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  4. 10 Best Hedge Trimmers UK 2022 | Stihl, Ryobi and More
  • 10 Best Hedge Trimmers UK 2022 | Stihl, Ryobi and More 1
  • 10 Best Hedge Trimmers UK 2022 | Stihl, Ryobi and More 2
  • 10 Best Hedge Trimmers UK 2022 | Stihl, Ryobi and More 3
  • 10 Best Hedge Trimmers UK 2022 | Stihl, Ryobi and More 4
  • 10 Best Hedge Trimmers UK 2022 | Stihl, Ryobi and More 5

10 Best Hedge Trimmers UK 2022 | Stihl, Ryobi and More

It looks like we’re going to be spending a lot of the remaining year indoors looking out at our garden hedges, so you’d be doing yourself a favour by trimming them! When it comes to buying a hedge trimmer, it’s all about finding a tool with the right balance. After all, cutting upwards is an awkward job at the best of times.


To help you identify what you need, we’ve put together a fool-proof guide to corded, cordless and petrol models. Whether you need an extending cutter with a pole for hard to reach hedges or one to tackle tougher tasks, we've ranked the top 10 best in the UK. All of our favourite trimmers are available online from trusted sites including Amazon, John Lewis and Argos, so you can get one delivered straight to your door.

Last updated 27/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Hedge Trimmer in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Pick The Type Of Trimmer You Need Based On What You Are Cutting 
  2. Consider Getting A Trimmer With A Longer Blade To Speed Up The Process And Save Time
  3. Think About The Teeth Spacing As This Will Determined What You Can Cut 
  4. Get A Trimmer With A Pole Weighing Less Than 5 kg
  5. To Help Reduce The Risk Of Instances, Choose A Trimmer With Two-Stage Safety Trimmers
1

Choose the Type of Trimmer Based on What You’re Cutting : Cordless Trimmers Are Great for Light Pruning, Corded and Petrol Motors Are Better for Demanding Tasks

Choose the Type of Trimmer Based on What You’re Cutting : Cordless Trimmers Are Great for Light Pruning, Corded and Petrol Motors Are Better for Demanding Tasks

A Cordless Trimmer Is Ideal for Tidying up Young Shoots in Under an Hour

As you’ve probably guessed these trimmers are powered via a rechargeable battery that can run anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the model. The biggest advantage is that you can go anywhere in the garden, without the added risk and inconvenience of a trailing cable. 


However, there are some issues. Firstly, you’ll need to make sure your trimmer is fully charged in advance. Don't forget to take the charging time into account, as this is often takes between 3 – 5 hours. Secondly, not all cordless trimmers are sold with the battery and charger, so you may be required to buy these separately. 


These trimmers are the best bet if you only need to do a quick tidy up. Unfortunately, cordless trimmers also have the lowest power and shortest running times, which would make them more of a hindrance than a help when neatening up large gardens. 

A Corded Trimmer Is a Good Choice for Small Gardens With Overgrown Hedges

These trimmers run off your mains electricity, so you never have to worry about them powering down when you’re in the middle of the job. They tend to be a good choice for smaller bushier gardens as they're more powerful than cordless types.


The only real downside is the cord itself. While you should always check the length of the cord before buying, it isn’t going to be practical for large gardens or those with lots of trees. You’ll likely require an extension to reach all around the perimeter of your garden and if you're not careful, you will run the risk of accidentally cutting through the cord!

Petrol Trimmers Are the Most Powerful Option for Cutting Back Briars, Brambles and Mature Hedges

Petrol-powered hedge trimmers are ideal for more demanding tasks such as chopping down overgrown or mature hedges. As you may have guessed, they are fuelled by a mix of petrol and oil, though the balance will depend on the model.


While petrol trimmers have the highest power output, they will also require more fuel to run which can add up over time. They’re also the heaviest, usually weighing between 5 – 7 kg before you add the fuel. So, you’ll want to be sure you’re strong enough to manoeuvre this around safely. 

2

A Longer Blade Between 47 – 56 cm Will Speed up the Process and Save You Time

A Longer Blade Between 47 – 56 cm Will Speed up the Process and Save You Time

Hedge trimmer blades often range from 40 – 70 cm. As a rule of thumb, the longer the blade, the quicker you’ll be finished. Just be aware that the longer the tool, the heavier it will also be. 


