Last updated on April 14th, 2024
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Over the years, extendable long-reach hedge trimmers have significantly improved, especially considering how lightweight some models now are. With the introduction of lightweight battery-powered garden tools. I have found that some of the best long-reach hedge trimmers are now cordless models powered by lithium-ion batteries, with my Bosch 18v Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer pictured below being one of the best examples of a cordless long-reach hedge trimmer that is reliable but affordable.
Some high-spec cordless models, such as those manufactured by DeWalt, have plenty of power for more demanding hedges that compete with the power of even the best petrol models, the problem is they can be expensive. However, the extra power and longer run times have enabled professional gardeners like myself to take advantage of cordless long-reach hedge trimmers. However, in this guide, I want to focus on reliable but more affordable models that everyday gardeners can use in their own gardens and both the Bosch and BU-KO models below are great examples of this.
You can’t ignore the fact that petrol models still provide the most power for the price. I picked up a BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool for under £200. I still use petrol garden tools alongside cordless battery-powered tools as they can be refuelled in seconds rather than waiting for batteries to recharge. Plus, even entry-level models have plenty of power, whereas cordless models can lack the raw power for overgrown, thick hedges. With this in mind, I have found that cordless models are perfect for maintaining hedges rather than hacking back an overgrown hedge that has not been touched in years.
If you want to go down the petrol route, this BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Hedge Trimmer is around my family’s nursery; I have no issue recommending it. I’ve been using this around my family’s nursery for a couple of years, and it’s been a great piece of kit to have around. However, it can be a little top-heavy at full extension, but it does reach an impressive 3.4m high. For most hedges, you don’t need the middle extension pole, and at this height, it is easily manageable, especially since it has a harness.
What I like about a garden multi-tool instead of investing in just long reach hedge trimmer is that it provides options. With the BU-KO, I have an extendable hedge trimmer, a pole chainsaw for those thick branches, a heavy-duty strimmer, and even a brush cutter for hacking back heavy brush such as brambles. All from one tool for under £200! You won’t find a better option for the price, especially if you can use the extra tools and the pole chainsaw attachments.
When I first qualified from horticulture college over twenty years ago, petrol long reach hedge trimmers were the only real option. However, with cordless technology, I have slowly replaced most of my petrol tools with cordless battery-powered alternatives. I’ve previously talked about my love for cordless tools which included my Dewalt Cordless Hedge trimmer in my cordless hedge trimmer guide here.
I’ve also invested in several cordless long-reach hedge trimmers over the years. However, it’s my Bosch 18v Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer pictured above that stands out and I still use.
It’s really designed for home gardeners rather than professional use. However, I’ve been putting it through its paces around the nursery over the past few years, and it’s never missed a beat. My family’s nursery is surrounded by 7-foot hedges of all types, including leylandii, privet, beach, and hawthorn.
The run time is around 40 minutes, and it recharges in around an hour. The business end has a long 43cm blade, which is around 17 inches, and a decent tooth gap of 16mm to cut through thicker branches. I find it cuts through most hedges quite easily, and I like the way you can easily rotate the cutting head to trim the top of hedges, too.
Now, if you have tree pruning to do rather than a hedge, consider a long reach pole chainsaw, I have the Stihl model pictured above or even consider a telescopic tree pruner; I use a Fiskars telescopic tree pruner, which is also a great piece of kit for maintaining trees. I’ve reviewed both these telescopic tree pruners here.
Best long reach hedge trimmers that are included in my review are listed below:
- Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer – I’ve been personally using this cordless model for a couple of years, and it’s been a fantastic bit of kit. Decent 40 minutes run time and hour charge time. Highly recommend
- BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool – A petrol model I’ve been testing for the last couple of years on the nursery. Great value and plenty of power, although a little heavy when fully extended
- Gtech HT50 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer – I’m a big fan of Gtech, and these cordless hedge trimmers get better and better. A little expensive but has an impressive hour running time
- Einhell GE-HH 18 Li Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer – Einhell make some of the best garden tools, and this hedge trimmer is a great example. A good alternative to the Bosch Universal Hedgeplus 18
- eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Trimmer & Pruner Set – A corded trimmer with reasonable power and a good affordable option.
