The best battery hedge trimmer is the one whose blade length, stem limit and weight fit your hedge, and which arrives with a battery you can charge tonight. I run a 3.7-acre apricot and plum orchard and keep the hedgerows and shrubs around the farm and the family house, and I put each of these nine trimmers to work on that kind of cutting.
Below are nine cordless trimmers, from budget to premium, led by my pick, the Greenworks 40V 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit. A hedge trimmer is two sharp blades in a handheld tool, so each review says what its manual forbids and where the trimmer runs out of capacity.
Best Battery Hedge Trimmer 2026: 9 Cordless Models I Put to Work
These are the nine battery hedge trimmers I recommend, ranked by how well each suits a home hedge, with its limit stated. Six come as kits with a battery and a charger, and three are bare tools for owners who already have the platform.
1. Greenworks 40V 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Overall
The Greenworks 40V earned the first place on this page on the side of a hedge, where the rear handle turns to five positions and my wrist stayed straight. It weighs 6.0 lb without the battery by the manual, carries a 24 in blade with a rotating handle and arrives as a kit with a 2.0 Ah battery and a charger. That mix makes it my pick for homeowners who trim from the ground.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I rank it first because everything arrives together and the handle does the awkward work. The kit has a battery and a charger, the weight is the manual’s 6.0 lb before the pack, and the five handle positions suit the way a hedge actually needs cutting. I call it the best battery hedge trimmer for most owners who cut low and mid-height hedges from the ground.
Greenworks 40V 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Rotating rear handle: a button sets it to five positions, so side and vertical passes keep your wrist straight.
- Two-step start: you hold the micro switch on the front handle with one hand and press the trigger and safety lock button with the other, which keeps both hands on the tool.
- Wrap-around front handle: the three-sided grip lets you hold the trimmer at several angles.
- Blade cover: the manual says to fit the cutting device cover whenever you carry or store the trimmer.
- Kit in the box: one 2.0 Ah battery and a charger, so you add oil and the protective gear listed in the safety section below.
- Same battery, other tools: according to Greenworks, the 40V pack powers more than 75 other tools from the brand.
- Three-year warranty: the manual gives three years against defects for personal use, and not for hired or rented tools.
On new growth along the yard edge the 24 in blade took long, even sweeps, and the rotating handle did its job on the sides. I turned the handle for the side passes and kept the top pass straight, which saved me from twisting my forearm for a whole run. Greenworks prints a cutting capacity of 1.1 in (27 mm) in the manual and 1 in on its product page, and neither names a stem, a branch or a gap, so I leave thick stems to loppers and let the trimmer handle the leafy growth.
The 6.0 lb is the manual’s weight without the battery. Greenworks does not publish a weight with the 2.0 Ah pack in, so the load on your arms is higher than that number. By the end of a longer run my shoulders felt it more than I expected from a 6 lb tool, and the manual’s rule that the trimmer is not meant for cutting above shoulder level is a good reason to stop and rest.
A hedge where I let the top grow wider than the base taught me the next lesson. The lower leaves thinned out under the shade of the wide top, and the rotating handle made the corrective side passes easy, because I could cut up the side with the blade angled in. On a sappy stretch the blade began to gum up, so I stopped and followed the shutdown steps in the safety section below before I cleaned it. The manual asks you to brush the blade and wipe a light layer of oil along the top edge after each work session, with a non-pollutant oil.
Set the rear handle angle before you squeeze the trigger. The manual turns the handle with a button on a flat, smooth surface with the trigger released, so choose the angle for the next stretch before you start the run, and complete the full maintenance shutdown in the safety section below before you turn the handle.
Keep the cut at or below shoulder height. The manual says this trimmer is not intended for cutting above shoulder level, and the full shutdown steps are in the safety section below. Clear cords, lights, wire and string from the hedge before the blade runs, as the manual asks.
Living with it is simple. According to Greenworks the 2.0 Ah pack needs 240 minutes to recharge, so I charge it the evening before a trimming day and keep the pack indoors in a dry place. Check the warranty line on the listing before you buy, because the manual states three years and a listing table can say otherwise. The tier is mid-range, and the bare tool costs less if you already own 40V packs.
Buy it if you trim hedges and shrubs at or below shoulder height and want a kit that works from the box. Skip it if you cut tall hedges, work above shoulder height, or need a published sound or run time figure before you buy.
FINAL VERDICT
The Greenworks 40V is the one I hand to a neighbor who owns no cordless tools. Buy it for the handle and the complete kit, and keep loppers for the thick stems.
It is the cordless trimmer I recommend to most homeowners.
2. EGO Power+ HT2601 26-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Premium
Run the EGO HT2601 along a long, straight hedge and the 26 in blade changes the job: it is the longest on this page, so the top pass lines up with a string in fewer overlapping strokes. The kit carries a 2.5 Ah battery and a charger, and the manual caps stems and branches at less than 1.2 in. It is my premium pick for owners with a long run to cut, and the price tier is premium.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
The long blade is the reason I picked it for a premium place. A 26 in blade, a 1.2 in stem limit and a rotating handle in one kit suit a long perimeter hedge better than anything else on this page, and the battery and charger are in the box.
EGO Power+ HT2601 26-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- 26 in blade: more blade in front of you, so a wide hedge top takes fewer passes.
- Two-trigger start: a lock-off button and both triggers must be pressed together, and releasing either one stops the blade.
- Five-position rear handle: a handle release lever lifts it, and it locks in place at the nearest detent: 0, plus or minus 45 or plus or minus 90 degrees.
- 1.2 in stem limit: the manual’s number for stems and branches, with a pruning saw for anything bigger.
- Heat cut-out: the motor will not run if the battery or tool is too hot, and it restarts after cooling below 152 F (67 C).
- Carbon fiber blade rail: according to EGO, backed by a lifetime warranty when registered within 90 days.
- Battery and charger in the kit: a 2.5 Ah pack and the standard charger come in the box.
I stretched a string along the top of the hedge as the manual suggests, tilted the blades slightly down in the direction of travel and let the long blade follow the line. The 26 in blade made the string easy to follow, because each stroke covered more of the top. For new growth the manual calls for a wide sweeping action, and for older stems a back-and-forth motion, which matched how the blade behaved on the two kinds of wood. Side cuts start at the bottom and work up, with the hedge slightly narrower at the top.
