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Best Garden Hedge Trimming Tools to Achieve the Perfect Trim
Last updated: Feb 6, 2024Garden hedge shears are a great tool option if you want to keep your garden hedge plants consistently maintained in a specific shape and style. They are designed to help you trim and maintain hedges and are a great alternative to using any type of motorized power tool. When you are looking to purchase one, there are quite a number of factors and features to consider before you can choose a pair of shears you think will work for your hedge plants. While they are widely available in garden centers, the options are endless. Below, we’ve compiled a very comprehensive list of the most rated garden hedge shears in 2024 to assist you in your goal.
These durable and functional shears will enable you to achieve a closer cut and feature ergonomic grips that allow you to trim and shape hedges in total comfort. Let’s check them out.
Show contentsCompare the Top Garden Hedge Shears of 2024 in Detail- OARA Garden Hedge Shears - Best Overall
- Fiskars 23 Inch PowerGear Hedge Shears - Runner Up
- Jardineer Professional Hedge Shears - Honorable Mention
- TABOR TOOLS Telescopic Hedge Shears - Contender
- Corona Extendable Hedge Shear - Also Consider
- GARTOL Garden Hedge Shears - Also Consider
- Okatsune Precision Hedge Shears - Also Consider
Best Garden Hedge Trimmer: A Buying GuideBest Garden Hedge Trimmer: A Buying Guide
Early spring is the perfect time to plant hedges. With minimal maintenance, those pink and white flowers make the garden visually appealing. While they have a tendency to develop into thick deciduous shrubs, maintenance is the key to keep bush overgrowth in check. A great garden hedge shear is a blessing for managing best hedging plants like cherry laurel or bushes with white flowers. It not only saves you a lot of time but also requires less effort in handling and prevents aching arms.
Garden hedge shears is a tool that is very useful year round. They usually come in a range of sizes, styles, and prices – hence you need to be wary of your choice because there are quite a number of them to choose from.
There are many factors and features to consider before you can settle on a pair of shears that will work for your hedging plants. This usually depends largely on the kind and quantity of hedges or decidious shrubs you have in your garden.
Our guide below runs through the key garden hedge shear features to look out for when you are shopping for one.
What Are the Things to Consider When Purchasing Garden Hedge Shears?
Here is a list of things you should check out in your garden hedge shear before making a purchase.
Manual vs. powered
To figure out what might be right for you and your garden hedges, watch this informative video by Ace Hardware.
Size and weight
The weight and size of the shears play a huge role in reducing fatigue during use. Trimming dense hedge is a year round task that often requires you to reach above your shoulder height – hence the weight of your tool is a crucial consideration to make during your buying decision. If your garden hedge shear is heavy, this will lead to fatigue. Sometimes, to get the job done, you might actually need weighty telescoping handles, so be sure to consider this along with your upper body strength. Typically, aluminum and fiberglass handles tend to be lighter than steel and wood handles, which tend to be heavier.
Cutting blades
The kind of blades that are featured in your garden hedge shear determine how efficient they will be for what you want to use them for. If what you’ll be doing is mostly up-close work, then you should opt for shorter blades and short handles. For more large-scale jobs, longer blades with longer handles will be much more effective and suitable.
Your hedge shear blade should ideally touch only at the cutting point to reduce friction and sticking. For your tool to be most efficient, it’s important that you keep the blades very sharp. Sharp blades are really crucial so try to ensure that the garden hedge shear you select can be easily taken apart for sharpening.
Type of blades
Here are some of the types of blades you’ll come across in most garden centers:
- Straight blades: These are the most common type of blades. They are ideal for pruning smaller branches. You can usually sharpen this type of shear on your own using a millstone or sharpening stone
- Curved or wavy blades: This kind of blade gives room for more precision, is easier to cut with, and minimizes slippage. The disadvantage of curved blades is that they require the services of a professional to sharpen
- Non-stick coating: Some of the shears you’ll come across will have this feature. A blade with a non-stick coating is sufficiently rust-resistant
- Pivot bolt design: Shears with an adjustable pivot bolt assembly will allow users to adjust blade tension when needed. Being able to purchase replacement pivot bolts is a huge advantage because they are usually the first part of the tool to malfunction
Cutting mechanism
In garden hedge shears, properly designed geared mechanisms can relatively ease up the stress of cutting those early spring overgrowth. Geared technology will enable you to perform more difficult cuts with less effort. A properly placed and effective design can be what’s holding you back from enjoying your hedge trimming. These mechanisms can be helpful, depending on what you need your tool for. If the hedge plant you need to trim is soft new growth in shrubs, then you may not need this extra power.
