For most homeowners, the need for regular lawn maintenance—including mowing and edging—is obvious. However, juxtaposing a perfectly-manicured lawn with overgrown, poorly-trimmed hedges is the landscaping equivalent of wearing a tuxedo with dirty, ratty sneakers. If you’re spending hours each week cultivating a lush, green lawn but devote no time to shaping your bushes, hedges and trees, you’re short-changing the overall appearance of your yard.
Many people avoid trimming their shrubbery because they lack the proper tools to do the job or are concerned about not having the necessary skills to whip their bushes into shape, but with a quality hedge trimmer, the work is much easier than you might expect. If you’re ready to invest in a good hedge trimmer and take your lawn to the next level, keep reading for a buyer’s guide and reviews of the five best trimmers on the market right now.
What to Look for in the Best Hedge Trimmer
The quality and function of hedge trimmers are influenced by several key factors, including:
- Blade length and quality: Getting a trimmer with a sharp blade is a no-brainer, but there are other aspects of the blade to consider as well. The width of the blade should be determined by the type of greenery you’ll be trimming with the tool. If your blade is too wide for your trees or bushes, you may end up damaging the foliage; if it’s not wide enough, the work will take longer than necessary or you may not be able to trim the thickest branches at all. The length and number of the blades on the trimmer, as well as the its speed in strokes per minute (SPM), will impact how long it takes to finish the job, which becomes increasingly important if you have a large yard or very dense shrubbery.
- Power source: Hedge trimmers may be powered by gas, electricity (corded) or battery (cordless). Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, including noise levels, speed and power, range and how long the unit will operate before it needs to be refueled or recharged. The size of your yard, potential noise impacts on neighbors and availability of power outlets are just a few factors that should influence which power source you decide on for your trimmer.
- Weight: Even lightweight trimmers can cause fatigue if you’ll be operating them at waist level or higher for extended periods of time. If you expect to be tackling large jobs or using the trimmer while on a ladder, try to find the lightest-weight model that fulfills the other features on your wish list.
- Reach: Reach becomes critically important if you have very wide hedges or high branches to trim. If your hedge trimmer isn’t long enough to access these extreme lengths, you may end up with an uneven-looking trim or take safety risks to be able to reach them. Some models include pole extensions or other tools to extend the tool’s reach, which makes them ideal for homeowners with hard-to-reach limbs and bushes.
- Interoperability: If you opt for a battery-powered hedge trimmer and already own other cordless power tools, consider staying in the same brand family so you can use the same battery interchangeably in all of them.
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Five Best Hedge Trimmer Options: Our Top-Ranking Picks
The models below delivered the best performances in the categories listed above while also offering excellent value and reliability over a lifetime of use. These are most definitely the best hedge trimmer choices for 2021 and beyond.
BLACK+DECKER LHT2436 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
This sleek-looking tool gets its power from a rechargeable 40-volt lithium-ion battery, allowing you to use it almost anywhere without worrying about cords or gas fumes. The trimmer cuts through up to 6,000 square feet of shrubbery on a single charge, and the eco-friendly Energy Star-certified charger gets you back to work in less than an hour. A state-of-charge indicator on the trimmer helps you plan your work to avoid getting caught by surprise with a drained battery.
The BLACK+DECKER LHT2436 Hedge Trimmer features a rust-resistant set of 24-inch steel blades that can handle branches up to ¾-inch thick with clean, even cuts. The dual-action blades effectively reduce vibration for a more stable user experience. The wraparound front handle with soft grips gives you maximum control and lets you work comfortably in all cutting positions. The compact, lightweight unit is muscular enough to take on heavy-duty jobs while remaining nimble and easy to maneuver. This product easily made our list of the best hedge trimmer options.
Specifications
- Power source: 40V lithium-ion battery
- Weight:9 pounds
- Blade length: 24 inches
- Strokes per minute: 2,400
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros
- Powerful operation in a lightweight unit
- Dual-action blade produces 40 percent less vibration than single blades
- Battery charges in under an hour
- Clean, cordless power with no emissions or fumes
- Comfortable soft-grip handle is easy to hold and maneuver
- Wraparound handle design ensures control and comfort in vertical and horizontal orientations
Cons
- Battery may not last through extended use or heavy-duty jobs
- Warranty is somewhat short
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DEWALT DCHT820B 20V Max Hedge Trimmer
The DEWALT DCHT820B 20V Max Hedge Trimmer features a high-output motor that makes it ideal for homeowners in search of a trimmer with impressive raw power. The 22-inch, hook-toothed, double-sided blade is laser-cut for precision, and its 2,800 strokes-per-minute-output takes care of heavy-duty tasks in a flash. The trimmer has the brawn to cut smoothly through branches up to ¾ inches in diameter.
Despite its muscular motor, the DEWALT trimmer is lightweight and even delicate when it comes to operator comfort. The simple trigger-start mechanism means you won’t waste valuable sweat equity just trying to power up the machine, and at under 9 pounds with the battery attached, it won’t weigh you down as you take on big jobs or high branches. This product easily made our list of the best hedge trimmer options.
