Echo HC-150

The Echo HC-150 hedge trimmer has a 20-inch, double-sided, double-reciprocating blade like top-rated corded electric trimmers. It features a commercial-grade air-filtration system that meets federal clean-air standards using a fuel-efficient two-cycle gasoline engine. The Echo HC-150 is powerful enough to cut tough branches measuring up to ¾ of an inch in diameter. Echo also sells a version of this hedge trimmer called the HC-150i, which includes a feature that reduces the effort required for engine startup by 75 percent, according to the manufacturer.

As with any other gas-powered lawn tool, the Echo HC-150 hedge trimmer is noisier, heavier and more polluting than similar corded or battery-operated electric trimmers. The next best option for users who want a powerful hedge trimmer is a powerful electric trimmer such as the Little Wonder 1920 (*Est. $260). It's corded, though, so freedom of movement is more restricted than with the gasoline-powered Echo.

Reviewers are quite consistent in giving Echo gas-powered hedge trimmers positive ratings in comparison tests. ConsumerReports.org provides the most in-depth information on how the Echo HC-150 stacks up against other gas-powered models. Although an older review from Popular Mechanics doesn't compare as wide a variety of models as Consumer Reports, it does a good job weighing the pros and cons of gas-powered hedge trimmers. And it provides a detailed report on the Echo HC-150's predecessor, the HC-1500. We found owner ratings at HomeDepot.com, where the Echo HC-150 has been well received by customers posting reviews. One user reports that the HC-150 is able to tackle branches that he previously had to trim with a chainsaw.