We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Forbes Vetted The Best Hedge Trimmers To Keep Your Yard Neat And Tidy Korin Miller Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Following Jun 1, 2023, 08:35pm EDT | Share to
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Twitter Share to Linkedin Clean landscaping makes for great curb appeal, but it takes real work to whip your shrubs and hedges in shape. That’s where the best hedge trimmers come in. Like miniature chainsaws , these must-have devices cut back unruly foliage with precision and ease, all the while saving you time and energy (manual clippers, who?). In 2023, our top pick is the Dewalt 20 Volt Max Cordless Battery Powered Hedge Trimmer Kit , which is intuitive, battery-powered and comfortable to grip. Manual clippers, who? The best hedge trimmers are a must-have for discerning homeowners. Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers “A hedge trimmer is an upgraded option from standard hand tools like clippers, pruners and loppers,” says Marty Grunder of Grunder Landscaping in Miamisburg, Ohio. “If you have to trim your landscape multiple times a year and want perfectly maintained hedges, then using a hedge trimmer for that task makes the chore quicker and easier.”Good hedge trimmers also give you the ability to craft shapes and create topiary-like figures in your yard, if you wish, says Noah James, owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance . Ahead, find our list 0f the best hedge trimmers on the market in 2023, each of which will help to target a specific type and range of jobs—and make your home the envy of the neighborhood. Best Hedge Trimmer Overall : Dewalt Max Cordless Battery Powered Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Electric Hedge Trimmer : Black + Decker Electric Hedge Trimmer Best Gas Hedge Trimmer : Husqvarna 525HF3S 2-Cycle Dual-Blade Gas Hedge Trimmer Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer : Stihl HSA 66 Best Lightweight Hedge Trimmer : Ryobi One+ Cordless Battery Hedge Trimmer Best Battery Hedge Trimmer : Greenworks Cordless Laser Cut Hedge Trimmer Best Heavy-Duty Hedge Trimmer : Echo Gas 2-Stroke Hedge Trimmer Best Professional Hedge Trimmer: Kobalt Dual Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer Best Pole Hedge Trimmer : RyobiCordless Battery Pole Hedge Trimmer Best Hedge Trimmer Overall Enjoy A 75-Minute Runtime And Comfortable Grip The Home Depot Dewalt Max Cordless Battery Powered Hedge Trimmer Kit Blade length : 22 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 3/4 inches | Power source : Battery | Weight : 7.5 pounds Dewalt’s battery-powered hedge trimmer is packed with features that make it a great option for most homeowners. This trimmer offers 20 volts of power to create fast cuts on branches up to 3/4 inch thick. The 22-inch blade length makes it easy to use over large hedgerows and bushes in one swoop. At 7.5 pounds and with a padded handlebar, it’s comfortable for most to maneuver up and around bushes. The machine features hooked-tooth, pre-hardened blades that won’t dull out on you easily, while a 75-minute runtime gives you plenty of mileage to work with. This kit comes with a battery and charger, allowing you to get fired up and ready to go quickly. Best Electric Hedge Trimmer A Lightweight Option With An Affordable Price Tag
Amazon Black + Decker Electric Hedge Trimmer Blade length : 17 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 5/8 inches | Power source : Cord | Weight : 3.9 pounds Homeowners on a budget can’t go wrong with the Black + Decker Electric Hedge Trimmer. This lightweight machine has a 3.2-amp motor to help you deftly power through hedges up to 5/8 inch thick. It’s also relatively compact and features a built-in T-handle and trigger for easy control as you slice and shape your bushes. A specialized cord retention feature in the back keeps your tool from accidentally getting unplugged, and the cord out of the way while you go to work. The trimmers also have a hardened steel blade to minimize vibrations, so you won’t feel like your arms are still rattling once the work is over. Best Gas Hedge Trimmer A Trimmer That Doubles As A Pole Saw Lowe's Husqvarna 525HF3S Dual-Blade Gas Hedge Trimmer Buy From Lowe's Blade length : 26 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 1 inch | Power source : Gas | Weight : 13.5 pounds This trimmer has a hidden superpower: It doubles as a pole trimmer for when you have to reach high branches thanks to a 32-inch shaft. A commercial gearbox stands up to tough jobs, while the brand’s special X-Torq engine is designed to deliver more power while guzzling less gas compared to the competition. The Husqvarna slices through branches up to an inch thick, allowing you to go after whatever stands between you and tidy hedges. Worth noting: The trimmer’s engine has been specially positioned to help divert exhaust fumes away from your face. Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer A Trimmer With A Large Hand Guard And Tip Protector For Your Safety MOST POPULAR Ace Hardware Stihl HSA 66 Buy From Ace Hardware Blade length : 20 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 1.2 inches | Power source : Battery | Weight : 6.8 pounds The Stihl HSA 66 runs for up to 60 minutes at full power, allowing you to get some serious work done before needing a recharge. Keep in mind, though, that it runs on the same battery as other Stihl products, making it easy to get extra juice when you’re in a pinch. This machine features a tip protector to help protect your trimmer from damage when you’re working close to the ground or near walls—a handy feature if you have low bushes. It also has diamond-ground blade edges for precise cuts, along with an ergonomic loop handle and hand guard for your comfort and safety. Planning to travel with your trimmer? A scabbard cover helps protect your blade on the go. Best Lightweight Hedge Trimmer A Trimmer That's Just Over 6 Pounds Amazon Ryobi One+ Cordless Battery Hedge Trimmer Blade length : 22 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 3/4 inches | Power source : Battery | Weight : 6.26 pounds At 6.26 pounds, the Ryobi One+ is one of the lightest battery-powered trimmers you’ll find, making it easy for just about anyone to carve in comfort. It’s specially designed to maintain your hedges (vs. cutting them out from scratch) but still packs enough of a punch to get just about any
Job done. The machine features 22 inches of dual action blades to saw through up to 3/4 inches of brush. A wraparound front handle makes it easy to get a comfortable grip from the angle of your choosing. There’s even a Hedge Sweep to help clear away clippings and debris while you cut. Best Battery Hedge Trimmer The Battery Can Also Charge Your Phone Amazon Greenworks Cordless Laser Cut Hedge Trimmer Blade length : 22 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 3/4 inches | Power source : Battery | Weight : 10 pounds Greenworks’ 24-volt lithium ion battery can churn out up to 60 minutes of power—without fading—to help you work through the task ahead. Slice through branches up to 3/4 inch thick with the 22-inch blade, giving you plenty of cutting space to reach all over your hedges. An ergonomic rotating rear handle and padded wraparound front handle helps you to have a comfortable grip while getting the sides and unique angles of your bushes. The battery even doubles as a USB charger, so you can
fire up your phone while taking a break from tough jobs. Best Heavy-Duty Hedge Trimmer Slice Through Branches Up To An Inch Thick Blain Farm & Fleet Echo Gas 2-Stroke Hedge Trimmer Blade length : 20 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 1 inch | Power source : Battery | Weight : 10 pounds At 10 pounds, this isn’ t the lightest hedge trimmer out there, but it’s still maneuverable enough for the average homeowner to wield while tackling the big jobs. The trimmer features a 21.2 cc professional-grade two-stroke gas engine to slice its way through branches up to an inch thick. A commercial-grade air filtration system helps keep dirt particles away for your engine, extending the life of your machine in the process. A tip guard protects your blade from getting worn down when you cut near the ground or walls, while a large rear handle and ergonomic front handle helps you have more control as you cut. Best Professional Hedge Trimmer Enjoy 70 Minutes Of Runtime Before Needing A Recharge Amazon Kobalt Dual Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer Buy From Amazon Blade length : 26 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 3/4 inches | Power source : Battery | Weight : 7.5 pounds This Kobalt trimmer provides plenty of power thanks to an 80-volt battery—the highest the brand offers for its trimmers. This trimmer can go for up to 70 minutes on one charge, giving most homeowners plenty of juice to work around their property. The brushless motor makes for quieter operation, so you don’t disturb the neighbors while you trim. There’s also a rotating rear handle to make it easier to get around corners and angles. The machine comes with a rapid charger that’ll fire up your battery again in just 30 minutes, so you can get back to work after a short break. Best Pole Hedge Trimmer A Machine That's Handy For Hard-To-Reach Spots AMAZON Ryobi Cordless Battery Pole Hedge Trimmer Blade length : 18 inches | Maximum cut diameter : 5/8 inches | Power source : Battery | Weight : 9.7 pounds A pole hedge trimmer helps you reach branches up high and in hard-to-reach spots in a much safer way than using your standard trimmer to do the same tasks. This version from Ryobi offers many of the same perks you’d get with a typical hedge trimmer, with an up to 8-foot extension, allowing you to tackle really large hedges and trees with ease. A four-position pivoting head makes it easy to trim at different angles, while a variable speed trigger helps you adjust the power in an instant. There’s even an included shoulder strap for added support when you use your trimmer to reach spots lower to the ground. MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Electric Dryers To Help You Tackle Laundry Day Efficiently By Korin Miller Contributor 70 Best Father’s Day Gifts To Celebrate Dad By Annie Davidson Watson Contributor Korin Miller Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions