Best hedge trimmer 2021: trim your hedges with topiary precision

When it comes to choosing tools to keep your garden tidy, the best hedge trimmer should be higher up on your shopping list than you realise. While we might not think we have the finest weather in this country, a temperate climate with lots of rain – and more sunshine than we think – is perfect for plants. This is why before you know it, that shrubbery you clipped just a week ago is soon a mini jungle. 

And it isn't just warm weather than will lead bushes to be out of control. Year round maintenance is required for hedging plants, with little and often being better suited to many varieties than a yearly hack. 

So when it comes to finding the best hedge trimmer for your needs, having one that is both ergonomic and efficient is a must. It needs to be light and comfortable, do the job well and without too much fuss and then prove easy to store when you’re all done. 

As well as deciding on whether you’d prefer a corded or cordless model, you'll need to consider the blade length, as well as the weight of the overall machine. There are also telescopic and long reach options if you need to tackle tall hedges without precariously balancing on a ladder.

Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you, researching nine of the best hedge trimmers available from a variety of quality brands to help you choose the best one for your needs. 

And if you’re looking to give your lawn some love too, why not check out our best lawn mower buying guide to discover the top performing mowers on the market.

The best hedge trimmer for 2021

If you’re after something light and mobile for quick tidying jobs, look no further. The front handle on this Bosch cordless trimmer has multiple positions for ease of use and is light to minimise strain on the arms and back. 

It features special teeth on the front of the blade which are capable of slicing through branches up to 25mm thick and there’s an ingenious anti-blocking system for continuous use, too. 

The super long blade (almost double the length of most other trimmers) will tackle more hedge as you go, making the job a speedier one while there’s even a blade tip protector so you don’t take chunks out of your walls or fences by mistake.

Part of the Bosch Power for All range, the battery pack and charger are interchangeable with the entire range of Bosch’s cordless home and garden tools – a great option if you already own one or plan to buy another soon. A full charge of a battery takes just 60 minutes and will cover up to 200 square metres of cutting (or up to 80 minutes).

Extremely comfortable to use and easy to manoeuvre, this lightweight hedge trimmer is an excellent choice for those with smaller gardens. 

Offering a clean and precise cut for small to medium-sized hedges, clever safety features like the two-way safety switch and a hand protective guard ensure you’re protected at all times when using (and storing) it.

While you may not be keen on choosing a corded hedge trimmer, finding the experience of being tethered to a power cord a little restrictive, Netta has solved this issue by providing this model with a lengthy six-metre power cable. This inevitably provides you with a lot more flexibility when using it, reducing the need for over-stretching while you work.

Overall, if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful solution to your out-of-control shrubs, you can’t go wrong with this affordable model.

Another fuss-free cordless model, this Makita hedge trimmer features a 520mm blade with 15mm tooth openings which combined, offer clean and precise trimming of medium-sized hedges. 

Delivering up to 1,350 strokes per minute, it has built-in anti-vibration technology making it heaps more comfortable to handle and use for a prolonged amount of time.

Safety-wise, it’s operated by a two handed switch – both the switch and the top handle need to be engaged for the motor to run and it comes with a heavy duty blade cover for easy storage.

It doesn’t come with a battery though – which is fine if you already have a spare 18V lithium ion battery from another Makita tool. A bit annoying if you don’t. However, you can buy these separately for around £70.

Best suited to small and medium-sized gardens with high hedges and small trees, this telescopic pole on this hedge trimmer extends its reach to 2.5m and the articulating head flips between 0 and 90 degrees allowing you to tackle the tops of any tall hedges with ease. 

The 24v battery makes this hedge trimmer noticeably more powerful and cut much better than standard 18v hedge trimmers, plus the cordless design naturally makes it far more manoeuvrable, too.

The battery lasts around an hour when used continuously, but you can add juice by having a second battery on charge. And if required, you can combine it with the Cobra P20X cordless pole pruner attachment to turn it into a pruning saw, which is particularly handy if you need to lop off a few tree branches, too.

The buttons are a bit stiff and we found it a bit tricky to press them at times, but we can tolerate that for the affordability and versatility of this hedge trimmer.

Part of the Ryobi ONE+ range (meaning there you just need one interchangeable battery for their entire range of tools), this cordless pole hedge trimmer is ideal for cutting hedges, bushes and large branches, extending out to a full length of 2.9m. 

It can be used comfortably for taller plants and trees and you can move the articulating cutting head into four different positions up to 115 degrees to lop the tops off tall hedges.

The extension shaft is removable making it easy to store, while it also comes with a durable blade sheath for safety, too. Weighing in at 3.6kg, it’s heavier than most other hedge trimmers but it comes with a shoulder strap to help take some of that effort off your arms and shoulders.

If you’re new to hedge trimming, whether you’ve moved into a new home with a well-established garden or you’ve just managed on using handheld shears up to now, this trimmer’s for you. 

