Choosing the Right Electric or Petrol Hedge Trimmer

Posted on May 31, 2010 by

This site is designed as a one stop resource for information and advice on choosing an electric or petrol hedge trimmer and other garden power tools including log splitters, pressure washers, leaf blowers and pruners.

When we began this site in 2010, we intended to just give advice on how to choose the right petrol hedge trimmer but the site has grown and expanded and we now have information on electric trimmers, strimmers and multi tools as you will see if you browse the list of articles and reviews by using the site index link that can be found at the top of the page, above the header picture.

Our Top Selling Hedge Trimmers This Month
Bosch AHS 6000 Pro T Hedgecutter Trueshopping petrol long reach multi function 5 in 1 garden tool Flymo SabreCut Hedge Trimmer
Bosch AH6 6000 PRO T Bosch AH6 7000 PRO T Trueshopping 5 in 1 Multi Tool Flymo Sabrecut Cordless

Get The Information You Need – BEFORE You Buy!

Every person buying a powered tool to cut their hedges and shrubs – whether they choose a petrol or an electric one, will have different requirements and there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. On this site, you will find reviews of our favourite models and information on where to buy as well as lots of tips on using new purchase safely and effectively.

Our reviews section for garden power tools is growing all the time and you can look to see if we have reviewed a model you are interested in by checking the Site Index – Product Reviews section.

Before you get started, here are the key things you should take into consideration when buying:-

How Much Power Will You Need?

When buying a petrol powered model, a rough guide to power output is the size of the motor (measured in terms of the cc of the model).  Do you need a higher power model for thick brush and twiggy branches, or will you be using it to trim and keep your hedges well manicured on a regular basis?

Would You Find It Easier To Work With A Lightweight Model?

lightweight hedge trimmer

A lightweight petrol hedge trimmer

If you have a lot of cutting to do in your garden, you may prefer a lighter model to save your arms and shoulders from aches and pains! Make sure you are comfortable with the weight which is usually at least 5kgs for a petrol model. You will be using it at awkward angles and probably for quite a long time. You will need to be able to maneuver it easily and angle the blades according to the shape of your hedge. You should also take into consideration that the lighter the machine is, usually the less power you have. Continue reading →

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Bosch Hedge Trimmer Review, Bosch AHS 7000 Pro T Hedgecutter

Posted on January 7, 2011 by

This Bosch AHS 7000 Pro T Hedgecutter a review as it is a great alternative to a petrol hedge trimmer and is one of our most popular judging by the number who go on to purchase through Amazon after reading this review.

The Bosch 7000 has a powerful 700 watt motor and dual cutting action. The quality is, as you would expect from Bosch, extremely good which probably explains why it comes with a manufacturer’s two year guarantee. If you are looking for something slightly smaller, the Bosch 6000 is also reviewed on this site and is also hugely popular with our readers.

Easy to use with its two handle operation and safe, with its included hand guard and blade tip protector as well as a quick stop brake, the machine is lightweight to use at only 4.5 kg and low vibration due to the dual cutting action of the blades.

Bosch AHS 7000 Pro T HedgecutterThe blades give a 70 cm width of cut and are diamond ground for precision cutting. They have a 34 mm tooth gap which means you should be able to cut through twigs and small branches of up to 34 mm – that’s just over an inch in diameter without any problems. The machine is sold as being suitable for both high and medium height hedges and shrubs. The blade length ensures that wide hedges are no problem either. Continue reading →

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Fiskars Telescopic Universal Cutter Review

Posted on April 9, 2012 by

If you are looking for a telescopic cutter that can cope with most cutting jobs in your garden, the Fiskars Universal Telescopic Garden Cutter could be just what you are looking for, especially if you need to cut dry hard wood. It is also a very useful tool if you have concerns about back strain or injuries caused by trying to reach those hard to get to branches as its extendable shaft with a reach of 3.4 meters makes these jobs so much easier.

