Hedge trimmers are essential for shaping hedges or individual plants. The choice depends on the complexity of the job and how often the tool is used. Once the area of work is determined, purchase equipment based on engine power and other tool specifications. To help you choose, it's a good idea to review the ratings.
Brushcutter Rating Table
There's a wide range of hedge trimmers on the market. The table below lists the best models from reputable manufacturers.
| Place | Model | Product type | Average cost, in rubles. | The main feature of the product | Rating assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating of the best petrol brush cutters | |||||
| 1 | Hammer KST250 | gasoline with a double-sided knife | 10,070 | two-stroke engine, 61.5 cm blade | 9 |
| 2 | Husqvarna 122HD60 | petrol | 19,990 | blade almost 60 cm, "smart" launch | 9 |
| 3 | Champion HT726R | gasoline with a two-stroke engine | 14,400 | blade 72 cm | 10 |
| 4 | STIGA SHT 660K | gasoline with a double-sided knife | 25,990 | 61 cm blade, adjustable handle | 10 |
| 5 | FUXTEC FX-MHP126 | gasoline, for professionals | 18,570 | 80 cm blade, two-position switch | 9 |
| Rating of the best corded hedge trimmers | |||||
| 1 | electric | 6,590 | 500 V, length 56 cm | 9 | |
| 2 | BOSCH EasyHedgeCut 45 | 5,990 | 420 V, length 45 cm | 10 | |
| 3 | 6,870 | 400 V, length 48 cm | 10 | ||
| 4 | BOSCH AHS 60-61 | 5 266 | 450 V, length 60 cm | 9 | |
| 5 | Hammer KST700E | 3,499 | 700 V, length 41 cm | 9 | |
| Rating of the best cordless hedge trimmers | |||||
| 1 | Makita DUH502Z | cordless scissors | 20,390 | supports batteries up to 6 Ah, length 35 cm | 10 |
| 2 | GARDENA THS | 9,625 | length 42 cm | 10 | |
| 3 | GARDENA ComfortCut | wheel trimmer | 7,590 | 450V, adjustable handle, line | 10 |
| 4 | BOSCH AHS 55-20 | cordless hedge trimmer | 13,990 | length 50 cm | 10 |
| Rating of the best hedge trimmers | |||||
| 1 | STIGA SGM 72 AE | cordless scissors | 6,750 | length 18 cm, voltage 7.2 V | 10 |
| 2 | Makita DUM604SYX | 13,866 | length 16 cm, voltage 18 V | 10 | |
| 3 | GARDENA ClassicCut | 8 249 | length 8 cm, voltage 3.6 V | 9 | |
| 4 | BOSCH ASB 10.8 | 8 810 | length 20 cm, there is a nozzle for grass | 10 | |
| 5 | Greenworks G7.2GS | 4,996 | length 10 cm, there is a nozzle for grass | 8 | |
| Rating of the best pole pruners and brush cutters | |||||
| 1 | Greenworks 1300607 40V | battery-powered | 13,990 | pole pruner and brush cutter in one model | 9 |
| 2 | Hammer VR700CH | electric | 9,999 | 9 | |
| 3 | BOSCH Universal Hedge Pole | battery-powered, telescopic | 15 210 | 9 | |
| 4 | RYOBI RP750450 | chain, electric | 14,969 | 8 | |
How to choose a product?
Hedge trimmers come in different power and lengths. If you're removing the crown of a large shrub with tough branches, choose a tool with the maximum power.
Powerful equipment is characterized by:
- the presence of a comfortable handle;
- engine power up to 450-750 W;
- fuse and other elements of the protection system.
The saw should be as long as possible to cover a large area and reach hard-to-reach places (up to 70 cm). A double-sided blade is selected for bidirectional cutting.
Electric shears or hedge trimmers can be powered by a cord. The worker is then "tethered" to a 3-3.5 meter long cord.
But there are also cordless models. Charge the power supply for an hour, and you can use the hedge trimmer anywhere without a power outlet. For gardening in remote areas, a more mobile version is recommended.
If you're just trimming the bushes under the veranda windows, a more affordable electric corded version will do the trick. The choice depends on your intended use and budget.
Popular manufacturers
Hedge trimmers are manufactured by major garden tool manufacturers, including the Swedish companies Husqvarna and STIGA, renowned for their high quality, as well as the American company CHAMPION, Japanese company Makita, and others.
German brands GARDENA and Bosch have proven themselves to be highly regarded. Their equipment meets all modern safety requirements and boasts thoughtful design. Among Chinese-made tools, Hammer stands out.
Rating of the best petrol brush cutters
Gasoline-powered hedge trimmers require only a single fill of fuel and can be used in large gardens or parks. The tool doesn't rely on a power outlet or battery at all.
