Cordless Hedge trimmers tested and reviewed by Fred In The Shed

Cordless Hedge Trimmers

Tested and reviewed by Fred-in-the-shed

Updated 17th May 2013

(click here for cordless grass trimmers)

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

New Bosch 10.8v model !

New for 2013 this lightweight battery powered hedge trimmer uses a compact 10.8v li-ion battery.

The same battery is used in on other Bosch powertools and combined with the quality blade and anti-stall

electronics it makes this model ideal for smaller well kept hedges.

The best cordless hedge trimmer?

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. These new trimmers have the incredibly useful Bosch anti stall technology that reverses the blades in a nano second if the circuitry detects jamming. This not only saves time but also your fingers as trying to un jam a hedge trimmer with very sharp blades is no fun.

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. I think the 48cm version is much better value than the 52 which is only 4cms difference. A spare battery is around £50 and can be used in a wide range of Bosch power tools, This tool has an incredibly good review rating , too

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 to 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.

Bosch AHS 48 Li

The 48cm model is the best value with Li-ion -

The old 52cm model uses Nicad batteries and does not have the anti-jam mechanism

(use links below for Bosch 52 Li - with the superior Li-ion battery!)
best price on Bosch AHS 52Li
check price of Bosch AHS52Li at B&Q

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

Latest Cordless Hedge trimmer - Bosch AHS 54 -20 Li with 36v battery!

HeavyDuty Cordless Hedge Trimmer

This hedge trimmer is the first of a new breed of garden tools powered by high powered batteries designed to offer a serious alternative to mains electric and even petrol machinery.

As the laws on fuel immersions tighten up we will see more battery powered mowers, trimmers and chainsaws appearing. Bosch have made a head start in this with a range of all 3 of the above mentioned tools that are powered by one, interchangeable 36v Lithium ion battery.

I have used this battery for around 4 years in a mower and it is impressive. This new hedgetrimmer has the usual top quality Bosch blades and combined with the innovative battery it really is a tool I rate highly. When used to cut my larger bay tree is actually cut through branches i would usually use secateurs or loppers on!

With the battery fitted it is quite a large and heavy tool so this is not one for old ladies, feeble men and anyone with a back problem etc,

Sadly , although the Bosch aHS54-20 Li is an brilliant product Bosch refuse to sell it alone without batteries so anyone who already owns Bosch 36v kit will find this expensive to buy.

Check Price of Bosch 36v hedgetrimmer at Tooled Up

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

(including the Bosch 36v cordless hedge trimmer)

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.

However be aware that the blade is not particularly good quality and as it does not have the anti jam mechanism of the Bosch 18v models it will not cut as thick material or as well. The hedge trimmer is only worth buying if you have a well kept bush and other Ryobi One + 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 call 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 generally 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. Its a shame Ryobi didn't make a hedge trimmer as good as Bosch.

Make your hedge trimming easier and safer by spending a few pounds on eye protection and blade lubricant

with batteries and charger

tools below are naked and use same battery

This tool comes with the interchangeable grass shear blade and cost approx £50 naked

LATEST TOOLS UNDER TESTING

July 2011

New 18v Cordless hedge trimmer

with Li-ion Battery

The CEL 18 v garden tools are all powered by a 1.2ah Li-ion battery that also powers the CEL Power 8 workstation as seen on the Dragons Den.
sold individually with batteries,
naked, (no batteries or charger)
or as a pair with 1 battery and charger

Coming soon- chainsaw & blower

Click image below to see my new page on electric mowers

click here for my new page on cordless mowers

Click link below to see my new page on

Solar Garden Lights

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 3 tools available which are the hedge trimmer, grass trimmer and a blower.

Click here to buy the Flymo 24v hedge trimmer from a Fredshed recommended retailer

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 chainsaw attachment.

Click here to buy the Flymo 24v hedge trimmer from a Fredshed recommended retailer

Flymo Sabre Long reach hedge trimmer

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.
It uses the same battery as other Black & Decker powertools and is now orange coloured.
The Flymo sabre long reach hedge trimmer is lighter at the top and I am currently using one regularly to maintain a large area of hedging.
The "killer application" with the Flymo Sabre is its massive 24v, no firlls, battery, that is separate from the tool, and hangs on a belt around your waist.

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.
The HT04 with its 18v battery and wider blade spacing is better.

Old Models of Cordless Hedge Trimmer

This is my old 12v Makita UH303DST 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.Finally in 2013 Makita have re-intorduced a cordless hedge trimmer like this but using their 18v Li-ion battery.

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.
I have a spare Makita 12v lead acid charger for this tool if anyone needs one.

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.

Comes with both blades, and spares available

Anti -Jam electronics helps stop the blade getting stuck.

If too much resistance is detected the blade quickly reversers and has another go

If you like this tool Bosch now make a more powerful version with a longer blade.

see link below

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.

Use my links below to find the best deal, which is usually the 2 bladed kit with the handle included.

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.

Long reach -Petrol Powered Hedge Trimmers

vs Battery Powered Hedge Trimmers

I am currently testing this new 26cc 2 stroke powered hedge trimmer from GardenCare.

Even a small engine like this will provide much more cutting power than the largest battery powered machines.

The overall weight of the Gardencare is 6KG which is 2kg more than the 24v Flymo sabre and the 18v Black& Decker.

However when comparing long reach hedgetrimmers it is important to compare the balance of the weight as well.

The long reach lectric hedgetrimmers tend to be top heavy as they have the motor close to the blade and this can make them very tiring to use.

More info coming soon- mail me if you need help deciding between petrol or battery powered tools.

Coming Soon

Long reach -Petrol Powered Multi Tools
Hedge Trimmer, Grass Trimmer, Brush Cutter and Tree Pruner

The Garden Care 26cc long reach hedge trimmer

DO ME A FAVOUR!

If you use a powered product like a shredder , trimmer or hedgetrimmer then buy these cheap but effective goggles.

The Draper goggles are not the prettiest but do create a seal on your face to prevent dust getting in. They are ventilated to avoid steaming up and are large enough to be worn over most glasses.

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? - a fiver or your eyesight.

My recommended goggles for hedge trimming

cooler looking but less safer goggles if you value your looks as much as your eyesight.