Cordless hedge trimmer STIHL HSA 45 lying on a hedge.

You can keep your hedge perfectly trimmed by hand with a pair of shears but a good Hedge Trimmer is a much easier option! It is important to choose the right tool depending on the length, height and thickness of your hedge, you should also keep in mind your strength and capability.

The most important questions to ask yourself when choosing a Hedge Trimmer are:

What and how much do you need to trim? Is it seasonal trimming of a couple of small hedges and shrubs at home? Do you have very large/tall hedges and shrubs to trim? Or are you a Landscaper trimming professionally?
How tall is your hedge? This will determine the reach you need from your Hedge Trimmer. A Pole Hedge Trimmer will allow you to trim a tall hedge from the ground, therefore avoiding ladders.
How thick are the branches you will trim?
How strong are you? Hedge trimming is hard work, and the weight of your Hedge Trimmer will impact how long you can comfortably use it for.

BLADE LENGTH

The longer the blade, the more your Hedge Trimmer can cut with each sweep, allowing you to get your trimming job done faster and keep a straight edge by making fewer sweeps. However, a longer blade also means a heavier trimmer, which can be more physically demanding and reduces manoeuvrability in tight spaces. If you are new to using a Hedge Trimmer or will be working mostly in tight spaces, a trimmer with a shorter blade is recommended for ease and safety.

Here are some general guidelines for choosing a blade length according to the size of your hedge:

Size of hedge trimming job	Length of blade
Smaller jobs	50 cm or below
Medium-sized jobs	50-75 cm
Larger jobs	60 cm +

TOOTH SPACING

Tooth spacing refers to the distance between the blade teeth, determining the maximum diameter of vegetation that can be cut and the effectiveness of your Hedge Trimmer for different types of hedges. It's important to understand the maturity of your plants and shrubs, as more mature vegetation will have woodier and thicker stems requiring larger tooth spacing.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A HEDGE TRIMMER

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE

Some Hedge Trimmers feature an adjustable handle. This allows you more flexibility to trim from different positions and angles.

POLE HEDGE TRIMMERS

Man trimming a hedge vertical overhead with the STIHL cordless long-reach hedge trimmer HLA 66

Higher hedges provide more privacy, but are also hard to reach and more physically demanding to trim. The STIHL Battery Pole Hedge Trimmers provide you better access to the hard-to-reach spots in your garden without climbing on a ladder and with both feet on the ground, your safety is also improved.

All STIHL Pole Hedge Trimmers feature adjustable heads so you are able to change the angle of your blade to trim the vertical face of the hedge or to get a perfectly flat top. You can also adjust the angle to use your Long Reach Hedge Trimmer to cut vegetation close to the ground without bending.

We recommend using a Pole Hedgetrimmer for any trimming above your head to ensure safety. Always remember to wear a protective helmet and visor whenever you work above chest-height.

WHAT IS THE BEST POWER SOURCE FOR YOUR HEDGE TRIMMER?

The next thing to consider is power source. The three main types available in the market are Battery Hedge Trimmers, Petrol Hedge Trimmers and Electric Hedge Trimmers.

BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS

Man cutting a hedge with the cordless hedge trimmer STIHL HSA 86, urban scenery.

Battery Hedge Trimmers are popular among both home-users and professionals. Battery-powered tools are very quiet and easy to use, you don’t need to worry about mixing fuel or accidently cutting the power cord.

Battery Hedge Trimmers are lightweight, this gives you better control over the tool when doing precision trimming. Working with a lighter machine will also allow you to work longer without feeling fatigued.

Battery Hedge Trimmers have really good run times for example our entry level model will run for 45 minutes (which is a really long time when are using a Hedge Trimmer!). Our mid-range to professional models are as powerful as their petrol counterparts, they are capable of taking on heavy-duty professional applications.

INTER CHANGEABLE BATTERIES

The battery for your STIHL cordless Hedge Trimmer can be used in other STIHL Battery-powered Garden Tools in the same battery range. Generally speaking, the AK Battery range is more suitable for home gardens and small lifestyle blocks and the AP Battery range is designed for larger properties, right through to professionals. Plan ahead for your future needs. Choosing the right range of tools will mean you only need one battery to power all the tools you need.

PETROL HEDGE TRIMMERS

Petrol Hedge Trimmers are portable and generally provide really good power. You should consider a Petrol Hedge Trimmer if you have very thick or large hedges as they perform well on the tough jobs.

The negatives of petrol Hedge Trimmers include their weight, the additional cleaning and maintenance requirements, and the need to handle petrol and oil (mixing, fuelling and storing).

ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMERS

Electric Hedge Trimmers are typically lightweight, affordable and easy to use. They are ideal for occasional users, or small spaces close to the house like a courtyard.

The biggest down side of Electric Hedge Trimmers is their reduced mobility as you need to stay close to a power plug. We recommend considering another power source if you:

have a large garden or hedge, or,
have to move around the property or,
do not have easy access to a power socket.

You also need to be careful not to cut the electric cord while working.