Prices from Amazon AU, updated daily. Swipe or use the arrows for more.
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Quick summary7 picks
- Entry PickBosch 3.6V Cordless Compact Hedge Shrub… about$105
- TOPEXTOPEX 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer about$115
- Giantz 20V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer… about$1202000mAh.
- Stanley Fatmax V20 18V 2Ah Hedge Trimmer Kit about$163
- PowerBlade 20V Pole Saw and Hedge Trimmer… about$1658" screen.
- Bosch Home & Garden 18V Cordless Shrub &… about$199
- Most PremiumBosch 18V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Garden… about$199
What a cordless hedge trimmer has to do
A hedge trimmer is two steel blades with teeth along the edge, sliding past each other very fast, driven by a small motor through a gearbox. The teeth catch the stems and the blades shear them off, a bit like a big pair of scissors that never stops. That's all it is, and it's why the things that decide whether you'll like one are mostly mechanical: how long the blade is, how wide the gap between the teeth is, how heavy it is at the end of your arms, and how long the battery lasts.
Going cordless has mostly won this one. There's no lead to cut through, which is the classic way people damage a corded trimmer, and no petrol to mix or store. For a suburban garden with a few hedges, a lilly pilly screen, some box or murraya and a bit of edging, a battery trimmer has plenty of power. Big rural hedges with thick old wood are still a job for a petrol or a trade unit, and I've left those out.
I've covered three kinds here. Handheld hedge trimmers with a 42 to 50cm blade are the standard tool. Pole trimmers put the cutting head on a long shaft so you can reach the top of a tall hedge without a ladder. Shrub shears are small one-handed tools with short blades for shaping, topiary and tidying lawn edges. The six picks run from $115 to $199 at time of writing, which is a lot narrower than the price band I started with, because that's where the supply from Australian sellers on Amazon AU sits.
Most of these are kits with a battery and a charger, which makes comparing them simpler than with a lot of cordless tools. The big question is still the battery platform, because whichever kit you buy, the battery and charger will lock you into that brand for the next tool. If you already own a cordless lawn mower or a blower on one platform, that's usually the brand to buy.
The battery platform you're buying into
Every brand runs its own battery, and they don't swap. The two Bosch picks use the green 18V POWER FOR ALL battery, the same one used by the green Bosch circular saw and Bosch's home garden range. The Stanley FatMax uses the 18V V20 battery, which its listing says works across the whole V20 tool range. The TOPEX, the Giantz and the PowerBlade each run on their own 20V battery, and none of those are interchangeable either.
The 18V and 20V labels sound different but usually aren't. Most 20V tools use the same lithium cells as 18V ones, and the 20V figure is the battery's peak voltage straight off the charger, while 18V is the nominal figure under load. So don't pick a 20V tool over an 18V one thinking it's more powerful. Pick on the platform, the blade and the weight.
Kit batteries in this price range are small. The Stanley and both Bosch kits come with a 2.0Ah battery, and the Giantz lists a 2,000mAh battery, which is the same capacity. The Giantz listing quotes 25 minutes of runtime, and the Bosch AdvancedShear quotes up to 85 square metres per charge. For a few hedges that's enough, but if you've got a long screen down a boundary, plan on a second battery or a bigger one on the same platform.
Keep the battery out of the sun and out of a hot shed when you're not using it, because heat is what ages lithium packs fastest. Charge it on the charger it came with. If the charger dies, replace it with the maker's own part rather than a no-name replacement charger, because a garden tool battery left on a poor charger in a shed is a fire risk you don't need.
Blade length and tooth gap
Blade length decides how much hedge you cut in one sweep. The Stanley's listing states a 50cm blade, the PowerBlade's hedge head a 20 inch blade, which is about 51cm, the TOPEX and the Bosch EasyHedgeCut 45cm, and the Giantz pole head 42cm. The Bosch AdvancedShear has a 20cm shrub blade and a 10cm grass blade. A longer blade is faster on a long, flat hedge, but it's heavier at the tip and harder to control on curves and shapes.
