The 8 Best Hedge Trimmers for Managing Hedges, Shrubs, and Bushes

After my old (20-plus years) Black and Decker 18-inch corded hedge trimmer finally gave up on me, I sought a replacement. Popular Mechanics had a Ryobi 18-volt cordless hedge trimmer in the garage, and since I have other tools that run on the Ryobi battery platform, it was an opportunity to add another tool to my arsenal.

Two aspects of this hedge trimmer did it for me. First, the 24-inch cutting head on this Ryobi makes my hedge trimming much more efficient so I can cover more width than before, spending less time on each bush. Second, the cordless aspect is freeing. I like not having to drag and reposition an extension cord as I move from bush to bush, which is a time saver.

Since this trimmer was virtually brand new when I first got it, its cutting head was new-tool sharp, which made for clean cuts. Additionally, the tool is smartly balanced and not overly heavy, so articulating it in various positions to trim appropriately is manageable rather than taxing.

As a new dad with more demands on my time, I appreciate having tools that help me complete work efficiently is more important than ever. If you are established on the Ryobi 18-Volt platform and in need of a new hedge trimmer, this 24-inch model is a straightforward pick and offers a lot of value considering its cutting length and overall ease of use. — Colin Aylesworth

Read Our Full Review of the Ryobi One+ Hedge Trimmer Here

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The Worx WG286 is surprisingly powerful for an affordable cordless hedge trimmer. Using two 20-volt batteries, it produces cutting speeds of up to 3,400 strokes per minute. That doesn't match the fastest trimmers reviewed here, but it isn’t far behind, either. I noticed only a small difference between its performance pruning my hedges, and what I got from trimmers that cost $100 more.

When I faced thicker stems on my rose bushes, the Worx struggled to keep up, but I was still impressed with the job, given its price. The build quality also leaves something to be desired: the plastic frame feels thin, and it lacks rubberized grips.

As with many cordless hedge trimmers I tested, this Worx Nitro features a rotating handle with five positions that you can adjust between passes. It was helpful when trimming large bushes, giving me the ability to switch angles easily as I worked around them.

Rather than use a single 40V battery, the WORX NItro uses two 20V batteries simultaneously. Using smaller batteries minimizes weight compared to those that use beefy 36-volt and 56-volt batteries, making it easier to make cuts above shoulder height or over longer hedge trimming efforts. The batteries also work with other WORX 20V cordless tools. I own a WORX chainsaw and string trimmer, so I have a few batteries that I can use to extend runtime for longer trimming jobs.

The Worx Nitro WG286 is an impressive lightweight option if you’re looking to keep your budget down to $200-ish or less. So long as you don’t have anything too gnarly to trim, it should outperform its price.Read Our Full Review of the Worx Nitro Electric Hedge Trimmer Here

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The Ego Power+ HT2601 keeps with the brand’s tradition of producing powerful cordless electric yard tools. It out-muscled the competition in my tests with a 26-inch cutting bar and a 56V battery system. I was able to slice through dense foliage quickly, and I wasn’t held up by woodier branches, thanks to the HT2601’s 1.2-inch cutting capacity.

The EGO’s cutting power and long blade were particularly helpful when taming a 6-foot tall bush that was horning in on the front walk of my house: The HT2601 adeptly sliced through both thin outer stems and thick interior branches.

The tradeoff with the EGO is with its weight. At nearly 10 pounds, the EGO feels heavier than you’d expect after a full day of yardwork. The weight is well-balanced, but I certainly noticed it in my arms on test day.

Like the Worx, the Ego has a five-point rotating handle with a trigger release that makes it easy to adjust on the fly. I was able to make horizontal cuts, then quickly rotate the handle to drop down the side of the bush with a vertical cut, speeding up the job. I appreciated its durable build as well, with a sturdy plastic body that felt like it could take a beating, and a carbon fiber cutting bar that comes with a lifetime warranty (as long as you register the trimmer).

If your property has a considerable amount of hedges and bushes to manage, the Ego’s high cutting capacity, long bar, and ample power make it an ideal tool for the job.Read Our Full Review of the Ego Power+ Hedge Trimmer Here

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If you need to extend your reach to trim the tops of hedges above your head, this Craftsman pole hedge trimmer is lightweight and produces decent cutting power in a pole saw-style form factor.

The entire pole saw measures 6 feet, 8 inches from the back of the handle to the tip of the blade, so I was able to reach the top of an 8-foot-tall bush in my front yard. It’s a lot of reach, but the pole isn’t adjustable, so trimming small bushes and the lower halves of hedges felt a bit awkward.

