Three of the Best STIHL Petrol Garden Tools for Cutting, Clearing and Garden Maintenance
1 September 2026
The right garden machinery can turn a demanding outdoor job into faster, cleaner and more manageable work. Whether you need to shape an established garden hedge, maintain tall boundaries or clear leaves and hedge cuttings, STIHL petrol tools provide the power and freedom to work without a cable or battery-charging schedule.
Three particularly useful options are the STIHL HS 45 Petrol Hedge Trimmer, STIHL BG 86 Petrol Blower and STIHL HL 94 C-E Petrol Long-reach Hedge Trimmer.
Here is the short answer:
- Choose the STIHL HS 45 for routine trimming of shrubs, bushes and accessible domestic hedges.
- Choose the STIHL BG 86 for clearing leaves, grass cuttings, hedge clippings and debris from larger outdoor areas.
- Choose the STIHL HL 94 C-E for tall, wide or difficult-to-reach hedges and more demanding professional work.
Together, these machines provide an effective petrol-powered system for cutting, shaping and clearing. You can trim the hedge, tackle its taller sections and then clear the resulting waste using equipment designed for each job.
STIHL HS 45: the best choice for everyday hedge maintenance
The STIHL HS 45 Petrol Hedge Trimmer is an excellent choice for homeowners who want a reliable petrol hedge trimmer for regular garden maintenance.
It is designed for light trimming of hedges, bushes and shrubs. Its double-sided cutting blade allows you to work in either direction, making it easier to shape hedge faces, tops and corners with a consistent finish.
Why choose the STIHL HS 45?
The HS 45 combines useful cutting performance with features intended to make petrol-powered trimming easier and more comfortable.
Key benefits include:
- A 60 cm/24-inch double-sided cutting blade
- 30 mm tooth spacing
- A 27.2 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX petrol engine
- An anti-vibration system for greater operating comfort
- A manual fuel pump to help reduce the number of starting pulls
- A long-life air filter system that helps protect the engine
- Built-in cut protection
- No power cable or battery-runtime restriction
At approximately 4.7 kg without fuel, the HS 45 remains manageable for routine work while providing the flexibility of petrol power.
What jobs can the STIHL HS 45 handle?
The HS 45 is best suited to:
- Trimming annual growth
- Shaping garden hedges
- Maintaining shrubs and bushes
- Cutting accessible hedge sides and tops
- Regular domestic garden maintenance
It is particularly well matched to gardens containing several medium-sized hedges where a small cordless tool might not provide the desired working time or cutting performance.
Who should buy the STIHL HS 45?
Choose the HS 45 if you want a dependable petrol hedge trimmer for ordinary garden hedges and do not need a long-reach shaft.
Its combination of a practical blade length, double-sided cutting action and anti-vibration technology makes it a strong all-round option for homeowners and keen gardeners.
Best for: routine domestic hedge trimming and shrub maintenance.
STIHL HL 94 C-E: the best choice for tall and wide hedges
Standard hedge trimmers work well when every part of the hedge is within comfortable reach. Taller, deeper and wider hedges require a different solution.
The STIHL HL 94 C-E Petrol Long-reach Hedge Trimmer is designed for professional maintenance of high, long and wide hedges. Its extended shaft and adjustable cutter bar help operators reach difficult areas while working from ground level where conditions allow.
Why choose the STIHL HL 94 C-E?
The HL 94 C-E is a more powerful, specialist option created for demanding hedge maintenance.
Its key features include:
- A 60 cm/24-inch double-sided cutting blade
- A cutter bar that pivots through 145°
- A powerful 24.1 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX petrol engine
- 0.9 kW power output
- STIHL ErgoStart for easier starting
- STIHL ECOSPEED for variable engine-speed control
- A lightweight magnesium gearbox
- A quick-release cutter-bar adjustment system
- A loop handle for manoeuvrability
- A foldable cutter bar for easier transport and storage
The adjustable head can be positioned for cutting hedge sides, tops and awkward angles. ECOSPEED also lets the user match engine performance to the job, which is helpful when full power is unnecessary.
What jobs can the STIHL HL 94 C-E handle?
The HL 94 C-E is suitable for:
- Cutting tall boundary hedges
- Maintaining long or wide hedges
- Trimming the tops of established hedges
- Working at different cutting angles
- Estate and grounds maintenance
- Commercial landscaping
- Regular professional hedge care
The long-reach design is especially useful when an ordinary hedge trimmer cannot comfortably reach the working area. Appropriate precautions and safe working practices are still essential; long reach should never be treated as a substitute for assessing the site properly.
