A Guide To Buying A Hedge Trimmer

Many people think that buying a hedge trimmer is a simple job. All you have to do is pick the one you want and then go and buy it.

But when you start to explore the world of hedge trimmers you will see that there are lots of variables at play here. That is why we have produced this guide, so that you stand a much better chance of buying just the right kind of trimmer for you.

So without further ado let’s get stuck in and see what you need to be thinking about – and what you need to look for.

A Selection of the Best Selling Hedge Trimmers

What are the basic elements you need to be thinking about?

You have three main types of hedge trimmer you could buy. A lot of people go for the electric type that you simply plug in and use with the attached power cord. Alternatively you could opt for a cordless model that has to be charged, or perhaps a petrol one.

They all have their advantages and disadvantages as you might expect, but the one that will be best for you will depend on several things. Firstly some people swear by one type in particular and wouldn’t even consider using anything else! Other reasons are that they might need to be able to move around a larger area. In this case an electric hedge trimmer may not be all that practical.

If you go for a petrol model you will have the freedom of not being connected to a power source. But you’ll need to have a petrol canister safely stored somewhere convenient. And of course they also tend to be a lot noisier than any other type of trimmer. Many people don’t use them if they are just trimming one or two hedges in their own back garden.

What can you afford to buy?

This is an important consideration because a hedge trimmer can be bought for anything between about £40 and £300 plus!

It depends on what type you go for and what make and model you choose. Some brands are naturally more expensive than others, while some are made more to be cheap and cheerful than anything else.

Consider what you need and what you would like, and try to buy the best hedge trimmer that you can afford.

Are there any makes you would particularly like to consider?

Luckily you have lots of different makes and models to choose from. There are household names such as Bosch, Black and Decker and Flymo to name just a few, and then there are the less well known names such as Echo and Tanaka.

Do a bit of research and see what other people who have already bought them think of their purchase. It could steer you in the right direction when you are looking to buy one yourself.

Also, some makers are better known for making, say, petrol hedge trimmers than they are for making electric ones. This should also be borne in mind as it makes life a lot easier if you know that certain makers are better to focus on for a particular type of hedge trimmer.

Can you lift it comfortably?

This is the one thing that many people don’t think about! Buying online may well get you the best price for your brand new hedge trimmer. But you should always make sure you see it ‘in the flesh’ first.

You need to know not only how heavy it is, but how well that weight is distributed through the trimmer. Some are naturally going to be more comfortable for you to hold than others, which is why you need to make sure that you can get on with it before you buy.

There is nothing worse than buying one online and not knowing what to expect. And of course you tend to try and just get along with it then, instead of changing it for one that feels better and easier to hold.

The other thing you need to think about when you are using a hedge trimmer is how you will hold it. If your hedges are taller than about shoulder height you will certainly need to hold the trimmer up at a height for a while to be able to trim them properly. Now obviously the heavier your trimmer is, the shorter the time you are going to be able to hold it for.

It can often pay to make sure you buy a nice light one, so try before you buy online – that’s the moral of the story!

How do the blades work?

Blades? Surely a hedge trimmer has just one blade, doesn’t it?

Actually it has two – as you will see as soon as you take a look at one up close. If you place your hands together so your palms are pressed together, and then you rub them against each other crossways, you will get an idea of how a hedge trimmer works.

Your fingers are the teeth, and as your hands rub together you will see that the gaps between your fingers get smaller and larger as your hands move. Now imagine that happening very fast with two sharp blades. That is how the branches and twigs of your hedge will be lopped off as you run the hedge trimmer against the hedge.

But of course just as not all hedge trimmers are made equal, none of the blades are either. They may be made of different materials too, depending on which brand of trimmer you decide to buy. Make sure you read all the information that is given with each one, to see what blades they use and whether they have any special features.

What length of blade do you need?

Some people automatically go out and buy a blade that is the longest one they can find.

But that isn’t always necessary. You will see that blades come in many different lengths, depending on the manufacturer and what the trimmer is intended to be used for. Always make sure you consider this point carefully because if you buy a cheaper hedge trimmer to save some money, you could be giving yourself more work to do in the garden.

