7 Best Electric Hedge Trimmers | Australian Buying Guide 2021

Why Buy an Electric Hedge Trimmer?

• Quiet operation – Electric motors are very quiet compared to petrol hedge trimmers, so you don’t need ear protection.
• Environmentally-friendly – They are zero-emission tools that are energy efficient and don’t use fossil fuels, so they are better for your health and the environment.
• High performance – Thanks to modern technology, electric hedge trimmers offer plenty of power and great performance, making them a real alternative to petrol tools.
• Lightweight – They’re light and easy to manoeuvre, making them easy to work with and reducing fatigue on your arms and back. You’ll have sharp, clean edges on your hedge in no time!
• Easy to operate – There’s no mixing of fuels, risk of running out of fuel, or engine preparation needed. All you do is make sure your battery is charged or your power cord is connected, switch it on, and get to work.
• Low maintenance – Electric hedge trimmers are very low maintenance. All you have to do is keep it clean and dry, and sharpen or replace the blades when they get blunt.

Here's a guide on how to use an electric hedge trimmer.

Which is Better – Electric or Battery Hedge Trimmer?

Like most electric gardening equipment, hedge trimmers come in two varieties – corded and battery powered.

Corded Electric Hedge Trimmer  

Corded hedge trimmers will run for as long as you need them to – provided you have access to an outlet. You can extend the range of the trimmer by adding an outdoor rated extension cord, but it’s not a practical choice for you if your hedges are at the bottom of your garden.

Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmer  

These trimmers are just as powerful as corded models and are fully mobile, so you can easily take them to wherever you want to work. You also don’t have the hassle of dealing with a cord that can get in the way or get tangled.

Battery power means limited runtime however, so you have to remember to charge it before you use it or to buy an additional battery so you can swap them out for longer jobs. 

Can I Use a Hedge Trimmer to Cut Branches?

No. Even the most powerful models are only designed to cut thinner twigs, branches and growth. Rather use hedge shears, or a chainsaw for branches and heavier jobs.

How Long Do Electric Hedge Trimmers Last?

In terms of operating time, every model is different. You can run a corded model for as long as the job takes, but a battery-powered model has limited run time. Typically, these last around 40 minutes to 1 hour before running flat.

What Size Branch Can a Hedge Trimmer Cut?

Electric hedge trimmers can cut twigs and branches up to 2cm in diameter depending on how powerful your model is. It’s best to use pruning shears for thicker branches to avoid burning out the motor.

Features to Consider When Buying an Electric Hedge Trimmer

Battery Power and Run-Time 

The higher the voltage of the battery, the more power you’ll get out of your hedge trimmer. It’s also important to look at the run-time, so you know how long you can work before needing to recharge or swap the battery out. 

Weight  

You’ll need to be able to lift the trimmer, move it easily and hold it up while you work, so weight is important. Corded models tend to be lighter than battery models, and higher voltage batteries tend to be heavier, so be sure to check the weight of the trimmer to make sure you can still lift it easily.

Blade Length  

Longer blades make for more efficient, faster cutting, but can be more challenging to angle and work with in tighter spaces. If you have a large, heavy hedge, a longer blade may be better for you.

If you are shaping a smaller hedge or ornamental, then a shorter blade can be more agile and manoeuvrable.

Blade Tooth-Spacing  

This refers to the gap between each tooth on the blade. A smaller tooth-spacing makes the trimmer more suited to smaller hedges with lighter growth and thinner branches, while a larger tooth-spacing can tackle thicker branches.

Safety Features  

As with all power tools, safety features are essential in hedge trimming. Look for non-slip ergonomic handles, automatic shut-off features, 2-handle starts, lock buttons, and sheaths for safe storage.

1. BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-XE Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer

This cordless electric hedge trimmer is part of the Power Command range, and it offers great performance, a good battery runtime, and a sharp, high-quality 55cm blade with a wide 22mm tooth-spacing.

The 36V battery is interchangeable with other power tools in this range. The bale handle design is easy to grip, and it weighs around 4.78kgs. It can handle larger hedges with tougher growth easily.

2. Bosch 0600849H01 Battery Hedge Trimmer

Part of the Power4All range, this battery hedge trimmer is battery-compatible with other tools in the range. The 18V battery supplies plenty of power to the high-quality 45cm cutting blade with 15mm tooth-spacing, offering around 160 square meters of trimming per charge.

It’s very lightweight at 2.3kgs, which makes it agile and easy to use for longer periods of time. It has a great anti-jam system to prevent the blades from getting blocked up, and the motor self-adjusts to handle tougher branches automatically.

3. BLACK+DECKER GTC1845L20-XE Battery Hedge Trimmer

This smaller battery hedge trimmer has a more compact 45cm blade for small to medium-sized hedges. The powerful motor and 18V battery offers great performance, making trimming a hedge fast and easy.

It has a very high quality cutting blade with a 18mm blade gap, and the handles are designed to be comfortable, secure and non-slip.

4. Flymo EasiCut 520 Electric Hedge Trimmer

Basic and budget-friendly, the Flymo corded hedge trimmer (manufactured by Husqvarna) is a good option. With 500W of power, a 50cm cutting blade with 19mm tooth-spacing, it is best suited to small and medium-sized hedges.

Because it’s corded, you can work for as long as you need to without having to worry about charging a battery, and the 10m cable can be extended with an additional cord. It’s fairly lightweight too at 3.2kgs.

5. DEWALT DCHT820B 20v Max Cordless Hedge Trimmer

This 20V cordless trimmer comes from a well-known power tool brand, and despite the plastic housing, it’s well-built to a high standard. It offers good performance for small and medium-sized gardens, with one the longest blade of all the tools we’ve reviewed at 55cm. 

It has good battery life and run time thanks to a 5Ah rating, and comes with a great 3-year warranty.

6. GreenWorks 20-Inch 24V Cordless Hedge Trimmer

GreenWorks is a well-established manufacturer of gardening tools known for great quality and innovative features, and this cordless trimmer is no exception.

It has a long 55cm blade for exceptional cutting reach, an innovative 180-degree rotating rear handle for easy trimming at any angle, and an aluminium rail cover for safe storage and transportation.

The 20V battery offers great performance and charges in just 50 minutes. It also comes with a 4-year warranty.

7. Einhell GH-EH 4245 420 W Electric Hedge Trimmer

If you are looking for a more compact option that offers great cutting performance, then this corded electric hedge trimmer is for you.

With a 45cm diamond steel cutting blade, 16mm tooth-spacing and input power of 420W, it gets the job done quickly and efficiently. 

The blade is counter-rotating for easy trimming at an angle, it has a soft-grip handle for comfort, and it weighs just 2.5kgs. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized gardens.

Best Hedge Trimmer Australia

Our top pick for the best electric hedge trimmer of 2021 is the BLACK+DECKER GTC36552PC-XE! It offers exceptional cutting power and performance thanks to the high-quality 55cm cutting blade and 36V battery. 

The wider tooth-spacing means you can cut through thicker branches than most other hedge trimmers, so it’s well-suited to small, medium and large-size gardens with more demanding hedge growth.  

It has safety blades and 2-hand starting to prevent accidents, and the ergonomic handle is comfortable to work with. It’s battery-powered, so it can work wherever you need to go, and the battery run time itself is the best we’ve seen.