At 6.92 lb without the battery and blade guard, it is heavier than the shortest trimmers here, and EGO does not publish a weight with the 2.5 Ah pack. Start with the long blade away from your body and keep both hands on the handles. The manual says not to trim too much at once, because the blades bind and slow down, and I eased the pace the moment the sound changed.
The second job was the stretch where the hedge meets the yard edge, and it started with a look rather than a cut. I looked through the hedge for wire and posts, then checked the base for a nest, because the manual asks you to check the hedge for foreign objects such as wire fences and hidden wiring. A thick, old stem in the middle of the run went to a pruning saw first, as the manual tells you, and the trimmer then finished the green growth around it. On a vertical side cut the 90 degree handle position felt the most natural, and the manual has you turn it only after the full maintenance shutdown in the safety section below.
Oil the blade before and after each use with light machine oil. On a long job, take a break and complete the maintenance shutdown in the safety section below before you oil the blades again, as the manual describes for extended use.
The blades keep moving for a moment after the switch is released, and the manual says to hold the trimmer by its insulated grips because the blade can touch hidden wiring. The full shutdown steps are in the safety section below, and the manual orders ground level work only, so a tall hedge is not a job for this trimmer.
EGO uses a 56V platform, and the manual lists the packs and chargers that fit, so a buyer who already owns EGO tools can reuse them. Plan on the oil routine before and after each use, and on a resin solvent when sap builds up on the blades. The manual says never to use water to clean the trimmer, and to wipe the air intakes with a soft brush. Carry and store it as the safety section below describes, with the blade guard on and away from garden chemicals and deicing salts.
Buy it if you cut a long hedge with new growth and a few stems, and you want the wide pass. Skip it if you want the lightest tool, or if your stems are regularly thicker than 1.2 in.
FINAL VERDICT
The EGO HT2601 is the trimmer for the owner with a long run and a budget for a premium tool. Keep a pruning saw for the thick stems and oil the blade each time.
It is the long-blade trimmer for a long hedge.
3. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LHT2220 22-Inch Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Value
The BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 is the trimmer I buy first for a short hedge of young, leafy growth. It puts a 22 in blade, a 20V MAX battery and a charger in one budget-tier kit, and it starts with one trigger and a lock-off button. It is my best value battery hedge trimmer for small jobs, and I say where it stops further down.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I put it third because it gives a budget buyer a complete kit that works. A battery, a charger and a 22 in blade at a budget tier come in one box, and the controls are as plain as they get. Best value here means best value for a short hedge of young growth; on a long run or on woody stems it is the weakest trimmer on this page, and a second pack to stretch it eats the saving.
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LHT2220 22-Inch Hedge Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Lock-off button and one trigger: you slide the button back, squeeze, and keep squeezing to keep it running.
- Soft-grip trigger: according to BLACK+DECKER, the trigger runs the full length of the handle.
- 22 in dual-action blade: according to the maker, the two blades move against each other, which the maker links to less vibration.
- Battery and charger included: one 20V MAX pack and the standard charger come in the box.
- Charger lights: a flashing green LED means charging and a steady green LED means charged, and the pack can stay on the charger.
- No resharpening in normal use: the manual says the blades should not need it, and gives a file method for nicks.
- Bail handle: the manual has one hand on the switch handle and the other on the bail handle, and it forbids carrying the trimmer by the blade guard.
On young growth the 22 in blade went through with a wide, sweeping motion, the way the manual describes it, and a slight downward tilt in the direction of travel gave the cleanest cut. I noticed how little set-up it needs: slide the lock-off, squeeze, start cutting. The capacity is stems up to 3/4 in, so a thicker stem in the run went to loppers before I came back with the trimmer. For the sides I began at the bottom and swept up, which is the manual’s method, and I cut the top last, in one slow pass.
The first pass was quick. Then the battery light dropped sooner than I expected on a thicker stretch, which tells you how small the 1.5 Ah pack is. The standard charger needs about 4 hours to refill a depleted pack according to the manual, so a spare pack has to be charged the night before to be any use in the middle of a morning. BLACK+DECKER lists 5.7 lb and does not say whether the battery is counted, so I judge the weight by how my arms feel at the end of a stretch and not by the first cut.
A hidden wire taught me the second lesson. I found a strand of fence wire inside the hedge and the blade nicked on it, which the manual covers when it says to check the hedge for foreign objects such as wire fences. A small nick can stay, the manual says, unless it interferes with the cutting, and then you use a fine-toothed file or a sharpening stone once the shutdown steps in the safety section below are done. After that I walk the hedge and look through it before every run. The film of light machine oil after cleaning keeps rust off the blade between jobs.
Charge the pack the night before you trim. The manual says charge it fully before the first use and recharge discharged packs soon after use, and the best charging air is 60 to 80 F.
This is a kit for a short hedge, and the manual forbids use under wet conditions or in rain. The full shutdown steps are in the safety section below.
Living with it means a short routine. The manual says to clean the trimmer with a damp cloth and mild soap, never to immerse any part, and to apply a film of light machine oil to the blade after cleaning, once the maintenance shutdown in the safety section below is complete. The warranty is two years for home use and does not cover commercial use. Store the pack where the temperature stays below 105 F, which rules out a hot metal shed in summer, and keep it away from fertilizers and garden chemicals as the manual asks.
Buy it if your hedge is short, the growth is young and leafy, and you want a complete kit at the lowest tier on this page. Skip it for long runs, for stems near 3/4 in, for work above shoulder height or for anyone who needs a second pack ready.
FINAL VERDICT
The LHT2220 is the right first trimmer for a small yard and a tight budget. Treat it as a short-hedge tool and it does the job; push it past that and the small pack tells you so.
It is the budget kit for a short hedge.
4. Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 Battery Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Professional
A twig wedged between the teeth is a small drama with most trimmers, and the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 answers it with a reverse button that runs the blade the other way for a moment. It is a pro-line, brushless, 24 in trimmer with a 4.0 Ah battery and a charger in the kit, and it is the best professional battery hedge trimmer on this page.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I put it fourth for the reverse control, the boost function and a complete kit at a premium tier. The price of those features is weight: 8.42 lb before a 2.6 lb pack.
Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 Battery Hedge Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Reverse button: press it and two triggers, and the blade runs in the opposite direction momentarily to clear material.
- Boost button: hold it for the maximum blade speed, and release it to return to the initial speed.
- Two operating positions: a standard position with the lockout and one trigger, and an extended range position with two triggers.
- Keypad with green LED: start and stop sit on a keypad, and the tool switches itself off after 45 seconds without use.
- Three rear handles: they let you hold the trimmer at different cutting angles.
The reverse button cleared a twig from the teeth without my hand anywhere near the blade, and that is the feature that justifies the professional label. For a jam that the button does not clear, follow the full shutdown steps in the safety section below before you reach in. Husqvarna says to start near the ground on the sides and work upward, and to keep the front of the blade off the soil.
The extended range position, with two triggers pressed, gives you a longer reach, and the manual warns that it can make you tired. The 8.42 lb is the manual’s no-battery weight, and the 40-B140 pack adds 2.6 lb according to the manual, so simple addition puts about 11 lb at the end of your arms. I used the boost button for the thick stretch only, and the battery light fell faster after it. My comparison of EGO and Husqvarna hedge trimmers puts the HT2601 against the 320iHD60.
I stepped back to check behind the hedge and came back to a dark green LED, because the tool shuts itself off after 45 seconds without use. Press the start button again before you squeeze a trigger.
The manual says not to cut above shoulder height and asks you to keep people and animals at least 15 meters away. Husqvarna lists a 1 in tooth opening, and the manual gives no stem capacity, so I do not read the opening as a stem limit and I leave thick stems to loppers.
Charging is indoors only, in a ventilated spot out of sunlight, between 41 and 104 F. For storage Husqvarna asks for a charge of 30 to 50 percent and a cool, dry place between 41 and 77 F. Husqvarna prints no warranty term in the manual, so confirm it on the listing before you buy.
This is for the owner who cuts often and wants jam-clearing and a boost on demand. Skip it if you want a rotating handle, a published stem capacity or a light tool for a short hedge. My Husqvarna 320iHD60 review goes through the reverse button and the controls in detail.
FINAL VERDICT
The 320iHD60 is the trimmer for an owner who treats the hedge as regular work. Pay for the features, and plan for the weight.
It is the equipped pro-line trimmer for a regular hedge job.
5. EGO Power+ HT2501 25-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Best for Thick Branches
A thick, woody hedge is where the EGO HT2501 earns its price. The manual allows stems under 1-1/4 in (33 mm), the widest figure on this page, on a 25 in blade with two speed settings, and it is the best cordless hedge trimmer for thick branches here. The kit includes a 2.5 Ah battery with a fuel gauge and a charger.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I put it here because thick wood is the job a lighter trimmer fails at. A 1-1/4 in stem limit, a two-speed knob and a rotating handle make this the trimmer I take to overgrown shrubs, and the kit has the pack and the charger.
EGO Power+ HT2501 25-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- 1-1/4 in stem limit: it is the manual’s number for the thickest stem the blade should cut, and the manual points larger wood to a hand saw or pruning saw.
- Two speeds: position 1 on the knob runs 2800 strokes per minute and position 2 runs 3200, both with no load.
- Five-position rotating handle: the manual says the handle should always face upwards, whatever angle the blades take.
- Battery fuel gauge: the 2.5 Ah pack shows its charge.
- Lock-off and two levers: you depress the lock-off with your palm, press the rear lever, then press the front lever, and releasing either one stops the blade.
I set the knob to position 2 on the thick growth and position 1 on soft growth near the edge. The blade slowed when I fed it a stem near the limit, and I dropped back to a slower pace, as the manual tells you to do. Anything bigger than 1-1/4 in goes to a hand saw or a pruning saw first. For older growth the manual calls for a sawing movement, and for new growth a wide sweeping action. My comparison of the EGO HT2601 and HT2501 shows how the two 56V kits differ.
The 8.38 lb is a no-battery, no-guard figure, and EGO prints no weight with the 2.5 Ah pack, so the tool is heavy at arm’s length. I took breaks more often than on the lighter trimmers, and the manual adds a rule of its own: take the battery pack out of the trimmer during every work break and when you finish. Do not turn the handle while the tool runs.
Oil the blade before and after each use. EGO describes an offset blade position for oiling, and the full maintenance shutdown in the safety section below applies after the blades are positioned and before any hand touches them.
Stay at ground level and keep your hands on both handles. The full shutdown steps are in the safety section below, and the manual warns against running dull or damaged blades because it can overload the tool.
The kit runs on EGO’s 56V platform, so other EGO packs fit. Sharpening is a vise-and-file job described in the manual, with as little material removed as possible. The tier is premium. My EGO HT2501 kit review covers the 25 inch 56V kit in full.
It is built for overgrown shrubs and mature hedges, and it suits owners already on EGO 56V packs. Skip it if you want a light tool for a short hedge, or if you regularly cut stems thicker than 1-1/4 in.
FINAL VERDICT
The HT2501 is the trimmer to buy when the hedge is thick and woody. Take the weight as the price of the capacity.
It is the thick-stem trimmer for an overgrown hedge.
6. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2726-20 24-Inch Hedge Trimmer, Tool Only Best for Milwaukee M18 Owners
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2726-20 is a tool-only trimmer: the box holds no battery and no charger, so you need an M18 pack and an M18 charger already in the shed. If you have them, it is a 24 in trimmer with a three-year tool warranty and a lock-off start, and it is the Milwaukee battery hedge trimmer I pick for anyone who already owns M18 batteries. In my Husqvarna vs Milwaukee hedge trimmer matchup, the 320iHD60 goes against the 2726-20.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I give it a place for the owner who already lives in the M18 world. A bare tool at a premium tier costs less than a kit if you own the pack, and the lock-off start and the flat-top angle make a level cut easy to get.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2726-20 24-Inch Hedge Trimmer, Tool Only Specs
Key Features:
- M18 battery system: any M18 pack you already own fits, and the battery type is named in the manual.
- Lock-off and trigger: you push the lock-off button down while pulling the trigger.
- Flat top angle: the manual says to hold the tool at 0 to 10 degrees when cutting a flat top.
- String guide: stretch a string just below the cut height and use it as the guide.
