Best Hedge Trimmers to Keep Your Hedge Under Control in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update November 20, 2024
If you have a green hedge, you know firsthand that it needs to be regularly trimmed in order to look beautiful and healthy. For this, ...Read more
PROS

The renowned Bosch electronic anti-blocking system ensures smooth and clean continuous cutting, thus, making light work of trimming most kinds of hedges and branches, including rather thick and solid ones.

CONS

The blade tooth opening is relatively small.

OUR VERDICT

Distinguished by excellent German quality and ergonomically built construction, this hedge trimmer from Bosch is everything a diligent gardener needs and desires. Ideal for no-hassle cutting of hedges and green fences above 3 m high, it is pretty lightweight and a breeze to handle and manoeuvre. 

detailed parameters
WARRANTY

1 year

TYPE

Battery-powered

POWER CAPACITY

18 V, 2.5 Ah

BLADE LENGTH

43 cm

CUTTING STROKES PER MINUTE

2200 SPM

USABILITY

Height adjustable, telescopic pole with a pivoting head, Shoulder strap

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM CUTTING CAPACITY

16 mm

SAFETY

Bosch Anti-Blocking System, Battery thermal protection

WEIGHT

3.6 kg

PROS

Ultra-sharp diamond ground blades allow this trimmer to make consistently clean and precise cuts. Also, these blades are perfectly resistant to rust and corrosion, meaning they will hold quite well throughout many years of use.

CONS

Because the motor unit is placed rather close to the blade, manoeuvering the tool can be a tad bit tricky. 

OUR VERDICT

High-performing and featuring a customisable design, the Ryobi ONE+ RPT184520 trimmer will perfectly meet the needs of owners of gardens with decorative hedges and landscape design. With this tool, you'll be able to shape and trim the shaggiest bushes and thickest hedges without breaking a sweat. 

detailed parameters
WARRANTY

3 years

TYPE

Battery-powered

POWER CAPACITY

18 V, 2 Ah

BLADE LENGTH

45 cm

CUTTING STROKES PER MINUTE

1350 SPM

USABILITY

115° articulating cutting head with 4 positions, Removable extension shaft, HedgeSweep™ attachment, Shoulder strap

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM CUTTING CAPACITY

18 mm

SAFETY

Blade sheath, Hand protection

WEIGHT

4.2 kg

PROS

A diamond ground blade will stay sharp for ages and comes fitted with a blade-tip protector to safely and precisely cut vegetation along the walls, driveways, and paths.

CONS

The instructions are not detailed enough. 

OUR VERDICT

Featuring branded excellence, the Bosch 0600849F70 hedge trimmer stands out for a perfect balance of cutting power and portability. The model smartly combines ergonomically shaped lightweight design with an impressive cutting power comparable to that of corded units.

detailed parameters
WARRANTY

2 years (+ 1 year after registration)

TYPE

Battery-powered

POWER CAPACITY

18 V, 2.5 Ah

BLADE LENGTH

50 cm

CUTTING STROKES PER MINUTE

2600 SPM

USABILITY

Bosch Quick-Cut Technology, Multi-position front handle, Powerful sawing function

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM CUTTING CAPACITY

25 mm

SAFETY

Bosch Anti-Blocking System, Blade-tip protector

WEIGHT

2.5 kg

PROS

Reducing the starter cord resistance by 40%, a soft start option ensures smooth and flawless motor start. Additionally, an efficient anti-vibration system and adjustable ergonomic handle make the tool operation maximum comfortable.

CONS

Somewhat complicated maintenance. 

OUR VERDICT

Fitted with a powerful petrol engine and dual cutting blades, the Mcculloch HT5622 hedge trimmer is by far the best choice for extensive trimming tasks. A 2-stroke engine delivers enough power to cut through 22 mm thick branches and can maintain consistent prolonged operation. It's a mighty workhorse for daily use.  

detailed parameters
WARRANTY

1 year 

TYPE

Petrol

POWER CAPACITY

650 W, 0.9 HP

BLADE LENGTH

56 cm

CUTTING STROKES PER MINUTE

2365 SPM

USABILITY

Ergonomic adjustable handle, Low noise engine, Anti-vibration handles, Tool-less air filter and a visible fuel tank

RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM CUTTING CAPACITY

22 mm

SAFETY

Auto-return stop switch, Soft start

WEIGHT

5.2 kg

PROS

The blades easily cut through even thicker branches while an anti-jam technology re-tracks the blade teeth from the jam. A 36V battery is compatible with other Black and Decker tools and saves the charge when not in use. 

