A well-kept hedge can transform a garden from a scruffy outdoor space to a perfectly preened extension of your home and life. And even if you don’t plan to spend hours crafting the perfect box topiary, it’s still well worth investing in a decent hedge trimmer: most hedges need at least a little attention two to three times per year to keep them looking in top shape all year round.
Although a hedge trimmer is essential for large hedges, a good trimmer will make that maintenance easier on all sizes and types of hedge – so you can spend more time enjoying the space you have. Read on and we’ll run you through the key things you need to know before splashing out, or you can skip straight to our pick of the best hedge trimmers that you can currently buy.
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How to choose the right hedge trimmer
What type of hedge trimmer is best for me?
There are three main types of hedge trimmer and each has its own pros and cons, meaning the best type for you will depend on several factors. Before making a decision, you’ll want to consider your hedge type, how often you’ll be using the hedge trimmer and for how long you’ll be using it at any one time.
Electric hedge trimmers are the most common type of hedge trimmer. As long as you don’t mind putting up with the trailing mains cable, this means that they’re usually some of the most powerful hedge trimmers around – and you won’t ever have to worry about the power running out mid-trim. Of course, the disadvantage is that may you need to invest in a sizable outdoors-ready extension cable for larger gardens, and you’ll have to take extra care to not cut the cord. If you choose an electric hedge trimmer, it’s wise to invest in a residual current device – or a similar extra safety device – to prevent electrocution.
Rechargeable hedge trimmers eliminate the restrictions found with corded models. Once you’ve charged it up, you can use a rechargeable hedge trimmer anywhere. The downside is the longevity of the charge: three to five hours of charging will usually only give you around thirty minutes of use – or up to 60 minutes if you’re willing to pay for a premium model – so they’re best for small-medium sized hedges and quick jobs, rather than regular maintenance. If you do plan to tackle larger jobs, then you’ll want to think about purchasing a spare battery. It’s also worth noting that batteries aren’t always included and may have to be bought separately, so make sure to factor this into your budget.
Petrol hedge trimmers can be used anywhere and on any type of hedge. They’re well-suited to larger gardens and work well even on thicker branches that can be tougher to cut through with other types of trimmer. Although they’re the most powerful of the bunch, that extra power comes with other costs – namely, a heavier, bulkier piece of equipment to carry around and store when not in use.
What size blade do I need?
A longer blade will speed up your trimming if you have a large area to treat, but it won’t make much difference for smaller bushes and hedges. More important than the blade length is the blade’s width. The width of the blade tells you the size of branches it will be able to break through, so you’ll need to look for tooth spacing of at least the width of the widest branches you want to cut (or be prepared to use a saw on some).
Are there any other features I should look for?
Lots of hedge trimmers now come with extra features to make your experience safer and easier. These include safety mechanisms, such as an automatic brake to stop movement instantly, anti-jamming systems to prevent stalling caused by trapped branches, and hand guards to offer an extra barrier of protection while working.
Others include extras such as a clipping collector, which will eliminate the need to pick up all the clippings after you’ve finished trimming, but these are quite a rare feature and can make the act of trimming harder if poorly designed.
The best hedge trimmers to buy
Bosch AHS 60-26 Electric Hedge Trimmer: Best all-round hedge trimmer
Price when reviewed: £128
Hedge trimming can be an exhausting task, so the user-friendly design of the Bosch AHS 60-26 will be appreciated by anyone looking to get the job done as quickly and as easily as possible. Its ergonomic design includes a soft grip handle for maximum comfort, but there’s plenty power to tackle medium to large hedges. And if the 26mm tooth spacing isn’t enough to cut through the thicker branches, the model’s sawing function can take on a lot more.
The AHS 60-26 comes with a few handy extras, too. The transparent hand guard adds an extra layer of protection for your hand and the tip protector keeps the blade safe from damage while cutting along paths and walls. However, as with any corded trimmer, we’d recommend always using a residual current device (RCD) in case you cut through the cord – something that’s especially easy to do on the Bosch.