The length you choose will depend on what you’re cutting. After all, there is no need for a large heavy piece of equipment if you’re only trimming small shrubs and bushes. If you’re unsure what to pick and would prefer to play it safe, a trimmer with a medium blade between 47 – 56 cm in length will be suitable for a range of gardening tasks


For other essential items needed for gardening tasks, consider checking out our guides on the best weed killers, garden hoses and wellies

3

The Teeth Spacing Lets You Know What You Can Cut : Choose 8 – 18 mm for Shoots and Grasses and 24 – 34 mm for Small Branches

The Teeth Spacing Lets You Know What You Can Cut : Choose 8 – 18 mm for Shoots and Grasses and 24 – 34 mm for Small Branches
The teeth spacing of your trimmer is vital for determining what type of material you can cut. The wider the teeth are spaced, the more rugged the shrubbery they'll be able to handle.

For smaller hedges with young shoots, you want to look for a product with 8 – 18 mm spacing. For more mature, twiggy hedges, a trimmer with 18 – 24 mm spacing would be ideal. Finally, for those tackling an unruly jungle at the back of the garden, look for something that has 24 – 34 mm spacing. 

4

Look For a Trimmer With a Pole That Weighs Under 5 kg to Prune Tall Hedges

Look For a Trimmer With a Pole That Weighs Under 5 kg to Prune Tall Hedges

For those lucky enough to have tall hedges, we recommend looking for a trimmer with lengthening poles. It’ll save you from balancing on a step ladder with an exceedingly dangerous tool! The lengthening poles provided will vary depending on the model, but can range all the way up to an additional four metres.


Remember, the higher the trimmer goes, the more difficult it is going to be to control and the heavier it is going to be. If you don’t feel like you’ll be able to keep 3 to 5 kg held above your head for half an hour, it may be worth contacting a professional instead.  

5

Two-Stage Safety Triggers and Auto-Stop Will Help You to Avoid Accidents

Two-Stage Safety Triggers and Auto-Stop Will Help You to Avoid Accidents

Hedge trimmers all come with basic safety features, such as lock buttons for when not in use. However, you may want to opt for a trimmer with additional safety features, especially if you’re new to using one.


These might be features such as two-stage safety triggers, wherein both hands need to engage the trimmer before it turns on, or quick stop and auto-stop functions that ensure it turns off immediately if you let go

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10 Best Hedge Trimmers in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Bosch