Designed for optimal balance, making it comfortable to use and easy to control, this hedge trimmer is super lightweight to minimise both arm and back strain. It is cordless too and though we can't find the official battery life in the literature, other reviewers claim up to an hour of run time.

As with the other Bosch model listed here, this also features an anti-blocking system for continuous use, while the 15mm tooth openings make it particularly suited to small and medium-sized hedges. 

With its 90 degree swivelling handle, this lightweight, cordless hedge trimmer is super easy to use and makes quick work of hedges and overgrown plants. 

What makes this model stand out from the crowd is the length of its blade – at 610mm, it’s considerably longer than most other hedge trimmers, meaning you’ll cut more with each sweep.

Dual-action blades keep vibration to a minimum, and your neighbours will thank you as it’s much quieter than most other trimmers, too. 

Greenworks has a similar ‘one for all’ battery system with its products - the 40v batteries suit a variety of the brand’s tools so this is a cost-effective buy if you already own other Greenworks tools.  

Specifically designed for smaller gardens, this corded Flymo hedge trimmer makes light work of trimming any hedge.

The centralised handle design ensures it’s comfortable to use and despite being a corded model, the 10m power cord provides you with plenty of length for ease of movement. 

Measuring 45cm, the blade is pretty average in length, hence the target audience being those with smaller gardens, though anything bigger in a company space might feel a bit clumsy and unwieldy.

On the whole, this is a great and affordable choice if you don’t have a great deal of shrubbery to maintain and have a nearby power source.

Calling all topiary owners! If you're after a hedge trimmer for delicate shaping and precision trimming, the 120mm blade of the Bosch Isio is just the thing to help you carve your hedge into the shape you want.

Giving you complete control for pinpoint work, the Isio takes a number of attachments, extending its uses from just a trimmer, to a multifunctional garden tool suitable for grass, hedges and shrubs. 

To look at it, it’s clear that it’s both compact and lightweight, but despite its size, it still features an anti-blocking system to ensure smooth and reliable operation. 

How to choose the best hedge trimmers 2021

Can't decide on the best hedge trimmer for your needs? Your choice depends on the size of your garden and the type of shrub you want to cut back. Here’s what you need to consider...

Cordless vs corded
If you have a large garden, then a cordless model will mean you don't need to worry about extension leads when you need to tackle your hedges at the back of the garden. But equally, a cordless model won't have unlimited run time, so you'll need to check how long the battery will last and whether that's sufficient for the amount you need to cut back. You may even need to factor in the price of a second, spare battery so you always have a back-up if you’re covering a lot of square footage.

Battery power
If you opt for a cordless model, check whether the battery and charger are included as sometimes trimmers are sold without and you’ll need to buy one separately. If you already have cordless tools, consider buying a hedge trimmer from the same brand as certain companies have interchangeable batteries on all of their power tools. Try Bosch, Ryobi, Stihl, Makita and Greenworks to name a few.

Blade size
It’s essential that you check that the blades on your chosen hedge trimmer are strong enough to tackle the plants you want to cut back. Most will list a maximum branch thickness - any thicker and you’re likely to damage the blades.

Safe use of your hedge trimmer

Always read the instructions and learn how to trim a hedge before even reaching for the power button. Here are some more tips to keep you safe while using your hedge trimmer:

1. Avoid working at height
A lightweight hedge trimmer should be safe to use at shoulder level, but if you need to lift it above your head, you dramatically increase the risk of injury. It can also be dangerous to use a hedge trimmer while on a ladder, so look for telescopic and long reach options designed for cutting the tops of hedges safely.

2. Protect your eyes, hands, arms and ears
Wear safety specs or sunglasses while using your hedge trimmer to protect your eyes from falling twigs. Also wear close fit gloves and sleeves to keep your arms free from scratches. Most of the hedge trimmers on our list are not too loud, but it doesn't hurt to wear ear defenders.

3. Consider wildlife
Hedges are a habitat for all kinds of wildlife so be really careful before you take the trimmer to your bushes. Bird nesting season is March through to the end of August (depending on weather) so it is best to leave hedges well alone in this period. Give them a good trim before the nesting season so that they don't get in your way over summer, but leave plenty of thick growth for birds to hide in.

Before trimming, check hedges for wildlife. If you need to, take a cane or stick to agitate the hedge and scare off anything that could be sitting in your path. They will soon be put off by the noise of your hedge cutter, but we know we would rather a little prior warning if it was us. 

When to use a hedge trimmer

Hedge trimmers are designed for bushes and shrubbery and the kinds of jobs that would usually require the best garden shears. There are also smaller ones for more intricate jobs that would usually require lots of work with your favourite secateurs, meaning they cut finger and wrist strain – a tool that those with arthritis will welcome. 

They do have a limit on how thick the branches they can tackle is. This tends to be under an inch so if you need a tool for cutting something thicker, look at a brushcutter. Some of the best strimmers have a brush cutter attachment that can be used for clearing thicker growth or for pruning. Really thick branches will need a saw instead.