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If achieving pristine and well-maintained hedges is your dream, you’ll need to invest in a high-quality hedge trimmer. Whether you’re dealing with your personal garden or a professional landscaping project, these tools can be versatile and handy.
That’s why it’s absolutely crucial to make the right decision when picking a hedge trimmer. By considering factors like blade length, power source, and hedge size, you can make an informed purchase for your growing garden.
You can also read our honest reviews and guide on the best hedge trimmers in the UK to narrow down your pick!
Our List of Best Hedge Trimmers For UK Gardens
Here are the reviews, technical specifications, pros, and cons of the best hedge trimmers for UK gardens.
Stihl HSA 56 offers precision and power with its cordless design, making hedge trimming efficient and convenient for a well-groomed garden.
Black & Decker BEHTS501 provides a reliable and affordable solution for hedge maintenance, featuring a robust design and sharp blades for clean cuts.
Ego Power PTX5100 excels in versatility, offering a pole design for extended reach and powerful cordless performance, ensuring a neat and tidy hedge line.
Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li delivers maneuverability and efficiency with its cordless design, providing precise trimming for a well-maintained hedge.
Makita DUH751Z stands out with its professional-grade performance, featuring advanced features and a robust build for tackling even the toughest hedge trimming tasks.
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The Best Hedge Trimmers in 2024
Dive into the top hedge trimmers, offering precision and power for shaping and maintaining hedges, ensuring a well-groomed and attractive outdoor space.
01
Best Mid-Priced
Stihl HSA 56 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Reasons to Buy
- Affordable price
- Wide and efficient blade
- Top-loading battery
- Includes hanging storage facility
- Includes blade tip protector and stout guard
Reasons to Avoid
- Unclear instructions
- Not readily available
Garden maintenance shouldn’t have to be expensive, which is why the Stihl HSA 56 Cordless Hedge Trimmer is at the top of our list. It stands out from the crowd with its exceptional performance, user-friendly design, and cutting-edge technology.
The hedge trimmer runs on a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, giving you a free range of motion with its cordless build. Its 26-volt power runs for up to 80 minutes, giving you plenty of time to trim large hedges. That also makes it suitable for professional landscaping.
The HSA 56 also features double-sided cutting blades, slicing through the toughest hedges with ease. Plus, the diamond-ground nature of these blades helps with precision work on smaller hedges. Compared to other options, this trimmer isn’t too loud and also produces low emissions.
Why Do We Recommend The Stihl HSA 56 Cordless Hedge Trimmer?
The Stihl HSA 56 Cordless Hedge Trimmer offers a combination of performance and convenience. It has a cordless design and high-quality cutting capabilities, making it perfect for those who want to maintain their hedges efficiently.
More information can be found on the official Stihl HSA 56 Cordless Hedge Trimmer page.
| Voltage | 36 V |
| Weight | 64 lbs |
| Runtime | 80 mins |
| Cutting Length | 45 cm |
| Sound Level | 91 dB |
The Stihl HSA 56 Cordless Hedge Trimmer is suitable for those who need something versatile and easy to use. Its cordless build guarantees mobility and ease of use for a wide range of garden care tasks.
02
Best Corded
Black & Decker BEHTS501
Reasons to Buy
- Reasonably lightweight
- Efficiently cuts robust hedges
- Cuts branches up to 10/12 mm
- Simple operation
- Exceptional blade length
Reasons to Avoid
- Corded restriction
- Flimsy blade cover
- Gimmicky saw feature
While corded hedge trimmers can be somewhat restrictive, they deliver exceptional power to compensate. That’s definitely true for the Black & Decker BEHTS501, too. It runs on a robust 4.0-amp motor for consistent cutting power and reduced jamming.
This versatile tool features 60 cm dual-action hardened steel blades that guarantee excellent cutting performance. They can easily trim branches up to 2 cm thick, making them quite robust. That means this trimmer can even tackle larger, overgrown hedges in your garden.
Even more, these blades reduce vibration, so you won’t be fatigued after a long trimming session. The BEHTS501 includes safety features like the built-in cord retention system to prevent accidental unplugging. The two-handed operation leaves no room for errors.
Lastly, you can count on better control and balance thanks to the trimmer’s built-in T-handle.
Why Do We Recommend The Black & Decker BEHTS501?