1Hammer KST250
Price: 10,070 ₽
Main characteristics:
- power 1.02 hp;
- engine capacity 25 cc;
- maximum cutting thickness 27 mm;
- weight 5.4 kg.
2Husqvarna 122HD60
Main characteristics:
- power 0.8 hp;
- maximum cut 20 mm;
- length of knives 59 cm;
- weight 4.9 kg.
3Champion HT726R
Main characteristics:
- power 1 hp;
- maximum cutting thickness 12 mm;
- blade length 72 cm;
- weight 5.6 kg.
4STIGA SHT 660K
Main characteristics:
- power 0.86 hp;
- maximum cut 20 mm;
- blade 61 cm;
- weight 5 kg.
5FUXTEC FX-MHP126
Main characteristics:
- power 1 hp;
- maximum cut 28 mm;
- blade length 80 cm;
- weight 6.3 kg.
Rating of the best corded hedge trimmers
Electric hedge trimmers are corded. This means they can be used in the garden with just an extension cord and adapter. Remote trimming requires a battery-powered or gas-powered version.
1Greenworks GHT 5056
Main characteristics:
- power 500 W;
- blade length 56 cm;
- maximum cutting thickness 18 mm;
- weight 2.5 kg.
2BOSCH EasyHedgeCut 45
Main characteristics:
- power 420 W;
- tire length 45 cm;
- chain pitch 16 mm;
- weight 2.6 kg.
3Makita UH4861
Main characteristics:
- power 400 W;
- blade length 48 cm;
- cutting width 16 mm;
- weight 2.9 kg.
4BOSCH AHS 60-61
Main characteristics:
- power 450 W;
- blade length 60 cm;
- distance between teeth 16 mm;
- weight 2.8 kg.
5Hammer KST700E
Main characteristics:
- power 700 W;
- knife length 41 cm;
- cutting thickness 16 mm;
- weight 2 kg.
Rating of the best cordless hedge trimmers
These hedge trimmers are more convenient if you need to travel far from the power outlet. Recharging the battery takes 1-2 hours, allowing the trimmer to run continuously for approximately 60-80 minutes.
1Makita DUH502Z
Main characteristics:
- battery voltage 18 V;
- the capacity of the Li-Ion battery can be from 1.5 to 6 Ah (not included);
- blade opening width 35 mm;
- maximum cutting thickness 23.5 mm;
- weight 3.2 kg.
2GARDENA THS
Main characteristics:
- blade length 42 cm;
- maximum cutting diameter 16 mm;
- supported battery capacity 2.5 Ah (not included);
- weight 3.2 kg.
3GARDENA ComfortCut
Main characteristics:
- blade length 12 cm;
- cutting width 8 cm;
- battery capacity 3 Ah W;
- two removable attachments (one of them is a brush cutter);
4BOSCH AHS 55-20
Main characteristics:
- battery capacity 2.5 Ah;
- battery voltage 18 V;
- blade length 55 cm;
- tooth opening 20 mm;
- weight 2.6 kg.
Rating of the best hedge trimmers
Hedge trimmers are mostly cordless models. They operate for 1-1.5 hours after being charged. They are lightweight and lack power. Their blades are typically shorter than those of hedge trimmers.
1STIGA SGM 72 AE
Main characteristics:
- battery capacity 2.5 Ah;
- battery voltage 7.2 V;
- knife length 18 cm;
- weight 1 kg.
2Makita DUM604SYX
Main characteristics:
- battery capacity 1.5 Ah;
- battery voltage 18 V;
- blade length 20 cm;
- cutting thickness maximum 10 mm;
- weight 1.4 kg.
3GARDENA ClassicCut
Main characteristics:
- battery capacity 2.5 Ah;
- battery voltage 3.6 V;
- blade length 8 cm;
- weight 1.1 kg.
4BOSCH ASB 10.8
Main characteristics:
- battery capacity 1.5 Ah;
- blade length for bushes is 12-20 cm, and for grass 10 cm;
- cutting thickness 8 mm;
- weight 900 grams.
5Greenworks G7, 2GS
Main characteristics:
- battery capacity 2 Ah;
- blade length 8 and 16 cm;
- maximum cut 10 mm;
- weight 700 grams.
Rating of the best pole pruners and brush cutters
These models are used to shape very tall hedges. They eliminate the need for stepladders or other climbing aids.
A must-have feature of these models is a telescopic pole. It extends to heights of up to 120 cm or more. A saw attachment and the hedge trimmer itself are included.
1Greenworks 1300607 40V
Main characteristics:
- length up to 51 cm;
- cutting step 18 mm;
- weight 2.2 kg.
2Hammer VR700CH
Main characteristics:
- power 710 W;
- blade length 41 cm;
- cutting thickness 16 mm;
- weight 3.8 kg.
