Short Blade, Long Blade or Pole? Best Hedge Trimmer Choices for Shrubs and Tall Hedges

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Picking the best hedge trimmer comes down to three numbers: blade length, the thickest branch the blades can take, and how high you need to reach. A short, light trimmer is easier to control on a row of boxwoods; a 26-inch blade covers a long privet hedge in fewer passes; and a pole trimmer reaches the top of a tall hedge while your feet stay on the ground.

We compared six cordless models, including one pole trimmer, using only their Amazon listings and spec fields. We quote cut capacity, blade length, weight and runtime the way each brand states them, flag listings that leave a number out, and attribute speed and reach claims to the maker. Because hedge trimmers are cutting tools held near your face and hands, we also cover what the manuals say about two-handed use, eye protection, extension cords and ladders.

Our Top Hedge Trimmer Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. EGO Power+ HT2601 26-Inch Hedge Trimmer: Best Overall

EGO’s HT2601 is a 56-volt cordless hedge trimmer with 26-inch dual-action steel blades and, EGO says, an up to 1.2-inch cut capacity for tackling thicker branches. The kit includes a 2.5Ah battery and charger. EGO calls its carbon fiber rail an industry first and says the rail is protected by a lifetime warranty.

A five-position, 180-degree rotating handle lets you turn the grip when you trim the side of a hedge, so your wrist stays in a natural position whether the blade is horizontal across the top or vertical down the face. EGO says the brushless motor delivers up to 3,400 strokes per minute with long runtimes and low vibration.

EGO claims up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge with the 2.5Ah battery, and the tool works with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, so a pack from an EGO mower or blower fits. The gearbox is described as fully serviceable for quick and easy blade sharpening, which matters on a tool you may keep for many seasons. The listed weight is 6.92 pounds.

It suits homeowners with long privet, laurel or mixed hedges, overgrown shrubs that need cutting back hard, and anyone already on EGO batteries. The warranty field on the listing is empty, so check the tool and battery terms in the box beyond the rail warranty.

Why we like it

• 1.2-inch cut capacity
• 26-inch blades
• Rotating handle

Watch out for

It costs the most of our cordless handheld picks after the Husqvarna, and the listing doesn’t state a tool or battery warranty term.

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2. WORX WG261 20V 22-Inch Hedge Trimmer: Best Lightweight

WORX’s WG261 is a 20-volt cordless hedge trimmer with a 22-inch cutting reach, sold with a 2.0Ah PowerShare battery and charger. WORX says it didn’t pick 22 inches arbitrarily: it is long enough for flat tops and long, even sides yet nimble enough to round corners on a shaped shrub.

The D-grip handle is designed so you can hold the trimmer from any angle, hoisting it up for the tops of taller hedges or holding it low for undergrowth. Dual-action blades move against each other, and WORX describes them as cutting once and catching the branch again on the way back. A three-quarter-inch blade gap gets around branches, and overmolded grips are meant to soak up vibration.

The battery belongs to the WORX PowerShare family, which the listing says powers more than 75 20V, 40V and 80V lifestyle, garden and power tools, so it can move between this trimmer and other WORX yard tools. Being cordless, there’s no cord to double back over or catch in the shrubs. The listing weight is 5.5 pounds.

It suits homeowners with foundation plantings, boxwoods and short to medium hedges who want a light tool that is easy to lift overhead for a few minutes at a time. The listing gives no runtime or warranty term, so expect to recharge on bigger jobs.

Why we like it

• 5.5-pound listed weight
• D-grip for awkward angles
• Shares WORX batteries

Watch out for

Runtime and warranty aren’t on the listing, and the 2.0Ah battery is the smallest pack here.

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3. BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 20V MAX Pole Hedge Trimmer: Best Pole Hedge Trimmer

BLACK+DECKER’s LPHT120 is a 20V MAX cordless pole hedge trimmer with an 18-inch dual-action blade on an adjustable pole. The listing gives the tool’s length as 6-1/2 feet and says it extends for a trimming height of up to 11 feet, so you can reach the tops of taller hedges and hard-to-reach branches without climbing.

The head pivots through 180 degrees and locks in five positions, so you can angle the blade flat across the top of a hedge, tilt it for the far side, or turn it down for low-growing plants. BLACK+DECKER says the dual-action blade gives less vibration than a single-action blade and handles hedges, shrubs and bushes up to 7/16 inch thick.

The pole is built from rust-proof interlocking fiberglass sections, and the handle is soft-grip. The kit includes an LBXR20 20V MAX battery, which the listing says holds a charge for up to 18 months, and an LCS20 smart charger; the battery fits other BLACK+DECKER POWERCONNECT tools. Its instruction manual says not to operate it in a tree or on a ladder, and notes that it isn’t designed to protect against shock from overhead power lines.

It suits homeowners with tall arborvitae, privet or laurel along a property line who would otherwise be tempted to work from a ladder. It is built for reach and lighter growth, not for cutting back thick, overgrown wood.

