When your backyard garden starts to get a little overgrown, finding the right tools can be a huge lifesaver. Some of the biggest obstacles in keeping your garden pruned and clean-looking are hedges. They grow quickly and need a lot of care and attention to look clean and tidy. Without regular upkeep, they can easily get out of hand.
We searched through the market to try and find the best sets of hedge trimmers that are available on the market. By having tools that are powerful and easy to maneuver, you can keep the foliage in your backyard clean-cut and professional-looking. If you have the right equipment, backyard maintenance can be easy.
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Backyard Boss Best Hedge Trimmers of 2021
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | EASYG 23.6cc Gas Hedge Trimmer |
| Check The Price! |
 | DEWALT DCHT820B Hedge Trimmer |
| Check The Price! |
 | MILWAUKEE'S Electric Tools 2726-20 FUEL Hedge Trimmer |
| Check The Price! |
 | CRAFTSMAN Electric Hedge Trimmer |
| Check The Price! |
 | U:D AIRAJ 2Pcs Extendable Hedge Shears |
| Check The Price! |
Why You Can Trust Us
As a landscaper, I was always looking for the best tools I could get my hands on. I knew that with the proper hardware, I would look forward to doing every job instead of dreading how long it was going to take. It’s only when your tools are of poor quality that you feel like you’re doing work.
I wanted a set that was powerful enough to get through bushes with thicker branches. Having to stop and get out a saw to cut through strong wood always puts a damper on the job and can double the amount of time it takes to get it done. In this article, I’ve used this knowledge of how hard this work can be to find the best trimmers on the market.
Best Gas-Powered Hedge Trimmer
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This 2-cycle gas-powered hedge trimmer is a high powered gardening tool that can power through almost any foliage
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Why We Like It: The EASYG 23.6cc Gas Hedge Trimmer is a powerful tool with a double-sided blade that cuts through some of the toughest hedges out in nature. The throttle lock switch is a great addition and allows you to hold the throttle in place without wearing out your hand. If you have a lot of foliage to cut back, this is a fantastic feature.
This trimmer is also very quiet, which is good for backyards that are located in close-knit areas. There are also shock absorbers inside the carriage, so you can operate this trimmer for long periods without annoying the people around you or wearing yourself out in the process.
Who Should Buy It: People who need a trimmer that they can operate for longer periods without wearing out their hands or ears.
Best Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmer
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This electric hedge trimmer has the ability to cut through a branch up to 3/4 thick.
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Why We Like It: The DEWALT DCHT820B Hedge Trimmer has a powerful electric motor with high output and a laser-cut, hooked-tooth blade that is designed to cut through wood that is up to ¾” thick. If you need the power of a gas trimmer without noise or pollution, this could be a good option.
The blade itself operates at up to 2,800 SPM, so you know this isn’t a tool that will stop working just because it comes across some tough foliage. It uses the DeWalt 20V battery line, so you can use any variety of batteries you like, which is perfect for people who need a couple of different batteries for longer jobs.
Who Should Buy It: People who want the power of a gas tool but also want the versatility and ease of use that comes with an electric trimmer.
Best Electric Hedge Trimmer
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This electric hedge trimmer by Milwaukee has a 3 year warranty on both the material and the craftsmanship
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Why We Like It: The MILWAUKEE’S Electric Tools 2726-20 FUEL Hedge Trimmer is compatible with the Milwaukee line of M18 batteries. Because of this, you can choose the amount of power and battery life that you want for this trimmer. As far as electric trimmers go, this is a heavy-duty option that is built to last and can cut through branches up to ¾” in diameter.
This trimmer can last an entire weekend with one charge if you choose a 6 or 8 amp battery, It’s a great feature if you’re trying to remove a lot of foliage. It’s powerful enough to cut through harder woods like cedar and oak, so you don’t have to worry about changing out trimmers every time you move on to a new type of bush.
Who Should Buy It: People who need long battery life and have a lot of different types of work to do with only one tool.
Best Corded Hedge Trimmer
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This corded hedge trimmer doesn't need a battery to be used and has a high enough power for a large cutting capacity.
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Why We Like It: The CRAFTSMAN Electric Hedge Trimmer is a corded option that is powerful enough to handle almost any type of job. With a 4.0 amp motor and a 22-inch cut bar, there is no application that it can’t handle. It also has a high build quality.
