Hedge Trimmer buying guide

• Shrub Trimmers: Shrub Trimmers are ideal for keeping most shrubs in a tidy condition all year round. They are much smaller than the standard hedge trimmer and therefore much lighter too, allowing for easy one-handed operation. Typically these power tools are battery powered and used for either shrubs or for cutting small hedges. Some models come with interchangeable blades, providing the ability to change blade length and adding more flexibility to the tool.

  Our most popular Shrub Trimmer: BLACK & DECKER GSL700 (£43)

• Hedge Trimmers: Our range of hedge trimmers have varying blades lengths up to 75cm. There can also be variations in the teeth spacing of the hedge trimmers available. Typically those with wider spacing can cut through thicker stems. Power sources for hedge trimmers are either cordless (battery or petrol), or 240v corded. Cordless hedge trimmers are more manoeuvrable, and eliminate the risk of cutting the trimmer's power cable. However, corded 240v hedge trimmers are often cheaper, not limited by battery life or supply of petrol and, may generate more trimming power than battery-powered models. Our Petrol Hedge trimmers with 2 or 4-stroke petrol engines tend to be more powerful than 240v or battery-powered models. Petrol hedge trimmers are often used by professional gardeners and landscapers or those with a large garden.

  Our most popular Hedge Trimmers: MAKITA DUH523Z (£95)

• Pole Hedge Trimmer: There are times when you might need something with just a little more reach than a standard hedge trimmer, and that’s when the pole hedge trimmer comes into its own. For high hedges above 2 metre this is the perfect tool for reaching the parts of the hedge that standard hedge trimmers cannot reach. Our pole hedge trimmers are available in either 240v corded or 18v battery-powered models. They often enable a cutting reach of well over two metres and have a pivoting head that helps to position the extended blade at the right cutting angle.

  Our most popular Pole Hedge Trimmer: BOSCH UniversalHedgePole 18 (£175)

Key Considerations When Buying A Good Hedge Trimmer

Usage & power source: If you are planning to do a light amount of trimming, relatively close to a property with a power supply, then a small-bladed cost-effective 240v corded model may be all you require. For general gardening work, further away from a power source, a battery-powered cordless hedge trimmer could be your best option. However, if you select a battery-powered option you should consider whether the run time for a fully charged battery will be long enough to get the job done.

There are also 240v corded hedge trimmers with larger blades available, should you be able to provide a power supply near to the hedges requiring cutting. These corded hedge trimmers will typically come with between 8 to 12 metres of cable length attached. For safety reasons it is recommended you always use a RCD (circuit breaker) when using a 240v hedge trimmer. For 240v machines, the higher the wattage, the more powerful the motor, so if your hedge is particularly tough then a higher wattage machine would be best suited.

If you intend to use your hedge trimmer professionally, or have a lot of dense hedges to tackle on a regular basis, then a petrol hedge trimmer will probably be your preferred option as they typically offer more power to handle thicker branches and enable a quicker speed of cutting.

Blade length: Longer blades can remove more in one pass but they are heavier and also less maneuverable.

Blade spacing: The distance between the teeth on the blade will determine what thickness of stem can be cut by the trimmer. In general, tooth spacing will typically range from 16mm to 30mm. Anything thicker than this will need a different tool, such as a chainsaw.

Hedge Trimmer Safety Tips

Hedge trimmers need to be handled with care at all times. Take note of the following safety tips:

Protective wear: Always wear safety goggles or glasses, and wear gloves when using hedge trimmers. Petrol engine trimmers can be quite loud so ear defenders may be needed.

Circuit breaker: Before use, if you have a coded hedge trimmer, inspect the electric cables for signs of damage. Always use a circuit breaker when operating a corded electric hedge trimmer in the garden to avoid electric shock. One of the most dangerous aspects of using a electric trimmer with power cable is the potential for accidentally cutting the cable so a lot of care should be taken in this area.

Hold the Hedge Trimmer Securely:  It is always advisable to hold a hedge trimmer with two hands. Some hedge trimmers offer a safety feature, which prevents one-handed operation.

View our range of hedge trimmers and find the lowest prices online at Howe Tools.