Tooth gap is the spec people miss, and it decides the thickest stem the trimmer will cut cleanly. A wider gap lets thicker branches into the teeth. The Bosch EasyHedgeCut 18-45's listing states a 15mm tooth spacing and says it's designed for light trimming work. None of the other listings state a tooth gap or a maximum cutting diameter, which is a common gap in hedge trimmer listings, so check the maker's own spec sheet before you buy one for an overgrown hedge.
In practice, a battery hedge trimmer in this class is for regular trimming of new growth, not for cutting back a hedge that's been left for three years. If the stems are thicker than a pencil or so, it'll start to stall and chew rather than cut. That's when you get out loppers or a pruning saw for the thick wood, and let the trimmer do the tidy finish. Cutting the hedge little and often keeps the growth soft and the trimmer happy.
Dual-action blades, where both blades move, are what you want, and the TOPEX, the Stanley, the PowerBlade and the Bosch AdvancedShear all state them. The Giantz listing says double-sided blade, which means it cuts on both edges so you can sweep in either direction. The Bosch EasyHedgeCut has an anti-blocking system, which its listing says keeps it cutting without jamming, and the AdvancedShear has Bosch's anti-lock system for the same job.
Handheld, pole or shear
A handheld trimmer is the right tool for most hedges up to about head height. You can see what you're cutting, it's quick to swing along a flat face, and it's the lightest way to get a long blade. The TOPEX states 2.4kg and the Stanley states under 3kg bare, which is light enough to hold out in front of you for a while. Both have front and rear handles, and the Stanley's two-handed switch means it won't start unless both hands are on it.
A pole trimmer is for the tall hedge and the top of a screen. The Giantz's pole extends to about 2.56 metres overall, and the PowerBlade's reach is over 3 metres with the extension fitted. Both have heads you can angle, so you can cut the top of a hedge flat while standing on the ground. That's a lot safer than a handheld trimmer on a ladder. The trade-off is weight out at the end of a long lever, so the Giantz's shoulder strap matters.
A shrub shear is a different tool. The Bosch AdvancedShear is used one-handed with a short blade, for shaping box balls, tidying around garden beds and trimming lawn edges that a mower can't reach. It isn't a replacement for a hedge trimmer on a big hedge, but if your garden is mostly small shrubs and edges, it's often the more useful tool. The kit comes with both a shrub blade and a grass blade that click on and off.
Safety around the garden
Hedge trimmers cut whatever goes into the teeth, so the rules are simple. Keep both hands on the handles, keep the blade below shoulder height on a handheld trimmer, and stop the motor before you clear a jam or pull out a stick. Fit the blade cover before you carry it or put it away. The TOPEX lists a double safety guard and comes with a blade cover, and the Stanley lists two-handed actuation to stop it starting by accident.
Look up before you start. Pole trimmers put a metal-tipped tool a long way overhead, and the service line from the street to your house often runs right over a front hedge. Keep well clear of any overhead power line, and if a hedge has grown into one, call your network provider rather than trimming it yourself. Check the hedge for wire, a hidden sprinkler line and old fence wire before you cut, because wire is what usually chips or bends a blade.
Wear eye protection, gloves and closed shoes, and long sleeves if the hedge has thorns or sticky sap. Don't use a battery trimmer in the rain or on a soaking wet hedge, because the motor housing isn't sealed like a pump. And watch for nesting birds in spring, which is also the season most people get their trimmers out.
Looking after the blade and battery
A clean blade cuts better and draws less from the battery. After each use, brush off the clippings, wipe the sap off the blades with a damp cloth, and when they're dry, give them a light spray of a blade lubricant or a little light oil. Sap left to dry on the blades builds up into a sticky gum that slows the motor and makes it chew rather than cut. Do this with the battery removed, every time.
