Hedge Trimmers

Types of hedge trimmers

Hedge trimmers come with blade lengths ranging from about 13 inches to as long as 40 inches. Some models allow you to switch blades to suit the job, but reviews warn that this tends to affect the balance. Steve Ettinger, 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 hedge shears 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. Single-blade hedge trimmers with only one sharp edge are the safest type to use, but they take longer to get the job done and are usually only comfortable for right-handed users. 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, shutting 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 hazardous to wrist health. The extra weight makes them more tiring to use, also a safety hazard. Least hazardous of all, of course, are manual hedge clippers (not covered in this report). They are quietest, but they take much longer to get the job done.

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. Because of the moving sharp blades, it's especially dangerous to use hedge trimmers from a ladder.

Hedge trimmers are primarily categorized by the power type:

• 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 (preferably one with a Ground Fault Interrupter).

• 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.

• Cordless hedge trimmers are relatively light, quiet and environmentally friendly. They are also as portable as gas hedge trimmers. However, cordless models lack the power of even corded electric hedge trimmers, 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. Reviews recommend cordless hedge trimmers for small hedges and suggest buying a cordless model as a second hedge trimmer to use for quick trims.

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 models, praising their build quality and durability.

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. $260) for best balance, finding the 19-inch Little Wonder 1920 (*est. $235) 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. $150) 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. $330). 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. A similar Metabo hedge trimmer is recommended by the Australian consumer magazine Choice, in an earlier comparative review. Tests there show that the Metabo hedge trimmer cuts about as well as the Makita, but it carries only a one-year warranty.

Another extra-safe hedge trimmer, the Garden Groom Max (*est. $180) is now available in the United States. This design completely encloses the blades so there's no chance of injury. The plastic enclosure also shreds and catches the clippings so you don't have to stoop down to collect them later, and you can use them for mulch or compost. The award-winning design sounds ideal, but we haven't yet found a review that compares them with other hedge trimmers. Only two users have reviewed the Garden Groom at Amazon.com, with completely opposite results: A glowing 5-star review of praise (after about a year of use), and a 1-star review that says it's slow, awkward to hold and useful only for small-leaf tender hedges. A new, lighter 6-pound Garden Groom Midi (*est. $140) collects the clippings in a bag that can sit on the ground, but it's even less powerful, and we found no reviews of it yet. Clearly the jury's still out on these hedge trimmers.

As a budget choice, several reviews give top ranking to the 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 light, 5.8-pound weight and lock-on switch make it especially convenient to use -- you don't have to keep the trigger depressed the whole time you're using it. The warranty is only for one year.

Black & Decker electric hedge trimmers just have single-action blades, so they get the job done more slowly. Among the different Black & Decker models, the TR series gets better reviews than the HH "Hedge Hog" series. Users at Amazon.com give the 16-inch Black & Decker TR1600 (*est. $35) an average rating of 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars. Users love the lock-on button, and at 4.4 pounds the TR1600 weighs even less than the Craftsman hedge trimmers (above), so it's the least tiring model to use. The 17-inch Black & Decker TR1700 (*est. $30) gets a similar rating in user-reviews at HomeDepot.com. For smaller branches up to three-eighths inch in diameter, either hedge trimmer is a reasonable budget choice, and both carry a two-year warranty.

Gas hedge trimmers

For cutting branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter, including tough old growth, reviews recommend the 24-inch Echo HC160 (*est. $350) gas hedge trimmer. Its 20-inch cousin, the Echo HC150 (*est. $270) is the top gas-powered model in two comparative reviews, but Popular Mechanics' editors criticize the Echo HC150's vibration. The Echo HC160 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 Fast Answers.

The newer or 151i (*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 HC150i 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 Stihl HomeScaper Series HS45 (*est. $290) gas hedge trimmer gets even higher ratings than the Echo trimmers in one recent review. Like the Echo 160, the Stihl HS45 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 HS45 with an 18-inch blade (*est. $290), 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.

Cordless electric hedge trimmers

While corded electric models require dragging an extension cord with you while you stay within 100 feet of an outlet, cordless models free you of both cord and limitations. However, they definitely offer less power than corded trimmers. Tests at the Australian Consumers' Association (Choice magazine) 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 electric hedge trimmers. Some user-reviews find them adequate for most hedge trimming 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. $70) 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 1200 square feet of hedge per charge. This model is also available as part of the three-piece kit, the Black & Decker CCC3000 (*est. $190) , which includes a string trimmer and patio broom. User-reviews at Amazon.com give both the kit and the separate hedge trimmers average 4.5-star ratings. 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 , now the CHT500-2 (*est. $70) . 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, they're more apt to use a cordless hedge trimmer whenever possible, because it's so easy. 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 5) 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. Since the battery packs are mostly interchangeable with other Black & Decker cordless tools, your plans for other tools may determine which hedge trimmer is better for you.

The 24-volt Craftsman 74802 (*est. $90) offers more power, but it uses single-action blades, which diminishes some of this advantage. Also, recharging the battery takes six hours, twice as long as it takes to charge the Black & Decker batteries. One review gives it top rank for handling and safety, however, so this 18-inch model is worth considering if you don't need the 22-inch blades of the Black & Decker hedge trimmers.

