Hedges and shrubs are the best natural borders for your property, but they will quickly be wildly overgrown if you don’t often trim them nicely. The best cordless hedge trimmers assist you in maintaining an appealing appearance for your lawns and gardens.
Unlike gas-powered chainsaws, hedge trimmers don’t use much energy. So when using a cordless trimmer, you don’t have to waste time on a large-capacity battery or getting a tangled cord when standing at the edge of your property.
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Top 7 Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers 2022
Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
DEWALT DCHT820B Hedge Trimmer | Best Overall | See latest Price | |
BLACK+DECKER LHT2240 Cordless Hedge Trimmer | Best Value | See latest Price | |
WORX WG261 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer | Best Lightweight | See latest Price | |
Ryobi 18V Cordless Hedge Trimmer | Best Price | See latest Price | |
EGO Power+ HT2400 Cordless Hedge Trimmer | Long Blade | See latest Price | |
EGO Power+ HTX6500 | Best Commercial Cordless Hedge Trimmer | See latest Price | |
Earthwise LPHT12022 | Best Extended Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer | See latest Price |
In-depth 7 Top Rated Cordless Hedge Trimmer Reviews
1. DEWALT DCHT820B Hedge Trimmer – Best Overall
Specs:
- Weight: 11.5 pounds
- Cutting capacity: up to ¾ inch
- Blade: 22 inches
- Battery: 5.0Ah
The Dewalt hedge trimmer delivers power and durability for most hedge trimming tasks, yet it’s portable enough for easy handling. It’s an efficient landscaping tool you should have on your property.
This battery-power hedge trimmer is powered by a 5.0Ah Lithium-ion battery and has a blade size of 22 inches that can easily cut a ¾-inch thick hedge. Besides, the hook-tooth blade has been pre-harden, allowing you to use it for a long time before sharpening it again.
This compact cutting tool can deliver up to 2,800 cut strokes per minute, which is robust enough for frequent property maintenance.
Not only is it extreme in power, but the cordless DEWALT trimmer also boasts a user-friendly design for your effortless operation. It weighs just 11.5 pounds and features anti-vibration technology, making it easy to control without tiring your arms.
If you already have a compatible DEWALT battery, you can buy this tool without the battery and charger for a better price.
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2. BLACK+DECKER LHT2240 Cordless Hedge Trimmer – Best Value
Specs:
- Weight: 6.9 pounds
- Blade length: 22 inches
- Cutting capacity: up to ¾ inch
- Battery: 40V
You don’t need to get expensive hedge trimmers like Bosch when this budget-friendly model from BLACK+DECKER is tailor-made with the best value for maintaining a lush green hedge for you. Since it is a battery-powered trimmer, you don’t need to waste time with tangled electric cords while on duty.
This portable trimmer runs on a rechargeable 40-Volt battery and has a 22-inch dual-action blade. Thus, it can cut through thick hedges, shrubs, and tree branches that are up to ¾ inch in diameter two times quicker than single-action blades of BLACK+DECKER. According to the manufacturer, this trimmer can cut up to 6,000 square feet per single charge.
BLACK+DECKER understands that trimming is a dangerous job, so it designs this tool with safety in mind.
First, it comes with anti-vibration technology to lessen stress on your arms and hands.
Second, it features a premium grip with an additional handle to enhance the tool’s stability when cutting through thick jams.
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3. WORX WG261 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer – Best Lightweight
Specs:
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Blade length: 22 inches
- Cutting capacity: up to ¾ inch
- Battery: 20V
Weight does matter when you utilize a trimmer to cut tree branches overhead. This WORX battery-powered trimmer weighs only 5.5 pounds (with battery), making it one of the lightest solutions on the market.
Even when you don’t often use it for overhead trimming, this tool is still comfortable to use for women for an extended period with no arm sores the following day.
This 22-inch WORX trimmer features a dual-action blade that can slide through thick jams and hedges with a cutting speed of 2,600 cut strokes per minute.
