A hedge trimmer is a vital time-saving gardening tool that every gardener should have. A power hedge trimmer makes it straightforward to care for bushes, shrubs, or hedge plants in your yard. Some hedge trimmers have long blades to remove untidy foliage from hedgerows without effort. Trimmers with shorter blades are ideal for topiary work or to trim small shrubs and bushes.
Hedge cutters use a single- or dual-action blade to cut through foliage and branches quickly. Usually, with one easy sweep, you can improve the appearance of hedgerows to keep them neat. But it’s vital to choose the right type of hedge trimmer for your garden. For example, you need to consider the type of plants to trim, how tall hedges are, and if you want a corded or battery-powered trimmer.
For example, corded hedge trimmers are cheaper, but the length of the extension cord limits where you can go. Gas-powered hedge trimmers are more powerful and offer more freedom. However, they are noisy and produce harmful emissions. Then cordless hedge trimmers offer the flexibility of gas models but without emitting any fumes.
In this article, you will find helpful tips on choosing a suitable hedge trimmer for your needs. You will also learn about the advantages of the different hedge trimmers on the market.
What is a Hedge Trimmer?
A hedge trimmer is a gardening tool with a long blade used for trimming hedges, shrubs, and bushes. Motorized hedge trimmers work much faster than a pair of hedge shears. Protruding teeth and small sharp blades on each side of the trimmer blade move backward and forward to slice through branches and leaves.
Hedge trimmers also have certain safety features to reduce the risk of injury. For example, you can only operate them while holding the handle. In addition, a protective shield protects your hand from flying debris. Also, a wraparound handle makes it easy to work at various angles when trimming hedges.
Different Types of Hedge Trimmers
The most crucial decision when choosing a hedge trimmer is the power source. You have two choices—gas or electricity. Gas trimmers have a fuel tank and are often suitable for commercial use or tending to large yards. However, their electric counterparts can be corded and use mains electricity or rechargeable batteries.
Let’s look in detail at the types of hedge trimmers
Gas Hedge Trimmers
Buying a gas-powered hedge trimmer can be worth it if you have a large yard to care for. Commercial hedge trimmers use gas because they are more powerful and are suitable for more demanding jobs. In addition, they will cut through thicker branches and operate longer than a battery model.
However, it’s good to remember that gas hedge trimmers aren’t for beginners. Compared to electric models, they are heavier, more difficult to use, and require greater skill. So if you are buying your first trimmer, it’s best to choose from the range of electric trimmers.
When choosing a gas-powered hedge trimmer, look for the size of the fuel tank and engine displacement (cc).
Electric Hedge Trimmers
Corded electric hedge trimmers are the most popular ones for residential gardens. The advantages of an electric model are that it is lightweight, affordable, easy to store, and requires little maintenance. In most circumstances, an electric trimmer is ideal for any homeowner.
Electric trimmers aren’t as powerful as gas models, but that usually isn’t an issue in residential gardens. Another consideration is flexibility. For example, the extension cord—usually up to 100 ft.—limits how far you can go with a corded hedge trimmer. So, if you have lots of hedges to care for or tough trimming jobs, then choose a gas-powered trimmer.
Cordless Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmers
A hedge trimmer with battery power is an environmentally friendly garden tool. It gives the flexibility of a gas-powered trimmer without sending toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Some of the best battery hedge trimmers are powerful enough to rival some gas models.
The disadvantage of a battery-powered trimmer is the battery life. You may only get up to 60 minutes of use on a single charge. However, this might be even less if you have to cut through tough branches and foliage.
When choosing a battery-powered hedge trimmer, choose one with a high-voltage battery, short charge time, and extended runtime.
Pole Hedge Trimmer
If you care for tall hedges, then an extended-length hedge trimmer is your best choice. The cutting blade is on the end of a pole that allows the user to trim hedges many feet tall. A range of options is available that include electric, battery, or gas-powered trimmers.
What to Consider Before Buying a Hedge Trimmer
Let’s look in detail at some of the essential considerations when choosing which hedge trimmer to buy.
Trimmer Blade length
A vital consideration is the blade size. Typically, hedge trimmer blades are between 13 and 40 inches (33 – 100 cm) long. But remember, the longer the blade, the more difficult it is to handle. So for most homeowners, a hedge trimmer with a blade between 20 and 30 inches (50 – 76 cm) is ideal. However, if you have many hedges to tend to, choose a model with a longer blade.
