Adding hedges to your landscaping provides privacy, improves curb appeal, and creates boundaries in your landscaping. Hedges must be groomed in order to look their best. The purpose of power hedge trimmers is to accomplish this. By using the best hedge trimmers, you can easily shape the yard and control the growth of vegetation.
Check out our roundup of the best power hedge trimmer options available today to learn the main considerations to keep in mind when picking one.
The best hedge trimmer will make maintaining your hedges a lot easier, whether it’s clearing summer growth or pruning next winter for healthier plants. For larger yards, a power tool is a must, as pruning shears are efficient, but it can take hours to shape hedges, shrubs, and overgrowth manually.
Searching for the best electric and gas hedge trimmers, we analyzed the best brands. The list below includes hedge trimmers for privacy hedges, wild brush, and smaller hedges that you might want to shape into unique topiaries.
There is also a cutting width and length to let you know how far each one reaches. It is also necessary to specify the weight of something you will hold at a height, so that is specified too.
| Products | Price |
|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer | |
| WORX WG261 20V Power Share 22″ Cordless Hedge Trimmer | |
| DEWALT DCHT820B Hedge Trimmer | |
| EGO Power+ HT2410 24-Inch Brushless | |
| Makita XHU02M1 Cordless Hedge Trimmer |
Table of Contents
1. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Hedge trimmers by BLACK+DECKER are an industry leader in battery-powered outdoor tools. Dual-action and vibration reduction make this blade 22 inches long and 22 inches wide. For trimming bushes, hedges, and shrubs around a home, the trimmer can cut through branches up to 3/4 inche in diameter.
This battery-operated model weighs just under 8 pounds and is sturdy and reliable. Besides having a padded front handle and a front handle shield, this model also features a front handle shield to reduce muscle fatigue and protect the user’s hands from slipping.
A fully charged 20-volt battery (not included) can trim up to 3,000 square feet or run for approximately one hour.
2. WORX WG261 20V Power Share 22″ Cordless Hedge Trimmer
With a weight of just 5.5 pounds, this trimmer is about the size of a laptop, making it easy to control. Despite its small size, it offers plenty of power. With the 20-volt lithium-ion battery, the WORX tool can run for up to 45 minutes, which allows it to trim up to 2,500 square feet on a full charge.
A rustproof aluminum cover protects the dual-action steel blade, which can slice through branches and twigs up to 3/4 inches in diameter. As well as the 20-volt battery, charger, and blade sheath, this model has a blade sheath to protect the blade when it is not in use.
3. DEWALT DCHT820B Hedge Trimmer
With its power and durability, the DEWALT Cordless Hedge Trimmer is also lightweight enough to be used by most people.
The tool is powered by a 5.0Ah lithium-ion battery, and its blade is 22 inches long, capable of cutting branches as thick as 3/4 inch. The pre-hardened hook-tooth blades will allow you to use the tool for longer without having to maintain it.
With just 7.5 pounds of weight and 2,800 cut strokes per minute, the DEWALT Trimmer is compact and lightweight.
The tool has antivibration technology that makes it easier to operate, and you can buy it with or without the battery and charger if you already own a DEWALT battery that is compatible.
4. EGO Power+ HT2410 24-Inch Brushless
It is a good choice if you have a lot of growth around the home that a standard hedge trimmer cannot handle. The product runs on a 56-volt battery (not included) and has a wide cut capacity, making it capable of cutting through branches up to an inch thick.
Although this trimmer is powerful, it weighs only 9 pounds and has a cushioned grip to reduce muscle fatigue and strain caused by vibrations.
An electric brake stop is included in the power hedge trimmer to instantly stop the blade as soon as the trigger is released. In addition to the front hand shield, the trigger must be held down before the safety switch is activated.
Using a full battery (not included), the hedge trimmer can run for up to one hour on dual-action blades.
5. Makita XHU02M1 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
On its lowest setting, the Makita Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit offers an impressive 120 minutes of runtime. In addition, the tool weighs a little over 7 pounds and has a blade that can deliver up to 1,350 strokes per minute.
The motor housing of this hedge trimmer has several cushions to reduce vibration, and it operates at only 87 decibels, which is quieter than other trimmers.
A quick-change blade system, battery capacity warning system, and electric brake are all included in this tool, and the battery charges in less than an hour to allow you to continue working.
In residential gardens, where shrubs, bushes, ferns, and hedges are small to medium in size, the power hedge trimmer delivers clean and lasting power to its 22-inch cutting blade.
There are five cushions within the motor housing to reduce fatigue and muscle strain, as well as a padded front handle to prevent the device from vibrating too much.
Things to Consider Before Buying Hedge Trimmer
Blade size
A 22-inch blade typically cuts branches up to 3/4 inches wide and is sufficient for most tasks, but blade sizes vary widely from 8 to 40 inches. You should use a tool with a larger blade if you have oversized hedges or a lot of ground to cover.
Extension
You may need a telescoping pole to reach tall bushes or hedges, so consider spending a little bit more and getting a hedge trimmer with a telescoping pole. If you don’t have a steady balance, you shouldn’t operate these devices.
Longevity of batteries
Recently, battery technology has greatly improved, and electric hedge trimmers now have batteries up to 80 volts and can operate for up to two hours on a single charge. Get lithium-ion batteries for the best battery life, and consider getting an extra battery pack for long-term use.
Tips for Trimming Hedges
If you have no idea how to trim a hedge, the tips below are a good place to start. This is especially true if you are using an electric hedge trimmer.
Straight lines
Trimming your hedges can be very difficult if you want straight lines. You can end up with uneven lines or removing more hedge than you need to be doing it ‘by eye’.
A number of online tips and tricks are available, but many people tie string to poles so that they can follow the line.
When to trim
The stems of formal hedges must be trimmed twice or three times per year if they are shaped into neat, even lines. Hedges that are meant to look more natural may only need to be trimmed once or twice a year.
It is not advised to trim certain plants during the height of summer. For example, box hedges should not be dry when they are trimmed. For a healthy, long-lasting hedge, research the type of hedge, the best trimming method, and the best time.
Tall hedges
You will need a pole hedge trimmer or an extension for your hedge trimmer if your hedges are tall. Using a ladder to trim can be dangerous, so it’s best to use a tool that allows you to extend your reach while standing on solid ground.
Take leaves away as you work
It is important to stop and survey your work sometimes when trimming hedges. You will need to remove branches and leaves that you’ve cut, then step back to see the whole picture. To help you with the finer details, grab a pair of secateurs.
Less is more
While trimming hedges, be careful not to get carried away. Cut small pieces at the bottom and top of the hedge. If you cut off too much of your hedges or make a big mistake, you’ll have to trim them again later.