- Bosch AMW 10 HS Multi-Tool with Pole Hedge Cutter Attachment – One of the most powerful at 1000w but tied down by a power cord but no batteries to charge or petrol engines to maintain.
Best Telescopic Hedge Trimmers
1. Bosch Universal Hedgeplus 18 Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
BEST CORDLESS PICK
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
What an amazing piece of kit! I’ve used a few of these long-reach hedge trimmers now, and I can honestly say I’ve been more impressed with this model than most other models. Why, you might be wondering, well, is lightweight for a start in long-reach hedge trimmer terms at a little under 4kg.
This matters when you have it at full extension, as some models can be very top-heavy and very difficult to use when fully extended. Not with this model, though. It’s very manageable, and you can easily trim a good-sized hedge with it. In terms of actual running time, I’ve been getting around 40 minutes out of it from a full charge, maybe a little longer, and it charges again in around an hour, so fairly quickly.
In terms of power, it comes with an 18v 2.5Ah Lithium-ion battery, as already mentioned, which can be used with other 18v Bosch Univeral tools, which could be useful for some people. It’s not really an advantage to me as I have mainly the 36v bosch tools, but they don’t make a 36v version, so this seemed to be the best option, and it comes with the battery and charger anyway.
The blade length of this Bosch cordless hedge trimmer is 43cms which is around 17 inches which is pretty standard for these types of hedge trimmers. Something often overlooked is the tooth gap, which determines the diameter of branches it can actually cut through. This model does have a fairly wipe 16mm tooth opening, so it will easily cut through most hedges, even those slightly thicker branches that have not been trimmed for a year or two. I’ve been using it on some fairly thick and overgrown leylandii hedges, and it made light work of these, so anyone with a nicely maintained hedge, whether it be leylandii, beech, hawthorn, or laurels, it will cut through these with no problem.
Now, I really like the rotating cutting head, which you can angle almost 90 degrees in both directions (135 degrees in total) by pushing the big red button on the actual head of the trimmer. This lets you cut into corners or along the side of the hedge as well as across the top, making trimming hedges much easier, not to mention safer. Unfortunately, with some of my taller hedges, I couldn’t reach the very top of the hedges, but I could when I used a small work platform, which is much safer than using a ladder, which is what we used to do.
I could reach up to 2.6m (8.5 feet) away, to the side or above you. I found it easier to set it on the lowest height, cut the bottom half of the hedge, and then extend it to cut the top half. I found it much easier doing it like this rather than always having it fully exTended.
I have already mentioned that it is fairly lightweight, especially compared to petrol alternatives. However, I also found that it’s ergonomically balanced between the battery at the back and the heavier cutting head and blade at the front, which makes it easier to use when extended. Plus, you have the strap. I find it easier to use it without the strap as it seems to restrict my movement more than it helps.
Finally, the soft-grip extended gripping area on the handle adds to your comfortable use. It’s worth noting that it’s also easy to extend; just turn the red section and the main shaft slide up and down. Nearly forget to mention how easy it is to store, it simply splits into two halves for easy storage, and it is easy to insert the two halves and separate them which is not always the case worth some alternative models.
Pros
- Powerful lithium-ion 18V battery provides around 40 minutes of non-stop trimming.
- Interchangeable battery and charger with any tool in the Bosch Green 18v tool series.
- An Anti-blocking system delivers uninterrupted cutting power.
- 43cm long blade with 16mm tooth opening for easy trimming thicker hedges.
- Lightweight at under 4kg and optimally balanced hedge trimmer.
- The adjustable cutting head pivots 90 degrees in two directions, making it easy to cut around corners and the tops of hedges.
- The extension pole adds to a maximum of 2.6 m in length.
- The battery charge time is one hour, so you don’t have to wait long to restart your trimming.
Cons
- The tool can feel a little heavy and a little unwieldy, especially when using the extension pole at full reach, still much easier and lighter than some alturnativers models.
Thoughts and recommendations
This Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer is a robust hedge trimmer that will handle most trimming tasks in the average garden. I’ve been pushing it through more than it was probably designed for around my mum and dad’s garden centre.
