Cordless Hedge Trimmers

Tested and reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed

Updated 4th March 2010

(click here for cordless grass trimmers)

Breaking News - New Generation of Cordless Hedge Trimmers using  Lithium Ion Batteries

 buy new Bosch 36v Hedgetrimmer from a Fredshed Partner

Cordless hedge trimmers are great tools and have significant safety and convenience advantages over corded tools. However hedge-trimmers "take a lot of stick" and need a lot of power. This is hard to supply from a small battery - until now - with the new Lithium Ion Batteries

The increased power and convenience of these new batteries means that cordless hedge trimmers are becoming a viable alternative to mains powered ones.

Latest model cordless hedge trimmers

-currently being tested

 

Bosch and Gtech both launched new hedgtrimmers in 2008 using Li-in technology and I tested and compared both.. Gtech 14.4v Cordless Hedge trimmer The Gtech HT05 has a small blade but long handle. Initial results are very impressive as the tool is so light yet cuts very well. The 14.4v battery is built in and recharges in about 30 minutes, ( a long tea break). The HT05 is a more advanced version of my much loved Gtech HT01 (below) that used a separate battery that you keep on your belt. The HT01 is still available (now with an improved battery) and is a tried and tested product at extremely good value. My old HT01 being used with the old large type battery pack.

The GTEC HT 05 cordless hedge trimmer with its built in battery being used by me in 2008. use the link below to buy one ( and also support this site)         The HT01 and HT05 are not suitable for thick hedges.

Bosch AHS 48 Li and 52 Li 18v Cordless Hedge trimmers If you want a cordless hedge trimmer for thicker, or less well kept hedges the new Bosch models are better and will cut up to 15mm thick stems. They are heavier than the Gtech but still very light compared to most cordless hedge trimmers. There are 2 18v versions, both with the incredibly light and powerful Li-ion batteries. The AHS 48 Li has a 48cm blade and weights a mere 2.2kg whilst the longer bladed AHS52 Li weighs 2.3kg and has a run time of approx 40 minutes depending on the thickness of the hedge you are cutting. This is enough time to get a fair amount of hedge trimmed. Recharge time 3 hours. Now Available 36v version!  buy new Bosch 36v Hedgetrimmer from a Fredshed Partner

Ryobi 18v Cordless Hedge Trimmer This no frills hedge trimmer has been around for a few years now and is part of the brilliant Ryobi plus one range of cordless power tools. There are over 20 tools in this range including trimmers, n drills, saws, sanders, vacuum cleaners, torches and more. The hedge trimmer and all the other tools can be powered from either a standard battery or the latest lightweight Li-ion batteries. This is the most flexible system around and the tools can be purchased with chargers and batteries or without (naked). The hedge trimmer is what I can a no -nonsense tool that will do the job and is easy to use. If you don't already have any Ryobi one + tools and need to buy the battery and charge then initially it works out more expensive than buying the Bosch hedge trimmer. However if you plan on using more cordless power tools then this is where you will save money and space by not having to buy more chargers and batteries. Although I am ge3neraly a fan of Bosch tools I think they made a mistake by not making their batteries more compatible with their own tools. This has opened a window for companies like Ryobi to enter the market and give consumers what they want. Well done Ryobi! one of my pet hates is having a shed full of chargers and loads of expensive batteries sitting around idle and degenerating.

We used this Bosch Cordless Hedge trimmer on thick old Ivy and was amazed how well it cut and how long the small battery lasted. The Ryobi also faired did well but was more prone ot jamming on thicker stems as it does not have the patented anti-jam electronics of the new Bosch models. This is not necessarily a problem and especially if you keep your hedge well trimmed and mainly cut the softer new grown foliage, which is generally the proper way to do things.

click here for more details on the latest and best cordless electric hedge trimmers

 

