Hedges and bushes look great on your lawn – as long as you keep them well-maintained. But they grow fast and your yard might soon look like nature’s taken over if you don’t care for them. Trimming them can be a time-consuming chore, but an electric hedge trimmer will make the work go faster. It might even help things look better, too!
Let’s talk about what you need in a hedge trimmer then review some of the best electric hedge trimmers on the market. Finally, we’ll look at how to care for your tool and how to safely use it.
What to Look for in Electric Hedge Trimmers
Hedge trimmers come in gas, electric, and battery-powered models. In this article, we’ll just look at the latter two types.
Electric plug-in trimmers are good for most home use as long as you have an outlet within 50 feet of where you have to trim. Battery-powered models give you more freedom. However, you have to worry about how long the charge on the battery will last.
Besides the power source, there are a few other factors to consider.
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First, consider the length of the trimmer’s blade. Most run between 16 and 22 inches. A shorter blade is easier to control and great for smaller bushes. A longer blade, though, will help you get larger jobs done quickly.
Weight is another important consideration. Not only do you have to carry the hedge trimmer, but you also have to maneuver it quite a bit to reach the hedge from top to bottom. You may have to lift it above shoulder level, too. So you want to be sure to get a tool that’s not too heavy.
You also should look at how thick a branch the trimmer can cut. If you keep up with your trimming and pruning, ¾ inch is fine. However, some can handle thicker branches.
A comfortable and safe handle is our last recommendation. A wraparound handle makes it easier to control the device. Usually, the on/off switch is on the inside of this handle, making it convenient and safe. Many models also include a T-handle on top to provide more control.
Care and Maintenance of Your Hedge Trimmers
A little care can help keep your hedge trimmers working well over the years.
The first step is to simply clean them after each use. Use soapy water and a cloth to wipe down the blade. This will remove sap, dust, pollen, and other contaminants. Use a tool oil on the blade after it dries. You should also wipe down the handle with a damp cloth and a bit of soap.
After every 50 hours of use, you should also sharpen the blades. A small filing stone works. To make the work go faster, consider using a filing-stone bit on your drill.
Check your hedge trimmer regularly for loose parts. Tighten any bolts or screws that may work loose. Look out for frayed cords or other damage to your machine.
Be sure to store your hedge trimmer in a cool, dry place. Canvas bags are available for many models. You might also want to wrap it in a sheet or towel to keep dust away. Because of their shape, they can be difficult to hang on the wall; it’s best to keep them on a wide shelf.
Electric Hedge Trimmer Safety
Of course, it’s important to stay safe when using any tools, especially power tools.
As we mentioned above, it’s important to check regularly for any loose pieces or damaged electric cords. Be sure everything is in good working condition to help prevent injury.
Goggles and work gloves are recommended when using electric trimmers, too. Pieces of leaves and branches tend to fly around.
With corded models, make sure the cord always stays out of the way as you work.
If you are working on a ladder, be sure to observe proper ladder safety.
Need hand-powered hedge shears, too? Check these out.
Our Favorite For The Top Electric Hedge Trimmers
Let’s dive in and have a look at the top battery-powered and corded hedge trimmers to help keep your shrubs in tip-top shape!
Battery Powered
DeWalt DCHT820B 20v Max Hedge Trimmer
This cordless hedge trimmer from DeWalt runs on a 20-volt lithium-ion battery. It can also run on the 60-volt battery from the MAX line of products.
The blade is 22” long, great for those larger shrubs that you want to keep looking good! The blades are spaced to allow cutting of branches ¾ inch thick. It makes 2800 cut strokes per minute.
The tool itself weighs 8 pounds, not including the battery. With the battery attached, it’s a bit over 9 pounds.
There’s a lot of confusion over whether a sheath for the blade is included with this trimmer. The instructions say it is, but it’s not in the box. It’s not on online product descriptions, either. It seems to be an error in the manual.
The battery holds up well, and some users even get more than an hour of use out of one charge. Of course, it also depends on the type of foliage you’re cutting – it will expend energy more quickly cutting through thicker or denser material.
We always try to look at online reviews to see what others have to say. If you do the same, wee noticed on Home Depot that somehow a lot of weed trimmer reviews are mixed in under this product. Those account for most of the negative reviews. So if you like to check those, too, be careful what product you’re reading about.
The charger and battery are included where we’ve linked to, although there’s an option to buy it without these. There’s a three-year warranty on it.
Makita XHU02Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 22″ Hedge Trimmer
Another cordless model, this Makita-brand hedge trimmer does a great job and won’t wear you out while doing it. At only 7.4 pounds including the battery, it makes the work pass without as much arm and shoulder stress. Of course, it leaves your bushes in great shape, too.
It runs at 1350 blade strokes a minute, and branches up to ¾ inch can fit in the blade gap.
It’s also pretty quiet. It runs at about 87 dB – that’s a bit less than standing 25 feet from a motorcycle.
Overall, it’s a fantastic machine for general household use. We couldn’t find anything wrong with it. It’s easy to use, cuts well, and seems as if it will hold up over time.
The battery will run up to 90 minutes on a charge if used on the low setting.
The model we’ve linked does include the charger and battery.
Makita provides a limited three-year warranty for this trimmer.
Corded
Black+Decker 22-inch Corded Hedge Trimmer, 22″
Black and Decker has its first entry in this list with this quality corded trimmer.
The blade measures 22 inches and it can cut branches up to ¾ inch thick. It cuts fast, too, at about 3400 strokes per minute.
It’s a lightweight 5.5 pounds, making it easy to handle even on bigger jobs.
Some users who were familiar with the “lock on” feature that let it stay running even when you removed your finger from the button. That’s no longer available – it’s probably safer without it, but we suppose that if you were used to it, it could be missed.
It receives high marks for its cutting ability and handles most materials that fit into its teeth quite well.
You’ll need a 14-gauge outdoor extension cord to use this. The maximum length of the cord is 100 feet. There’s a handy cord lock to keep you from becoming disconnected in the middle of a job.
There’s a full 2-year warranty for this hedge trimmer and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Toro 22-inch Corded Hedge Trimmer
This Toro hedge trimmer has a 22-inch-long blade. It can cut stalks of about ½ inch. That’s still enough for most uses, but if you expect to run into thicker growth often, it’s worth considering.
The blades move at a good 2400 strokes per minute. That’s slightly slower than other models we’ve looked at but still enough to easily slice through stalks that fit in the gaps.
At 6.35 pounds, it’s not a bad weight. It will let you handle it for a good while before feeling the strain.
Overall, though, this is a fantastic machine with little against it.
Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord at a maximum length of 150 feet with this.
There’s a two-year full warranty on this trimmer.
Conclusion
To keep your bushes and hedges in good shape, electric hedge trimmers are a godsend. They’ll help you make quick work of the task. And you’ll end up with beautifully manicured plants that will be a great part of your wonderful yard!