Blades dull with use and with every bit of wire or fence they hit. A dull blade tears the stems rather than cutting them, which leaves brown, ragged tips on the hedge. Most handheld hedge trimmer blades can be touched up with a flat file along the cutting edges, following the original angle. If a tooth is bent or chipped badly, a replacement blade is usually available for branded models, which is one reason I lean toward the brands with local parts.
Store the trimmer indoors or in a dry shed, hanging up if it has a hook like the Stanley, with the blade cover on and the battery out. Before the first trim of spring, charge the battery fully and check the blade bolts for tightness. A trimmer that's been in a damp shed all winter can have a seized blade or corroded battery contacts, and it's much easier to sort before you're halfway along the hedge.
Getting the clippings sorted
The trimming is the quick part. Raking up and getting rid of the clippings is what takes the afternoon, so plan for it. Lay a tarp along the base of the hedge before you start, and most of the clippings drop straight onto it. Soft green clippings go straight into a compost bin or a green waste bin, and they break down quickly if you mix them with dry material.
If you're cutting back a big hedge or a row of shrubs, a garden chipper turns the woodier prunings into mulch you can spread back under the hedge. That's also a good moment to clear the gutters, because a tall hedge or screen next to the house tends to fill them, and gutter cleaning tools make that a ground-level job too.
How I picked these six
The Stanley FatMax and both Bosch kits are sold new by Amazon AU. The TOPEX is sold by topto Direct, the Giantz by Artiss Furnishings, both on our approved list of Australian sellers, and the PowerBlade by EdisonsDirect, an Australian retailer. I left out petrol trimmers, brush cutters, string trimmers, no-name trimmers sold as fitting another brand's battery, skin-only tools without a battery, corded trimmers, and anything renewed or from an overseas seller.
Ranks are Amazon AU's own sales ranks in its Power Hedge Trimmers category, checked today. The Bosch AdvancedShear kit has the best rank of the six at #3, though that rank is shared with its skin-only listing, and the TOPEX is next at #9. The Bosch UniversalHedgePole is popular too, but its listing has almost no product detail and it's sold without a battery, so I left it out of the picks. Prices are at time of writing, and garden tools move a lot heading into summer.
If you've already got a hedge trimmer that's stalling, jamming, won't start or has a battery that won't hold a charge, bring it into our Erina workshop before you replace it. A gummed-up blade, a worn switch or one tired battery is often the whole problem, and we'll tell you whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
The 6 picks, $115 to $199
Prices are Amazon AU at time of writing (2026-11-10) and move week to week. Ranks are Amazon AU sales ranks in the Power Hedge Trimmers category, checked the same day.
TOPEX 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer, 450mm Dual-Action Blade (TX271)
ASIN B0CDLGF2RZ • $115.00 • Sold by topto Direct on Amazon AU
The TOPEX 20V hedge trimmer is the lowest-priced pick at $115 at time of writing, sold by topto Direct, an Australian seller on our approved list. It ranks #9 in Amazon AU's Power Hedge Trimmers category and #4,576 overall, the best rank of the handheld trimmers here. The model code is TX271. It's a handheld trimmer with a 450mm dual-action blade, and the listing says it weighs 2.4kg, the lightest stated weight of the six. I'd pick it for someone with a few low to medium hedges who wants a light trimmer that's easy to hold out in front of them for a while. It's the best-ranked handheld here, so plenty of people are using one.
The listing says the dual-action blade gives smooth, clean cuts with low vibration and noise, and that it's light enough for one-handed use, with front and rear grips for when you need both hands. It supports trimming at different angles, which helps on the sides and the top of a hedge. There's a double safety guard, and a blade cover for storage, which is a small thing that a lot of people forget to buy. The listing says it's made for hedges, bushes and lawn edges around a home or courtyard. At 2.4kg, it's a good match for someone who finds heavier tools tiring to hold up. The low vibration claim matters most on a long session.
