Written by Terry Smith
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Best cordless hedge trimmer
This article was last updated on September 18th, 2021 at 9:31 am
Cordless hedge trimmer
There’s something quintessentially British about perfectly manicured garden hedges but acquiring them isn’t an easy thing to do unless you have the right tools.
Hand Shears, pruners and the like are good for trimming off the smallest twigs and leaves as daily upkeep in summer, but if you’ve left your hedges to grow out a little over the spring, or you just have a lot of hedges to cut full stop, you’re going to need a power hedge trimmer.
Powered hedge trimmers will save you so much time and manual labour when compared to normal hand tools, that it’s a no-brainer to invest in one if like most of us, you have a pretty busy life already. On that note, here’s a table of contents and a shortcut to the best cordless hedge trimmer which is the Makita DUH523Z Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer, in case you don’t have fifteen minutes to spare. It’s worth a read though, it’ll certainly give you more insight….
Best cordless hedge trimmer buyers guide
Table of Contents
Cordless hedge trimmer
Best cordless hedge trimmer
Cordless hedge trimmer review
Our top pick for best cordless hedge trimmer is…
Makita DUH523Z Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer
Cordless hedge trimmer review: Makita have made a wonderful hedge trimmer.
Bosch Cordless Hedge Trimmer AHS 50-20 LI
BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-GB Cordless Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer
Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer with HedgeSweep
Flymo EasiCut Cordless 20 V Li Hedge Trimmer
Comparison table: Best cordless hedge trimmer | ||||||
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Product | What We Think | Price | ||||
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Best cordless hedge trimmer
Before you decide to buy a powered hedge trimmer, you should be aware of the different types available to you and what they offer so that you can be sure you are choosing one that best suits your needs and budget.
For example, if you have very high hedges, you are going to need a pole hedge trimmer to reach the tops of them. For shorter sized hedges a standard hedge trimmer will suffice.
Then you have to think about what power source would be best for you.
Petrol hedge trimmers will give you the most power, but you have to keep the engine filled with gas and oil like you would a car. Similarly, you have to consider noise levels, fumes and vibration. These hedge trimmers tend to be the most expensive variant, both in price and running costs.
Electric hedge trimmers are connected to your mains electricity by a power cable. They are powered by quiet electric motors and some can be very powerful, but as I’m sure you’ve experienced, not all electrical things are made equal and some overheat and damage faster than others so it’s important to do your research, like reading our page of reviews of these types of hedge trimmer. They are also held back by the need to stay connected to a mains supply so they might not be the best fit for people with big gardens.
Cordless hedge trimmers combine the quietness of mains electrical models with the free range movement of petrol models. They are powered by lithium ion batteries that can provide a lot of power. However, they are limited to their battery life, so you either have to wait for it to recharge or have a spare battery or two lying around.
These batteries can be expensive, and along with the chargers, are usually sold separately to the main unit, increasing the overall cost.
They are still a good, environmentally friendly alternative to a petrol unit for people with larger gardens though.
Here we have compiled a short list of the best cordless hedge trimmers available in the UK at the moment. We have reviewed them for you and pointed out their best features and also where they come up short. Hopefully this will help you with your own choice of best hedge trimmer.
Our top pick for best cordless hedge trimmer is…
1. Makita DUH523Z Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer
Specification: Warranty: 3 Years, Voltage: 18V, Blade Length: 52 cm, Tooth spacing: 26mm, Weight: 3.3 k
This Makita cordless hedge trimmer is sold as the body only so, unlike the Bosch AHS 50-20 Li, you will have to buy the battery and charger separately.
This model has some interesting features that make it stand out. First of all there is the fact that the blade can be easily removed for sharpening, or even to replace it with a new one. Being able to insert a new blade certainly adds to the working life of the Makita.
Cordless hedge trimmer review: Makita have made a wonderful hedge trimmer.
Another nice feature are the 5 well placed cushions that do a great job of reducing the amount of vibration you feel. The soft grip handle also helps with this as well as making the tool comfortable to hold for extended periods.
