Lawn maintenance can be costly, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of regularly hiring professional lawn care services, you can opt to do things on your own. For one, you can landscape the lawn by yourself if you have the right equipment. With the best cordless hedge trimmer, you can trim and shape your hedges with ease. Think about the beautifully manicured lawn, if you can’t resist the temptation, let me help you with the best cordless hedge trimmer.
Why Buy Cordless Hedge Trimmers?
A trimmer is meant to help you maintain your hedges. While you can use a corded variety, a cordless type provides you a better range. With no cord attached, you won’t have to worry about tripping over or bring along an extension cord just to reach the farthest hedge in your lawn. Instead, it uses a rechargeable battery.
A single charge will keep it running for about an hour, and that should be all the time you need for light and regular trimming. It might cost you a bit, but a cordless hedge trimmer is worth the investment if you value convenience. In addition, it will operate with much less noise compared to a gas-powered hedge trimmer. Similarly, you don’t have to pay for additional fuel and worry about the trimmer getting choked.
Furthermore, a cordless hedge trimmer provides enough power without being heavy. It is relatively light, which means less fatigue for extended use. However, even with these advantages, you must prioritize safety by wearing ear protection, gloves, sturdy boots, and tough clothing.
Top 7 Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers In 2021
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Factors To Consider Before Buying The Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Before you get a cordless hedge trimmer, you should take note of the many factors that differentiate one variant from another. By identifying these factors, you can get the right model that fits both your budget and your trimming needs.
Battery And Power Output
Cordless hedge trimmers all work using a rechargeable battery, but these varieties can vary in size. If you will be doing light trimming tasks, you can settle for small batteries. If you will be trimming for more than an hour, you are better off using a trimmer with a bigger battery. To know how long a battery will last, you can look at the Ah on the product label. This refers to amp-hours, and a higher Ah means a longer-lasting battery.
Similarly, you should look for a battery with large power output if you will be cutting down thick branches. The average cordless hedge trimmer can quickly cut branches with a diameter of 0.5 inches. Flimsy branches don’t need a powerful battery, but stubborn branches require batteries with a high voltage. You’d need a powerful trimmer to cut down branches that are at least 0.75 inches thick.
Location Of The Plants
If your shrubs and bushes are tall or located relatively high from the ground, you should get a hedge trimmer with an extendable pole. Such cordless hedge trimmer will eliminate the need to carry and use a ladder just to trim the least accessible shrubs and hedges.
Blade Length And Rotation
The length of the trimmer blades can be as short as 13 inches. This is enough for trimming in small lawns. For heavy-duty and professional trimming, however, the variants with 18-inch blades are preferred. After all, a longer blade will have a greater reach.
Still, even cordless hedge trimmers with short blades can improve their range with the help of the aforementioned pole attachments. Likewise, you must keep the blades sharp. If they get severely dull or damaged, you must replace them quickly. This will keep the trimming operations efficient while preventing accidents.
Furthermore, a good trimmer should have the feature to keep the blades running with a simple switch. You shouldn’t have to keep pressing a switch all the time just to keep the blades rotating. Thankfully, many cordless hedge trimmers come with this handy option.
Weight
If you will be using the cordless hedge trimmer, you can opt for a powerful yet heavy type hovering around 12 pounds. However, you should get a lighter model if you want your children to occasionally help you out. A cordless hedge trimmer weighing just seven pounds should make it light enough for the younger without feeling fatigued. In addition, a light trimmer is easier to navigate around and be kept in your storage shed.
Brand Compatibility
If you use other battery-powered equipment, you can check if the brand is the same as that of the cordless hedge trimmer you want to get. More likely than not, the battery of a saw or a drill manufactured by the same brand will work with the hedge trimmer. In other words, you can save money on replacement batteries.
Grip And Handle
A hedge trimmer has blades that could severely harm you if you are not wearing protective clothing. Thus, you must ensure that the trimmer offers a strong grip. This will help in precisely cutting the shrubs and hedges to get the intended shape. Otherwise, it could slip away from your hands and lead to accidents.
