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With gas prices at all-time highs, now’s a perfect opportunity to go electric with your yard tools. Battery-powered landscaping tools have come a long way in the last few years alone, charging up faster, lasting longer, and being easier to swap out — often interchangeable with other tools made by the same brand.
What to Know About Electric Hedge Trimmers
Ergonomics: Unlike a push-mower that’ll be staying on the ground, you’ll be consistently lifting and maneuvering your trimmer to reach above your head and get the perfect cut. So it’ll need to be lightweight and easy on your back, neck, and shoulders. Also if you’re getting extensions to reach up into tall trees, go for carbon fiber. Your body will thank you at the end of the day.
Power: A 20V lithium-ion battery is the common standard, give or take, and provides about 45 minutes of run time. A 22-inch blade is around standard size, but keep in mind what branches you’ll need to cut through. Slicing through hedges are no issue, but branches that are up to 3/4-inch thick may be too tough for some machines to handle. A decent trimmer provides over 2,000 strokes in about a minute, plus the option of a “boost” type button or switch helps to kick your trimmer into high gear temporarily to get it through stubborn snags. The opposite of that, a brake or emergency stop, can quickly stop the blade in dangerous situations.
Noise: As you’ve heard — often at 8 a.m. from your neighbor’s yard — gas-powered tools can get obnoxiously loud. Electric ones still make noise, but not nearly as much. By comparison, an electric can run under 100db. Anti-vibration technology also makes it even easier to operate, and padded grips give you greater control while preserving your hands.
If you have a professional landscaping business and deal with thick, unruly brush (and need to get the job done as quick as possible), gas is still a good backup option to have on hand. But for most average yard work, these will get the job done right, saving you money, preventing you from breathing in harmful fumes, and keeping your air clean.
