A cordless hedge cutter is an excellent solution when the hedge you are trimming is some distance from a power supply outlet. They also mean there’s no power cord to get in your way.
The best cordless hedge trimmers are light, convenient and allow you to maintain your garden without gasoline fumes polluting the air.
Until recently, battery powered cordless hedge trimmers were regarded as the ‘lightweights’ of this division compared to electric and gas-powered trimmers, due to them having greater power and therefore more ability to take on the job of trimming larger, and more robust hedges.
This is no longer the case as battery cordless hedge trimmers have become ever more powerful, to the point where many are now every bit as able to tackle large jobs just as well, as their electric and gas-powered cousins.
Buyer’s Guide
Noise and Air Pollution
One aspect where they have an advantage over gas trimmers is a much lower noise emission. The 2-stroke engines that gas trimmers use can be noisy, so unless you want to wear ear protectors while working in your garden, or annoy the neighbors, a battery-powered cordless trimmer would be the best option.
The other sort of emission that a cordless hedge trimmer won’t produce that a gas one will, is exhaust fumes. They are certainly the environment-friendly option, and it also means you will not be breathing in noxious fumes as you trim your hedges.
Battery Life and Output
With cordless hedge trimmers using batteries to power them, you will need to consider the battery life of each one in relation to the size of your yard. If you have a very large area with lots of hedges, then a long-life battery will be needed, otherwise, you will find yourself halfway done, and having to stop to recharge it. One suggestion is to keep one or more spare batteries and swapping out the discharged one.
It is not just the life of the battery you will want to look at, but also its power output. This will directly influence the strength of the trimmer with regards to the size and thickness of hedge branches it can deal with. If your garden has small hedges then this will not be an issue, but for those with significant hedges and larger branches to trim, a more powerful battery will be needed.
Matching the Blade Length to Hedge Sizes
Every yard will have hedges that vary in terms of height, width and depth. It is good practice to measure these dimensions, and then choose a trimmer whose blade length is the most appropriate for the largest of your hedges, especially their depth.
By choosing a hedge trimmer in this way, it allows you to trim the top of any hedge with a single sweep across the top, and because the blade length reaches all the way to the back of the hedge, there should be no branches left uncut.
Who’ll Be Using It?
You should consider who might be using the hedge trimmer in relation to the weight of any cordless hedge trimmer you buy. While they mostly use lithium-ion batteries these days, which are lighter than many other battery types, they can still weigh up to 16 lbs.
The lighter trimmers can weigh under 7lbs. and although that may not seem like a huge difference, it will after 30 minutes of holding it up to trim hedges.
On/Off Switch Types
Some cordless hedge trimmers will have a safety feature which requires the on/off switch to have pressure applied at all times for the blade to rotate. This means that if the trimmer is dropped, it immediately switches off.
However, many users prefer an on/off switch which locks in the on position, because it requires less effort, and is therefore, less tiring to use. Some trimmers will have both options, and with others, it will be an either/or choice, so check for this if you have a preference.
Handle Types
You will also find differences in how the handle of each cordless hedge trimmer is designed. Some may have a rotating action, which allows you to trim hedges at different angles and is ideal if you have any issues with arm joints, as there is less need to twist.
Some trimmers may simply have a fixed two-handle setup, although they will be positioned for maximum comfort. You’ll also find rubberized handles and handles with see-through guards.
Reducing Vibration
One inescapable aspect of a cordless hedge trimmer is the amount of vibration which is generated by its motor and blades when it is being used. For many, this may not be an issue, but there are those for whom this will a problem, ranging from mild annoyance to genuine pain within their arm joints.
Thankfully, there are many trimmers which have a dampening feature built into their construction. This acts as a shock absorber and significantly reduces the amount of vibration which is transferred from the trimmer to the user’s arms.
Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer Product Reviews
This powerful cordless hedge trimmer from Black and Decker is an excellent solution if you have branches in your garden that are thicker than most.
Its 40-volt lithium-ion battery should provide more than enough power to tackle branches which are up to 3/4 inch in diameter. Even if you have a larger garden the battery’s long life will also help you to complete all your trimming with just one charge.
When it does come time to charge the battery, this trimmer comes with a fast charger which will normally take the charge from zero to full in just 60 minutes. Should you decide you want to purchase a spare a battery, then a Black and Decker battery will allow you to use it on many of their other branded tools.
The blade is 34 inches long, so instead of having to use a ladders to reach to the back of deeper hedges, you can trim those less accessible branches with minimum of effort, and your feet still firmly on the ground.
Holding and using the trimmer should prove to be comfortable for several reasons. The first is the trimmer’s weight, which at just 7 lbs. makes it one of the lightest available. In addition, as the trimmer has two blades, the amount of vibration generated will be less than a single-bladed trimmer.
Another factor which contributes to your comfort is the handle configuration, which allows you to have a full wraparound grip on one handle, while guiding the trimmer with the other handle.