Second, you must assess the quality of the handle. A swivel handle should be easy to adjust to improve user comfort. If you want to cut low-lying bushes, you just have to adjust the handle. If it does not work well, you might not be able to properly shape the hedges.
Noise Level
While cordless hedge trimmers perform with less noise than gas-powered variants in general, there is still a considerable amount of noise. Bigger and more powerful cordless hedge trimmer will have a bigger noise output compared to the lighter variants that carry small batteries with less voltage.
Top 7 Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer Reviews
BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 20V Lithium Ion Hedge Trimmer
Via amazon.com
The first trimmer we have comes from none other than BLACK+DECKER. The dual-action blades are all 22 inches long, which is more than enough for heavy-duty trimming. Despite this hefty size, the blades have considerably fewer vibrations than other cordless hedge trimmers. With less vibration, you won’t feel quickly fatigued.
To ensure a strong grip, BLACK+DECKER designed a wrap-around handle at the front of the trimmer. The grip should feel comfortable and soft regardless of how you are trimming your lawn. Thus, you can safely maneuver the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 whether you are cutting vertically or horizontally at any height.
Powering the 22-inch blades of the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 is a 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery. This enables the blades to cut down thick branches of up to 0.75 inches in diameter. The MAX lithium-ion battery works better than NiCad batteries in terms of durability.
In particular, its charge retention is five times longer than that of 18-volt NiCad batteries. You could use the hedge trimmer for an hour or two without stopping the operation for a recharge. Charging this lithium-ion battery just before it gets empty won’t lead to deterioration.
In fact, a single complete charge of this battery could cover 3,000 square feet of hedges. If you want to use other batteries, you can do so as long as they are also 20-volt lithium-ion batteries. Lastly, the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer comes with a two-year limited warranty and an efficient Energy Star charger.
What We Liked
- Cuts thick branches in mere seconds without vibrating a lot
- 22-inch dual-action blades are extremely sharp and durable
- Wrap-around handle provides a strong yet soft grip regardless of the cutting orientation
- Powerful 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery grants hours of use with a single charge
- Includes a two-year limed warranty
What We Didn't Like
- Might require ear protection during use as the large power output generates a bit of noise
- The 20-volt battery is not compatible with typical equipment that relies on 18-volt batteries
BLACK+DECKER LHT2436 40V Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Via amazon.com
Up next, we have another cordless hedge trimmer from BLACK+DECKER. Their LHT2436 variant uses a battery that is twice as powerful as that of their LHT2220 trimmer. With the 40-volt lithium-ion battery and the PowerDrive Transmission, the shearing blades will cut down thick branches in mere seconds.
The blades still have the dual-action feature to significantly reduce vibration, but they are 24-inches long instead of just 22 inches. In addition, these blades are made out of pre-hardened steel. They are also resistant to rust to reduce the sharpening process with extensive use.
With such powerful battery and long, sharp blades, the BLACK+DECKER LHT2436 could trim hedges measuring 6,000 square feet overall without recharging the battery. Surprisingly, the 40-volt battery is relatively compact in appearance.
Just like with the LHT2220 cordless hedge trimmer, this variant has a full wrap-around front handle. You need this for a secure grip since the trimmer will perform aggressively. Thankfully, the handle is designed to be big enough for use even when you are wearing a pair of safety gloves.
Lastly, this BLACK+DECKER cordless hedge trimmer comes with a two-year warranty and an Energy Star-rated fast charger. This rating means that the 40-volt lithium-ion battery can be completely recharged in just an hour. However, we wish that this included a replacement battery since it is quite costly and it isn’t compatible with common battery-operated lawn care equipment.
What We Liked
- As strong as some gas-powered hedge trimmers during regular trimming
- Powerful yet compact 40-volt lithium-ion battery
- Energy Star-rated charger gives a complete charge in just an hour
- Tough, sharp, and rust-resistant 24-inch blades
What We Didn't Like
- Big branches tend to bounce when they are skipped or not immediately cut down
- Should have a locking mechanism to lessen user fatigue
Greenworks 22272 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
Via amazon.com
This is the first of two Greenworks cordless hedge trimmer on our list. Similar to the BLACK+DECKER LHT2436, the Greenworks 22272 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer is powered by a 40-volt battery. However, it must be noted that this model from Greenworks uses a 40-volt G-Max battery, which is not cross compatible with a 40-volt lithium battery.