The 18-inch cutting bar head adjusts to five different angles so I could position the head to suit the type of cut I was making. It helps that the adjustable head made it much easier to be precise at a distance. I was able to hold it up or maneuver it around to maintain the hedge’s shape.

The lightweight design comes with a tradeoff: The Craftsman’s 20-volt motor is the smallest I tested, and I could feel the difference. The blades cut well enough, but at a lower speed that forced me to move at a slower pace than I would have with a more powerful pole trimmer. Luckily, the battery gives you a surprisingly long runtime. (Though the charge time is just as long.)

While it may not be pro-grade, the Craftsman V20 gives you great control and great reach. It’s a perfect fit for homeowners who have a few very tall bushes and hedges mixed in with their standard-height yardwork.Read Our Full Review of the Craftsman V20 Pole Trimmer Here

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The Greenworks 60V trimmer offers strong cutting performance at a fairly affordable price. With its 60-volt motor and battery, it is able to cut through branches up to 1.1 inches thick; it easily chewed through the woodier branches on the large bush that dominates my front yard.

Similar to other cordless hedge trimmers we tested, the Greenworks Pro has a rotatable handle with a release you can access without taking your hand off the trigger. Unlike the Worx and the Ego, however, this machine’s handle only rotates to three positions. This meant I had to contort my body to make even cuts around my larger bushes. Though I give Greenworks credit for making a well-balanced trimmer that I could handle in awkward positions, I would have preferred a more adjustable handle that didn’t force me to do yardwork gymnastics.

There was also a slightly longer wind up time than with the other hedge trimmers. Most of the models I tested revved up to full speed instantaneously, but the Greenworks took a couple of seconds to reach full cutting speed.

What I liked most about the Greenworks 60 Volt hedge trimmer is the price. Though it’s a bit heavy and slow to start, it can chew through deep hedge branches and costs about the same as the Worx. With that in mind, I’d recommend it as a budget-conscious alternative for folks with large, dense hedges and bushes.

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If you already own a few DeWalt cordless power tools, chances are you’re looking at the yellow and black first when you’re adding to your arsenal. Luckily, the brand offers a couple of solid choices when it comes to hedge trimmers, including the DeWalt DCHT826B XR.

While the DCHT826B, which uses the same batteries as all of DeWalt’s 20V cordless tools, offers less power compared to the 36-volt and 56-volt hedge trimmers that offer the best performance, it still packs power. I used it for some late summer hedge trimming around my property and was impressed with its cutting ability. Despite having a slower listed cutting speed of 2,800 strokes per minute (our top performer pumps out 3,800 strokes per minute), it chewed rapidly and cleanly through a large loropetalum that guards my front door thanks to dual-action teeth and curved blades that help capture and cut branches.

With its shorter 22-inch blade, the DCHT826B doesn’t cover ground as quickly as the 24- and 26-inch models I’ve tested. But it’s also a noticeably easier hedge trimmer to use due to its compact size and lighter weight. I didn’t experience the same arm burn as I did with hedge trimmers that are two to three pounds heavier when running it for longer periods. With its shorter blade, it felt especially nimble when working around smaller bushes and shrubs.

This trimmer’s smaller 3/4-inch capacity works adequately for many trimming demands but struggles when encountering thicker woodier branches, which made it a poor choice for trimming back my mature rose bushes. Fitted with a friction clutch, this trimmer’s clutch will slip if it encounters material it can’t cut, saving the gears and transmission wear and tear. DeWalt does make a larger hedge trimmer, the DCHT826B XR, with a longer 24-inch blade and 1-inch cutting capacity.

The DCHT826B is a great all around hedge trimmer for those who have already bought into the DeWalt cordless tool platform.

Key Specs

For smaller ornamental shrubs that need trimming, consider scaling down. This 8-inch handheld mini-trimmer can cut through stems up to 5/16 of an inch, with enough power to shave small bushes effectively.

I trimmed a short hedge that borders my front walk. While the job took longer than it would have with a full-size hedge trimmer, the Worx was more than capable of handling the foliage. This small tool weighs 2.4 pounds, including the battery, so it was ideal for sculpting smaller bushes and reaching into tight spots that would have been tricky to cut evenly with something larger.

In addition to the 8-inch trimmer, this kit includes a 4-inch shearing blade attachment that can make precise tweaks and other cuts that might be difficult to execute with a trimmer. I found the hedge shears were helpful when I went to prune a few small ornamental bushes bordering my patio. I also used them to trim weeds and grass from around some of the more delicate plantings in my garden with scalpel-like precision.

I wouldn’t recommend the Worx Power Share as an alternative to a full-size hedge trimmer, but it’s convenient if you need to trim potted topiaries or shape small ornamental hedges.

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