We Researched The Best Power Hedge Trimmers, See Our Picks

By Timothy Dale, Andreana Lefton

Updated on Sep 6, 2024 11:10 AM EDT

Reviewed By Stephanie Cronk

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Hedges establish boundaries in landscaping, add privacy, and benefit curb appeal, but to look their best, they need some grooming, and power hedge trimmers are designed for this very purpose. Hedge shears certainly get the job done, but some properties have substantial hedges that require a little more power than manual hedge trimmers can provide. The best power hedge trimmers make it much easier to shape and otherwise control growth and vegetation in the yard.

We consulted Scott McLeod, who owns McLeod Landscaping in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and has over 30 years of experience in the lawn care industry. He advises looking for a trimmer that’s at least 24 inches long for home use. “Longer blades, up to 32 inches, allow you to cut more area with each pass but can be cumbersome,” he says.Read on to learn the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing these handy power tools and get more expert advice—plus check out the roundup of some of the top picks of the best power hedge trimmer models available. Our favorite is the Black+Decker 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer; we’re fans of its high efficiency, limited vibration, and padded handle. We researched this model and more top-rated power hedge trimmers in a variety of categories, focusing on customer satisfaction, product efficacy, and value. We examined the best power hedge trimmers on the market, comparing the features—and, equally important, customer reviews—to come up with our list of top picks.

This list narrows the field to some of the best hedge trimmers on the market. It includes impressive engines and laser-cut blades with wide-set teeth that can handle pruning, cutting, and shaping thick vegetation.

Black+Decker sets a gold standard for battery-powered outdoor tools with this hedge trimmer. The blade is 22 inches long and features dual action for increased efficiency and reduced vibration. The trimmer can cut through branches up to 0.75 inch in diameter, making it an option for bushes, hedges, and shrubs around a home.

At 6.0 pounds, these battery-operated hedge trimmers are sturdy and reliable. It has a padded front handle and a front handle shield to help reduce muscle strain and protect the user’s hands from slipping. With a full charge, the 20-volt battery (not included) can trim up to 3,000 square feet.

Get the Black+Decker power hedge trimmer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Product Specs

If the growth around your home is more than a standard brush trimmer can handle, this powerful product is a good option. It operates on a 56-volt battery (not included) and has a vast cut capacity, allowing it to cut through branches up to 1 inch thick. Despite the power of this trimmer, it weighs only 6.16 pounds and features a cushioned grip to help reduce muscle fatigue and strain caused by vibration.

These power hedge clippers are made with an electric brake stop to immediately cease the momentum of the blade as soon as the trigger is released. Other safety features include a front hand shield and a safety switch that the user must hold down before the trigger will operate. The power hedge trimmer operates the 24-inch dual-action blades for up to 75 minutes on a full battery (not included) before it needs to be recharged.

Get the Ego Power+ power hedge trimmer at Ace Hardware.

Product Specs

This compact, energy-efficient, budget-friendly trimmer for bushes weighs little more than some laptops—about 5.5 pounds, allowing users to control the trimmer with ease. What it lacks in size it makes up for in power. The 20-volt lithium-ion battery gives the Worx tool a runtime of between 20 and 30 minutes.

The dual-action steel blades, protected by a rustproof aluminum cover, can slice through twigs and branches up to 0.75 inch in diameter. This model also comes with a 20-volt battery, battery charger, and a blade sheath to keep the blade protected when the shrub trimmer is not in use.

Get the Worx Power Share power hedge trimmer at Amazon, Lowe’s, Worx, or Target (tool only).

From DeWalt, this cordless trimmer runs on a powerful 20-volt lithium-ion rechargeable battery that’s interchangeable with a handful of other battery-powered DeWalt landscaping tools. At full power, the battery lasts up to 75 minutes. The dual-action 22-inch blades move in two directions, slicing through branches up to 0.75 inch thick, with less vibration and less noise than many traditional models.

Get the DeWalt power hedge trimmer at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.

The Earthwise cordless hedge trimmer is a lightweight option at just 7.36 pounds that’s easy to handle and maneuver, with no cord. It operates on an included 20-volt battery that can run the power hedge trimmer for up to 30 minutes before needing to be recharged. The fast charger that comes with the trimmer charges the battery in about 30 minutes to an hour, allowing users to get back to work quickly.

Its 20-inch dual-action steel blades are suitable for cutting through branches up to 0.625 inch thick. This hedge trimmer also has a six-position adjustable cutting head and a built-in extension pole that can increase the range of the trimmer by up to 9 feet 5 inches to trim the top, bottom, and any awkward angles on the hedge without a problem.

Get the Earthwise power hedge trimmer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Northern Tool + Equipment.