The listing doesn't say whether a battery and charger come in the box, so check before you order, and price TOPEX's 20V battery if they don't. It doesn't state the tooth gap, the cutting diameter or the runtime either. The TOPEX battery won't fit any other brand. For a light handheld trimmer on a modest garden, it's the pick. Wipe the sap off the blades after each use, oil them lightly, and keep the blade cover on whenever it's stored. Check the blade bolts are snug at the start of each season, because a loose blade rattles and cuts badly.
Honest caveats: Honest caveats: the listing doesn't state whether the battery and charger are included, or the tooth gap, cutting diameter or runtime. It's sold by topto Direct rather than Amazon AU, so read that seller's returns and warranty terms. The TOPEX 20V battery only fits TOPEX tools.
Best for: A light, 2.4kg handheld trimmer for a few low to medium hedges.
Price: $115 (topto Direct) • Model: TX271 • Type: Handheld hedge trimmer • Blade: 450mm dual-action • Weight: 2.4kg stated • Battery: 20V, inclusion not stated • Safety: Double guard, blade cover • Rank: #9 in Power Hedge Trimmers (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Giantz 20V Cordless Telescopic Pole Hedge Trimmer Kit
ASIN B0DBH8YF59 • $119.95 • Sold by Artiss Furnishings on Amazon AU
The Giantz 20V pole hedge trimmer is $119.95 at time of writing, sold by Artiss Furnishings, an Australian seller on our approved list. It ranks #21 in Power Hedge Trimmers and #12,425 overall. The model code is HT-POLE-20V-45-RDBK. It's a telescopic pole trimmer with a 420mm double-sided blade on a head you can angle, and it comes as a kit with a 2,000mAh battery. I'd pick it for someone with a tall hedge or a screen who wants to cut the top from the ground rather than standing on a ladder, without spending a lot. It's the least expensive way here to get the top of a two-metre hedge flat.
The listing says the 60cm pole extends to reach about 2.56 metres overall, and the cutting head adjusts to several positions for the top and the sides. The 20V battery drives the blade at 1,400 strokes a minute, and the listing quotes 25 minutes of runtime, which is the clearest runtime figure of the six. It weighs 3.2kg and comes with a shoulder strap, which takes a lot of the load off your arms when the head is out at full reach. The handle has a rubber over-moulded grip and a throttle control. Being double-sided, the blade cuts on both edges, so you can sweep it back and forth along the hedge.
Twenty-five minutes is enough for a few hedges, not a long boundary, so think about a second battery. The listing doesn't state the tooth gap, the charger or what battery platform the Giantz 20V battery belongs to, so treat it as fitting Giantz tools only. It's sold by Artiss Furnishings rather than Amazon AU. For a tall hedge on a tight spend, it's the pick. Keep well clear of overhead power lines, and collapse the pole and fit the blade cover before you carry it. Give the telescopic joint a wipe after use so grit doesn't jam the lock.
Honest caveats: Honest caveats: 25 minutes of stated runtime won't cover a long hedge on one battery. The listing doesn't state the tooth gap or the charger, and the battery isn't shared with any big-brand platform. At 3.2kg on a long pole, it's heavier to hold than a handheld trimmer. It's sold by Artiss Furnishings rather than Amazon AU.
Best for: Cutting the top of a tall hedge or screen from the ground, with the least outlay.
Price: $119.95 (Artiss Furnishings) • Model: HT-POLE-20V-45-RDBK • Type: Telescopic pole hedge trimmer • Blade: 420mm double-sided, angle adjustable • Reach: About 2.56m overall • Battery: 20V 2,000mAh, 25 minutes stated • Weight: 3.2kg, shoulder strap • Rank: #21 in Power Hedge Trimmers (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
STANLEY FATMAX V20 18V Hedge Trimmer Kit, 50cm, 2Ah Battery (SFMCHT650D1-XE)
ASIN B0FQ5H4C5V • $163.16 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Stanley FatMax V20 hedge trimmer kit is $163.16 at time of writing, sold by Amazon AU. It ranks #23 in Power Hedge Trimmers and #13,570 overall. The part number is SFMCHT650D1-XE, and the XE ending is the code Stanley uses for its Australian units. It's a handheld trimmer with a 50cm hardened steel dual-action blade, the longest handheld blade of the six, and the kit includes a 2Ah V20 battery and a 1.25A charger. I'd pick it for someone with long, flat hedges who wants the most cut per sweep, or anyone already running Stanley FatMax V20 tools. The kit listing names both the battery and the charger, so you know exactly what turns up.
