Last updated on November 28th, 2023
Our site is reader supported, this means we may earn a small commission from Amazon and other affiliates when you buy through links on our site.
My review of the Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmers takes a look at the three different kinds of long reach hedge trimmer – petrol, electric and cordless but I focus more on the petrol and cordless models as these are the ones I think most people should consider, they are also the types I have personally been using and testing myself as you will see in my review.
I’ll describe the pros and cons of each model I review, along with their features and why they’re important. My Buyer’s guide towards the end of the article, details what you need to know about this garden tool as you make your purchase decision.
My Best Pick is the Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer. With complete freedom to move around your garden, this lightweight (in long reach hedge trimmer terms), ergonomically balanced hedge trimmer lets you prune your average-sized hedges as well as perform some fancy trimming with its 135-degree rotating head. Easy to charge, last long enough to trim a decent sized hedge, has no engine to maintain and is brilliant at cutting hedges. Absolutely love this model now!
The BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool is my Runner-up and yes I also own this model. Start with trimming your hedges with the hedge trimmer which also rotates 90 degrees to trim the top of the hedges. It even has a mini chainsaw attachment for thicker branches but what I really like is that it also has attachments for a strimmer and brushcutter which are also both fantastic tools to have.
BEST PICK
RUNNER-UP
The best long reach hedge trimmers that are included in our review are listed below:
- Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer – BEST PICK
- BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool – RUNNER-UP
- Gtech HT3.0 Hedge Trimmer
- eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Pole Pruner
- Einhell GE-HH 18 Li Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
- Ryobi RPT4545M Pole Hedge Trimmer with Extension Pole
- Bosch AMW 10 HS Multi-Tool with Pole Hedge Cutter Attachment
Best Telescopic Hedge Trimmers
1. Bosch Universal Hedgeplus 18 Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
BEST 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 actually 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 are pretty standard for these types of hedge trimmers. Something often overlooked is the tooth gap as these determine what diameter of branches it can actually cut through. This model does have a fairly wipe 16mm tooth opening so 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, laurels, it will cut through these 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 in 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 use to do.
In terms of reach, I could reach up to 2.6m (8.5 feet) away, to the side or above you. I found it easier to have it set on the lowest height and cut the bottom half of the hedge ad then extend it to cut the top half of the hedge. I just found it much easier doing it like this rather than always having it full expended.
I have already mentioned that is fairly lightweight, especially compared to petrol alternatives but 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. Personally, I find it easier to use it without the strap as it seems to restrict my movement more than it helps.
Finally, adding to your comfortable use is the soft-grip extended gripping area on the handle. 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 trimming thicker hedges with ease.
- Lightweight at under 4kg and optimally balanced hedge trimmer.
- Adjustable cutting head pivots to 90 degrees in two directions for cutting around corners and tops of hedges with ease.
- The extension pole adds to a maximum of 2.6 m in length.
- Battery charge time of 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
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
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.
The reason I really like this model and probably use it the most is because not only does it include a hedge trimmer attachment, but it also includes four other garden tools, 3 really as two of them are just different kinds of brush cutter blades as you can see in my photo above, but it also includes a pole chainsaw which is great for cutting down thick hedges that are overgrown as well as prune 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 it’s what I would consider affordable too.
So the main motor unit as pictured above is made up of a high-performance 52cc 3HP 2-stroke petrol engine. I will say that 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.
Basically, 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 mixing with the fuel at 40 parts petrol to 1 part oil. It does come with a special mixing bottle to help you measure this out if you need it.
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, 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, just 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 and then choke off and it’s ready to use.
The five tools in the BU-KO 52cc multi-tool are hedge trimmer as pictured above, 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 do a great job at 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 talk more about the attachments below.
All the included tools should cover the vast majority of heavy tasks in your garden including strimming thick brush such as brambles with the brush cutter as pictured above. There are actually two brush cutter blades, but I only use the one shown above, and it goes through pretty much anything.
So the second most used attachment I personally 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.
Like I said, one tool many jobs!
