Hedge Trimmer Buying Guide
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. Discover the key factors to consider when choosing the best hedge trimmer for your needs with expert advice from STIHL SHOP, your specialist outdoor equipment store.
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.
TYPES OF HEDGE TRIMMERS
When choosing a hedge trimmer, understanding the various types available can help you decide which is best for your needs. Battery-powered cordless hedge trimmers, combine convenience with efficiency. Petrol hedge trimmers can offer high power for thicker or larger hedges, while corded electric trimmers are typically suited for compact spaces due to their limited range. By knowing the options, you can select the most effective tool for your trimming needs.
WHAT ARE YOU TRIMMING
Considering what you’ll be trimming is essential in selecting the best hedge trimmer. Small or seasonal jobs may only require a lightweight, easy-to-handle cordless hedge trimmer, especially for thinner hedges. For larger, denser shrubs or thicker plant material, a more robust petrol hedge trimmer may be necessary.
HEDGE TRIMMER 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 Hedge Trimmer blade length according to the size of your hedge:
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
An adjustable handle on a STIHL hedge trimmer allows you more flexibility to trim from different positions and angles, whether you’re reaching the top of a hedge or trimming along the sides. Selecting a hedge trimmer with an adjustable handle can also enhance comfort during long tasks.
POLE HEDGE TRIMMERS
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 the power source of your hedge trimmer. The three main types available in the market are Battery Hedge Trimmers, Petrol Hedge Trimmers and Electric Hedge Trimmers. The various power options available offer different benefits and advantages for specific landscaping and trimming tasks.
BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS
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. Petrol hedge trimmers are designed to tackle thick branches and dense plant material, making them the ideal choice for those with challenging and large trimming tasks or professional-grade jobs. The portability of petrol hedge trimmers also ensures you aren't limited by cords or battery life.
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.
THE STIHL HOME USER HEDGE TRIMMER RANGE
To help you get the right model, here are our most popular Hedge Trimmers for home users:
BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS
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*Working time with recommended battery per battery charge
PETROL HEDGE TRIMMERS
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