Electric Hedge Trimmer Buyer's Guide
How to Pick the Perfect Electric Hedge Trimmer
Gas is powerful, but sometimes it just doesn't beat that electric feel.
Smooth, clean, and noticeably quieter, electric hedge trimmers are more economical and environmentally friendly.
Even better, you don't have to worry about maintenance or trips to the gas station. Just plug it in or charge the battery.
Electric hedge trimmers are becoming the popular choice for homeowners with fewer hedges to maintain.
Corded Electric Hedge Trimmers
Electric hedge trimmers are the most economical choice and require no maintenance. They are very quiet and are as easy to start as plugging in an extension cord and flipping the "ON" switch. Electric hedge trimmers also weigh less, which helps reduce fatigue while you’re trimming.
The main limitation of electric hedge trimmers is your range, which will be only 100 feet from an electric source. Because you're tethered to an extension cord, getting behind bushes and around other obstacles can be cumbersome.
Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmers
Cordless hedge trimmers combine the convenience of electric models with the portability of gas trimmers. The battery is the biggest consideration with these. After charging for about 4 hours you can trim to your heart's content for about 40-60 minutes.
You have two types of batteries to choose from: NiCad or Lithium Ion. Lithium ion batteries are better because they do not lose cutting power as the battery drains down. A lithium ion battery is also much lighter in weight, making the hedge trimmer easier to handle.