Hedge Trimmers

Types of hedge trimmers

Hedge trimmers come with blade lengths ranging from about 13 inches to as long as 40 inches. Some allow you to switch blades to suit the job, but reviews warn that this tends to affect the balance. Steve Ettlinger, writing for Horticulture Magazine, recommends 16-inch blades for most gardens, though longer blades make it easier to trim wide hedges evenly. Expert reviews recommend getting the shortest blade you need, to minimize weight and make the trimmer easier to control. Blades of high-carbon steel are a plus, because they keep a sharper edge.

A few hedge trimmers still use a single blade, with one or both edges sharp for cutting, but most now use "dual-action" or "double-reciprocating" blades that move past each other, cutting branches between them. Editors at Consumer Reports and Popular Mechanics favor dual-action hedge trimmers for faster cutting.

Tradeoffs between safety and speed/comfort run through all the reviews of hedge trimmers. Models that require using both hands, which shut off automatically if either hand is taken off the handle, are safest because they eliminate all risk of a moving blade touching your hand. However, users reviewing hedge trimmers at sites like Amazon.com clearly prefer hedge trimmers with a lock-on switch, because this makes the tool easier to maneuver and less tiring to use. Gas hedge trimmers get the job done fastest, but their vibration can be tiring and they weigh more.

Pole hedge trimmers, available in all three power types, have long shanks to let you trim tall shrubbery without the danger of getting on a ladder. Expert reviews say it's much safer to trim tall shrubbery using pole hedge trimmers, also called extended-reach hedge trimmers.

Electric hedge trimmers are the most popular type. Reviews say they're powerful enough for most trimming jobs, with the best models capable of handling branches up to half an inch in diameter, even when branches are old and tough. Electric hedge trimmers are also the lightest, least expensive and quietest type. Because they don't use gas or oil, they are more environmentally friendly as well. But you can only use them in dry conditions, within 100 feet of an electrical outlet.

Cordless, battery-powered hedge trimmers are relatively light, quiet and environmentally friendly. However, cordless models are the least powerful type, so they tend to bog down on thick hedges. Battery runtime is limited to about 45 minutes, though you can switch batteries to keep going.

Gas hedge trimmers offer power and portability (no electric cord to drag along behind you), but they are noisier, more expensive, heavier and less environmentally friendly than electric models. The fumes are also a health hazard. These machines are best for very large jobs or thicker, tough branches.

Electric hedge trimmers

In a comparative review at Popular Mechanics, editors recommend the Little Wonder electric hedge trimmers, praising their high-carbon steel, double-reciprocating blades, their relatively quiet operation (69.4 decibels) and their safety features. Tests show the blades can handle half-inch branches with ease, even in tough older growth. Dual switches require both hands on the handles before the tool will start -- so you can't accidentally start it with one hand in the blades' path. The DC motor stops less than half a second after you take a hand off a handle. Users discussing hedge trimmers in the GardenWeb.com forum also recommend Little Wonder electric hedge trimmers, praising their build quality and durability. But they are expensive.

The Little Wonder electric hedge trimmers come in three blade lengths: 19, 24 and 30 inches. The Popular Mechanics review recommends the 24-inch version, the Little Wonder 2420 (*est. $290) for best balance, finding the 19-inch (*est. $270) to be weighted too much toward the rear. Other reviews, like Consumer Reports, favor rear-weighted hedge trimmers, however, and some people will find the 19-inch Little Wonder more comfortable. It's also three ounces lighter, at 8.5 pounds.

For a little over half the price of the Little Wonder, Popular Mechanics also recommends the single-bladed Makita UH6350 (*est. $170) hedge trimmer, which weighs about a pound less. The review says the Makita hedge trimmer can handle branches up to half an inch in diameter, with minimal noise and vibration. It has a dual-switch safety feature similar to that on the Little Wonder, but the blade doesn't stop as fast after the trimmer is turned off. Although the Makita's blade only takes one or two seconds to stop, the Popular Mechanics review notes that it takes just a fraction of a second to slice off fingers. The Makita hedge trimmer does have a front shield to protect the hand in front, a safety feature the Little Wonder lacks, but this gets mixed reviews from users at Amazon.com -- some find it hard to see through. Like the Little Wonder, the Makita carries a two-year warranty for residential, non-commercial use.

If safety is a prime concern, and you have to trim close to a lot of walls, it could be worth considering the heavier, more expensive Metabo HS 8365 S hedge trimmer (*est. $200) . A special safety clutch protects the tool from kicking back if the blades touch the ground or a wall, and a blade guard protects the blade. A blade brake also stops the blade within half a second.

As a budget choice, several reviews give top ranking to the 7.6-pound, 22-inch Craftsman 79957 (*est. $70), saying their tests show it outperforms Black & Decker electric hedge trimmers. The Popular Mechanics review says the Craftsman electric hedge trimmer's dual-action blades cut less smoothly, with more noise and vibration than the more expensive models. Yet they say it gets the job done, even on branches up to half an inch in diameter. Its lock-on switch makes it especially convenient to use -- you don't have to keep the main trigger depressed the whole time you're using it -- but you do need to use two hands since there's a second trigger on the top handle. It comes with a one-year warranty. This model maintains a high average rating in about 15 user reviews on the Sears.com website.

