Finding the best battery-powered (cordless) hedge trimmers of 2019
By Sean Brenglinger
A solid, reliable hedge trimmer is a must have to keep your bushes tame, trimmed and in order. Hedge trimmers a quick way to prune back bushes, shrubs and small trees, and they are far more efficient than using pruning shears. Additionally, they are fairly safe to use.
When I started my landscaping career, you’d get laughed out of the room if you brought electric hedge trimmers. However, technology has come a long way since the early 90s, and as it turns out, battery powered, cordless hedge trimmers are definitely the way to go for your typical homeowner. When making the picks, I made sure that the battery life would accomodate a day of trimming the hedges of even the biggest, most intricate yards.
So, are you looking for a quality, fairly priced hedge trimmer? Look no further, as here are the best cordless hedge trimmers on the market in 2019.
Sean Brenglinger has over 30 years experience in the landscaping industry, both working for some of the biggest brands and running his own commercial landscaping company in Houston, TX. There are few yard tools he hasn’t had the chance to get his hands on.
Reviews of the Cordless Hedge Trimmers of 2019
1) Makita XHU02Z 22″ Cordless Hedge Trimmer
With a two-handed operation switch for safety, Makita’s XHU02Z has both the power and peace of mind homeowners need. There’s a focus on ergonomics (such as rubberized grip) plus the noise level is substantially lower than most non-corded trimmers.
Its size is handy, too, with a balanced design that belies its power. Of course, the trimmer might struggle with thicker branches, as it’s a casual trimmer and not a heavy-duty model, but for most shrubbery, it will do the job with power to spare. And although you can opt for a unit with a spare battery, Makita’s compatible batteries provide enough juice that adding a spare may not be necessary.
- 22-inch blade
- Motor housing cushions to reduce vibration
- 87 dBA noise production
- Overheat protection
- Purchase with or without battery
- Weighs 7.4 pounds
Pros
- Rubberized grip for comfort
- Well-balanced and lightweight
- Overheat protection (shuts off)
Cons
- Can struggle with thicker branches, but that’s why we keep heavy duty shears around
2) BLACK+DECKER LHT2220B Cordless Hedge Trimmer
BLACK+DECKER claims that one charge of the LHT2220B’s battery can cover up to 3,000 square feet of hedge trimming (that’s a lot of bushes), which is good news for heavy-duty jobs The 22-inch dual-action blades provide plenty of power without excess vibration (40 percent less, according to the manufacturer).
Although 20V power isn’t as high as other models, for the size, this trimmer gets the job done satisfactorily. Of course, for thicker or more mature branches and hedges, it may make sense to choose a larger or more powerful trimmer. Still, this is one of the best hedge trimmer options for smaller jobs.
- 20 Volts
- Cuts branches up to ¾-inch thick
- 22-inch blade
- 2-year limited warranty
- Purchase with or without battery
- Weighs 5.7 pounds
Pros
- Wrap-around front handle for stability and ergonomics
- Lightweight and maneuverable
Cons
- No blade cover comes with it, so store it in a cool dry place
3) Greenworks Cordless Hedge Trimmer
A cordless trimmer with a bit heftier power, Greenworks’ cordless 40V trimmer is one of the best hedge trimmers without a cord. For jobs that require tricky maneuvering, the rotating handle helps immensely, and this is a feature we don’t often find in hedge trimmers. Rather than straining to reach high or difficult areas, a simple swivel of the handle helps avoid both injury to the user and damage to the tool.
Plus, whatever battery you use, battery life seems to be exceptional. And the low noise production is an added benefit, especially given the amount of power this tool has.
- 40V
- 24-inch blade
- 180-degree rotating rear handle
- 2/3-inch cutting capacity
- Purchase with or without battery
- Weighs 8.3 pounds
Pros
- Exceptional battery life (when using compatible battery)
- Low noise level
- Rotating handle
Cons
- Heavier than similar models
4) Remington RM5124TH Electric Hedge Trimmer
Remington’s RM5124TH hedge trimmer is one of the few electric options that are worth dealing with an extension cord. There are a few drawbacks to corded options, but the highlight is consistent power that doesn’t rely on timely battery charging.
And as far as power, this electric option can handle tough brush and hedges up to ¾-inch in diameter and features a titanium-coated blade for strength and durability. The rotating handle makes it easy to access difficult areas, which is especially helpful given the constraints of the extension cord, but the tradeoff is some extra weight—the unit weighs in at over nine pounds.
