The Basics: Hedge Trimmers

If you maintain a hedge or other bushes, you may be in the market for a powered hedge trimmer that can help you keep the bushes under control and neatly trimmed while saving you time and effort. Hedge trimmers come in cordless, electric or gas models, and they also offer single or double-sided blades and single or dual-action blades. Most blades are usually between 16 and 24 inches long, but they can be as short as 13 inches or as long as 30 inches. Hedge trimmer blades use a reciprocating action to cut branches cleanly and efficiently.

Cordless hedge trimmers offer the convenience of portability and light maintenance. They start easily and don't pollute the environment. But cordless models have the least cutting power of the three types of hedge trimmers. And the battery charge may not last long enough to finish your trimming. Recharge time may be as much as 24 hours on some models. Cordless models work well for small jobs and touch-ups, but they can't match the cutting performance of an electric or gas trimmer.

More homeowners choose corded electric hedge trimmers rather than cordless or gas models. Corded electric trimmers have pushbutton starters, require little maintenance and don't pollute the air. They're relatively lightweight and inexpensive. And some perform cutting chores equally as well as gas models. The major drawback of electric trimmers is their dependence on a lifeline: the extension cord. Manufacturers suggest using a heavy-duty outdoor cord no longer than 100 feet with hedge trimmers. So greenery more than 100 feet away from a power outlet should not be clipped with an electric hedge trimmer.

Gas-powered hedge trimmers offer complete portability without the limitation of finishing the chore under the deadline of a battery charge. Their two-cycle gas engines provide plenty of cutting power, but those two-cycle engines also pollute the environment, generate lots of noise and require that you mix oil and fuel. Gas trimmers can be harder to start and can require more maintenance than cordless or electric units. They're also generally more costly than electric or cordless models.

Each type of hedge trimmer offers its own advantage, depending on your lawn care needs. Electric trimmers with cords give the best combination of cutting power, ease of handling and economy. Gas models offer the most power and portability. And cordless models make good light-duty or touch-up tools.

Limited warranties for hedge trimmers seem to average one to two years.

Five Key Questions You Need the Answers to Before You Shop
What and how much do you plan to trim? If you need to trim several bushes around your yard and/or typical hedging, a corded model will probably provide everything you need. But if you have a mile of high hedges or lots of scattered bushes, you'll appreciate the extra power of a gas model. If your trimming needs are limited to small chores, you can complete the task on a battery charge, so in these cases a cordless model may be all that you need.

Where do you plan to trim? If your yard is a typical city lot -- 100x100 feet or less -- or if you have strategically placed power outlets, you might get the best use from a corded electric trimmer. Close neighbors will appreciate the quieter electrical unit. On the other hand, if you have hedges or bushes more than 100 feet away from a power outlet, you will have to opt for a cordless or gas model. Remember, cordless models work well for small, light jobs, but if you need real portable cutting power, you should shop for a gas model that you can use anywhere for extended amounts of time.

How tall and wide is your hedge? The average hedge trimmer is designed for the average hedge, considered to be about 5 feet high and 5 feet wide. While hedge trimmers aren't particularly heavy, often in the 6- to 12-pound range, you may have to lift them above your shoulders or even above your head to reach the top of a hedge, so you need to consider your upper body strength. Your arms, shoulders, back and neck can quickly tire from holding a 10-pound trimmer above head level with your arms extended. Long blades obviously lengthen the reach of a trimmer, but they also add weight. Be sure to lift each model, and lift it high, when you are shopping, so you can get a good idea of how comfortable it will be to handle the unit.

How thick are the branches of your hedge or bushes? The thickness of the branches will partly dictate the size of the blade gap that you will you need in order to cut the branches. For the safety of your fingers, the blade gap of residential models is usually limited to 3/4-inch. Within that guideline, the wider the gap, the larger branch the trimmer will cut, and the more quickly and efficiently the unit will cut smaller branches.

What is your budget? Corded electric hedge trimmers are the least expensive of the three types, with some models selling for less than $50. Some high-end models, however, are priced up to $150 or more. Cordless trimmers offer portability and can actually cost more, yet they provide less power. And gas models, which are the most powerful of the three types, can cost several hundred dollars.

How to Shop

Hedge trimmers have two blades, or flat metal plates, that use a reciprocating, or rapid back and forth motion, to cut. Beyond that, the blades work differently in various models. Some less expensive electric models use single-action cutting. They have a stationary bottom blade and reciprocating top blade, which is not the most effective cutting situation. Also, single-action units vibrate more than dual-action units, which is one reason why more models use dual-action cutting. Dual-action means both top and bottom blades reciprocate, making cutting more efficient than single-action models. Dual-action blades reduce vibration because both blades move at the same time. Landscapers say dual-action blades leave plants healthier because they make a cleaner cut than single-action blades.

Hedge trimmers have either single-sided blades or double-sided blades. Single-sided blades have teeth on just one side. They are limited to cutting in just one direction, making them most suitable for straight sections of hedging. You can comfortably use a longer single-sided blade because these units tend to be lighter than their double-sided counterparts. Using that longer blade, however, takes extra upper body strength and coordination. Most common are trimmers that cut with double-sided blades, blades that have teeth on both sides, so you can cut in either direction, thus reducing the time it takes to complete a trimming task. These models are most efficient for cutting hedges up to about chest height because they are heavier than single-action trimmers.

The wider the gap between the teeth on the blades of a hedge trimmer, the larger the branches it can cut and the more quickly it will cut small branches. But safety can become a real concern; the gap between the teeth on the blades of residential hedge trimmers should be no more than 3/4 inch according to Underwriters Laboratory. That's to keep your fingers safe from fitting between those teeth. Some commercial models come with wider gaps between their teeth. For your safety, we urge you to stick with a residential model with a gap of no more than 3/4 inch. Another safety feature to look for is stationary tooth extensions rather than tooth extensions that move with the blade.

Look for a hedge trimmer that has anti-vibration features that reduce the vibration of parts that you come in contact with, such as the handle. As for the handles, it may be wise hold some hedge trimmers while shopping. Is the handle comfortable? Does the unit feel balanced in your grasp? Make sure the position and type of controls lend themselves to easy use. The unit you choose has to be comfortable in your hands.

Besides the basic units discussed here, there are also hedge trimmers made for specific purposes, such as models with 6-inch blades for detail work, extended-reach models, and models with articulating blades. Many of these models are meant for commercial landscapers, but depending on the specific needs of your yard, some of these models may actually be more suitable for you than a standard trimmer.

Hedge trimmers throw debris and make lots of noise. We recommend you wear gloves and eye protection when you operate any hedge trimmer and ear protection is helpful when you operate any gas unit. If you must work on a ladder, be sure it is steady.