This trimmer can cut through branches that are up to 1 ½” in diameter. You would be hard-pressed to find another trimmer that has that kind of capability, especially in an electric model. It also comes with a 3-year limited warranty for backup support in the event of an issue.
Who Should Buy It: People who need the ability to cut through the incredibly thick brush but don’t want to deal with a gas engine.
Best Manual Hedge Trimmer
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These manual hedge trimmers have extendable handles for better leverage when trimming large branches.
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Why We Like It: This 2-Piece Extendable Hedge Trimmer by U/D is a great option if you don’t want to work with a power tool at all.
Sometimes, it’s best to get back to basics, and if you’re going to do that, you may find the tool with the highest quality. These trimmers have telescoping handles for extra leverage and a lightweight build for extra maneuverability.
Who Should Buy It: People who don’t want to use power tools but still want a trimmer that is powerful enough to work through some of the toughest hedges in their backyard.
Hedge Trimming Tips
While it may seem like trimming hedges is an easy task, there are a few things you can do to make the whole process a lot easier. If you want to give your hedges a flush and an even trim, a little bit of preparation can help you make them look great. By setting yourself up for success, you don’t have to dread this job.
Lay Down a Tarp
One of the hardest things about trimming your hedges is the cleanup. You’ll get a lot of little foliage flying around when you do your trimming. It can put a real damper on your work as you try and gather it all up to throw away when you’re done. Lay down a couple of tarps at the base of your hedges before you begin. It’ll gather up all those loose leaves and branches to make for easier cleanup.
Remove Thick Branches First
Trim any branches that you aren’t sure your trimmers can cut before you start using them. If you have to get out a more powerful saw to do this, you’ll be glad you did it before you started getting into the groove of your hedge trimming. Cut all thicker branches to the desired length of the rest of the hedge. Use them as a guide when you cut the rest with the trimmers.
Use Hand Pruners When Applicable
When you can, use hand pruners to make the more precise cuts. Hand pruners will give you more control over where you’re cutting and how deep into the hedge you’re trimming. You can also use them to cut thicker branches if your power trimmers can’t get through them.
Use Strings as a Guide
Set up some strings in the bush to mark where you want the hedges to be trimmed. These can be held together with stakes and used to give you a rough idea of the shape you want your backyard foliage to be in. It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to get flush edges. Make sure to not accidentally cut the strings as you’re trimming back the branches.
Hedge Trimmer Safety
Safety should be your number one priority when working with any kind of cutting tool. When your hedge trimmer isn’t in use, make sure that the blade is covered with its plastic guard. This will protect the blade from getting dull and your hands when you go to pick it up. Also, be careful not to accidentally cut the power cord if you’re using a corded trimmer.
When you’re doing your hedge trimming, always wear eye and mouth protection. Branches can splinter off at unexpected angles and cause serious injury. Most bushes will also emit dust when they’re being trimmed, so a mask or some other type of protection for your lungs is highly recommended. Any time you can make hedge trimming as safe as possible, it’s always best to do it, especially with gas or electric-powered trimmers.
How We Picked
When picking the hedge trimmers for this list, we made sure to find ones that have the highest quality. It means they’re built to last and that they have heavy-duty carriages and enclosures. We wanted to make sure that all of the models we choose can withstand accidental bumps and drops too.
We also looked for tools that are designed to have a lot of longevity. When you are dealing with electric tools high-quality parts are essential, as are batteries that are meant to last. All of the electric models we chose can run for several hours without having to be charged.
Best Hedge Trimmers for Backyard Gardens – Our Verdict
Out of all the hedge trimmers we looked at, we like the EASYG 23.6cc Gas Hedge Trimmer the most. There is nothing quite like a gas-powered tool for this type of work, and we admire how powerful it is. There is no risk of running out of battery life or not having enough power to cut through thicker branches.
When picking out hedge trimmers, it’s important to find one that you feel comfortable with and that you can maneuver easily. By choosing a trimmer that you like, you can look forward to working in your backyard instead of dreading it.
Do you have a favorite hedge trimmer that we didn’t cover here? Let us know in the comments below!