- 5 Amp power
- 24-inch titanium-coated blade
- 180-degree rotating handle
- Cuts branches up to ¾-inch thick
- Two-hand safety operation
- Weighs over 9 pounds
Pros
- Rotating handle
- Titanium blade coating
Cons
- Cardboard blade sheath..again store it right and you’ll be just fine
5) Dewalt DCHT820P1 Hedge Trimmer
Dewalt’s DCHT820P1 trimmer feels balanced in-hand despite its relative heft (it weighs in at over 11 pounds, the heaviest we’ve seen in a cordless), and it delivers plenty of power to the 22-inch blade. Overhead work might become challenging, but for most applications, the tool feels robust but not overwhelming.
Ergonomics aside, the performance of this trimmer is what we’ve come to expect from big names like Dewalt. Batteries are compatible among all the brand’s tools, and users can expect at least 45 minutes or more of work off of one charge.
- 20V
- Purchase with or without battery
- Cuts branches up to ¾-inch thick
- 22-inch blade
- Weighs over 11 pounds
Pros
- Balanced despite its heft
- Comes with a blade shield
Cons
- Weighs more than most other cordless units. But that’s the tradeoff you make for more cutting power.
Hedge Trimmers: A Buyers Guide
This guide will cover everything consumers need to know about hedge trimmers to find the best tool for their needs.
Types of Trimmers
Although we’ve focused on electric options here, there are three main classes of hedge trimming tools on the market. Here’s more about each type.
Gas-Powered
Although we haven’t covered any here, gas-powered trimming tools were the original home solution for yard work. These days, though, we don’t have a lot of patience for setting up and maintaining (plus refueling) gas-powered tools, especially when it comes to the start-and-stop work of hedge trimming.
That said, there are some applications where gas-powered trimmers are preferable—perhaps in heavier-duty tasks—but for hedges and branches under half an inch diameter or so, battery and electric units work great.
Electric
Electric models often get a bad rap because it’s difficult to maneuver with a cord attached. Plenty of us have accidentally cut through our extension cords before; it’s just something that happens on occasion. But for consistent juice in settings where a power outlet is available, it’s easy just to plug in and get to work rather than waiting for a battery to charge.
Battery-Powered
Battery-powered tools are popular across all facets of landscaping and yard maintenance, so it’s not surprising that so many of our top picks are battery-operated. With the top brands ensuring all their batteries are compatible with each range of tools, consumers can pick a brand to stick with over time.
Battery-powered units offer the most flexibility and maneuverability, so they’re ideal for acreage or other settings where the hedges may be far between if not few.
Features to Consider
Not all trimmers suit every purpose, so there are crucial features to consider whatever a homeowner’s (or professional’s) needs.
Blade Length
Depending on the type of hedge that requires cutting, blade length can be an important consideration. Many homeowners with vines or shrubs that are troublesome only need a short blade to handle occasional trimming. Those with heavier or more mature hedges or small trees might want a longer blade.
Special coatings and other blade features are also important to look at, depending on the conditions the tool will be operating, and the types of foliage cut.
Overall Weight
As with most landscaping tools, the lighter, the better is still the bottom line with portable trimmers. However, some units are heavier due to either ample battery power, ergonomic features, or simply longer blades.
Consider what’s comfortable to hold in hand and look at how balanced the machine is overall. Eleven pounds of weight is a lot when most of it is at one end of the appliance, while seven pounds may not feel like anything at the start of the job.
Maneuverability
About half of the trimmers we looked at required a two-hand operation. And while this is a helpful feature in terms of safety, it can also be frustrating for experienced users who just want to trim the top of a tall bush without climbing up a ladder.
Maneuverability is key for many trimming scenarios, so looking at one-handed operation might be an important consideration. Also, features like rotating handles can help to access otherwise troublesome spots of hedges and bushes without twisting and straining.
Trimming Capacity
Most trimmers can handle branches of up to about ¾ of an inch or somewhere around there, but of course, intrepid homeowners have also tested them on larger branches. Here again, it depends on the overall application of the tool as to whether a heavier-duty model is necessary or not.
Run Time
With cordless trimmers, run time has a limit which depends on the battery capacity. However, many home users have a few batteries on hand for other tools, which means little to no downtime while waiting for a battery to charge.
With a corded unit, however, power is consistent and accessible for as long of a run time as the operator can handle.
Final Thoughts
Whatever the application, finding the best hedge trimmers for the job isn’t always as simple as looking at a rundown of each unit’s specs. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled the top five best trimmers on the market today—and all of them deliver the performance we need along with the bonus features we want.
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