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!
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!
Different Types of Hedge Trimmers | Buyers Guide
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?
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:
Powerful
Doesn’t require access to electricity
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. The relative ease of use and affordability of electric trimmers makes them more popular for home users than a petrol or cordless variant. They’re ideal for smaller gardens and general gardening tasks.
PROS:
Cheapest
Powerful enough to deal with smaller 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. They’re fairly light and are about as powerful as the corded electrical trimmers. Battery life ranges from 20 to 60+ minutes on a single charge, as such, they’re suited more to small to medium sized gardens.
PROS:
Affordable
No trouble with cords getting tangled
CONS:
More expensive than standard electrical cutters
Battery life can sometimes be an issue and replacement batteries aren’t cheap
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. You won’t impress the missus with a longer blade and she’ll be laughing at you for having to take a break if you catch our drift 😉
If you’ve got a small hedgerow or the occasional shrub you need to tend to, we recommend 40cm blades or thereabouts. For larger jobs, 50cm+ should do the trick.
Weight
While it may seem trivial, considering most trimmers are less than 10kg, it pays to do your research and get a trimmer that is as light as possible, without sacrificing blade length, battery time or Wattage/CC.
When Should I Trim My Hedge?
I’ve made the mistake before of cutting my hedge in the middle of winter, it’s taken 2 years to get back to a decent state. So before hacking away at your pride and joy, take a few seconds and read when you should 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.
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:
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.
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The cordless hedge trimmer AHS 50-20 LI - for mobile and speedy hedge cutting
Sawing function: Special teeth on the front of the blade effortlessly cut through branches up to 25 mm in diameter
Blade guard for cutting along walls and paths
Power for All: One battery pack and one charger for the entire Home and Garden range of tools
Items included: AHS 50-20 LI, 1 battery pack PBA 18 V 2.5 Ah W-B, AL 1830 CV charger, cardboard box
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!
Excellent cutting performance: The dual action blades are perfect for small and medium hedges and bushes – even in places without a power connection
For improved safety and stability when working: Thanks to the ergonomic handle, the lightweight and ultra-quiet appliance rests easily in your hand
Convenient gardening work: The Soft Start system and exceptionally efficient power pump reduce the start-up effort by up to 40 %
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.
52cc Petrol Multi Function 5 in 1 Garden Tool with Extension Pole
Displacement: 52CC, 2-Stroke Engine, Vertical Single-Cylinder; Power Supply: 2.2 Kw to 7500 round/min
Max Output: 2.2Kw @ 7500rpm, Fuel Tank Capacity: 1200ml
Spare parts available for maintenance
CE and EMC Approved Machine
Trimmer Type : Petrol | Tank Volume : 1.2l Weight : 6.9kg | Sound Power Level : 112 dB
We like value here at PatioMate and AOSOME 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!
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
Tackle all your garden landscaping activities with confidence using this powerful 600 W electric hedge trimmer from Black + Decker.
The rugged, 1960 strokes per minute unit is equipped with an angled 60 cm blade, making it ideal for most medium-sized garden hedges.
An inbuilt cable management and retention system alleviates the problem of invasive cables and helps reduce trip hazards when in use.
The device is supplied with a soft sheath for safe storage purposes and its two-handed starting switch prevents accidental start-ups.
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.
34 mm tooth spacing with sawing function enables cutting of branches that do not fit in between the teeth for a more thorough cut
Ergonomic design for comfortable and easy hedgecutting without tiring arms
Ergonomic handles with soft grip and see-through hand guard ensures a safe working position and effortless use
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)
Shoulder strap with quick release, length of telescope bar is 2000 mm - 2500 mm
Sturdy cutter guard for storage and transportation
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.
55 cm dual-action, laser-cut blades with 19 mm cutting gap
Extended runtime
Wrap around handle for additional security
Industrial durability and impact resistance
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.
Transparent guard for more protection while cutting
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 the 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!
Hedge trimmers are dangerous. Make sure you’ve got safety gloves and gogglesbefore tending to the garden.
Bosch hedge trimmers are the best. They have amazing quality and price. I will go with them.