What is the difference between a hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter?
Ultimately, a hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter are the same thing.
While different regions and companies may have a naming preference for these types of garden tools, they are both referring to the same category of product.
A hedge trimmer or hedge cutter is used for cutting or trimming into shape the surrounding or boundary hedge to a garden or lawn, which is formed by dense shrubs and grasses. Hedge trimmers or hedge cutters, as they are interchangeably referred to, are used to cut back hedge growth and achieve a tidy and attractive finish to your garden.
Which is the best hedge trimmer to buy?
Deciding which trimmer is the best hedge trimmer to buy, will depend on the size and species of the hedge you need to trim. For best results, you will need to assess the type and thickness of the hedge and match it against the suitable specification hedge trimmer for the job.
For example for small hedges, the Ryobi OHT1845 is the best hedge trimmer to buy as it is a small, lightweight and a cordless option, but still has a cut capacity of 18mm. For much larger or harder species of hedge, the Ryobi RY18HTX60A-0 HP Brushless hedge trimmer is ideal as it provides a larger 60cm bar, 26mm cut capacity and more power.
Here is a list of features to consider when deciding which option is the best hedge trimmer to buy for your needs:
The running time of a cordless hedge trimmer can vary depending on the make and model. Choosing a cordless Ryobi ONE+™ hedge trimmer will mean you benefit from a one-battery fits-all tool to tackle all heavy-duty garden tasks and up to 80 minutes of hedge cutting on a single charge.
The electric power output of the hedge trimmer can range in strength for the size of the job at hand and is measured in watts; while cordless trimmers are measured in volts and petrol hedge trimmers in CCs.
Cut capacity combines blade length with teeth spacing – the bigger the blade and wider the teeth space on a blade, the thicker the branches it can cut.
Making sure you have enough reach is essential to get the job done. You can avoid this limitation by going for a cordless hedge trimmer.
You need to make sure you are comfortable holding your trimmer for long periods, which may affect which trimmer is the best option for you. Choosing ergonomic features and a lightweight design combines comfort and easy handling in a user-friendly hedge trimmer.
An extended reach hedge trimmer makes easy work of trimming hard-to-reach hedges and shrubs. The Ryobi 18V 50cm Extended Reach Hedge Trimmer features a four-position articulating head and rotating rear handle to maintain the same great standard even when cutting the hardest-to-reach areas.
How thick a branch can a hedge trimmer cut?
Answering the question of how thick a branch can a hedge trimmer cut, will entirely depend on the hedge trimmer model’s specification and capability.
Every model of hedge trimmer will have a different specification, therefore it is recommended that you check the capabilities of each model carefully before going ahead with the job. Knowing how big of a branch you can cut with a hedge trimmer is essential to avoid damaging your tools, or putting yourself at risk of an accidental injury caused by jamming or dropping the trimmer.
Every model of hedge trimmer will have different specification, therefore it is recommended that you check the capabilities of each model. For example, Ryobi hedge trimmers have a maximum cut capacity for each model, ranging from 16mm up to 28mm.
There will be a variety of hedge trimmers suitable for your needs, but bear in mind that cutting through very thick branches will also dull your blades over time and deteriorate the performance of your hedge trimmer.
Are hedge trimmers worth it?
Yes, a hedge trimmer is a sound investment as hedge trimmers produce a clean and consistent cut all over your hedge and are much quicker when compared to manual methods such as shears.
They also have a variety of safety features making them a great gardening tool:
- Anti-jamming system - will stop the blades from moving immediately if they were to become jammed by a blockage, as well as reverse the blade direction to quickly dislodged items.
- Quick stop brake - a safety system that ensures the blades will stop instantly after use, to reduce the risk of injuries when trimming.
- Hand guards - prevent your hands from slipping onto the blade and protects your hand from being scratched by flying debris.
- HedgeSweep™ - Ryobi provides an innovative attachment for the easy removal of clippings, keeping your hedge healthy and looking tidy.
Is an 18 volt hedge trimmer powerful enough?
Deciding if an 18v hedge trimmer is powerful enough will depend on the size and species of the hedge you need to trim. 18V hedge trimmers are ideal for most small to medium-sized hedges, but if you have longer or harder species of hedge it may be better to use a 36V hedge trimmer which will provide more power, a larger cut capacity and longer runtimes per charge.
In general, if your hedges are cared for regularly and the branches are quite thin, a lower-powered hedge trimmer should be suitable. But if your hedges or bushes are dense and unruly, a more powerful model will be needed.
Which hedge trimmer has the longest reach?
Having a hard-to-reach hedge in your garden can be great for privacy but a hassle when it comes to maintaining it. For these tricky areas, such as laurels or conifers, you may need to research which hedge trimmer has the longest reach. For example:
What voltage hedge trimmer is best?
Deciding what voltage hedge trimmer is best will depend on the size and species of the hedge you need to trim.
18V hedge trimmers are ideal for most small to medium-sized hedges, but if you have longer or harder species of hedge to cut, it may be better to use a 36V hedge trimmer, which will provide more power, as well as a larger cut capacity and longer runtime per charge.
Ask the experts in hedge trimmers
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