The Best Hedge Trimmers You Can Own Today

I’m not a professional but equipped with the best hedge trimmer, I am capable of trimming and maintaining a hedge like any professional – just because I’m using the right hedge trimmer for my yard. With decades of experience using, evaluating, and purchasing hedge trimmers and hedge shears, I have a pretty good idea of the best hedge trimmers (and the best hedge shears) out there and the worst power tools for your hedge. I’ve tried many hedgers and learned from my mistakes.

My personal list of the best hedge trimmers has the EGO Power+ 24-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer as the overall best hedge trimmer for most yards. It cuts easily through thick 3/4-inch branches and has a long-lasting battery that recharges quickly. This hedger’s cutting capacity compares well with 2-stroke gas trimmers.

Not only have I tried the different types of power tools, but I’ve also included the easiest trimmer for newbies, the most powerful hedge trimmer, and of course, the best gas-powered, best battery-operated, and best electric hedge trimmer.

Quick Summary Of Our Recommendations For Best Hedge Trimmers

When it comes to yard maintenance, handling the hedges can be quite a tricky problem. Not all of us have mastered the art of trimming the hedges in our yard, and as a result, they often end up being cut in weird and funny shapes. This inability to cut straight lines is the main reason people hire professionals to cut and trim the hedges in their yards. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that your hedge trimmer significantly impacts your work results.

That makes it highly important for you to find the best hedge trimmer for the job.

Best High Capacity Battery Powered Trimmer: DEWALT 40V MAX 4.0 Ah Battery-Powered Hedger
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Great Value In A Corded Electric Hedge Trimmer: Snow Joe Sun Joe 22-Inch 3.5 Amp Corded Electric Trimmer
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If you are trying to maintain formal lines or even create uniform pruning lines, a powered hedge trimmer is the power tool for the task. This gardening tool enables you to trim the hedges in your garden and thereby allows you to increase its overall appeal.

While you can find more in-depth information in the buying guide, the first decision you must make before you begin to look at individual models of hedge trimmers is what power source it runs on. There are three power sources. Gasoline-powered eaters have a combustion engine to run the trimmer blade. In the electric camp, there are corded and battery-powered. If you had asked me five years ago, I would have said battery-powered electric bush trimmers were no more powerful than a toy. In today’s world, things have changed; generally, a high-quality, high-voltage battery-powered tool is as good as an average gas-powered one.

Here’s our take on the pluses and minuses of each category.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hedge Trimmer Power Source

Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmers

Battery-powered hedge trimmers are a favorite for their ease of use. To start, you just plug in a charged battery, press a button, and you are on your way. The battery-operated hedge trimmers are also generally lighter than gas-powered models. Another nice feature is the lack of emissions. You no longer need to breathe in gas fumes while trimming your bushes. While available torque and power used to be a big negative, newer, higher-voltage models equal 2-cycle gas-powered trimmers for cutting power. Finally, electric trimmers are quieter than their gas counterparts.

On the downside, battery-powered models have a limited run time versus gas or corded electric models. In addition, not all battery-powered hedge clippers can match the power of similarly-priced gas-powered ones. This is most apparent in the 18 Volt and below power equipment. However, the newest, higher-volt models are making great strides in this direction.

Gas Powered Hedge Trimmers

There’s a reason most professionals historically use gasoline.

Gas-powered hedge trimmers are known for their power and ability to cut through thicker branches and bushes. However, even the best gas-powered hedge trimmers can seize when the teeth snag on branches thicker than 3/4 inches; you need a hedge cutter or chain saw for thick branches.

In addition, the lack of cords and not limited battery power means you can cover a larger area more efficiently with a gas-powered model. You also don’t need to worry about cutting through the cord as when using a corded bush-trimmer.

On the downside, gas-powered trimmers are loud, give off fumes, and are generally heavier than corded and cordless electric-powered trimmers. They also require maintenance during the cutting season and to get ready to put the tool into storage. Neither electric-powered model types have that requirement.

Electric Corded Hedge Trimmers

Corded-electric-powered hedge trimmers are really easy to use. Plug in an extension cord, press the start button, and begin shaping your bushes. Electric trimmers are also generally lighter than gas-powered models. Another nice feature is the lack of toxic emissions. You won’t need to breathe in gas fumes while cutting back the growth of your bushes. Finally, electric corded models are usually the least expensive type of tool.