Key specs – Power Source: Electric, 10cm cord; Power: 600V/600W; BladeLength: 60cm; Tooth Opening: 2.6cm; Weight: 3.6kg.
Bosch Isio III Shape and Edge Cordless Shear: Best for trimming shrubs
Price when reviewed: £48 (battery included)
The Bosch Isio is a small, one-handed trimmer that’s ideal for keeping shrubs under control, but also comes with an optional telescopic cord for taller hedges and harder to reach places. Its lithium ion battery charges quickly and lasts for up to 50 minutes at full charge, with a 20% battery warning light so you won’t unexpectedly run out of power. It also holds its charge well while packed away, so it’s always ready to go the next time you need it.
The Bosch Isio may seem on the pricey side at first – and there are certainly much cheaper models that do the same job – but we still think it’s worth that little bit more if you’ll be using it regularly. Its extra features include a multi-click system, which makes changing attachments quick and easy, and it’s the only handheld trimmer with an anti-blocking system to prevent stalling.
Key specs – Power Source: Battery, Li-ion; Power: 3.6V; Blade Length: 12cm; Tooth Opening: 8mm; Weight: 550g.
McCulloch Superlite 4528 Hedge Trimmer: Best petrol hedge trimmer
Price when reviewed: £175
Choosing a petrol-powered hedge trimmer can be trickier than choosing any other type, not least because it requires a greater investment. McCulloch have created the perfect petrol trimmer for homeowners with the Superlite 4528, offering an impressive level of power (with 4,050 cuts/min) combined with user-friendly features that make it suitable for domestic use. These include safety guards, a transparent fuel tank to make keeping an eye on fuel levels easy, and a quiet-running motor that won’t annoy the neighbours.
It’s by no means feather-light, but the 5kg Superlite 4528 – as the name suggests – is far from the heaviest petrol trimmer on the market. It packs in all the technology you’d expect at the price, too: there’s an anti-vibration system to make trimming as smooth as possible; OxyPower technology to minimise fuel consumption; and a Soft Start feature which reduces the resistance in the starter cord by 40%.
Key specs – Power Source: Petrol; Power: 22cc; Blade Length: 45cm; Tooth Opening: 28mm; Weight: 4.8g.
Garden Groom GG Pro Electric Hedge Trimmer: Best for convenience
Price when reviewed: £99
If the Garden Groom GG Pro looks rather different to the other trimmers on this list, that’s probably down to the concealed blade design. Although it’s a little bulky and doesn’t look like a hedge trimmer, the clever design collects trimmings as you go, eliminating the need to tidy up after you’ve finished trimming. A nice added benefit of the design is that the enclosed casing makes it almost impossible to cut through the cord – something that’s always a risk with electric trimmers.
The 300W spinning blade packs a fair amount of power, but the Garden Groom struggles with larger hedges and isn’t your best bet if power is your priority. Nonetheless, it’s a handy tool that offers convenience and safety to homeowners who don’t want to spend any more time than they have to take care of their garden hedges.
Key specs – Power Source: Electric, 10m cord; Power: 300W; Blade Length: 23cm; Tooth Opening: 10mm; Weight: 2.7g.
Bosch AHS 50-20 LI Cordless Hedge Trimmer: Best cordless hedge trimmer
Price when reviewed: £113 (battery included)
The Bosch AHS 50-20 isn’t too dissimilar from the AHS 60-26. The first obvious difference is the power source – the AHS 50-20 is a brilliant cordless alternative. At just 2.5kg, it’s also the lightest full-size hedge trimmer on this list. Despite its compact size, however, it can still handle branches up to 25mm in width without having to go over the same patch more than once.
Like the AHS 60-26, the cordless AHS 50-20 features Bosch’s anti-blocking system to avoid stalling on heavier branches as well as the brand’s quick-cut technology to get a clean cut the first time around. Although this works well on small-medium sized hedges, don’t expect to feel the benefit on larger or older branches, which may need a bit more power than the AHS 50-20 can give.
Key specs – Power Source: Battery, 1 x Li-ion; Power: 300W/18V; Blade Length: 50cm; Tooth Opening: 10mm; Weight: 2.5g.
