7 Best Gas and Electric Hedge Trimmers of 2021

Choosing a Hedge Trimmer

Hedge trimmers are power tools with coarsely toothed, reciprocating blades designed to trim hedges, bushes, shrubs and small branches. They can be electric or gas-powered. Electric models can be battery-powered or corded. Corded models require a nearby electrical outlet.

Which type of hedge trimmer you choose depends on the type and quantity of trimming you do, along with your physical strength, noise tolerance and mechanical aptitude.

In my experience, most battery-powered trimmers are not as powerful as similarly sized gas models, although they’re much lighter and improvements are being made all the time. Gas models are plenty powerful, but also much louder and heavier than electrics.

Like battery-powered models, corded electric trimmers are usually lightweight and don’t need batteries and chargers. Disadvantages include dealing with a long cord and needing to stick close to a live electrical outlet.