Product Specs

This heavy-duty gas hedge trimmer has a wide 1-inch cutting capacity that’s suitable for maintaining well-established hedges, bushes, and small trees. It weighs 11.55 pounds, which is heavier than the standard electric- or battery-powered trimmer, but it’s on the light side for a gas trimmer. The extra weight is because of the powerful 23cc engine that drives the 22-inch dual-action blade for up to 1 hour on a full 13-ounce tank of gas.

The power hedge trimmer requires a 40:1 gas-to-oil mixture, and the safety switch needs to be held down for the trimmer to start. For better maneuverability and control, this trimmer has a rotating handle with a cushioned grip to help reduce vibration during operation.

Get the Poulan power hedge trimmer at Amazon.

Product Specs

Worx prioritizes versatility and range with this power hedge trimmer that comes equipped with a 10-position adjustable trimmer head and a telescopic pole. The rear handle of the hedge trimmer also adjusts so that users can have the best grip on the tool. When the pole is fully extended, this extendable hedge trimmer has a range of 12 feet, making it easy to reach the top of well-established shrubbery, bushes, and hedges.

At just under 8 pounds, this tool is an average weight for a cordless hedge trimmer. It operates on an included 20-volt battery that can power the 20-inch dual-action blades for up to 1 hour before needing to be recharged. But don’t worry; the charger is included and can fully charge the battery in just 1 hour.

Get the Worx attachment-capable power hedge trimmer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Worx.

Product Specs

This quiet cordless hedge trimmer operates on a small 18-volt lithium-ion battery that allows it to run for up to 90-plus minutes, depending on the power setting used. It has a low-battery warning system that stops the motor of the hedge trimmer and activates an indicator light when the battery needs to be charged. The included charger takes about 40 minutes to fully charge the battery, allowing you to get back to work.

The power hedge trimmer delivers clean and lasting power to the 22-inch cutting blade that’s ideal for working in residential gardens where the shrubs, bushes, ferns, and hedges are small to average in size. It weighs only 7.4 pounds and has an anti-vibration design, including a padded front handle and five cushions within the motor housing to reduce muscle strain and fatigue.

Get the Makita power hedge trimmer at Amazon.

We researched the best power hedge trimmers in a variety of categories and chose models with high customer satisfaction. The top picks include cordless electric and gas-powered tools to suit various preferences and job types. The list factors in cutting capacity, blade size, weight, battery life, and special features offered by the top brands.

The chosen hedge trimmers cut branches ranging from 0.375 to 1 inch in diameter and have blade sizes ranging from 18 to 24 inches. We prioritized relatively lightweight tools with runtimes over 40 minutes for cordless electric and gas tools. Some models come with a battery and a charger included to get the user started with landscaping right away. Additionally, the list prioritized models with features such as dual-action blades, comfortable grips, and anti-vibration systems.

Before deciding on the best power hedge trimmer for a yard, it’s important to consider the power source, engine, blade sizes, and whether it’s better to use an electric hedge trimmer or whether a gas model is a more appropriate option. Read on to find out more about these factors to find the best power hedge trimmers for maintaining the yard and creating a well-groomed privacy border.

When searching for the best power hedge trimmer, there are two power options: gas and electric. The decision is usually based on how much power and portability are needed.

Engine power is the force produced by the engine to drive the hedge trimmer blades, allowing them to cut through leaves, twigs, and small branches. The way that engine power is measured depends on the type of power hedge trimmer.

Blades can be either single- or double-sided, and they come in a wide range of sizes, from 13 inches to 40 inches in length. Choosing the right blade size is an important step that can make hedge-trimming jobs much easier.

Left-handed individuals may find it easier to use a power hedge trimmer with a double-sided blade because the majority of single-sided blades are made for right-handed users.

The fuel capacity refers to the amount of fuel that a gas-powered hedge trimmer can hold in the fuel tank. The capacity is typically used to determine how long the trimmer can operate on a single tank of gas. This is an important feature that can help determine the suitability of a gas-powered hedge trimmer. Naturally, larger yards will benefit from a trimmer with a higher fuel capacity so that they can operate long enough to complete the required yard maintenance.

The average gas-powered hedge trimmer has a tank capacity that ranges from 10 to 16 ounces. This fuel tank will usually require a mixture of gas and oil at a ratio of about 40:1 or 50:1, though users will always want to refer to the manufacturer’s directions for the proper fuel ratio. Trimmers operate for between 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the weight of the machine, the size of the engine, and the material that’s being cut.

Another factor to consider is the thickness of a branch that the trimmer can tackle, i.e., its cutting capacity. Most slice through branches up to 0.5 inch thick, though more-powerful models can usually handle up to 1 inch in diameter. Check the size of the gap between the blade’s teeth. This is referred to as a blade gap, and the greater the gap, the higher the cutting capacity.