 On the downside, corded electric models require you to have a long-enough extension cord to reach where you want to work. This makes the category a no-go for many homeowners. In addition, the cord can be heavy, which negates some of the weight benefits. It’s also sometimes a pain to keep an eye on the cord so you don’t cut it. This is a real problem with hedge trimmers versus, say, weed eaters. Finally, they can be among the least powerful types of trimmers.

Best Hedge Trimmers Products Reviewed

Our Top Overall Pick For Best Hedge Trimmer: EGO Power+ 24-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer

We like Our Top Overall Pick For Best Hedge Trimmer: EGO Power+ 24-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer

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  • 24 in. dual-action, hardened steel reciprocating blades
  • 3/4 in. cut capacity
  • Compatible with all EGO POWER plus Arc Lithium Batteries
  • Weather-resistant construction

The EGO 56-Volt 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer is our best all-around pick for various reasons. First, the 56V battery provides enough power to compete with 2-stroke gas-powered engines without the hassle of mixing gas+oil or worrying about ethanol ruining your power tool. 

If you need extra time, 4.0,5.0 whopping 7.5Ah batteries are available to buy, and replacing batteries is easy. This would make particular sense if you bought the lawn mower, chainsaw, or string trimmers as well, so you could interchange the batteries.

The lithium-ion battery is compatible with all EGO battery-powered tools with a super fast 30 minutes recharge. That’s more than 50 EGO power tools! With this industry-leading technology, EGO is one of the best brands for cordless hedge trimmers.

This compact trimmer can cut through large branches like butter. It’s rated to handle up to 3/4 thick brush, just like most of its noisier competitors, the gas-powered hedge trimmers. This should work well for most people. 

It’s light enough for everyday use at just over 6 pounds without a battery. In addition, users with more petite frames can effortlessly operate the lightweight design with less user fatigue than heavier hedge trimmers.

The 24-inch blade gives you extra reach over smaller blades, and the dual-action blade can help shorten the time you spend cutting each hedge. In addition, with the electronic brake, users have control to stop blade action quickly. By being in control to stop the hedge trimmer at any time, beginners are less likely to injure themselves or cut weird shapes and ruin the hedge’s shape.

The EGO Power+ 56-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer is the best cordless hedge trimmer for power, performance, safety, and ease of use. The hedge trimmer’s lightweight design and electronic brake make it perfect and safe for newbies, experienced users, and cutting large hedges, with less fatigue in the arms, neck, and shoulders.

Note:

If you don’t already have a compatible battery, either make sure you buy a larger-capacity one on your own or select a hedge trimmer kit with a battery and a charger. Nothing’s worse than opening the box and finding out it didn’t come with a battery kit.

Why I Like EGO Power+ 24-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer

  • The 56V battery has enough power to compete with a 2-stroke-petrol-powered motor.
  • The battery-powered hedge trimmer effortlessly cuts thicker branches up to 3/4 inches.
  • Rechargeable batteries are compatible with 50+ EGO power tools and recharge fast.
  • Dual-action 24-inch blade provides extra reach and shortens the cutting time.
  • The lightweight design makes it perfect for most users.
  • The electronic brake puts users in control to stop the hedge trimmer at any time.

What I don’t like that much about this cordless hedge trimmer

  • Because of the EGO battery weight, some reviewers find the hedge trimmer a heavy tool with the battery. However, if you use a lighter battery instead of a 7.5 Ah, the total weight of the cordless hedge trimmer with a battery reduces.
  • Using a lighter battery means shorter battery life and more often recharging, which means replacing batteries more often when cutting large hedges.

