10 Best Pole Hedge Trimmers of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Do you ever feel like you’re in a constant fight against your yard?

If you’re not careful, your hedges, bushes, and shrubs will get out of control. At that point, your yard looks less like part of your home and more like part of the jungle!

In order to fight back against this wild growth, you need a good pole hedge trimmer. Power trimmers can make easy work of what once took forever with manual trimmers. But as with any tool, some pole hedge trimmers are better than others!

Wondering how you can tell a good trimmer from a bad one? We put together a comprehensive list of reviews of the best pole hedge trimmers on the market. Between these reviews and our buyer’s guide, you’ll be able to pick the trimmer that best suits your own yard and your own needs.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer	20v Lithium-ion battery Dual-action blade Long extension	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Sun Joe SJH904E Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer	Great price Easy assembly Dual action blade	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Makita XNU01Z Pole Hedge Trimmer	Lightweight Dual-action blade Six different settings	CHECK PRICE
		Earthwise LPHT12022 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer	Good battery and included charger Dual-action blades Versatile design	CHECK PRICE
		WORX WG252 Pole Hedge Trimmer	Lightweight Adjustable head Rotating rear handle	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Pole Hedge Trimmers – Reviews 2023

1. BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer – Best Overall

Chances are that you’d rather be working out in the yard than reading a long list of reviews. If you’re short on time, we’re happy to cut to the chase: the BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer is our “best overall” pick.

What did we like so much? The 20v Lithium-ion battery is very easy and convenient to work with.  And the 18-inch dual blade are very effective at cutting branches up to 7/16-inch in diameter. And the fact that you can extend this up to 6.5 feet really makes trimming around the yard easy.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The blade was a bit flimsier than we would have liked, the trimmer may be a bit too heavy for some users’ tastes.

2. Sun Joe SJH904E Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer – Best Value

Maintaining your yard is one thing and maintaining your bank account is another. Nobody wants to run out of one kind of “green” while managing another! So, if you’re looking for the best pole hedge trimmers for the money, the Sun Joe SJH904E Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer is our “best value” pick.

In addition to the awesome price, this trimmer is easy to assemble. And the dual action blade makes it highly effective. Finally, this is a versatile tool: you can convert it from pole hedger to hand hedger, and even extend the pole until you have a solid 13 feet of reach.

Why, then, did we not choose this trimmer for our best overall pick? The blade is weak and the tool is somewhat hard to control.

3. Makita XNU01Z Pole Hedge Trimmer – Premium Choice

Sometimes, you’re shopping on a budget. Other times, you’re flush with extra cash. If you’ve got some extra green and want to buy a premium product, we recommend the Makita XNU01Z Pole Hedge Trimmer.

What premium features does this model offer? First, it’s lightweight: at just north of 12 pounds, this model is 35% lighter than most gas-based trimmers. And the 20-inch dual-action shear blade provides awesome performance. Finally, you get six different settings and an effective 115-degrees of working range.

Still, there are some downsides to consider. While the battery-based trimmer performs well, you must buy a battery separately. And while its 80 minutes of runtime with certain batteries is impressive, the truth is that it just can’t last as long as a gas-based trimmer.

4. Earthwise LPHT12022 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer

The Earthwise LPHT12022 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer didn’t manage to make it into our top three picks. Nonetheless, this is one of the more versatile and reliable trimmers on the market.

The 20-volt 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery performs well, and this trimmer comes with a charger. The dual-action blade makes short work of limbs up to ⅝ inches thick. There are six adjustable positions for this trimmer, and you can use them all with the peace of mind that comes from solid warranties (a two-year warranty for the trimmer and a one-year warranty for the battery).

Still, there are drawbacks to consider. First, it does not telescope properly as advertised. And second, the trimmer is uncomfortable to use after long periods of time.

5. WORX WG252 Pole Hedge Trimmer

Looking for a “middle of the road” tool that can get the job done? In that case, the WORX WG252 Pole Hedge Trimmer may be exactly what you have been looking for.

At only 7.6 pounds, we enjoyed the lightweight design of this trimmer. And the 10-position adjustable head is very impressive. The rotating rear handle will keep you comfortable, and the included 20V 2.0ah Battery and charger are very convenient.

What’s not to love? One issue is that the teeth are a bit too small for anything thicker than ¼ inch. And another issue is that it is a bit awkward to maneuver around while using this trimmer.

