
And while we focus our testing on corded and battery hedge trimmers, we use a single premium gasoline model for reference to make sure the battery tools pack the same punch and can hold their own against a gas tool. They start with small growth, about a quarter-inch in diameter, working all the way up to inch-thick pieces, noting how quickly and cleanly each tool works.
Corded electric and battery options are also better for the environment.Īt our Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters, huge swaths of invasive bamboo shoots dominate much of our outdoor space, but that creates an opportunity for our testers to put hedge trimmers into use, testing for cutting capacity. But they’re likely overkill in most residential yards.
Gas hedge trimmers: These powerful tools are often used by pros and on large properties. Most outdoor cords max out at around 100 feet. You’ll need an outdoor outlet, though, and you’ll be limited by the length of your extension cord. Corded electric trimmers tend to be far cheaper than battery and gas models-some are only about $50-and can run indefinitely as long as they’re plugged in. Corded electric hedge trimmers: These trimmers are all you need for lighter trimming close to your house. “When measured without a load, some of the trimmers we tested were able to run nearly 2 hours on a single charge,” says Misha Kollontai, who is in charge of hedge trimmer testing at CR. Our engineers found that battery models can deliver impressive performance. Battery hedge trimmers: You might think they aren’t as powerful as gas or corded electric hedge trimmers, but that isn’t the case. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of hedge trimmers: CR members can jump to our recommendations or our hedge trimmer ratings. Battery hedge trimmers dominate the market, so that’s where we focus the bulk of our testing. If the blades hit something and suddenly stop, then a hard jolt could damage components that are within or attached to the motor.There are three types of hedge trimmers: battery-powered, corded electric, and gas. Another issue that might occur is blowback on the system. The motor may wear down or break if overused. Motor-The motor is specific to different models and drives the hedge trimmer. This results in the oscillating function of the cutting blades. Motor brush-The brush makes contact with the spinning armature and sends an electrical current into the armature. If a switch or motor isn’t working, then a terminal may be loose or shorted. Terminal-This is an electrical component that connects wires to electrical components in the hedge trimmer. The screws themselves may strip out and need replacing.
Most handles are held in place by two locking screws. If the handle becomes loose or breaks, then it will need to be replaced.
Handle and screws-The main front handle is where the operator holds on to the trimmer.The individual blade surfaces can be sharpened, but if they're worn down too far to sharpen, then the blade will need to be replaced. The blade assembly can become loose due to wear or break if it hits something hard while cutting. Blade assembly-The blade assembly is comprised of one fixed blade plate and an oscillating blade that moves back and forth against the fixed blade plate.Five common hedge trimmer parts that break If the unit works at minimized functionality, there could be an issue with an internal component. If the unit runs but simply doesn't cut well, you may need a new blade, or you can attempt to sharpen the blade assembly. Troubleshooting tips for your hedge trimmer