The listing says the blade is hardened steel for a precise cut and long life, with lower vibration. It has two-handed actuation, so it won't start unless both hands are on it, and a wrap-around front handle for control on the sides and top of a hedge. It's under 3kg without the battery, and there's a hanging hook built in for storage on a shed wall. The listing says the V20 battery works across the full Stanley FatMax V20 tool range, so the same battery can run other garden and workshop tools later. A long blade like this makes quick work of a flat lilly pilly or murraya face, and it's light enough to hold level along the top.
The 1.25A charger is slow, so a flat 2Ah battery takes a while to refill, and a long hedge may need a second battery. The listing doesn't state the tooth gap, the cutting diameter or the runtime. A 50cm blade is harder to control on curves and shapes than a short one. For long, flat hedges, it's the pick. Hang it on the hook with the blade cover on, the battery out, and the blades wiped and oiled. Charge the battery inside rather than in the shed, and let it cool after a long trim before it goes on the charger.
Honest caveats: Honest caveats: the kit charger is a slow 1.25A unit and the battery is a small 2Ah pack. The listing doesn't state the tooth gap, cutting diameter or runtime. The 50cm blade is quick on flat faces but harder to handle on rounded shapes, and the weight is stated without the battery.
Best for: Long, flat hedges, or anyone already on the Stanley FatMax V20 battery.
Price: $163.16 (Amazon AU) • Model: SFMCHT650D1-XE • Type: Handheld hedge trimmer • Blade: 50cm hardened steel, dual-action • Weight: Under 3kg bare • Kit: 2Ah V20 battery, 1.25A charger • Safety: Two-handed actuation • Rank: #23 in Power Hedge Trimmers (Amazon AU)
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PowerBlade 20V Pole Saw and Hedge Trimmer Combo with Battery and Fast Charger
ASIN B0DPK92B3W • $165.00 • Sold by EdisonsDirect on Amazon AU
The PowerBlade 20V combo is $165 at time of writing, sold by EdisonsDirect, an Australian retailer. It ranks #16 in Power Hedge Trimmers and #9,344 overall. The model code is PC4MT5. It's a pole tool with two heads that swap: a 20 inch dual-action hedge trimmer, about 51cm, and an 8 inch pole chainsaw for branches. The title says a battery and a fast charger are included. I'd pick it for someone with tall hedges and a few overhanging branches to cut back in the same afternoon, who'd rather have one pole tool than two. It's the widest-ranging kit of the six, and it does two jobs most gardens need every spring.
The listing says it reaches over 3 metres with the extension pole fitted, the furthest stated reach of the six, and weighs about 3.5kg assembled. The trimmer head angles, so you can cut the top of a hedge flat from the ground. The chainsaw head has automatic chain lubrication, an oil level window so you can see when it needs topping up, and a tension knob for adjusting the chain without tools. The shaft has soft grip handles, and the listing says the battery is part of the PowerBlade lithium-ion tool range, so it can run other PowerBlade tools too. Swapping heads takes the place of a separate pole saw.
The listing doesn't state the runtime, the battery capacity or the tooth gap, and it gives the blade and bar lengths in inches. It's sold by EdisonsDirect rather than Amazon AU, so read that seller's returns terms. The chainsaw head needs chain oil and a sharp chain, and it's a more serious tool than a trimmer. For a tall hedge plus branch work, it's the pick. Keep the pole well clear of overhead power lines, and never use the saw head above your own head height. Top up the chain oil before each session, and wipe the hedge blades after use like any other trimmer.
