When you are working on your yard, a small hedge trimmer can be a great option to use for trimming edges and putting the final touches on your landscape. Whether you are making an intricate shape or are just trying to keep your hedge looking sharp, this tool can work great for the job at hand. These trimmers can cut down your gardening time and make trimming hedges much easier than with manual clippers.
We have reviewed 5 of the best small hedge trimmer options available for purchase and have narrowed the choices down our top choice. The Black + Decker GSL35 model is our top choice of the five options we reviewed because of its lightweight frame, acceptable run time, and rotating handle we fell in love with this product. We also reviewed four other small hedge trimmers to help consumers make their final decision.
In our review, we have taken a look at the battery, runtime, blade length, weight, and warranty for each of these options and spent hours searching for the most information about each option. Through our research, we have decided to make a detailed comparison table for the best small hedge trimmer options, an in-depth review of each choice, and a full buying guide for those who have not had to buy a small hedge trimmer before.
More features: includes 4-inch steel grass shear blade; rotating handle; 0.5-inch maximum cut diameter
This Black + Decker small hedge trimmer model is a cordless option that is easy to use and fits nicely into your palm so you can garden for a long time comfortably. The lithium-ion battery provides plenty of power for this compact trimmer to power through tough grass or shrubs, and with the 6.5-inch blade, you can cover more ground faster. With a runtime of 24 minutes, you will have the ability to cover your whole yard and have it looking nicely trimmed and finished in minutes. The purchase of this option comes with a 4-inch steel grass shear blade (shown above) and can handle touch-ups after the lawn was mowed and make sure that the grass is even around flowerbeds. The rotating handle makes it easy to hold the unit comfortably while at an odd angle that allows you to move around corners, rounded flowerbeds, and curved walkways without straining your wrist. Plus, with this Black + Decker option coming with a 2-year warranty, you can count of the brand’s promise to take care of any defects or malfunctions at no cost to you to ensure that you get the best service possible, and can keep your GSL35 for years to come. This is also the trimmer that the hedge trimming specialists at Fantastic Services recommend the most for casual gardeners.
More features: 4 inch shearing blade; 0.3 inch cut capacity; 1250 SPM
The Snow Joe HJ604C is one of the best small cordless hedge trimmers around because of its lightweight frame and its ease of use. With the compact size of this small trimmer, you can get into spots that full-size units can’t. The 6-inch blade can cut a good amount of grass and greenery at a time so you will be able to cover more ground in less time with this option. Weighing only 2.5 pounds, even if you have lots of trimming to do, your arms won’t get tired while holding this trimmer because of its lightweight build. And although it is compact and easy to carry, the 7.2V battery gives the unit enough power to handle a full 40 minutes of runtime. With 40 minutes of use available, you can touch up your entire yard with this trimmer and spend less time waiting around to finish your landscaping while the trimmer charges. This model also comes with a 2-year residential-use warranty, and a 90-day commercial-use warranty to cover any defects or malfunctions due to a manufacturer’s mistake. This ensures that you get the best quality, or you will get your unit fixed or replaced for free.
More features: includes 4-inch steel grass shear blade; Energy Star-qualified; pole extension – additional option available
The Scotts Outdoor Power Tools LSS 10172S is one of the best small electric hedge trimmers with its compact and lightweight build that packs more punch than you’d think. The small size doesn’t sacrifice power with a 7.2V lithium-ion battery that gives this unit the power to run for 20 minutes or more, depending on whether it is at a full charge. The blade is 6 inches in length and is long enough to use for the edges and side of hedges without issue. If you need to trim the grass around the hedge, there is an included 4-inch steel grass shear blade attachment that you can use to finish the job. This unit is Energy-Star qualified for its energy conservation and with an optional pole extension to allow for different jobs, you can do just about anything with this trimmer. This Scott’s option also comes backed by a 2-year warranty that will help cover the cost of repair or replacement if anything were to happen to your trimmer within that time.
More features: 4 inch shearing blade; 3/8 inch cut capacity; 1000 SPM
The Ryobi Grass Trimmer is one of the best small hedge trimmers that has the power of a larger unit. Weighing only 4.5 pounds, this trimmer is compact and fairly lightweight but also comes with a powerful 18V battery. This lithium-ion battery gives you plenty of trimming power in this little package and provides enough runtime to get the job done. The 8-inch blade allows for bigger jobs to be done in less time and is great for the tops of hedges. This unit comes with a 4-inch shearing blade attachment that can be switched out when you want to trim the grass around a flowerbed or bottom of a hedge. The 1000 SPM makes this blade fast-acting and able to cut through more grass than you’d expect for such a small option. Also, with this trimmer being backed with a 3-year warranty, you don’t have to worry about something happening to this model. With a long warranty, you can get your trimmer repaired or replaced without any cost to you.
More features: motor delivers up to 2,500 SPM, 6-5/16″ shear blade with dual-cutting action, 3 stage cutting height adjustment for a grass shear
This Makita XMU04ZX is one of the longest-running options of all our small hedge trimmer reviews. With a total of 200 minutes of runtime, you can spend over three hours working with this trimmer to get all your yard’s touch-ups down with one session of full charge. This option is kinda heavy though, weighing 4.1 pounds in total. This won’t cause your arm to be sore the next day, but it may be too heavy for some users for prolonged use. The blade can work for the tops and side of small hedges well and the 18V lithium-ion battery gives it enough power to work through the whole yard in one sitting without stopping on you. This unit also comes with a wide, 6-5/16″ shear blade with a dual action, that delivers incredible performance. Moreover, it has three adjustable height settings that are easy to use and offer great versatility.