It is obvious that a hedge trimmer with a shorter blade will take longer to trim a hedge than one with a much longer blade. But you need to think about the type of hedges you have, and how tall or wide they are as well. If you have one small hedge and you have no intention of ever growing or creating any more, then a small blade will be perfectly adequate.

But let’s say you have three small hedges and one larger one. In that case you would be better buying a hedge trimmer with a longer blade, as it will make lighter work of the bigger hedge.

You will often find that when you read the details for any particular hedge trimmer, they will tell you what kind of hedge height it is intended for. Find out as much as you can before you buy.

What gap do you need between the teeth?

So there are different gaps between the teeth too? Yes there are, but it is easy to understand the reason why – and it is obvious when you know!

Hedge trimmers that have teeth with small gaps are made for cutting branches that are small, while trimmers with large gaps between the teeth can get through much bigger branches.

So what you need to do is to go out into your garden and get an idea of how thick the branches are on your hedges. An estimate will do – you really only need a general idea for this.

Take the thickest measurement and then find a hedge trimmer where the gaps between the teeth are the same as or larger than that measurement. You don’t need to worry about it being able to cut through thicker branches as it will be able to do this quite easily.

That’s why some people buy a trimmer and then aren’t satisfied with it. The chances are high that they have bought the one they thought looked good – or was cheap enough – and didn’t pay any attention to the teeth. Now you know enough not to fall into that trap!

Can you use your trimmer in more than one position?

You will no doubt need to adjust your position when you are using your trimmer. When you think about how you cut the hedge you will see this is true.

You will need to cut lower down by the floor; higher up – possibly above your head – and also down the side or end of the hedge. Some hedge trimmers are designed to be adjusted so you can move the handgrips and make it more comfortable to use for your own needs.

These models are generally more expensive, but spending a little extra to gain extra comfort is always a good idea. It will definitely be worth it in the long run.

Will it protect your hands?

As you start shopping around for your new hedge trimmer, you will notice something else about the more expensive models (and some of the cheaper ones too).

Some of them have a built in guard in place that is situated between where you hold the trimmer and where the blade is. This helps to protect your hands as the cut branches fly off in all directions.

Again, it makes no difference to the actual working of the trimmer, but it makes life easier and more comfortable for you. Not to mention safer as well!

Don’t forget to buy some added extras too

Over time, as you use your hedge trimmer more and more, you will of course need to replace the blades.

But when you first buy your hedge trimmer you may want to make sure you have a few other things too. They are cheap and easy to get hold of, but they will certainly make your life a lot easier.

The first item is goggles. Protecting your eyes is absolutely essential when you are trimming your hedge. Even if you wear glasses normally you won’t want to scratch the lenses, and you may still get a twig or splinter flying into the side of your eye.

Secondly you should get some heavy duty gloves. These will protect your hands, but they should be good enough that you can still grip the hedge trimmer easily, comfortably and safely too.

Thirdly if your hedge trimmer is particularly loud to operate – most likely if you have a petrol operated one – then some ear guards are a good idea. This is relevant no matter whether you use the trimmer a lot or hardly at all.

And finally, make sure you have a blade guard to use when you are not using the hedge trimmer. Some trimmers come with them already, but make sure that if you don’t have one you buy one separately. Not only will it protect the blade from any damage while not in use, it will also protect against any accidents which may occur if someone isn’t aware the trimmer is there.

In conclusion

So there you have it – a complete and comprehensive guide to buying your hedge trimmer. There might be more to bear in mind than you at first thought, but now you will be able to make the right purchase and you will know exactly what to expect when you are shopping around.

You’ll find a complete lowdown on all the different brands that are available on other pages of this website, as well as reviews of all the best places to buy from. All that remains now is to locate just the right hedge trimmer for your needs, as well as the one that fits your pocket!

One thing is certain though – all your hard work will be worth it when you are standing back and admiring the great job you have done trimming that unruly hedge.