Best Small Hedge Trimmers

Lightweight compact hedge trimmers turn yard work into a breeze and truly prove their value. Perfect for small tasks, these trimmers suit folks who find big, heavy ones too challenging to manage.

In this article, we’ll review five of the best small hedge trimmers and their features, pros, and cons. We also give a short guide on what you should look for when buying a lightweight hedge trimmer and answer some burning questions you might have. 

The 5 Best Small Hedge Trimmers

1. Sun Joe Cordless Handheld Hedge Trimmer

This hedge trimmer comes with 2 blades—one for grass shearing and another for hedge trimming. It is cordless and has a rechargeable 7.2v lithium-ion battery—including a battery charger—with a 40-minute runtime. 

Because it’s cordless, it doesn’t emit hydrocarbons. This also makes it low maintenance as you won’t need to change oil or gas.

Because it’s lightweight, it’s best used in small hedges and gardens. It also comes with a comfortable handle that won’t strain your fingers and wrist. You do have to be on guard while charging because it doesn’t have a shutdown feature. 

Pros	Cons
It’s easy to use. It has a safety switch that prevents it from accidentally starting Comes with a 2-year warranty	It has no feature that automatically shuts it down when it’s fully charged.

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2. BLACK+DECKER BEHT150 Hedge Trimmer

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a cord, you’ll need to buy a good outdoor polarized extension cord. That aside, this small hedge trimmer doesn’t need much maintenance. According to its manufacturer, all you need to do to maintain it is to use dry air to blow out dirt and dust. There is also a warning not to use harsh chemicals to avoid its plastic parts from melting. You should also oil its blades before and after use. 

Pros	Cons
It’s lightweight. Easy to maintain and use. Less vibration during hedge trimming.	It doesn’t come with a charging cord.

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3. BLACK+DECKER Shrub Trimmer/Grass Shear Combo

Pros	Cons
It doesn’t consume much electricity while charging. It comes with a limited 2year warranty. It’s lightweight.	It has a 24 minutes runtime, meaning that its battery doesn’t last long.

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4. Earthwise Cordless Rechargeable 2-in-1 Shrub Shear and Hedge Trimmer

In addition to this, it weighs 2.45 pounds, is lightweight, and has a one-year limited warranty. As its name implies, it is a good small hedge trimmer for environmentalists. It has a long runtime (about 45 minutes), but unfortunately, the battery is not replaceable.

Pros	Cons
Its battery lasts for a long time.It is lightweight.Easy and comfortable to use.	Its battery is irreplaceable.

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5. Scotts Outdoor Power Tools LSS10172S Small Hedge Trimmer

The Scott Outdoor Combo has an adjustable handle that allows you to manipulate the hedge trimmer to different angles while trimming. 

Pros
It has a 2 year warranty. It is comfortable to use. It has an adjustable handle for trimming in different angles.	It has a low run-time (about 24 minutes).

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Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Small Hedge Trimmer

Weight

Since hedge trimming is a task that will take you more than 15 minutes, it’s crucial to get a small hedge trimmer that won’t leave you with a strain due to its weight. In general, the best small hedge trimmer should be 1-3 pounds in weight— anything above that might cause a strain. 

Gas Vs Electric Hedge Trimmers

Gas-Powered: This kind of hedge trimmer is typically used for commercial purposes. Because of this, they’re generally bulkier. They also exhume hydrocarbons and are noisy. If you do decide to use a gas hedge trimmer, be sure to put on earplugs to protect your hearing.

Gas-powered models are also high maintenance. You have to  change the oil regularly, clean the spark plugs, and service it frequently. 

Electric-powered trimmers: This type of hedge trimmer works well for residential use, which is where a small hedge trimmer can be useful.

• Corded hedge trimmer: this type of electricity-powered trimmers has cords attached to them. They’re lighter than their gas-powered counterparts and emit little to zero noise while trimming. The downside is that if you’re not careful, you might cut the cord while trimming. 

• Cordless hedge trimmer: These models are typically battery-powered and need to be charged with “electricity” for them to work. Unfortunately, most of them come with batteries that don’t last long, which means that you have to charge them more often. 

Durability and warranty

When you buy a small hedge trimmer, it’s always good to check reviews of other buyers on its durability, as well as the warranty period. Most hedge trimmers have between one year and two years of warranty. 

Cutting capacity

Make sure that you check the efficiency and its cutting capacity. This includes checking how sharp its blade is, how likely it is to cut a branch, and the specifics of the branch diameters that it can cut. You need to compare this against the blade length of the hedge trimmer to get a good idea of whether it is the right model for your needs.

Hedge height and trimmer length

It’s essential to check if the trimmer that you want to buy is long enough to reach your tall hedge. It might be tempting to stand on a chair or stool while trimming, but this isn’t a great idea from a safety standpoint.  

Budget

Of course, you can’t ignore your budget. But instead of buying a cheap small hedge trimmer that’s made of cheap materials, we recommend that you take your time, save money, and buy a good hedge trimmer. Investing in a good quality hedge trimmer will make it last longer, and it’ll also save you the stress of returning it to the seller and waiting for a replacement. 

Safety precautions to take while using a small hedge trimmer:

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines. 
• Trim in a bottom-to-top rhythmic movement. 
• Don’t be in a rush when you’re trimming.
• Avoid getting too close to the blade so as not to cut yourself. 
• Be comfortable while trimming. Space your feet and don’t climb on a chair or stool. 
• Use a long outdoor polarized cord for corded models
• Wear protective gears while trimming; like gloves, goggles, etc. 
• Don’t let your children and pets into your yard while trimming. 
• Clear your work environment before trimming to avoid injury. 

How to maintain a small hedge trimmer. 

• Blow hot air into its edges to remove dust and dirt.
• Store in a cool area, preferably in its carton. 
• Make sure to refill before using a gas hedge trimmer. 
• Clean and/or change the spark plug (for gas hedge trimmers) as often as necessary. 
• Don’t use harsh chemicals on your hedge trimmer. Instead, wipe the plastic with warm water and a clean rag. 
• Oil the blades before and after use. 

FAQ

Can small hedge trimmers cut a branch? 

Some of them can, while some can’t. Those that can cut branches have specific inches/diameters that they cut. Ultimately, it all depends on the manufacturer. 

How thick a branch can a small hedge trimmer prune? 

Most small hedge trimmers can cut branches that are ¾ inches in diameter. Some other trimmers don’t cut branches at all, while others cut branches with a greater diameter. You should, however, note that any small hedge trimmer that passes the ¾ inches in diameter mark will likely cut your digits faster than you can blink. 

What is the difference between a hedge cutter and a small hedge trimmer? 

Small hedge trimmers are used for trimming, like cutting new hedge leaves, shaping hedges into shapes, and adding finishing touches to your hedge.

On the other hand, hedge cutters are what you use to break down thick hedge branches. They aren’t used as often as a hedge trimmer, and are certainly not used to give finishing touches to one’s hedge. 

Instead of a small hedge trimmer, can I use a chainsaw to cut my hedge?

Yes you can. However, you should note that although a chainsaw will trim your hedges faster than a small hedge trimmer, it’s probably not going to be as precise.  

Final Thoughts

In our opinion, the best small hedge trimmer is the  Sun Joe Cordless Grass Shear/Shrubber Handheld Trimmer. Not only has it been tested and trusted to have a lasting battery and run time. It is also very easy to use and has an ergonomic handle for your comfort while trimming.