Cutting capacity
Before selecting any garden shears for your hedge plant like cherry laurel, you need to know exactly how thick the twigs or branches that you plan on cutting are. A lot of the commonly available models of shears on the market can be used to cut twigs and branches that are within the range of half an inch in diameter. If you’ll be cutting thicker objects then you’ll need a pair that can withstand that thickness. For example, you can go for a pair with a limb notch – this will enable you to cut slightly larger branches.
Ease of use
A lot of the brands of garden shears on the market offer comfortable alternatives to ease up the process of using their tool. You should look for features like cushioned handle grips, shock-absorbing bumpers where the handles come together, and/or an alternate bumper system. These factors will reduce the strain on your arms and ultimately make the tools a lot easier to handle year round.
Telescopic handles
In a situation where your hedges are very difficult to reach due to their tall height, then you should probably consider purchasing a pair of shears that feature a telescoping handle. When you extend the handles, you’ll be compromising how much control you have over the cut. The shears will be harder to control but it’s a fair tradeoff. Also, the handles of shears with this special design are usually heavier as a result.
Replacement parts
When you are choosing garden shears, it is always safer to select a brand that offers replacement blades and other parts, especially if you clean, sharpen, and refurbish your tools regularly. The availability of replacement parts is a big plus.
Some Helpful Buying Tips
Garden hedge shears are designed to cut through twigs and branches, but they obviously can’t cut through thick branches or box hedge with white flowers. When you’re shopping for shears, to get the best garden hedge shears for yourself, look for a pair that’s light and well-balanced. It has to feel comfortable and give you the leverage you need to easily cut through foliage and twig overgrowths. Here are some more tips to assist you in making a good choice:
- Garden hedge shears that come with hardened and tempered high-carbon steel blades will cut beautifully and can hold an edge for long periods of time
- Shears with coated blades will usually cut through thicker branches more easily than plain blades. The coating also prevents rust and debris from sticking to the blades
- If you have very tall hedges, then the obvious choice for you is to get shears with telescopic handles. Otherwise, plain non-extendible handles should do the trick
- Always opt for the best garden hedge shears you can afford. This is because the higher-priced premium models usually come equipped with all the features you’ll need to ease up your trimming and add more cutting precision. Low-priced shears don’t last nearly as long and need more maintenance since the blades tend to lose their edge rather quickly
- Finally, if in doubt, you should check out user reviews. Reviews will give you a practical insight into each of the models you’re considering, and a better idea of how they might function for what you want to use them for
Compare the Top Garden Hedge Shears of 2024 in Detail
1OARA Garden Hedge Shears
– Best OverallOARA Garden Hedge Shears uses material of the highest quality and standard to ensure that your hedges are pristine and manicured to your tastes. This tool is the ideal choice for shaping and pruning boxwood, hedges, shrubs, and decorative pruning plants.
OARA gardening pruning shears can minimize your fatigue, and at the same time quickly trim branches, allowing you to feel the joy of gardening. The hedge trimmer has a soft vinyl cushion for extra comfort and a shock-absorbing bumper that reduces vibration to prevent fatigue in the arms and shoulders.
Pros- Made with high-quality carbon steel material for excellent sharpness
- Ergonomic cushion grips feel comfortable
Cons- Some users might find the handle a bit too short
2Fiskars 23 Inch PowerGear Hedge Shears
– Runner UpFiskars PowerGear Hedge Shears make cutting easier while reducing hand fatigue. These hedge shears feature designs intended to increase your cutting power with less added effort. This makes cutting three times easier than single-pivot hedge shears.
The shears are equipped with razor-sharp, precision-ground blades that stay sharp and rust-resistant. The hardened stainless steel 9-inch blades are complemented with a PTFE coating that reduces friction while cutting, ensuring smooth and clean cuts.
Pros- Easy to use, especially for users with arthritis
- Innovative non-circular gearing mechanism that provides an exceptional cutting force
Cons- Blade might require resharpening after some time
3Jardineer Professional Hedge Shears
– Honorable MentionJardineer Professional Hedge Clippers provide maximum cutting performance and let you trim thicker shrubs more easily. These shears save effort and ensure that every cut is an efficient and joyful experience. This is the perfect set of shears for you if you’re a green hand or a skilled professional who longs for keeping a well-maintained garden.
The sharp & wavy blades cut smoothly and easily, keeping the twigs from slipping off. The clean smooth cuts it brings are good for plants’ health. The blades are made of forged carbon steel, which is both strong and durable. The soft-grip handles are non-slip and comfortable, ensuring a fatigue-free and safe cutting experience.