Hedge TrimmerAHS 50-20 LI

Bosch Hedge Trimmer 1

£95.00

Mid

Lightweight Cordless Trimmer for a Variety of Garden Jobs

2

Stihl

Hedge TrimmerHS45

Stihl  Hedge Trimmer 1

£313.00

High Mid

Petrol Trimmer With Wide Spaced Teeth for Tackling Overgrown Hedges

3

Kärcher

Cordless Battery Powered Pole Hedge CutterPHG 18-45

Kärcher Cordless Battery Powered Pole Hedge Cutter 1

£129.99

Mid

Expertly Trim Hedges up to Four Meters High

4

McCulloch

Petrol Hedge TrimmerHT 5622

McCulloch Petrol Hedge Trimmer 1

£184.90

High Mid

Powerful Petrol Trimmer With Soft-Start to Reduce Resistance

5

VonHaus

Electrical Hedge Trimmer and Cutter

VonHaus Electrical Hedge Trimmer and Cutter 1

£59.99

Low

An Affordable Choice for the Average UK Garden

6

Challenge

Cordless Extendable Hedge Trimmer

Challenge Cordless Extendable Hedge Trimmer 1

£80.00

Low Mid

Extendable Trimmer for Vines and Perimeter Hedges

7

Kärcher

Cordless Battery Powered Hedge CutterHGE 18-45

Kärcher Cordless Battery Powered Hedge Cutter 1

£83.25

Low Mid

Make Swift Work of Small Branches With This Cordless Model

8

VonHaus

Hedge Trimmer with Extendable Reach

VonHaus Hedge Trimmer with Extendable Reach 1

£109.99

Mid

Safety Harness and Telescopic Pole for Better Reach and Stability While Pruning

9

Husqvarna

Hedge Trimmer122HD60

Husqvarna Hedge Trimmer 1

£325.00

High

Anti-vibration Technology for Comfortable and Secure Handling

10

Ryobi

ONE+ Cordless Hedge TrimmerOHT1855R

Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer 1

£96.95

Mid

Cordless Trimmer That’s Compatible With Ryobi One+ Batteries and Charging Ports

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

BoschHedge TrimmerAHS 50-20 LI

Hedge Trimmer 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£95.00
Mid
Reference price
£95.00
Mid

Lightweight Cordless Trimmer for a Variety of Garden Jobs

Lightweight, well-balanced and with an incredible battery life, this hedge trimmer from Bosch is a fantastic all-rounder. It has a solid 60 cm-long blade with 20 mm teeth spacing that will make light work of tidying up your average garden. 


A lovely little addition is the integrated tip protector. This will stop you blunting the blade if you accidentally hit a wall or fence. It comes with anti-blocking technology should you reach a stubborn branch, and a two-hand safety circuit. With all these features, it's easy to see why it took our number 1 spot!

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No.2

Stihl Hedge TrimmerHS45

Hedge Trimmer 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£313.00
High Mid
Reference price
£313.00
High Mid

Petrol Trimmer With Wide Spaced Teeth for Tackling Overgrown Hedges

If you're looking for something powerful to take on the unruly jungle at the back of the house, then look no further than this hedge trimmer from Stihl. It's petrol powered and comes with large, widely spaced 30 mm teeth, capable of tackling the toughest of branches. 


The blade isn't too long, which is handy for keeping the weight down. This means you should still be able to maintain solid control of the tool when in use. Yes, it's expensive, but if you have a wilderness that needs to be tamed, it will get the job done! 

No.3

KärcherCordless Battery Powered Pole Hedge CutterPHG 18-45

Cordless Battery Powered Pole Hedge Cutter 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£129.99
Mid
Reference price
£129.99
Mid

Expertly Trim Hedges up to Four Meters High

We've never met anyone who has 4 m+ garden hedges, but we imagine they'd be a nightmare to cut on your own. Not anymore! Kärcher has released this wonderful extendable trimmer that should make even the hardest to reach places manageable. 


It comes with a set of shoulder straps, that will definitely come in handy if you're using the tool at its full extension. Plus, the trimmer head can be tilted up to 115-degrees allowing you more freedom to be creative with your hedge designs. 

No.4

McCullochPetrol Hedge TrimmerHT 5622

Petrol Hedge Trimmer 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£184.90
High Mid
Reference price
£184.90
High Mid

Powerful Petrol Trimmer With Soft-Start to Reduce Resistance

While petrol machines can be a little more effort to handle, you won't necessarily have to sacrifice ease-of-use to get more power. Just take this McCulloch trimmer as an example. It cuts efficiently and, thanks to its 22 mm teeth spacing, it can tackle a majority of garden bushes and hedgerows.


It has a soft start function that reduces start-up resistance by 40% and comes with an adjustable rear-handle for comfort. If you're looking for ultimate power without breaking the bank, this could be right up your street. 

No.5

VonHausElectrical Hedge Trimmer and Cutter

Electrical Hedge Trimmer and Cutter 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£59.99
Low
Reference price
£59.99
Low

An Affordable Choice for the Average UK Garden

If you're looking for precision and speed, then this long bladed model from VonHaus should see that your trimming is completed in no time. The blade moves at 1700 oscillations per minute to prevent snag and provide a smoother experience.


This trimmer comes with a 10-metre cord, which should see you around an average sized garden. Our favourite bit though? You can pick up this one for a very reasonable price, making it brilliant choice if you're working on a smaller budget. 

No.6

ChallengeCordless Extendable Hedge Trimmer

Cordless Extendable Hedge Trimmer 1
Source:argos.co.uk
Reference price
£80.00
Low Mid
Reference price
£80.00
Low Mid

Extendable Trimmer for Vines and Perimeter Hedges

If you're wanting to trim hard-to-reach vines or perimeter hedges, but you don't want to go through the rigmarole of maneuvering a cord and extension cable, this model from Challenge will work perfectly. The telescopic pole adds an additional 1.2 m from your height, plus the 120-degree pivoting head makes it easy to cut at any angle. 