Honest caveats: Honest caveats: the listing doesn't state the battery capacity, runtime or tooth gap. The pole saw head needs chain oil, a sharp chain and more care than a trimmer. At about 3.5kg on a 3-metre pole it's tiring to hold up for long. It's sold by EdisonsDirect rather than Amazon AU.
Best for: Tall hedges plus overhanging branches, with one pole tool and two swappable heads.
Price: $165 (EdisonsDirect) • Model: PC4MT5 • Type: Pole hedge trimmer and pole saw combo • Blade: 20 in (about 51cm) dual-action, 8 in chain bar • Reach: Over 3m with extension • Weight: About 3.5kg assembled • Kit: Battery and fast charger • Rank: #16 in Power Hedge Trimmers (Amazon AU)
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Bosch AdvancedShear 18V-10 Cordless Shrub and Grass Shear Kit, 2.0Ah (0600857000)
ASIN B093WNYHDD • $199.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Bosch AdvancedShear 18V-10 kit is $199 at time of writing, sold by Amazon AU, and it has the best rank of the six at #3 in Power Hedge Trimmers and #2,289 overall, though that rank is shared with the skin-only listing. The part number is 0600857000. It's a one-handed shear rather than a full hedge trimmer, with a 200mm shrub blade and a 100mm grass blade that swap, plus a 2.0Ah battery and an AL1810 CV charger. I'd pick it for a garden full of small shrubs, box balls and lawn edges rather than long hedges. It's also the one I'd suggest for someone who already owns green Bosch tools.
The listing says the Swiss-made dual-action blades give a precise cut and that it's built for shaping and trimming young hedges, shrubs and grass with one hand. It quotes up to 85 square metres of cutting per battery charge on average, which is a useful figure for planning. Blades change with Bosch's multi-click system, and its anti-lock system is described as stopping it jamming on thicker branches. It runs on Bosch's green 18V POWER FOR ALL battery, so the battery in the kit also fits the green Bosch saws, drills and garden tools, which makes it an easy second tool for a Bosch household. A grass blade on the same tool means you don't need a separate edging shear.
It's a shear, not a hedge trimmer, so a 200mm blade will be slow on a big hedge. The listing doesn't state the weight, runtime in minutes or tooth gap. For shaping shrubs and tidying edges, it's the pick. Swap the blades with the battery out, wipe the sap off after each use, and keep the battery inside in summer. Clip the grass blade on for the lawn edges a mower can't reach, and the shrub blade back on for the box balls. Store the spare blade in its cover so its teeth don't get knocked about in a drawer.
Honest caveats: Honest caveats: it's a one-handed shear with a short blade, so it's slow on long or tall hedges. Its rank is shared with the skin-only listing. The listing doesn't state the weight, runtime in minutes or tooth gap, and the kit battery is a small 2.0Ah pack.
Best for: Shaping small shrubs, topiary and box balls, and trimming lawn edges, on the green Bosch battery.
Price: $199 (Amazon AU) • Model: AdvancedShear 18V-10 (0600857000) • Type: Cordless shrub and grass shear • Blades: 200mm shrub, 100mm grass, Swiss-made dual-action • Per charge: Up to 85 square metres stated • Kit: 2.0Ah battery, AL1810 CV charger • Platform: Bosch 18V POWER FOR ALL • Rank: #3 in Power Hedge Trimmers (Amazon AU), listing shared
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Bosch EasyHedgeCut 18-45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit, 450mm, 2.0Ah
ASIN B08WQ7WFDW • $199.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Bosch EasyHedgeCut 18-45 kit is $199 at time of writing, sold by Amazon AU, and it ranks #20 in Power Hedge Trimmers and #12,361 overall. The model code is 0600849H71. It's a handheld trimmer with a 45cm blade, on Bosch's green 18V POWER FOR ALL battery, and the kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and a GAL 1810 CV charger. I'd pick it for someone who wants a light, balanced trimmer from a big brand with local parts for regular trimming of smaller hedges, or anyone already running green Bosch tools. It's the handheld trimmer I'd pair with the AdvancedShear on the same battery, so one charger looks after both.
