10 Best Hedge Shears of 2023 – Reviews, Top Picks & Guide

No one likes to trim hedges because it is hard to do and often results in sore arms, hands, and shoulders. However, the right tool can make all the difference and a sharp pair of hedge shears can cut hours off your workload. However, it’s not always easy to know which trimmers are going to work well.

We’ve chosen 10 different brands of hedge shear reviews for you so you can see what some of the differences are. We’ll tell you about our experience using them and any problems we had. We’ve also included a short buyers guide, where we take a close look at hedge shears to learn about the important components.

Join us while we look at sharpness, handles, length, durability, and more to help you make your final purchase.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Okatsune 7744ai Precision Hedge Shears	21-inches long 9-inch blade 75 pounds	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		TABOR TOOLS B620A Hedge Shears	Steel handles Shock-absorbing bumpers Adjustable blade tension	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		ARS HS-KR1000 Professional Hedge Shears	Treated steel blade 7-inch blade 7-inches long	CHECK PRICE
		Bahco P51-F Hedge Shears	Partly serrated edge Shock reducing grips 10-inch blades	CHECK PRICE
		Fiskars 391890-1001 PowerGear Hedge Shears	23-inches long Patented PowerGear Mechanism 8 pounds	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Hedge Shears 

1. Okatsune 7744ai Precision Hedge Shears – Best Overall

The Okatsune 7744ai Precision Hedge Shears is our pick for the best overall hedge shears. It’s 21 inches long and has 6.9-inch blades. The blades are extremely sharp and can cut through most tasks extremely easily. It’s lightweight at only 1.75 pounds, and the handles are made of Japanese white oak. These hedge shears are attractive and useful.

We enjoyed using the Okatsune 7744ai, and the only thing we could complain about was the flimsy vinyl blade sheath they provide. Ours fell apart very quickly, and we needed to replace it almost immediately.

2. TABOR TOOLS B620A Hedge Shears – Best Value

The TABOR TOOLS B620A Hedge Shears is our pick for the best hedge shears for the money. It features long steel handles that, combined with the 8-inch blades, provide the user with a 25.5-inch tool. This long tool provides you with plenty of leverage to cut thicker branches. Adjustable blade tension provides you with a comfortable tension for different projects, and the shock-absorbing bumpers allow you to work longer.

The biggest downside to the TABOR TOOLS B620A is that it’s quite heavy at 2.4 pounds, and we had to take several breaks while we were working to let our arms recover.

3. ARS Professional Hedge Shears – Premium Choice

The ARS HS-KR1000 Professional Hedge Shears are our premium choice hedge shears. This sharp tool has durable steel construction and is 25.7 inches long overall, providing plenty of leverage for making thicker cuts. The heat-treated steel blade is 7 inches long and well suited to shaping and making accurate cuts. At 1.85 pounds, it’s fairly lightweight, and we were able to complete large projects without becoming fatigued.

While we were using the ARS HS-KR1000 the only thing that we had a problem with was that the blades would frequently dull and require sharpening. So you may want to pick up a sharpening stone if you are thinking of going with this model.

4. Bahco P51-F Hedge Shears

Bahco P51-F Hedge Shears feature a very long 10-inch blade with a partly serrated edge that you can use to cut thicker branches than might ordinarily be possible. Shock reducing grips help prevent the onset of fatigue so you can work longer and get more done. It also features an attractive design with a wide grip.

We love the long blade of the Bahco P51-F Hedge Shears, but the handles are too short to provide enough leverage to take full advantage. In fact, when cutting near the end of the blade, it is more difficult than other models to complete the cut. At 2.2 pounds, they also tend to become heavy after a few minutes, especially if you are trimming above the head.

5. Fiskars PowerGear Hedge Shears

The Fiskars 391890-1001 PowerGear Hedge Shears are an easy to use pair of shears that are the winner of the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. It’s an all-steel design that weighs only 2 pounds and reaches 23 inches long. The steel blade is 9 inches long, and the handle provides a wide grip for more torque. It also features a unique PowerGear mechanism that uses a non-circular gearing mechanism to apply more force towards the cut’s middle. At only 1.8 pounds, it’s easy to cut for lengthy sessions without becoming fatigued.

The problem we had with the Fiskars 391890-1001 was that it wasn’t very sharp, and even after we attempted to sharpen it, the tool stayed dull because there’s a small gap between the blades when they are closed, and they seemed warped. We had thought we got a faulty pair, but after looking online, we see we are not the only ones to have the problem.