Why we like it

• Up to 11 ft trimming height
• Pivoting head
• Ground-level work on tall hedges

Watch out for

The 7/16-inch cut capacity is modest, and the listing’s runtime and weight statements don’t hold together.

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4. Greenworks 80V 26-Inch Hedge Trimmer: Best for Wide Hedges

Greenworks’ 80V hedge trimmer pairs a brushless motor with 26-inch dual-action steel blades. The kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and a 2A charger, so you can start trimming without buying anything else. Greenworks describes the long blades as giving optimal cutting capacity for trimming tall or wide hedges with precision.

A 26-inch blade covers more hedge per stroke, which helps on long property-line hedges where a shorter blade means more passes and more chances for an uneven top. Being battery powered, there’s no cord to drag through the beds and no gas to mix, and Greenworks pitches that freedom of movement around the yard.

The listing is short on specifics. It doesn’t state a cut capacity in inches, a runtime, a strokes-per-minute figure or a warranty term; it simply says Greenworks quality ensures reliable performance and longevity. The spec field gives a weight of 7.17 pounds.

It suits homeowners with long or wide hedges, and especially anyone with a Greenworks 80V mower or blower, since the battery is shared across that platform. If you need to cut through thick, old wood, look for a listing that states a cut capacity, and remember that a longer blade also means more weight held out in front of you at the end of a long session.

Why we like it

• 26-inch blades
• Brushless 80V motor
• Shares 80V batteries

Watch out for

Cut capacity, runtime and warranty are all missing from the listing.

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5. Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60: Best Tri-Handle Control

Husqvarna’s Hedge Master 320iHD60 is a battery hedge trimmer kit with a 24-inch knife length, a brushless motor, a battery and a charger, all shipped in one package; the listing notes that battery appearance may vary. Husqvarna rates it for heavy-duty clearing and trimming of branches up to 1 inch thick.

The distinctive feature is the tri-handle grip. Husqvarna says it gives 30 percent more reach with improved control and comfort compared with comparable hedge trimmers, letting you shift your hands as you move from the top of a hedge to its face. An un-jam button is meant to clear a stuck branch so you can get back to work.

Husqvarna also claims a 15 percent faster cutting blade speed than comparable trimmers, and credits the brushless motor with a high torque-to-weight ratio, reduced noise and longer product life. Both comparisons are the brand’s own. The listing doesn’t name the battery’s capacity, a runtime or a warranty term, and the spec field lists 7.94 pounds.

It suits homeowners cutting back overgrown hedges who want a stated 1-inch capacity and a trimmer from a long-established outdoor power brand. Confirm the battery size in the box, since it isn’t listed, and consider a second battery if your hedges take more than one session.

Why we like it

• 1-inch cut capacity
• Tri-handle grips
• Un-jam button

Watch out for

It is the most expensive pick and the slowest seller, and the listing omits battery size and runtime.

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6. SEESII L60 20-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer: Best Two-Battery Kit

SEESII’s L60 is a cordless hedge trimmer with 20-inch dual-action blades, sold as a kit with two 4.0Ah batteries, a fast charger, a blade cover and a manual. SEESII says it cuts branches up to 3/4 inch (18 mm) in diameter and runs at 2,400 strokes per minute, enough, the brand claims, for thick boxwood and privet.

A protective tip on the end of the blade keeps it from striking walls and fences while you shape a hedge. The 180-degree rotating handle adapts to your position, so you can cut vertically down the side or horizontally across the top without twisting your wrist. SEESII lists the weight as 5.75 pounds.

For safety, the trimmer starts only when both the trigger and safety lock are pressed, which the listing says prevents accidental activation, and the blade cover protects the edge in storage. With two batteries, you can keep one charging while you work. The warranty field reads “2 Year Manufacturer.”

It suits homeowners on a budget with shrubs, foundation plantings and hedges of modest size who want a spare battery in the box. It is sold by SEESII’s own Amazon store rather than Amazon.com, so keep the order details handy for warranty claims.

Why we like it

• Two 4.0Ah batteries
• Blade-tip guard
• Two-step start

Watch out for

The listing gives no runtime, and the 20-inch blade means more passes on long hedges.

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How We Chose the Best Hedge Trimmers

We compared each trimmer’s Amazon listing and spec fields and kept to what they state:

• Blade length: from 18 inches on the pole model to 26 inches.
• Cut capacity: the thickest branch each listing says the blades handle, or flagged as not stated.
• Reach: pole length, trimming height and handle design.
• Power: battery platform, amp-hours and runtime claims, attributed to the brand.
• Weight and warranty: as listed, with conflicting or empty fields flagged.
• Availability: in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when we checked, one pick per brand.

Hedge Trimmer Buying Guide

Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer: Battery Platforms

Every pick here is battery powered. Runtime is stated only by EGO (up to 60 minutes on its 2.5Ah pack); the others leave it out. If you already own a mower or blower from EGO, WORX, Greenworks or BLACK+DECKER, buying the trimmer on the same battery platform saves money and gives you a spare pack. The SEESII is the only kit here with two batteries.