Long reach -Cordless Hedge Trimmers As long as your hedge is not in a confined space then a long handled hedge trimmer is a much better tool to use. These machines are growing in popularity and come in a range of sizes, petrol and electric and now battery powered. I have tested the Gtech HT, Black and Decker, Gardena and Makita Cordless telescopic Hedge-trimmers. The drawback with this type of tool is the weight of the head so only consider the longest ones if you are very strong. I am currently testing the Flymo Sabre Cut 24v Cordless System This multi tool system uses a powerful but heavy lead acid battery that you carry via shoulder strap to keep the tool as light as possible. There are 4 tools available which are the hedge trimmer, pruning saw, grass trimmer and a blower. For more details and to check  prices on the Flymo Sabre cut  click here. Black and Decker also make a hedge trimmer attachment for their 18V long reach range but this was one tool we found too heavy and unwieldy to use. If you want a long reach hedge trimmer for large hedges my recommendation is the Flymo sabre cut and for smaller hedges the new Gtech HT05. The Black and Decker 18v system is not so good for hedge trimming but does have a better chainsaw attachment.

This is me using the Black and Decker 18v cordless long reach hedge trimmer. I could hold it up for a while but found it to be very heavy at the top end.

Old Models of Cordless Hedge Trimmer This is my old 12v Makita cordless hedge trimmer. It used a lead acid battery and was a brilliant bit of kit. I think Makita really missed a trick not continuing this tool with their 12v Nicad and Nimh batteries.  I liked this tool so much I adapted a Makita cordless torch to hold the new type batteries so I can continue to use it.

Small Battery Powered Electric Hedge Shears

For light trimming work on to box hedges and rockery shrubs I love these little single handed cordless trimmers.

 

A new breakthrough in powered garden tools, this lightweight grass shear and shrub trimmer has Lithium Ion batteries for power and durability. Lithium ion batteries are also more environmentally friendly than Nicads or Nimh batteries. The Bosch ISIO is similar to the Award winning Wolf trimmer but it is smaller, lighter and cheaper. The Isio is available in the standard hand version for about £38 but can also be converted to a shrub cutter and or be extended with a telescopic handle. The latest version of this tool has a anti-jam electronics that stop and reverse the blades the instant it detects too much force. This new feature makes a lot of difference especially when the battery is running low as this is when any trimmer is more likely to get stuck on a thick stem.

Grass and shrub trimming! The Bosch ISIO can be converted from a grass shear to a small shrub trimmer in seconds and is surprisingly efficient. I also like the drop in charger base and metal tin that the tool comes in. Running time is very good thanks to the Li-ion batteries and I get 20 minutes use which included some woody shrub material. The softer the material you cut the longer the battery will last between re-charges.

2 Tools in 1 The Isio can be a grass or Shrub trimmer!     As the Isio only has a 3.6v battery I would recommend the more powerful Wolf ACCU 75 or 100 as featured below for this job.

Heavier Duty Battery Shrub Trimmer These Wolf trimmers have bigger battieries and rotating blades for easier use. I have used one of these tools for the last 5 years and absolutely love it. There are 3 models, the ACCU 60, ACCU 75 and the ACCU 100 As with the smaller Bosch Isio these the Wolf trimmers can be converted to shears and used on a long handle with wheels to save you bending when cutting grass With a few simple clicks you can  remove the grass shear blades and replace them with a small hedge trimming blade! The new Wolf ACCU 100 Li has a running time of up to 125 minutes!

USE LINK BELOW FOR THE ENTIRE RANGE AND NEW LITHIUM ION VERSIONS check recommended site for prices and info for Wolf Accu shear range

DO ME A FAVOUR! If you use a powered product like a shredder , trimmer or hedgetrimmer then buy these cheap but effective goggles. It's so easy to damage your eyesight , from a speck of blown dust to a flying thorn. Buy now  - what have you got to lose - only £6 or your eyesight.

Want a Hedge or shrub to use these excellent tools on?

 Click here to find, plants, trees and shrubs to buy online

For free expert advice - on buying tools, (on and off-line) mail me at
fred@fredshed.com 

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