6. Corona HS 3950 Extendable Hedge Shear

The Corona HS 3950 Extendable Hedge Shear is the first pair of extendable hedge shears on our list. It’s only 15 inches when closed but reaches 26 inches long when fully extended for plenty of versatile cutting options. A shock reducing bumper built into the blade helps reduce fatigue when cutting thicker branches, and there are also rubber pads on the handles that also help reduce shock while providing a better grip.

Unfortunately, the Corona HS 3950 blade dulls quickly, and we needed to sharpen it frequently. The handles can turn while you are using it, causing the extendable handles to come loose. At close to 4 pounds, it’s one of the heaviest tools on this list and quickly becomes uncomfortable to use, especially if you are cutting above the shoulders.

7. Gnome HS1G Garden Hedge Shears

Gnome HS1G Garden Hedge Shears feature high-quality carbon steel blades for maximum durability. The blades feature a curved edge to reduce slipping when cutting larger branches and rubber impact bumpers reduce the shock transmitted to your arms. Soft rubber handles also help reduce shock and provide a better grip. The tool has a 9.5-inch blade and is 25 inches long overall.

The Gnome HS1G is another heavier pair of shears and weighs almost 3 pounds. We found that it gets heavy quickly, especially when working up high, and the blades don’t close the whole way, so there is an inch or two at the tip that won’t cut.

8. FLORA GUARD Professional Extensible Hedge Shears

FLORA GUARD HA1814R-10 Professional Extensible Hedge Shears are another set of extendable shears, and they are also the longest on this list so far. They can reach a length of 34.6 inches when fully opened, giving you plenty of leverage for cutting thicker branches. It’s 26 inches long when closed, which is the typical length for hedge shears. These have 9-inch blades that use hardened steel, and they are curved to better grip thick branches. The handles are ergonomic and shaped to provide a non-slip grip.

The downside to the FLORA GUARD HA1814R-10 is that they are fairly heavy at 2.64 pounds, though it’s not a surprise due to their long length. The construction materials feel flimsy and cheap though we had no problems, and the bumpers don’t line up correctly, which can lead to premature failure.

9. KSEIBI 143075 Hedge Shears

KSEIBI 143075 Hedge Shears is yet another brand of extendable hedge shears, and these extend from 27 inches to 40 inches long for maximum leverage over larger branches. It features a comfortable grip handle that helps to reduce shock and fatigue so you can work longer. A lever system fulcrum point allows for more powerful cutting action, and it can trim branches up to 1.5 inches thick.

The biggest downside to the KSEIBI 143075 is that the blade is only a few inches long, so this tool is more for cutting thicker branches than trimming hedges. The aluminum handles are thin and will bend if you try to cut something too thick, but you can feel them flex a little before bending if you move slowly. Another reason this tool isn’t great for hedges is that it weighs 3.39 pounds, and fatigue can set in quickly.

10. GARTOL 23-inch Hedge Shears

The GARTOL 23-inch Hedge Shears are a pair of clippers that feature a curved blade to hold branches in place better when cutting. Its steel handles are durable and feature non-slip rubber grips for more comfort and increased shock absorption. You can adjust the blade tension to make it harder or easier to close based on preference and the job at hand, while shock-absorbing bumpers help reduce impact fatigue. It has a 9-inch blade and is 23 inches long overall.

The biggest downside to the GARTOL is that the blades were dull when we purchased it, and we needed to do extensive sharpening before we could use it. The blades also rust quickly, and at almost 3 pounds, this tool gets heavy fast. We also found that it makes our hands sore after a few minutes of use.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Hedge Shears

Let’s look at what makes a pair of hedge shears worth buying.

Weight

It may not seem like it, but the weight of your hedge shears is one of the most important things to consider. Many hedges can be shoulder high or more, and you will tire quickly if the clippers are too heavy. An ounce or two can make more of a difference than you might think.

The hedge shears’ ideal weight will vary from person to person based on their physical abilities. You will need to experiment, but we found that anything over about 2 pounds gets heavy quickly, and that’s how we called it in our headge shear reviews. Of course, if you are using extra-long shears, you can expect them to be a little heavier.

Length

The overall length of your hedge shears is another important factor because it determines your reach. Longer shears also tend to deliver more power, so trimming is easier.

