any large obstacle and your hand jolts into the handguard it will auto shut the hedge trimmer down these are great features.
Hedge Trimmer Buying Guide Conclusion
So I hope this guide helps you choose the perfect hedge trimmer for your garden, just to recap on the type of garden that will suit the type of hedge trimmer.
If you have a small/medium garden we recommend:
Mains Electric Hedge Trimmer or a Battery Powered Hedge Trimmer
If you have a large garden with lots of hedges to tackle we recommend:
Gas Powered Hedge Trimmer but don’t discount a Battery Powered Hedge Trimmer if you are new to hedge trimmers.
Hedge Trimmer FAQ
The best hedge trimmer brand
Hedge trimmers come in many different brands but the best hedge trimmer brands are:
DeWALT – A brand that is taking the battery-operated tool by storm
Poulan – Looking for a gas-powered hedge trimmer that is user-friendly then Poulan is a brand you want to look at.
Greenworks – This is a brand that is aimed at the home user that is just starting in power tools but they don’t lack quality.
Worx – Another company who are now jumping on the battery tool bandwagon and are not going to let you down
BLACK+DECKER – A company established 1910 Black+Decker is a company that has stood the test of time.
Husqvarna – Looking for a hedge trimmer with a little more grunt then look at Husqvarna
What is the hedge trimmer used for?
Hedge trimmers are used for cutting back shrubs or bush if you have a pruning job were a hand tool won’t cut it then a hedge trimmer is an answer.
What is the most powerful hedge trimmer?
This would have to be a gas hedge trimmer but now with the development of better battery’s they are catching up on the power front.
How big a branch can a hedge trimmer Cut?
This is all down to the cutting capacity so it’s an individual thing to each hedge trimmer check the cutting capacity is what you need to look for to check the thickest branch you can cut.
What should I look for when buying a hedge trimmer?
There are 3 very important aspects of buying a hedge trimmer and they are:
Blades Cutting capacity – This will determine the thickness of branches that you can cut.
Blades Cut Swaths – The longer the cut swath is easy it will be to get a straight hedge
Power – The more power the better it will be at tackling larger jobs.
Can you cut long grass with a hedge trimmer?
Yes, but we don’t recommend this it’s best to get the right tool for the job, and cutting long grass you will need a string trimmer.
Can a hedge trimmer Cut ivy?
If there is a lot of overflowing ivy then a hedge trimmer can cut it back but if you want to completely remove from a wall then once you have it cut back the safest option is to pull it off with your hands.
Do you need to oil hedge trimmer blades?
We recommend that you oil your hedge trimmer blades after you complete each job this will keep the teeth free-flowing and a well-kept tool will last you for years to come.
Are hedge trimmers dangerous?
Yes, any power tool can be dangerous if used in an unsafe way we recommend following the manufacturer’s guidelines and using common sense and you will be fine.
When can I hard prune a privet hedge?
You should prune your privet hedge between May and August and try to do it at least twice a year, the more you prune a privet hedge the dense and stronger it gets.
Can you cut a hedge when it’s wet?
We recommend that you only ever use a gas-powered hedge trimmer on a wet hedge and never an electric-powered hedge trimmer it’s also worth noting that water and metal lead to rust so good aftercare will be needed like trying the tool off and oiling the blade.