A hedge trimmer can make grooming hedges, bushes and other plants effortless. It's far easier to use than doing the job by hand. This handy garden tool also allows you to trim your hedges into intricate shapes, boosting their curve appeal. With regular trimming, the health of your precious hedges can also improve.
When finding the best hedge trimmer for your gardening needs, choose between a cordless, electric or petrol-powered model. You may also want to consider the trimmer's user-friendliness, price, rotating head, blade and safety features.
Our team at Finder has examined various hedge trimmers listed on Amazon and Bunnings for this list. We picked models based on customer ratings and reviews. For each category, we also selected hedge trimmers based on their key product features.
We picked the Ryobi ONE+ 18V 2.0Ah Hedge Trimmer Kit as the best overall hedge trimmer you can get right now in Australia. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Bunnings.
The Ryobi ONE+ 18V hedge trimmer kit features an electric motor and battery for ease of use. It weighs 2.2kg with a battery attached, which makes the kit a lightweight option for trimming shrubs and hedges. It also has a 40cm blade and a 14mm cut capacity. The fixer rear handle has a 2-point safety operation as well.
Customers praised the product's ease of use, durability and value for money. Compared to petrol options, this unit is easier to maintain. The operation is also beginner-friendly. Users added that the 14mm cut capacity is more than enough to trim their hedges to perfection. However, thicker shrubs may need more than a couple of passes.
For the best cordless option, we recommend Bosch's Cordless Hedge Trimmer EasyHedgeCut, which has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
With a lightweight cordless system, this Bosch hedge trimmer offers the ultimate convenience for your garden's needs. It features a 45cm blade length and 15mm tooth spacing for light trimming tasks. It is powered by an 18V Li-ion battery and comes with a blade cover.
The general sentiment is that this is a handy cordless hedge trimmer suitable for light garden works. It has the brand's Anti-Blocking System for uninterrupted cutting. The cordless operation makes the job a lot easier as well. Users added that it has superb battery life, enabling you to trim hedges up to 160sqm per full charge.
With a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we selected the BLACK+DECKER 18V Pole Hedge Trimmer Kit as the best pole hedge trimmer. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, this hedge trimmer is 25cm wide and has an ergonomic handle for ultimate comfort. It is easy to control and powers through up to 220 cuts on a single charge. It also has tool-free chain tensioning for quick and simple chain fitting and adjustment.
Numerous buyers were impressed by the trimmer's superb battery life and durable design. While it's quite heavy, it is still easy to manoeuvre. The operation is also user-friendly. Others added that it can cut through thicker shrubs in no time.
The battery is part of the brand's One Battery system, which means its battery works with tools that are also part of the system.
Our pick for the best petrol option is the Homelite 26cc 55cm 2 Stroke Hedge Trimmer. Bunnings customers gave it a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
With a 550mm blade and a lightweight design, this Homelite hedge trimmer is the perfect tool for heavy-duty tasks. It has a 26cc half crank 2-stroke engine to tackle most garden hedges and a spring-assisted pull start to get the power going. The 28ccm cutting capacity is also more than enough to cut thicker shrubs.
An affordable workhorse for all your hedge trimming needs, this product is user-friendly and durable. Customers said it is also easy to control and move around, letting you trim hard-to-reach shrubs and hedges in your garden. But since it's a petrol option, maintenance is more time-consuming compared to electric options.
When it comes to the best cheap option, we selected Ozito's 550W 455mm Electric Hedge Trimmer. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Bunnings.
Ozito's electric hedge trimmer has laser-cut blades for durability and efficiency. It features a 13mm cutting capacity and a dual-handed safety switch for improved safety. The brand added that it has a maximum cutting length of 455mm and a 510mm blade length.
This hedge trimmer is a solid option if you're on a budget. It offers some of the best features that you can find on higher-end models but at a fraction of the cost. It is best suited for light work, but customers said it performs decently when cutting thicker shrubs. However, heavier-duty tasks take more effort and time using this tool.
We recommend the WORX 20V Cordless 2-in-1 Trimmer/Edger as the best telescopic hedge trimmer. This model garnered a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This hedge trimmer from WORX features wheeled edging for a precise manicured look. It also has a head that pivots 90º, suitable for a wide range of terrain. You can also use this tool for edging, which makes it a versatile choice if you don't like using multiple tools when grooming your hedges. It also comes with 2Ah batteries and a 2A charger.