I really like that the trimming head can be tilted almost 90 degrees in both directions so you can cut along the top of the hedge, adjust the cutting head, and then trim the side, which is the main advantage and saves so much time.
This Bosch cordless trimmer is a good choice for those who need to roam around their garden to trim hedges and trees but don’t want the hassle of power cords or a petrol engine to deal with. This trimmer will handle most routine trimming jobs in the average garden and will easily maintain a good-sized hedge.
The Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer is the Best Pick in my review of long-reach hedge trimmers because I feel this is probably the model most people should consider. To put it another way, this is the model I tell my friends and family to invest in.
2. BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Multi Tool
RUNNER-UP
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So, a lot of people tend to stay away from petrol garden tools because they take a little more work to use and maintain. If you want raw power though and something that can tackle most overgrown hedges, they are without doubt the best choice.
You can’t beat the raw power of a petrol engine and some good end attachments to tackle a large hedge that has gotten out of control or just maintain a large hedge for that matter. The BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool is truly a marvel of engineering, but it’s not just a long reach hedge trimmer.
I really like this model and probably use it the most because not only does it include a hedge trimmer attachment, but it also includes four other garden tools—three really, as two of them are just different kinds of brush cutter blades, as you can see in my photo above—and a pole chainsaw, which is great for cutting down thick hedges that are overgrown and pruning trees.
The BU-KO 52cc garden multi-tool provides both power and versatility in all areas of your garden, low or high. It really is a great piece of kit, and I would consider it affordable too.
The main motor pictured above is a high-performance 52cc 3HP 2-stroke petrol engine. It’s quite loud, as are most 2-stroke engines, so make sure you wear ear protection. The new news is that it does actually come with some safety equipment, including ear defenders.
I have found that the BU-KO 52cc garden tool is well-powered for almost any task in the garden. Something to note is that because it is a 2-stroke engine, the 3HP engine needs 2-stroke oil mixed with the fuel at 40 parts petrol to 1 part oil. It comes with a special mixing bottle to help you measure this out if needed.
The fuel tank is fairly large and holds 1.2 litres of fuel, so you can use it for a good length of time before needing to refuel. It probably lasts around 40 minutes, though I’ve never actually timed it. This garden tool has the standard recoil pull cord to start it, but it’s easy to get going. It always starts without a couple of pulls for me. Don’t forget to use the choke on a cold start and as soon as it tries to start but doesn’t, turn the choke half on and half off, and it will start straight away. Leave it running for about a minute, then choke it off, and it’s ready to use.
The five tools in the BU-KO 52cc multi-tool are hedge trimmers, as pictured above. This is probably the tool you are most interested in because this guide is on long-reach hedge trimmers.
The hedge trimmer has a double-edged hardened steel blade that’s 45cm long. The cutting head can be turned through 90 degrees, as shown above, just like my recommended cordless bosch model, which makes trimming the top of hedges easier.
It really does a great job of trimming hedges. The actual trimmer head is really well built and is a substation piece of kit. The tooth gap is also 20mm which is 5mm wider than the bosch model and wide enough for more established hedges most cordless models could not cut, especially when powered by a 3HP petrol engine. I think what I’m trying to say is that it’s a great piece of kit. In terms of reach, I think you can reach about 3.4 meters high with the extension pole.
It also comes with a mini chainsaw attachment thats 25cm long, as pictured above, which is great for cutting thick sections of a hedge that might be too thick for the standard hedge trimmer attachment, but it’s also great for tree pruning, as shown below.
Finally, it also comes with a strimmer attachment, two brush cutter blades and, of course, the extension pole to give you that extra reach when needed. I will talk more about the attachments below.
All the tools included should cover the vast majority of heavy tasks in your garden, including strimming thick brush with brambles with the brush cutter as pictured above. There are two brush cutter blades, but I only use the one shown above, which goes through pretty much anything.
So, the second most used attachment I use after the hedge trimmer is actually the strimmer attachment, as shown above. This simply screws onto the main thread and takes literally 20 seconds to switch it to the brush cutter, you simply remove the strimmer head by turning it by hand, place the brush cutter blade over the main bolt, place a washer over the brush cutter place and tighten the nut. It is very quick and easy to do.
As I said, one tool, many jobs!
