10 Best Hedge Trimmers

Today on PatioMate we’ll be talking to you about the best hedge trimmers available on the market.

In each review we’ll be covering purchase prices, best deals, running costs and the specifications for each trimmer, as well as the pros and cons for each product.

We’ve also included a handy buying guide, to help you get to grips with the different types of trimmers available on the market

We’ll start with the best selling hedge trimmers and then move our way onto our top 10 picks!

In This Guide



Best Selling Hedge Trimmers for 2024

We’d love to hear from you if this guide has helped, so please leave us a comment, product review or a message on Facebook if you end up purchasing from this list!

Your Ultimate Hedge Trimmers Buyers Guide

Different Types of Hedge Trimmers

It can be a little overwhelming picking a new hedge trimmer as there are so many different types available, with different specifications, weights, battery lifespans etc…

Fear not, we’ve broken down the basics of the different types of hedge cutters available below. So whether you’re looking for one to do some occasional maintenance in the garden, or if you’re a commercial user that needs power and durability, we’re here to help!

Which Hedge Trimmer is Best – Petrol, Electric or Cordless?

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Petrol, Cordless or Electric Trimmers? Which should you choose?

Petrol Hedge Trimmers

Petrol hedge cutters are suitable for commercial users or for those of us that have larger gardens & hedges. They’re not restricted by proximity to an electrical socket and are more powerful than their electrical variants.

They are heavier than electric cutters and will require more maintenance. On-going costs are also higher due to the exorbitant cost of petrol in the U.K.

Pros
  • Petrol Trimmers Are More Powerful
  • Not Limited by Access to an Electrical Socket
Cons
  • Requires Regular Maintenance
  • Higher Upfront Cost
  • More Expensive to Run Than Electrical Trimmers

Electric Hedge Cutters

Electric hedge cutters tend to be fairly cheap and lightweight, with most of them weighing in at around 2 to 7kg.

Electrical hedge cutters are ideal for smaller gardens and general gardening tasks.

The relative ease of use and affordability of electric trimmers makes them more popular for home users than a petrol or cordless variant.

Pros
  • Cheaper Than Petrol or Cordless
  • Powerful Enough to Deal With Smaller to Medium Gardens
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • You’ll Need Access to an Electrical Socket
  • The Incessant Fear of Cutting the Electrical Cord!

Cordless Hedge Cutters

Cordless hedge cutters are great for tending to the garden if you’ve got no access to an outside electrical socket and don’t want the hassle or costs related to maintaining a petrol trimmer.

They’re slightly heavier than corded trimmers but they’re about as powerful as their corded counterpart.

Battery life ranges from 20 to 60+ minutes on a single charge, as such, they’re suited more to small to medium sized gardens. You can invest in additional batteries but they aren’t cheap!

Pros
  • Fairly Affordable
  • No Cord Anxiety
Cons
  • More Expensive Than Corded Electrical Trimmers
  • Battery Life Can Be An Issue
  • Replacement Batteries Aren’t Cheap

Choosing The Right Blade Length

The blade length plays a large part in how quickly you’ll be able to cut through your hedge! The longer the blade is, the quicker you’ll be done, however, this adds extra weight to the trimmer and that means you’ll fatigue faster.

Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better though. You won’t impress anyone with a longer blade if you’re trimming tiny hedgerows!

For small hedgerows or the occasional shrub, we recommend 40cm blades or thereabouts. For larger jobs and hedges aim for 50cm+.


Noise Considerations

It should come as no surprise that hedge trimmers are fairly noisy machines, when someone is out trimming the hedge the whole neighbourhood knows about it!

But if noise is a consideration when it comes to purchasing your trimmer and you don’t want to sour your relationship with your neighbours, then we recommend electric and cordless trimmers for those that need quieter cutters.

Petrol trimmers are by and large a good 20-30dB louder than electical trimmers, so if you’re cutting in close proximity to neighbours on a regular basis, then we might recommend a quieter model!


Weight Factors

While it may seem trivial, considering most trimmers are less than 10kg, it pays to do your research and get a trimmer that is suitable for you.

Getting the perfect balance of weight, without sacrificing blade length, battery time or Wattage/CC is difficult!

Corded electrical trimmers are usually the lightest, followed by battey powered then petrol trimmers.

A couple of kg difference between trimmers doesn’t sound like much, but don’t over exert yourself as muscle fatigue can hamper your hedge trimmer endeavours and you won’t want to leave a job half finished because your wrist has cramped up.


When Should I Trim My Hedge?