A majority of residential trimmers have a gap that ranges from 0.375 to 0.75 inch, which is suitable for leaves, twigs, and small branches. However, professional or commercial-grade trimmers can have a blade gap wider than 1 inch, allowing them to take on small trees and oversize hedges.

Batteries are one of the three main fuel sources for power hedge trimmers, with most models using a long-lasting lithium-ion battery that can range from 20 to 80 volts. The battery life of a hedge trimmer can differ depending on the weight of the trimmer, the age of the battery, and the amount of material the trimmer is cutting.

On average, a hedge trimmer battery can last between 30 minutes and 1 hour, and it will take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to fully charge. Keep in mind that some hedge trimmers don’t come with a battery or a battery charger, so users may need to purchase the battery separately. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to get two batteries so that one is always charging while the other is in use.

Hedge trimmers can range in weight from lightweight battery-powered options that weigh only 5 pounds to heavy gas trimmers that can weigh more than 20 pounds. If this doesn’t seem heavy, then a gardener will want to consider holding this amount of weight with their arms extended to the front or sides for up to 2 hours to determine whether it’s comfortable.

However, there are a few features that can make it easier to hold and control hedge trimmers, including a padded front handle that gives users a better grip on the trimmer. Telescoping poles are another great feature that reduces muscle strain by allowing the trimmer to extend out to cut branches and leaves instead of trying to stretch or climb up and down a ladder repeatedly. Also, a tool that is well balanced from the front to the back usually offers better support and can reduce muscle fatigue.

When choosing a power hedge trimmer, safety should be the highest priority so that gardeners can trim the vegetation in the yard without having to worry about a hospital trip. With that in mind, manufacturers have installed several safety features to help make power hedge trimmers a safer option for managing the garden, including blade brakes, safety switches, padded front handles, and front handle shields.

Now that you’ve picked up your favorite hedge trimmer for your landscaping projects, it’s worth knowing a few important things about how to use it safely and efficiently. Take the following tips into consideration before picking up your new power tool for the first time.

Adding a power hedge trimmer to your yard maintenance arsenal can help keep vegetation under control. However, you may still have questions, such as whether a gas or electric cordless hedge trimmer is more powerful or what type of oil is best. Take a look below for the answers to these and several more frequently asked questions about hedge trimmers.

Hedge trimmers are lightweight tools made for trimming smaller branches, leaves, and vegetation. Hedge cutters are a more robust tool that cuts through much thicker branches and even the trunks of very small trees, shrubs, and hedges.

Battery-powered hedge trimmers have a limited amount of power because they must convert energy from the lithium-ion battery to the electric motor. Corded electric hedge trimmers are more powerful because they have a direct connection to a power source. However, the most powerful type of hedge trimmer is gas because of the large combustion engine that burns gas at a controlled rate to drive the blades.

It’s advised to use the oil that the manufacturer recommends. Typically this will be a 2-cycle blend such as the Briggs & Stratton 2-Cycle Easy Mix Motor Oil that is a fuel stabilizer or the semi-synthetic Husqvarna HP Synth 2-Cycle Oil.

Most residential trimmers can cut leaves, twigs, and small branches that range in thickness from 0.375 to 0.75 inch. Commercial-grade trimmers can have a blade gap wider than 1 inch, allowing them to take on small trees and oversize hedges.

The average battery for a hedge trimmer is just 20 volts, but some can have up to 80 volts. Choose the amount of power you need that’s appropriate for the tasks you most normally complete.

Yes. If your branches are not cutting cleanly, your trimmer most likely needs to be sharpened. Stihl recommends sharpening every 50 hours or so of use. You can sharpen your tool yourself or bring it to a store to have it done for you.

MacLeod explains that electric hedge trimmers require minimal maintenance: “Wipe the blades clean after each use and lubricate the cutting head once a season.”

According to MacLeod, cutting blades should last 3 to 5 years with average homeowner use. He adds, “The motor can last up to 10 years if properly cared for.” Batteries, however, lose capacity over time and may need to be replaced within 1 to 3 years, depending on use.

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

Contributing Writer

Timothy Dale is a home improvement writer who has been in the industry for several years. In his work for BobVila.com, he has written a number of how-to articles related to yard maintenance, vehicle repair, and home renovation, not to mention a wide variety of buying guides and articles on DIY projects. He always ensures readers get the information they need to tackle their next project.

Learn more about BobVila.com Editorial Standards

We’re committed to testing and reviewing products so you can make an informed decision. Advertising does not influence our product reviews and it never will. We always focus our coverage on standout products and never hesitate to mention their flaws and quirks. By using our affiliate links, you’re supporting our work and helping us continue to provide expert analysis. Find out more about our product evaluation process.