Gardening is one of the UK's national obsessions. Whether we grow veg on an allotment, cultivate beautiful rose gardens, or try to create imaginative rock garden arrangements, working outdoors is something people in the UK love to do. When they slip on their gardening gloves, having the right tools is essential, and getting hold of a top-quality hedge trimmer should be a top priority.
Hedge trimmers allow gardeners to sculpt their topiary into whatever shapes capture their imagination, while generally making it easier to keep hedges and shrubs under control. But what brands are the best ones to purchase, and what should gardeners look for in a hedge trimmer?
This hotukdeals buyer's guide will explain everything that hedge trimmer purchasers need to know. We'll explain how trimmers vary, some of the specifications to look for in product listings, and how to find the very best prices for brands you can trust. But before that, let's go back in time for a quick history lesson, to put today's love of gardening into perspective.
Topiary (which basically refers to sculpting hedges) has a long history in the UK. In fact, in the 17th century enlisting accomplished gardeners to sculpt hedges was a major way for country house owners to show off their good taste and wealth. That's why if you visit heritage sites like Kenilworth Castle, beautifully cut hedges play a central role.
Lords and monarchs alike sought to use hedging in all sorts of ways. At Wenlock Priory, topiarists created a series of animal portraits, while Brodsworth Hall is famous for its pyramids and spheres. And hedge mazes were a fixture of manors and castle gardens, perplexing visitors with their complex designs.
While the rich played with topiary, the practice gradually spread to the rest of the country. By the 17th century, nursery centres had opened in London and elsewhere, supplying ready-made saplings to start hedge arrangements. When fashions changed in the 18th century, and hedges went out of fashion, topiary was kept alive by cottagers, using thick hedges to separate their properties and create privacy.
The art never died out, and came back in a big way in the late 19th century, when urban artists started to rediscover the countryside, seeking to escape the pollution of industrialised cities. Artists like William Morris and his colleagues in the “Arts and Crafts Movement” found new ways to turn humble hedges into outlandish designs, sparking a popular revival that hasn't gone away.
Now, it's quite likely that plenty of houses on your street employ topiary of some form, and as you sit at your computer or check your smartphone, you may be able to hear someone chopping away or revving up a hedge trimmer. If you want to do the same, and lick your hedges into shape, doing so is easy, as long as you choose the correct tools for the job.
At their simplest, hedge trimmers are essentially a middle ground between manual secateurs or saws, and heavy duty chainsaws. They are almost always powered by electricity, either via power cords or batteries. And they are used to alter the shape of hedges (or any other foliage that can be cut via the serrated edges of the cutting surface).
Because they employ sharp cutting blades, hedge trimmers aren't suitable for use by children, and they always carry a safety risk. But they should be appropriate for most British gardeners, providing they can hold the tool by hand.
With an efficient hedge trimmer in your shed, you'll make light work of hedges, cutting easily through woody layers that would be hard work with a standard saw. And you'll have many more options when it comes to creativity. If you've ever wanted to sculpt a lion-shaped hedge, or you have any shapes in mind, a good hedge trimmer is the first thing to purchase. But what constitutes a good hedge trimmer?
When you check out the cheap hedge trimmer offers at hotukdeals, it's important to think about the key features that good models should include. Here are some pointers to get you started:
Blade Length – Hedge trimmers usually have long slender blades that stick out from the motor unit and the handle. The main specification to look for here is blade length, as it has a big influence on how your trimmer will function. Longer blade lengths will suit those with larger, thicker hedges. You'll need the extra cutting potential to work through many overgrown hedges, and you'll have the option of tackling overhanging tree limbs as well. Shorter blades are easier to control and are great for precise work (as well as useful for those with less strength in their arms). Generally speaking, shorter blades will measure around 45-50cm, while 70-90cm is standard for longer blades.
Cord Length & Accessibility – Firstly, think about how you'll be using your hedge trimmer. Are your hedges a long way from a plug socket, or can you get by with a corded version? If not, cordless hedge trimmers are available and offer maximum flexibility.
