Some hedges are harder to reach than others and you will probably find that a regular hedge trimmer simply isn’t up to the task. While you could call in a professional gardener to do the work for it, it seems more sensible to invest in the best pole hedge trimmer you can find and get the job done yourself.
But buying a long reach hedge trimmer can be fraught with issues if you don’t know what you’re looking for. We’ve put together a list of our top picks and given you some handy information on how to find the best tool for your needs.
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The Best Pole Hedge Trimmers
There is a great selection of long hedge trimmers on the market but not all are what they claim to be. To save you the hassle of having to try out a ridiculous number of tools, we’ve reviewed some of the best out there.
Last update on 2021-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Greenworks 40v Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
Being a cordless pole hedge trimmer, this one relies on battery power and is supplied with a 24v 2.0Ah battery as well as a charger. What’s great is that the battery is compatible with other 24v and 20v tools from the Greenworks range.
The trimmer has an 18mm cutting capacity which makes it the ideal choice for light domestic duties and maintaining your hedges. The long reach makes it great for cutting higher hedges and since it weighs just 2.8kg without the battery, you won’t start to feel tired after just a few minutes of cutting.
Sun Joe SJH902E
What’s great about this one is that it is so lightweight and easy to handle so if you’ve got a lengthy job to attend to, you won’t need to worry about fatigue. Moreover, the plastic body offers a rust resistant design and durability that is more than suitable for domestic needs.
The 21 inch blade is made from hardened stainless steel to ensure robustness and a sharp, clean cut. What’s more, with a 0.7” cutting capacity, this hedge trimmer is great for most types of domestic hedge.
Black and Decker 20v Max Cordless Hedge Trimmer
The Black and Decker pole hedge trimmer also features a pivoting head which allows you to cut more easily at an angle. It has a lightweight body that won’t wear you out even when you’re tackling lengthy projects.
We particularly like the fact that this hedge battery pole hedge trimmer works on the Power connect system meaning that you can share the battery with your other 20v Black and Decker tools for the best convenience.
Worx WG252 20v Power Share Hedge Trimmer
What’s also great about this trimmer is that it is part of the Worx PowerShare family. If you already have a selection of 20v Worx tools, you’ll be able to share the batteries which is great since there is an option to buy this as a bare tool.
For maximum user comfort, the rear handle rotates into a position that feels right for you. Furthermore, this lightweight tool won’t weigh you down throughout the course of the job.
Greenworks Pro 20 Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Moreover, the Greenworks hedge trimmer has an adjustable head that gives you a choice of seven positions so no area of the hedge will go untrimmed. In terms of user friendliness, you’ll be able to comfortably use this trimmer for hours without feeling tired. It comes with a harness as well as a padded grip for additional comfort.
The Greenworks pole hedge trimmer runs on a 40v battery for optimal power and has a ¾ inch cutting capacity making it suitable for most tasks.
Zaker 40v 21 Inch Hedge Trimmer With Chainsaw Attachment
This powerful tool comes with a great reach of more than 8ft and is lightweight enough to be used for longer periods. It also comes with a 4.0Ah battery giving you a longer run time and even when the juice does run out, you’ve got a fast charger so you aren’t waiting around.
In terms of safety, this is one of the best tools out there as it is fitted with a dual switch which must be engaged before the tool will start. This will help to prevent accidental start ups. If all of that wasn’t enough, it also comes with a five year warranty!
Proyama Powerful 42.7cc Multifunctional Trimming Tools
This is a gas hedge trimmer so you’re getting ultimate power and this enables it to have the vigour to cut through thicker branches with ease. Not only is the engine powerful but it has been designed to be kinder to you and is EPA certified to prove this.
The Proyama 5 in 1 hedge trimmer features a 12 inch cutting length as well as an extension pole that will add a further 11.4ft. If you’ve got taller hedges, this is a must have feature. The only thing that we would say is a downside with this tool is that it only comes with a one year warranty which, when you compare to some of the other tools on this list, isn’t very generous. However, the robust design and reliable engine tell you that it will last many years when well cared for.
What To Consider When Choosing A Pole Hedge Trimmer
When it comes to choosing the right long hedge trimmer for your garden, there are quite a few things you will need to keep in mind. It’s no good reaching for the first product you see and hoping that it’ll match your needs, you must first carefully assess what each potential tool has to offer.
Power Source
As with many other types of garden tool, the pole hedge trimmer comes in a variety of power sources. Which you choose will depend on your needs and it’s certainly one of the most important decisions you will make regarding this purchase. There are three main types of power; corded electric, the gas pole hedge trimmer and the battery pole hedge trimmer.
Gas powered long hedge trimmers are among the most powerful tools on the market. They are ideal for more demanding work and are generally seen as the only choice for those buying a commercial tool. While they do offer great freedom of movement thanks to their cordless design, they will be much heavier than other types of trimmer so you must be physically able to handle this.
The gas hedge trimmer is what we would call a forever tool. When they are properly taken care of, these pieces of equipment will last a lifetime. But the maintenance can be time consuming and perhaps isn’t worth it if you only have light yard duties to attend to.