3BOSCH Universal Hedge Pole
Main characteristics:
- battery capacity 2.5 Ah;
- battery voltage 18 V;
- tire length 43 cm;
- tooth pitch 16 mm;
- weight 3.6 kg.
4RYOBI RP750450
Main characteristics:
- power 750 W;
- blade length 45 cm;
- maximum cutting thickness 20 mm;
- bar length 270 cm;
- weight 3.8 kg.
Good inexpensive models
The most affordable hedge trimmers are electric ones. They can be purchased for as little as 5,500-6,000 rubles. They operate similarly to trimmers or mini-saws. Their functionality is limited, and the blades are often small.
The most affordable hedge trimmers that didn't make the top rankings, but are still comparable to more expensive models:
- BOSCH EasyHedgeCut 55;
- Black&Decker BEHT251;
- EINHELL GC-CG 3.6 Li WT;
- IKRA Mogatec GBS 3.6 V;
- Black&Decker GSL200-QW;
- EINHELL GC-EH 4245 and others.
A characteristic feature of inexpensive brush cutters is their low engine power. They lack options such as a telescopic handle for working with tall shrubs or replaceable blades for different purposes.
These are often inexpensive, small-sized models. These are essentially tools for trimming existing shrubs or hedges.
It would be very difficult to use them to make neglected vegetation look beautiful on your own. However, they are suitable for the simplest tasks. Gardening tools can also be combined with loppers and pruning shears.
Comparison table of brush cutters
Equipment is selected based on the length of the cutting element. Cutting thickness is also important, as this determines the model's functionality.
Only very powerful hedge trimmers are used for pruning tough branches. These models generally handle branches up to 2.5-2.7 cm thick. For ease of selection, all technical specifications of the models described above are summarized in a single table.
| Model | Type of brush cutter | Blade length, cm | Maximum cutting thickness, in mm | Power/Capacity |
| Hammer KST250 | petrol | 61.5 | 27 | 1.02 hp |
| Husqvarna 122HD60 | 59 | 20 | 0.8 hp | |
| Champion HT726R | 72 | 12 | 1 hp | |
| STIGA SHT 660K | 61 | 20 | 0.86 hp | |
| FUXTEC FX-MHP126 | 80 | 28 | 1 hp | |
| Greenworks GHT 5056 | electric | 56 | 18 | 500 W |
| BOSCH EasyHedgeCut 45 | 45 | 16 | 420 W | |
| Makita UH4861 | 48 | 18 | 400 W | |
| BOSCH AHS 60-61 | 60 | 16 | 450 W | |
| Hammer KST700E | 41 | 16 | 700 W | |
| Hammer VR700CH | 41 | 16 | 710 W | |
| RYOBI RP750450 | 45 | 20 | 750 W | |
| Makita DUH502Z | battery-powered | 50 | 23.5 | Comes without a battery, you can use from 1.5 to 6 Ah |
| GARDENA THS | 42 | 16 | Comes without a battery, you can use a 2.5 Ah one | |
| GARDENA ComfortCut | 12 | 8 | 3 Ah | |
| BOSCH AHS 55-20 | 55 | 20 | 2.5 Ah | |
| STIGA SGM 72 AE | 18 | 8 | 2.5 Ah | |
| Makita DUM604SYX | 20 | 10 | 1.5 Ah | |
| GARDENA ClassicCut | 8 | — | 2.5 Ah | |
| BOSCH ASB 10.8 | 20 | 8 | 1.5 Ah | |
| Greenworks G7.2GS | 16 | — | 2 Ah | |
| Greenworks 1300607 40V | 205 | 18 | — | |
| BOSCH Universal Hedge Pole | 43 | 16 | 2.5 Ah |
Resume
Hedge trimmers are popular not only with landscape designers and florists, but also with ordinary gardeners. They make it easy to keep hedges and shrubs trimmed.
Selection rules:
- If you have a large garden, choose cordless or gas-powered models. Suitable models include the Husqvarna 122HD 60, Champion HT726R, and Makita DUH502Z.
- If you need easy maintenance, take a look at the GARDENA THS, BOSCH AHS 55-20 electric hedge trimmers, GARDENA ComfortCut trimmers with attachments, etc.
- If your budget is tight, affordable hedge trimmers like the BOSCH EasyHedgeCut 55, Black&Decker BEHT251, EINHELL GC-CG 3.6 Li WT, IKRA Mogatec GBS 3.6 V, and others are available. They can also be used for garden maintenance.
For greater heights, professional pole pruners are required. These include models with long telescopic poles: Greenworks 1300607 40V, Hammer VR700CH, BOSCH UniversalHedgePole, and others.
A simple hedge trimmer is often essential even for gardeners who have specialized tools for trimming bushes and trees. They are lighter and more affordable than professional designer equipment, while powerful units from popular manufacturers offer just as much functionality.