Pros- Comes with an 8.3-inches pruning shears
- Exceptionally durable with a carbon steel blade
- Soft non-slip handles
Cons- Handles require frequent readjustment to maintain a comfortable grip
4TABOR TOOLS Telescopic Hedge Shears
– ContenderTABOR TOOLS Telescopic Hedge Shears are the ideal tool for trimming and shaping your shrubs and decorative topiary plants. With the fortified telescopic handle on this amazing tool that can extend to over 33-inches, you can reach almost any shrub, no matter how far or high its location.
These hedge shears feature a wavy carbon steel blade that provides maximum cutting performance and precision cuts that help preserve your plant’s health. Your shrubbery will respond and grow back nicely after using these shears.
Pros- Features shock-absorbing bumpers that minimizes vibrations to prevent fatigue in the arms and shoulders
- Has non-slip grips that feel comfortable to hold and ensure safe operation
Cons- The center bolt requires readjustment as it can become loose
5Corona Extendable Hedge Shear
– Also ConsiderCorona Extendable Hedge Shears make trimming the garden a lot easier, requiring little power on your part. They feature comfortable grips and have an innovative design to make your gardening work easier. The steel handles can extend up to 26-inches, allowing you to reach even the tallest shrubs and hedges that you may have in your garden.
Corona extendable hedge shears will help you carefully shape your hedges, instantly giving your yard the type of well-manicured look that many homeowners and gardeners prefer. It also features a bumper that minimizes vibrations during use, keeping your shoulders and arms fatigue-free.
Pros- Ensures flawless cutting action with pivot bolt
- Has an 8.5-inch high-carbon steel blade for excellent sharpness and durability
Cons- Some users might find this trimmer a bit too heavy
6GARTOL Garden Hedge Shears
– Also ConsiderGARTOL Garden Hedge Shears are the perfect blend of performance and comfort. These wavy blade hedge shears are designed for vineyards, so their “heavy-duty” design can handle your yard and garden tasks just fine. These shears also include a tension control knob, so you can adjust the blades for cutting especially dense branches and stems.
The blades on these shears stay sharp and cut all the way to the tip with low friction. They also have a rust-resistant coating that ensures long-lasting durability. It also features shock-absorbing bumpers to absorb jarring vibrations, and durable steel handles that feature non-slip grips for more control.
Pros- Uses fully-hardened carbon steel blade for long-lasting performance
- Has a comfortable ergonomic handle with non-slip rubber for safe operation
Cons- Blade might be a bit dull in some variants, requiring resharpening
7Okatsune Precision Hedge Shears
– Also ConsiderOkatsune Precision Hedge Shears are designed to provide smooth and precise cuts regardless of the type of foliage you are pruning. These shears are expertly designed to eliminate any chance of tearing up or crushing the branches, which can make your hedges look unkempt even after you’ve finished trimming.
The cutting blades are made of hot hammer-forged “Izumo Yasuki Steel”, which is used in the making of Japanese swords, giving them maximum sharpness and cutting power. Also, these shears have a total length of 21-inches, allowing you to trim most branches and hedges with ease.
Pros- Lightweight design, weighs only 1.5lbs
- Made with strong and durable materials
Cons- Blades can oxidize after some time, hence require regular cleaning
People Also Asked
Q: How do I properly maintain my garden hedge shears?A: It is very important to keep your shears clean and free from any sticky sap gunk, especially after it has just been used. This is to prevent rusting and keep the blade of your shears in great shape. After use, rinse your garden shears with lukewarm, soapy water. If there is any plant material or soil stuck in, you can use a hard brush to remove that before washing. Avoid using anything coarse because that might damage the blades and cause rusting. To protect your blades from rust and corrosion after sharpening your blades, use light oil over the blades and rub them back and forth.
Q: How do I sharpen my hedge shears?A: There are different ways to go about this. You can hone your blade to ‘butter sharpness’ with tools like angle grinders, belt sharpeners, drill bit grinders, or any dedicated grinding stones. You can also get your blades professionally sharpened. If you own a serrated or curved blade, it’s always better to take this option.
Q: What is the proper way to use hedge shears?A: If this is your first time using any tool like this you should always remember that caution and safety come first and foremost. Before you actually go ahead with trimming, ensure your shears are clean and in perfect working condition. Place your garden hedge shears on the hedging plants and proceed to cut using a scissor-like cutting style. Avoid going for the big cuts first and start by cutting into small sections and proceeding accordingly. When you are done trimming, properly clean your hedge shears to prevent rusting.
The Garden Gate Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best products for a beautiful and bountiful garden and backyard. The content is created by The Garden Gate Review Team. Garden Gate’s editorial staff is not involved. Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Garden Gate Review Team is composed of authors, editors, and gardeners. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content. Please reach out to aimperiapt@gmail.com with any questions regarding product testing or specific articles.