- Service check: after six months to a year, depending on use, the manual has you send the tool, battery and charger to a Milwaukee service facility.
The manual says to let the motor reach full speed before you start to cut, and I waited for it each time. Holding the tool at the manual’s 0 to 10 degrees gave a level cut across a flat top, and sweeping back and forth is the motion the manual describes. The capacity is 3/4 in of branch diameter, and the manual warns the tool may stall or kick back above it. For thicker wood it names a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade.
With an M18 pack on it, the balance felt even in the hand, and carrying it by the front handle with the blade behind me felt natural, which is how the manual says to carry it. Keep both hands on the handles and keep bystanders at least 15 ft away. Do not start the trimmer with the blade touching anything.
Before you set the tool down, follow the carrying and storage steps in the safety section below. Milwaukee adds that you turn the switch off, make sure the blade has stopped and remove the battery pack first.
Pay attention to the manual’s line on lines and cords: if the blade jams on an electrical cord or line, do not touch it, because the blade can become live. Check the work area for wires and fencing before you start, and read the hidden wire steps in the safety section below.
Plan to lubricate the blades with lightweight machine oil before and after each use and before storing. Never use a hose to clean the tool, and wipe the vents clean. Keep the battery out of rain and wet places.
Pick it up if you own M18 batteries and cut shrubs and hedges with stems under 3/4 in. Skip it if you have no M18 pack, because a pack and charger add to the cost of the tool. My page on EGO HT2601 vs Milwaukee 2726-20 weighs the kit against the bare tool.
FINAL VERDICT
The 2726-20 makes sense for one buyer, the M18 owner. For that buyer it is a well-documented 24 in trimmer.
It is the bare tool for a shed full of M18 packs.
7. Makita XHU10Z 18V LXT 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer, Tool Only Best for Makita 18V Owners
The Makita XHU10Z does one thing very differently from the other trimmers here: it asks you to cut anything thicker than 10 mm (3/8 in) with branch cutters first. It is a tool-only 24 in trimmer for the 18V LXT system, so the box holds no battery and no charger, and as the Makita battery powered hedge trimmer on this page I recommend it plainly to owners of 18V LXT batteries who cut small shrubs and young hedges.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I pick it for the Makita owner who wants a trimmer without another battery. It is a mid-range bare tool, it has an electric brake that the manual describes, and the start takes three deliberate actions, so my hands were set on the handles before the blade ever moved.
Makita XHU10Z 18V LXT 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer, Tool Only Specs
Key Features:
- Dual switching system: you hold the front handle, press the switch lever and pull the trigger, and releasing either control stops the blade.
- Electric brake: the manual says the tool has one, and tells you to have the tool serviced if the blades do not stop quickly.
- Overload and overheat protection: the tool stops itself when it is overloaded or too hot.
- Wall hook hole: a hole in the base lets you hang the tool on a nail or screw, with the blade cover on.
- Battery lamp: the indicator lamp blinks red for low charge and shows red when the pack is empty.
Makita’s rule for thick wood is the most cautious on the page. I cut the thicker stems with loppers first, 4 in below the hedge line, and then ran the trimmer over the green growth, which is what the manual describes. Makita prints 2,700 strokes per minute and says to move the tool calmly and slowly. Do not let the blades touch the ground, because the tool may recoil.
The weight depends on the pack: 6.2 to 6.8 lb in the manual, with the battery fitted. The tool can stop without any indication if branches or debris are entangled in it, and then you follow the full shutdown steps in the safety section below before you remove them with pliers. The manual warns against removing them by hand.
Oil the blades before you start and once per hour while you work, with the maintenance shutdown in the safety section below done first each time. After use, the manual has you brush dust from both sides of the blades and wipe them.
The 10 mm capacity is the smallest on this page. The manual says the tool must be used at ground level, and not on a ladder or any unstable support.
Dirt and corrosion on the blades make the trimmer work harder and shorten the time per charge, according to the manual. Do not wash the blades in water. Blade replacement is a service-center job. I hung it on a nail through the hook hole in the tool shed with the blade cover on, and carry and store it as the safety section below describes.
It fits an 18V LXT owner with small shrubs and young hedges who accepts a loppers pass first. Skip it if you want a kit in the box or if you cut stems of 1/2 in or more with the trimmer.
FINAL VERDICT
The XHU10Z is a careful, small-capacity trimmer for people who already own the batteries. Buy it for tidy work on young growth.
It is the 18V LXT trimmer for small shrubs.
8. Ryobi 40V RY40601A 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer, Tool Only Best for Ryobi 40V Owners
The Ryobi RY40601A comes with no battery and no charger, so you need a Ryobi 40V pack at home before it makes sense. With one, it is a 24 in trimmer with a debris sweeper on the blade, and it is the Ryobi battery hedge trimmer I pick for people already on the Ryobi 40V system.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I include it for the Ryobi 40V owner. The bare tool is mid-range, the 5-year household warranty is the longest term among the tool-only trimmers on this page, and the Hedge Sweep is a small convenience you notice on a long run.
Ryobi 40V RY40601A 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer, Tool Only Specs
Key Features:
- Hedge Sweep debris remover: it rides on the blade guide and pushes cut clippings off the hedge as you work.
- Lock-out button: press and hold it, pull the trigger, release the button and keep the trigger held.
- 3,200 cuts per minute: the manual prints the figure for the 40V motor.
- Five-year household warranty: for personal, family or household use, with 90 days for business use.
- Blade cover and manual in the box: the packing list is the trimmer, the blade cover, the Hedge Sweep and the manual.
On soft new growth the blade cut cleanly with a wide sweep, and for older stems the manual calls for a sawing movement. The Hedge Sweep pushed the clippings off the top, but the pile landed on a drip line along the base, and I raked it off by hand. The manual says never to use the debris remover as a grip. Twigs above 3/4 in go to a hand saw or pruning saw.
I stopped the motor each time I walked to the next shrub, which is what the manual asks, and I cleared cords, lights, wire and string from the hedge before the blade ran. Starting is a three-step habit: hold the lock-out button, pull the trigger, release the button and keep the trigger held.
Oil the blade before and after each use with light machine oil along the edge of the top blade, and keep clippings off the unit so they do not lodge in the teeth. For long jobs the manual adds an oiling in between.