Best Electric Hedge Trimmer: Corded or Cordless

Corded electric trimmers trade freedom for unlimited run time and low weight, and none qualified for this guide, but the rules for them are worth knowing. BLACK+DECKER’s corded hedge trimmer manual says to keep the extension cord away from the cutting area, because it can hide in shrubs and be cut by the blade, and to use a cord suitable for outdoor use. In practice, that means starting near the outlet and keeping the cord behind you as you work away from it.

Best Pole Hedge Trimmer for Tall Hedges

A pole trimmer is the answer to hedges you can’t reach from the ground. The BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 lists a trimming height of up to 11 feet with a pivoting head. Its manual says not to operate it in a tree or on a ladder. Don’t use any hedge trimmer from a ladder; a step ladder belongs to other jobs, not to cutting with a powered blade over your head. If a hedge is too tall for a pole model from the ground, hire a pro.

Best Lightweight Hedge Trimmer

Listed weights run from 5.5 pounds (WORX) and 5.75 pounds (SEESII) up to 6.92 pounds (EGO), 7.17 pounds (Greenworks) and 7.94 pounds (Husqvarna). The BLACK+DECKER pole model is listed at 7.7 pounds in its bullets and 9.95 pounds in the spec field. A pound or two matters when you hold a trimmer at shoulder height for half an hour.

Best Hedge Trimmer for Thick Branches

Cut capacity is the number to check. EGO lists up to 1.2 inches, Husqvarna up to 1 inch, SEESII up to 3/4 inch, and WORX a 3/4-inch blade gap. The BLACK+DECKER pole trimmer lists 7/16 inch, and Greenworks doesn’t say. Thicker wood than that calls for loppers, a pruning saw or, for limbs, a chainsaw. Five of the six listings describe dual-action blades (the Husqvarna listing doesn’t say), and BLACK+DECKER says its dual-action blade gives less vibration than a single-action one.

Hedge Trimmer Safety and Coverage

Hedge trimmer blades are exposed by design. From the manuals and pages we read:

• Two hands, always. BLACK+DECKER’s LPHT120 manual says to use both hands when operating a hedge trimmer, because using one hand could cause loss of control, and to keep firm footing without overreaching.
• Stay off ladders. The same manual lists “in tree or on a ladder” among the conditions under which not to operate the pole trimmer, and warns the tool won’t protect against shock from overhead power lines.
• Protect eyes and hands. The manual calls for safety glasses or goggles marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1 and heavy-duty gloves. The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists clipping hedges and bushes among yard tasks that call for eye protection. Our cut-resistant gloves guide covers hand protection for handling cuttings and blades.
• Check the hedge first. BLACK+DECKER’s corded-trimmer manual says to check the hedge for foreign objects such as wire fences before cutting.
• Coverage. Whether a yard-work injury to a guest or damage to a neighbor’s fence is covered depends on your policy, so ask your agent. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide explains liability basics. For edging and weeds below the hedge, see our string trimmer guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best hedge trimmer for most homeowners?

The EGO Power+ HT2601 is our overall pick: 26-inch dual-action steel blades, an up to 1.2-inch cut capacity, a claimed 60 minutes of runtime and the best sales rank here. For a lighter, cheaper trimmer, the WORX WG261 is listed at 5.5 pounds.

What is the best hedge trimmer for thick branches?

Check the stated cut capacity. The EGO HT2601 lists up to 1.2 inches and the Husqvarna 320iHD60 up to 1 inch, the two largest in this guide. Anything thicker is a job for loppers or a saw.

Is a pole hedge trimmer safer than using a ladder?

A pole trimmer lets you reach tall hedges from the ground. The BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 lists a trimming height of up to 11 feet, and its manual says not to operate it in a tree or on a ladder.

What is the best lightweight hedge trimmer?

The WORX WG261 (5.5 pounds) and SEESII L60 (5.75 pounds) have the lightest listed weights here. Both have dual-action blades and rotating or D-grip handles for different angles.

Are corded electric hedge trimmers still worth buying?

They never run out of battery, but you have to manage the cord. BLACK+DECKER’s corded manual says to keep the extension cord away from the cutting area and use an outdoor-rated cord. None qualified for this guide, so all six picks are cordless.

The Bottom Line

The EGO Power+ HT2601 is the best hedge trimmer for most yards, with 26-inch blades, the largest stated cut capacity and the best sales rank here. The WORX WG261 is the lightweight value pick, the BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 keeps you off the ladder for tall hedges, and the Greenworks 80V brings a 26-inch blade at a lower tier. The Husqvarna 320iHD60 suits heavier clearing, and the SEESII L60 is the budget kit with two batteries.

Not sure how your policy handles a yard-work injury or damage to a neighbor’s property? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.