- Ergonomically designed handles allowing wrap around grip
- 50-volt lithium-ion long life battery
- Powerful enough to cut through ¾-inch branches
- Only 60 minutes to fully charge the battery
- Twin blades reduce vibration
- 24-inch blade to reach hard to access branches
- Lightweight trimmer weighing only 7 lbs.
- Connecting battery to trimmer can be troublesome
- Generates a lot of noise which is unusual for a battery powered trimmer
- No option to keep the switch in on position
If you have a smaller yard and the hedges that need to be trimmed do not justify a large, powerful trimmer, then you may want to consider this diminutive offering.
At only 2.5 lbs. it is likely to be one of the lightest hedge trimmers available, and suitable for those who would find one of the larger trimmers too heavy to hold.
The handle is ergonomically designed so that the trimmer can be held comfortably, in much the same way you might hold a handheld dust buster vacuum cleaner. You also only need one hand to use it, therefore your other is free to move larger branches out of the way as you trim.
Powering this cordless trimmer is a 7.2-volt lithium ion battery which should give you enough time to trim all the branches you want to. You should note that the battery is not the replaceable type and is built into the trimmer.
This little trimmer is two garden tools in one, as not only can it trim your hedges and bushes, it will also let you trim grass. Obviously, you are not going to mow your entire lawn with it, but if there are any edges or borders of your lawn that need tidying up, simply swap the attachment for the 4-inch shearing tool, and it is ready to go.
Both the blades are made from solid steel, so they should prove to be durable enough to take on most light trimming jobs around your garden. Just in case, there’s a two-year warranty, so you have the reassurance that if there are any issues with your trimmer, you are covered.
- Very lightweight and easy to hold
- Ideal for trimming small hedges and bushes
- Can be used with just one hand
- 6-inch trimmer and 4-inch grass shearer attachments
- Long life lithium-ion battery
- Simply recharge just like your cellphone
- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
- The battery is not replaceable
- Assembly required which may be tricky for some
- Could jam if used on larger branches
If you are planning to replace any of your garden tools, then one of the immediate benefits of this cordless trimmer from Greenworks is that the battery is compatible with at least 25 of their brand of battery-powered tools. This will allow you to purchase a spare battery which can power them all. This could provide quite a saving versus buying multiple spare batteries.
As for the battery which comes with this cordless hedge trimmer, it can be fully charged in around just 60 minutes. Once in use it should give you approximately 50-60 minutes of trimming time from a single charge, depending on how tough the branches are to cut through.
Where you have thick, or deep hedges that need trimming you’ll need a trimmer that is strong enough to cut through them, and a blade long enough to reach the back of them. This Greenworks trimmer should do both, as its blade is two feet long and powerful enough to cut through 3/4 inch thick branches.
As it has a double blade, the amount of vibration you’ll experience when holding it, is greatly reduced. Making the trimmer easier to use is why the handle can rotate 180° so that you can cut both horizontally and vertically with the minimum of effort.
The weight of a trimmer is also a big factor in relation to its ease of use, and with this one weighing in at just over 8 lbs., it should be light enough for almost anyone to use comfortably.
The manufacturer certainly has confidence in the quality of their product as evidenced by the warranties they provide. The battery has a 2-year warranty, and the trimmer has a warranty that lasts for 4 years.
- 24-inch blade for longer reach
- 180° rotating handle for cutting at various angles
- Twin blades which reduce vibration
- Four-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Up to 60 minutes use on a single charge
- Battery compatible with manufacturer’s other tools
- Blade capable of cutting through 3/4-inch branches
- Blade cutting speed is slow which can cause gouging
- Plastic guard for blade breaks easily
- Battery sometimes sticks when trying to remove it
If you like your tools to be simple and uncomplicated, you should like this trimmer from Makita, as it is very simple to use. Even if you ever need to replace the blade, it’s quick blade change setup means there’s no need to disassemble it.
You should find using the trimmer easy too, starting with how light it will feel when you are holding it. It weighs just over 7 lbs. with a battery fitted, so lifting it up to trim higher branches won’t be too much of an effort. Larger hedges, where reaching the back of them wouldn’t normally be easy, shouldn’t be a problem, thanks to the blade being 22 inches long.
To help speed up the whole job of trimming your garden hedges, the blade’s motor produces 1,350 strokes per minute. Despite this high speed, the motor operates at a low noise level, so there is no need for ear protectors. You’ll also find that the vibration level is low, thanks to a system of no fewer than 5 dampening cushions within the motor housing.
Comfort and safety are important aspects of any hedge trimmer and in this one, these are taken care of with a soft rubber grip for the handles, and motor cut-off switches, should your grasp slip from either of them.
On a full charge, you should expect to have around 75 minutes of trimming time. When you are using the trimmer, a warning light will come on, and automatically stop the motor when the battery needs recharging. Please note that the battery and charger need to be purchased separately.
