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- Best hedge trimmer: At a glance
- How we test hedge trimmers
- The best hedge trimmers you can buy
- 1. Best hedge trimmer overall: Stihl HSA 50
- 2. Best budget hedge trimmer: Ryobi ONE+ RY18HT40B
- 3. Best corded hedge trimmer: Bosch EasyHedgeCut60
- 4. Best hedge trimmer for thick branches: EGO HT5110E
- 5. Best hedge trimmer for ergonomics: Gardena Comfort Cut 50/18V
- 6. Best hedge trimmer for deep hedges: Bosch AdvancedHedgeCut 36V-65-28
- 7. Best extendable hedge trimmer for tall hedges: Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T
- Also tested recently:
- How to choose the best hedge trimmer for you
- I’ve tested around 25 hedge trimmers in gardens up and down my road, rating price, performance and ergonomics
- The best hedge trimmer I’ve tested is the Stihl HSA 50 – it offers unbeatable power and stamina for big and small jobs
- If you’re on a budget, I suggest the great-value Ryobi ONE+ RY18HT40B
- Read on for my recommended hedge trimmers based on my real-world tests
The best hedge trimmer I’ve tested is the Stihl HSA 50. It balances performance, price and stamina better than any other trimmer I’ve tested, making light work of heavy tasks at a reasonable price point.
Whether you’re growing a hedge for privacy and home security or trying something more ornamental, a good hedge trimmer is a must-have, making short work of trimming long or tall hedges and helping keep any topiary tidy.
In the last five years I’ve tested more than 25 hedge trimmers on hedges and shrubs in gardens up and down my street, and below you’ll find the trimmers I recommend for a range of hedges, budgets and sizes of garden. If you need more guidance, refer to the buying guide that follows the reviews; it’ll tell you everything you need to know to make the right decision.
Best hedge trimmer: At a glance
- Best hedge trimmer overall: Stihl HSA 50 | Check price
- Best budget hedge trimmer: Ryobi ONE+ RY18HT40B | Check price
- Best hedge trimmer for thick branches: EGO HT5110E | Check price
- Best hedge trimmer for ergonomics: Gardena Comfort Cut 50/18V | Check price
How we test hedge trimmers
I begin by unpacking each hedge trimmer and, with cordless models, giving the battery a full charge. I then take each trimmer out to battle with a mix of heavy conifer, box, laurel, hornbeam, privet, holly and hawthorne around my local area over the course of a month, cutting sections of each to see how the trimmer handles different sizes and densities of hedge.
I test each trimmer’s ability to cut cleanly through thicker branches – between 10mm and 30mm in diameter, depending on the specified maximum cutting width – and look at how they cope with the thinner, springier stems of box or lonicera hedging, which can sometimes jam up larger and more powerful trimmers.
For cordless trimmers, I check how long the battery lasts using a no-load test (ie. I run the battery flat without using the trimmer, to ensure a level playing field), and how long it takes to recharge.
While I use the trimmers, I’ll be assessing ergonomics, ease of use and performance, and to paint a fuller picture I also measure vibration (m/s²) with an accelerometer and noise levels (dBA) with a decibel meter when operational.
The best hedge trimmers you can buy
1. Best hedge trimmer overall: Stihl HSA 50
Price when reviewed: £159 (body) / £239 (body + battery) | Check price at Stihl
- Great for… Unbeatable performance for the money
- Not so great for… Long charge times
Reviewed by Stuart Milne
The Stihl HSA 50 is without a doubt the best hedge trimmer on the market today. This is a highly effective, thoughtfully designed cordless trimmer with a fair price tag.
I measured a battery life of 56mins in my tests, which is among the best results of the trimmers on trial this year. The top-drawer build quality and ergonomic design make it a pleasure to use; at 2.9kg the Stihl HSA 50 sits at the heavier end of the hedge trimmer spectrum, but after 30 minutes of constant use I didn’t feel any more fatigued than expected. This is partly due to the central location of the battery, which helped balance the trimmer in my hands.
The Stihl HSA 50 blitzed my real-world tests, thanks to 2,800spm cutting speed: it regularly exceeded its quoted 16mm maximum cutting width, slicing through laurel, tough holly and privet very well. I was particularly impressed with the cleanliness of its cut – the ground diamond blades proved their worth here many times over.
The only major drawback here is the charge time: the Stihl HSA 50 took 75mins from empty in my tests, which is around 15mins longer than the nearest rival. However, when you’re dealing with a trimmer as effective and well-made as this, I’d say it’s a small price to pay.
