Trimming your hedge is a thankless task, which is why it is so delightful to make the process easier. Short of hiring someone to trim your hedge for you, finding the right hedge trimmer is vital in saving time and saving you a lot of work and effort.
It’s good to have a garden space in great condition, but what’s the point unless you have time to relax in it? That’s why you need to search for the best hedge trimmer and have several options to consider.
You’re not alone if you are currently weighing up the pros and cons of battery hedge and petrol trimmers. These are both great options, but there are circumstances where each trimmer shines and is the best option.
This guide will review the pros and cons of battery hedge trimmers and petrol trimmers, hopefully helping you uncover the most suitable trimmer for your needs.
Quick overview for the best hedge trimmer
A battery hedge trimmer is an excellent option if you’re looking for an easy way to trim your hedges. Trimmers powered by batteries are lighter and easier to use than petrol hedge trimmers and don’t require any fuel to operate.
However, they don’t offer the same level of power as petrol hedge trimmers, so if you need to trim a particularly dense hedge, search for a more durable range of trimming machines.
Petrol hedge trimmers are popular options
Regarding product development in recent years, the progress and improvement in the quality of battery and cordless hedge trimmers has been astounding. It used to be that many users laughed at cordless hedge trimmers.
Cordless hedge trimmers have improved over the years
This is because a cordless trimmer lacked the cutting capabilities or the lifespan to make them useful. Only homeowners with the smallest gardens or bushes got any benefit from this device style.
This has changed, though, and the use of lithium ion batteries means cordless battery hedge trimmers are a viable option for professional gardeners and casual users.
Benefits of a battery hedge trimmer
As you’d expect from such a popular product, there are many benefits of using a cordless and battery hedge trimmer, including:
- Battery powered trimmers improved to such an extent that they can be relied on for most jobs
- The range of batteries on offer, including replaceable and spare battery options, means users who need greater power can opt to do so
- There is no risk of cutting through a power cord or cable with these hedge trimmers, which is a massive safety feature
- Battery hedge trimmers are quieter than other trimmers, ideal for gardeners who don’t want to annoy their neighbours
- Battery hedge trimmers are very easy to start, most requiring users to push a button to start the device
- The range of battery powered trimmers don’t have much weight
As you can see, a battery powered hedge trimmer has many benefits, and many property owners find it a helpful addition to their gardening tools and equipment.
Drawbacks of a battery hedge trimmer
While there are many benefits of a battery hedge trimmer, there are also some drawbacks, which you must familiarise yourself with:
- With the vast majority of cordless trimmers, you will only receive around 40 minutes to one hour of cutting time; this will be enough for many users but not enough for all gardeners
- While it is great to have a rechargeable battery, the recharging process can take between one and four hours, which might be too long a waiting time for some gardeners
- Your hedge trimmer requirements influence the suitability of a cordless option
There are also some points about these trimmers, which are either pros or cons depending on the user’s needs. Some very affordable cordless hedge trimmers make them one of the best budget trimmer options.
Of course, if you want more power and battery life, you will pay more for the privilege.
The power source impacts the weight of the device
Similarly, there are many lightweight cordless hedge trimmers, ideal for people who cannot lift heavy objects for an extended time. Yet, you will also find sturdier and more robust cordless hedge trimmers at a higher price.
If you can handle more weight and need something to cut through thicker branches and sturdy bushes, you should find a cordless option that is right for you.
Who needs a battery hedge trimmer?
Not everyone needs a battery hedge trimmer, but some gardeners and homeowners will love them.
Anyone with bushes or hedges above waist height should consider using a battery hedge trimmer, especially if there aren’t too many thick branches, twigs and leaves.
This is not the same as searching for a lawnmower
Even though you are looking for tools that help you in the garden, a trimming device for hedges and bushes is different from what you need for your lawn. Electric models are often ideal as a grass strimmer, but when focusing on the ideal trimmer head, you need a consistently powerful solution.
A cordless hedge trimmer might not provide the cutting power you need
If the diameter of twigs in the hedge is around 15 millimetres or less, you should find a battery hedge trimmer to be a great choice.
Recap of the pros and cons of a battery hedge trimmer
In rounding up the merits of each trimmer, it is always helpful to recap the pros and cons of each device.