Black & Decker has introduced the 24-inch dual action blade Hedge Hog HH2450 (*est. $70), which is more powerful than earlier models. Owner reviews for this budget hedge trimmer are good. It weighs 6.2 pounds (lighter than most), and is able to cut branches up to ¾-inch thick. While we didn't see the Black & Decker HH2450 included in professional reviews, users at Amazon.com give it an average five stars out of five in 40 reviews, while reviewers on the Home Depot & Lowes websites give it 4.4 and 4.3 out of five stars (respectively).

For even less, seven Amazon.com reviewers give the 17-inch Black & Decker TR1700 (*est. $50) perfect five-star marks. Users like the lock-on button, and at 4.5 pounds the TR1700 weighs even less than the hedge trimmers above, so it's the least tiring model to use. For smaller branches up to three-eighths inch in diameter, this model is a reasonable budget choice. Both Black & Decker hedge trimmers carry a two-year warranty.

Cordless electric hedge trimmers

Cordless electric hedge trimmers free you of the cord. However, they definitely offer less power than corded trimmers. Tests show cordless models bogging down in thick hedges, and many user reviewers at Amazon.com testify to frustration with thick branches and shrubbery.

Many people still report preferring cordless hedge trimmers, praising their maneuverability, though the battery pack makes them heavier than most corded hedge trimmers. Some user reviews find them adequate for most jobs, even when they have thousands of feet to trim. Most cordless hedge trimmers now make extra battery packs available, effectively eliminating runtime as a problem (as long as you have access to an outlet for recharging the spent batteries).

The 18-volt, 22-inch Black & Decker NHT518 (*est. $100) is recommended in more reviews than any other cordless hedge trimmer. Each battery recharges in about three hours, and users reviewing this model at Amazon.com say this hedge trimmer has enough power for most jobs. The dual-action blades are rated for at least half-inch-diameter branches, and Black & Decker estimates that it can trim about 1,200 square feet of hedge per charge. More than 100 user reviews at Amazon.com give the hedge trimmer an average 4.5-star rating. We found a few complaints about the 6.4-pound weight and lack of a lock-on switch, and even with proper care, the NiCad batteries don't last forever.

Users reviewing cordless hedge trimmers also like the 6-pound, 14.4-volt Black & Decker CHT500 (*est. $80) . The Popular Mechanics review finds this model adequate for quick trims. This cordless trimmer has a shorter run time (40 minutes compared with 50 for the Black & Decker NHT518), and the manufacturer estimates that it can trim about 1,000 square feet of hedge per charge. Even though it lacks the power of the gas and corded electric hedge trimmers tested by Popular Mechanics, the testers there say they turned to it more often for occasional light-duty trimming because it's so easy to use. One user reviewing this 14.4-volt model at HomeDepot.com, though, says it runs into trouble on branches bigger than a quarter-inch in diameter.

Both Black & Decker cordless hedge trimmers use dual-action blades, come with a two-year warranty and get average ratings of 4.5 (out of a possible five) in reviews at Amazon.com. Although they lack a lock-on switch, they do have a safety lock-off switch to keep them from being turned on accidentally.

Gas hedge trimmers

Most homeowners can get by with an electric trimmer, but if you need to prune old-growth hedges with branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter, you'll need a more powerful (and more expensive) gas trimmer.

For cutting branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter, including tough old growth, reviews recommend the 24-inch Echo HC-160 (*est. $350) gas hedge trimmer. Its 20-inch cousin, the Echo HC-150 (*est. $270) is the top gas-powered model in two comparative reviews, but Popular Mechanics editors criticize the Echo HC-150's vibration. The Echo HC-160 builds in vibration dampening, so it's suitable even for long hours of use. It also has a larger starter handle, which is easier to grip. Because of the anti-vibration features and high test scores, we've included this model in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers.

The newer Echo HC-150i (*est. $270) has an "i-start" feature to make it easier to start, and dealers say this makes it very popular. If a 20-inch blade is big enough for your needs, and you don't need the anti-vibration features, the HC-150i could be your best choice. (To dampen vibration, you can also wear bicycle gloves or gel-padded anti-vibration safety gloves, although these can be uncomfortable in hot weather.)

All these Echo models have double-sided, double-reciprocating blades like the top-rated corded electric models. They also have a commercial-grade air filtration system that meets current clean-air standards using a fuel-efficient 2-cycle engine. Dealers say the 2-cycle engine is less apt to need repair than 4-stroke engines. The Echo trimmers have separate, stationary blade extensions, which are preferred by experts. The fuel tank is translucent so you can judge fuel level at a glance.