The batteries you can use for the Greenworks 22272 include the G-Max 2.0 Ah battery and the G-Max 4.0 Ah battery. Furthermore, charging the former will take an hour while the latter requires two hours for a full charge. Regardless of battery used, this hedge trimmer will only work for about 50 minutes with each full charge.
Also, it is interesting that Greenworks chose 20-inch blades instead of 22 or 24 inches when the trimmer is already using a hefty battery. Still, this dual-action blade has enough length to quickly cut down branches with a maximum thickness of 0.625 inches. Furthermore, the instruction manual was not written well. You could disassemble unnecessary parts if there’s an issue with the power connection.
It’s good that this can reach high branches, but keeping the pole stable is not easy. Thankfully, you can securely tighten the screws on the pole clips to remedy the issue. It does get tiring to hold the pole hedge up, but the cutting efficiency does mean finishing the task less than an hour. Lastly, the Greenworks 22272 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer comes with a triple safety switch and a four-year warranty.
What We Liked
- 40-volt G-Max battery to power the 20-inch dual-action blades
- Great for trimming branches without using a ladder
- Includes a four-year warranty
- Efficient enough to prevent extensive strain while handling the pole
What We Didn't Like
- Instruction manual could have been written better
- Getting the pole to be completely stable is difficult
- The 40-volt battery is not cross-compatible with other 40-volt batteries
DEWALT DCHT820P1 20 V Max Hedge Trimmer
Via amazon.com
The fourth trimmer comes from DEWALT and uses a 20-volt MAX 5Ah lithium-ion battery. Even with the increased amp hours, the 5Ah Li-ion battery weighs just as much as a 20-volt 3Ah or 4Ah battery. After a single operation, your hedge trimmer should still have a decent battery life.
Also, the laser cut has 22-inch blades. These blades are made out of hardened steel to ensure clean and quick cuts. They have a toothed blade design to improve the cutting performance, especially for 0.625-inch thick branches. Despite this power, the DEWALT DCHT820P1 Max Hedge Trimmer only weighs 7.5 pounds in total. It is lightweight enough to carry around without feeling strained.
In addition, the compact design makes it easy to move around corners and obstacles on your lawn. One issue, however, is that the safety switch does not always work as intended. Second, it would have been better with a lock switch to keep the user comfortable.
Finally, DEWALT offers more than just a three-year limited warranty. Aside from this, you get a three-month money back guarantee and a year-long service provision at no cost.
What We Liked
- Compact and lightweight design for quick maneuvering and easy storage
- Three-year warranty combined with free service and a money back guarantee
- Laser cut 22-inch blades are impeccably sharp
- Hefty battery ensures a single charge is more than enough for regular trimming
What We Didn't Like
- Needs a lock switch to keep the blades running with ease
- Safety switch does not work properly sometimes
Greenworks 22262 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Via amazon.com
This is the second Greenworks product here that uses a G-MAX 40-volt lithium-ion battery. In particular, it has the 2Ah battery. However, this hedge trimmer is compatible with other Greenworks G-MAX 40-volt lithium-ion batteries such as the 29462 and 29272 models. If you have a Greenworks weed cutter, you can use the batteries there to power this trimmer.
As for the dual-action blades, they are 24-inches in length to perform well in heavy-duty trimming operations. In fact, the Greenworks 22262 can cut down branches with a maximum thickness of two-thirds of an inch. If you will be trimming in various angles, you can use the rear handle to rotate the trimmer for as much as 180 degrees.
Consequently, a wrap-around auxiliary handle will keep you comfortable during the operation. The Greenworks 22262 Cordless Hedge Trimmer feels lightweight when trimming nearby hedges, but it tends to feel heavy when you try to reach high branches. Moreover, it occasionally releases a smell indicating an overheated wire.
