Having hedges around your home can offer privacy, provide a windbreak, reduce street noise, and define space in the yard. To keep them from getting overgrown, however, you’re going to have to trim your hedges. You can do this with hand tools, but a powered hedge trimmer makes the task a whole lot easier.
But how do you know which hedge trimmer is the right one for your hedge? There are dozens of brands, models, and types of hedge trimmers on the market. They have different power sources, different blade or handle designs, and different features. Knowing which one will be best for you isn’t always an easy thing to do, but we hope this article will help.
Which Power Source?
Hedge trimmers are either powered by electricity or gasoline. Deciding which power source works best for you is the biggest choice to make when selecting a hedge trimmer to use around your home. Here’s an overview of your options, along with examples of each type.
Corded Electric
If your hedges are within 100 feet of a power source, then a corded electric model can be a good choice. They are less expensive than gas-powered models and are powerful enough for most homeowner cutting needs. However, the power cord can be annoying and you’re limited by the length of your cord and the location of electrical outlets. Corded electric models include:
- STIHL HSE 52, which has a 20-inch cutting blade. It works well for precise cutting around the house and weighs 6.8 pounds.
- STIHL HSE 70, which has a 24-inch cutting blade. It weighs 9.3 pounds and is more powerful with longer reach for cutting larger shrubs.
Battery
You’ll get greater mobility with battery-powered models. Like other electric trimmers, battery-powered models are lightweight and much quieter than gas-powered trimmers. This makes them a good choice for residential areas where noise is a problem. The battery models we carry include:
- STIHL HSA 45 Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer, which uses a rechargeable 18-volt battery. Like other STIHL batteries, it’s designed to run at full speed until depleted rather than gradually losing power like some other brands of lawn equipment. It has a 20-inch cutting blade and only weighs 5.1 pounds.
- STIHL HSA 56 Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer, which uses a 36-volt battery (for this model, battery and charger are included with purchase). It’ll run for up to 40 minutes on a single charge with the AK 10 Battery. It weighs 8.2 pounds.
- STIHL HSA 66 Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer, which uses a 36-volt battery. It’ll run up to 80 minutes on a single charge with the AK 20 Battery. This trimmer has a 20-inch blade and weighs 10.6 pounds.
Gasoline
Though noisier, gas-powered hedge trimmers are more powerful than electric models. There’s also a wider range of models available, with blade lengths ranging from 18- to 24-inches. Gas trimmers are generally heavier than electric ones, but some are designed to be light-weight. Here are several examples:
- STIHL HS 45 Hedge Trimmer, a compact model with an 18-inch blade and a powerful, dependable HomeScaper Series engine. It weighs 10.4 pounds.
- RedMax CHT220 Hedge Trimmer, which has an 18-inch double-sided blade and is compact for quick, precise cutting. This trimmer has an adjustable handle to make it more useful for a wide variety of cutting tasks.
- Echo HC-152 Hedge Trimmer, with 20-inch blades that are precision ground and laser cut to stay sharp longer. The commercial-grade air filter helps extend engine life, and the trimmer weighs 11.7 pounds.
- STIHL HS 46 C-E Hedge Trimmer, which is super light-weight for a gas trimmer at only 9.7 pounds. This trimmer has a 22-inch cutting blade and features lower fuel emissions than competing models.
- Echo’s hedge trimmers feature an i-30 starting system that makes it easy to start the engine. The HC-2020 Hedge Trimmer has a 20-inch blade and weighs 10 pounds. The HC-2420 Hedge Trimmer has a 24-inch blade and weighs 11.5 pounds. The HC-3020 Hedge Trimmer has a 30-inch blade and weighs 11.9 pounds.
Which Style of Trimmer?
Most homeowner hedge trimmers, including all the ones we’ve talked about so far, have the blade attached to the engine or motor housing. But you can also get hedge trimmers that are extended reach models or which are part of a multi-tool system.
Extended reach hedge trimmers put the blade on a long shaft. These trimmers are designed to help you cut hedges that are longer and/or wider than five feet. For example, the Echo SHC-225 has a 33-inch straight shaft and a 20-inch blade. This trimmer weighs only 13.7 pounds and features an anti-vibration system to make it more comfortable to use.
A multi-tool like the STIHL KombiSystem lets you pair hedge trimmer attachments with different powerheads. STIHL has both fixed-angle and adjustable-angle hedge trimmer attachments. These attachments are compatible with both the battery and gasoline powerheads.
What Else Should You Look For?
The price of a hedge trimmer depends on what power source you choose and which brand you want to go with. The least expensive hedge trimmer we carry is the Stihl HSA 45 Homeowner Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer. Prices go up as you look at larger, more powerful hedge trimmers. How much you should expect to pay depends on exactly which features you want and how you plan to use the trimmer.
Weight and balance are two key features you’ll want to look at. Generally speaking, heavier trimmers tend to be more powerful but they’re also more tiring to cut with it for extended periods of time. Balance is also important, and we invite you to come and check out the hedge trimmers we offer in-person so you can see how they feel in your hands.
Blade length is one of the things that determines how quickly you can cut your hedges. Longer blades cut more of the hedge at once, speeding up the job. However, they’re also heavier and more difficult to maneuver. You’ll have to decide how long of a blade you want based on the type of hedges you’re cutting and the weight you’re comfortable working with.
Here at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower, we carry a range of hedge trimmers highly suitable for homeowners. Our experts will be more than happy to answer any questions you have and help you find the hedge trimmer that’s perfect for your yard.