I like that it comes with safety goggles, gloves and ear defenders and attach 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 there is not really much assembly involves, from memory, think you need to attach the main handle and attach the chain to the chainsaw.
Finally, it does come with a 12-month warranty with phone support for when you have any questions or issues with this model. Not had a reason to test this so 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)
Thoughts and recommendations
The BU-KO 52cc Petrol Long Reach Multi-Functional Garden Tool provides a useful variety of garden tools, including a robust hedge trimmer which I use the most.
After using the multi-functional tool for a while, it does start to feel heavy with 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 its only at full extension it maybe feels a little heavier than I would like.
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.
Read my guide where I compare the best garden multi tools including this one in maybe a little more detail
3. Gtech HT3.0 Hedge Trimmer
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Gtech HT3.0 Hedge Trimmer is another fairly light weight hedge trimmer, at 2.5kg, that most people should be able to comfortably handle.
This cordless trimmer has the standard features common to models powered by a lithium-ion battery. An 18V lithium battery is included in your purchase as is the battery charger so everything you need is included, unlike some models. The weight of this trimmer doesn’t become such a big issue as with other models as the battery lasts only one hour and takes four hours to charge. Unless you have a spare battery charged up and ready to go, you have a long wait between trimming sessions.
The blade of this Gtech trimmer cuts branches up to 15mm thick. Coupled with the short trimming session, this makes this trimmer best suited to small to medium gardens without extensive or old hedge growth. However, you can buy an optional branch cutter attachment if you do have a mass of thicker or older branches to deal with. And the up-and-down trimming ability of the blade lets you cut in both directions for efficiency.
The cutting blade of this model swivels 135° so you can do clean, level cuts on the top of your high hedges and on the sides of your wide ones. The reach of this trimmer when you hold it up extended is 3.3m, which covers the height of any privacy hedges that surround your property.
If you have little ones or pets running around your garden as you work, the safety start mechanism of this hedge trimmer will ease your worries. You need to hold down the safety switch at the same time as you press the power trigger to start this trimmer. And for your convenience and comfort, all the controls are at the end of the trimmer. While you do need only one hand to operate the trigger, you must hold it down at all times to operate the trimmer.
Pros
- Cordless hedge trimmer runs on an 18V Lithium battery that’s included, along with the battery charger.
- The blade cuts branches up to 15mm in diameter so even some of your thicker branches are fair game.
- Adjustable cutting head pivots to 135° so the tops and sides of your hedges can be squared off.
- Extension of the pole plus the length of the blade plus average height person reaches 3.3m, so privacy hedges can be trimmed too.
- Weighs 2.5kg so not too heavy for most people to use.
- Safety switch with power trigger stops little hands and paws from turning on the machine.
- Both blade sides cut for more efficient up-and-down trimming motion.
Cons
- Need to squeeze trigger at all times.
Thoughts and recommendations
The Gtech HT3.0 Hedge Trimmer is a lightweight cordless trimmer that is a worthy alternative to our Best Pick, Bosch Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer. This GTech model also comes with the battery and the charger, but the run time of one hour is less than half that of the Best Pick. The Gtech trimmer reaches a full 0.75m further so enables you to trim taller hedges. It’s also more than 1kg lighter which may make a significant difference if you have many hedges to trim. The Gtech HT3.0 Hedge Trimmer may be for you if you have a small to medium sized garden that doesn’t need a great amount of trimming work.
4. eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Hedge Trimmer & Pruner Review
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Trimmer & Pruner Set offers two functions for the price of one with the addition of the chainsaw pruner attachment. If you chose to purchase this model, you receive a trimming head and a pruning 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.
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 trimmer 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. As it’s lubricated automatically from the 100ml capacity oil tank, you don’t have to worry about fluid levels. But remember to keep check anyways, 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, a harness strap is included 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. Online reviewers comment that the unit does feel heavy after a while, but this is a common problem with electric hedge trimmers. It’s usually occurs when the motor is at the top of the pole as with this eSkde model.