CONS
Might not handle too thick branches.
OUR VERDICT

BLACK+DECKER tools stand out for their quality and reliability, and this Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer is not an exception. Fitted with a hefty blade, it is optimised for cutting average-to-small shrubs, bushes, and hedges. Meanwhile, its quiet operation makes it suitable for use at any time of the day without disturbing your neighbours.

detailed parameters
WARRANTY

2 years

TYPE

Battery-powered

POWER CAPACITY
36 V, 2 Ah
BLADE LENGTH
55 cm
CUTTING STROKES PER MINUTE
1300 SPM
USABILITY
Bale handle design for optimum comfort and control, Easily detachable battery, Battery charge indicator
RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM CUTTING CAPACITY
22 mm
SAFETY
Two-handed starting switch, Hand guard, Blade cover
WEIGHT
3.2 kg
String Trimmers Hedge Trimmers

Enjoy the Bosch Excellence

Those who have tried Bosch power tools in action know firsthand that very few other tools can beat them in terms of quality, and the UniversalHedgePole hedge trimmer fully lives up to that statement.

To start off, the whole trimmer construction is solidly built and ergonomically shaped for long-lasting performance and maximum comfortable use. Its handle ensures a convenient and firm grip for neatly cutting lower hedges and smaller bushes while a shoulder strap will take every strain off out of trimming really high garden fences. Notably, an adjustable extension pole (up to 260 cm) along with a 43-cm blade and 135° pivoting head will let you trim taller and wider hedges without the need to fetch a ladder or use a stand. Meanwhile, thanks to a relatively light overall weight of 3.6 kg, the tool is easy to handle without feeling arm fatigue even when working at heights.

A stand-out feature of this model is the branded electronic anti-blocking system that ensures a consistently smooth cutting operation without stalls and interruptions. With 16 mm blade tooth opening, this model might seem not the best option for woody and solid twigs. However, the anti-blocking system in a combo with a high cutting stroke of 2200 SPM makes an easy job of cutting thicker and solid branches.

Packed into a cordless design, the tool comes in a complete package with a battery and a charger saving you the need to buy any extras. A 2.5 Ah battery will deliver up to 60 minutes of continuous runtime, with no loss of cutting power at low charge. Furthermore, it takes only one hour to get fully charged and is interchangeable with other Bosch tools, thus, allowing you to build your own Bosch collection of home improvement and garden tools.

To wrap it all up, if you need a functional hedge cutter that will become your failure-free tree and bush trimming assistant for years to come, you can't go wrong with the Bosch UniversalHedgePole.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07C96GRKD

With Fine Trimming Tasks in Mind

Landscape design with fancy bush and tree shapes and neatly cut hedges can make your home garden unique and looking really amazing. The flip side of the coin though is that keeping those plants healthy and growing requires a lot of care and maintenance, which can be quite a challenge if you don’t have the right tools. If it sounds familiar to you, the Ryobi One+ may come to your rescue.

What sets this model apart from the rivals is a rugged diamond ground stainless steel blade with 18mm tooth openings. Not only can it trim thicker twigs and branches, to say nothing about foliage and saplings, but also it will let you cut off even woody stems in a clean and precise manner. All of this is thanks to a precision ground ultra-sharp cutting edge that won’t go blunt over time. Add to this a 115° articulating cutting head adjustable in 4 different positions and you’ll get a tool perfect for versatile trimming tasks, including fine shaping jobs where cutting accuracy is essential. That said, a removable pole extended to the length of 2.9 m allows conveniently using this tool for trimming at heights and sprucing up really tall hedges. Meanwhile, a 45-mm long blade works great on all sorts of bushes and hedges, including thicker and denser green fences.

Though at 4.2 kg, the Ryobi One+ is not the lightest cutter out there, a well-balanced construction along with a non-slip rubberised handle ensures no-fatigue work and no-hassle tool handling, regardless of a task you have at hand.