I like that it comes with safety goggles, gloves, and ear defenders, and it attaches a chainsaw guide plate protector.
Part of the safety package is the double-shoulder harness that lets you use the multi-functional garden tool more comfortably and with more control. Unlike the Bosch model, this does make it much easier to use, so make sure you wear it. I find it makes life much easier. There’s also a free tool kit for easy assembly of everything, although not much assembly is involved; from memory, I think you need to attach the main handle and the chain to the chainsaw.
Finally, it does come with a 12-month warranty and phone support for when you have any questions or issues with this model. I haven’t had a reason to test this, so I can’t really comment on how good the customer service is.
Pros
- Five-in-one multi-functional tool for all the big and difficult to reach jobs in your garden.
- Five tools are a strimmer, hedge trimmer, brush cutter, pruner chainsaw and an extension pole.
- The heavy-duty 52cc 3HP engine has enough power for each of the tools.
- The extension pole extends the tool’s reach to 3.4m to reach the tops of most hedges.
- All tools can be used with the extension pole.
- Double-edged, hardened steel 45cm blade for accurate and clean cutting.
- The cutting head pivots 90 degrees in each direction so you can trim without turning the engine and spilling fuel.
- The safety package includes goggles, ear protectors and gloves for your continued well-being.
- 12-month warranty with phone support.
Cons
- Feels heavy after a while, particularly when extended. (Same with all petrol models)
My recommendations
The BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool provides a useful variety of garden tools, including a robust hedge trimmer I use the most.
After using the multi-functional tool for a while, it does start to feel heavy. This is the only downside. It’s manageable, but it certainly gives you a workout. This is not surprising since it weighs around 15kg, much heavier than my cordless alternatives. I will point out that it feels a little heavier than I would like, but only at full extension.
The BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool is my Runner-up in my review. Along with the hedge trimmer, you’ll get useful tools that you may not have thought of using before but will come in handy. Overall, it’s a great piece of kit; the quality seems good, and the price is affordable and reliable.
3. Gtech HT50 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
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The Gtech HT50 Hedge Trimmer is another fairly lightweight hedge trimmer, at just under 3kg making it a good alternative to the Bosch cordless long reach hedge trimmer.
This Gtech cordless trimmer has the standard features common to models powered by a lithium-ion batteries. It comes with an 18V lithium battery, which only takes around 3 hours to recharge, and it even has a battery level indicator on the battery and gives around an hour of run time. Everything you need is included.
The blade of this Gtech trimmer cuts branches up to 14mm thick with a blade length of 53cm. You can buy an optional branch cutter attachment if you have thicker or older branches to deal with.
This model’s cutting blade rotates 135 degrees so you can make clean, level cuts on the tops of your hedges and on the sides of your wide ones. When extended, this trimmer’s reach is not bad at an impressive 10ft reach, which covers the height of most garden hedges.
Pros
- The cordless hedge trimmer runs on an 18V Lithium battery that’s included, along with the battery charger.
- The blade cuts branches up to 14mm in diameter, so even some of your thicker branches are safe.
- Long blade length of 53cm for longer sweeps.
- Adjustable cutting head pivots to 135° so the tops and sides of your hedges can be squared off.
- The extension of the pole plus the length of the blade plus the average height of a person reaches 10ft, even the tallest hedges can also be trimmed.
- It weighs 2.5kg, so not too heavy for most people to use.
- A safety switch with a power trigger stops little hands and paws from turning on the machine.
My recommendations
The Gtech HT50 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer is a lightweight cordless trimmer that is a good alternative to my Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer. This Gtech model also comes with the battery and the charger, and although it takes longer to recharge, it does take 3 hours to recharge. Overall, the Gtech HT50 Hedge Trimmer is a decent cordless hedge trimmer with a good reach and impressive run time, but it’s a little more expensive than the Bosch alternative, but you do get a longer running time of an hour.
4. Einhell GE-HH 18 Li Cordless Long Reach hedge TrimmerBuy on Amazon.co.uk
This Einhell GE-HH 18 Li T Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer is a more powerful 550-watt cordless long reach trimmer which packs some great features. It’s perfect for more demanding hedge trimming that cheaper models may struggle with. It comes with an 18v 3ah battery and a long 450mm blade with wider 16mm spacing for trimming thicker branches.