The trimmer comes with a 3-year warranty which covers any fault, or manufacturing defects.
- 1,350 SPM motor which speeds up trimming time
- Soft grip handles for comfort
- 22-inch blade to reach back of hedges
- Dampening cushions on motor housing to reduce vibration
- Safety cut-off if a user loses grip of the trimmer
- Quick-change blade
- 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Struggles to cut through thicker branches
- Multiple cut-off switches can make it seem cumbersome
- Battery and charger need to be purchased separately
This trimmer is one which is suitable for anyone whose yard has large hedges with thicker branches that need trimming.
The first way in which it is going to be compatible with those needs is its blade length, which is 24-inches long. This should allow you to get to the hard-to-reach parts of your garden, especially at the rear of those large hedges.
One issue that can arise with cutting hedge branches that are further away, is you may not be able to see the tip of the cutting blade. This can lead to the teeth at the end getting damaged if they hit against a concrete fence post or garden wall, so to reduce the chances of any of these happening, the end of the blade has a fixed metal guard that will protect it.
Your protection and ease of use are also catered for with a transparent guard on the front handle, which also stops debris hitting you, and a soft grip on the rear handle. Another useful feature is the low-battery indicator light which lets you know the charge is about run out.
The trimmer’s 56-volt lithium ion battery should ensure that there is more than enough power to enable the blade to cut through heavy foliage and branches up to 3/4 inch thick. There’s certainly no lack of speed given that the blade operates at 2,200 strokes per minute.
Despite all this power, and cutting speed, the amount of vibration produced is at a level that shouldn’t cause you any discomfort while you are using the trimmer.
- Cutting speed of 2,200 strokes per minute
- Transparent guard on the front handle
- Rear handle has a comfortable, soft grip
- Blade length of 24 inches gives a longer reach
- Metal protection guard on end tip of the blade
- Capable of cutting through thicknesses of 3/4-inch
- Durable steel blades which can be sharpened
- Weight is 10.1 lbs. which makes trimming high branches hard work
- Two ‘On’ buttons must be pressed simultaneously which may be awkward
- Produces more noise than other hedge trimmers of this size
For gardeners who need a very lightweight cordless trimmer, the Weed Eater trimmer is about as light as they come. It weighs a mere 5.4 lbs. so it should present no issues in terms of lifting it or using it to reach up to trim the top of bushes and hedges.
Being lighter, it means that the blade is going to be slightly shorter than others, although at 20 inches it is hardly tiny, and should still give you enough reach. The dual action steel blades cut at a speed of 2,400 SPM which is very fast and should be enough to cut through twigs and branches with thickness up to 5/8-inch.
Both the rechargeable battery and charger are included, and from zero to a full charge, it will generally take around 4 hours. Once it is fully charged you can expect to be able to use the trimmer for up to 30 minutes before the battery needs to be charged again.
The handles on this cordless hedge trimmer are designed to make it as comfortable as possible for you to use it. They are configured in the same way as most trimmers with a full wraparound handle in front, and soft grip handle at the rear. There is a small see-through guard in front which stops debris from the blades hitting you.
Should there be any manufacturing faults, or if your trimmer should suddenly stop working, you are covered by a 2-year warranty on the battery and charger, and further to that, there’s a warranty which lasts for 4 years on the trimmer itself.
- Very lightweight which makes trimming higher bushes easier
- 20-inch blade for reaching across wider bushes
- Blades cut at 2400 SPM, and capable of cutting 5/8-inch thicknesses
- Four-year warranty for the trimmer, 2 years for the battery and charger
- Wrap around handle allows for more maneuverability and comfort
- Transparent guard on front handle for protection
- Stainless steel blade which resists corrosion
- Battery charging time is 4 hours
- May jam if used to try to cut through thicker branches
- Very short battery life so not suited to large gardens
Conclusion
With several important features all having to be considered when choosing a cordless hedge trimmer, it can be frustrating when no single product is top-ranked for all them. We want one which is light enough to be held comfortably, with enough cutting speed and power to cut through the size of branches we are trimming. If all that wasn’t enough, we’re also looking for a battery life that will allow us to complete the job without having to recharge the battery.
It’s a balancing act, however, the cordless hedge trimmer which we feel meets more of those demands than the others, is the Black and Decker LHT2436 Cordless Hedge Trimmer.
Its blade is as long as any comparable trimmer, it can cut through branches as well as the others, it has a decent battery life with only 60 minutes required to fully charge it, and probably what sealed it, is the fact that it only weighs 7 lbs., thus making it one of the lightest cordless hedge trimmers currently available.
- Best Lawn De-thatcherReviews and Buying Guide - October 27, 2023
- How To Grow The Sky Pencil Holly(Ilex crenata) - September 22, 2023
- Best Watering Can Reviews - July 16, 2019
Last update on 2025-03-28 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API