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Hedge Trimmers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 14 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
May 2008
Hedge Trimmers
by Editors of Consumer Reports
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This review compares 14 gas and electric hedge trimmers, rating each on power, safety, ease of use and more. Although the report has a recent date, tests were actually conducted back in 2006. Based on… summary ratings, the hedge trimmers are also ranked within each type. Editors recommend picking an electric hedge trimmer for their extra safety, lightweight comfort, lower maintenance, lesser emissions and cost. The top-rated electric hedge trimmers even perform better than most of the gas hedge trimmers reviewed here.

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2. PopularMechanics.com
Aug. 2004
Hedge Hoggers
by Joe Provey
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

In this older review, Popular Mechanics tests four electric hedge trimmers plus one cordless and one gas hedge trimmer, focusing on cutting power and quality, along with safety features and ergonomics. The… Little Wonder 1920 electric hedge trimmer is the top choice, powerful enough to handle half-inch branches with ease. The Makita UH6350 comes in second. As a budget choice, editors prefer the Craftsman 79975 (now the Craftsman 79957) to the Black & Decker HS1010, which is noisier and vibrates more. The gas-powered Echo HC1500 (now the HC-150 or HC-151) hedge trimmer has lots of power, but the review criticizes its lack of anti-vibration features.

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3. USA Today Magazine
May 2005
Spring Yard Work: Bring It On
by Editors of USA Today
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This review covers the 18-volt Black and Decker Rechargeable Lawn Care Center, which includes the 22-inch NHT518 hedge trimmer as well as a 12-inch string trimmer and a hard surface sweeper. Recommending… the set for areas up to half an acre, the review praises the charging system, which recharges the NiCad batteries in about three hours without a memory effect (so they charge fully each time). No other hedge trimmers are rated.

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4. DIY Network
Not Dated
A Comparison of Hedge Trimmers
by David Thiel and Steve Ettlinger
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This summary of a TV program compares manual, cordless electric, corded electric and gas hedge trimmers, but only one model is discussed for each type. It's intended more as a buyer's guide than as a… comparison review. The selected models include a Homelite cordless hedge trimmer and 20- to 22-inch Sears Craftsman corded electric hedge trimmers. Two Little Wonder gas hedge trimmers are also featured.

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5. Amazon.com
As of July 2008
Hedge Trimmers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

At Amazon.com, Black and Decker's HH2450 in the Hedge Hog series gets nearly perfect reviews from over 40 users, compared to the older models that had performed poorly. Some users prefer the TR series for… its lock-on button, a feature lacking in the HH series. Even though it lacks a lock-on button, the 18-volt Black and Decker NHT518 cordless hedge trimmer gets a high average rating from nearly 100 reviewers, as does the CCC3000 Cordless Lawn Care Center that includes this trimmer.

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6. GardenWeb.com
As of July 2008
Tool Shed Forum - Hedge Trimmers
by Contributors to GardenWeb.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This forum for gardeners has accumulated quite a few discussions of hedge trimmers, including recommendations of specific models. One discussion recommends the Little Wonder electric hedge trimmers for women's use, since Stihl, Echo and Tanaka gas hedge trimmers are quite a bit heavier. You can search the Tool Shed forum for additional discussions and reviews of hedge trimmers.
7. HomeDepot.com
As of July 2008
Hedge Trimmers
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Home Depot has begun publishing user reviews of tools sold there, summarizing the average ratings right on the product-details pages. The Black and Decker HH2450 hedge trimmer gets a few reviews. The Echo 150 gas hedge trimmer has just four reviews, but earns 4.8 out of a possible five stars.
8. Lowes.com
As of July 2008
Hedge Trimmers
by Contributors to Lowes.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Lowe's has also started publishing feedback from tool users. However, instead of publishing detailed reviews, Lowe's posts only numeric ratings -- not as helpful as the narrative reviews at Home Depot. The… Black and Decker electric hedge trimmer, model HH2450, gets average ratings of 4.3 (out of a possible five) here. The 22-inch WeedEater 25cc Excalibur Gas Hedge Trimmer gets slightly lower ratings.

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9. Epinions.com
As of July 2008
Hedgers
by Contributors to Epinions
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This is another site at which users post reviews and ratings of hedge trimmers based on their personal experiences. Though over 100 models are listed, most have no reviews at all, and many have only one or two. Quite a few outdated models remain on the list.
10. ReviewCentre.com
As of July 2008
Hedge Trimmers
by Contributors to ReviewCentre.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This U.K. site posts users' reviews and ratings of hedge trimmers, but some of the models are only available in the U.K. (like the Bosch electric hedge trimmers), and few have more than one review. Still,… it can be useful to check for reviews of specific models. For example, the Garden Groom (listed under "other") gets mixed reviews, recommended by seven out of eleven reviewers. Earlier users question its durability, while more recent reviews praise its efficiency and ease of use.

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11. Grounds Maintenance
May 2006
Focus On: Hedge Trimmers
by Editors of Grounds Maintenance
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article gives the main features of ten professional-level gas hedge trimmers, but no testing, ranking or ratings are included, so it appears that the information is just from the manufacturers. Still, it's useful to see the features of so many gas models compared in one place.
12. Yard and Garden
April/May 2008
Product Showcase: Hedge Trimmers
by Editors of Yard and Garden
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article offers brief descriptions of seven gas hedge trimmers from Tanaka, Husqvarna, Little Wonder, Echo, Efco, Stihl and Redmax, plus the manual Corona Clipper Forged Hedge Shear. No ratings or rankings are included.
13. Landscape Management
Apr. 23, 2004
Tools of the Trade: Extend Yourself
by Editors of Landscape Management
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This brief review notes that the Stihl HL 100 extended-length gas hedge trimmers are powered by an emissions-compliant engine, the Stihl 4-MIX. These 24-inch hedge trimmers are available with either a fixed or an adjustable-angle cutting head, and with either a 42-inch or 59-inch shaft. Unfortunately no testing is documented, so we can't rank this review higher.
14. ConsumerGuide.com
As of July 2008
Hedge Trimmers
by Editors and Contributors
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Consumer Guide's reviews have improved over the last several years. Hedge trimmers get professional-sounding reviews and ratings here, and the reviews appear to be written by people who have actually used the equipment. Still, many hedge trimmers get the top recommendation of "best buy," so it's hard to give this rating a lot of weight.

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