Finally, a 10-meter cable is included which is essential when you have a large garden to clean up. Everything comes with a 12-month warranty for full peace of mind.
Pros
- Electric hedge trimmer with up to 600W of power for your pruning needs.
- Features 2 functions in one – a hedge trimmer plus a pruning/chainsaw attachment for trimming branches of all sizes.
- Provides automatic lubrication for the chainsaw so no messy manual lubrication jobs for you.
- Provides pivoting heads for easy top access which makes trimming the tops of hedges more easier.
- Has a strong construction and ergonomic design which makes it very reliable and comfortable to use
- Long 10-meter cable provides plenty of reach.
- One-year warranty for full peace of mind.
Cons
- Feels quite heavy when extended (a common problem).
- May need an extension lead for larger gardens.
Thoughts and recommendations
The eSkde Electric Long Reach Telescopic Trimmer & Chainsaw Kit offers good value for money. What makes this model really stand out as well as the good quality construction is that it comes with two heads so you really get two tools, a hedge trimmer and a branch pruner. Both the pruning and trimming head 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
5. Einhell GE-HH 18 Li Cordless Long Reach hedge Trimmer
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The 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, thanks to the 18v 3ah battery and long 450mm blade with wider 16mm spacing for trimming thicker branches.
This Einhell trimmer is well designed to provide you with much-needed access to the top of hedges. At 4.92kg it’s not the lightest model we review but like all good models, it has a pivoting head that you can adjust to different angles to cover different cutting positions.
Attached to the head is a 45cm blade which is manufactured from diamond ground steel. The diamond ground blade has a 40cm cutting length which should be enough to work on long hedges. The spacing in between the blade teeth is 16mm which is the standard gap for most cordless models. This lets you cut through 15 mm branches with ease, 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 won’t bend easily. The shaft provided will give you an extra 94cm of height that you can adjust according to your needs.
The handles are an important feature as they facilitate control and manoeuvrability. This model has two adjustable handles that are positioned for comfort, an ergonomic feature you don’t find often in hedge trimmers. 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.
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 will clear up new growth in no time.
The problem with some cordless models is that the motor is located at the cutting end which can make them a little top-heavy. We originally thought this might be an issue with this model but the lightweight motor and the balanced weight ratio seem to have solved this issue. Most operators should find this model a pleasure to use even if using it fully extended.
Pros
- Cordless (battery) hedge trimmer that’s comfortable and easy to use.
- Lightweight motor and balanced weight ratio means it’s not too top-heavy at full expansion.
- Extendable shaft that can be attached and detached according to the user’s needs.
- Adjustable handles that facilitate better control of the unit.
- Pivoting head offers more access to tight areas.
- Durable blades that can handle thick vegetation with ease.
- Long 40-minute running time and fast 60 minute charge time.
Cons
- Does not include a chainsaw cutting head.
Thoughts and recommendations
The Einhell GE-HH 18 Li T Power X-Change Cordless High Reach Hedge Trimmer is another well-made model. 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. 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. This is a hedge trimmer that can take on your larger hedges.
6. Ryobi RPT4545M Pole Hedge Trimmer with Extension Pole
Buy on Amazon.co.uk 
The Ryobi RPT4545M Pole Hedge Trimmer with its Extension Pole is a corded model that operates on 450 watts of power. This is not the most powerful model we have reviewed but it should still be more than adequate for the average domestic garden. It’s one of the lightest models we have seen with one of the longest warranties at two years.
Featuring an electronic brake and lock-off switch, you will find that this machine is very simple to use. It’s designed especially for domestic use where the user may not be experienced with power tools that have blades. Safety is well-considered in this Ryobi hedge trimmer. Whether you leave it on the floor or on top of a work table, the machine will not turn on without assistance. This makes it safer around unsuspecting pets and children, though you should always keep it out of reach anyway.
Like all good standing hedge trimmers, the blade is always sharp and ready for use. The ground steel blades used in this machine cut through thick foliage easily. The blade length is around at 45cm, again pretty standard for such a tool, and it has a cutting capacity of 18mm with a 20mm gap between the teeth. This does well for medium applications.