Best High Capacity Battery Powered Trimmer: DEWALT 40V MAX 4.0 Ah Battery-Powered Hedger

We like Best High Capacity Battery Powered Trimmer: DEWALT 40V MAX 4.0 Ah Battery-Powered Hedger

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  • Includes 40v MAX 4.0 Ah Lithium Ion Battery with state of charge indicator, along with charger
  • 22″ Laser cut, dual-action blades
  • Hooked-tooth guard blade for branches up to 3/4″ thick
  • Xenoy housing for superior durability, Weight – 11.9 lbs

This DEWALT battery-powered hedge trimmer is a great out-of-the-box choice for people with larger yards and ample hedges. For starters, DEWALT is one of the best brands known for its tradition of high-quality products. They back it up with a 90-day money-back guarantee, one-year free service, and 3-a year warranty. Every manufacturer has some products that fail, but DEWALT makes it easy to rectify if there ever is an issue.

At optimal power, the hedger’s 4.0 amp-hour battery is more than enough for all but the biggest, bushiest yard tasks. Unless you live on a ranch or have A LOT of shrubs to trim, you should be able to get by finishing your trimming without a battery recharge. You’ll be able to skip the ear protection as well since this electric motor is much quieter than a two-cycle engine.

The cordless hedge trimmer has a friction clutch to protect the hedger when something hinders or blocks the cutting task. The 22″ laser cut blades trim and cut in both directions saving users time and effort. Just like gas trimmers, this cordless trimmer can cut branches up to 3/4″ thick with its hooked-tooth guard blade that grips the branch.

Another great feature is the hedger’s Xenoy housing for durability and extended use. In addition, the wrap-around auxiliary handle sheath provides users a comfortable grip for ease of use.

This would have been our top overall pick, but smaller yards don’t really require 4.0Ah of battery. However, this DEWALT cordless battery-powered hedger is a great choice if you consider your yard to be on the larger side.

Why I Like This DEWALT 40V Max 4.0Ah Cordless Hedger

  • High-capacity battery-operated offers enough battery life for large yards and lots of overgrowths.
  • Ease of use with no fuss, no pull cords or cords to accidentally cut.
  • Dual 22-Inch blades for fast cutting in both directions saving time.
  • Cutting capacity to cut 3/4 inch branches like gas-powered hedgers
  • Suitable to shape lots of hedges in large yards

What I don’t like that much about this battery-operated hedger

  • The hedger’s weight may cause fatigue in the arms for some users

Great Value In A Corded Electric Hedge Trimmer: Snow Joe Sun Joe 22-Inch 3.5 Amp Corded Electric Trimmer

We like Great Value In A Corded Electric Hedge Trimmer: Snow Joe Sun Joe 22-Inch 3.5 Amp Corded Electric Trimmer

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  • Powerful 3.5 amp motor for superior cutting performance
  • Pre-hardened, rust-resistant 22″ stainless steel blades
  • Full wrap-around front handle
  • Light-weight: just 5 lbs

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Not everyone needs the mobility that gasoline or batteries provide. However, that convenience does come at a cost – so if you have a smaller yard and easy access to an outdoor power outlet, this Sun Joe brand corded electric trimmer is a good value. It’s lighter than most other hedge trimmers, and because it only runs a 3.5Amp motor, you don’t have to be as concerned about running out and buying a thick extension cord. Any 16-gauge or lower cord should work fine for distances of 150 feet or under.

The 3.5Amp motor works well up to 1/4″ diameter branches. You’ll likely stress out the motor if you try to push it much above this limit. For most bushwork, this shouldn’t be a concern. Because it’s electric, you can simply press a button to start the motor – no need to pull a cord like you would with a gasoline-powered trimmer.

Operating this electric trimmer is effortless and doesn’t require strength; the hedge trimmer weighs just over 5 pounds. So, you don’t have to lift weights before operating this power tool. If your teenager needs extra pocket money or your wife likes to help you with yard work, they can easily cut the hedge’s overgrowth.

Not everyone can use this model – if you have a large yard or no accessible outlets to plug into, you are out of luck. If you tend to..umm..” space-out” a bit, you’ll need to concentrate more than usual, so you don’t accidentally cut through your power cord. It happens with all corded equipment, but PARTICULARLY with hedge trimmers because of the large blade area. The show from cutting through a live wire isn’t the excitement most people are looking for on their weekend afternoons.

The Sun Joe HJ22HTE is the best hedge trimmer for small gardens where the cord doesn’t limit outdoor movement and for maintaining small hedges that don’t have very thick branches. It’s lightweight and ideal for anyone in the family to be a handyman. Although this corded electric hedge trimmer is cheap compared to other hedge trimmers, it has the capacity to get the job done.