Read our full Stihl HSA 50 review from June 2026
Key specs – Type: Cordless electric | Battery ecosystem: Stihl AK 36V | Battery capacity: 2.5Ah | Blade length: 50cm | Cutting width: 16mm | Blade speed: 2,800spm | Weight: 2.9kg
2. Best budget hedge trimmer: Ryobi ONE+ RY18HT40B
Price when reviewed: £85 (body) / £99 (body + battery) | Check price at Ryobi
- Great for… Shaping hedges on a budget
- Not so great for… Bigger jobs
Reviewed by Stuart Milne
I’ve yet to find a cordless hedge trimmer that represents better value for money than the Ryobi ONE+ RY18HT40B. This trimmer excelled at sculpting box hedges and tackling trailing brambles in my tests. At 2.1kg, it’s the lightest hedge trimmer on this list, and it’s nicely balanced – I also recorded pleasingly low vibration levels of 7m/s², which when paired with the strong ergonomics allowed me to work for the duration of the battery life without struggling.
I recorded a battery life of 44mins under no load, which outstrips Ryobi’s quoted 30mins. That’s not a mind-blowingly good result, per se, but the battery will charge in an hour, and if you happen to own any other Ryobi tools you’ll be able to leverage its ONE+ system to charge a second battery while you use the RY18HT40B.
I was also smitten with the HedgeSweep, a plastic guard that sits atop the blade and pushes trimmings out of the way as you move horizontally. It’s a real time-saver and further evidence of Ryobi’s commitment to extraordinary value for money. There’s only one thing to keep in mind here: in my tests, the RY18HT40B struggled with established laurel. This trimmer is not built for heavier tasks.
Read our full Ryobi ONE+ RY18HT40B review from June 2026
Key specs – Type: Cordless electric | Battery ecosystem: Ryobi ONE+ (18V) | Battery capacity: 2.0Ah | Blade length: 40cm | Cutting width: 18mm; | Blade speed: 1,300spm | Weight: 2.1kg
3. Best corded hedge trimmer: Bosch EasyHedgeCut60
Price when reviewed: £110 | Check price at Argos
- Great for… tackling all the hedging around a small to medium-sized garden
- Not so great for… larger gardens where the cable becomes a burden
Reviewed by Stuart Andrews
The Bosch EasyHedgeCut 60 is my pick of the corded trimmers available today. It’s well-designed and easy to manage – as long as you can keep the cable under control – and the supplied cable plugs into a connector on the handle, so accidentally chopping through it wouldn’t be a complete disaster. Just make sure you’re plugged in through an RCD, for safety’s sake.
The 60cm blade and T-shaped handle on the top help to make easy work of trimming the sides or levelling off the tops of a thick hedge. While the 16mm maximum cutting width sounds small, I found that the EasyHedgeCut 60 was still able to slice through wayward hazel growth that some of the cordless models baulked at. The power advantage really made itself felt, with the EasyHedgeCut 60 feeling smooth and assured even when tackling thick and woody hedging. If you’re happy with the constraints of a corded trimmer, this is one of the very best around.
Key specs – Type: Corded electric | Battery ecosystem: N/A | Battery capacity: N/A | Blade length: 60cm | Cutting width: 16mm | Blade speed: 3,400spm | Weight: 2.8kg
4. Best hedge trimmer for thick branches: EGO HT5110E
Price when reviewed: £259 (body) / £439 (body + battery) | Check price at Just Lawnmowers
- Great for… the most demanding tasks
- Not so great for… your arms
Reviewed by Stuart Milne
The EGO HT5110E is the most powerful hedge trimmer I’ve tested, bar none. With a 51cm blade, a huge 33mm cutting capacity and adjustable 3,000-3,600spm no-load cutting speed, the HT5110E is a serious trimmer for serious jobs. Little came close to the EGO in my tests: it slid through box hedges with ease, and it handled established laurel, persistent holly and privet without breaking a sweat.
An enormous 56V battery means that despite all that power, the EGO HT5110E lasts longer than its rivals. It ran for a whopping 94mins in our no-load battery test – and better yet, it charged from 0-100 in 50mins, among the fastest times I’ve recorded this year.
The only limiting factor here is your own stamina. The EGO HT5110E weighs a hefty 5kg, and although you can rotate the blade clockwise and counterclockwise through 90 degrees to spare your wrists, this trimmer still takes a toll more quickly than most. At a recorded 84dBA it’s a bit hard on your ears, too. Fortunately, I measured very low vibration levels (just 3m/s²), which means you won’t be left with much of a tingling sensation after prolonged use.
These are the inevitable consequences of using such a monstrously powerful trimmer – and if it’s power you want, the EGO HT5110E is the trimmer for you.
