Best Hedge Trimmers 2023

Aug 31, 2023

It’s just a fact: Curb appeal takes work. After all, whipping your shrubs and hedges into shape is not for the faint of heart (and you’d better not be short on arm strength, either). But said “work” doesn’t have to be grueling. The best hedge trimmers can help get the job done with minimal elbow grease, acting like miniature chainsaws to cut back unruly foliage with precision and ease. Our top pick for 2023 is Dewalt’s Max Cordless Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmer, an intuitive, battery-powered machine with a comfortable grip.

Manual clippers, who? The best hedge trimmers are a must-have for discerning homeowners—and most of ... [+] them are surprisingly easy to use, too.

“A hedge trimmer is an upgrade to standard hand tools like clippers, pruners and loppers,” says Marty Grunder of Grunder Landscaping in Miamisburg, Ohio. “If you have to trim your landscape multiple times a year and want perfectly maintained hedges, using a hedge trimmer for that task makes the chore quicker and easier.” Even more exciting: An excellent hedge trimmer also gives you the ability to craft shapes and create topiary-like figures in your yard, says Noah James, owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance. Ahead, we’re sharing a curated list of the best hedge trimmers on the market in 2023, each of which will help to target a specific type and range of jobs—and ultimately make your home the envy of the neighborhood (even without a custom topiary).

The Home Depot

Blade length: 22 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 3/4 inch | Power source: Battery | Weight: 7.5 pounds

Dewalt’s battery-powered hedge trimmer is packed with features that make it a premium option for most homeowners. With 20 volts of power, you’ll be empowered to create fast cuts on branches of up to 3/4-inch thick. Meanwhile, the 22-inch blade makes it easy to run the device over large hedgerows and bushes in one fell swoop. At 7.5 pounds and with a padded handlebar, it’s comfortable for most to maneuver up and around bushes. The machine features hooked-tooth, pre-hardened blades that won’t dull out on you easily, while a 75-minute runtime gives you plenty of mileage with which to work.

Amazon

Blade length: 17 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 5/8 inches | Power source: Cord | Weight: 3.9 pounds

Homeowners on a budget, you really can’t go wrong with Black + Decker’s Electric Hedge Trimmer. A classic, sturdy option, this lightweight machine has a 3.2-amp motor to help you deftly power through hedges up to 5/8-inch thick. It’s also relatively compact and features a built-in T-handle and trigger for easy control as you slice and shape your bushes. A specialized cord retention feature in the back keeps your tool from accidentally getting unplugged, and the cord out of the way while you go to work. Bonus: The trimmer has a hardened steel blade to minimize vibrations, so you won’t feel like your arms are still rattling once the work is done.

Lowe's

Blade length: 26 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 1 inch | Power source: Gas | Weight: 13.5 pounds

This trimmer has a hidden superpower: It doubles as a pole trimmer for when you have to reach those extra-high branches. Thanks to a 32-inch shaft, no tree—well, almost no tree—is too tall. A commercial gearbox also allows you to stand up to tough jobs, while the brand’s special X-Torq engine delivers more power while guzzling less gas. The Husqvarna slices through branches up to an inch thick, too, allowing you to go after whatever stands between you and those tidy hedges of your dreams. Worth noting: The trimmer’s engine has been specially positioned to help divert exhaust fumes away from your face.

Ace Hardware

Blade length: 20 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 1.2 inches | Power source: Battery | Weight: 6.8 pounds

This reliable machine runs for up to 60 minutes at full power, allowing you to get some serious work done before ever needing to recharge your trimmer. That said, because it runs on the same battery as other Stihl products, it’s particularly easy to get that extra juice when you’re in a pinch. With a tip protector to help protect the entire device from damage when working near a ground or wall, this device also has diamond-ground blade edges for precise cuts along with an ergonomic loop handle and hand guard for your own comfort and safety. Planning to travel with your trimmer? A scabbard cover helps protect your blade on the go.

Amazon

Blade length: 22 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 3/4 inches | Power source: Battery | Weight: 6.26 pounds

At just 6.26 pounds, the Ryobi One+ is one of the lightest battery-powered trimmers on the market. Note that it’s also specially designed to maintain your hedges (versus cutting them out from scratch), but still packs enough of a punch to get those longer, more intensive jobs done. The machine features 22 inches of dual action blades to saw through up to 3/4 inches of brush. A wraparound front handle makes it easy to get a comfortable grip from the angle of your choosing. There’s even a Hedge Sweep feature to help clear away clippings and debris while you cut.

Amazon

Blade length: 22 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 3/4 inches | Power source: Battery | Weight: 10 pounds

Greenworks’ 24-volt lithium ion battery can churn out up to 60 minutes of power—without fading—to help you work through the task ahead. Slice through branches up to 3/4 inch thick with the 22-inch blade, giving you plenty of cutting space to reach all over your hedges. An ergonomic rotating rear handle and padded wraparound front handle helps you to have a comfortable grip while getting the sides and unique angles of your bushes. And get this: The battery even doubles as a USB charger, so you can fire up your phone while taking a break from tough jobs.

Blain Farm & Fleet

Blade length: 20 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 1 inch | Power source: Battery | Weight: 10 pounds

At 10 pounds, this isn’ t the lightest hedge trimmer out there, but it’s still maneuverable enough for the average homeowner to wield while tackling the big jobs. The trimmer features a 21.2 cc professional-grade two-stroke gas engine to slice its way through branches up to an inch thick. A commercial-grade air filtration system helps keep dirt particles away for your engine, extending the life of your machine in the process. A tip guard protects your blade from getting worn down when you cut near the ground or walls, while a large rear handle and ergonomic front handle helps you have more control as you cut.

Amazon

Blade length: 26 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 3/4 inches | Power source: Battery | Weight: 7.5 pounds

This Kobalt trimmer provides plenty of power thanks to an 80-volt battery—the highest the brand offers for its trimmers. This trimmer can go for up to 70 minutes on one charge, giving most homeowners plenty of juice to work around their property. The brushless motor makes for quieter operation, so you don’t disturb the neighbors while you trim. There’s also a rotating rear handle to make it easier to get around corners and angles. The machine comes with a rapid charger that’ll fire up your battery again in just 30 minutes, so you can get back to work after a short break.

AMAZON

Blade length: 18 inches | Maximum cut diameter: 5/8 inches | Power source: Battery | Weight: 9.7 pounds

A pole hedge trimmer helps you reach branches up high and in hard-to-reach spots in a much safer way than using your standard trimmer to do the same tasks. This version from Ryobi offers many of the same perks you’d get with a typical hedge trimmer, with an up to 8-foot extension, allowing you to tackle really large hedges and trees with ease. A four-position pivoting head makes it easy to trim at different angles, while a variable speed trigger helps you adjust the power in an instant. There’s even an included shoulder strap for added support when you use your trimmer to reach spots lower to the ground.