Why I Like The Sun Joe Corded Electric Hedge Trimmer

  • The hedge trimmer only weighs 5 pounds, so not too heavy for my spouse or teenager to cut the overgrowth.
  • No fumes, levers to pull, gas, or batteries to charge; just plug in the cord and push the start button.
  • At an affordable price, the hedge trimmer gets the job done.

What I don’t like that much about this corded hedge trimmer

  • Using a corded power tool like a hedge trimmer or lawn mower outdoors always risks accidentally cutting the cord.
  • The motor capacity limits the branch thickness you can cut. You’ll use a chainsaw to cut a tree, but many hedge trimmers can cut up to 3/4 inch branches.

For The Gas Heads The Best Hedge Trimmer: Husqvarna Dual Action Gas Hedge Trimmer 23.7-Inch

PRODIMG

  • Husqvarna 18 in. gas hedge trimmer cuts twigs and shrubs up to 4/5 in. thick
  • 21. 7cc, 2-stroke motor delivers the power you need to get the job done fast
  • The lightweight 16 lb. design is easy to maneuver
  • Low noise engine design reduces noise pollution

While I believe that most homeowners can get away with using an electric-powered trimmer and enjoy it, there are some situations that require gas power. For example, a large estate or ranch isn’t the place to switch out batteries all day long. For those situations, gas is king.

The Husqvarna 23.7″ hedge trimmer is a solid choice when you know you need a gas motor. The double-sided blade will help to reduce your trimming time, and the long cutter bar gives users that extended reach. In addition, the hedger’s rear handle adjusts to cut not only the top but the sides of the hedges too. And with a cutting capacity of 4,050 cuts/minute, users get the job done faster because there’s more cutting with each pass than less powerful hedgers.

While heavier than almost all battery or corded powered trimmers, this model isn’t particularly heavy for a gas trimmer at ~16 pounds un-fueled.  One nice feature of this model is the exhaust is routed out towards the blade – away from your face (and lungs).

The anti-vibration technology provides the hedger with vibration dampeners that absorb the vibration, protecting the user’s arms and hands. This ensures users to cut hedges for more extended periods without taking nearly as much strain as expected. In addition, the hedger’s rear handle adjusts to cut not only the hedge’s top but the sides of the hedges too.

The hedger is one of the best gas trimmers for easier starting. A Smart Start motor carburetor air-purge system removes air from the carburetor and fuel system, resulting in an easier starting. The stop switch automatically returns to the start position for another effortless start next time.

Make sure to keep on top of the fuel situation if you have an ethanol/gas blend in your area. The ethanol really plays havoc on some of the engine parts, especially the fuel line. But again, this isn’t a Husqvarna-specific issue, but one that pops up again and again across all 2-cycle products. If you can make sure not to store fuel in the engine for any extended period, this will be a fine choice for you.

Why I Like The Husqvarna Gas Hedge Trimmer

  • Anti-vibration technology is best to absorb the vibration reducing the stress on your body.
  •  Smart Start technology with an auto return stop switch ensures a better and easier start system.
  • Adjustable rear handle to cut the top and sides of hedges.
  • Users cut more with each pass, with a cutting capacity of 4,050 cuts/minute.

What I don’t like that much about this gas hedge trimmer

  • A gas hedge trimmer is usually a heavier unit than an electric trimmer. However, this gash hedge trimmer weighs 16 pounds which isn’t the heaviest on the market. 
  • Some reviewers mentioned that out of the box, the carburetor of this gas hedge trimmer needs adjustment before cutting with it.

What To Look Out For When Shopping For The Best Hedge Trimmer

What Are Your Specific Needs

Hedge trimmers aren’t a one-size-fits-all affair. To make sure you are happy with your purchase, you should do some prep work to discover just what features you need for the trimming in your life.

The best hedge shears, best hedge trimmer, or best hedge clipper to buy can be found here. Battery life, warranty and pricing are important for hedger shears, hedge trimmers and other tools. Also look for: good trimmers, heavy duty best hedge shears,, lithium-ion battery life, trimmer and trimmers. Hedges don't clip themselves - that's what hedge clipper snd the best hedge trimmers are for- clean cutting and shrubs that look good.  Replace oil and fuel with a brushless motor on an battery-powered set of hedge clippers.  The best trimmer leads to the best shrubs and hedges.