Specifications
- Power source: 20V lithium-ion battery
- Weight:8 pounds
- Blade length: 22 inches
- Strokes per minute: 2,800
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- High-output motor cuts quickly through thick branches and shrubs
- Powerful and precise cutting performance
- Friction clutch protects transmission from damage if the blades encounter obstacles
- Dual-edge blades deliver smooth cuts with reduced vibration
Cons
- Battery and charger sold separately
- Battery not as powerful as some competitors’
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WORX WG261 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
This affordable and lightweight powerhouse lets you tackle the biggest home landscaping jobs without busting your budget. At just 5.5 pounds, the WORX WG261 Cordless Hedge Trimmer features a robust 22-inch dual-action blade designed to deliver smooth, even cuts without wearing out your hands and arms.
A versatile D-grip handle allows you to hold the tool from any angle, providing the leverage needed to reach high branches or low undergrowth. Overmold construction on the grips absorbs vibrations to reduce fatigue and improve the overall user experience. The 20-volt lithium-ion battery can be used interchangeably with most 20- and 40-volt WORX cordless tools, and when it’s time to recharge, the efficient charging station gets you back up and running within a couple of hours. This product easily made our list of the best hedge trimmer options.
Specifications
- Power source: 20V lithium-ion battery
- Weight:3 pounds
- Blade length: 22 inches
- Strokes per minute: 2,600
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Very affordable price
- Extremely lightweight
- Overmold grip detail reduces vibration for minimal fatigue
- Dual-action blades deliver smooth, consistent cuts
- D-grip handle is intuitive and comfortable to use
- 22-inch blade cuts branches up to ¾-inch in diameter
Cons
- Battery can take up to three hours to fully recharge
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Makita XHU02Z Hedge Trimmer
The Makita XHU02Z Hedge Trimmer delivers the quality construction and innovative features buyers have come to expect from the power tool juggernaut. Equipped with a powerful motor, precise dual-action blade and cutting-edge safety technology, this trimmer packs serious value into its compact frame.
Powered by an 18-volt lithium-ion battery, the Makita XHU02Z delivers up to 90 minutes of high-speed cutting performance before needing to be recharged. The integrated battery capacity warning system activates an indicator light and stops the motor to alert the user that battery power is low. Makita’s proprietary Star Protection Computer Controls prevent overloading, over-discharging and overheating, extending the useful life of the trimmer and protecting the operator from potential injury.
Even at a peppy maximum speed of 2,700 strokes per minute, the trimmer is surprisingly quiet, with a noise level of 87 dB—25 percent lower than many of its peers. Five layers of cushioning within the motor housing work to reduce vibrations and enhance user comfort, while two perpendicular ergonomic handles offer excellent grip and maneuverability.
Designed with Makita’s Extreme Protection Technology to protect delicate internal components from dust and water in harsh conditions, the trimmer also includes a three-year warranty for peace of mind. You can expect to get years of solid performance from this well-crafted tool. This product easily made our list of the best hedge trimmer options.
Specifications
- Power source: 18V lithium-ion battery
- Weight:4 pounds
- Blade length: 22 inches
- Strokes per minute: 2,700
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Incorporates multiple safety features into its design
- Two comfortable rubberized handles offer versatility and maneuverability
- Designed to protect internal components from damage due to dust and water exposure
- Battery charges faster than many others in its class
Cons
- Slightly heavier than similar competitors
- Battery and charger sold separately
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Greenworks 22102 Corded Hedge Trimmer
At less than half the price of its cordless competitors, the lightweight Greenworks corded hedge trimmer offers outstanding value and plenty of power to cut through limbs and brush up to 3/8-inch thick. The 18-inch dual-action blade is crafted from lightweight steel, making it both durable and easy to maneuver.
Its convenient electric push-button start lets you get right to work, and a smart cord-lock feature keeps the unit plugged as you move around the yard. The unit generates 50 percent less vibration and noise than similar trimmers in its class, and its compact design is perfect for reaching tight spaces or overhead foliage. This product easily made our list of the best hedge trimmer options.
Specifications
- Power source: Corded electric
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Blade length: 18 inches
- Strokes per minute: N/A
- Warranty: 4 years
Pros
- Very affordable price
- Quiet operation
- Lightweight
- Corded design means you won’t have to stop working to refuel or recharge a battery
- Long warranty
Cons
- Short blade length
- Work area is limited by length of cord
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Final Thoughts on the Best Hedge Trimmer
With so many affordable, high-performing trimmers available for residential use, there’s no excuse for letting your hedges get shaggy. Any of the models reviewed here will help you quickly get your trees, bushes and shrubs looking as neat and tidy as your lawn—without costing you an arm and a leg or requiring hours of demanding labor. Ladies and gentlemen, this has been the best hedge trimmer guide!