Best Hedge Trimmers in the UK (2026 Buyer’s Guide)
23 July 2026
If you’re looking for the best hedge trimmer for your garden, you’ve come to the right place.
A good hedge trimmer makes keeping your garden neat much easier, whether you’re shaping small shrubs, cutting back long boundary hedges or tackling thicker growth that’s built up over the winter.
With so many cordless and petrol hedge trimmers available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t always need the biggest or most powerful model. The best hedge trimmer is the one that suits the size of your garden and the type of work you do most often.
At Taylormade Garden Machinery, we stock hedge trimmers from trusted brands like STIHL, so we’ve put together this guide to help you choose the right machine.
Why Choose a Hedge Trimmer?
Compared to using hand shears, a hedge trimmer helps you:
- Trim hedges faster
- Create cleaner, more even cuts
- Reduce strain on your arms and shoulders
- Keep hedges healthy and well maintained
- Tackle thicker growth with less effort
Whether you’re maintaining a small garden or several hundred metres of hedging, there’s a hedge trimmer to suit your needs.
Our Recommended Hedge Trimmers
Best Overall Hedge Trimmer
STIHL HSA 100 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
If we had to recommend one hedge trimmer for most homeowners, this would probably be it.
The STIHL HSA 100 offers the perfect balance of power, comfort and runtime. It’s quiet enough for residential areas but powerful enough to tackle mature hedges, making it ideal for anyone looking to upgrade from an older electric or petrol model.
Because it’s battery powered, there’s no fuel to mix, no pull cord and very little maintenance. Simply charge the battery and you’re ready to get started.
Key Features
- Professional quality cordless performance
- Double-sided cutting blade
- Excellent battery runtime
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
- Part of the STIHL AP Battery System
Why we like it
It’s one of those machines that simply gets on with the job. Whether you’re trimming beech, laurel or conifers, the HSA 100 delivers clean cuts and feels well balanced in your hands.
Best Hedge Trimmer for Smaller Gardens
STIHL HSA 40 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
If your garden has smaller hedges, shrubs or decorative planting, the STIHL HSA 40 is well worth considering.
It’s compact, lightweight and incredibly easy to use, making it ideal for anyone who wants a simple hedge trimmer without sacrificing cutting performance.
Its smaller size also makes it much easier to store between uses.
Key Features
- Lightweight cordless design
- Easy to handle
- Precision cutting blades
- Perfect for smaller gardens
- Low maintenance
Why we like it
Not everyone needs a large hedge trimmer. If you’re simply keeping your garden tidy throughout the year, this model does everything you need while remaining comfortable to use.
Best Value Hedge Trimmer
STIHL HSA 60 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
The STIHL HSA 60 offers excellent value for money and has become one of the most popular cordless hedge trimmers for homeowners.
It gives you more cutting power than entry-level machines while remaining light enough for regular garden maintenance.
Key Features
- 60cm cutting blade
- Quiet cordless operation
- Excellent cutting performance
- Comfortable ergonomic handles
- Compatible with the STIHL AK Battery System
Why we like it
If you’re looking for a hedge trimmer you’ll use for years, the HSA 60 is a brilliant all-round choice. It has plenty of power for most domestic gardens without feeling oversized.
Best Petrol Hedge Trimmer
STIHL HS 45 Petrol Hedge Trimmer
Some jobs still call for petrol power.
The STIHL HS 45 remains one of the most popular petrol hedge trimmers available and is ideal if you’re maintaining larger gardens or regularly cutting thick hedges.
With unlimited runtime and plenty of cutting performance, it’s a dependable machine that’s built to last.
Key Features
- Reliable STIHL petrol engine
- Double-sided cutting blade
- Lightweight design
- Excellent cutting performance
- Easy starting system
Why we like it
If you spend long days maintaining hedges, not having to stop and recharge batteries can make a real difference.
Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
STIHL HLA 135 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
Tall hedges can be awkward and potentially dangerous if you’re relying on ladders.
The STIHL HLA 135 helps you trim high hedges safely from the ground while delivering the same impressive cutting performance you’d expect from STIHL.
It’s an excellent choice for larger properties, estates and professional users.
Key Features
- Adjustable cutting head
- Long reach design
- Powerful cordless motor
- Professional build quality
- Compatible with the STIHL AP Battery System
Why we like it
Being able to trim taller hedges safely without climbing a ladder is a huge advantage, especially if you’ve got long boundary hedges.
Best Professional Hedge Trimmer
STIHL HL 94 C-E Petrol Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
For landscapers, contractors and professional grounds teams, the STIHL HL 94 C-E is built for demanding work.
Its petrol engine delivers consistent performance throughout the day, while the long reach shaft makes maintaining larger hedges quicker and easier.
Key Features
- Professional petrol engine
- Long reach shaft
- Adjustable cutter bar
- Built for regular commercial use
- Comfortable ergonomic controls
Why we like it
If hedge cutting is part of your job rather than an occasional weekend task, this machine is built to cope with heavy workloads.
How to Choose the Right Hedge Trimmer
Before buying a hedge trimmer, think about the size of your garden and how often you’ll use it.
Small gardens
A lightweight cordless hedge trimmer is usually the best option. They’re easy to manoeuvre, simple to store and require very little maintenance.
Medium gardens
A more powerful cordless model offers a great balance of performance and convenience, making regular hedge maintenance quick and easy.
Large gardens
For long boundary hedges or larger properties, choose a powerful cordless machine or a petrol hedge trimmer that can handle longer working sessions.
Why Buy From Taylormade Garden Machinery?
Choosing the right hedge trimmer is only part of the story.
When you buy from Taylormade Garden Machinery, you’ll also benefit from:
- Friendly expert advice
- Manufacturer-backed warranties
- Genuine STIHL products
- Servicing and repairs
- Ongoing support after your purchase
