This Battery-Opereated Tool Makes Quick Work of Large Hedgerows and Shrubs

Whether you need to tame a tangled hedge, groom a shaggy topiary, or shape up a few shrubs, cordless hedge trimmers can help. Battery power combines the clean, quiet trimming ability of an electric hedge trimmer with unlimited freedom of movement. Just like other lawn and garden tools, these trimmers come in different shapes and sizes, each with its own set of pros and cons when it comes to different trimming jobs. I tested 6 very different models in order to find the best general-purpose design and others that are better equipped for more specialized circumstances.

My top pick was the Ego Power+ 26-Inch heavy-duty hedge trimmer because of its aggressive cutting ability and long straight blade, which made quick work of long hedgerows and large shrubs. Other users might look for different attributes that better match their landscape or work habits, such as a compact, lightweight model or something with a longer reach. Whatever your needs, there is sure to be a dependable option in this guide. Check out the individual reviews for information about each model and how they performed in testing. Keep reading to learn how to choose the best cordless hedge trimmers for your yard.

1. BEST OVERALL: Ego Power+ HT2601 Hedge Trimmer
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Black+Decker LHT321 Hedge Trimmer
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3. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Stihl HSA 45 Hedge Trimmer
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4. BEST BATTERY: DeWalt DCHT820 Hedge Trimmer
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5. BEST MINI: Stihl HSA 26 Hedge Trimmer
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6. BEST POLE MOUNTED: Echo 56V DSHC-2600 Shafted Hedge Trimmer
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Cordless Hedge Trimmers Comparison

Our Top Picks

These cordless hedge shears pack the power and maneuverability to tame unruly shrubs. In this section, we will share our testing notes in order to help you choose the right model for your landscaping needs.

Best Overall

Ego Power+ HT2601 Hedge Trimmer

Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at Ace Hardware

What We Like

• Heavy duty 56-volt motor
• Long blade, ideal for large trimming projects
• Rotating rear handle reduces operator fatigue
• Large cutting capacity

What We Don’t Like

• Heavier and less maneuverable than other options

Specs 

• Blade length 26 inches
• Weight 11.1 pounds
• Battery Power 56V 2.5 Ah

Our Ratings

The Ego Power+ brand prides itself on making battery-powered yard tools that deliver gas-like performance, and its 56-volt HT2601 Hedge Trimmer showcases that ideal perfectly. The 1.2-inch cutting capacity and 3,400 strokes per minute (SPM) blade speed are right in line with some of the best gas-powered handheld hedge trimmers. Weighing a little more than 11 pounds with its included 2.5 amp hour battery installed, it’s actually lighter than most of its gas-fueled competition. 

Even though it was heavier than the other cordless trimmers in the test group, the Ego Power+ hedge trimmer felt comfortable. The added weight was somewhat countered by the powerful cutting action that made quick work of large shrubs. Topping a 4-foot wide hedge only required a single pass down each side. The long blade made it easy to follow an existing flat profile, but I had to use a little extra caution while working in narrow spaces because of the blade length.

When it came to vertical trimming, the rotating handle on this trimmer made it easier to approach from a proper angle. This trimmer did well on all tests, but I had to work slowly around interior curves and other delicate shapes in order to preserve the shape and avoid cutting too deeply.

What our tester says: “There was nothing that the Ego hedge trimmer couldn’t cut, including dead branches nearly as thick as my thumb. I loved that I could hard-cut an old holly hedge without having to go back again with my pruning saw to trim the thicker branches.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Ego Power+ cordless hedge trimmer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware.

Best Bang for the Buck

Black+Decker LHT321 Hedge Trimmer

Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Very affordable for a quality tool
• Comfortable soft, textured grip
• Good bar length for general-purpose trimming
• Lightweight trimmer for smaller yards

What We Don’t Like

• Short runtime and long recharge time
• Blade scabbard not included

Specs 

• Blade length 22 inches
• Weight 7.9 pounds
• Battery Power 20V 1.5 Ah

Our Ratings

If you need an inexpensive, light-duty hedge trimmer for a small yard, the Black+Decker LHT321 is a great option. It features a 22-inch blade with a .75-inch cutting capacity and cuts at a rate of 2,400 SPM. The kit includes a charger and a 1.5 amp hour battery that powers up to 3,000 square feet of trimming per charge.

