To take care of the hedge of your garden yourself, let’s see which are the best hedge trimmers of the most reliable brands and how to choose the most suitable model for your job.
A hedge trimmer is an indispensable tool for properly caring for and pruning hedges for professionals in the sector and DIY gardening enthusiasts. This tool makes keeping the hedge at the desired height possible and gives it a precise shape.
A long sword characterizes the hedge trimmers with teeth with which it is possible to cut the hedge even at the most difficult points. The branches in contact with the blades put into action are easily cut and removed effortlessly.
The hedge trimmer has a double handle designed to support the tool with both hands to ensure a firm and secure grip. One hand is placed on the handle with the command, and the other is placed behind the screen to avoid injuries.
Furthermore, in some models, it is possible to rotate the rear handle 180° to facilitate shaping and finishing operations of the hedge shape. Finally, if the hedge is particularly high or areas require excessive effort, it is possible to evaluate a telescopic pole model.
Thanks to this particular feature, it will be possible to prune the hedge easily. Above all, having a ladder or additional tools for garden maintenance will not be necessary.
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How to choose a hedge trimmer: Types and Characteristics
You need to know which technical features to consider to purchase the ideal hedge trimmer for your needs. There are different types of hedge trimmers with very different structural aspects.
In particular, you will have to evaluate the size and height of your hedge and, consequently, consider the length of the blade, along with other important parameters. Let’s see them in detail.
Types
Three main types of hedge trimmers are based on food; we can find electric, motor, or battery models.
Motor (or petrol) hedge trimmers: the models of this type offer professional performance but are particularly heavy due to the engine and the tank necessary to insert the mixture. We recommend purchasing these hedge trimmers if you need a tool suitable for cutting very robust and thick hedges or with branches with a rather large diameter.
This type of hedge trimmer offers advantages: high power, durability, and freedom of use as it is not tied or cables or other restrictions.
Battery-powered hedge trimmer: the battery-powered hedge trimmers have no motor and wire and are easy to handle and very practical. Due to their structure, on the other hand, they have a battery that does not guarantee prolonged autonomy (about 2 hours in cases of continuous use).
These models are particularly suitable for use on small hedges that do not require major maintenance and in places with no electrical outlet nearby.
Electric hedge trimmer: the electric models are light, easy to handle, and very quiet; the only disadvantage is linked to the fact that having to be powered by wire, they need a nearby power outlet. There are electric hedge trimmers at very different prices depending on the performance and versatility of the tool.
Power
According to the model, the hedge trimmer’s power varies according to the engine type (petrol or electric). As for petrol hedge trimmers, you can choose between 2 or 4-stroke engines.
The petrol engine has displacements ranging from 1.4 to 1.9 cubic inches, generating power between 300 W and 1050 W. In addition, the 4-stroke engine supports the most powerful hedge trimmers that ensure very high performance.
Battery-powered motors are generally powered at 18 or 36 V and can guarantee autonomy between 40-50 minutes and 70-90 minutes, respectively.
As for electric hedge trimmers, it is possible to identify three main categories based on which it is necessary to evaluate your needs and the use you want to make of this tool:
- Basic use: to prune and keep well-kept hedges that are not too thick and with small ones, branches go to a model with a wattage of about 400 W.
- Medium use: If facing a medium-sized hedge requires a certain effort, it is preferable to evaluate models with a power between 400 W and 700 W.
- Demanding use: for thicker and larger hedges, it is necessary to purchase a model with high power, higher than 700 W.
The cut’s speed is closely connected to the tool’s power, i.e., the number of revolutions the blade can do in a certain time.
The higher the power, the higher the cutting speed and the hedge trimmer’s efficiency and versatility.
Can indicate this specific value in the form of different wordings such as, for example, the number of laps, the number of revolutions per second, and the number of revolutions per minute.
Cutting
The factors that directly influence the cut are three: the length of the cut, the cut’s thickness, and the distance between the blades.
Length of cut
The length of the cut corresponds to the length of the blade. The length of the hedge trimmer blades varies between 15 and 30 inches.
A particularly long sword is useful for large hedges that extend in height. Remember that a particularly long blade weighs down the tool, making it more difficult to handle and determining a greater encumbrance.
Purchasing a hedge trimmer with a short blade is preferable if you intend to use the tool on low and not excessively thick hedges.
The advantage of the short blade is the greater ease of use and better cutting precision. However, you must review the hedge profiles several times because they are smaller.
Cutting thickness
The thickness of the cut is the value that indicates the maximum thickness of the branch that the hedge trimmer can cut. Based on the type of hedge you intend to use your tool, you must evaluate the desired performance and the characteristics with which the hedge trimmer must be equipped.
The thickness value can vary between 0.6/0.8 inches for the more compact and less powerful models and up to 1.5 inches for the more performing models.