Besides, you can hold and cut plants from any angle with ease, from tall branches overhead to small undergrown ones, thanks to the D-shaped handle. This fast, safe, and concise operation will prune out all dead or diseased hedges, giving your property an appealing look.
A golden privilege when using any of WORX’s products is that you can utilize their batteries across all of its appliances, thanks to WORX’s PowerShare. Thus, if you have another WORX product using a 20V or 40V battery, you don’t have to spend extra money to purchase a second battery.
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4. Ryobi 18V Cordless Hedge Trimmer – Best Price
Specs:
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Blade length: 22 inches
- Battery: 18V
- Cutting capacity: up to ¾ inch
This 18-Volt Ryobi trimmer is equipped with the latest, most advanced Lithium+ technology from the manufacturer. This lithium battery maintains a consistent output maximum power until the last day of its battery cycle.
Apart from its battery capacity, it also comes with a dual-action blade that allows it to cut most branches, bushes, and hedges with a maximum diameter of ¾ inches.
Another thing I love about this 22-inch cutting tool is that it makes border maintenance comfortable, thanks to its clever design. The rotating handle provides accurate cutting from multiple angles. Plus, this trimmer inherits the Ryobi’s signature Hedge Sweep design, allowing it to clear all clippings and debris while trimming.
Despite its advantages, this battery hedge trimmer still has some pitfalls.
First, it’s slightly bulky than the remaining ones with a weight of 10 pounds. Second, this 18-Volt trimmer comes with no battery and charger, just like other hedge trimmer models of Ryobi. If you have had a tool using the same battery voltage, you can use the battery interchangeably.
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5. EGO Power+ HT2400 Cordless Hedge Trimmer – Long Blade
Specs:
- Weight: 6.2 pounds
- Blade length: 24 inches
- Cutting capacity: up to ¾ inch
- Battery: 56V
Most hedge trimmer models have a 22-inch blade, but if you need to cut oversized hedges or have lots of ground to cover, a large 24-inch trimmer using a 56-Volt rechargeable battery like EGO Power+ HT2400 will get the job done faster.
High efficiency is the main reason that makes this EGO Power+ trimmer so popular on the market or in well-known retailer stores like Argos or Best Buy.
First, this dual-action cutting tool can deliver 3,000 strokes per minute and cut hedges up to ¾ inch.
Second, its hardened steel blade can give you clean and precise cuts in a single slide.
Third, it features a brushless motor to maximize its performance per charge. And you can stop the running blade whenever you want, thanks to its electric brake.
Despite its high efficiency and power, this trimmer weighs only 6.2 pounds. The blade is fully serviceable, so you can send it for regular sharpening when it starts to blunt.
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6. EGO Power+ HTX6500 – Best Commercial Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Specs:
- Weight: 12.1 pounds
- Blade length: 25 inches
- Cutting capacity: up to 1.3 inches
- Battery: 56V
EGO Power+ HTX6500 is the most powerful trimmer model on my recommendation list. This trimmer features a 25-inch dual-action blade that can cut hedges up to 1.3 inches. Its sturdy construction enables it to handle thick branches in my backyard with less effort and time than conventional ones.
Since this commercial-grade trimmer is designed for professional gardening and landscaping purposes, it is ready to tackle most demanding tasks with high precision and less manual labor. It runs on a quiet brushless motor that can run up to 3,600 strokes per minute and can operate for 7 hours.
I think this EGO Power+ trimmer has the superpower of a gas-powered trimmer while minimizing vibration, fuel emission, and noise. But that’s not the end of the story.
This item also comes with the Commercial Backpack Battery from EGO Power+ for all-day use, with the same power as 80% gas hedge trimmers.
This battery-powered trimmer weighs 12.07 pounds. This weight is too heavy for a homeowner to carry for a long period of time.
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7. Earthwise LPHT12022 – Best Extended Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
Specs:
- Weight: 7.2 pounds
- Cutting capacity: up to ⅝ inch
- Battery: 20V
- Blade length: 20 inches
This telescoping pole hedge trimmer from Earthwise is a wise choice to cut tall brushes or limbs in areas that are hard to reach without a ladder. It can extend up to 9.5 feet, allowing you to have a long reach whenever you want.