Customers praised the product's versatility, ease of use and durable design. It features a comfortable ergonomic handle, which makes controlling the tool a breeze. Its pivoting head can also reach every nook and cranny of hedges and shrubs for an even trim. However, despite having a 20V battery, customers said the battery life pales in comparison to models in the same price range.
Our pick for the best quiet hedge trimmer is EGO's Power+ HT2400 Cordless Hedge Trimmer, which has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
EGO's Power+ cordless head trimmer has a 19mm cutting capacity and 24-inch dual-action, hardened steel reciprocating blades. It has a durable, weather-resistant construction that can withstand all 4 seasons. According to the brand, it also offers 3,000 strokes per minute for a quick and clean hedge trimming job.
Powered by a 56V ARC lithium battery, this hedge trimmer offers superb battery life and heavy-duty cutting action. It also has a lightweight design and an ergonomic handle for added comfort. Users added that it is easy to manoeuvre to trim hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, it has an electric brake that immediately stops the blades upon the release of the trigger for better control.
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For this list, we looked into hundreds of hedge trimmers on Amazon and Bunnings. We analysed models from the following brands:
AEG
BLACK + DECKER
Bosch
DeWalt
Echo
EGO Power
Homelite
Makita
Ozito
Ryobi
Toro
Victa
WORX
We trimmed down our picks based on customer ratings and reviews (as of May 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, price, blade, comfort and safety features. We came up with what we believe are the 7 best hedge trimmers available online.
Why should I consider a hedge trimmer?
If you care about how your garden looks, whether from the street or simply when you're spending time in your backyard, you'll need to trim your hedges. Unfortunately, doing this by hand is not only time-consuming but also labour intensive.
But with a hedge trimmer at your disposal, grooming your hedges, bushes and other plants to look just right is a breeze. It's quicker and easier than trimming by hand and requires much less elbow grease. A hedge trimmer will also let you turn your hedges into intricate shapes to create a perfectly manicured look.
Aesthetics aside, regular trimming can also improve the health of your hedges, allowing you to remove dead or diseased portions and promote growth.
Why shouldn't I consider a hedge trimmer?
The main reason you might pass on a hedge trimmer is simply if you don't have many hedges or bushes that need regular trimming. If this is the case, you can probably get by with manual shears.
Also, if you don't care whether your garden is in pristine condition, your money would be better spent elsewhere. And on those occasions when you decide it's time to tame the wilderness in your front or backyard, you can always call on a professional gardening service to take care of it.
What types are available?
If you're buying a hedge trimmer for your garden, there are 3 main options to choose from:
Electric hedge trimmers
Lightweight, quiet, quick-starting and affordable, electric hedge trimmers are easy to use and maintain. If you have suitable power points so you can easily access the areas you need to trim, an electric model may be a wise choice. However, when using electric trimmers, there is a risk of cutting the power cord. These models also don't offer as much power as petrol-powered models.
Cordless hedge trimmers
An increasingly popular option, battery-powered hedge trimmers provide freedom from power cords, strong and quiet performance and less vibration than a petrol-powered model. The other advantage of a cordless hedge trimmer is that you may be able to use the battery to power other tools from the same manufacturer, for example, a whipper snipper, leaf blower or mower. Just remember to check whether the battery and charger are included in the purchase price of your trimmer since they may be sold separately.
Petrol-powered hedge trimmers
For maximum power, you can't go past a petrol hedge trimmer. These can make fast work of hedge trimming jobs of all shapes and sizes and can be used anywhere. However, they do have a few major disadvantages – they're noisier, heavier and vibrate more than other options, and they also require more maintenance.
How to compare hedge trimmers
Once you've chosen between electric, cordless and petrol power, you'll also need to look at the features and the performance of a variety of hedge trimmers. Electric hedge trimmers tend to be the cheapest models, so expect to pay more if you choose a cordless or petrol-powered model. Most hedge trimmers fit within the $79 to $399 price bracket, but there are outliers at either end.