Safety Shields – When you use hedge trimmers, you'll create plenty of debris, which tends to be thrown back towards the user. The best models will have transparent shields which protect the user from the worst of the debris (although goggles are also recommended to make sure that your eyes are protected).
Residual Current Devices – If you accidentally cut the trimmer cord, this can lead to electrocution (and possibly fatal injuries), and slashing through cables is easier than you might think. Because of this, choose trimmers with Residual Current Devices (RCD) installed. These accessories cut off the current when the cord is cut, reducing the amount that flows through users if they come into contact with the wire.
Battery Life – Obviously this doesn't apply to corded versions. However, cordless hedge trimmer models will always come with a battery life rating. Look for durations of over 20 minutes, and aim for an hour if possible.
Weight – Weight really matters when using hedge trimmers, especially when you are sculpting larger hedges into intricate shapes. Don't be stuck with a cumbersome device that is too heavy to use. Instead, look for cordless models weighing under 3kg and corded versions weighing around 3-3.5kg. Petrol powered trimmers will almost always weigh more.
Power – Measured in wattage, power ratings will be included in all hedge trimmer listings. Generally speaking, higher ratings will deliver better cutting performance, although this also depends on the sharpness of the blades and the motor's efficiency. Look for 500W at least for corded versions, and slightly less for cordless models.
The hedge trimmer deals in our listings vary widely, but buyers will generally encounter 3 main varieties:
Corded Hedge Trimmers – Most of the cheaper hedge trimmers available at hotukdeals will be corded models. Having electric motors on board should make corded models lightweight and easy to wield. However, these models aren't always the most convenient to use, especially for people with hedges more than 20m from their doors or sheds. The need to juggle cables as you move around the garden is another major negative, while the safety risks are higher (so use an RCD device at all times). But the price benefits and mix of lightness and power could sway some buyers.
Cordless Hedge Trimmers – These models do away with power cords, and instead, they rely on rechargeable batteries. This means that they are much more flexible. You can use them wherever you like, with no need to worry about cutting the cord or running out of range. But it comes with a cost. All cordless trimmers have maximum battery lives (generally 20-60 minutes), so choose one that lasts long enough to get the job done. Some models also struggle to retain charge properly or don't charge efficiently. So beware when purchasing the cheapest hedge trimmer models. Go for reputable brands with solid customer feedback. In the long run, they will be more durable, and won't lead to frustration as their battery life dwindles.
Petrol Hedge Trimmers – As the name suggests, these versions use petrol powered motors to generate cutting power, which usually adds a significant amount of extra weight. The motors will be noisier than cordless trimmers, and there will most likely be fumes to deal with as well. But petrol models do have some plus points. Most importantly, they are flexible and powerful, much more powerful than most cordless trimmers. Because of this, they tend to appeal to groundskeepers and those with larger gardens, where cords just aren't an option.
Aside from these three main varieties, hedge trimmers also very in their physical designs. We've already noted that short and long-bladed trimmers are part of the mix. But they aren't the only options. Long reach hedge trimmer models are also a possibility, providing the longest possible range, and letting you shave taller hedges without the need for too much effort and athleticism. They aren't great for precise work, but if you're just keeping large hedges in trim, a long reach version makes a lot of sense.
Quality varies massively in the garden tools sector, and it's really important to pick a model and brand that gets the job done. Inferior hedge trimmers will cut poorly, leading to wasted time and poor results. They will be heavier, clumsier to hold, uncomfortable, and – potentially – dangerous. But what are the elite brands for buyers to choose? Here are some companies that crop up regularly in our hedge trimmer offers, and won't let you down:
Stihl – German company Stihl is widely recognised as the best brand around. Buyers will find a mix of standard and long reach Stihl hedge trimmer models, with the company's distinctive orange and white colour scheme. Options include petrol and electric hedge trimmer versions, but the brand's cordless lithium-ion designs are the star of the show. Reliable, with long battery lives, they are ideal for gardeners who need lightweight trimmers.