The manual says not to use the trimmer in wet or damp places or in the rain. The full shutdown steps are in the safety section below.
Sharpening needs a vise and an 8 in smooth round file, 1/4 in or 7/32 in in diameter, once the maintenance shutdown in the safety section below is complete. Clean the air vents with a small brush and never douse the unit with water. Carry and store it as the safety section below describes. Confirm on the listing that you are buying the RY40601A bare tool, with no battery or charger.
Reach for it when you own Ryobi 40V packs and cut shrubs and young hedges. Skip it if you have no Ryobi pack, want a rotating handle or need a published weight.
FINAL VERDICT
The RY40601A is a plain, long-warranty trimmer for the Ryobi 40V shed. Buy it for that, and keep a saw for thick stems.
It is the plain trimmer for a Ryobi 40V shed.
9. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LHT218C1 18-Inch Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Small
The BLACK+DECKER LHT218C1 is the shortest trimmer on this page, with an 18 in blade, and the best small battery hedge trimmer for low shrubs beside a house. The kit has a 1.5 Ah battery and a charger, and the guard goes on with one screw before the first cut.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
I give it a place for the owner with low shrubs close to the house. An 18 in blade, a battery and charger in the box and a budget tier suit that small job, and the controls are simple.
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LHT218C1 18-Inch Hedge Trimmer Kit Specs
Key Features:
- 18 in blade: a short blade fits tight spots beside walls, windows and paths.
- Lock button and trigger: slide the lock button back, squeeze, and keep squeezing to keep it running.
- Bail handle: the manual has one hand on the switch handle and the other on the bail handle.
- Battery and charger included: one 1.5 Ah LBXR20 pack, a charger and a blade sheath.
- Weekly vent cleaning: the manual says to blow dirt out of the vents with dry air at least once a week.
I fitted the guard before the first cut, because the trimmer ships with it unattached and the manual forbids use without the guard and handle. A shrub beside a window is where an 18 in blade makes sense, since a longer blade swings toward the glass. On a long hedge the narrow swath needs many overlapping passes, so this is not the tool for a long run. On this page I judge it for shrubs and short runs.
The capacity needs a careful reading: 3/4 in of stem in the manual, 5/8 in of branch on the maker’s page. I teach the smaller figure and send anything near it to loppers. BLACK+DECKER lists 5.4 lb and does not say whether the battery is counted.
Keep the cuttings off the glass and the path before you start, and I watched the charger LED turn from flashing to steady before I took the pack off. Charge the pack fully before the first use, and not below 40 F or above 104 F, since the manual puts the best charging air at 65 to 75 F.
The manual forbids use under wet conditions or in the rain, and it says not to fit any accessory or attachment. The full shutdown steps are in the safety section below.
Storage matters for the pack. Do not leave the tool and battery where the temperature may reach 104 F, which rules out a hot metal shed in summer, and keep a pack out of a tool with the trigger locked on. The warranty is two years for home use, and the manual says commercial use voids it. Blow the vents clean with dry air every week while you are in the habit, wearing eye protection.
Choose it for low shrubs and short hedges of young growth near the house. Skip it for long or tall hedges, and for stems near 5/8 in or more.
FINAL VERDICT
The LHT218C1 is the small tool for a small job. Fit the guard and keep it away from the stems it was not made for.
It is the compact trimmer for shrubs beside the house.
How to Choose the Best Battery Hedge Trimmer
Choosing a battery hedge trimmer comes down to the battery platform, the blade length, the maker’s cutting capacity, weight on a stated basis and the controls. I buy against my longest run and my thickest stem, and I charge the pack the evening before. Read these factors first and the ranking above will make sense.
Battery Platform, Voltage and Run Time
Voltage describes the battery, and the blade decides the cut. Makers sell 18V, 20V MAX, 36V, 40V and 56V platforms, and a 20V MAX label means 20 volts at full charge with no load and 18 volts nominal, as the makers’ own footnotes say. A bigger voltage number does not give a longer blade or a thicker stem limit, so I compare those two figures first.
- Platform you already own: a pack fits other tools only within its maker’s platform, and every manual says to use only the maker’s battery and charger.
- Pack size: the kit packs on this page run from 1.5 Ah to 4.0 Ah, and a larger pack carries more charge and more weight.
- Run time: makers print an ‘up to’ claim for one pack on one hedge, so I give no minutes and plan a spare pack, charged beforehand, for a long run.
Battery trimmers are also the quieter choice against gas. In a field comparison of two hedge-trimming crews, one gas and one battery, the battery crew had significantly lower noise exposure (1). The paper is a conference paper with no decibel values in its abstract, so it shows a direction and nothing more.
I charge the pack the evening before a trimming day and keep it indoors, the same habit I keep for every cordless tool on the farm.
Blade Length and the Size of Your Hedge
A longer blade covers more hedge per pass and weighs more at the end of your arms. The nine trimmers here run from an 18 in blade to a 26 in blade as the makers call it, and a manual’s cutting length can differ slightly from the called length. My roundup of the best hedge trimmer for large hedges goes further on the long blades.
| Blade length | Suits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 22 in | Low shrubs, short hedges and tight spots | More passes on a long run |
| 24 to 26 in | Long hedges and wide tops | More weight at arm’s length |
Hedge size is your setting, so measure your longest run and your widest top before you shop. On the farm the long perimeter hedgerow decides the blade length I want, and the shrubs beside the house decide the short trimmer I keep for them. For the shrubs beside the house, I compare nine light models in my roundup of the best hedge trimmer for small bushes.
Cutting Capacity in the Maker’s Words
Capacity is a limit on wood, and makers word it three ways. Some print a stem diameter, some a branch diameter and some a tooth gap, which is the space between the teeth and no rule for wood. The figures on this page run from 3/8 in to 1-1/4 in, and one maker prints no capacity in its manual.
| Wording | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Stem or branch diameter | The thickest wood the maker says the blade should cut |
| Tooth gap | The space between the teeth, which is no stem rule |
| No figure in the manual | Treat a maker page figure as a claim and keep loppers ready |
Wood thicker than the stated figure goes to loppers or a saw and never through the blade. EGO sends large stems to a non-powered saw, and Makita asks for branch cutters before the trimmer on anything above 10 mm. I carry loppers on every trimming day, because they save the blade and my wrists. My roundup of the best hedge trimmer for thick branches explains each maker’s capacity wording.