Pole pruners and trimmers

For really 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.)

We found two reviews praising the Little Wonder gas extended-reach hedge trimmers, including the Little Wonder 2310 (*est. $400). At AskToolTalk.com, Leon Frechette reviewed 25-inch-bladed Little Wonder pole hedge trimmers with both 36-inch and 60-inch shafts. He tested these by trimming ten-foot-high juniper bushes, both from the sides and underneath, using the blades throughout their 180-degree rotation. He concludes that the 60-inch shafts make this kind of task quite feasible from ground level. Echo also makes several long reach and articulating blade models for this purpose, but we found no reviews of them.

Ryobi makes a less expensive gas model called the Ryobi 30cc Gas Pole Pruner RY52004 (*est. $180) that gets mixed reviews from users at HomeDepot.com. One user loves it, while another notes that compared with earlier Ryobi gas hedge trimmers, it's not very sturdy.

The less expensive dual-bladed Remington Electric Hedge Trimmer 110946-01 (*est. $100) telescopes to ten feet as needed, yet it weighs only 7.25 pounds. It gets mixed reviews from three users reviewing it at Home Depot. Most say it's great, but one warns against forcing it, saying a plastic part broke. The 6.1-pound Black & Decker 24" Hedge Hog XR Extended Reach Hedge Trimmer HH2410 (*est. $80) 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, but several users at Amazon.com, where its average rating is only 3.5 out of 5 stars, say that it doesn't have anywhere near that much power.

Important Features: Hedge Trimmers

Reviews suggest considering the following when choosing hedge trimmers:

• 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. Some hedge trimmers balance best with blades of a certain length, feeling either blade-heavy or handle-heavy with longer or shorter blades. Be sure you test the tools with the length of blade you'll actually be using. Make sure the overall balance and feel are right for you, and check to be sure the throttle is easy for you to control.

• Double-edged dual-action blades are best. These have teeth on both sides of the blade, and also aid maneuverability by allowing users to cut in both swing directions easily. They speed up the work and are more comfortable for left-handed users. On the other hand, you can hold a single-edged blade so the sharp part is always away from your body. Some experts think this is much safer.

• Blade brakes are safer, but users like a lock-on switch. 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 prefer hedge trimmers with a lock-on switch to prevent trigger-finger fatigue, even though this decreases overall safety.

• Moving blades that stop almost instantly are safest. The top-rated Little Wonder and Metabo hedge trimmers stop in less than half a second after the release of either handle. The Makita UH6350 takes a second or two to stop, as does the Craftsman 79975. Popular Mechanics considers this delay dangerous, because two seconds is long enough to incur a serious injury.

• A safety clutch to prevent kickback is safest. The Metabo hedge trimmer has this feature, as does a Bosch model that's not available in the United States.

• The maximum opening between the blades should be no more than 3/4 inch, which reduces the chance of injury. On some commercial models like the Echo gasoline models, the opening between the blades is larger, for easier trimming of thick branches. A shield or blade guard between the handle and blade also helps protect your hands, though this feature can backfire. Several owners at Amazon.com report hurting themselves by grabbing the shield because it looked too much like a front handle.

• Double-reciprocating or dual-action blades reduce vibration. Excessive vibration is a long-term health issue, since excess vibration can eventually damage wrists. As a rule of thumb, if your hand feels at all numb after you stop using a tool, the vibration is definitely excessive for you. You can lessen the problem to some extent with bicycle gloves or gel anti-vibration gloves, but it's simpler to buy a tool that dampens the vibration before it reaches your hands. This is something you can readily judge when you test drive models before buying.

• Blades that can be sharpened will cut better and save money in the long run. The best blades are made of hardened high-carbon steel. If the blades do need to be replaced when they become dull, blade-changes should be simple. Be sure to check this before buying.

For gasoline-powered units:

• Gas-powered hedge trimmers should have blades that 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.

When using a hedge trimmer, experts recommend wearing ear protection (except with cordless models), tight-fitting gloves, and eye protection. Make sure you're on firm footing and don't overextend your reach. If you're using a corded electric trimmer, always be sure the cord trails away from the blades. Of course, keep electric trimmers away from water.

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

# of Picks	Hedge Trimmer (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Black & Decker NHT518 [C] (*est. $70)	details
3	Black & Decker TR1600 [E] (*est. $35)	details
2	Echo HC150 or 151 [G] (*est. $270)	details
2	Little Wonder 2420 [E] (*est. $260)	details
2	Craftsman 79975 (now 79957) [E]	-
1 each	Black & Decker HS1010 [E] , Black & Decker TR1700 [E] , Craftsman 74802 [C], Garden Groom [E] , Husqvarna 225H60 [G], Little Wonder 1920 [E], Little Wonder 2310 [G], Little Wonder Extended Hedge Trimmer [G], Makita UH 4860 [E], Makita UH6350 [E] , Mantis [E], Metabo HS 8345 S [E], Stihl HomeScaper Series HS 45 [G]

In the chart above, [G] indicates gas hedge trimmers, [E] corded electric and [C] cordless.

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 HC150 or 151 gets slightly more recommendations. The Black and Decker NH518 is the most-recommended cordless hedge trimmer, but the 24-volt Craftsman 74802 gets higher ratings in one comparative review.

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