Read our full EGO HT5110E review from June 2026
Key specs – Type: Cordless electric | Battery ecosystem: EGO ARC Lithium (56V) | Battery capacity: 2.5Ah | Blade length: 51cm | Cutting width: 33mm | Blade speed: 3,600spm | Weight: 5kg
5. Best hedge trimmer for ergonomics: Gardena Comfort Cut 50/18V
Price when reviewed: £110 (tool only) | Check price at Amazon
- Great for… cutting performance and ease of use
- Not so great for… heavy-duty work
Reviewed by Stuart Andrews
The Gardena Comfort Cut 50/18V is another great choice for small to mid-sized gardens. As the name suggests, it’s been designed for comfort. It’s well-balanced and solidly built, with grippy, non-slip handles and good protection for the hands and blade. While it’s a little noisy for a cordless model – with a high-pitched motor noise that hits around 94dB at peak – there’s surprisingly little vibration transmitted through the handle.
Crucially, there’s a lot more cutting power here than with many other lightweight cordless trimmers. The Gardena pushes smoothly through lonicera, privet, conifer and hornbeam hedging, leaving a nice clean edge. For once, the 20mm maximum cutting width seems fairly accurate as it deals with chunky branches without any serious trouble.
It uses the same Power For All batteries as other tools in the Power For All Alliance – including tools from Flymo, Husqvarna and Bosch – and you can get 45 minutes from a 2.0Ah battery or over 60 with a 2.5Ah cell. That should easily be enough to tackle a substantial set of hedges, and the Comfort Cut 50/18V is perfect for the job.
Key specs – Type: Cordless electric | Battery ecosystem: Power for All (18V) | Battery capacity: 2.0Ah | Blade length: 50cm | Cutting width: 20mm | Blade speed: 2,400spm | Weight: 2.8kg
6. Best hedge trimmer for deep hedges: Bosch AdvancedHedgeCut 36V-65-28
Price when reviewed: £199 (body) / £325 (body + battery) | Check price at B&Q
- Great for… hard-to-reach corners
- Not so great for… delicate pruning
Reviewed by Stuart Milne
With an extra-long 65cm blade, the Bosch AdvancedHedgeCut 36V-65-28 is my pick for tackling deep (or tall) hedges. It made short work of everything I threw at it, quickly becoming my benchmark for towering laurel, and it often worked through branches thicker than the quoted 28mm cutting width. I should also note that it required very few passes, meaning it’s a rapid operator.
Bosch has made some thoughtful design choices here: the 36V battery is intentionally mounted in the rear to balance out that enormous blade, and the rear handle (where the triggers sit) is rubberized for added comfort. The AdvancedHedgeCut 36V-65-28 produced a vibration magnitude of 14m/s² in my tests, which is on the high side, but it wasn’t offputting in use.
The Bosch AdvancedHedgeCut 36V-65-28 is sturdily built and uses Bosch’s clever anti-blockage system, which effectively jiggles the blades back and forth to remove detritus. The battery is another highlight: it lingered for an impressive 75mins in my no-load tests and took an hour to recharge, which is on par with its rivals here.
The only flaw in the AdvancedHedgeCut 36V-65-28’s armour is the fact that it isn’t Power for All Alliance compatible, meaning you can’t swap in batteries from other brands. Otherwise, this is a gem of a hedge trimmer that’s particularly good at eliminating the need for a wobbly ladder.
Read our full Bosch AdvancedHedgeCut 36V-65-28 review from July 2026
Key specs – Type: Cordless electric | Battery ecosystem: Bosch Garden Professional (36V) | Battery capacity: 2.0Ah | Blade length: 65cm | Cutting width: 28mm | Blade speed: 3,200spm | Weight: 3.05kg
7. Best extendable hedge trimmer for tall hedges: Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T
Price when reviewed: £138 | Check price at B&Q
- Great for… tackling the tops of tall hedges, trees and shrubs
- Not so great for… smaller hedges, where it feels too big and too unwieldy
Reviewed by Stuart Andrews
This Einhell extendable trimmer mounts a 40cm blade on a telescopic pole, which stretches out to up to 1.7m for clipping 2m or even 3m hedges without the aid of a platform or ladder. That makes a big difference when you’re trimming a tall hedge or an oversized shrub, and with a 22mm maximum cutting width and plenty of power, you can clip some quite hefty examples. What’s more, should you come across something the blade can’t handle, the GE-HC18 has a party trick: its trimmer head can be switched out for a mini-chainsaw attachment, with a 20mm blade that will cut through thicker branches. I’ve used it for trimming fruit and conifer trees as well as super-sized hornbeam hedging, and on both occasions, it jammed occasionally but mostly worked well.