What We Liked
- 24-inch dual-action blades can cut down 2/3-inch thick branches
- Rear handle can be rotated up to 180 degrees for comfortable trimming in different angles
- Auxiliary handle to maintain user comfort
- Hefty 40-volt battery
What We Didn't Like
- Not ideal for cutting hard-to-reach and tall areas
- Overheating occurs at times
EGO Power+ Lithium-ion Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Via amazon.com
This cordless hedge trimmer has one significant advantage compared to all the other entries on this list. Instead of a maximum cutting width of just 0.625 inches, the EGO Power+ Lithium-ion cordless hedge trimmer is designed to cut down branches with a maximum diameter of 0.75 inches. Even these thick branches won’t last for a second once the 24-inch dual-action blades hit them.
Also, the reciprocating blades are extremely durable as they are made of hardened steel. Cutting speed isn’t an issue since the blades move at a maximum of 3,000 strokes per minute. If you need to stop the aggressive cutting as quickly as possible, you just have to release the trigger and activate the electric brake. The maximum running time of this trimmer is an hour, and it is compatible with EGO Power+ Arc Lithium-ion batteries.
Furthermore, this EGO Power+ hedge trimmer has weather-resistant construction. The D-handle includes a soft grip for sufficient comfort while auxiliary handle could improve your control over the trimmer at any cutting angle. Apart from a three-year warranty for the battery kit, you also get a five-year tool warranty.
What We Liked
- Weather-resistant construction
- Maximum cutting capacity of 0.75 inches
- Fast cutting speed with 24-inch hardened steel dual-action blades
- Comes with two warranties
What We Didn't Like
- Not ideal for cutting hard-to-reach areas
- Battery feels a bit heavy
WORX WG255.1 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Via amazon.com
Finally, we have an incredibly lightweight trimmer in the form of the Worx WG255 Cordless Hedge Trimmer. At just six pounds, you can move this around without feeling burdened. Also, the compact design helps in avoiding obstacles and moving around narrow corners. It has an ergonomic design that includes the soft grip handle and the D-grip front handle, which is useful for cutting on the sides or from the top.
Just like all the other entries here, the Worx WG255 uses dual-action cutting blades to reduce the vibration. The difference, however, is that this cordless hedge trimmer can only cut branches with a maximum thickness of 0.5625 inches. Otherwise, trimming will take longer than usual. In fact, the relatively average cutting speed means that you’re better off taking several passes.
Consequently, there are problems with the safety switch and the instruction manual. The switch is flimsy and badly designed. As for the manual, it does not help in adequately informing the user about the parts and how they work. On the upside, this hedge trimmer has a rust-resistant aluminum blade cover that doesn’t take much effort to clean.
What We Liked
- Soft grip handle and a D-grip front handle for comfort
- Dual-action blades produce minimal vibration
- Aluminum blade cover is rust-resistant
What We Didn't Like
- Cutting speed isn’t as fast as expected
- Instruction manual isn’t well-detailed
- Safety switch isn’t easy to use
Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer - Winner
Overall, our favorite cordless hedge trimmer is none other than the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer. While it does not have the biggest cutting capacity, the longest blades, or even the most powerful rechargeable battery, it does its job fantastically. Using the 22-inch dual-action blades that are powered by a 20-volt MAX lithium-battery feels great. The cuts are swift and clean, even for relatively thick branches.
Via amazon.com
Also, the battery alone is worth the investment due to its impressive charge retention and its long lifespan. If that wasn’t enough, the wrap-around handle feels both tough and soft. Furthermore, the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 has a two-year limited warranty and an Energy Star-rated charger. You can use this cordless hedge trimmer a couple of times before having to recharge it.
We hope that our guide helped you pick the right cordless hedge trimmer for your lawn. Apart from cutting performance, you must also look for power efficiency and safety features. With the right trimmer, you’ll no longer have to hire professional services to maintain the beauty of your lawn. If you have any questions, do send us a comment.