It also comes with a solid 20-inch dual-action blade with a 6-position adjustable head that can cut overgrown branches up to 5/8 inch thick at various angles.
Since this trimmer uses a 20-Volt rechargeable battery for operation, it’s environment-friendly and requires less maintenance than electric-powered or gas-powered tools.
There is a fast charger along with the device, so you can make a quick charge while taking a short nap. When not in use, you can safely store this trimmer since it offers a protective blade cover.
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How to Choose the Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer?
Blade Size
Blade size (also referred to as “blade length”) varies from one model to another. You can find mini-size hedge trimmers with blade size measuring around 8 inches. You can also find large, commercial-grade trimmers with blades up to 40 inches long.
Most popular for residential use are trimmers with blade sizes in the 22 inches range. They can deal with branches of up to ¾ inches wide. This is sufficient for most people.
However, if you have larger yards or have hedges with larger branches, choose larger trimmers. They will help you finish the job quicker and more efficiently.
Blade Type (Blade Action)
There are two kinds of blade actions: either single-action or double-action.
Double-action hedge trimmers are the more popular out of the two. They use 2 blades that move in opposite directions to one another. Thanks to this design, double-action trimmers produce more precise cuts. Vibration is also reduced because the blades cancel out one another’s vibration. Double-action trimmers are highly suitable for cutting large yards or prolonged works.
There are still 2 blades on a single-action hedge trimmer. However, only one blade moves along the cutting bar while the other remains stationary. As it has a simpler design, a single-action blade is usually cheaper and easier to maintain.
Overall, I highly recommend getting a double-action trimmer. The more precise cuts, combined with better vibration control, will make a double-action a more valuable purchase in the long run.
Teeth on Blade
Look at the blade of a hedge trimmer and you will find evenly-spaced teeth running along its length. The wider the teeth, the larger the objects that the trimmer can cut.
If you’re going to trim hedgerows, look for hedge trimmers whose blades have teeth that are closely spaced. The tightly-packed teeth will deliver more precise, even cuts suitable for trimming hedges.
On the other hand, if you’re going to cut branches, try models with teeth that are farther apart. They’re more suited for this sort of job.
Battery Life
If you decide to pick an electric hedge trimmer, the most important thing to consider is the battery life. It decides how long you can work for and, partly, even how much cutting power your trimmer can deliver.
Modern battery technology like Lithium-ion can deliver 80 volts of power to the trimmer and can sustain operation for up to 2 hours on a single charge. That’s enough time for you to finish all of your work (at least in a residential setting).
For those who need more power for larger, more extended jobs, consider getting extra battery packs.
Extension/Your Height
Hedges are too tall for you or your trimmer to reach? Get an extension pole.
Basically, it is a telescoping pole that you can freely adjust the length of. With it, you can easily extend your reach. Just make sure that you’re totally balanced when you use an extended height trimmer.
A cordless hedge trimmer with extension pole is quite unbalanced due to the shift in the center of gravity. So, be extra careful when you extend the pole, lest you be injured.
Besides giving you the extra reach needed to trim tall hedges, an extension pole can also be used to adapt the trimmer to your height. Adjust the pole until you’re totally comfortable walking around and skimming the hedge. This will stave off fatigue and allow you to work for longer.
Cutting Capacity
Cutting capacity refers to the size of the object that the trimmer can cut. Most hedge trimmers on the market have a cutting capacity of ½ or ¾-inch branches. With a bit of searching, you can find trimmers with a capacity of up to 1 inch.
Taking into account the cutting capacity is a good way to find a model that suits your needs. Pick up the model that has the right capacity for the job that you expect to do.
Speed
The speed of a hedge trimmer is measured in SPM (strokes per minute). For example, if you see a hedge trimmer being advertised as having 2,500 SPM, then the blades can make 2,500 strokes a minute.
On the market, a cordless hedge trimmer’s speed can vary between 1,000 to as high as 3,000 SPM. The higher the blade’s speed, the faster the cutting action and the more efficient the work is going to be.