Overall, it’s a great combination of power, a larger capacity battery at 3ah for longer run times and a decent tooth gap to handle those thicker branches.This Einhell long-reach trimmer is well-designed to provide much-needed access to the top of hedges. At 4.92kg, it’s not the lightest model I’ve reviewed. However, like all good models, it has a pivoting head that you can adjust to different angles to cover different cutting positions, making cutting the top of hedges much easier.
Attached to the head is a 45cm blade made from diamond-ground steel. The diamond-ground blade has a 40cm cutting length, which is enough to work on longer hedges. The blade teeth spacing is a respectable 16mm, which is the standard gap for most cordless models. This lets you easily cut through 15mm branches, more than enough for most types of hedges.
Another thing to look at is the telescopic shaft in this model. Made from aluminium, it is light and durable and, more importantly, won’t bend easily. The shaft will give you an extra 94cm height that you can adjust according to your needs.
The primary back handles can be rotated to find the best right-hand position, while the secondary handle is also adjustable to fit the height of the user which are all nice features. Apart from positioning, the handles are padded to provide comfort and absorb some of the vibration produced. Considering that it has a speed of 1700 cuts per minute, this hedge trimmer is perfect for maintaining a tall hedge.
My recommendations
This Einhell GE-HH 18 Li T Power X-Change Cordless High Reach Hedge Trimmer is another well-made model worth considering. But where it really stands out is the long-running time of 40 minutes, the 60 minute recharging time and the extra cutting power it has when compared to cheaper cordless models you often see online that only provide around 20 minutes. The extendable shaft, adjustable handles, pivoting head and padding for comfort all make it more comfortable and less tiring to use for longer periods of time.
5. eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Hedge Trimmer & Pruner Review
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
Now this is one of two models I’ve included in this review that is actually corded. The second model is a Bosch model I review next. You do have the power cord to watch out for, but they offer the most affordable prices, and these two are well worth considering. This eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Trimmer & Pruner Set offers two functions for the price of one with the addition of the chainsaw pruner attachment, which most models do not include. If you choose to purchase this model, you receive a trimming head and a mini chainsaw head, which is a bonus for anyone with thicker branches, such as tree branches, to prune back. Both of these attachments pivot (+60° to -80°) to cut vegetation at different angles. This feature is great for trimming the tops of hedges, as I have mentioned several times in this review. For me, it’s a must-have feature!
This 450-watt hedge trimmer has a telescopic shaft that can be adjusted to suit the height needs of different users. The shaft extends from normal size to a whopping 2.8 meters, giving you plenty of reach. Whether you are pruning or trimming, this should be enough reach for most people. The quality of the blades is unquestionable as they are sharp and ready to go and seem to be made from good steel.
The 46cm hedge-cutting head is powered by a 450-watt motor in the cutting head. The 600-watt motor in the pruner allows you to take advantage of the 30cm Oregon chainsaw Blade for cutting thick branches where more power is needed. You don’t have to worry about fluid levels as it’s lubricated automatically from the 100ml capacity oil tank. Remember to keep checking anyway, but you should be good for a couple of hours.
Due to the different cutting heads, you will find that the unit weighs differently during use. To manage the weight of these different heads while extended, it does come with a harness strap for you to wear. The harness is essential in maintaining your balance and posture and taking as much strain off your shoulders and back as possible.
Finally, a 10-meter cable is included, but most users will probably need an extension lead, so just keep this in mind, as it could be an extra cost.
Pros
- Electric hedge trimmer with up to 600W of power for your pruning needs.
- It features two functions in one—a hedge trimmer plus a pruning/chainsaw attachment for trimming branches of all sizes.
- It provides automatic lubrication for the chainsaw, so there are no messy manual lubrication jobs for you.
- It provides pivoting heads for easy top access, which makes trimming the tops of hedges easier.
- Has a strong construction and ergonomic design which makes it very reliable and comfortable to use
- A long 10-meter cable provides plenty of reach.
- One-year warranty for full peace of mind.