The pros of these trimmers are:
- They are safe to use
- They are light and easy to lift
- They don’t make a lot of noise
- They are easy to start and use
The cons of battery hedge trimmers are:
- Only the basic versions are cheap, heavier or more powerful trimmers don’t offer a financial saving
- They lack power and prolonged use, which might be unsuitable for professional gardeners or people with a big garden
Benefits of a petrol hedge trimmer
While a battery hedge trimmer is suitable for some people, it isn’t the only option. You can consider an electric one too, but for many gardeners, the ideal choice is a petrol hedge trimmer.
We’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of this style of petrol hedge trimmer and then discuss who will use this trimmer best.
- Petrol hedge trimmers are extremely powerful with a dependable cutting performance and are the device of choice for professional gardeners and landscapers
- These trimmers have longer blades as well as a more significant blade gap, which makes it easier for them to cut thicker branches, twigs and tougher hedges
- Petrol models are ideal for trimming larger hedges, and many devices come with accessories such as an extension pole, providing users with a longer reach
- Petrol hedge trimmers offer a good level of fuel efficiency and can be used for several days in a row
- With a 2-stroke engine, you have a lighter and more affordable petrol hedge trimmer that is easy to use
- With a 4-stroke engine, you have a more attractive trimmer that are more durable and last longer
It is easy to see why people who make a living out of cutting hedges or who deal with thick winter growth rely on the dependability of petrol hedge trimmers.
Drawbacks of a petrol hedge trimmer
Even allowing for so many positive benefits of a petrol hedge trimmer, there are some drawbacks:
- These devices are often heavy, and many people are unable to use them for more than a few minutes at a time
- There is a need to store and mix fuel and then pour this fuel before you can start to cut hedges, which might be inconvenient for too many people
- Starting the device is sometimes a chore, which some people struggle with
- Maintaining a petrol trimmer takes time and effort, which a lot of people might prefer to avoid
The drawbacks associated with a petrol powered hedge trimmer mean that while they are handy for some users, they are not a good match for many others.
Who needs a petrol hedge trimmer?
If you need significant power or have many hedges to cut, opting for a powerful petrol trimmer makes sense. Gardening professionals and people with tall or long hedges will find great value for money in this device.
However, petrol hedge trimmers tend to be too unwieldy for you if you have a small garden, low hedges, or you cannot light-heavy items for any sustained period.
Recap of the pros and cons of a battery hedge trimmer
In rounding up the merits of each trimmer, it is always helpful to recap the pros and cons of each device, starting with the cordless hedge trimmer.
The pros of battery and cordless hedge trimmers are:
- They are safe to use
- They are light in weight and easy to lift
- They don’t make a lot of noise
- They are easy to start and use
- They don’t need much maintenance
- A rotating handle makes using this device even easier
The cons of battery and cordless hedge trimmers are:
- Only the basic versions are cheap, heavier or more powerful trimmers don’t offer a financial saving
- They lack power and prolonged use, which might be unsuitable for professional gardeners or people with a big garden
Recap of the pros and cons of a petrol hedge trimmer
The same approach is necessary for petrol trimmers.
The pros of petrol hedge trimmers are:
- This tool offers the most power
- You can enjoy sustained use of these devices
- These trimmers are ideal for trees, large hedges, tall hedges and thick branches
- These trimmers run for several hours
The cons of petrol hedge trimmers are:
- They require a lot of maintenance
- These machines have a lot of weight
What is the best option suited to your needs?
Sadly, it’s not as easy to say there is one best trimmer that will suit every home and user. You need to think about your garden, your budget, how much strain you can handle, how much maintenance work you want to put in, and how much power you need.
Thankfully, there are more options than ever before, and whether you opt for petrol powered, electric, or a cordless trimmer, you’ll find the ideal device to do the job.
Looking to replace your current device?
A battery hedge trimmer is best suited for the casual homeowner who wants a tidy garden. If you have typical hedges and not too much room to cover, this style of machine with a second battery to speed up the process, will ensure you can cover your trimming needs in a day or weekend.
Batteries provide freedom from cords and cables
For pruning services and the freedom to style your garden, this is an ideal trimming device. These machines are lighter and easier to use than their petrol counterparts.
Alternatively, if you have a lot of hedges to trim in your garden, and these are thorny hedges, you need more support, akin to a power tool. A petrol powered tool offers a big advantage over a cordless battery tool.
Conquer the gardening jobs market with the right power source and machine
Gardening professionals who need this for their job and people with long or tall hedges or robust branches need additional power at their disposal. In this instance, a petrol hedge trimmer is the better option.
The most important thing is that no matter your needs, when you search for a perfect hedge trimmer, you can find one.
