What can you use a cordless hedge trimmer for?

As their name suggests, hedge trimmers are typically used to cut hedges and bushes, quickly slicing away unruly branches and restoring them to a neat, clean shape. They can also be used for clearing overgrown grass and weeds, as well as managing small vines, but you’ll always want to keep your trimmer’s cut capacity in mind. To cut through thick branches, it’s safer and more efficient to use a chainsaw.

What are the benefits of a cordless model vs. a gas trimmer?

There are several reasons you might want to choose an electric hedge trimmer over a gas-powered model. For one, electric units are typically lighter, making them easier to hold, and they’re often quieter during operation as well. They don’t require any fuel, and they’re also eco-friendly, as they don’t give off any emissions.

How often do you have to charge a cordless hedge trimmer?

The battery life of your cordless hedge trimmer will depend on factors like the type of battery it uses and what you’re cutting with it. In general, you’ll want to charge your hedge trimmer between uses so you’re starting out with a full battery every time, but you may have to charge in the midst of your trimming sessions if you have a lot of foliage to maintain. (To avoid this inconvenience, many homeowners keep a spare battery on-hand.)

The 9 Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers of 2021

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Trimming hedges in your yard is enough work—the last thing you want is to have to navigate around an extension cord in the process. That’s where cordless hedge trimmers come in handy! These power tools run on batteries, allowing for unrestricted mobility, and many of them have a surprisingly long runtime, allowing you to tidy up all your hedges on one charge.

When selecting the best hedge trimmer for your needs, you’ll want to think about the blade size, which will determine how large a swatch you can cut, as well as the maximum branch size the tool can handle. Other considerations to take into account include battery life and extendability.

Here, the best cordless hedge trimmers for seasonal maintenance.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

DEWALT 22 in. Cordless Hedge Trimmer at Amazon

This hedge trimmer can cut through branches up to 3/4 inch thick yet weighs just 7.5 pounds, making it easy to handle.

Read Review

Best Budget:

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer at Amazon

This compact hedge trimmer is ideal for maintaining small bushes around your yard.

Read Review

Best Lightweight:

WORX 22-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer at Amazon

At just over 5 pounds, this is one of the lightest hedge trimmers available, making it easy to use for long periods of time.

Read Review

Best Battery Life:

Makita 22 in. Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit at Amazon

You'll be able to work for longer periods thanks to this trimmer's impressive 120-minute runtime.

Read Review

Best for Thick Branches:

RYOBI 24 in. Cordless Hedge Trimmer at Home Depot

This cordless hedge trimmer has a 1-inch cut capacity, as well as a rotating handle that lets you trim at different angles.

Read Review

Best for Shrubs:

CRAFTSMAN 8-in Dual Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer at Amazon

This 2-in-1 trimmer comes with an 8-inch blade for shrub maintenance, as well as a small grass sheering attachment.

Read Review

Best 24-Inch:

EGO POWER+ 24-in Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer at Lowe's

You'll be able to trim larger hedges with this tool's 24-inch dual-action blade.

Read Review

Best 26-Inch :

Kobalt 26-in Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer at Lowe's

This tool's extra-long blade operates at 3,600 strokes per minute and offers up to 70 minutes of runtime.

Read Review

Best Extendable:

RYOBI 40-Volt Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer at Home Depot

This pole trimmer extends up to 8 feet, allowing you to safely reach high branches.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust The Spruce?

DEWALT 22 in. 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Hedge Trimmer

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Tractorsupply.com

Blade Length: 22 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: 3/4 inch | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Battery: 5.0Ah | Runtime: Not listed

What We Like

High-output motor
Pre-hardened blades
Compact and lightweight design

What We Don't Like

Doesn't include blade guard

The DEWALT Cordless Hedge Trimmer delivers power and durability, yet it’s lightweight enough for most anyone to manage. This tool is powered by a 5.0Ah lithium-ion battery, and it has a double-sided 22-inch blade that can cut branches up to ¾-inch thick. Plus, it has hooked-teeth blades that are pre-hardened, allowing you to use it for longer before needing to maintenance the blades.

The DEWALT Trimmer is compact and lightweight, weighing just 7.5 pounds, and it delivers up to 2,800 cut strokes per minute. It has antivibration technology that makes it easier to operate, and you can buy the tool with or without the battery and charger, in case you already have a compatible DEWALT battery to use with it.

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer with POWERCOMMAND Powercut, 22-Inch (LHT321FF)

View On Amazon View On Home Depot

Blade Length: 22 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: 3/4 inch | Weight: 7.8 pounds | Battery: 20V | Runtime: 3,000 square feet

What We Like

Reasonable price point
Power-cut feature helps cut through jams
Good battery life

What We Don't Like

Not as powerful as more expensive models

High-end cordless hedge trimmers can cost upward of $200, but this compact, budget-friendly model from BLACK+DECKER retails for less than $100, making it an unbeatable value. The tool has a 22-inch dual-edge blade that can cut through branches up to ¾ inch in diameter, and it’s designed with comfort in mind, featuring a premium grip and additional handle for stability.