The 52cm blade has been coated with non-electrolysed nickel that reduces abrasion, meaning it remains stain free and keeps that silvery shine indefinitely. It also helps with fighting rust and corrosion.
There is also a light that blinks red when the battery is getting low and will stay red before the motor automatically stops when there isn’t enough charge to continue. The blade will stop instantly thanks to the electric braking system.
For safety reasons, the Makita cordless hedge trimmer will only work when both hands are on the tool and pressing the appropriate switches that are located on both handles.
The motor is capable of producing 1350 strokes per minute, which is more than enough to tackle your hedges, but you might have problems getting through particularly thick branches, even with the Makita’s super sharp blades.
Like all Makita products, this one is built to last and shouldn’t cause you any headaches with its working life.
Makita DUH523Z Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer Review |
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Best Makita DUH523Z Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer Features |
What needs work on the Makita DUH523Z Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer |
Very sharp blade coated in non-electrolysed nickel | Battery and charger must be purchased separately |
Low vibration | |
Easily removable blade for sharpening or replacement | |
Low battery warning light | |
1350 strokes per minute | |
Built to last | |
Good safety features | |
15mm cutting diameter | |
Electric braking system |
There’s not a lot to be said in a negative light with regards to the Makita DUH523Z Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer. It’s almost certainly the best cordless hedge trimmer. I can’t say that’s a surprise though, I only just voted a Makita best cordless lawn mower too. Then you’re probably not surprised to learn they nearly one best cordless brush cutter as well. Makita are absolutely dominating it on the cordless front because of their battery development for building trade equipment which needs to be right up there to fight the likes of Dewalt.
2. Bosch Cordless Hedge Trimmer AHS 50-20 LI
Specification: Warranty: 3 Years, Voltage: 18V, Blade Length: 10 cm, Tooth spacing: 20mm, Weight: 2.5 kg
Priced at under 150 pounds with a battery and charger included, this high performing cordless hedge trimmer is pleasing customers left, right, and centre.
The 18V battery that comes with the main unit provides plenty of cutting power to the laser-cut blades and runs them at 2600 strokes per minute.
20mm tooth spacing allows you to cut through branches of the same size in diameter, especially if you use the blades near the tip, and the clever anti-blocking system makes sure that you can work with interruptions.
The anti-blocking system detects when you haven’t cut clean through a branch and then changes the running direction of the blades until it slices through. It all happens quickly and effortlessly and helps to speed up the time it takes to get those hedges looking pristine.
Using the Bosch cordless hedge trimmer for long periods at a time isn’t overly tiring because it only weighs 2.5 kilograms. This lack of weight also helps you to maneuver the tool into harder to reach areas like trimming off the hedge tops.
The 18V battery will take about an hour to fully recharge and then you will get about 45 minutes continuous use out of it. Considering how well it performs, that’s pretty good.
This Bosch cordless hedge trimmer comes with blade guard that is very handy for working close to walls and paths without damaging the teeth or blade itself.
This tool is well built and feels sturdy despite its lightness. Bosch are known for having good after sales service, so in the unlikely event of their being problems, you can always call their call centre.
Bosch Cordless Hedge Trimmer AHS 50-20 LI Review |
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Best Bosch Cordless Hedge Trimmer AHS 50-20 LI Features |
What needs work on the Bosch Cordless Hedge Trimmer AHS 50-20 LI |
Good value for money | Might need a few attempts at thick hardwood branches |
2600 strokes per minute | |
20mm tooth spacing | |
100mm long blade | |
Anti-blocking system | |
Lightweight at 2.5kg | |
Quick charging battery | |
Blade guard for working near walls and paths | |
Well built tool |
Coming in a close second to the Makita cordless hedge trimmer is this offering from Bosch. It’s a great performer
Third on our list of best cordless hedge trimmers is a best-selling model from yet another famous brand, Black & Decker..
3. BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-GB Cordless Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer
Specification: Warranty: yes, Voltage: 36V, Blade Length: 55cm, Tooth spacing: 22mm, Weight: 3.1kg
Like our number one pick, the Bosch AHS 50-20 Li, this Black & Decker cordless hedge trimmer offers you great value for money. Included in the box are the trimmer, a 36V 2.0 ah lithium battery pack, and a charger.
The 55cm long dual action blade on this hedge trimmer has been made of hardened steel so it won’t blunt easily and the teeth spacing of 22mm allows you to cut some larger branches when needed.
However, there’s always going to be some branches that are extra thick or hard that you can’t cut through. Usually an electric hedge trimmer would jam in these moments and you’d have to switch off the tool and grab you saw, but with this Black & decker model you simply the anti-jam feature. It works by the user pressing a button on top of the handle. This then makes the blades re-track so you can have another go at it.
For cutting power, the 36V battery can produce 1300 strokes per minute which is about on par with the Makita we just reviewed but the Makita is more powerful due to the battery technology.
The design of the main body of this cordless hedge trimmer has been well thought out, and the bale handle allows you to play around with your grip to find the best position for you leading hand. For safety reasons, the tool won’t start unless switches on both handles are pressed. There is also a guard that sits between the blade and the front handle just in case of accidental slips.
Weight wise, the Black & Decker is on the light side at only 3kg, so nobody should have any problem wielding it around their hedge tops. The weight is evenly balanced between blade and body too.
The one thing that might put some people off, is that in an effort to reduce weight, Black & Decker have made the blade quite thin and it might appear a little flimsy, but as it’s made from hardened steel, it should be perfectly fine if it’s used properly.
BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-GB Cordless Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer Review |
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Best BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-GB Cordless Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer Features |
What needs work on the BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-GB Cordless Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer |
Tool, battery and charger included for a good price | Thin lightweight blade may worry some people |
2600 strokes per minute | |
36V 2.0ah battery produces 1300 strokes per minute | |
Anti-jam feature | |
22mm teeth spacing | |
55mm hardened steel blade | |
Lightweight at 3kg | |
Well balanced | |
Guard to protect against hand slips |
Overall the BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-GB Cordless Anti-Jam Hedge Trimmer is a good bit of kit. It’s well priced but up at this kind of money I would feel far more comfortable with the Makita. Consider the batteries are interchangeable on the Makita and you have a a piece of equipment similar in price, it shades the Black and decker for me.
Next in line in our best cordless hedge trimmer reviews is the Ryobi OHT1855R…
4. Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer with HedgeSweep
Specification: Warranty: yes, Voltage: 18 V, Blade Length: 55cm, Tooth spacing: 22mm, Weight: 2.8kg
The Ryobi OHT 1855R is part of their ONE+ range of power tools. This means that if you already own one of these products, let’s say a cordless garden strimmer or something like that, you can use the same battery to power the rest of the product range. One of their range that did really well in a recent review was the Ryobi OLM1833H ONE+ 18V Lawnmower and well worth a look.
Ryobi have been making a name for themselves over the last few years with some innovative products and ideas and their power tools are often featured on ‘best of’ lists like this one.
As far as cordless hedge trimmers go, this model is very lightweight at only 2.8kg so it would suit someone elderly or perhaps a person without a great deal of upper body strength. Then again some of our other reviews are around this weight too.
One of the nicest features of this particular cordless hedge trimmer is the rotating handle that can really help you cut into those hard to reach gaps and corners.
There is also the choice of using it with a larger battery for more running time but with the extra weight, or vice versa with a smaller battery, and it’s nice to have the choice. Let’s say you just want to quickly trim the tops of the hedges on that particular day, you would probably opt for the smaller battery.
A full charge on the larger battery will probably give you about 40 minutes of trimming time, and with a 55cm blade and 22mm spacing between the diamond ground teeth, that should be ample time to get the job done.