A 2.0 Ah battery this model comes complete with delivers up to 40 minutes of continuous operation, which is enough to fulfil regular trimming jobs and quick spruce-ups to keep your garden greenery look neat and well-groomed. And for some more extensive cutting tasks, you can always purchase a higher capacity Ryobi battery.

All things considered, powerful, solidly built, and fitted with a razor-sharp blade, the Ryobi One+ will do a great job for fine trims and come in handy for anyone who owns a garden with numerous decorative trees, bushes, and green hedges.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £196.85
Stock In stock
ASIN B07BFFYP9R

Lightweight and Capable

Bosch tools confidently stand out for premium quality and this hedge trimmer is not an exception. Yet, what sets the Bosch 0600849F70 apart from the rivals and makes it really excel is a great balance of high cutting power and lightweight design only a few other battery-powered cutters can boast.

At 2.5 kg, the tool is fairly portable and lighter than many of its cordless competitors. So, you’ll be able to use it for quite a while without feeling fatigued too much. Meanwhile, a multi-position front handle will ensure maximum convenience during operation and a 50cm long blade offsets the power block and further contributes to fatigue-free operation.

Speaking of the blade, the length of 50 cm hits a sweet spot between short and too long and is suitable for easy cutting and trimming of mid-sized hedges. Made of high-grade steel, the blade is diamond ground and will remain sharp for a long time. Add to this a powerful electric motor packing enough punch to speed up the blade up to 2600 SPM and you’ll get a mighty tool capable of cutting through twigs and branches up to 25 mm in diameter (despite its lightweight design). More than that, customers report that you’ll be able to trim even thicker branches of softer bushes. Besides, a special blade tip protector will let you safely cut vegetation growing along the walls, garden paths, and driveways.

Some branded features that put this Bosch model on top of other similar hedge trimmers include Quick-Cut technology and Anti-Blocking System. Thus, the blade teeth can stay open for a long time to ensure clean cust at a single stroke while the anti-blocking system will ensure smooth cutting without stall even on tricky hedges. Besides, an 18V Li-Ion battery coming in the kit delivers up to 45 minutes of continuous run time and can be easily used on other compatible Bosch tools.

To resume, this hedge trimmer from Bosch is an easy-to-use and capable gardening tool ideal for household applications.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £146.88
Stock In stock
ASIN B01BTVZDG4

A Mighty Trimming Workhorse

If you seek a combo of portability and power for your gardening needs, this is exactly what you’ll get with a petrol hedge trimmer from McCulloch. It’s common knowledge that petrol engines deliver the most powerful performance and the McCulloch engine is not an exception. Its 22cc engine generates impressive force to cut through both dry branches and green stems and ensures consistent cutting performance without any stalls and failures. Dual action blades further enhance the tool cutting efficiency allowing you to tackle twigs and branches up to 22 mm thick and make precise neat cuts without tearing the leaves.

Many gas engines often appear somewhat difficult to start. Yet, it’s not a problem with the McCulloch. A soft starter option reduces the cord resistance up to 40% ensuring smooth and flawless engine start each time. The rear and front handles provide a secure and comfortable grip for convenient operation and a cord-free construction will in no way limit your movements. Moreover, the rear handle can be adjusted in different positions to add even more comfort to your work, while an anti-vibration system will prevent excessive arm fatigue.

Strongly built, durable, and highly functional, the McCulloch hedge trimmer can maintain consistent, prolonged operation and will become a mighty workhorse for daily use. Besides, thanks to a cordless design, it’s a great choice for large gardens.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £190.66
Stock In stock
ASIN B077DDX4QG

Portable and Handy

The Black and DeckerAnti-Jam Battery Hedge Trimmer is a top-of-the-shelf gardening tool with excellently balanced functionality that will be appreciated by both professional gardeners and casual users. It comes with a 55-cm blade that has a 22-mm gap between the teeth. This allows you to reach across and trim even the widest bushes that grow right next to the house walls. Despite having such a long blade, the overall weight is not too heavy - only 3.2 kg, including the battery. Also, 36V Black+Decker battery is attached to the rear side of the body and serves as a counterweight. Hence, the trimmer is incredibly comfortable to handle while moving it in down-up, left-right, or semi-circular motions (for round bushes).