Cutting capacity of your Trimmer
The gap between the cutting blades determines the hedge trimmer’s cutting capacity. Most electric hedge trimmers do a fine job of cutting branches up to ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick.
Consider buying a hedge trimmer with a power saw if you need to cut through branches over 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. These electric models have a saw blade at the end and are suitable for cutting through thicker branches.
What is the Cost
One of the most significant factors to consider is cost. As with most garden power tools, you pay a premium for power, durability, and speed. For example, the cheapest lightweight corded trimmers cost as little as $30. However, for a good-quality electric trimmer, expect to pay around $50.
Because of the lithium-ion battery technology, battery-powered hedge trimmers will cost more than corded models. However, a good brand name can cost as little as $100, with prices increasing to $200.
Weight and ease of use
A vital consideration when choosing a quality hedge trimmer is the weight. Operating power hand tools for a length of time can cause muscle strain and arm fatigue. So, pick a model that you will be comfortable using for an hour or so. The lightest hedge trimmers are as light as 5 lbs. However, the average weight of a quality trimmer is around 10 lbs.
In addition, it’s good to look at how the tool is balanced. Therefore, make sure it has a wide comfortable grip and an adjustable, rotating handle to make cutting at angles as easy as possible.
Noise levels
Typically, electric—corded and cordless—models are quieter than their noisy gas-powered counterparts.
Durability of Power Tools
A hedge trimmer is an investment. Therefore, you need to ensure that the tool will last for many years. It is best to look for a brand model that has an excellent reputation. Also, look at the type of warranty. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to offer warranties between two and five years to give you peace of mind when buying a hedge trimmer.
You can also check out customer reviews to see what you can expect from the tool and the manufacturer’s level of customer service.
Hedge Trimmer Brands
It rarely pays off to choose a cheap hedge trimmer from an obscure brand in the long run. Instead, choosing a hedge trimmer from a brand with a strong reputation ensures you get the best trimmer for the price. Although things can go wrong from time to time, the top brand manufacturers care about their reputation and will fix problems.
Here are some of the top hedge trimmer brands and what you can expect from them.
Husqvarna
Husqvarna has a reputation for high-quality hedge trimmers with a range of safety features that cheaper models lack. Generally, Husqvarna produces trimmers that are quiet, reliable, and easy to use. However, some online reviews say that the trimmers aren’t as powerful as expected. Also, the battery life of some models can be relatively short.
Black & Decker
Black & Decker usually comes out top on a list of the top electric hedge trimmers. This is because the company has a reputation for good quality, affordable power tools that are lightweight and powerful. Additionally, Black & Decker manufactures some of the best battery-powered hedge trimmers for under $150.
Ryobi
Ryobi has a solid reputation for reliable battery-powered gardening tools, including hedge trimmers. Generally, the trimmers are robust, cut well, and require little maintenance. If you want excellent value for money, then Ryobi is a good choice.
GreenWorks
GreenWorks has a range of battery-powered and corded hedge trimmers that consistently get good reviews. One area where the brand excels is battery life. The batteries charge relatively fast and have an above-average runtime. Additionally, batteries are interchangeable with other tools in their range.
Makita
Makita is a brand leader in battery-powered gardening tools, especially as their batteries generally fit all Makita products. As a result, Makita hedge trimmers have the durability, ease of use, and performance that you would expect from commercial gardening tools. In addition, the trimmers have excellent ergonomics and comfortable grips.
Poulan Pro
Poulan Pro produces a range of affordable hedge trimmers with average performance compared to the top brands. The low cost of their electric trimmers is a factor why many consumers buy Poulan Pro garden tools. However, customer satisfaction seems split.
DeWalt
DeWalt produces durable gardening tools that perform well and are suitable for professional use. Generally, DeWalt is a brand you can trust for manufacturing reliable hedge trimmers. However, for the average homeowner, the tools can be too heavy and difficult to use compared to some of the more popular brands.
Choosing a Hedge Trimmer
Your choice of hedge trimmer can significantly impact how easy it is to keep your hedges, bushes, and shrubs looking great. So it’s vital to find the type of trimmer that suits your budget, size of yard, and type of hedge plants in your yard.