This hedge trimmer runs on a 20-volt battery, and its power-cut feature provides a boost of power to cut through thick areas and jams. It’s able to cut up to 3,000 square feet in a single charge and vibrates less during operation to reduce arm fatigue.

WORX WG261 20V Power Share 22-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

View On Amazon View On Lowe's View On Tractorsupply.com

Blade Length: 22 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: 3/4 inch | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Battery: 2.0Ah | Runtime: Not listed

What We Like

Lightweight design
Built-in safety guard
D-grip allows you to cut at multiple angles
Reasonable price

What We Don't Like

Can get stuck on thick branches
Can't use one-handed

Hedge trimmers can be quite heavy, making them challenging to operate for long periods of time, but the WORX Power Share Cordless Hedge Trimmer weighs just 5.5 pounds, making it one of the best lightweight options out there. It has a 22-inch dual-action blade that will slice through branches up to ¾-inch thick, and it is ergonomically designed for user comfort and safety.

The WORX Hedge Trimmer runs on a 2.0Ah battery, and it has a built-in safety guard that will keep debris off of you during use. The tool features a soft rear handle that reduces vibration, as well as a front D-grip that allows you to cut hedges from any angle, and it’s a budget-friendly choice, even with the battery and charger included.

Makita 22 in. 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit

View On Amazon View On Home Depot

Blade Length: 22 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: Not listed | Weight: 12.8 pounds | Battery: 4.0Ah | Runtime: 120 minutes

What We Like

Long battery life
Built-in safety guard
Lightweight and easy to manage

What We Don't Like

Cut capacity not specified

For those with lots of hedges to trim, the Makita Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit delivers an impressive 120 minutes of runtime on its lowest setting. The tool has a 22-inch blade that can deliver up to 1,350 strokes per minute, and it weighs just over 7 pounds, making it easier to wield.

This hedge trimmer has an anti-vibration design with several cushions in the motor housing, and it’s quieter than most trimmers, operating at just 87 decibels. The tool features quick-change blades, a battery capacity warning system, and electric brake, and its battery charges up in less than an hour, allowing you to get back to work faster.

The 8 Best Edge Trimmers of 2021

RYOBI 24 in. 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Hedge Trimmer

View On Home Depot

Blade Length: 24 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: 1 inch | Weight: 8.1 pounds | Battery: 2.0Ah | Runtime: Not listed

What We Like

1-inch cut capacity
Hedge sweep clears debris during operation
Rotating handle allows trimming at multiple angles

What We Don't Like

Battery not interchangeable with other RYOBI tools

If you need to cut through thick branches in your yard, you’ll need a tool like the RYOBI Cordless Hedge Trimmer. This tool has a 24-inch dual-action blade with a 1-inch cutting capacity, and its rotating handle lets you comfortably trim at all angles.

The RYOBI Hedge Trimmer delivers cutting speeds of 3,200 strokes per minute, and it features a wrap-around front handle for superior control. It also features the brand’s “Hedge Sweep” design, which clears debris and clippings while you’re working.

CRAFTSMAN 20-Volt Max 8-in Dual Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer

View On Amazon View On Lowe's View On Farmandfleet.com

Blade Length: 8 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: 5/16 inch | Weight: 5.1 pounds | Battery: 1.5Ah | Runtime: Not listed

What We Like

Includes two blades
Easy to change attachments
Extremely compact

What We Don't Like

Low cut diameter
Grass blade gets bogged down easily

You probably don’t need a full-size hedge trimmer if you just have shrubs in your yard, and the CRAFTSMAN Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer is a compact model that’s perfect for smaller applications. It comes with two different blade attachments—an 8-inch shrubber and a 4-inch grass sheer blade—and its small size and light weight allow you to operate it using just one hand.

The shrub blade on this tool can cut through branches up to 5/16 inch in diameter, and it has a convenient blade-swap system that doesn’t require any additional tools. The trimmer weighs just 5 pounds, and it’s compact enough that it won’t take up too much space in your workshop or garden shed.

EGO POWER+ 24-in Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer

View On Lowe's View On Ace Hardware

Blade Length: 24 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: 1 inch | Weight: 6.1 pounds | Battery: 2.5Ah | Runtime: Not listed

What We Like

Built-in electric brake
Large 24-inch blade
Blades are fully serviceable

What We Don't Like

Requires two hands for operation

Most hedge trimmers have a 20- or 22-inch blade, but if you have larger hedges, the EGO Power+ Hedge Trimmer’s 24-inch dual-action blade will help get the job done quicker. This tool has a 1-inch cut capacity and delivers 3,000 strokes per minute, and its hardened steel blades will give you clean and precise cuts.

