Guide To Choosing a Hedge Trimmer in 2021

Mark Preston

Everyone wants to enjoy the summer, especially after lockdown. Gardens have become such a luxury and we all want them to look nice when we spend time in them. Following the lockdowns and restrictions, it has been difficult to have gardeners attend to gardens, so many people have been maintaining their gardens and working hard to ensure that they look good and stay healthy.

With the arrival of spring and summer, there is even more reason than ever to look after your garden and get it looking lovely so that you can spend many hours enjoying it over the summer months.

There are many benefits of regularly trimming your hedge, these include:

trimmed hedges help to keep the branches under control
your garden will look much neater
trimming regularly causes the branches and hedges to grow thicker
regular maintenance of hedges ensures that they do not become unruly or block out the light to your garden and property

As for hedge trimmers, they come with many benefits and it is clear to see why sales of hedge trimmers are increasing every year. Some of the main benefits of owning hedge trimmers include:

As many are cordless they offer great freedom of movement and are lighter
Save costs with no need to employ gardeners
Depending on the type of hedge trimmer you buy, you can trim small or large hedges, bushes, and even trees
The right trimmer makes it easy and quick for you to maintain your garden

What To Look For Before Buying Hedge Trimmer

It is important you get the right hedge trimmer, as this will enable you to trim and maintain your hedges and bushes safely and easily. These are the things you need to be aware of before buying your hedge trimmer:

Size of your garden: if you have a lot of hedges to trim, and a large garden, then you need to look for a hedge trimmer that is powerful.
Type of hedges: this is important, as the thicker the hedge the more powerful a trimmer you will need
Accessibility: are your hedges close to walls and neighbouring fences? If so, then you may want a trimmer that fits into smaller spaces and is not too bulky.
The thickness of hedges: if your hedges are thick and bushy this will require a heavy-duty trimmer, but if your hedges are small and light then a smaller trimmer will do a perfect job.

Types of Hedge Trimmers

Different types of hedge trimmers are available to buy, and you can have either a cordless electric trimmer, battery-powered trimmers, corded electric hedge trimmers, and petrol trimmers.

Deciding which kind of hedge trimmer to use depends on your needs. Corded electric hedge trimmers are ready to use whenever you want, whilst cordless trimmers will need to be charged before use. Petrol trimmers need to be topped up with fuel before they can be used, and can be very noisy when compared with electric trimmers.

Factors to Look For in a Hedge Trimmer

Now that you have decided what type of hedge trimmer you need, there are a few factors you need to be aware of when before making your purchase. You need to think about the level of power you require. Most hedge trimmers are very powerful, so always check the level of power the trimmer has. The higher the voltage, the better the hedge trimmer will perform on those bushy hedges. The cost of a trimmer varies depending on the level of power, so if you have a small garden then you probably do not need a very powerful trimmer. You can find affordable hedge trimmers which are cordless and lightweight, and these are suitable for smaller hedges. Always check the length of the blade, as this determines how it works. If you have smaller hedges then you do not need the longest blade. A long blade makes it easier to trim down large and bushy hedges, which are dense and thick. Longer blades are harder to work with if you are new to hedge trimmers, so opt for a shorter blade if you want to go for ease and comfort. The weight of the trimmer should also be considered, as the weight of a trimmer will dictate how easy or difficult it is to use. The heavier trimmers will be harder to hold up and use.

You can get cordless and cabled hedge trimmers. You will find the cordless trimmers can sometimes be lighter, but they do need recharging often. If you have a big trimming to complete, then you may prefer a cabled trimmer, but then you need to consider your power source and the accessibility of plugs to plug in your trimmer whilst in use.

If you are looking for advice on which hedge trimmer to buy then look no further, we have listed the most popular trimmers on the market along with their notable features.

Maintenance

Irrespective of the type of hedge trimmer you decide to buy, it is essential that you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you want to preserve the lifespan of your hedge trimmer. With cordless trimmers, you need to ensure that you look after the battery and make sure the trimmer is fully charged before you use it.

You should check the plug and battery periodically to make sure it is all in working order. Similarly, for hedge trimmers that are plugged into a socket, you need to ensure that you keep an eye on the wiring and make sure that you do not cut through it. With all hedge trimmers, you also need to ensure the blades are not damaged, and that they remain sharp. Keep your hedge trimmer clean between all uses, brushing off any debris and leaves before storing it away someone dry.

Safety

As with any powerful tool, you need to ensure that you use it safely and that it has features such as anti-blocking and safety shut-off to ensure there are no accidents.

If you decide to buy a corded trimmer then make sure you have enough cable length to use it safely. You should avoid the very short cable lengths if you want increased reach and mobility, and the last thing you want to be doing is pulling on the cable whilst the trimmer is in use.

Durability

If you are investing in a hedge trimmer you want to ensure that it is durable and lasts many years. Features to look for when making your purchase should include:

Blade length
Tooth extensions
On and off lock
Ergonomic handles
Warranty
Dual switches

One thing to remember when using your hedge trimmer is that you will need to be prepared for the mess it creates. Therefore, before you start trimming make sure you have bags to hand to bag up all your trimmings.