The listing describes it as lightweight and well balanced for trimming smaller hedges, and says Bosch's anti-blocking system keeps it cutting without jamming. It's the one pick whose listing states the tooth spacing, 15mm, and it says plainly that the blade and tooth design are made for light trimming work. That honesty helps: it's a trimmer for keeping a hedge in shape, not for cutting back thick old growth. The battery is the same green 18V pack as the other Bosch pick, so two Bosch tools can share one battery and one charger. Bosch's local parts support is one reason I lean toward it for the long run, because a blade or a gear is easier to get.
A 15mm tooth gap means thicker stems will stall it, so cut back overgrown wood with loppers first. The listing doesn't state the weight or the runtime. It costs the same as the AdvancedShear but does a different job. For regular trimming of smaller hedges on the green Bosch battery, it's the pick. Wipe and oil the blades after each use, and store it with the blade cover on and the battery inside out of the heat. A trim every few weeks through the growing season keeps the stems inside what that 15mm gap can handle.
Honest caveats: Honest caveats: the listing says it's designed for light trimming, and its 15mm tooth gap will stall on thicker, older wood. It doesn't state the weight or runtime, and the kit battery is a small 2.0Ah pack. It costs more than the TOPEX for a similar blade length.
Best for: Regular trimming of smaller hedges on the green Bosch 18V battery, from a brand with local parts.
Price: $199 (Amazon AU) • Model: EasyHedgeCut 18-45 (0600849H71) • Type: Handheld hedge trimmer • Blade: 45cm, anti-blocking • Tooth gap: 15mm • Kit: 2.0Ah battery, GAL 1810 CV charger • Platform: Bosch 18V POWER FOR ALL • Rank: #20 in Power Hedge Trimmers (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AUSide-by-side comparison
What we see fail in the workshop: hedge trimmers
Cordless hedge trimmers live a hard life in damp sheds and sappy hedges, and most of their faults trace back to the blade, the gearbox or the battery. The ones that come into the shop usually still have a good motor. Here's what tends to go wrong, how to tell which part it is, and what's worth checking before you replace the whole trimmer.
Stalls, chews or jams in the hedge
A trimmer that stalls on stems it used to cut is usually fighting a dull blade or a build-up of dried sap and gum between the blades. Clean the blades properly with the battery out, then oil them, and it often comes back to life. If a blade is bent from hitting wire, the teeth rub and the motor labours on every stroke. A jam that won't clear can mean a stick wedged in the gearbox end, which needs the cover off. Thick old wood beyond the tooth gap will always stall it.
Motor runs but the blade doesn't move
If you can hear the motor spinning but the blades don't move, or only move in fits and starts, the drive between them has failed. In most trimmers that's a small gear or a crank pin in the gearbox at the base of the blade, and plastic gears strip when the blade jams hard on a thick branch. It's usually a gear or a blade-and-gear set, and on branded models the parts are often available. It's worth checking before you assume the trimmer is finished. Cutting thick wood with loppers first is the best way to stop it happening again.
Battery dies early or won't charge
Garden tool batteries spend their lives in hot sheds, and heat is what ages lithium cells fastest. A pack that charges to full but dies after a few minutes usually has one weak cell group. A pack that won't charge at all has often been left completely flat over winter, until its protection circuit won't let it charge. Corroded contacts on the battery or the tool can mimic both. Store batteries inside, top them up every couple of months, and charge them on the genuine charger. A clean of the contacts with the battery out sometimes sorts it.
Decision tree: which one should you actually buy?
- A few low hedges and you want the lightest trimmer? → The TOPEX 20V TX271 at $115, a 2.4kg handheld trimmer with a 450mm dual-action blade.
