6 Best Hedge Trimmers 2020

AT this time of year, keeping your garden borders in check can feel like a full-time job.

Even slow-growing hedging plants such as holly and box need a trim at least twice a year to remove dead and diseased branches and help them keep their shape.

Whether you choose a battery, electric or petrol-powered model, your hedge trimmer should cut precisely and cleanly to prevent trauma to your plants and encourage strong, healthy regrowth.

The wider the teeth spacing, the thicker the branches you will be able to cut, so bear in mind the size and thickness of your shrub and hedge branches when shopping for your new hedge trimmer.

The machine should feel balanced and not overly heavy, so you are able to wield it confidently and safely for as long as it takes to get your garden borders looking neat and trim again.

Note: It's best to wear protective goggles, long sleeves and gloves when you are using a hedge trimmer, both for safety and comfort, as many plants have parts that can scratch or leave you feeling itchy.

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You can make quick work of even the unruliest of garden hedges with this tough cordless hedge trimmer from US power tool brand De Walt.

Its 55cm double-sided blades are laser cut from hardened steel for long-lasting sharpness, no matter how tough the hedge you’re tackling, and because it weighs in at just 2kg, you can be pretty nimble with it too.

De Walt promises 75 minutes of precision hedge-trimming for every charge of the machine's lithium ion battery pack, enough to see you through the average garden hedge with ease.

Einhell's Power X-Change battery system means that if you already own an Einhell power tool, you should be able to use the batteries interchangeably – handy!

This means that you can always have a fully-charged battery in reserve if it looks like it's going to take longer than you thought to tackle your overgrown garden – or if you get chop-happy and start enjoying yourself.

With its 46cm cutting length, counter-rotating laser and diamond-cut steel blades, and handy charge-level indicator, it's easy to see why this cordless cutter is one of Amazon's most popular hedge trimming products.

With a corded hedge trimmer, you won't feel the need to rush, and since this electric model from Flymo is perfect for most domestic garden pruning and tidying jobs, having that extra time could come in handy too.

For those who are nervous when using power tools, this model is packed with safety features, including a central handle for extra stability, a transparent safety guard so you can see what you’re doing, and a self-retracting safety cable and belt clip to prevent you from accidentally cutting through the power cable.

You won't need to worry about using a ladder with this excellent long-reach hedge trimmer, which is mounted on an extendable 190cm-235cm aluminium telescopic tube for maximum flexibility.

Keep your feet firmly on terra firma and focus on the job in hand as you use the powerful dual-action trimmer on shrubs, bushes and branches with no cables to get in your way.

You’ll be able to keep trimming for longer too, as the unit weighs in at just 3.5kg and the handle is padded for a firm-but-comfortable grip.

If you have a lot of tough hedge-trimming to do over a large area, then using a petrol mower will give you both the range and the power you need to get the job done as quickly as possible.

This robust hedge trimmer offers plenty of features for the money, including an impressive 75cm blade, anti-vibration damper springs and a low-emission 22.2-CC two-stroke engine to make even the toughest cutting jobs a breeze.

Best of all, the five-position rotating rear handle can be locked at 0°, 45° and 90° on both the left and right, for easy vertical and angled trimming.

A practically professional hedge trimmer at a great price.

If you have a smaller garden with shrubs and a lawn, then this multi-functional shearing set from Bosch could prove a useful addition to your garden tool kit.

At just 550g, it's easy to hold and use – ideal for smaller trimming jobs around the garden such as cutting back lawn edges and tidying up small shrubs and bushes.

The package consists of a lithium-ion battery (good for 50 minutes’ uninterrupted use per charge), plus an 80mm grass-shearing blade and a 120mm shrub-shearing blade.

Bosch has also released a new range of "multi-click" attachments for the Isio unit including a telescopic handle and a sprayer attachment to make the appliance even more versatile.

Enjoyed our round-up of the best garden hedge trimmers? We've got loads more recommendations for your garden in Sun Selects Garden & Tools.

If you want to use your kitchen waste to make an eco-friendly compost for your garden, check out our feature on the best compost bins.

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