The Black+Decker hedge trimmer did not operate lightning-fast, but it did a nice clean job. The cuts were precise, and the moderate blade length made it easy to navigate around most hedge shapes. It performed best in a plant maintenance role, but it struggled a little bit to get through thicker and denser branches.

Limited to about 30 minutes of runtime per charge, this relatively lightweight hedge trimmer did not cause operator fatigue. It did a good job in almost every type of trimming. Just be aware that your trimming time will be limited to short daily sessions unless you buy an additional battery. For occasional use on a small property, this tool could be an effective money saver.

Get the Black+Decker cordless hedge trimmer at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Lightweight

Stihl HSA 45 Hedge Trimmer

Buy at Ace Hardware Buy at Acme Tools

What We Like

• Featherweight, easy to maneuver
• Cuts extra clean and fast
• Good runtime for a light-duty trimmer
• Convenient built-in battery

What We Don’t Like

• Not designed to cut thick overgrown branches

Specs 

• Blade length 20 inches
• Weight 5.1 pounds
• Battery Power 18V

Our Ratings

Lightweight sometimes infers weakness, but the Stihl HSA 45 is anything but weak. Weighing just over 5 pounds, it was by far the lightest midsize hedge trimmer in the test group, and it still holds up as a strong and capable hedge trimmer for small to midsize landscapes. It features a 20-inch blade with a .69-inch cutting capacity and blades that move at a respectable speed of 2,500 SPM. For added convenience, this trimmer is equipped with a built-in 18-volt battery. 

The HSA 45 is equipped with multiple safety switches (in the forward handle, beneath the palm of the triggerhand, and beneath the triggerhand thumb) to ensure safe, two-handed operation. It worked wonders on both pliable new boxwood shoots and coarse holly branches. The cuts were consistently clean and crisp in both cases. It also did a nice job cutting through occasional hardened dead branches. It did not cut quite as fast as some of the others, but the pace was acceptable since I was working on smaller-scale projects.

With its modest cutting capacity, the Stihl HSA 45 cordless trimmer is best for maintenance trimming, although it is capable of deep cuts where the branches are thin. The relatively short 40-minute runtime and longer 210-minute charge time are best for small to midsize yards.

What our tester says: “The Stihl HSA 45 has an incredible combination of strength and maneuverability for such a lightweight tool. If not for the multi-layered safety checks, it would have been easy to operate one-handed. It’s a great option for operators of all experience levels, especially for smaller landscapes.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Stihl cordless hedge trimmer at Ace Hardware or Acme Tools

Best Battery

DeWalt DCHT820 Hedge Trimmer

Buy at Amazon Buy at Tractor Supply Co Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Excellent runtime per charge
• Aggressive laser-sharpened cutters
• Easy to maneuver
• Tried-and-true battery platform

What We Don’t Like

• Leaves occasional ragged edges on thick branch cuts
• Blade scabbard not included

Specs 

• Blade length 22 inches
• Weight 7.5 pounds
• Battery Power 20V 5 Ah

Our Ratings

From DeWalt’s popular 20V XR battery-powered tool series comes the DCHT820 hedge trimmer. The trimmer features a 22-inch dual-reciprocating blade assembly that cuts branches up to .75 inches thick at a speedy 2,800 SPM. It features an efficient brushless motor and comes with a 20-volt 5 amp hour battery that delivers up to 75 minutes of runtime. The battery is compatible with dozens of DeWalt landscape and construction power tools.

The DeWalt hedge trimmer was not the lightest model I tested, but it was an excellent all-around performer. The soft, textured grip and overall balance made this trimmer comfortable to hold. I had no problem maneuvering this compact trimmer around different shrub profiles or working in narrow spaces. The unique shape of the hooked cutters worked aggressively on pliable greenwood and hardened dead branches alike, and they are factory-hardened, so you won’t need to sharpen these hedge trimmers anytime soon. The quick cutting speed helped to ensure clean cuts. If you are looking for a quality tool that’s part of a popular battery platform, I highly recommend the DeWalt DCHT820 battery hedge trimmer.

Get the DeWalt cordless hedge trimmer at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co, or The Home Depot. 