I’ve made the mistake before of cutting my hedge in the middle of winter, it took 2 years to get back to a decent state. So before hacking away at your pride and joy, take a few seconds to research and read about the ideal time to cut your hedges!

Evergreens need two to three trims a year between May and September. Conifers need a cut before August and Deciduous hedges at the end of August.

The Royal Horticultural Society has this to say on the matter.


Timing of pruning should take into account the potential for nesting birds (see ‘Problems’ section below). However in general, these are the optimum timings for pruning hedges:

RHS

Formal hedges

Evergreen

Buxus sempervirens (box): Twice or three times during growing season
Ilex aquifolium (holly): Once in late summer
Ligustrum (privet): Twice or three times during growing season
Lonicera nitida: Twice or three times in growing season
Prunus laurocerasus: Prune twice during growing season

Conifers

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Lawson cypress): Twice, in spring and summer
× Cuprocyparis leylandii (Leyland cypress): Twice or three times in growing season
Taxus baccata (yew): Twice, in summer and autumn
Thuja plicata: In spring and again in early autumn

Deciduous

Carpinus betulus (hornbeam): Once, in mid- to late summer
Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn): Twice, in summer and autumn
Fagus sylvatica (beech): Once, in late summer

Informal and flowering hedges

Evergreen

Berberis darwinii: Immediately after flowering
Cotoneaster lacteus: After fruiting
Escallonia: Immediately after flowering
Lavandula (lavender): Immediately after flowering
Pyracantha: Late summer

Deciduous

Berberis thunbergii: Immediately after flowering
Forsythia: After flowering, remove some older stems
Fuchsia magellanica: In spring, remove old stems
Rosa rugosa: In spring, remove thin twigs


Price Disclaimer

We’ve listed the latest price at the time of review and will endeavour to update this list as frequently as possible to keep prices in check.

Please feel free to leave us a message via Facebook if any of the prices are incorrect and we will update them.

PatioMate’s Personal Favourites

Our Top 10 Favourite Hedge Trimmers for 2010

Bosch AHS 50-20 LI-Ion Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Our favourite hedge cutter

Bosch Home and Garden 0600849F70 18 V Cutter That cuts Branches on First Sweep Through The Hedge, Green

£151.53 £161.00 in stock
4 new from £150.00
2 used from £141.19
Free shipping
Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Cordless | Battery Size : 18v
Charging Time: 60 Minutes | Operating Time : 40 Minutes
Blade Length : 500mm | Tooth Opening : 20mm
Weight : 2.5kg | Sound Power Level : 91 dB


This hedge trimmer from Bosch is our absolute favourite and the positive reviews across the web only cement our stance. 95% of users have rated this product 4 stars or more.

The 18v battery can be fully charged in 60 minutes and has a run-time of 40 minutes. Perfect for small to medium sized gardens and this trimmer will tackle branches up to 25mm in diameter. Replacement or extras batteries are fairly inexpensive and are usually priced around or below £30.

What sets this trimmer apart from others in this price range is the added features.

The quick-cut technology ensures a perfect cut in one swift motion, preventing the need for revisiting the same area over and over, reducing fatigue and extended the blades life-span.
It also comes with an innovative anti-blocking system which causes the blade to reverse if a jam occurs and the Syneon chip controls energy consumption and power output based on the strength required for the task at hand, extending the battery life, so you can hopefully finish the entire garden in 1 charge!

For those of you with larger gardens, we recommend the AHS 54-20 LI with 36v battery and 540mm blade length as an alternative. It has a longer battery life and larger blade.

Pros
  • Quiet Operation
  • Softgrip Handle / Multi-position front handle / Transparent hand guard
  • Quick charge (60 Minutes) / Good battery life
  • Affordable!
Cons
  • 40 minute battery life isn’t great for larger gardens.

3 Best Petrol Hedge Trimmers


McCulloch SuperLite 4528 Hedge Trimmer

Best petrol hedge cutter for 2024

McCulloch SuperLite 4528 Petrol Hedge Trimmer: Hedge Trimmer with 600 W Engine, 45 cm Blade Length, 28 mm Blade Spacing...

£210.40 in stock
1 new from £210.40
Free shipping
Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Petrol | Tank Volume : 0.3l
Blade Length : 450mm | Tooth Opening : 28mm
Weight : 4.7kg | Sound Power Level : 101 dB


The dual action McCulloch Superlite 4528 is our favourite petrol powered hedge cutter. With 89% of users giving this product 4 stars or higher.

It offers a relatively low noise solution compared to other petrol powered trimmers, although we still recommend purchasing hearing protection!