- A tall hedge or screen you'd rather not climb a ladder for? → The Giantz 20V pole trimmer kit at $119.95, reaching about 2.56 metres, or the PowerBlade 20V combo at $165, reaching over 3 metres with a pole saw head too.
- Long, flat hedges, or already on Stanley FatMax V20? → The Stanley FatMax V20 kit at $163.16, with a 50cm hardened steel blade, a 2Ah battery and charger.
- Mostly small shrubs, box balls and lawn edges? → The Bosch AdvancedShear 18V-10 kit at $199, a one-handed shear with shrub and grass blades and a 2.0Ah battery.
- Regular hedge trimming on the green Bosch battery? → The Bosch EasyHedgeCut 18-45 kit at $199, with a 45cm blade, a stated 15mm tooth gap and a 2.0Ah battery.
- Trimmer stalling, blade not moving or battery dying early? → It's usually a gummed or bent blade, a stripped gear or a tired battery. Bring it into the Erina shop and we'll tell you what's wrong and whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best cordless hedge trimmer for a small garden?
For a few low to medium hedges, a light handheld trimmer with a 45cm blade is plenty, like the TOPEX 20V at $115 or the Bosch EasyHedgeCut 18-45 kit at $199. If your garden is mostly small shrubs, box balls and lawn edges rather than hedges, a one-handed shear like the Bosch AdvancedShear 18V-10 is often more useful. Pick the battery platform you already own if you have one, because batteries don't swap between brands.
Is 20V more powerful than 18V?
Usually not. Most 20V tools use the same lithium cells as 18V tools, and 20V is the battery's peak voltage straight off the charger while 18V is the nominal voltage under load. A 20V label doesn't mean more cutting power on its own. Compare the blade length, the weight, the tooth gap and the battery capacity instead, and pick the platform you'll stick with for other garden tools. The battery capacity in amp hours tells you more about runtime than the voltage does.
What does tooth gap mean on a hedge trimmer?
Tooth gap, or tooth spacing, is the distance between the teeth on the blade, and it decides how thick a stem can get into the teeth to be cut. A wider gap handles thicker branches. The Bosch EasyHedgeCut 18-45 states a 15mm tooth spacing and says it's designed for light trimming. Most listings don't state a gap, so check the maker's spec sheet before buying for an overgrown hedge. If the stems are thicker than the gap, cut them with loppers first and let the trimmer tidy up after.
Should I get a pole hedge trimmer?
If your hedge or screen is taller than you can comfortably reach standing on the ground, yes. A pole trimmer lets you cut the top flat without a ladder, which is safer than a handheld trimmer up a ladder. The Giantz reaches about 2.56 metres and the PowerBlade over 3 metres with its extension. They're heavier to hold out at full reach, so use the shoulder strap, and keep well clear of overhead power lines.
How do I look after hedge trimmer blades?
After each use, take the battery out, brush off the clippings, wipe the sap off the blades with a damp cloth and, once they're dry, apply a light blade lubricant or oil. Dried sap gums up the blades and makes the motor work harder. Touch up dull edges with a flat file following the original angle, fit the blade cover for storage and keep the trimmer somewhere dry. A bent or badly chipped blade should be replaced.
Why does my hedge trimmer run but the blades won't move?
If the motor spins but the blades don't move, the drive between them has usually failed, most often a small gear or crank pin in the gearbox at the base of the blade. Plastic gears strip when the blade jams hard on a thick branch. It's normally a repairable fault, with a gear or a blade-and-gear set, and on branded models the parts are often available. Get it checked before you replace the trimmer.
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Trimmer stalling or battery dying?
Most hedge trimmer faults we see come down to blades gummed with sap or bent on wire, a stripped gear in the gearbox, a worn switch or a battery that's spent too many summers in a hot shed. Bring it into our Erina workshop and we'll check which part has actually failed and tell you whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
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