The 24-inch Stihl HomeScaper Series HS 45 (*est. $300) gas hedge trimmer gets even higher ratings than the Echo trimmers in one recent review. Like the Echo 160, the Stihl HS 45 has vibration dampening built in, but the Stihl hedge trimmer has a more powerful 27cc engine (compared with 21cc on the Echo hedge trimmer engines), and it weighs over a pound less. Stihl also makes the HS 45 with an 18-inch blade (*est. $280), reducing the total weight from 10.8 to 10.1 pounds. This model is available through Stihl dealers, but it's harder to find online.

Pole pruners and trimmers

For very tall shrubs, experts say that using blades mounted on a long shaft is safer than standing on a ladder with shorter trimmers. Jane Autler, in her article on hedge trimmers for Grounds Maintenance Magazine, suggests considering long-reach trimmers with rotating heads for this kind of work. Several manufacturers make hedge-trimming attachments that fit on string trimmers, but reviews say they don't work nearly as well as dedicated pole hedge trimmers. (These are often called by other names, such as extended-reach hedge trimmers or pole pruners.)

Ryobi makes a gas model called the Ryobi 30cc Gas Pole Pruner RY52004 (*est. $180), but we could find no reviews of it. Ryobi also make a cordless model called the 18-Volt ONE+ Pole Pruner P2500 (*est. $50). Two reviewers at Home Depot give this model top marks, but another felt limited by the ability to only cut up to 3/4 inch diameter branches. Two of these reviewers like the fact that this trimmer uses Ryobi ONE+ batteries that they already have at home.

The less expensive dual-bladed Remington Electric Hedge Trimmer 110946-01 (*est. $105) telescopes to ten feet as needed and weighs 7.25 pounds. A similar model at Amazon.com gets below-average reviews from more than 30 users who warn that the cam and other parts can break. The 6.1-pound Black & Decker 24" Hedge Hog XR Extended Reach Hedge Trimmer HH2410 (*est. $75) doesn't have nearly as much reach, but it does have a two-position handle that pivots to make trimming both tops and sides of hedges easier. With dual blades and a 2.6-amp motor, it's rated for cutting branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter. However, several users at Amazon.com, where its average rating from a handful of users is below average, say that it doesn't have anywhere near that much power. This model is no longer listed on the Black & Decker website, but is still available through several sellers on Amazon.com.

Important Features: Hedge trimmers

Reviews suggest considering the following when choosing hedge trimmers:

• The safest tools are designed so they must be turned on with two switches, including a lock-off button, so that there's no chance that one of your hands is near the blades. Most people, however, prefer hedge trimmers with a lock-on switch to prevent trigger-finger fatigue, even though this decreases overall safety.

• Consider other safety features. These include blades that stop almost instantly, a safety clutch to prevent kickback, and a shield or blade guard between the handle and blade to help protect your hands. Note: Several owners at Amazon.com report hurting themselves by grabbing the shield because it looked too much like a front handle.

• The maximum opening between the blades should be no more than 3/4 inch, which reduces the chance of injury. Some commercial models, however, have larger openings for easier trimming of thicker branches.

• Balance and a comfortable handle and trigger are essential for safety and maneuverability. A wrap-around front handle adds maneuverability; all of the hedge trimmers in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers have this feature.

For gasoline-powered units:

• Blades should stop when the engine idles. Without this feature, you have to turn the hedge trimmer off to safely move to another work area.

• Vibration dampening is important for sessions lasting more than about 20 minutes.

• Look for a gas-powered trimmer that complies with Tier 1 EPA and California emissions requirements. (Since 1997, gas-powered tools must comply with federal mandates that reduce emissions by 35 percent.)

• A translucent fuel tank makes it easy to see when it's time to refuel.

For electric-powered units:

• Electric trimmers should have a double-insulated motor and two-prong plug. Underwriters Laboratories recommends a three-prong plug to insure proper grounding if the motor is not double insulated (i.e. double-grounded internally).

• Experts recommend at least a 2.8-amp motor.

• On corded models, look for a cord clip and a "pigtail." A pigtail is a short cord that connects to the extension cord, instead of just a female socket on the machine. The pigtail makes it easier to unplug and re-plug the cord when you move from one area to another. It also makes it harder to accidentally disconnect the cord by pulling on it. The cord clip helps to keep the cord well away from the blades, since cutting the cord accidentally is one of the biggest safety hazards.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Black & Decker NHT518 (*est. $100)	details
2	Echo HC-150 (*est. $270)	-
2	Little Wonder 2420 (*est. $290)	-
2	Craftsman 79975 (now 79957) (*est. $70)	-
1 each	Black & Decker HS1010 , Black & Decker TR1700 , Garden Groom , Little Wonder 1920 , Makita UH6350 , Mantis e-system , Metabo HS 8365 S , Stihl HomeScaper Series HS 45

Although the Craftsman and Black & Decker electric hedge trimmers are well-recommended bargains, both professional and user reviews say the Little Wonder electric trimmers are worth the price if you can afford them. Among gas trimmers, the Stihl HS 45 gets top rating in one review, but the Echo HC-150 gets slightly more recommendations. The Black and Decker NHT518 is the most recommended cordless hedge trimmer.

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