Gas Hedge Trimmer

Should You Buy An Electric Or Gas Hedge Trimmer?

Hedge trimmers come in various shapes and sizes, with various power ratings to match. If you’re just trimming a few small shrubs in your yard, a basic model will be fine but if you’re trimming back large cedars or another big hedge, you’ll want to look at a larger model. Let’s take a look at a few things to consider when buying an electric or gas hedge trimmer.

First, as already mentioned, you’ll need to determine how large a unit and how powerful an engine you’ll need. Gas hedge trimmers are generally stronger and can cut larger hedges than electric models, so this might help to decide between the two. You want to be sure you get a unit that’s strong enough to cut what you need or it will be an exercise in frustration.

Some electric trimmers, such as the Little Wonder 1920, are considered pro-level trimmers, but they’re still not comparable to a pole-mounted gas trimmer when it comes to larger hedges. A gas hedge trimmer like the Echo HC-150 is a better choice for large jobs.

In some cases, you might even want to consider renting a trimmer instead of buying one. If you have a large hedge that needs trimming once a year, but the rest of the time your needs are smaller, you would be better off buying an electric trimmer like the Craftsman 79957 (approximately $60) or a cordless unit like the Black & Decker NHT518 (approximately $100) and just renting a heavier-duty unit when you need it. The cost of renting isn’t much, and when you factor in the inconvenience of firing up a larger unit for small jobs, it seems even lower.

Whatever type of trimmer you decide on, make sure you do some research before buying. Check the ratings and reviews on the internet or in a magazine like Consumer Reports. If you see a lot of issues with a particular model, it’s probably a good idea to keep looking.