My recommendations
This eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Trimmer & Chainsaw Kit offers good value for money. What makes this model really stand out, in addition to its good quality construction, is that it comes with two heads, so you really get two tools: a hedge trimmer and a mini chainsaw branch pruner. Both the pruning and trimming heads can be tilted for effective cutting, which is a great feature we think all models should have, as it makes them much more versatile.
The eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Trimmer & Chainsaw Kit delivers everything you need to trim all the branches in your garden, and at an affordable price
6. Bosch AMW 10 HS Multi-Tool with Pole Hedge Cutter Attachment
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This Bosch AMW 10 HS Multi-Tool with Pole Hedge Cutter Attachment is a 1000 watt hedge trimmer with a sustainable motor and is the most powerful electric model in my review. The high-quality trimmer can be used to clear out new growth from various densities of bushes. It’s a multi-tool as it can be used with other compatible cutting heads like a pruner, brush cutter and grass trimmer. However, unlike the petrol garden multi tool, these have to be bought separately, and the extra costs can make it an expensive tool if you do. However, you do end up with one tool for all your cutting and trimming needs.
It has a 43cm blade; this hedge trimmer is a powerful bit of kit. With a tooth spacing of 15mm, the trimmer can cut through pretty much any type of hedging. It’s also worth noting that it does not come with an extension piece as standard, so you have to purchase the extension separately to get the full height, making it an expensive choice as a long-reach hedge trimmer if you do need the extra extension. With the extension, you have an extra 70cm to work with to give you a total height of around 246cm so its something to think about.
At 6.5kg, it’s one of the heaviest models I reviewed, but as the motor is located at the bottom of the pole rather than the top, it should not feel too heavy.
Pros
- Powerful electric hedge trimmer with 1000w motor for high-performance cutting.
- Multi-function with optional cutting heads including a strimmer and chainsaw.
- The powerful cutting head can be pivoted to 180 degrees for better access to everywhere on the hedge.
- Features a pair of padded handles for comfort.
- A harness is provided for balancing the operators weight for comfort and less muscle strain.
- Two-year warranty which can be extended to Three years for free by registering online.
Thoughts and recommendations
This Bosch AMW 10 HS Multi-Tool with Pole Hedge Cutter is not the lightest machine you will use, but it does have the most power of the models I review, but this comes at a cost, and that cost is having a trailing power lead behind you. A little tip: have the power leads over your shoulder out of the way. It’s a good powerful, affordable option.
Buyer’s Guide
Long reach hedge trimmers are not inexpensive, so you need to put some considered thought into what you need your hedge trimmer to do and what would suit your way of working in the garden. This Buyer’s Guide brings up the major issues to think about and explains why they’re important and what options you have.
Power source options
There are really only 3 types of power source to choose from – electric, petrol and cordless electric (battery). Most people prefer an electric model for sheer ease of use and low maintenance requirements.
Petrol
Petrol hedge trimmers are a favourite in heavy landscaping procedures. They often have longer blades and motors that can run for a considerable amount of time, especially when compared to cordless models. These kinds of trimmers can generally handle thicker branches that electric trimmers wouldn’t get through. They rely on petrol and thus they are not restricted by cords and can be refuelled as needed making them ideal for professional use as they are usually on the move.
The thing that you will have to contend with is the noise level that these trimmers produce. While the operator uses ear and eye protection gear, your neighbours have to endure. The vibration and the weight of petrol hedge trimmers is another thing to contend with and when fully extended they can feel heavy. The other real downside to petrol models is that they require maintenance such as changing oil filters, spark plugs and other general maintenance. Unless you have a larger garden or prefer petrol powered garden tools, we recommend avoiding these models and opting for electric.
Electric
Electric hedge trimmers are perfect for domestic use where they will not get overworked and can be used by less experienced operators. Compared to petrol models, electric hedge trimmers are often cheaper and much easier to use and maintain. They’re also lighter to handle. If you need to use an extension cord, make sure to use one designed to take the power. Be careful to select a hedge trimmer model with a cable management system. Cable management systems are there to ensure that you don’t trip over the cable. Alternatively, you can drape the cable on your shoulders which helps keep it out of the way.