The only downside is that the teeth spacing is on the narrower side, meaning you might struggle if you're trying to carve your way through thick foliage. 

No.7

KärcherCordless Battery Powered Hedge CutterHGE 18-45

Cordless Battery Powered Hedge Cutter 1
Source:johnlewis.com
Reference price
£83.25
Low Mid
Reference price
£83.25
Low Mid

Make Swift Work of Small Branches With This Cordless Model

This trimmer from Kärcher makes swift work of small bushes and may even be capable of taking on small tree branches too. We like that this model has a double-ended blade and a small LCD screen that will warn you when you are about to run out of battery


It weighs in under 3 kg, so you shouldn't have any trouble hauling it around for the full 35 minutes of battery life. Admittedly, it would be nice if it had a longer running time, especially as it's one of the more expensive cordless models.

No.8

VonHausHedge Trimmer with Extendable Reach

Hedge Trimmer with Extendable Reach 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Hedge Trimmer with Extendable Reach 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£109.99
Mid
Reference price
£109.99
Mid

Safety Harness and Telescopic Pole for Better Reach and Stability While Pruning

Everywhere in your garden is within reach thanks to this extendable trimmer. The pole allows for a distance of up to 2.8 m, so you'll have those steel blades effortlessly cutting through branches that only the birds will see. 


Additionally, it comes with a safety harness which will allow you to take some of the weight off your arms, as well as a two-stage safety trigger. That said, some reviewers have struggled to get the right balance when setting it up, so you'll want to be extra careful to avoid accidents. 

No.9

HusqvarnaHedge Trimmer122HD60

Hedge Trimmer 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£325.00
High
Reference price
£325.00
High

Anti-vibration Technology for Comfortable and Secure Handling

As far as petrol trimmers go, this product from Husqvarna is incredibly lightweight. Of course, that doesn't mean it compromises on power or efficiency. This model boasts a rotating handle and anti-vibration technology to make it more comfortable when in use. 


Furthermore, it's rather quiet, so it shouldn't cause too much disruption to your neighbors. Unfortunately, this trimmer is easily the most expensive model in our ranking, but if you have the cash, we're sure you'll be impressed!

No.10

RyobiONE+ Cordless Hedge TrimmerOHT1855R

ONE+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£96.95
Mid
Reference price
£96.95
Mid

Cordless Trimmer That’s Compatible With Ryobi One+ Batteries and Charging Ports

This hedge trimmer is part of the Ryobi ONE+ family of tools, which are all compatible with the same battery and charger ports. If you own some of the other tools in this range, it may make sense to opt for this one to save you space and money.


It has a decent size blade and features an anti-jamming system to prevent accidental blocking. However, the battery and charger are not included. So, while the price looks enticing initially, it is going to rise significantly if you need to buy these separately. 

Tips on how to safely use and maintain your hedge trimmer

Tips on how to safely use and maintain your hedge trimmer

When using a hedge trimmer, it is vital to that you put measures in place to reduce the risk of an accident. If you are using a corded trimmer, remember to keep the cord behind you and as far away as possible. Furthermore, it is important to always hold the trimmer using both hands and not too overreach. You should also never force the trimmer if it is unable to cut a tough section of a hedge or a branch. Consider wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as non-slip shoes and safety glasses. 


In regards to keeping your hedge trimmer well maintained, try and clean the blades every so often with soapy water. In the case of petrol trimmers, remember to clean the air filter every once in a while as well. 

Written and researched by Lewis Clark

Top 5 Hedge Trimmers

No. 1: BoschHedge TrimmerAHS 50-20 LI

No. 2: Stihl Hedge TrimmerHS45

No. 3: KärcherCordless Battery Powered Pole Hedge CutterPHG 18-45

No. 4: McCullochPetrol Hedge TrimmerHT 5622

No. 5: VonHausElectrical Hedge Trimmer and Cutter

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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