Best Mini

Stihl HSA 26 Hedge Trimmer

Buy at Northern Tool + Equipment Buy at Blaine's Farm & Fleet

What We Like

• Convenient size for small topiaries and hedges
• Safe, easy one-handed operation
• Excellent runtime per charge
• Changeable cutter assembly

What We Don’t Like

• Premium price for a limited-use tool

Specs 

• Blade length 7.9 inches
• Weight 2.5 pounds
• Battery Power 11V

Our Ratings

A mini hedge trimmer makes it easier to maintain smaller hedges and intricate shapes. The compact Stihl HSA 26 Cordless Garden Shear weighs just 2.5 pounds with its battery and includes a 7.9-inch hedge trimmer and a 4.7-inch grass shear attachment. Powered by an 11-volt battery, it works up to 80 minutes per charge and cuts at a rate of 2,200 SPM. This shrub trimmer is designed for one-handed use, making it an excellent option for compact gardens, courtyards, and container plantings.

I spent about 3 hours testing the Stihl HSA 26 mini hedge shear on small and large shrubs. I liked this small hedge trimmer because it fit perfectly into my normal routine of walking the yard with a pair of clippers “just in case” I see a few stray shoots—only this trimmer does more work faster than manual clippers. Instead of just cutting off a dead flower head or pruning a stray branch, I could reshape a single shrub in just a minute or two without having to take out the full-size hedge trimmer. It’s equally convenient for snipping off random weeds popping through paver joints or concrete cracks. The Stihl HSA 26 mini trimmer kit offers value-added convenience, along with easy and precise cutting ability.

Get the Stihl mini cordless hedge trimmer at Northern Tool + Equipment or Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Best Pole Mounted

Echo 56V DSHC-2600 Shafted Hedge Trimmer

Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Long hedge trimmer for larger shrubs
• Angled shaft improves work visibility
• 56V 5 Ah battery packs the most power of the test group
• Comfortable grip and shoulder strap minimize user fatigue

What We Don’t Like

• More expensive than gas-powered pole hedge trimmers

Specs 

• Blade length 21 inches
• Weight 15 pounds
• Battery Power 56V 5 Ah

Climbing a ladder with a sharp power tool is a recipe for disaster. When you need to trim a tall hedge, pole hedge trimmers keep you safely on the ground. The Echo DSHC-2600 shafted hedge trimmer features a 21-inch blade with double reciprocating blades to slice through branches up to .75 inches thick. A 4-foot shaft gives the operator up to 11 feet of safe vertical reach. The shaft is angled slightly for optimum visibility and ergonomic comfort. This 56-volt battery-powered pole trimmer includes a 5-amp hour battery that provides up to 80 minutes of runtime per charge. 

As I worked through two battery charges with the Echo pole hedge trimmer, I noticed that the rubber front grip was more comfortable and easier to control than the “weed eater” style foregrips on other pole trimmers I’ve used. It was comfortable and easy to control whether I was reaching high, low, or horizontally. The shoulder strap took most of the weight off my arms while I worked on vertical and lower horizontal surfaces, but in the horizontal position above waist height, I had to support the full weight, which could become more tiring over time.

The most notable difference between this battery trimmer and every other tested model, other than the basic design, was the blade speed. The DSHC-2600 is adjustable to a blazing 4,000 SPM. It cut super fast and clean, feeling more like a professional-grade tool than any of the other tested models. If you wonder why it costs so much, that’s why—and it’s worth the investment.

Get the Echo cordless hedge trimmer at The Home Depot.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers

I spent 3 days testing the six trimmers in this guide on a variety of trimming projects, including basic shrub maintenance, deep renewal cuts, topiary maintenance, and cutting groundcover vegetation. Branch thicknesses ranged from thin and pliable new boxwood shoots up to .75-inch and thicker mature branches, plus occasional deadwood branches. After running each trimmer through the testing gamut, I recorded my notes with regard to ease of use, ergonomics, cutting performance, battery and charging performance, and perceived durability. After all the tests were complete, I scored each model on a rubric before awarding the overall winner and the various categories. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Not everyone needs a trimmer with an extra long reach or the largest possible cutting capacity. It’s important to consider your yard’s needs and then choose the best hedge trimmers with compatible features and capabilities. This section covers some key attributes to consider.

Power

Take note of the type and size of batteries that an electric hedge trimmer uses for a better understanding of its power and performance. Cordless trimmers use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. The most notable differences are battery voltage and amp hours. Use those specifications to compare cutting power and runtime from one model to another.