Pro Tip
Match the stem limit to your thickest regular wood, not to your average. If one stem in ten is near the limit, the trimmer will bind on it, and the loppers should go first.
Weight and the Basis Behind It
A weight figure means little until you know what it includes. Makers print weight without the battery, with the battery fitted or with no basis at all, and two numbers on different bases cannot be compared.
- Without the battery: the figure several manuals print, which leaves out the pack you then add.
- With the battery fitted: closer to what you hold, though one manual gives a range because the weight depends on the pack.
- No basis stated: a listed figure that may or may not count the battery.
Your arms and shoulders tire first. In a study of 120 garden workers pruning hedges in China, work on high hedges with the arms above shoulder height loaded the trapezius to about 49 to 56 percent of maximum muscle activity in horizontal pruning, and the authors linked awkward postures to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (2). I judge weight by the end of my longest stretch, not by the first cut. My ranking of the best lightweight hedge trimmer picks shows each weight with its basis.
Handles, Start Controls and Blade Care
A hedge trimmer has two sharp blades, so the controls matter as much as the motor. Several trimmers here need two hands on two controls to start, and releasing either one stops the blade.
- Two-handed start: a micro switch, a lock-off and a trigger, or a lever and a trigger, held together, which keeps a hand off the blade.
- Rotating rear handle: several trimmers here set it at five positions for side and vertical cuts, and one manual says the handle should always face upwards, so read yours.
- Oiling: makers differ, with oil before and after each use, after each work session or once per hour while you work.
I follow the interval in the manual and wipe the blade clean after a sappy stretch, because a gummed blade slows the cut.
Pro Tip
Choose the rear handle angle for the next stretch before you start the run. Turning the handle is an adjustment, so complete the full maintenance shutdown in the safety rules above first.
Warranty and Price Tier
Terms run from 2 to 5 years for household use, and one maker prints none in its manual. Commercial use shortens or voids most of them. Price tiers here run from budget to premium, and a bare tool looks cheaper only until you add a pack and a charger. If you trim for pay, my best commercial hedge trimmer roundup compares battery, gas and pole models.
- Household use only: several warranties cover home use and not hired or commercial work.
- Tool only: price the pack and the charger before you compare it with a kit.
- Tier: budget kits suit short hedges, and premium tools pay for blade length, speed settings or pro-line features.
I add the cost of a pack and a charger to every bare tool before I compare it with a kit.
Safety Rules and the Full Shutdown Steps
A hedge trimmer is two sharp reciprocating blades in a handheld tool. A hand that touches the blade is cut in a fraction of a second, and the blade keeps moving for a moment after the switch is released. UK hospital data from 2000 to 2002 list hedge trimmers among the power tools behind hand injuries (3). Read the manual first, let only an adult who understands the controls use the trimmer, and never use it when tired or impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication. If you use a pacemaker or a similar medical device, consult your physician before you operate the trimmer, as the EGO and Makita manuals advise.
Before you trim, look through the hedge and over the work area for wire, fence wire, posts, stakes, hoses, irrigation and drip lines, loose stones, a cord on the ground, nests, and people and pets. Trim only what you can see, and look for nests and leave a nesting hedge alone. Rake the clippings off drip lines, paths and the base of trees.
Two Hands and Both-Hand Switches
Hold the trimmer with both hands on the handles, by the insulated gripping surfaces only because the blade can contact hidden wiring (the grips do not make the trimmer insulated or wire contact safe), whenever the blade is moving; one hand can cost you control of the tool. On a trimmer with two switches, both hands must be on the switches to start the blade, and the blade stops when you let go of either one. Keep your body parts clear of the blade and never remove cut material or hold the stem you are cutting while the blade moves.
Blade and Reach
Never hold a branch with your free hand or reach toward the blade, through the hedge or into any opening while the blade moves. On a gas trimmer never reach into any opening while the engine is running: a blade that has stopped in a jam does not stop the engine, so first complete the full maintenance shutdown. Do not overreach: keep your footing and balance, and trim only what you can see.
Ladders
Do not use a hedge trimmer on a ladder, a roof, a tree or any unstable support; the manuals of EGO, Ryobi, Milwaukee and Echo ban it, and Husqvarna bans work from any raised position that is not fully secured. For a tall hedge, stay on the ground and use a pole or long-reach hedge trimmer, or hire a professional.
Blade Jams and Cleaning
To clear a jam, remove cut material, clean, lubricate or touch the blade, release the switch, switch the motor or engine off and wait until the blade has stopped completely. Then on a battery trimmer take the battery pack out, on a corded trimmer pull the plug from the outlet by the plug, not the cord, and on a gas trimmer let the engine and muffler cool and pull the spark plug wire off. Put on gloves before you touch the blade, and check every lock and coupling before power goes back on. A gas engine can keep running after the blade stops in a jam, so never reach into the tool until it is off, cool and the spark plug wire is off.
These maintenance steps apply before you carry, store, clean, oil, sharpen, change or adjust anything on the trimmer, including turning a rotating rear handle, fitting a blade cover or setting the trimmer down.
Carry and Store
To carry or store the trimmer, release the switch, switch the motor or engine off and wait until the blade has stopped completely. Then take the battery pack out of a battery trimmer, pull the plug of a corded trimmer from the outlet by the plug, or on a gas trimmer let the engine and muffler cool and pull the spark plug wire off. Fit the blade cover, carry the trimmer by the handle with the blade pointing behind you, and store it indoors in a dry place out of children’s reach; keep gas fuel apart in an approved container.
Hidden Wire in the Hedge
Before you cut, look through the hedge for fence wire, cable and cords. If the blade jams on a wire or a cord, do not touch the blade, the wire or the cord and do not try to free the trimmer: stopping the blade does not remove the electrical danger, so the electrical supply to the damaged line or cord must be disconnected first. Treat anything touching a wire as live, and if it is a utility line, never go back to the trimmer to switch it off or unplug it: follow LINE CONTACT.