Black & Decker – American giant Black and Decker is a legendary name in home and garden tools, and its range of hedge trimmers doesn't disappoint. Models like the ever-popular cordless GTC36552PC are excellent all-rounders, packing super-sharp, rugged blades, light casings, and battery lives that compete well with any other brand. The standout feature of all Black and Decker trimmers is the use of the firm's E-Drive motors, which offer high torque and efficiency, with low noise.
Bosch – Bosch scores well in terms of customisation. Models like the cordless Shrub Shear Set may not be the most heavy-duty and powerful around, but they do come with a huge array of cutting blade attachments and are nimble enough to deal with smaller hedges with ease. If you want a handheld trimmer that's surprisingly capable when it comes to thick stems and dense foliage, Bosch is a good brand to go for.
Vonhaus – Manchester-based Vonhaus isn't quite on the same technical level of Bosch or Stihl, but that shouldn't rule them out. The reason is very simple: Vonhaus hedge trimmers blend performance and value in a way that other brands don't. For example, its corded hedge trimmers rarely retail for more than £60 and get the job done well. Light, powerful, and reliable, Vonhaus trimmers only really fall down in terms of noise, and they won't cut as smoothly as premium brands. Still, for that price, they are very appealing.
When you've sifted through the various models and brands, and found a hedge trimmer that ticks all of your boxes, it's time to get sculpting. However, before you get stuck in and give your garden a face-lift, there are some frequently asked questions that all hedge trimmer users should think about.
How to clean hedge trimmer blades? – Hedge trimmer blades won't last forever, and they need to be taken care of, as replacements can be fairly expensive (and hard to find for some brands). Fortunately, blades are designed to be detached and cleaned, and doing so isn't difficult.
Can you sharpen hedge trimmers? - Yes, hedge trimmer blades can almost always be “keened” to keep them in good working order. If you aren't confident about working with sharp edges (which is understandable), you can often send blades for keening at manufacturer's workshops. Stihl provides this service, for example. However, you can also sharpen blades yourself, using a whetstone.
How to repair hedge trimmer cable components? – If you happen to snap your cable, or it tears for some reason, that's not necessarily the end of the story. Cables can be repaired, although this needs to be done very carefully to ensure that the trimmer remains safe to use.
A good hedge trimmer can add a whole new dimension to your gardening options, making it easy to sculpt hedges and create anything from exotic animal shapes, to neat square or rounded borders. In any case, it's essential to balance quality and value, if you want to keep your gardening bills down. Fortunately, doing so isn't hard.
The first step in securing a hedge trimmer bargain is to carefully shortlist a few devices with the features you require. Scan the websites of brands like Stihl, Bosch, or Black and Decker, and pick specific models that you like. Don't worry about buying them at this point. Just have a few models in mind, and note down their codes.
After that, the hotukdeals hedge trimmer listings is the place to head. Our listings feature trimmers from all of the world's elite hedge trimmer brands. Even better, we feature all of the most up to date hedge trimmer deals from merchants like B&Q, Homebase, Amazon, eBay, Aldi, Lidl, Argos, John Lewis, and Asda. Just use the search function to find your shortlisted models, and bargains shouldn't be hard to find.
If you really want to make dramatic savings, timing your hedge trimmer purchase also makes sense. Black Friday in November is generally an excellent time to shop, with major retailers slashing their prices as Christmas approaches. The New Year is also traditionally a good time to buy tools, while there should be spring promotions to kick off the gardening season.
Hedge trimmers are a true gardening essential for millions of Brits. With their lightweight designs and sharp blades, these invaluable tools make it easy to sculpt hedges and achieve the gardens of our dreams. However, trimmers aren't always cheap, especially for high-end designs from premium brands. Anyone who wants to find elite brands at the cheapest possible prices can do so at the hotukdeals hedge trimmer listings.