The trimmers we tested use batteries that range from 11 to 56 volts. Tools that use higher-voltage batteries are better equipped to perform tougher trimming tasks, such as cutting through thicker branches and harder wood. Lower voltage tools are usually best for light-duty trimming. To increase cutting power, choose a trimmer that uses higher-voltage batteries. 

The amp hour rating indicates the amount of power available, which translates to runtime per charge. To increase runtime, either purchase a second battery of the same size—which will allow you to continue working while the depleted battery recharges—or purchase one with a higher amp hour rating. 

Blade Size and Cutting Capacity

In addition to the power rating, the trimmer’s cutting performance is directly tied to its blade length and cutting capacity. Cutting capacity is the largest branch diameter that the trimmer can cut, determined by the size of the space between the individual cutters on the blade assembly. Cordless trimmers have cutting capacities ranging from .5 to 1 inch. The best general-purpose trimmers can cut branches up to .75 inches thick, which is adequate for in-season trimming and shaping, as well as some limited renewal pruning.

Blade length refers to the overall length of the cutter assembly, including the individual knives that slide against one another and the bar they are mounted to. Blades between 18 and 22 inches long work well for most projects. Longer trimmer blades make it easier to follow flat planes and can cover more square footage per pass than shorter blades. Shorter trimmer blades make it easier to follow curves and other intricate shapes and are typically easier to maneuver when working in restricted spaces. 

Weight and Ergonomics

Operator comfort matters at least as much as cutting power and performance. Good hedge trimmers come equipped with numerous features that reduce user fatigue, starting with weight. Most handheld hedge trimmers may weigh from 5 to 11 pounds, with medium-duty models averaging about 7.5 pounds. Bigger is not always better. You can minimize weight by purchasing a trimmer that is right-sized for your landscape and avoiding the temptation to install the highest amp-hour battery. 

In addition to watching the weight, look for comfort features such as soft, textured grips and anti-vibration systems that take away most of the discomfort that comes with extended use. Some hedge trimmers feature a rear handle that pivots to align with the trimming angle. On pole hedge trimmers, a fixed angled shaft or adjustable blade angle can improve work visibility and make it easier to align the blade with the work.

Safety Features

Every power hedge trimmer must include a means to prevent injuries caused by accidental startup. In electric trimmers, look for features such as a presence bar, trigger interlock, operating key, or other such features. Another ubiquitous feature on virtually all hedge trimmers is a blade guard between the forward handle and the base of the blade. It prevents the hand from contacting the blade and protects the hands against wayward branches.

Some upgrade features that are not found on every trimmer include blade scabbards and blade tip guards. The scabbard prevents accidental contact when the tool is not in use, which is safer for the operator and helps to keep the blade in good condition. The blade tip guard prevents damage to the blade and shocks to the gearbox while working near hard surfaces.

Hedge Size and Type

When it comes down to it, the trimmer you choose has to stand up to the hedges in your yard. Different types of hedges have different growth habits. For those that produce long, thick shoots multiple times each growing season, a heavy-duty hedge trimmer may be in order. On the other hand, hedges that grow thin pliable branches may suffice with a light-duty model. Pole hedge trimmers let the operator clean up taller shrubs and trees while standing safely on the ground, while one-handed mini hedge trimmers might be the best tool for maintaining immaculate spirals, pompoms, and other topiary shapes.

FAQs 

To answer lingering questions about cordless hedge trimmers, I have answered several frequently asked questions below.

Q. What is the best voltage for a cordless hedge trimmer?

The best hedge trimmer voltage depends on the trimming job. For general-purpose trimming, a 20V trimmer will pack ample power without adding too much weight. Thick, tough material calls for more power, 36V or greater.

Q. What is the difference between a hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter?

“Hedge trimmer” often refers to an electric or gas-powered tool. A “hedge cutter” or “hedge shear” is a manual tool that looks like a large pair of straight-handle scissors. All of these terms are also used interchangeably, such as a “cordless hedge cutter” or “handheld hedge trimmer.”

Q. Are gas hedge trimmers better than electric ones?

Gas hedge trimmers are relatively cheap for the amount of cutting power and need just a few seconds of downtime for refueling. But they are loud, heavy, and require regular engine maintenance. Electric hedge trimmers are relatively quiet, lightweight, and low-maintenance but more expensive than similarly-powered gas trimmers.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester who spent 20 years in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than twenty years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor living goods.

 

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