If you have heavy-duty trimming work to do, aim for models with high SPM.
Weight
Weight is a crucial metric because, like battery life, it also decides how long you would be able to use the hedge trimmer.
A heavy machine will tire you out quicker, so you’ll have to take more frequent breaks between trimming sessions. Conversely, a lighter trimmer will allow you to work longer and more comfortably.
It’s important to choose a trimmer that’s neither too heavy nor too bulky for your frame and build.
Comfort
A hedge trimmer with an uncomfortable design can be miserable to use. In only a couple of minutes, your hand and wrist would ache. If the ergonomics isn’t thought out well enough, the trimmer could be awkward to use and maneuver.
Last but not least, if the balancing isn’t done well, it could be painful for your back and potentially cause injuries.
So, buying models with soft, molded grip and a well-balanced, maneuverable design is a must.
Battery Compatibility
Many manufacturers that produce cordless hedge trimmers also make other kinds of cordless power tools, too. In that case, the battery that the trimmer uses could also potentially be used to power other tools made by the same brand.
For example, the cordless hedge trimmer from Dewalt uses the company’s FLEXVOLT battery. You can detach the battery from the trimmer and attach it to Dewalt’s cordless drill and it would still work fine!
Because of this, it could potentially be a good idea to buy all of your power tools (including your hedge trimmer) from the same brand. You’ll save a lot of money on extra batteries.
See more: Best Way To Clear Brush And Vines
FAQs
1. Are battery-powered hedge cutters any good?
Most people think that just because a power tool is battery-powered means it doesn’t deliver a lot of performance and is fussy to use. This is far from the truth, especially in this day and age.
Like I said earlier, battery technology has progressed a lot. Lithium-ion cells these days can output a lot of power while being long-lasting at the same time. A cordless hedge trimmer running on such cells will have comparable performance to its corded counterpart. A few models can even rival gas-powered hedge cutters!
2. Is a 20v hedge trimmer powerful enough?
Generally speaking, an 18V hedge trimmer is enough for most small-scale residential gardening works. If your cordless trimmer comes with a 20V battery pack, that’s quite a bit of extra power to keep your garden and yard clean and tidy.
Most people will be satisfied with a 20V hedge trimmer, no worries.
3. What is the difference between 20v and 40v hedge trimmers?
The higher the battery voltage, the higher the overall performance. So, a 40V hedge trimmer will give you a higher cutting speed than a 20V model. The 40V trimmer will also be a lot more efficient.
Note that higher voltage doesn’t necessarily mean lower battery life. However, the voltage does influence how long it’s going to take for the battery to be recharged.
4. How long do batteries last on hedge trimmers?
That depends from model to model. According to my findings, most hedge trimmers on the market offer around 20 minutes to an hour of continuous operation. A few rare models offer 2 hours and beyond.
But, theoretically, it’s possible to extend a hedge trimmer’s battery life indefinitely so long that you have extra battery packs. When one runs out of juice, detach it from the trimmer and put a new, fully-charged one in.
That way, you can continue working without having to stop and wait for the battery to recharge.
5. Do you need to sharpen hedge trimmers?
The blade of a hedge trimmer has to be sharpened once every 50 hours of use for consistent cutting performance. This can be a bit difficult to keep track of, so the go-to trick is to take it out and sharpen it once every month.
During spring or summer when the hedges grow strongly and you need to use the trimmer more often, sharpen them twice a month.
You can either use a file or the best angle grinder to refresh the teeth on the blades.
My Top Pick
Instead of using a farm chainsaw or clipper to cut hedges, you can get everything done at once with a high-quality hedge trimmer. This specialized tool results in fast, smooth, precise cuts as long as you find a model that fits your hedge conditions and coverage area.
Among those mentioned above best cordless hedge trimmers, DEWALT DCHT820B is my all-time favorite. This trimmer is feasible for almost all trimming tasks in my backyard and farm. It’s also affordable, portable, and easy to use for a non-professional like me, even though there is no blade guard along with the product package.