You’ll need 2-stroke oil as well as petrol to use this trimmer, this adds to the cost of running, but it’s well worth it for those that don’t have access to electrical sockets.

It has a 21.7cc 2-stroke engine with 0.8hp of power. It comes with a handy soft start pull cord, which reduces resistance up to 40%, making it much easier to start than traditional petrol-powered trimmers.

Also available with 2 stroke oil & mixing bottle.

Pros
  • Dual Action Blades
  • Soft Start Feature
  • Budget Friendly
  • “Low” Noise Engine
Cons
  • Negative

BU-KO 52CC Petrol Multi Function 5 in 1 Garden Tool

Amazing value for a petrol multi function trimmer.
Attachments include: Hedge Trimmer, Strimmer, Brush Cutter, Pruner Chainsaw & Extension Pole

BU-KO 52cc Long Reach Petrol Multi Functional Garden Tool Including: Strimmer, Hedge Trimmer, Pruner Chainsaw, Brush Cutter with 2.4mm Thick...

Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Petrol | Tank Volume : 1.2l
Weight : 6.9kg | Sound Power Level : 112 dB


We like value here at PatioMate and BU-KO 52CC Petrol muti-purpose tool gives us access to a number of tools for an incredible price. Each package contains:

  • 1 x 52cc Hedge Trimmer, Chainsaw, Brush Cutter, Grass Trimmer & Extionsion Pole
  • 1 x Strimmer
  • 1 x Bosch Spark Plug
  • 1 x Safety Goggles, Gloves & Ear Defenders
  • 1 x Belt & Shoulder Strap
  • 1 x Fuel Mixing Bottle
  • 1 x Funnel
  • 1 x Toolkit & Manual.

Suitable for commercial or home users that have a need for tackling more than just the hedges.

Spare parts are easy to come by and the manufacturers have CE, EMC & GS approval on this product. It’s cheap and comes with everything you need to get started in the garden (and more!)

Pros
  • 5 in 1 Features!
  • Excellent Value for Money
  • Suitable for Novice & Expert Gardeners
  • Comes with Gloves, Ear Defenders, Belt/Shoulder Strap for Safety!
  • Large Fuel Tank (1.2l)
Cons
  • It’s Loud
  • Fairly Heavy at 6.9kg (Depending on Attachment)
  • Little Bit Fiddly to Put Together

Parker 26CC 24″ Petrol Hedge Trimmer

No Fuss 60cm Dual Blade Petrol Cutter

26CC 24" Petrol Hedge Trimmer Complete with 60CM Blades

£115.49 in stock
1 new from £115.49
Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Petrol | Tank Volume : 0.6l
Weight : 8.5kg | Sound Power Level : 112 dB


This heavy duty trimmer will take care of larger gardens and hedges with ease. It comes with a toughened 24″ (60cm) dual-sided blade and a 2-stroke 26cc engine.

Great for gardens that have already gotten out of hand and need a complete overhaul. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive with 90% of users giving this item a 4 star+ rating.

Supplied with a toolkit, mixing bottle, CE/GS and EU-II approved.

Spare parts are easy to come by and the manufacturers have CE, EMC & GS approval on this product. It’s cheap and comes with everything you need to get started in the garden (and more!)

Pros
  • Rotating Handle
  • Heavy Duty Removal
  • Comes with Hedge Trimmer, 60cm Dual Blade, Assembly Tool, Mixing Bottle & Manual
  • Affordable
Cons
  • It’s Heavy (8.5kg)
  • It’s Loud! (Don’t Forget Your Hearing Protectors)

3 Best Electric Hedge Trimmers


Black & Decker GT6060 600W 60cm Cutter

Most Popular Hedge Trimmer for 2024

Black & Decker GT6060 600W 60cm Hedgetrimmer/ 25mm Blade Gap/ Bale Handle Design/ Cable Management

Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Electric | Power : 600W
Blade Length : 600mm | Tooth Opening : 25mm
Weight : 3.0kg | Sound Power Level : 94 dB


Electric trimmers are easier and lower maintenance than their petrol counterparts. They’re also substantially lighter, with the GT6060 weighing in at just 3kg!

This is one of the most popular hedge trimmers available – with 90%+ of users giving it a 4 star or higher rating (based on 429 reviews).

It’s easy to see why the Black & Decker is so popular, it’s affordable and can handle small to medium hedgerows with ease.

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to Use & Setup
  • Comes with Cable Management & Bale Handle Design
Cons
  • None at This Price!