When comparing your options, consider the following features:
What type of hedges will you be trimming? If you're looking to tame older, well-established hedges and bushes, you'll likely need a model with extra power to tackle thicker branches. The size of the area you need to cut will also influence your choice since you may want a longer blade and longer runtime to complete the job.
Most modern hedge trimmers have double-sided blades. These generally allow you to produce cleaner and more even results, but they have a weight disadvantage compared to single-sided blades.
Blades feature evenly-spaced teeth. The space between those teeth is an indication of the diameter of the branches and stems the tool can cut. A wider gap between the teeth allows the trimmer to tackle larger vegetation and tougher commercial jobs. A standard gap of around 16mm to 20mm should be adequate for most household vegetation. Don't forget to check how easy it is to remove the blade in case you have to replace it.
Hedge trimmers come with a variety of blade lengths. While a longer blade is handy for tackling large areas faster and for providing an even trim, it can also be heavy and unwieldy to use in tight spaces. Most models have a blade length of between 400mm and 600mm, but they can be as short as 150mm on smaller models (sometimes called shears) or up to 720mm on large, petrol-powered machines.
Some manufacturers will list the maximum diameter of twig their trimmers can cut, with many claiming a limit somewhere in the 20-30mm range.
If shopping in-store, see how comfortable a trimmer is to hold. Wraparound handles and/or rotating handles should allow you to easily hold the trimmer to cut at a variety of angles.
Some come with a shoulder strap to relieve the strain on your arms, while it's also worth remembering that electric and cordless models offer less vibration than a petrol-powered hedge trimmer.
Check for safety features including a hand guard to protect yourself against debris, an automatic brake to instantly stop the blades once you've turned off the trimmer and an anti-jam function to remove material caught in the blades. Many models feature safety switches on both handles and won't start until you are holding both handles.
Of course, you should also remember to wear eye, ear and hand protection, not to mention covered footwear, when using a hedge trimmer.
Some hedge trimmers feature a rotating head, which allows you to cut either horizontally or vertically while still holding the trimmer in the same position.
If you choose a cordless hedge trimmer, check how much runtime you'll get from one charge and how long it takes to fully recharge the battery (most modern batteries take an hour or less to recharge). If you want extra runtime, find out how much an additional battery pack will cost.
Check that the trimmer is light enough so that you can comfortably hold it for long periods. Most models weigh between 2.5kg and 5kg. Heavier units tend to be more powerful but will also wear you out more quickly.
A common warranty length for hedge trimmers is 2 years, but some manufacturers will offer more. Make sure you check the fine print to find out exactly what the warranty covers.
Pole. If you need to trim tall hedges or wide bushes, consider a pole hedge trimmer. As the name suggests, these feature an extension pole that you can lock in several different positions to suit your cutting needs. They're convenient to use and remove the hassle and risk of using a ladder.
Catcher plate. Some models come with an optional catcher plate that you can attach along the edge of the blade to sweep cuttings out of the way.
Tip protector. This accessory can protect the blade from damage if it comes into contact with the wall or ground, but it is not available on all models.
Other tools. Another thing to consider if choosing a battery-powered model is the other tools the manufacturer has in its range. If you can easily transfer the battery between your hedge trimmer and multiple tools, you may want to assess the features and performance of all the manufacturer's compatible products.
Frequently asked questions
Most hedge trimmers are built to cut through shrubs and hedges, but they can also cut through branches up to a thickness of ¾ of an inch. Anything thicker than this may damage your tool.
Here are a few tips to maintain a petrol hedge trimmer:
Wipe the blades with soapy water to remove dirt and other build-up. To remove build-up on the filter, gently remove it from the trimmer and blow through it.
Tighten loose screws and fittings and regularly sharpen the blades.
Check for fuel leaks and damage after each use.
Lubricate blades after each use to ensure they remain sharp
To prepare them for the winter months, drain the fuel until nothing is left before storing.
Make sure to check your manufacturer's guide to know more about the best ways to keep your trimmer in tip-top shape.
Hedge trimmers handle lighter trimming tasks. They are suitable for grooming your hedges and shrubs. Hedge cutters are better for heavy-duty jobs such as getting through thicker shrubs and cutting bigger branches.
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Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
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