We were a bit surprised that it isn't too noisy, so you won't need earmuffs. However, we recommend wearing safety glasses because your arms are protected with the handguard but your eyes are not.

Anyhow, 1 battery charge is enough for 1-hour non-stop operation. Considering how quickly and smoothly the blade moves, this is enough to cut off green branches and saplings in no time. And even if the branch is so thick or stubborn that the blade becomes stuck, there's a handy anti-jam feature that makes it possible to quickly release it.

Summing up, the hedge trimmer from Black and Decker is a decently powerful and reliable cutting tool for average household needs suitable for trimming all sorts of hedges.  

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £89.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01CLJBAXS

What Is a Hedge Trimmer?

It is difficult to imagine a modern garden that wouldn't have some ornamental hedges. The hedges can serve as green fences or intricate garden statues, helping not only in organising and cleverly arranging your garden space, but also creating a unique layout and giving the adjoining area of your house a touch of style. However, planting flowers and trees here and there is not enough to make your garden look nice and tidy. Taking care of your green hedges and shaping them on a regular basis is essential too, which will help promote the plants' health and growth. This can be done with the help of different manual tools, but if you want to get that job done perfectly there's no better tool than a powered hedge trimmer. A hedge trimmer has a construction very similar to that of a chainsaw, but unlike the chainsaw, it's aimed at cutting and trimming hedges and shrubberies. The benefit of a hedge trimmer is that it makes light work of most trimming tasks and considerably reduces time and effort, allowing you to accomplish taxing garden chores easily, without breaking a sweat. It's the type of tool we'd recommend to anyone who has some kind of lawn, no matter whether you're a professional topiarist or an enthusiastic home gardener.

You may also be interested in our top picks of pole chainsaws and lawn mowers that can be used for taking care of your lawn as well.

What Features to Compare

A lot of hedge trimmers are presented on the market today. Still, you should not buy the most expensive model once you see it. To make the right choice, you should decide on the type of hedge trimmer.

Type

The hedge trimmers are divided into three types: battery-operated, electric and gas. Battery-operated hedge trimmers are light, manoeuvrable and do not need the constant power supply. The power capacity of these hedge trimmers directly depends on the voltage - the bigger the voltage is, the more powerful a hedge trimmer will be. These devices are only limited by the battery life. A battery hedge trimmer will be perfect for small gardens or shrubs in the backyards. Electric hedge trimmers come with electric engines which are more powerful. Such hedge trimmers are powered off the mains. Light weight, simplicity in use and long run-time allow using this tool anywhere with the power socket. The length of a power cord can be the only factor, restricting your cutting activity. Gas hedge trimmers are equipped with internal combustion engines and they are the most powerful and efficient. Gas hedge trimmers are heavier than the other models, but they can be used anywhere due to their cordless design. These hedge trimmers will be good for professional gardeners or people, having a big garden.

Performance

Performance of a hedge trimmer is the next parameter that is worth mentioning. The length of the blade should be chosen based either on the height of your hedges or the size of the branches you need to cut. The longer the blade is, the bigger the area can be covered, however, a trimmer with a long blade is also going to be heavier. Hedge trimmer's performance primarily depends on the number of cutting strokes per minute. The higher this number is, the faster and more accurate the cutting will be. The maximum cutting capacity will tell you the maximum width of the branch you'd be able to cut. On the contrary, hedge trimmers with smaller cutting capacity would make more accurate cuts, helping you nicely shape shrubbery and plants.

Safety and Usability

The hedge trimmers are hazardous machines, so you should pay attention to safety and usability. The lock-out system, blade cover and automatic chain brake are all those things that are important not only for comfort but also for the safety of use. The firmer the grip, the less probability to get injured will be. Of course, you shouldn't also forget about personal protective equipment.

Sources:

1. Selecting the Right Hedge Trimmer, Lowe's.

2. Adele Dyer How to buy the best hedge trimmer, Which?

3. 3 Types of Hedge Trimmers Explained, DoItYourself.com.

4. Hedge Trimmer, Wikipedia. November 27, 2015.

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