Another notable feature on this hedge trimmer is the 135-degree pivoting head which is a must for a hedge trimmer for tall hedges. That new growth high up the hedge stands no chance. The pivoting head is supported by the extendable shaft of 2.6 meters and trimming lengths of around 4 meters when in use. The extendable shaft can be removed in the case you do not need the full height. Doing this make its easier to use the trimmer on the sides of smaller hedges where the full length may not be needed.
The unit weighs approximately 4.1 kg and measures 103.8 x 20 x 17.6cm. All though it is one of the lightest models, it may feel heavy for some as it’s top-heavy so there is a harness provided. The strap harness will facilitate the support you require to position the trimmer correctly and save some strain on your muscles.
Although there’s only one handle on this model, it’s ergonomically designed so you can use the machine with or without the shaft. This unit comes with a three-year warranty that you can access if you wish to. We recommend that you activate your warranty by registering online as most manufacturers require you to do this now in the case of mishaps.
Pros
- Electric (corded) hedge trimmer with 450W of power that’s suitable for the new user.
- Provides a double durable blade to deal with thick vegetation.
- The machine is lightweight at around 4kg and simple to manoeuvre.
- Features a pivoting head that can be used to access the very top of the hedge.
- Provides a long detachable shaft to get to the tops of hedges.
- Can be used without the middle shaft if the full height is not required.
- Comes with a three-year warranty for full peace of mind.
Cons
- Heavier and harder to balance when fully extended.
Thoughts and recommendations
The Ryobi RPT4545M Pole Hedge Trimmer is a good choice if you have really tall hedges. It comes with the best warranty for any trimmer at three years, which speaks for itself. This is the lightest model in our review, but it still feels a little heavy when you use it at full extension for a while. Its pivoting head has become a must and we appreciate that you can remove the middle section of the telescoping pole and use the trimmer at a shorter length. This is an affordable long reach hedge trimmer that’s a good model to start out with.
No products found.
7. Bosch AMW 10 HS Multi-Tool with Pole Hedge Cutter Attachment
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The 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 model on our 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. But these have to be bought separately and the extra costs can make it an expensive tool. However, you do end up with one tool for all your cutting and trimming needs.
Supported by a 43cm blade, this hedge trimmer can clear medium weight vegetation. With a tooth spacing of 15 mm, the trimmer clears a different variety of hedge plants. This unit 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. With the extension, you have an extra 70cm to work with to give you a total height of around 246cm.
The cutting head’s agility is affected by the angles that it can support. This unit proves very much agile by providing 180 degrees of access. This means that you can curve where the hedge curves and you can cut in straight lines if you wish.
For comfort, the unit has two handles fixed. Both handles have padding to protect your hands from the vibrations and weight of the machine. The auxiliary handle is adjustable so as to fit the height of the operator. At 6.5kg, it’s the heaviest model we review 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.
Cons
- Additional attachments add to the cost of the item.
- Will prove hard to balance as it is a heavy piece of kit.
Thoughts and recommendations
The 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 we review. It offers you a variety of cutting heads to work with which makes it versatile. You do have to pay extra for the attachments but you can attend to your landscaping needs with just one power tool. You don’t have to shell out the full price for a chainsaw and strimmer for trimming the edges of lawns as well as a hedge trimmer. This Bosch multi-function hedge trimmer is a good choice if you can handle a heavier weight power tool in your garden.
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.
If you think perhaps that you need a regular length hedge trimmer instead, we can also help there. Read our Best Hedge Trimmer, Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer and Best Petrol Hedge Trimmer reviews for information and recommendations.
If your trimming needs are somewhere in-between a regular and a long-reach hedge trimmer, take a look at some ways to safely lift yourself off the ground to attend to your hedges. We strongly recommend using a tripod ladder to do so, especially one with a platform/guard rail at the top to prop yourself against when you’re using the hedge trimmer.
BEST PICK
Last update on 2023-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