Best Hedge Trimmer Power Tool Tips

There are some safety and comfort features that everyone should be aware of, regardless of how you plan on using your bush trimmer.  Here are some of the safety features to remember:

  • From a safety perspective, single-sided blades are safer than double-sided blades.
  • Tooth extensions protect you from accidentally cutting yourself with sharp teeth on the blades.
  • The off-position lock prevents you from accidentally starting the bush trimmer. It is also a safety lock against children trying to create the hedge trimmer.
  • The hedge trimmer has a front-handle shield to prevent your hand from slipping and touching the blade.
  • With some bush trimmers, the power cuts when your hand lifts from the handle.
  • Tip protectors at the top of the blade shield the blade when you accidentally bump it against hard objects like rocks.

From a comfort perspective, consider:

  • Wrap-around handles. This allows you to hold the shrub trimmer comfortably, no matter which angle you are trimming.
  • Lock on switches. A lock-on switch lets you continue pruning without having to depress the trigger the whole time. However, this does raise the risk of injury somewhat.
  • Pigtail cord. This short cord plugs into the cord of the electric bush trimmer, preventing unnecessary disconnecting of the cord.
  • Anti-Vibration. This feature reduces the impact on your arms when shearing.
  • Catcher Plate. The catcher plate sweeps away cuttings. For example, trimming the top of the hedge, this feature sweeps the cuttings out of your way.
  • Battery Indicator Light. The indicator light is handy for planning your trimming because you can see how much charge is left in the battery.

Other Hedge Trimmer Factors to Consider

Yard Size

You are limited to a battery-powered or gasoline-fueled trimmer if you have a large yard. Your maximum reach will be about 150 feet from an outlet in ideal conditions – and most people don’t have ideal conditions at home. The larger your yard and the more bushes you have that need work, the more likely you’ll need to go with gas. Higher voltage equipment – say 40-volts and up – can compete with the power of 2-cycle engines, but you will need to pay attention to how many Amp-hours (Ah) you have available at your disposal. The higher that number, the longer you can run without waiting for a recharge.

Blade Size

The distance of the blade gap between the teeth determines the capacity of the hedge trimmer. The wider the gap, the tougher branches it cuts. Most hedge trimmer blade gaps are less than an inch (3/8 to ¾ inch).

Single-sided blades cut in one direction, and therefore easier to safely keep the blades away from your body. Double-sided blades cut efficiently but cut in both directions.

There are three blade sizes:

  • Sixteen inches to trim small hedges and shrubs.
  • Eighteen inches to cut the larger but average shrub.
  • Twenty inches to trim established hedges and large hedges.

Hedge Height

Gas hedge trimmers weigh about 10 pounds. This makes it tough to use for tall hedges even though it has a longer blade.

With long-reach bush trimmers, you can easily prune hedges as high as 12 feet. The shrub trimmer has extended shafts to help prune those out-of-reach hedges without needing a ladder. However, the weight is at the end of the shaft and can cause tiredness sooner than a standard hedge trimmer. Also, you can’t see where you are trimming when using an extension shaft.

A hedge trimmer with a rotating head conveniently cuts horizontally and vertically.

Cost

Cost always comes into play with every purchase. In general, you get what you pay for. Corded electric tools are usually cheaper because of the lack of batteries or internal-combustion engines. You should factor in the costs of an extension cord if you need one.

If you are only cutting one bush, it might not matter just how high-quality or well-built your trimmer is – you’ll barely be spending any time using it. On the other hand, the more time you spend outdoors trimming, the more you’ll want to make sure the tool both works well and is comfortable.

Noise Level

Gas bush trimmers are the noisiest of the hedge trimmers. Gas hedge trimmers can reach a noise level of 97 decibels, which is double the dB level of what an electric bush trimmer makes. Since sound is measured on a log scale, that level of decibel difference means they can be up to 30x as loud! Wear hearing protection while shearing with any hedge trimmer.

Battery shrub trimmers make the least noise.

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