I like the way that both heads pivot, so that you can keep it straight for trimming the side of a hedge, then move to a right angle for clipping along the top. And as the GE-HC18 uses the same Power X-Change batteries and chargers as other cordless Einhell tools, you can share them and the charge between, say, a hedge trimmer, grass trimmer and lawn mower. The basic 2.5Ah battery lasts for around 30 to 35 minutes before needing a recharge, but using a 4.0Ah battery borrowed from a cordless mower, I could extend that to an hour.
Einhell also makes the GE-HH 18/45; a cheaper, hedge-trimmer-only tool without the chainsaw attachment. But when that pint-sized chainsaw is so useful, I’d recommend paying the extra.
Key specs – Type: Cordless electric | Battery ecosystem: Einhell Power X-Change (18V) | Battery capacity: 2.0Ah | Blade length: 40cm | Cutting width: 22mm | Blade speed: 1,700spm | Weight: 2.9kg
Also tested recently:
- Bosch UniversalHedgeCut 18-55
- Husqvarna Aspire H50-P4A
- Makita DUH751Z
- Black & Decker GT6060
- Flymo 18V EasiCut 450
- Worx WG801E
- Vonhaus 20V Max
How to choose the best hedge trimmer for you
What type of hedge trimmer is best for me?
Cordless hedge trimmers
For the majority of gardens, we recommend cordless hedge trimmers – they’re now affordable and powerful enough to rival corded electric or petrol models, and ever-improving battery technology means that most will last over an hour on a single charge. Plus, with the Power for All Alliance, you can share batteries between tools as long as the brand is a member.
Electric/corded hedge trimmers
Electric hedge trimmers are generally affordable, easy to use, and they require very little maintenance. The only real downside is the power cord: long cables are usually preferable, but you still might need an extension reel. Either way, there’s still a risk of slicing through it, so a circuit breaker – either built into your extension cable or a plug-in type – is a very good idea to keep you safe.
Petrol hedge trimmers
Petrol hedge trimmers can be used anywhere and will tackle any type, length or number of hedges – as long as you have fuel. This comes at a cost, though. You’re looking at a heavier, bulkier piece of equipment that’s more awkward to store and requires more maintenance. Unless you’ve got endless hedges or you’re a professional gardener, you’re better off with a cordless trimmer these days – and to that end, we no longer recommend petrol models.
What size blade do I need?
Generally speaking, bigger is better, especially if you have a lot of hedge to trim. The sweet spot for most people is around 45-55cm, but you may want to go bigger if you have a lot of long or high hedges in need of a trim. However, the bigger the trimmer, the heavier it is, and you will be surprised how much difference a kilogram or two can make when you’re spending an hour or so holding the machine at shoulder height or reaching up to tackle the top of a taller hedge.
What’s cutting width, and how much do I need?
The bigger issue is the space between the teeth of the trimmer, or the maximum cutting width. This effectively sets how big the branches in your hedge can be and still get cut, so take a good look at your hedges before you decide to go too small. The odd thicker branch here and there isn’t a problem – you can usually deal with it using loppers or a pruning saw – but try to tackle a thick conifer hedge with a tool that isn’t up to the job, and you will find you keep stopping and starting as the trimmer jams.
For lighter box, privet or lonicera hedges, 15mm will be fine; but go upwards of 20mm if you’re dealing with laurel or conifer.
Do I need to oil or sharpen my trimmer blades?
Very few of us will actively maintain our hedge trimmers (myself included), but it’s essential if you want your trimmer to last.
- Oil your trimmer blade before and after each use. Use a lightweight machine lubricant and always, always disconnect from the power supply before oiling.
- Sharpen your trimmer blade as soon as you notice snagging, or ideally before wear and tear sets in. Instructions vary by manufacturer, but you’ll need a flat file, safety gear and (ideally) a bench clamp for your blade. Remember to clean your trimmer of debris and residue first, and make sure to file towards the cutting edge.
How heavy are hedge trimmers?
Most of the hedge trimmers we test fall into the 2-3kg range, but heavy-duty models from brands such as EGO tip the scales at 5kg. The weight of a trimmer can be partially offset by intelligent design – balancing the blade and the body – so the lightest trimmer won’t necessarily be the easiest to use. No matter how ergonomically designed, though, anything over 2.5kg is going to make you sweat after prolonged use.
How noisy are hedge trimmers?
The hedge trimmers we test generally produce 75-90dBA under normal operating conditions. Without wanting to sound like your parents, the World Health Organisation considers sounds at 85dBA or above as damaging to your hearing, so you should always wear protective headgear when using a hedge trimmer. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