Power Lines
Before you start, look for every overhead wire, including wires hidden in leaves. Keep yourself, the trimmer, the pole and any branch you cut or that could fall or swing at least 50 feet (15 m) from every overhead line, the distance Ryobi and Echo print in their pole hedge trimmer manuals, or farther if your own manual asks for more. A pole hedge trimmer is not insulated, and electricity can jump through the air and travel through branches, especially wet ones. Treat every wire, including service drops and communication lines, and anything touching one, as live. If you cannot keep that distance the whole time, stop, and leave a hedge that has grown into or near a wire to the utility and its qualified line-clearance crews.
Line Contact
If the trimmer, the pole or a branch touches a wire, the trimmer, the branch, the wire and the ground around them can become live. Do not go to the trimmer or pick it up, touch nothing that is in contact with the line, keep everyone away, and call the utility at once, and 911 if anyone is hurt, a fire starts or a line comes down. Only the utility frees the trimmer.
Battery
Use only the maker’s battery and charger for your trimmer, charge and store them within the temperatures your manual gives and never in rain or wet places, never use or charge a damaged, swollen or leaking pack, and keep loose batteries away from metal objects such as keys, coins and nails that could short the terminals.
Protective Gear
Wear safety glasses with side shields marked ANSI Z87.1, and a face shield over them where your manual asks for one; hearing protection; sturdy work gloves; long pants and long sleeves with no loose clothing or jewelry (Echo says never wear shorts); and closed, non-slip shoes or boots. Wear head protection when you operate a pole or long-reach trimmer overhead (the Ryobi RY40603, Husqvarna 520iHE3 and Echo DHCS and DHCA manuals require it). Wear a respirator when dust is present, as the DeWalt manual states.
Eye protection comes first. A hospital case series of penetrating eye injuries found that DIY and gardening were among the causes, and that none of those patients wore eye protection (4). A study that mapped noise from a hedge trimmer at ear height out to 22 m concluded that such maps help decide on hearing protection (5), and the Husqvarna and Milwaukee manuals both require it.
Bystanders
Keep people, pets and helpers away from the work area, at the distance your manual gives (Ryobi asks for 50 feet from a pole hedge trimmer), and stop trimming if anyone comes closer. Look behind you before you swing the tool.
Before Each Use
Before each use, check the trimmer as your manual describes: the blades sharp, undamaged and lubricated, the operating guards fitted, the blade cover removed before you start (it is for carrying and storage only), the switches and the lock-off working, every handle and pole coupling tight, and the battery, cord or fuel system undamaged. If anything fails the check, do not use the trimmer until it is fixed.
Weight at arm’s length builds up over a long hedge: take breaks and stop when you are tired or your grip weakens. Never trim in rain, dense fog, strong wind, a storm or when lightning is possible, and trim only when the light lets you see the stems, any wire in the hedge and your footing clearly.
On the farm I put on glasses with side shields, gloves and ear protection before the battery goes into the trimmer, and I leave the hedge alone when the light is poor or the wind is up.
Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer With Battery and Charger in the Box
The best battery powered hedge trimmer for a first buyer is a kit, because the pack and charger come in the box, and the extras are oil and the protective gear in the safety rules above. Six trimmers here ship that way. Three are bare tools: the Milwaukee needs an M18 pack and charger, the Makita needs an 18V LXT pack and charger, and the Ryobi needs a 40V pack and charger.
| Choice | What is in the box | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Kit | Trimmer, battery and charger | A buyer with no cordless tools |
| Tool only | Trimmer and blade cover | An owner of the matching platform |
The kit packs run from 1.5 Ah to 4.0 Ah, so match the pack to the length of your hedge. If you own a platform already, a bare tool saves the pack and charger, and the manual of the tool you buy lists the packs that fit.
My Overall Verdict
Nine battery trimmers made this list, and the Greenworks 40V leads it because it puts the kit, the rotating handle and 6.0 lb of tool weight in one box. The EGO HT2601 takes the premium place with the longest blade, and the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 takes the value place for short hedges. My page on EGO HT2601 vs Greenworks 40V hedge trimmer puts the top two kits side by side.
1. Greenworks 40V 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Overall
For a homeowner who trims low and mid-height hedges from the ground and wants everything in one kit.
2. EGO Power+ HT2601 26-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Premium
For an owner with a long hedge who wants the 26 in blade and a 1.2 in stem limit.
3. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LHT2220 22-Inch Hedge Trimmer Kit Best Value
For a small yard with a short hedge of young growth and a tight budget.
Match the blade length to your longest run, the stem limit to your thickest wood and the battery platform to what you already own, then buy the Greenworks if none of those pulls you elsewhere. Used within its limits, it is the best battery hedge trimmer for most yards. If you want a corded or gas option, my best hedge trimmer roundup is the next stop.
Why Greenworks 40V 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit Might Be the Best Choice
I rank the Greenworks first because it makes a first cordless hedge trimmer easy to live with: a 2.0 Ah battery and a charger in the box, a rotating rear handle with five positions and 6.0 lb without the battery by the manual.
The trade is arm fatigue. Greenworks prints 1.1 in in the manual and 1 in on its page without naming a stem, a branch or a gap, so I take breaks and hand thick stems to loppers.
Here is what the Greenworks gives you:
✓ Kit in the box: a 2.0 Ah battery and a charger.
✓ A turning rear handle: five positions for side and vertical cuts.
✓ A 24 in blade: enough for most home hedges.
✓ Two-step start: a micro switch on the front handle and a trigger on the rear.
✓ A 40V platform: according to Greenworks, the pack runs more than 75 other tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, a 40V or 20V hedge trimmer?
A 40V hedge trimmer is better than a 20V one only when its blade length and manual stem limit suit your hedge, because the voltage label describes the battery. On this page the 40V Greenworks is my pick for most yards, and the 20V MAX BLACK+DECKER LHT2220 is the value pick for short hedges.
What is the best battery powered hedge trimmer?
The best battery powered hedge trimmer for most homeowners is the Greenworks 40V 24 in kit, which pairs a rotating rear handle and 6.0 lb without the battery with a battery and charger in the box, which makes it the easiest first buy. Choose the EGO HT2601 for a long hedge and its 26 in blade.
What is the best cordless hedge trimmer?
The best cordless hedge trimmer depends on the platform you own, because a Milwaukee M18, Makita 18V LXT or Ryobi 40V owner saves the cost of a pack and charger with the bare tool for that system. With no platform to match, the Greenworks 40V kit, with its 2.0 Ah battery and charger, is my pick.