The trimmer has a high-efficiency brushless motor that extends its runtime per charge, and it features an electric brake that stops the blade action quickly. The blades themselves are fully serviceable, making it easier to sharpen them, and despite packing a powerful punch, the tool weighs just 6 pounds.

Kobalt 26-in Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer

View On Lowe's

Blade Length: 26 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: ¾ inch | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Battery: 2.0Ah | Runtime: 70 minutes

What We Like

Extra-long blade
Good battery life
Powerful motor

What We Don't Like

Fairly heavy

One of the longest blade lengths that’s commonly available is 26 inches, and if you’re looking for a trimmer with this extra-large blade, consider the Kobalt Cordless Hedge Trimmer. It has a 26-inch dual-action laser cut blade that operates at 3,600 strokes per minute, and it can cut through even the thickest shrubs thanks to its ¾-inch cut capacity.

This tool runs on a professional-grade lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 70 minutes of runtime per charge, and its brushless motor provides more torque for tough applications. It has a push button start that makes it easy to operate, but it is on the heavier side, weighing just over 9 pounds.

RYOBI 18 in. 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer

View On Home Depot

Blade Length: 18 inches | Maximum Cut Diameter: ⅝ inches | Weight: 7.8 pounds | Battery: 40V | Runtime: Not listed

What We Like

Pole extends up to 8 feet
Pivoting head
Includes shoulder strap

What We Don't Like

Battery/charger not included
Weight makes it tiring to use

If you have tall hedges or want to trim high branches, you’re going to need an extendable hedge trimmer like this one from RYOBI. The pole trimmer extends up to 8 feet, allowing you to reach even the highest branches, and it has an 18-inch dual action blade that has a cut capacity of ⅝ inches.

This extendable trimmer has a pivoting head that lets you trim at multiple angles, and it comes with a shoulder strap for safe operation. It has a variable speed trigger for superior control, but keep in mind that the battery and charger aren't included, so you’ll have to purchase them separately.

Final Verdict

The DEWALT 22 in. 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer (view at Amazon) is a solid choice for most homeowners—it can cut branches up to 3/4-inch thick and weighs just 7.5 pounds, making it easy to handle for long periods. For greater cutting capacity, consider the RYOBI 24 in. 40-Volt Cordless Hedge Trimmer (view at Home Depot), which can cut through branches up to 1-inch thick.

Blade size

Blade sizes vary greatly—from 8 to 40 inches—but 22-inch blades are arguably most common and they can typically cut branches up to ¾ inches wide, making them sufficient for most tasks. However, if you have oversized hedges or just a lot of ground to cover, a tool with a larger blade can help you complete the job faster.

Extension

If you need to reach tall bushes or hedges, spend a little bit more and get a hedge trimmer with a telescoping pole to extend your reach. However, be aware that it’s not safe to operate these devices without steady balance.

Battery life

Batteries have greatly improved in recent years, and electric hedge trimmers now have batteries up to 80 volts and can provide up to two hours of operation on a single charge. For optimal battery life, look for lithium-ion batteries and consider getting an extra battery pack to help you make it through bigger jobs.

FAQ

What can you use a cordless hedge trimmer for?

As their name suggests, hedge trimmers are typically used to cut hedges and bushes, quickly slicing away unruly branches and restoring them to a neat, clean shape. They can also be used for clearing overgrown grass and weeds, as well as managing small vines, but you’ll always want to keep your trimmer’s cut capacity in mind. To cut through thick branches, it’s safer and more efficient to use a chainsaw.
What are the benefits of a cordless model vs. a gas trimmer?

There are several reasons you might want to choose an electric hedge trimmer over a gas-powered model. For one, electric units are typically lighter, making them easier to hold, and they’re often quieter during operation as well. They don’t require any fuel, and they’re also eco-friendly, as they don’t give off any emissions.
How often do you have to charge a cordless hedge trimmer?

The battery life of your cordless hedge trimmer will depend on factors like the type of battery it uses and what you’re cutting with it. In general, you’ll want to charge your hedge trimmer between uses so you’re starting out with a full battery every time, but you may have to charge in the midst of your trimming sessions if you have a lot of foliage to maintain. (To avoid this inconvenience, many homeowners keep a spare battery on-hand.)

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer who has contributed to The Spruce since 2017. She's done firsthand testing of battery-powered tools, and she herself owns a number of RYOBI products that she uses for lawn maintenance and projects around her home.