The anvil design of the blades in this Fiskars cutter make it really useful for cutting out dead and dried out wood – vital if you want to encourage new, young growth on your hedges and shrubs and keep fruiting and specimen trees in good condition and free from disease as the very clean cut enables the tree or shrub to heal more quickly with less chance of fungal or other infection getting in.

I particularly like this tool because I am getting too old to be climbing up ladders and stepladders! The telescopic action of this tool means I can cut way above my head – the shaft adjusts to a maximum of 3.4 meters – that’s about 11 feet in old money! Taking into account my height and the blade at the end, I can reach even further than this up to around 5 meters, so I can reach pretty much anything I need to from the safety of the ground.

Fiskars Telescopic Universal Cutter

Available at a 27% discount and with free shipping from Amazon right now.
Cutting power is activated by simply sliding the orange handle and cutting at full stretch is made easier by just pulling the orange end knob as this takes a lot of the strain out of cutting these bigger shrubs and higher branches. However, there is a downside with this method too, in that you need to be able to take the weight of the pole in one hand to do this operation which might be tricky for some people – although at only around 2 kilograms, it is very lightweight. This tool will happily slice through branches of up to 32 mm (just over an inch) in diameter. (See video demonstration below).

If you have tricky to reach areas in your garden, you will be glad you chose this garden cutter as the cutting head is articulating and can be adjusted by a maximum of 26 degrees to get into those awkward corners. This makes it great for reaching into the crown of trees but also for reaching those cutting jobs right at the back of your borders without any necessity of trying to step over your foreground plantings. Continue reading →

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Ryobi CHT1850P Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

Read our review of the Ryobi CHT1850P, a lightweight cordless trimmer with a lot to offer for a little price!

With spring already here, many people all over the United Kingdom are taking to their gardens to do some much needed tidying up afte a long winter. One of the most popular features of our gardens are our hedges – but keeping them neat and tidy can be a lot of hard work.

For the average sized garden, there is no need to struggle with manual clippers on grounds of cost-saving. There are several fantastic hedge trimmers available from retailers and online in the UK and there are several manufacturers to choose from too.

The Ryobi CHT1850P is far from being the most expensive model in its class on the market, but as we all know, a high selling price does not always guarantee a quality product. Sitting in the middle of the market range, this trimmer offers a great deal of performance for such a reasonable price – and will definitely save your aching arms and back this spring!

Product features of the Ryobi CHT1850P:

Ryobi hedge trimmer
Amazon Image

  • High quality doubled sided blades.
  • A large handle for increased control and grip.
  • A special grip, designed from overmould technology.

Product information:

  • Weight: 3.6kg
  • Warranty: Standard manufacturer warranty.
  • Average price: around £70
    (Prices are always subject to change.)

The Ryobi CHT1850P is an ideal trimmer for users who just want to maintain their own garden hedges, or have small scale clearing and tidying projects (perhaps ovegrown brambles or similar to tidy up). The device itself is extremely well made and has an overall solid build. Featuring a high performance 18 volt battery and dual blades it is perfect for quick and easy trimming. The unit itself is exceptionally light and compares very favourably with other models in the same price range. Its powerful blades are able to cut through medium to dense plants. While being the ideal tool, for keeping hedge rows in order, as mentioned above lightweight trimmers of this type are also perfect for tackling overgrown areas of the garden, such as those overcome by thorns and other obstructions.

What do we Think About this Ryobi Hedge Trimmer?

There are some minor issues with this product – however, they are not serious complications and for the price it represents excellent value.

The battery is perfect for short periods of time and charges fairly quick with an average charging time of around half an hour. For prolonged use, a single battery may be insufficient, which can lead to a lot of downtime while the unit is recharged. This tool is one of the Ryobi One Plus (One+) range which means that batteries are interchangeable between tools in this range which is a very useful feature. Learn more about the One Plus range of tools in the video below. Continue reading →

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