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Cordless hedge trimmers are lightweight, quiet and increasingly becoming more powerful, so it is no surprise their popularity continues to grow. One of the questions that no doubt crossed your mind though, is how long is the battery going to last? What kind of bushes, branches and shrubs can these tools handle?
On average, cordless hedge trimmers last from 45 minutes to an hour. The charging time takes 1-3 hours, with most models equipped with a 20V or 40V battery. 40V batteries are more powerful and can do more heavy work, but they take longer to charge and usually heavier.
Buying a cordless hedge trimmer is easy, but knowing what to buy is another. And there are other factors to consider apart from the battery runtime. As you will see, how you use a hedge trimmer plays an important role in this. Note: the terms hedge trimmer, trimmer and lawn edger interchangeably by vendors. They are all the same.
Cordless Hedge Trimmer Runtime Comparison
If you are in a hurry, this table compares the battery runtime of popular cordless hedge trimmers. However there are a lot of factors that determine how long it lasts. If you are going to buy a battery powered hedge trimmer, knowing what these factors are is a must.
Table. Cordless Hedge Trimmer Comparison
| Brand | Battery | Battery Runtime (Full Charge) | Charging Time | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black and Decker 40V | 40V | 1 hour | 1 hour | 6.9 |
| Greenworks 40V | 40V | 1 hour | 1 hour | 8.1 |
| Dewalt Max | 20V | -3 hours | 1-2 hhours | 4.5 |
| Worx 20V | 20V | 45-60 minutes | 3 hours | 5.5 |
| Black and Decker 20V | 20V | 25 minutes | 3 hours | 5.7 |
| WorkPro Shrubbery Trimmer | 7.2V | 40-60 minutes | 3-4 hours | 1.1 |
| Sun Joe 2 in 1 | 7.2V | 1 hour | 2-3 hours | 2.5 |
The average battery life of a cordless hedge trimmer is 45 to 60 minutes. With normal use, the battery should last 2 to 3 years. The way you use the battery, the materials you are trimming and the quality of the product determine its longevity.
Battery Voltage
Most hedge trimmers run on 20V or 40V batteries, but there are 60V and 80V models available. On the other end are lightweight trimmers with much smaller batteries.
The higher the battery voltage, the more powerful the trimmer. More powerful is not always better, as it comes down to what you need to do.
A 40V battery does not necessarily mean it will last longer than a 20V model. If you look at the table, the Dewalt runs longer than the Greenworks and Black and Decker. The advantage of a 40V model is it can cut through heavier, thicker shrubs and bushes than a 20V, saving you time.
It all comes down to how much power you must have. For a small garden, a 20V hedge trimmer will do. If you need to work on a lot of hedges, 40V or higher will be better. How long the battery lasts depends on how thick the branches, bushes and shrubs are.
Battery Runtime
A 40V lawn edger like the Black and Decker for instance, can last up to an hour on a full charge. This runtime is based on the assumption that the battery is full. Second, it assumes you are performing regular trimming activities.
If you do more trimming work than normal, the battery will run out faster. If you force the trimmer it could smoke too. Conversely, minimal work means the battery is going to last longer than an hour. This applies to all cordless hedge trimmers actually.
When you read product descriptions and it says “this hedge trimmer runs for 1 hour”, it presumes normal trimming. Keep that in mind whenever you calculate how long the battery can last.
If your hedge trimmer is not fully charged, it will not last as long as advertised. Even a fully charged edger could run out of power quickly if you use for heavier work than it is intended for.
The battery should be pre-installed. If not, the process is really simple.
Charge Time
The charge time is always from 0-100%. So if a hedge trimmer says it takes an hour to charge, that assumes the battery is completely empty. From 0% to a full charge (100%) it takes an hour for example.
If you do not empty the battery, charging is faster. Assume your trimmer takes an hour to fully charge. If you finished work and there is still 15-20% left, charging only takes 45 minutes or so. If 50% is left, that would be 30 minutes.
The battery power does not necessarily correlate to charging time. As you can see from the table, the differences between 20V models can be significant. How long batteries take to charge is important for obvious reasons. If you trim a lot of hedges, a fast charging model is a must.
What to Look For in Cordless Hedge Trimmers
A long running battery and a quick charge time are great, but it takes more than that to be a superior cordless hedge trimmer. You have to consider other factors that will determine how easy it is to use and also how fast.
Branch Cutting Size
The majority of cordless hedge trimmers can cut branches up to half an inch thick. More powerful models can go through 1 inch or thicker branches. The wider the space between the blade’s teeth, the thicker the branch it can cut.
Hedge trimmer blades for home use have a 3/4 or 3/8 gap between their teeth. Both are sufficient for cutting small branches, hedges, shrubs, twigs and leaves. Trimmers for commercial and professional use have a one inch gap or more between the teeth.
Related: Why Your Hedge Trimmer Blades are Not Cutting
Blade Size
Hedge trimmer blade sizes range from 18 to over 30 inches. Most cordless hedge trimmers are 18-30 inches long and the right size for most home owners. The larger and longer the blade, the more branches and hedges you can cut. However that also puts on more weight on the tool.
- 30 inches and above: these blades are for professionals who maintain large hedges, shrubs and bushes.
- 18-30 inches: this range is ideal for home hedge trimming and maintenance. With a good sized battery you can maintain good sized hedges, bushes and more.
- 18 inches and smaller: if you have a small garden and need a handy tool for weeds and shrubs, this blade size range will do.
Some hedge trimmers allow you to use different blade sizes. Note that the larger the blade, the more battery power it is going to use.
Weight
One of the biggest advantages of battery hedge trimmers over gas is the weight. Most of these models weight 5 pounds or less, whereas gas trimmers can tip the scales at 20 pounds or more.
Weight may not seem important, but it makes a huge difference in terms of productivity. Carrying a 20 lb. hedge trimmer might not be a big deal if you use it for just a few minutes. But if you have to do trimming for hours, the weight will take its toll.
Other Features to Consider
- Adjustable handle. With an adjustable handle, you can configure the handle for easy trimming without having to constantly turn around. This is a handy feature to have especially if you maintain a lot of tall hedges and bushes.
- Telescoping pole. A telescoping pole allows you to extend the hedge trimmer by several feet, ideal for tall hedges and small trees.
- Compact design. A light, compact hedge trimmer makes a huge difference in terms of convenience. Aside from the weight, check the dimensions of the trimmer. This will give you an idea of how comfortable it is to use.
- Warranty. If the battery or any part stops working, it is good to know the warranty has you covered. This is one area that you should not neglect.
- Ease of use. This might be stating the obvious, but the most powerful hedge trimmer is useless if you cannot use it. Simple controls are essential.
- Safety guard. A safety guard prevents debris, leaves, branches, etc. from getting all over you while trimming.
I love the outdoors and all the tools for maintaining gardens, yards and lawns. The only thing I am more passionate about is sharing what I know about garden and outdoor equipment.
