The low under-$50 price is attractive, but it's the light weight of the Craftsman 79951 electric hedge trimmer (Sears item 07179951000) that really makes an impact. At just 5.7 pounds, this trimmer is ideal for lengthy jobs that heavier tools would make tough to complete. Plus, because it's electric, it never runs out of gas.

The 18-inch blade is dual-action, which means that the teeth on both sides of the blade move alternately back and forth as they chew through branches, dramatically reducing the vibration that single-action models kick off. A comfortable three-sided handle lets you keep a solid grip on the unit in all sorts of positions.

The Craftsman 79951 electric hedge trimmer features a lock-on capability to let you operate the tool without keeping the trigger depressed, as well as a safety lock to ensure that the 2.6-amp motor doesn't engage until you want it to. The hedge trimmer comes with a 1-year warranty and also features a cord retention system that reduces the likelihood of the extension cord coming unplugged.