Like some of our other reviewed products, this Ryobi cordless hedge trimmer has an anti-jam system that works in much the same way, with the blade re-tracking once it can’t cut through.
The design of the main body of this tool is indeed nice and ergonomic and sports a large front bale handle like the Black & Decker GTC36552PC-GB.
This product comes with a 3 year warranty and a free hedge sweeper, but like the Makita, the battery and charger don’t come included in the price.
Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer with HedgeSweep Review |
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Best Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer with HedgeSweep Features |
What needs work on the Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer with HedgeSweep |
Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre | Battery and Charger not included |
Rotating handle really helps to relieve stress on the wrist | |
Can run on a larger or smaller battery size | |
22cm blade spacing | |
Diamond ground teeth | |
Anti-jam feature | |
Ergonomic design and large bale handle | |
Free hedge sweeper | |
Guard to protect against hand slips |
The Ryobi OHT1855R ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer with HedgeSweep is a very nice bit of kit. It performs extremely well and would be a great addition to the shed tool collect. With that said, it’s still behind both the Makita and Bosch and would be a third choice for me.
We finish off our cordless hedge cutter reviews with the Flymo Easicut 20V Li cordless hedge trimmer.
5. Flymo EasiCut Cordless 20 V Li Hedge Trimmer
Specification: Warranty: yes, Voltage: 20V, Blade Length: 50cm, Tooth spacing: 16 mm, Weight: 2.1kg
Flymo products are popular for good reason. First of all they are inexpensive, often offering the best value for money on the market. Secondly, they offer excellent after sales customer care, and thirdly, they’re products are actually good and compete shoulder to shoulder with other big names like Bosch and Makita.
The Flymo Easicut 20V cordless hedge trimmer is another low cost, yet excellent product.
It is part of the C-link line from Flymo, so the powerhead is interchangeable with other products in the same line.
It also comes with a free battery and charger, all for the low price 89 quid. That’s hard to beat.
the 50cm double sided blades are good quality and sharp on delivery, and even though they have the smallest teeth spacing of our group of products at 16mm, this cordless hedge trimmer still holds its own in the cutting department.
At just over 2Kg, it is super lightweight and very easy to handle. This is made even more so by the large front handle that allows you grips from multiple angles.
The battery life of the Flymo Easicut cordless hedge trimmer is up there with its competitors and will give you about an hour’s worth of trimming before it runs out.
When it comes to build quality, the Flymo is surprisingly solid for such a low cost item. The plastic casing feels good and durable, and the blade is constructed of strong materials, so there’s no need to worry about it breaking on you in the near future.
All in all this is a great value for money product that is perfect for smaller gardens and light hedge trimming tasks.
Flymo EasiCut Cordless 20 V Li Hedge Trimmer Review |
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Best Flymo EasiCut Cordless 20 V Li Hedge Trimmer Features |
What needs work on the Flymo EasiCut Cordless 20 V Li Hedge Trimmer |
Excellent value for money | It only has small teeth spacing so might struggle with larger branches |
Includes battery and charger | |
Interchangeable power head | |
Super lightweight at 2kg | |
Large comfortable handle | |
Hand guard behind blade | |
Good running time of about 1 hour | |
Decent build quality |
As with all Flymo equipment, the Flymo EasiCut Cordless 20 V Li Hedge Trimmer is a really well priced, decent performer. Whilst it performs bottom of the pile on my picks for the best cordless hedge trimmer, it’s worth considering that I would not include a piece of equipment that is anything less than top drawer. The Flymo EasiCut Cordless 20 V Li Hedge Trimmer is competing with the very best and it’s half the price in some cases. If you’re on a budget it’s a definite buy for the garden maintenance, just like the best lawn mower for a small or medium garden and the best hover mower for that matter!
There are a lot of good cordless hedge trimmers in the UK at the moment, in fact we are sort of spoilt for choice on all fronts, there are dozens of quality hedge trimmers to pick from.
This list was compiled to help you sift through mountain of models out there and bring you our choices for the best cordless hedge trimmers UK.