Blade Length

The blade length is critical because it determines the cutting surface. A larger cutting surface can cut more material resulting in a shorter work session. However, longer blades can also require more force to cut as you get further from the fulcrum. Longer blades also tend to bend or warp easily, and the larger surface will take more effort to keep sharp.

Most hedge shears have blades that are 5-10 inches long, but we found 7-8 inches to be a sweet spot in our experience. We tried to list the blade length for the brands on our list.

Handle Length

Handles transmit the power you use to cut will come from the handles. Longer handles will allow you to deliver more power to the blades so you can cut thicker branches. However, longer handles will also add weight to your trimmers, and if you are trimming close to your body, the long handles may feel clumsy.

We recommend getting the longest handles you can while keeping the weight as low as you can. In many cases, this will result in a handle between 20 and 25 inches long, which should be suitable for most people.

Blade Type

The vast majority of hedge shear blades are straight and come to a point, but some modern brands have blades with an edge that curve with a wavy appearance. This type of blade helps prevent branches from slipping while cutting, as often happens with straight blades, and it can dramatically reduce the time you spend trimming.

Another popular blad style is the serrated blade. The serrations do not cover the blade but are limited to an area close to the handle to help cut thick branches. You can find serrations on straight or curved edges.

Fulcrum

The fulcrum is an important element because it’s where all of the power transfers from the handle to the blades. Many brands use a simple rivet or screw as the fulcrum, much like an ordinary pair of scissors, while others may use a complex gear system that increases the power transferred. While these modern gear systems may cost a little more than the traditional method, it can allow you to cut thicker branches and trim hedges easier. We tried to point out any models on our list that use an improved fulcrum system, and we recommend giving one a try so you can see the difference first-hand.

Handle Material

The handle for hedge shears is usually wood, aluminum, or steel. Of the three, aluminum will be the lightest but also the least durable. We have bent or broken several aluminum shears and only recommend them for light-duty where you can benefit from the lightweight to reach high places. Aluminum is also quite common in extendable handles.

We recommend either wood or steel handles for their durability even though they will add more weight than aluminum.

Shock Absorption

If you ever used an old pair of hedge shears, you probably remember hitting your knuckles together or the impact you felt as the blades slammed shut. Modern clippers usually add some shock-absorbing features that help solve these problems. One way hedge shears can reduce shock is by adding rubber grips to the handle, which will absorb the vibrations and sweat to provide you with a better grip.

Another way your hedge shears can help is by adding rubber shock absorbers on the handle. These shock absorbers contact each other before your knuckles can collide, preventing damage to your hands. Since the stoppers have rubber pads, much of the impact shock from the two pieces slamming together is also eliminated by the rubber pads, allowing you to work much longer without becoming tired.

Safety Equipment

Hedge trimming isn’t very dangerous, but you should still wear a few safety gear pieces while working in the yard.

Safety Glasses

Leaves, branches, and other material can fly through the air and become lodged in your eye while you are trimming hedges, so we recommend working while wearing a pair of safety glasses with side protection. You won’t need high-end glasses, just something to keep debris out of your eyes.

Work Gloves

Your hands will take a lot of abuse while you are trimming the hedges. Some models will allow you to knock your knuckles together, while others will have no shock absorption and transfer the impact force to your hands and arms. Holding the handles can cause blisters and removing trimmings from the bush can lead to further damage to the hands. We highly recommend wearing a durable pair of work gloves while trimming.

Stepping Stool

If there were one piece of advice that we could give that we wish people would listen to, it’s to stop reaching above your shoulders if you can use a stepping stool. Many stepping stools are inexpensive and will not only reduce fatigue substantially; using them often results in a better-looking hedge. Many people feel their hedges aren’t that high, so they struggle season after season with sore muscles and, in many cases, a less than a satisfactory trimmed hedge.

Conclusion

When choosing hedge shears for your yard, we feel it’s hard to beat the Okatsune 7744ai Precision Hedge Shears. Our pick for the best overall is 21 inches long with a 6.9-inch blade. It’s one of the sharpest trimmers we’ve used, and it’s extremely lightweight at only 1.75 pounds. Another smart choice is our best value, the TABOR TOOLS B620A Hedge Shears, which are a bit larger than our top pick and feature an all-steel frame. The steel is a little heavier, and it requires a bit of effort to cut, but it’s still better than many of the other brands we’ve tried.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over these hedge shear reviews and have a better idea of what kind of trimmers would be right for your home. If we have helped you, please share these 10 best hedge shears on Facebook and Twitter.