The Black & Decker BEHTS501 has a lightweight and ergonomic build while still delivering exceptional power. That means it even works efficiently on large and robust hedges with somewhat thick branches.
To find out more, visit the official Black & Decker BEHTS501 page.
| Voltage | 240 V |
| Weight | 6 lbs |
| Runtime | Corded |
| Cutting Length | 60 cm |
| Sound Level | 98.5 dB |
The Black & Decker BEHTS501 is suitable for those who need something affordable without compromising on power or ease of use. It can maintain small to medium-sized hedges with its 60 cm blade.
03
Best for High Hedges
Ego Power PTX5100 Pole Hedge Trimmer
Reasons to Buy
- Long runtime
- Easy to store
- Comfortable weight distribution
- Delivers exceptional power
- Works on high hedges
Reasons to Avoid
- Somewhat heavy due to the battery
- Doesn't dispense the trim line well
- Noisy operation
The trickiest part of trimming your garden is dealing with the taller hedges. If setting up your ladder every time doesn’t seem appealing, consider the Ego Power PTX5100 Pole Hedge Trimmer. It guarantees a professional-grade hedge trimming with its impressive set of features.
Of course, the first thing you’ll notice is its 51-cm, dual-action, laser-cut, and diamond-ground blade. It’s safe to say this blade gets the job done, slicing through branches up to 3 cm thick with no trouble. However, you’ll have to deal with a noisy operation.
Other than that, it features a telescopic shift that extends up to 142 cm to help you access higher hedges. The PTX5100 stands out due to its incredible power source. It runs on a 56 V lithium-ion battery that can last up to 90 minutes or longer on a single charge.
Why Do We Recommend The Ego Power PTX5100 Pole Hedge Trimmer?
The Ego Power PTX5100 Pole Hedge Trimmer features an extendable shaft, giving it impressive reach to hedges that are too high for access. That means you can trim the higher hedges in your garden without a ladder.
More information can be found on the official The Ego Power PTX5100 Pole Hedge Trimmer page.
| Voltage | 56 V |
| Weight | 4.4 lbs |
| Runtime | 90 mins |
| Cutting Length | 51 cm |
| Sound Level | 95 dB |
The Ego Power PTX5100 Pole Hedge Trimmer is suitable for those who need a versatile and high-reaching tool for tall hedges and shrubs in their gardens.
04
Best Battery Life
Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Reasons to Buy
- Ideal for a light and easy trim
- Long runtime
- Works on high hedges and shrubs
- Long and efficient blade
- Powerful operation
Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Battery not included
- Narrow cutting capacity
Cordless hedge trimmers prevent the restriction of cords, but their runtimes are often limited. Luckily, the Einhell GE-CH 1846 has the best of both worlds: a lightweight model with a battery life of 80 minutes! That means you can even perform precision work on larger hedges on a single charge.
Plus, this trimmer is extendable, featuring a 170 cm telescopic pole. Combine that with its 40 cm cutting blade, and you’ll have no trouble trimming the tall, hard-to-reach hedges in your garden. For cleaning up the leaves and debris after trimming, consider using one of the best leaf blower vacuums.
The pole also featured a pivoting head, making garden care even more comfortable. You’ll be impressed by the GE-Ch 1846’s power, running on an 18 V 3 Ah lithium-ion battery. It has a maximum cutting width of 2.2 cm.
Lastly, it comes with a mini-chainsaw attachment, which can come in handy pretty often.
Why Do We Recommend The Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li Cordless Hedge Trimmer?
We recommend the Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li Cordless Hedge Trimmer for its lightweight and easy-to-maneuver build. The blade is long and speedy, trimming all kinds of hedges and bushes.
To find out more, visit the official Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li Cordless Hedge Trimmer page.
| Voltage | 18 V |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs |
| Runtime | 80 minutes |
| Cutting Length | 60 cm |
| Sound Level | 92 dB |
The Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li Cordless Hedge Trimmer is suitable for precision work on small to medium-sized hedges. Homeowners who need a cordless hedge trimmer will benefit from this model.