6. Greenworks PH40B210 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer

The Greenworks PH40B210 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer helps to kick off the second half of our review roundup. But don’t let the placement fool you: this is a surprisingly effective pole hedge trimmer!

We liked that it came with G-max 40V and 20Vbatteries and a charger, allowing you to work for longer periods of time. And the 20-inch dual-action steel blade is durable and effective. It’s great for branches up to ⅝ of an inch, and the pivoting head and 6.5-foot extension make it surprisingly versatile.

So, why is this great trimmer not higher on our list? The fact that it requires three buttons to start is a bit annoying. On top of that, it has a weak shaft that you will need to keep your eyes on.

7. Powerworks XB Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer

In a perfect world, you want a trimmer that has more benefits than drawbacks. But the Powerworks XB 40V 20-Inch Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer is a mixed bag in almost every way!

What did we like about this trimmer? The 20-inch dual-action blade is reliable, and the 2.0Ah Battery and charger are convenient. Finally, the warranties (4 years on the trimmer and 2 years on the battery) provide a lot of peace of mind.

At the same time, it jams fairly easily. And some users have encountered alignment issues with the teeth. For some users, the lack of adjustable pole length may be a real dealbreaker.

8. Craftsman CMXGHAMD25HT Pole Hedge Trimmer

With every review roundup, some of the tools are going to be more impressive than others. Not every trimmer can be a winner. And we’re said to say that the Craftsman CMXGHAMD25HT Pole Hedge Trimmer is a trimmer you are better off avoiding altogether.

There are some nice things about it, including the easy pull start. And the 22-inch dual-action blade is impressive. But this is where the positive qualities come to an end.

What are the issues with this trimmer? First, the 25cc engine is very weak, and it’s also very noisy. And some users report that the gearbox breaks very easily. Overall, there are too many issues with this trimmer to make it worth your while.

9. DEWALT DCPH820M1 Pole Hedge Trimmer

You might associate the DEWALT name with quality tools. Unfortunately, the DEWALT DCPH820M1 Pole Hedge Trimmer is one of the worst trimmers on our list.

There were some things that we liked, including the 22-inch dual-action blade and the 7-position articulating head. Aside from these things, though, there isn’t much reason to recommend this trimmer.

What were our issues with the trimmer? Despite the description, it doesn’t actually extend. And the handle location, along with trimmer length, makes it hard to hold. Finally, some users reported that it was a bit too heavy for prolonged use.

10. RYOBI RY40603BTL Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer

The RYOBI RY40603BTL Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer looks like a simple tool to get the job done. But it turns out that this is so simple that you’d be better off with almost any other trimmer.

There were some decent qualities, including the 18-inch dual-action blades and the convenient variable speed trigger. Beyond this, though, most of the qualities of this trimmer are a bit of a letdown.

What disappointed us? The lack of battery and charger means you nearly double the cost to get a functional trimmer. And some users report that the machine died after only a few uses. Finally, the 8-foot extension is a bit disappointing compared to other models.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Purchase the Best Pole Hedge Trimmer

After reading our reviews, we hope you have been able to find the pole hedge trimmer you’ve been looking for. But chances are that you still have a few questions before you make your final purchasing decision.

That’s why we put together our comprehensive buyer’s guide. It will help to answer any remaining questions you have while helping you decide exactly what you need from your next pole hedge trimmer.

Different Types of Pole Hedge Trimmers

By now, you should know that there are many different types of pole hedge trimmers. The exact kind you need depends on your preferences and what you actually want the trimmer for.

To help you make a better decision, we’re going to do a deep dive into the different kinds of trimmers available on the market.

Electric

Electric trimmers are the most basic option available to you. All you have to do is plug them into an outlet and you have all the power you’ll need for your yard work.

There are several benefits to electric hedge trimmers. First, they tend to be the cheapest models available. On top of that, they are lightweight because no battery weighs them down. Finally, these trimmers tend to run quieter than other models, and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your tool is very environmentally friendly.

Honestly, there is only one downside, but it’s a fairly big one. By definition, an electric trimmer needs to be plugged into an outlet the entire time you are using it. This means you may need to invest in some serious extension cords, and this adds to the cost of your purchase and the overall setup whenever you start trimming.

Cordless

Cordless trimmers are powered by batteries instead of by electricity or gasoline. This gives them the portability that you need to get to those “hard to reach” areas around your home. On top of being portable, these trimmers tend to be much quieter than gas-powered ones.

