Best Hedge Trimmers of 2022

Hedge trimmer power source

Getting the best hedge trimmer in the neighborhood starts with picking the right power source. Like most outdoor power tools, including push lawn mowers, walk-behind lawn mowers, weed wackers, and lawn edgers, hedge trimmers can be powered by gas or electricity (corded or cordless).

• Gas hedge trimmers: Are usually used by professional landscapers and are great for cutting large hedges. You can use them anywhere, and these tools are usually powerful enough to cut thick branches. Just keep in mind that they are rather heavy, noisy, and can sometimes be hard to start.
• Corded hedge trimmers: Are perhaps the lightest, and are usually powerful too. They are ideal for smaller gardens, as you’ll need access to a wall outlet to power the tool. You won’t have to worry about run time with these tools, but there is the possibility to cut the cord accidentally.
• Cordless hedge trimmers: Depending on the battery, they can rival the gas models. You can find commercial hedge trimmers as well as domestic ones in this category. You’ll only be limited by the battery’s run time, but if you have a larger property, you can just invest in a second battery for continuous manicuring of your bushes. These tools are a bit heavier than corded, but lighter and easier to maneuver than gas. They are also fairly quiet.

Hedge trimmer styles

Power source aside, you should also make up your mind on the style. You will essentially have to pick between the following:

• Standard hedge trimmers: Consist of a motor housed in a plastic case provided with a handle and a blade. They are the hedge trimmers we all know, and they are ideal for manicuring shorter hedges and bushes.
• Pole hedge trimmers: Aesthetically speaking, they are similar to the pole saws. These hedge trimmers are great for taller hedges and can be straight or angled. Straight ones are more powerful, but the angled models let you cut the top of the hedge to perfection.
• Combo hedge trimmers: Either standard or pole models may come as combo tools. For instance, there are mini hedge trimmers that turn into grass and shear trimmers. Standard hedge trimmers may turn into chainsaws, whereas pole hedge trimmers may come with a detachable shaft compatible with lawn edgers, string trimmers, weed eaters, pole saws, and other gardening tools.

Which is the best hedge trimmer for me?

Because the type of tool you need varies widely based on your circumstances, there are a few questions you should answer before deciding which is the best hedge trimmer for you.

• Where are your hedges located? Can you reach them easily with a corded hedge trimmer plugged in your garage or shed? If yes, a corded tool could be ideal. If you have to use an extension cord, we recommend moving on to another type.
• How many square feet of hedges do you have? If you can cut them in an hour or under, perhaps a cordless machine could be the best. Alternatively, consider if it’s better to invest in a second battery, a corded tool based on proximity to a wall outlet, or a gas hedge trimmer if they are allowed in your area.
• How tall are your hedges? If you need to cut above head height, consider a long-reach hedge trimmer. In this case, know that some models have telescopic handles which increase maneuverability when you’re working at levels below your head.

Hedge trimmer blades

One of the most important parts of the hedge trimmer is the blade. It determines the quality of the cut, as well as the performance of the unit. You should check its length, style, and teeth spacing before buying.

Regarding the blade length, the longer it is, the further you can reach. Hedge trimmers come with blades ranging from approximately 10 to 30 inches, but even if longer blades let you trim faster, they are also heavier and harder to maneuver. That’s why you should match the length to the size and amount of hedges you have.

Types of hedge trimmer blades

Hedge trimmers may have single or double blades.

• Single blades: Consist of a toothed side that moves and a stationary side. These models are less efficient than double-sided but are safer, as you can keep the blade with the moving part oriented towards the hedge and away from you.
• Double blades: As their name implies, come with two moving blades. They provide smoother cuts and vibrate less than the single blades, but they are more hazardous.

Blade teeth spacing

Hedge trimmer blades usually have the teeth positioned at a range between ½ and 1-1/2 inches from one another. Picking the right teeth spacing depends on the result you want to achieve and velocity you aim to reach.

• Wider spaced teeth will let you cut faster; they deal well with thicker branches, but they rip rather than cut.
• Narrower spaced teeth provide smoother cuts and are ideal for manicuring, but are usually unsuitable for cutting thick branches. They also have a lower cutting speed.

How to sharpen hedge trimmer blades

Regardless of what blades you chose, they will lose sharpness over time. When this happens, you could either replace or sharpen them.

The most common method to sharpen your blades with a file and sharpening stone.

Sharpening your blades with a file and sharpening stone

For this operation, you will need a high-quality sharpening file. The method is suitable to use on both single and double blades.

1. If you have double blades on your hedge trimmer, turn the unit on and watch when the blades are perfectly aligned. When the upper and lower teeth are aligned, turn it off.
2. Cut off the power completely for safety.
3. Check the tool’s instruction and find out at what angle you have to sharpen the teeth.
4. Use the file to sharpen one tooth of the upper blade. Turn the hedge trimmer on the other side and sharpen the corresponding tooth on the lower blade. Continue until all teeth are sharp.
5. Remove the burr from the bottom of the blade with a sharpening stone.
6. Treat the blades with a resin-free spray to keep them sharp for longer and prevent them from rusting.

How to sharpen hedge trimmer blades with Dremel

An alternative way to sharpen your hedge trimmer blades is with a Dremel rotary tool. The steps are similar to the ones above. Just use the rotary tool instead of the file. Thanks to the slight grinding action, this method also saves you the hassle of the sharpening stone step.

Also, because the rotary tool is electric, you’ll be able to sharpen your blades much faster.

Other features to consider

Before buying a hedge trimmer, you must also weigh in the following factors:

• Safety features: Your tool should have a hand guard, safety switch and electric brake, an anti-jamming system and lock-off button.
• Ergonomics: Due to their design, hedge trimmers are quite hard to maneuver. It is essential to get an ergonomic tool you can handle with ease even when trimming above your head.
• Maintenance: Your tool may need more or less maintenance depending on its type. Gas hedge trimmers usually require the most maintenance.
• On Lock: This feature lets you lock the on button in position, so you don’t have to keep it pressed when trimming for a long time.
• Rotating head: Some of the best hedge trimmers have a rotating head that let you cut branches in any position, without keeping the tool awkwardly.
• Clipping collector: This is a tray that collects clippings, minimizing the mess and hedge trimming aftermaths.

Best Hedge Trimmer for the Money

Best value

BLACK+DECKER LHT2436 40-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Best residential hedge trimmer

Long run time and a dual-action blade will help you tackle most hedge manicuring tasks.

Check price on Amazon