What size hedge trimmer do I need?

Blade length

Blade length is the cutting length of the blade. A longer blade covers more hedge per sweep and helps reach across a wide top, but it adds weight and is harder to control for shaping. A shorter blade is lighter, more precise and easier to use one handed for short spells.

Tooth gap

The tooth gap, sometimes called cutting capacity, is the space between the blade teeth. It sets the thickest stem the trimmer can cut cleanly. A smaller gap gives a neater cut on soft, young growth like privet and box. A wider gap copes with older, woody stems on hedges such as laurel, hawthorn and beech.

Makers state the tooth gap in millimetres. Treat it as a maximum; stems near that size are hard work. Cut anything thicker with loppers or a pruning saw before trimming.

Single or double sided blades

Double sided blades cut in both directions, so you can sweep back and forth and cut faster. Single sided blades cut on one side only and are often used for tops and for long, flat runs, as clippings fall to one side. Most garden trimmers are double sided.

Weight and balance

Weight matters more than most people expect. A trimmer that feels fine for a minute can be tiring after twenty. Battery trimmers are usually lighter than petrol ones, but a large battery adds weight. Look for a rotating rear handle, which lets you cut tops and sides without twisting your wrist, and a balanced feel when held at waist height.

If you have tall hedges, a pole trimmer is safer than reaching up with a heavy standard trimmer. Our comparison of hedge trimmers and pole hedge trimmers explains the trade off.

Battery, corded or petrol

Battery trimmers suit most gardens: they are quiet, light and need little upkeep. Choose a platform you already own if you can; batteries from your mower or strimmer often fit. Corded trimmers are light and cheap but the cable is a hazard near the blade. Petrol trimmers suit very long or tough hedges and professional use.

Our cordless mower and strimmer sets show which battery systems also cover hedge trimmers.

Battery platforms explained →

Matching a trimmer to your garden

Use your hedges as the guide, and match the trimmer to the hedge you cut most often.

• A few small shrubs: a compact trimmer or shrub shears
• A typical boundary hedge at head height: a 45 cm to 55 cm battery trimmer
• Long runs of hedge: a longer blade and a spare battery
• Thick, woody stems: a wider tooth gap, plus loppers
• Tall or wide hedges: a pole hedge trimmer

Lightest options

If weight is the main concern, look at the bare tool weight and the weight with battery, which makers usually state separately. Smaller blades and lower voltage batteries are lightest. Shrub shears with interchangeable blades are lighter still and handy for small shapes, but slow on a real hedge.

Battery size and run time

Battery capacity decides how much hedge you can cut on a charge. A small battery is light and fine for a short hedge, but a long boundary may need a larger pack or a spare. Watt hours, found by multiplying volts by amp hours, give the fairest comparison between batteries. Our explainer on mower battery voltage shows how to work it out.

Run time also depends on the hedge. Soft new growth cuts quickly with little strain, while dense, woody growth drains the battery faster. Brushless motors stretch a battery further.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good blade length for a hedge trimmer? Around 45 cm to 55 cm suits most garden hedges.

What tooth gap do I need for thick branches? A wider gap helps, but use loppers for anything near or above the stated maximum.

Is a longer hedge trimmer better? Only for long or wide hedges. Longer blades are heavier and harder to control.

Which hedge trimmer is lightest? Compact battery trimmers with short blades and small batteries are the lightest; check weight with battery fitted.