Distance between the blades
The distance between the blades is the value that indicates how much space there is between the different blades placed along with the sword.
This aspect is intrinsically linked to the cut’s thickness: more distant blades allow the thinning out of more demanding hedges and the cutting of larger branches; very close blades are suitable for working on small and slightly branched hedges.
Can distinguish three categories of hedge trimmers according to the distance of the blades:
- From 12 mm to 16 mm: the models with blades of this type are particularly suitable for hedges with small branches.
- From 16 mm to 25 mm, this distance is suitable for medium-thick hedges and not too large branches.
- From 25 mm to 36 mm: hedge trimmers are suitable for dealing with thick hedges.
A further aspect that influences the cut is the functioning of the blades; there are two different modes:
- Single-cut blade: the models in this category are equipped with a blade that moves back and forth and remains fixed.
- Double action blade: in these models, both blades move; in these cases, the performances are higher, and the vibrations are reduced.
Safety
A hedge trimmer is a tool designed for do-it-yourselfers, so it is essential to keep in mind the safety aspect and the devices with which the model is equipped.
As for safety devices, the most important ones are:
- Automatic blade lock: this feature ensures that the blades lock after a few seconds of inactivity.
- Hand protection: A structure between the machine body and the handle often prevents direct contact with the blade.
Some of the best hedge trimmers also offer additional accessories that ensure additional protection during the hedge trimmer; particular utility is the blade guard, work gloves, and protective glasses.
Maintenance
As far as maintenance is concerned, only a few simple operations are necessary with which it is possible to ensure the durability and reliability of the tool.
After each use, cleaning the hedge trimmer and removing any residue is good; if the blade has come into contact with water, it is best to dry it carefully before storing the tool.
After a certain use time, it is also advisable to sharpen the blades; thus, it will be possible to cut precision constantly.
The best hedge trimmers to buy
Below is the best hedge trimmers selected for their value with their technical characteristics and prices.
- The electric edge trimmer features 17-inch dual-action hardened steel blade for reduced...
- 3.2 amp motor for trimming branches up to 5/8 inch
- Lightweight, compact design of the trimmers for plants is easy to use with less fatigue
- 22 IN. DUAL-ACTION BLADE – Delivers less vibration than single-action blades for...
- 4.0 AMP MOTOR – Supplies the ideal amount of power to trim branches up to 3/4 in. thick.
- FULL WRAPAROUND FRONT HANDLE – Provides a comfortable, secure grip and reliable cutting...
- Powerful high output motor of the cordless hedge trimmer is designed for cuts up to...
- The battery powered hedge trimmer has 22-inch laser cut, hooked-tooth blade design
- Trimmers for plants have a compact and lightweight design
- COMPACT ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMER - Lightweight 3.0 amp corded electric hedge trimmer for...
- MADE FOR MORE CONTROL - Bulk-free design, built-in T-handle and full length trigger for...
- DUAL-ACTION BLADE - Hardened steel dual- action blade for reduced vibration while trimming
- RELIABLE AND RECHARGEABLE POWER: V20* MAX 1.5Ah lithium ion battery provides dependable...
- MOVE AROUND WORKSPACE WITH EASE: Full wrap-around handle for mobility and comfort while...
- DURABILITY FOR TOUGH TASKS: 20 in. dual action blades with up to 3/4 in. cut capacity
- 🎁 Perfect present for Christmas, Mother's Day, Birthday, Anniversary, Valentine's Day,...
- Upgrade Power Motor: WORKPRO cordless grass trimmer has been upgraded with a powerful...
- Lightweight & Easy to Use: This handheld hedge trimmer is very lightweight, weighing only...
- The electric edge trimmer features 20-inch dual-action hardened steel blade for reduced...
- Cut branches up to 1.5-inch thick with the addition of the SAWBLADE
- Trimmers for plants have a 3.8 amp motor for trimming branches up to 3/4 inch
- [3-IN-1 DESIGN]: MZK 3-in-1 Cordless Grass Shear, Hedge Trimmer, and High-Reach Pruner...
- [HYPER CUT CAPACITY]: 1/2-inch cutting capacity gets through all your bushes and hedges...
- [UNLEASH THE POWER OF 20V]: Upgrade to MZK 20V grass shear for enhanced performance,...
- CUT THROUGH TOUGH TASKS: Powerful 3.8 Amp motor with 22-inch dual-action blades of the...
- CLEAN HEDGE TRIMMER CUTS: 3/4-inch cut capacity for clean cutting
- POWER SAW: Trimmers for plants cut branches up to 1.5-inch thick
- Up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge with the included 56V 2.5Ah ARC Lithium...
- Five-position, 180-degree rotating handle delivers ultimate control
- Cuts at up to 3,400 strokes per minute
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