Battery-powered/cordless
If you don’t want to get your hands dirty messing with fuel and don’t want to be tied down by power cords, your last option is to get a cordless model. Cordless hedge trimmers provide a convenient, clean and quiet operation.
In general, the higher the Amh the longer the batteries run, and the higher the voltage the more powerful the trimmer. The charging time depends on the quality of the battery – some take an hour and some take longer than four hours. When looking for battery-powered models, try to get the biggest capacity battery you can to ensure you don’t run out of power. But it’s always handy to have a spare fully charged battery around.
While cordless models offer manoeuvrability, they are generally expensive. With batteries improving all the time they are now starting to become more affordable, especially with the introduction of lithium-ion batteries. Make all the calculations before purchasing a model since some manufacturers offer the hedge trimmer without the battery and charger so watch out for these hidden additional but necessary costs.
Area to be covered and size of the hedge trimmer
How tall are those hedges? The taller the hedge, the more access you need and so the longer the blade should be. You would think that having a long blade would be a convenience but in some cases it is not. The heavier the blade, the harder it is to move and control the trimmer, especially when it’s fully extended.
Some models of extendable hedge trimmer come with harnesses to keep the user’s posture straight but these harnesses vary in design. It is important that you look for a design that suits your body’s structure. Depending on the scale of work you need to do, select a hedge trimmer that matches up. We can tell you from experience it much easier to use a long reach hedge trimmer while wearing the harness to take some of the weight.
Blade requirements
The hedge trimmer blade is another feature that you cannot afford to overlook. The material used to make most blades is hardened steel. The length and the width of the blade affect how effectively you will able to cut through your hedges and other branches.
Long blades help you cover a wider surface while shorter ones provide easier manoeuvrability. The spacing in between the blade teeth also matters. Thick branches are better handled by trimmer blades with widely spaced teeth. Closely spaced blade teeth are efficient if giving your hedges that finer finish and may be better for well-pruned hedges just getting a light prune. However, they have a hard time dealing with thick vegetation.
In blade design, you can run into a single or double blade. Double blades are preferred since they provide robust cuts which are needed particularly for older hedges. Older hedges usually have thicker branches and need more force to get them looking neat. Also, we prefer models where the blade has a blade guard to protect the blade from damage while in storage or being transported.
Consider manoeuvrability
There are two features that we consider here – the shaft and the cutting head. These features will help you access your tall edges to give your garden a uniform look. The cutting head can be fixed or pivoting depending on the kind of hedges you have. Most people find themselves drawn to the pivoting head since it provides more access in tricky corners and is great for trimming the tops of hedges.
Sometimes the branches get a bit too thick for the blade to handle. If you have a model that is compatible with various other cutting accessories then you have an advantage. You can attach a small chainsaw head, pruner or other cutting tools that are compatible with the model.
Another thing that we look at is the extendable/telescopic shaft. This is where a simple tool becomes a super tool. The shaft is responsible for providing the right amount of reach needed to clear out new plant growth. These shafts can be fixed or detachable, and depend on the model and your personal preference.
Ease of use
The last thing anyone wants is sore muscles, often brought on by heavy machinery with poor ergonomics. You want a long reach hedge trimmer hose handles are correctly designed and positioned for better balance. The best models have padded handles that are able to absorb most of the vibration generated.
Another thing is the lock-off switch, not found on all models even though it’s an important safety feature. Basically a switch has to be pressed by an able adults before the trigger will move which helps prevent accidental startups. This makes it a low-risk item around pets and children who tend to be curious.
Final Conclusion
In choosing your hedge trimmer, the first question you should ask is what power source – petrol, electric or cordless – is best for your garden needs. In addition, ask yourself if you want a dedicated hedge trimmer or one that’s part of a multi-function tool with other useful garden tools. This should help you make up your mind. And do bear in mind the weight of the trimmer and where the most weight is located. Remember that trimming hedges is not a five-minute task and you probably will hold up the trimmer for a good while making your hedges neat and tidy.
Our Best Pick is the Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer. Freely move around all your hedges with this lightweight model, creatively trimming and pruning them to the desired shapes and sizes.
Our Runner-up is the BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool. Trim, prune, strim and brush cut to your heart’s content with this model to really whip your garden into shape.
Last update on 2025-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