If you are looking for a new small hedge trimmer, then there is some information that you should look at before making your final purchase. With different models having various features, there are a few that you want to ensure are up to par. Factors like a high SPM, a long runtime, and a longer blade length are some features that a good option should have. So, here are some features you should look for, and what makes each one great.
When you’re on the hunt for the best small hedge trimmers, you want to make sure that each feature adds value to the product. So, here are some of the best features to look for when shopping for one of these small trimmers, and what a good option will look like.
When searching for a trimmer with a good battery and runtime, you should look for options that have at least a 7.2V option that is made from lithium-ion. These batteries will allow your trimmer to run for the full length of its runtime at full power for the most efficient trim. Also, with an average runtime of about 20 to 40 minutes, this runtime is sufficient for most trimming. Even though Black + Decker is an exception, with its’ 3.6V battery and 24 minutes runtime.
However, if you have a larger yard that may require more time than that, there are options like the VonHaus trimmer that can last for up to 100 minutes. So, check the runtime to know how long you can work with the unit and decide if it’s enough for your lawn.
The length of the blade of the trimmer that you want can determine what you can do with the product. A longer blade will trim more at a time, like 8-inch by Ryobi Grass Shear Trimmer, and if you have a hedge that is about as wide at the blade is long, then this will be able to trim the entire surface of the edge at once. A smaller blade will cause you to work your way around the hedge to trim the entire surface and will likely take longer.
The SPM of a trimmer option is the strokes per minute, or how fast the blades move from one direction to another.
Trimmers have two sets of blades that move from side to side – where they meet in the middle cuts the grass – and the SPM measures the speed of those blades. The faster the SPM, the faster you can trim the hedge. A higher SPM is always a better option.
Because these trimmers are handheld tools that you carry, the weight of the object will affect your trimming abilities. If you buy a model that is too heavy, you could end up shaking after using it for a long time, which will cause your trimming to be a bit uneven.
A lighter option, like the Scotts Outdoor model that is only 1.7 pounds will allow you to not feel fatigued after long periods of use and will keep your hedges looking more even. They will also keep your arms from feeling sore the next morning!
Being worried about the longevity of your new product is common, but if your newly-purchased hedge trimmer doesn’t come with a good warranty, then you might be left feeling like you have to baby it. You don’t want to feel this way about tools that are supposed to last, so checking the product’s warranty before making your decision can help you feel more confident about your choice.
An option like the Ryobi Grass Shear Trimmer, which comes with a great 3-year warranty will put you at ease knowing that anything that goes wrong will get fixed. Also, if you opt for a more expensive option, make sure that the warranty matches the price.
The biggest decision with any purchase is the price. Whether or not you need that chrome version with a flashy paint job or the basic option that is half the price always comes into play. Knowing what you are getting for the price is what you need to focus on. If you are getting an option that looks great but only comes with the features of a basic model, then you’re not paying for power.
Some of the best options could end up being cheap ones, if they do what they’re meant to do, and have the power to make the price warranted. However, prices can vary wildly, and checking that you are getting features and benefits that make the price worth it is the key to finding the best option for the right price.
Some of the best small hedge trimmers may not come with any fancy features, but like all of the options on this list, many do often come with an attachment or two. The trimmers we reviewed all come with a grass shear blade, which is a good addition because it is a good blade from cutting grass areas that the lawnmower missed or areas that are too close to flowerbeds and walkways for it to reach.
Additions like these can make a purchase worth the price, and it allows you to do another job with the same tool. Another feature that is particularly great for older users or those with wrist issues is a rotating handle. Like the handles of the Black + Decker and VonHaus models, this feature allows you to move the handle to the left or right and enables you to trim at a strange angle without turning your wrist.
This can take the pressure off your wrist to hold the handle at a hard-to-hold angle and keep you from worsening arthritis or carper tunnel for those who suffer from those physical ailments.
These small hedge trimmers may come in small packages, but they still need the same level of care that you give your other tools. The routine maintenance that is required for optimal performance consists of cleaning the blades to ensure that pieces of grass and greenery don’t stay in the between the blades, sharpening the blades so they don’t get dull, and lubricating the blades routinely.
Lubricating the blades will keep the blade’s material from sustaining damage from moisture and air contaminants, but it also helps the blades slide easily over each other. This keeps the blades cutting precisely and allows for better cutting power overall. So, remember to lubricate the blades about every month will help keep them in mint condition.
This will take up more of your time, and extend the job by a significant amount of time. However, a small hedge trimmer will be lightweight and no cause any fatigue. This will allow you to work through the entire job without stopping and be done faster.
Trimmers may also have the feature that locks the tool when it is in the off position. This keeps young children from turning it on by accident. Other features may include a small shield that keeps your front hand from touching the blade. All of these features can be seen on multiple options, but some may have all three.
We threw a ton of information at you at once, but with all the knowledge that you gained from this article, you can find the best small hedge trimmer for your yard. With options like our Editor’s Choice, the Black + Decker model, you get the power you need with a sufficient runtime, and also a warranty to boot. However, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option like Scotts Outdoor Trimmer, you can get a great price for an option that’s ultra-lightweight and energy-efficient.
Or, if you are looking for the best of both worlds, then the best value pick of the Snow Joe model may be the best fit for you. But no matter which one you choose, if you purchase one of the options on our list, you will be getting a great product. Even if you decide to go with another option that wasn’t mentioned here, you have the information needed to find the best choice for your yard.
