The Best Hedge Trimmers

DeWalt 20Volt MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Hedge Your Bets

From one of the top names in the power tool market comes a heavy-duty and reliable hedge trimmer.

Best Overall

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It’s usually a safe bet to buy a power tool from a company that has been making them for about 100 years. DeWalt’s MAX hedge trimmer has all the power and quality you’ve come to expect from the MAX line of tools. And, conveniently it uses the same 20-volt battery. With a 22-inch oscillating double blade with a 3/4-inch cutting capacity, DeWalt combines smooth cutting with a long reach. And because this hedge trimmer requires no gas, it’s easy to start, run, and maintain. DeWalt is also known for long battery life, so you can typically expect to get three hours of trimming from one charge.

Pros:

• Lightweight and ergonomically designed
• Fast-charging battery
• One-push start button

Cons:

• Battery and charger not included
• Maxes-out at 1/2-inch branches

Workpro 2-In-1 Cordless Grass & Shrubbery Trimmer 

The Slimmer Trimmer

For small jobs or small hands, this one-handed hedge trimmer works like a charm.

Best Handheld

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At just over one pound, Workpro’s hedge trimmer was made for one-handed operation. The trimmer features two detachable blades: one for edging grass around fences and patios, and another for trimming bushes and hedges. Each blade snaps in easily with no tools required. Though this hedge trimmer is small, it’s also mighty. Featuring a power 7.5-volt lithium-ion battery that generates 1,100 SPM, it’s a high-quality battery for a high-quality trimmer. 

Pros:

• The battery has an LED indicator to let you know the status of the battery’s charge
• Safety key with child lock for added protection
• Comfortable grip
• Battery and charger included

Cons:

• Not suitable for branches over 1/8 inches
• Small safety key is easy to misplace

Black & Decker BEHT150 Hedge Trimmer

Won't Trim Your Bank Account

Brand-name quality for an off-brand price makes this option the best value buy.

Best Value

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It’s rare to find this kind of value on an iconic brand name like Black & Decker. This 17-inch corded hedge trimmer features dual-action, hardened-steel blades that reduce vibration while providing powerful trimming action. Its 3.2-amp motor can trim branches up to 5/8 inches but it’s still lightweight and compact enough to minimize fatigue. Black & Decker’s patented cord retention system prevents accidental unplugging while you work (or worse: cutting through your power cord). We especially like the built-in T-handle that makes this hedge trimmer even easier to maneuver.

Pros:

• Weighs less than 5 pounds
• Can start it with one hand
• Also available with a 22-inch blade

Cons:

• Short power cable requires an extension cord
• Blade guard falls off easily

Makita UH6570 Hedge Trimmer

The Cutting Hedge

For heavy-duty branches that require a 25-inch blade and some good old-fashioned raw power, trust this hedge trimmer to get the job done.

Best Power

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The Makita 25-inch corded hedge trimmer combines professional-grade power with at-home simplicity. Powered by a 4.6-amp motor that delivers 1,600 SPM for fast trimming, the Makita is also engineered for quiet operation and less vibration. Using the 25.5-inch blade, you can reach further than with most other models. Better yet, the two-hand operation switch provides added safety by allowing the motor to run only when the grips are held with both hands. Additional ease-of-use features include a large, transparent handguard for an improved view of your work area and a balanced design for increased comfort.

Pros:

• Super powerful
• Only weighs eight pounds
• Low motor noise
• The two handles provide more operating options

Cons:

• It can be hard to maneuver the power cable when you have both hands on the tool
• The two-prong plug doesn’t have a ground

Sun Joe Telescoping Pole Hedge Trimmer

Ahead in the Poles

For tall shrubs and hard-to-reach hedges, this trimmer features a pivoting head and telescopic pole.

Best Pole Hedge Trimmer

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If you’re nervous about getting on a ladder while operating your hedge trimmer, worry no more. Sun Joe’s extension pole is over seven feet long and can provide an impressive thirteen feet of overhead reach. Plus, the 18-inch steel blades let you sweep farther with each pass. In addition, the Sun Joe comes with a multi-angle pivoting head that bends from -90 degrees to 60 degrees, allowing you to precisely trim the sides and tops of tall hedges and bushes. But all of this extended reach means nothing without power, which the Sun Joe provides with its 3.8-amp, cord-powered motor.

Pros:

• Rust-resistant blades
• Quick-release strap and safety button to prevent accidental starts
• Includes a blade sheath for safe storage

Cons:

• Takes some strength to operate at its most-extended setting
• Safety strap can limit your mobility

Frequently Asked Questions

Got any tips for trimming hedges?

Always start from the bottom up when trimming hedges or shrubs. The trick is to start at the bottom and slowly work your way up. Don’t apply too much pressure to the trimmer or it could kickback. Also, be sure to lubricate your blade after each use with an industrial lubricant like WD-40.

Can I use my hedge trimmer to cut branches off my tree?

We do not advise it. Though hedge trimmers are designed to trim the tips of smaller branches on hedges, they don’t have the power to cut through thick branches. In addition, hedge trimmers work by oscillation, not by rotation, which is like the difference between a “saw” motion and a “scissor” motion.

What’s the difference between a single-action and double-action hedge trimmer?

Single-action trimmers have one moving blade and one static blade. Double-action trimmers have two blades that oscillate in opposite directions. Many consumers believe that double-action blades cause less vibration since the motions of the blades moving in opposite directions cancel each other out. Most modern hedge trimmers have double-action blades.