There are really only two downsides to consider. First, if you have a large yard, you may need a second battery to complete the entire yard. And second, these models tend to be more expensive than electric ones, especially if the trimmer in question doesn’t come with its own battery and charger.

Gasoline

Gas-powered trimmers are the most powerful of the bunch. And they also last much longer than battery-powered trimmers, which is good if you have a big job ahead of you.

With that being said, there are several drawbacks to gas-powered trimmers. They tend to be more expensive than other trimmers, and they are harder to start. Finally, they require more maintenance than other types of trimmers.

Trimmer Blade

In many ways, the effectiveness of any pole hedge trimmer comes down to the blade. And the size of the blade helps determine exactly what the trimmer can do.

If your hedges are average or even small, you can get away with a blade as small as 16”. For average or slightly larger hedges, 18” can do the trick. And for larger, more robust hedges, you’ll want a blade that is 20” or larger.

In addition to blade length, pay attention to how far apart the teeth are for each trimmer you consider buying. Larger, tougher hedges are going to need teeth that are further apart to get the job done.

Overall Weight

Because you will be holding the hedge trimmer for long periods of time, it’s important to pay attention to how much it weighs. While there may be slight variations in weight for any type of trimmer, you can usually determine how heavy a trimmer is by what kind of trimmer it is.

Generally speaking, electric models are the lightest in weight. And cordless models are also fairly light. Gas-powered trimmers are the heaviest of all,though this is the tradeoff for the power they provide.

Beyond that, different users have different ideas of what is too heavy and what is not. It all comes down to understanding your own upper body strength.

Comfort

In addition to weight, another big feature to consider is whether the trimmer is comfortable to hold. And certain features can make any trimmer more comfortable than its competition.

If a trimmer has multiple handles, it is generally easier to hold and use. And trimmers with multiple power switches make it easy for you to comfortably turn the model on and off. Finally, models with less vibration (such as dual-action models) are going to be far more comfortable to use.

Noise During Use

Certain hedge trimmers are louder than others. The best example of this is that gas-powered models are far louder than electric or portable models.

With that being said, all hedge trimmers are relatively loud. We recommend wearing protective gear over your ears to protect your hearing during use.

Rotating Head

Many of the pole hedge trimmers we reviewed feature rotating heads. And this feature is more important than you might expect when it comes to efficient and comfortable use.

With a rotating head, you can move the head to the desired angle while still holding the trimmer in a comfortable grip. This helps keep you from getting fatigued while also helping you do trim every single hedge and bush to perfection.

Extension Length

Some pole hedge trimmers extend and some don’t. For that matter, some extend more than others. How much extension you need comes down to how high your hedges are.

If your hedges are really tall, a trimmer with a good extension length can help you trim the top without dragging a ladder out into your yard. But if your hedges aren’t that high to begin with, you can afford to get a trimmer with little to no extension length.

Clipping Collector

If we were devising a list of “extra” feature for pole hedge trimmers, a clipping collector would be near the top of the list. Do you absolutely need a collector on your trimmer? No. But having one makes cleaning up your yard that much easier, and it may ultimately save you a lot of time and a lot of sweat!

Batteries

Have you decided to go with a cordless trimmer? That’s a solid choice. But how well it works is mostly going to come down to the battery that powers the whole thing.

By doing your homework on different battery models, you can get a good idea of how long it will last on a full charge. If it will take longer than that to work through your entire yard, then you might as well invest in a second battery so you can swap out for continuous use.

If fiddling with the batteries is more trouble than it’s worth, you might want to consider either electric or gas-powered trimmers. It all comes down to personal preference and the size of your yard.

Conclusion

Congrats! You may not have trimmed those pesky hedges yet, but you’ve successfully completed our reviews and our thorough buyer’s guide. Still don’t have any pole hedge trimmers picked out? In that case, we may be able to help by answering one more question.

And that question is this: which pole hedge trimmers did we like the best out of the entire lineup?

For the best overall pick, the clear winner was the BLACK+DECKER LPHT120 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer. It provided that classic BLACK+DECKER performance and handled everything that we threw at it.

If you need a good budget pick, your best bet is the Sun Joe SJH904E Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer. It makes short work of those pesky hedges, and you’ll quickly forget that this was ever a budget purchase.

At the end of the day, these are the trimmers that we liked the best. But the beauty of buying new tools is that you’re the only one who can decide what is best for your particular needs around the yard.

But we here at Healthy Handyman are always here to help you make your purchase. Be sure to come back often for more insight into the world of power tools!

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