Bosch AHS 70-34 700W 70cm Electric Hedge Cutter

Highest Rated Electric Hedge Trimmer (94% 4-Star+ Ratings)

Bosch AHS 70-34 Hedgecutter (blade cover, cardboard box, 700 W, 700 mm blade length, 34 mm tooth spacing)

Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Electric | Power : 700W
Blade Length : 700mm | Tooth Opening : 35mm
Weight : 3.9kg | Sound Power Level : 76 dB


Bosch know their outdoor tools and this trimmer is no exception. Excellent value and perfect for larger gardens and hedges. With a massive 70cm blade and 35mm tooth opening, this cutter will have no troubles cutting back whatever you can throw at it.

With an ergonomic grip, its lightweight composure and high power will cut through your shrubs and hedges like a hot knife through butter.

It is very highly rated, with 94% of users leaving a 4-star+ review, based on 245 reviews.

Pros
  • Lightweight & Quiet
  • Perfect for Larger Gardens
  • Ergonomic Design & Tip Protection
  • 2-Year Guarantee
Cons
  • Potentially Expensive (Extension Lead + RCD Adaptor Adds £18.48 to the Overall Price)

Einhell GC-HH 9048 900W 48cm Extendable Pole Hedge Trimmer

Best Extendable Hedge Trimmer

Einhell GC-HH 9048 Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer

£99.42 £119.95 in stock
3 used from £99.42
Free shipping
Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Electric | Power : 900W
Blade Length : 480mm | Tooth Opening : 20mm
Weight : 5.1kg | Sound Power Level : 85 dB


This extendable pole hedge trimmer is a #1 best seller on Amazon. This is due to the low cost to high power ratio. Most high quality pole trimmers start in the £120 range.

It comes supplied with a 48cm laser-cut and diamond ground steel blade and a 50cm extendable handle for those hard to reach spots.

You can adjust the cutting angle to ensure perfect ergonomic posture, regardless of your cutting situation. The free shoulder strap comes with a quick-release and the cutter guard provide much needed protection while working.

85% of users have rated this product 4-stars+

Pros
  • Relatively Light
  • Great for Tall Hedges
  • Ergonomic Design & Shoulder Strap
  • Affordable
Cons
  • No Storage Bag

2 Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers


DEWALT DCM563P1-GB 18V XR Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Heavy Duty with Extended Runtime

DEWALT DCM563P1-GB 18 V XR Hedge Trimmer, 1 x 5 Ah, Yellow

£224.87 £268.80 in stock
14 new from £224.87
Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Cordless | Battery Size : 18v
Charging Time: 90 Minutes | Operating Time : 75 Minutes
Blade Length : 558mm | Tooth Opening : 19mm
Weight : 3kg | Sound Power Level : 80.5 dB


This cordless hedge cutter from DeWALT isn’t cheap but it’s still worth every penny. It comes with 55cm dual-action laser-cut blades and a battery that lasts 75 minutes on a full charge.

5Ah Replacement or spare batteries can be found from around ~£70 that come with LED status and rapid charge features.

It is incredibly well rated, with 100% of users leaving a 5-star review based on 11 reviews.

Perfect for medium to larger hedges and commercial users.

Pros
  • Quiet Operation
  • Long Battery Life
  • Lightweight
  • Long Blade
Cons
  • It’s Not Cheap
  • Larger Batteries Are Expensive

Flymo EasiCut 420 Cordless 18V Hedge Trimmer

Best Budget Cordless Trimmer

Flymo EasiCut Cordless 420 Battery Hedge Trimmer, 18 V, Cutting Blade 42 cm

Amazon Amazon.co.uk
Last update was on: 19/03/2024 8:41 am

Trimmer Type : Cordless | Battery Size : 18v
Charging Time: 180 Minutes | Operating Time : 60 Minutes
Blade Length : 420mm | Tooth Opening : 16mm
Weight : 3.1kg | Sound Power Level : 71.3 dB


If you’re looking for something that can tackle a small garden without breaking your budget. Then we highly recommend the Flymo EasiCut 420.

84% of users have left a 4-star or higher rating based on 167 customer reviews.

This small and lightweight cutter is perfect for smaller jobs outside. It does have a rather long charging time of 3 hours, but at nearly half the price of every other cordless trimmer on the market, you need to take the good with the bad.

Pros
  • Very Light
  • Decent Operating Time
  • Good for Small Gardens
Cons
  • Long Charging Time
  • Battery Suffers From Memory Issues if Not Correctly Maintained!

Don’t Forget Safety

Hedge trimmers are dangerous. Make sure you’ve got safety gloves and goggles before tending to the garden.

– PatioMate

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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