05
Best Heavy Duty
Makita DUH751Z
Reasons to Buy
- Heavy-duty and cordless
- Lightweight build
- Works on dense conifers
- Speeds up the trimming process
- Triple-edged tooth blade
Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn't come with a battery
- Not suitable for large hedges
While the Makita DUH751Z is best described as heavy-duty, that’s not a testament to its build and weight. In fact, it’s surprisingly lightweight at 8.6 lbs. That means long trimming sessions on large hedges won’t cause fatigue and discomfort.
Even with its lightweight body, this trimmer has an impressive performance. Its 75 cm blade can even cut dense conifers and woody laurel hedges that are 2.3 cm thick. It works with a multi-speed brushless motor and a toothed edge to slice through the toughest hedges.
With most trimmers, it’ll take you an hour to trim an entire fir hedge. With the DUH751Z, it’ll only take you half an hour. It also has a rotating handle, making the trimming task even more comfortable.
Why Do We Recommend The Makita DUH751Z?
The Makita DUH751Z is packed with features like a powerful brushless motor, an extended 75 cm blade, and three-speed settings. It offers versatility, efficiency, and excellent hedge-trimming performance.
More details can be found on the official Makita DUH751Z page.
| Voltage | 18 V |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs |
| Runtime | 45 min |
| Cutting Length | 75 cm |
| Sound Level | 97 dB |
The Makita DUH751Z is suitable for professional landscapers or homeowners who need something reliable and high-capacity. This cordless model can tackle large hedges and thicker branches.
Types of Hedge Trimmers
Here are the most common types of hedge trimmers you’ll find on the UK market.
- Gas-Powered Hedge Trimmer: Gas hedge trimmers deliver exceptional power for large and tough hedges. While not exactly eco-friendly, they are cordless and have a longer runtime. Their cutting capacities are also impressive enough for professional use.
- Electric Hedge Trimmer: Electric hedge trimmers come in corded and cordless models. While corded ones offer more power, they keep you somewhat restricted. Cordless hedge trimmers offer more mobility and enough runtime for smaller tasks.
- Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmer: Battery-powered hedge trimmers operate quietly, have zero emissions, and run on rechargeable batteries. These models are cordless, offering power and convenience. They're most suitable for medium-sized hedges.
How to Use a Hedge Trimmer
Here are step-by-step instructions for using a hedge trimmer safely.
- Put on your safety wear, including the best gloves, ear protection, and goggles.
- Depending on the type of hedge trimmer, make sure it’s fueled, plugged in, or charged.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the trimmer so its blades are parallel to the hedge.
- Start by trimming the bottom of the hedge and work your way up. Move the trimmer horizontally in a sweeping motion.
- Make sure you’re at a safe distance from the hedge.
- Overlap each cutting stroke to make sure the end result is even.
Ranking Method
We’ve listed some of the best hedge trimmers in the UK market using our comprehensive ranking method. Categories like Best Mid-Priced, Best Battery Life, Best Heavy-Duty, and more helped us narrow our choices.
Our reviews also include factors like performance, safety features, capacity, pros, and cons. Read our guide to find the best-fitting hedge trimmer for your garden.
How to Choose The Right Hedge Trimmer
Consider these factors when picking a hedge trimmer for your garden.
- Hedge Size: Large hedges require powerful, gas-powered hedge trimmers to get the job done. Meanwhile, a lightweight, cordless electric trimmer may suffice for a smaller hedge.
- Cutting Capacity: Consider the size and thickness of your hedges' branches. The trimmer's blades should be able to handle these factors.
- Blade Length: Smaller hedges require precision work done by short blades. On the other hand, longer blades cut more in a single pass, especially on larger hedges.
- Power Source: Consider your available power sources and how much mobility you need while working. Then, pick between gas, electric, or battery-powered hedge trimmers.
FAQs
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about hedge trimmers.
The main purpose of hedge trimmers is to cut the soft green growth in your hedges and shrubs. You may find powerful models that can cut small branches, but it’s best not to use a hedge trimmer to cut thick or woody branches.
Your trimmer’s blades will eventually stop making clean and efficient cuts and, instead, crush or tear the hedge. That’s when you know it’s time to sharpen or replace the blades. A good rule of thumb is to sharpen them after every 50 hours of use.
In general, it’s best to trim your hedges during the spring or early summer when they’re actively growing. Still, you can lightly spruce them once in a while throughout the year. Avoid heavy pruning during dormant periods, as it can cause stress.