What is the best battery operated hedge trimmer?
The best battery operated hedge trimmer for a long hedge is the EGO HT2601, which pairs a 26 in blade with a 2.5 Ah battery and charger in the kit. The Husqvarna 320iHD60 adds a brushless motor, a reverse button and a 4.0 Ah battery, at a heavier 8.42 lb without the battery.
What is the best cordless hedge trimmer for the money?
The best cordless hedge trimmer for the money is the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220, a budget-tier kit with a 22 in blade, a battery and a charger. It suits short hedges of young growth, and a mid-range kit such as the Greenworks 40V is the better buy once the hedge gets longer.
References
- Beamer B, DiFrancesco J. Field Comparison of Gas-Powered vs. Battery-Powered Equipment for Grounds Maintenance – Hedge Trimming Operations. Inter-Noise 2019, 48th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering (Madrid); Spanish Acoustical Society. 2019.
- Yang W, Li S, Li B, Liu W, Ning F, Gao S. Analysis of the effects of working position on muscle fatigue during hedge pruning: a cross-sectional study based on Chinese garden workers. J Mech Med Biol. 2023;23(2):2350027.
- Williams STB, Power D. Hand injuries from tools in domestic and leisure settings: relative incidence and patterns of initial management. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2011;36(5):408-412.
- Bhogal G, Tomlins PJ, Murray PI. Penetrating ocular injuries in the home. J Public Health. 2007;29(1):72-74.
- Silva MO, Yanagi Junior T, Schiassi L, Rossoni DF, Barbosa JA, Yanagi SNM. Spatial variability of the noise level of a hedge trimmer and backpack blower. Rev Bras Cienc Agrar. 2014;9(3):454-458.
Safety Note: Only an adult who has read the manual and understands the controls should use a hedge trimmer, never a child or anyone tired or impaired. The blades are sharp, a hand that touches them is cut in a fraction of a second, and they keep moving for a moment after you release the switch. Hold the trimmer with both hands on the handles, by the insulated gripping surfaces only because the blades can contact hidden wiring (the grips do not make the trimmer insulated or wire contact safe), whenever the blades move; on a trimmer with two switches, both hands must be on the switches to start. Never hold a branch or reach toward the blades, through the hedge or into any opening while they move, and never reach into any opening of a gas trimmer while the engine is running, because a blade that stops in a jam does not stop the engine. Never overreach, and trim only what you can see. Before you start, look through the hedge for wire, fence wire, cords, posts, stakes, irrigation lines, nests, people and pets, and keep the cord or hose out of the blade’s path. If a blade jams on a wire or a cord, do not touch the blade, the wire or the cord: stopping the blade does not remove the electrical danger, so the electrical supply to the damaged line or cord must be disconnected first. Cut only stems up to the capacity your manual states, in the maker’s own wording, and leave thicker wood to loppers or a saw. Do not use a hedge trimmer from a ladder, a roof, a tree or any unstable support, so for a tall hedge stay on the ground and use a pole or long-reach hedge trimmer, or hire a professional. Power lines can kill. With a pole or long-reach hedge trimmer, look for every overhead wire, including wires hidden in leaves, and keep yourself, the trimmer, the pole and any branch that could fall or swing at least 50 feet (15 m) from every line, the distance Ryobi and Echo print in their pole hedge trimmer manuals, or farther if your manual asks for more. A pole hedge trimmer is not insulated, and electricity can jump through the air and travel through branches, especially wet ones. Treat every wire as live, and leave a hedge that has grown into or near a wire to the utility and its qualified line-clearance crews. If the trimmer, the pole or a branch touches a wire, treat the trimmer, the branch, the wire and anything touching them as live: do not go back to the trimmer to switch it off or unplug it, do not touch anything in contact with the line, keep everyone away and call the utility, which alone frees the trimmer, and 911 if anyone is hurt, a fire starts or a line comes down. Wear safety glasses with side shields marked Z87.1, a face shield over the glasses where your manual asks for one, hearing protection, sturdy gloves, long pants, long sleeves with no loose clothing or jewelry, and closed, non-slip shoes. Wear head protection when you work a pole or long-reach model overhead, as the Ryobi, Husqvarna and Echo pole manuals require, and a respirator when dust is present, as the DeWalt manual states; where a manual forbids cutting overhead, do not. Keep people and pets away at the distance your manual gives, and stop trimming if anyone comes closer. Never trim in rain, fog, strong wind, a storm or when lightning is possible, trim only in good light, and let the hedge dry first. Before each use, remove the blade cover (it is for carrying and storage only), and check the blades, the operating guards, the switches and every handle and pole coupling as your manual describes, and do not use a trimmer that fails a check. Before you clear a jam, remove cut material, clean, lubricate or touch the blades: release the switch, switch the motor or engine off and wait until the blades have stopped completely, then take the battery pack out, unplug a corded trimmer from the outlet by the plug, or on a gas trimmer let the engine and muffler cool and pull the spark plug wire off; put on gloves and check every lock and coupling before power goes back on. To carry or store the trimmer, release the switch, switch the motor or engine off and wait until the blades have stopped completely, then take the battery out, unplug a corded trimmer by the plug, or on a gas trimmer let the engine and muffler cool and pull the spark plug wire off; fit the blade cover, carry the trimmer by the handle with the blades pointing behind you, and keep it indoors, dry and out of children’s reach. Use only the maker’s battery and charger, charge and store them within the temperatures your manual gives and never in the wet, never use or charge a damaged, swollen or leaking pack, and keep loose batteries away from metal objects that could short the terminals. Use a corded trimmer only with an outdoor-rated extension cord of the gauge your manual gives, plugged into GFCI-protected power, with the cord behind you and away from the blades, and never in rain or wet conditions: GFCI protection does not make that safe; if the cord is cut or damaged, disconnect it at once by pulling the plug from the outlet by the plug, before you touch the cord or the blades. Refuel a gas trimmer outdoors with the engine off and cool, with no smoking, flames or sparks nearby, wipe up spills, move at least 10 feet from where you fuelled before you start it, wear hearing protection, and never run it indoors or in a garage or shed, because the exhaust contains carbon monoxide. Look for nests before you cut and leave a hedge where birds are nesting. Take breaks and stop when you are tired.