A hedge is a beautiful way to mark a boundary in the garden, avoiding the blandness of garden fences and providing both food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Proper maintenance is an ecological as well as an aesthetic necessity since hedgerows are an important habitat for all types of wildlife.
In addition to being crucial for maintaining large hedges, an electric, petrol, or cordless hedge trimmer will save you time and energy when maintaining your garden and will save you from the hassle of using hedge shears.
We researched the most popular hedge trimmers and compiled a list of the best ones. Each hedge trimmer has been rated according to set up and storage, handling and performance, quality and features, and value for money. So, you can be sure of their quality.
How To Choose The Right Hedge Trimmer
Cordless Hedge Trimmers
Cordless hedge trimmers are low-cost, environmentally friendly, and don't require engine maintenance or electricity. However, costly chargers and batteries might make them a more expensive option.
Electric Hedge Trimmers
An electric hedge trimmer can be an excellent option for those seeking an economical, effective, and simple-to-use device. The only real caveat is the cable. You must keep track of the cord at all times to avoid accidentally cutting it.
Petrol Hedge Trimmers
Having the same advantages as cordless hedge trimmers, petrol hedge trimmers are powerful and can be used anywhere. However, petrol is environmentally harmful, costly, and messy. Petrol trimmers can also be quite bulky, loud, and require constant maintenance.
There are several disadvantages to owning a corded or petrol hedge trimmer. With an electric corded hedge trimmer, you must be careful to avoid tripping over extension cords, which is a nuisance. There is no cord to worry about with a petrol hedge trimmer, but it requires fuel, which can be messy as well as expensive. Petrol hedge trimmers can also be loud and difficult to start.
Cordless hedge trimmers are light and quiet, you’re also not restricted to where you can cut because of a cord or heavy petrol engine; you just add a battery pack and go. Cordless hedge trimmers were traditionally pretty expensive, but in recent years they’ve become much more affordable.
What size blade to opt for?
The larger the trimmer, the heavier it is, and you may be surprised at how much of a difference a couple of kilograms might make when you're holding the device at shoulder level for an hour or more or reaching to trim the top of a taller hedge. 45 to 55 centimetres is usually the optimum length range for a hedge trimmer, but you may want one that's even larger if you have a lot of tall or thick hedges to trim.
The space between the teeth on a hedge trimmer, or the width at which it can trim the largest branches, is a significant consideration.
The size of the branches on your hedge can be restricted by how close the teeth of the trimmer are together, so keep this in mind when deciding what size you should purchase. If a hedge is too dense, it may be hard to get through with a trimmer. If you are looking to take down a large conifer hedge, for example, you should purchase a trimmer with a wide blade. Using a tool that is not up to the task will cause you to stop and start as it jams repeatedly. 15mm may be suitable for light privet or lonicera hedges, but you should opt for a blade with a diameter of 20mm or more if you are dealing with laurels or conifers.
Hedge Trimmer Features To Look Out For?
Modern hedge trimmers include a range of safety improvements to help you trim. In addition to safety elements like an instantaneous stop mechanism, anti-jamming systems to avoid stalling caused by trapped branches, and handguards for extra protection. A clipping collector may also be included with some hedge trimmers. While these can help you save time after you've completed your job, these are rare and may make trimming more challenging.
The Most Powerful Hedge Trimmer
Karcher HGE 18-50
The Karcher HGE 18-50 cordless hedge trimmer makes trimming hedges and pruning tasks in the garden safe and easy thanks to its 180° rotating handle and cutting sweeper. The 50cm diamond-ground blade ensures a precise finish, whilst an anti-jam system prevents the blade from becoming jammed.
The Karcher HGE 18-50 is a powerful cordless hedge trimmer that works on tough, large shrubs and hedges, the 50cm blade and 22cm cutting width enables it to handle anything that stands in its way.
In addition to being ergonomically designed, the blade rotates via a clever mechanism as you turn the top handle, allowing you to find the most comfortable position as you trim each side of the hedge or work across the top.
Karcher’s 18V platform batteries are compatible with the HGE 18-50, which is convenient if you already have any tools from Karcher.
Key Features:
- Power Source: Cordless
- Blade Length: 500mm
- Tool Width: 22mm
- Weight: 2.7kg
The Best Value For Money Hedge Trimmer
COBRA HT550E
The Cobra HT550E 600W electric hedge trimmer is designed to handle the toughest jobs thanks to its 55cm double sided blade and rotating handle.
The Cobra HT550E electric hedge trimmer is packed with features and offers excellent value. This 55cm 21 hedge cutter is driven by a quiet 600w motor and includes a 10-metre cable, granting you plenty of room to manoeuvre around a small or medium size garden.
With 20mm spacing, the Cobra HT550E is able to trim thick hedges. An articulating, rotating handle eliminates the tedious work of trimming wide hedges, allowing for effortless switching between left and right and minimal wrist and arm strain.
Key Features:
- Power Source: Corded Electric
- Blade Length: 550m
- Tool Width: 20mm
- Weight: 3.4kg
The Most Versatile Hedge Trimmer
EGO HT2410E
The EGO HT2410E is suitable for trimming medium hedges with thick stem widths, thanks to its 61cm cutting length, and Its 26mm blade gap and 20mm tooth depth. The single speed control and laser-cut, diamond-ground blades slice through stems, making your job simpler and easier.
The EGO HT2410E blades are laser cut and diamond ground, resulting in a clean and precise finish. With only 3kg weight without the battery, this tool is lightweight as well as comfortable.
Key Features:
- Power Source: Cordless
- Blade Length: 61cm
- Weight 3kg (without battery)
The Best Hedge Trimmer For Tall Hedges
Cobra LRH5024V
Looking to take on taller tasks without the need for a stepladder? The LRH5024v from Cobra is a must-have.
The Cobra LRH5024V cordless hedge trimmer comes with a 50cm double-sided reciprocating cutting blade with a 15mm tooth spacing.
This long reach trimmer has a telescopic shaft that extends to 2.5 metres, allowing you to trim small trees with ease. The articulating head rotates between 0 and 90 degrees, giving you ample reach.
The extra versatility of the LRH5024V hedgecutter makes it suitable for domestic gardens, as you can alter the direction of the cut without moving around as much.
Key Features:
- Power Source: Cordless
- Cutting Length: 50cm Double Sided Blade
- Weight: 3.7kg
Conclusion
The Karcher HGE 18-50 is an all-rounder hedge cutter that provides excellent value for money and is suitable for all hedge sizes. Its diverse abilities allow it to handle large amounts of overgrown hedges as well as more detailed and delicate shaping.
