Best hedge trimmer

Keeping up with yard work can be a tiring task. Using the right tools for the job cuts down on physical labor and gives your yard a professional look. Today's best hedge trimmers are power garden tools that make easy work of pruning bushes, hedges, and even small trees.

Hedge trimmers are not a one-size-fits-all yard device. They come in a variety of sizes meant to meet your specific needs. Some hedge trimmers look like a giant pair of scissors and operate manually, allowing you to get at hard-to-reach branches. Some are battery-powered, giving you the freedom to move about your yard without being tethered to a power cord. And others are electric and ideal for trimming hedges in a central location.

Whatever your needs, we have suggestions. Whether you're pruning back a large, unkempt hedge or need to tidy up with a few simple snips, these are the best hedge trimmers your money can buy.

If you've already invested in the DEWALT ecosystem, the DEWALT 20V Max is a no-brainer. And if you're not, why not start with this hedge trimmer? With DEWALT, batteries are interchangeable, so you can use your hedge trimmer battery with other tools in your garage. This lightweight hedge trimmer has a 22-inch blade, can handle cutting anything up to 0.75 inches, making it effortless to shear big and small bushes and hedges on your property. The cordless design goes anywhere and will make even your biggest jobs less of a chore.

When you have mature branches and an abundance of hedge work to do, you'll want the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX cordless hedge trimmer in your toolkit. This model has a 22-inch blade, comes with an extra rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and is capable of cutting back up to 3,000 square feet of branches and shrubs before you need to switch the battery out. Bonus: With the inclusion of an extra battery, this is one of the best options around.

There are advantages to choosing a corded hedge trimmer, and that's namely in the power department. The 4-amp motor on the Toro 51490 slices through large and small branches and quickly cuts back greenery. The generous 22-inch cutting bar gives you enough reach to avoid pulling a ladder out of the garage, too. The ergonomic handle is comfortable to use, and we love the dual-action cutting system that reduces vibration and hand fatigue.

Trimming hedges is usually heavy, endless work. The WORX WG261 weighs in at only 5.5 pounds, so it's easier to maneuver in and around greenery, bushes, shrubs, and small branches. This lightweight hedge trimmer comes with a 20V rechargeable battery, has sharp blades out of the box, and enhanced safety features. All these features make it one of our favorite hedge trimmers of the year.

For serious yard work, the Greenworks cordless hedge trimmer is a workhorse. The extra-long 24-inch cutting bar, equipped with dual-action steel blades, gives an exact trim to delicate green leaves and cuts through tough, old branches with ease. This innovative hedge trimmer has a 180-degree rotating rear handle so you can reach shrubs and hedges from multiple angles. 

The Fiskars Power Lever is a perfectly-balanced manual tool for shaping bushes and hedges and cutting back old branches and greens. The shock-absorbing handles are comfortable and prevent hand and arm fatigue. When you need better control and absolute precision on smaller hedges, ivy, and bushes, the Fiskars Power Lever is the best hedge trimmer on the block.

Cut yard work time with the best hedge trimmer

All of these hedge trimmers are capable of paring away delicate greenery and slicing through unwanted branches. Our staff pick from DEWALT is a cordless yard tool that gives a 22-inch laser-like cut and has plenty of power for every type of shrub, bush, and hedge.

When you're dealing with tall or hard-to-reach hedges, we love the Greenworks cordless hedge trimmer. It's a lightweight model with a rotating handle and a 24-inch cutting bar that can even out hedges and deal with thick branches.

When you need a tool that can clip back unruly hedges and shape them, reach for the Fiskars Power Lever. They're a large pair of shears that give you ultraprecise reach and control.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Why trust me?

I don't have much of a green thumb, but I do love my power tools. I own and use several hedge trimming devices, including our staff pick.