For the utmost in convenience, an electric hedge trimmer is a great choice. It connects to the mains and there is never any chance of running out of power in the middle of a job (unless there’s a blackout, of course.) These tools are much more lightweight than their gas cousins but you are restricted in terms of movement.
That said, if you only have a small garden and will always have easy access to a power outlet, these affordable tools should be your first choice.
Finally, there is the cordless pole hedge trimmer which has the best of everything. You lose the power cord and so are easily able to move around your workspace in the same way you would with a gas tool. But with cordless, you don’t need to worry about the tool being overly heavy as most models are very lightweight and easy to handle.
Furthermore, there is very little maintenance involved with the best battery powered long reach hedge trimmer so you don’t need to worry about spending time taking care of it after each use. The only real downside is that, since the tool runs on batteries, there is a risk of running out of power and having to wait for them to recharge. That said, many brands now offer power sharing so you can use other compatible batteries as well as fast charging so you can refill the juice on your tea break!
Extension
A lot of the best products come with a hedge trimmer extension pole rather than just being a standard length. It’s important to look at the maximum reach on any product that you may be considering and compare this with the highest or most hard to reach point in your garden.
Blade Type and Length
Without a good blade, you aren’t going to be able to trim your hedges how you want them and the cut certainly won’t be as neat as you had intended. This is why it is first of all, important that you source a tool with a good quality and durable blade. Diamond or laser cut blades are designed to stand the test of time but it’s also important to look at the material of the blade; things like stainless steel offer excellent resistance and durability.
Secondly, you must think about the type of blade that the pole hedge trimmer has. For the most part, the best pole hedge trimmer will have double sided blades that will allow you to work from various positions and angles, making it easier to get the job done.
You’ll also need to think about the length of the blade as this will tell you how much reach you’ll get. It could be that a hedge trimmer has a very long extension but the blade doesn’t have the right length to access all parts of the cutting area.
Cutting Capacity
When looking at hedge trimmers, it is important to take into consideration the cutting capacity which tells you the thickness of the branches that the trimmer is able to cut through. It’s worth taking a good look at what you’ll be cutting before making a decision and buying a pole hedge trimmer that has a cutting capacity to match your needs.
Noise Level
In any case, it is a good idea to wear ear defenders when working with powered equipment like a hedge trimmer. You’re never going to get a tool that operates silently, but sme hedge trimmers are vastly louder than others.
Generally speaking, gas powered tools are always louder than cordless or electric models. But modern technology means that manufacturers are able to bring the noise level down as much as possible. Check the decibel rating of any given tool before purchasing, especially if you live in a built up area where there is a risk of disturbing your neighbours
Weight
If you are working on a larger project, the last thing you want is a heavy tool that weighs you down and feels uncomfortable to use. As we mentioned earlier, gas hedge trimmers are typically the heaviest type but some manufacturers do try to keep the weight down by using lighter materials for the body. Just be careful that this doesn’t impact quality or durability.
Price and Warranty
It’s just as easy to pick up a pole hedge trimmer for under $100 as it is to part with triple or even quadruple that for one of the most high-end tools. As with anything, you get what you pay for so it’s worth thinking about how you’ll use the trimmer.
If you need something for occasional use and light duties then you may be better off purchasing a more affordable tool. On the other hand, if you are looking for a commercial tool for heavy duty work then there’s very little point in holding back when it comes to cost. In any case, we would suggest setting a realistic budget.
You’ll also want to feel confident that, in the event anything goes wrong with your tool, you won’t be left to foot the bill. Fortunately, you will get some sort of warranty on your hedge trimmer but it’s worth looking for one of the lengthier warranties to give yourself the best cover and peace of mind.
Safety Features
Hedge trimmers can be very dangerous tools in the wrong hands and it isn’t uncommon for people to have accidents and sustain injuries, especially when using tools with inadequate safety features. One of the most important things to look out for is a hand guard of some sort that puts a barrier between the operator’s hands and the blade.
But even with certain safety features in place, it is still crucial that you use the correct personal protection equipment such as gloves and safety goggles to prevent flying debris from injuring the eyes.
Maintenance
Taking care of your tools means that they will serve you for much longer but the type of hedge trimmer you choose will determine the level of maintenance you will need to provide. Gas powered hedge trimmers are far more complex pieces of equipment that use engines with moving parts. These need to be lubricated and then there are things like spark plugs that will need to be changed from time to time. You’ll also have to ensure that air filters are kept clean and that you keep your tool sufficiently topped up with fuel.
If you are looking for something that you can ‘plug and play’ then a corded tool is your best option. These require practically no maintenance and are hassle-free. Similarly battery powered tools offer the same convenience but there is the added aspect of having to remember to recharge the batteries as well as storing them correctly.
Final Thoughts
The long reach hedge trimmer is an essential tool for getting to those hard to reach places without the need for a ladder or over stretching yourself. While most modern tools offer a convenient way to maintain your garden, you do need to think about the features of the tool and whether they match your needs.