Who should buy the STIHL HL 94 C-E?
Choose the HL 94 C-E if hedge height, width or workload makes a conventional hedge trimmer impractical. It is particularly well suited to landscapers, contractors, estate teams and homeowners responsible for extensive mature hedging.
For users completing prolonged sessions, a compatible harness may also help distribute the machine’s weight more comfortably.
Best for: professional maintenance of tall, deep and extensive hedges.
STIHL BG 86: the best choice for fast garden clearing
Cutting is only half of hedge maintenance. Once the trimming is complete, leaves, twigs and clippings can be spread across lawns, paths and driveways.
The STIHL BG 86 Petrol Blower is a professional-grade handheld blower designed to clear leaves, grass cuttings, hedge clippings and general outdoor debris.
Why choose the STIHL BG 86?
The BG 86 balances strong handheld performance with features that support comfortable use in demanding conditions.
Key features include:
- A 27.2 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX petrol engine
- Up to 15 N of blowing force with its round nozzle
- Maximum air velocity of 76 m/s with the round nozzle
- A weight of approximately 4.4 kg without fuel
- A washable HD2 air filter for dusty environments
- STIHL anti-vibration technology
- STIHL ElastoStart
- A manual fuel pump
- A locking throttle trigger with stop button
- Round and flat nozzles for different clearing tasks
The round nozzle is useful for general clearing, while the concentrated airflow produced by the flat nozzle helps shift material from suitable surfaces.
What jobs can the STIHL BG 86 handle?
The BG 86 is suitable for clearing:
- Fallen leaves
- Hedge trimmings
- Grass cuttings
- Paths and driveways
- Lawns and landscaped areas
- Car parks and larger outdoor spaces
- Dusty working environments
- General garden debris
Its throttle control allows the output to be adjusted rather than forcing the operator to use maximum power continuously. This gives more control around borders, gravel and delicate areas.
An optional vacuum attachment can also convert the compatible blower into a garden vacuum and shredder, increasing its usefulness for seasonal garden maintenance.
Who should buy the STIHL BG 86?
Choose the BG 86 if you need more clearing power and working freedom than a small domestic blower provides. It is a particularly strong option for large gardens, property maintenance, landscaping and grounds care.
It also pairs naturally with either of the hedge trimmers in this guide. Bringing clippings into manageable piles immediately after cutting can reduce clean-up time and leave paths, lawns and driveways looking professionally finished.
Best for: powerful handheld clearing across larger gardens and working areas.
HS 45 vs HL 94 C-E: which STIHL hedge trimmer is right for you?
The HS 45 and HL 94 C-E are not direct substitutes. They are designed for different types of hedge work.
Choose the STIHL HS 45 when:
- Your hedges are within normal working reach
- You mainly trim shrubs, bushes and domestic boundaries
- You want a conventional, easy-to-manoeuvre hedge trimmer
- Routine garden maintenance is your priority
Choose the STIHL HL 94 C-E when:
- Your hedges are tall, wide or difficult to access
- You need to cut hedge tops from different angles
- You maintain large gardens, estates or commercial sites
- You require a professional long-reach machine
Some properties will benefit from owning both. The HS 45 provides close control on accessible areas, while the HL 94 C-E handles the sections that a standard hedge trimmer cannot comfortably reach.
The ideal petrol-powered hedge maintenance setup
For complete hedge maintenance, pair the appropriate cutting tool with the BG 86 blower.
A practical workflow is:
- Inspect the hedge and surrounding area for obstacles and wildlife.
- Use the HS 45 for accessible sides, tops, shrubs and detailed shaping.
- Use the HL 94 C-E for high, deep or awkward sections.
- Gather larger branches and clippings by hand.
- Use the BG 86 to move remaining leaves and light cuttings into manageable piles.
- Clean and inspect each machine before storage.
This combination covers the three main stages of hedge care: accessible cutting, long-reach cutting and clean-up.
Why buy STIHL garden machinery from Taylormade?
Choosing the right product is only part of buying garden machinery. Reliable advice and aftercare can be just as important.
Taylormade Garden Machinery is a family-run garden machinery specialist based near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire. Customers can benefit from:
- Friendly advice from a knowledgeable machinery team
- Garden machinery sales, servicing and repairs
- A fully equipped workshop
- Support choosing machinery for domestic or commercial work
- Click and collect
- Free standard mainland UK delivery, subject to current terms and postcode restrictions
- Access to established garden machinery brands, including STIHL
Buying from a machinery specialist also gives you somewhere to turn when you need servicing, maintenance advice or help selecting the correct equipment.
Product prices and availability can change. Visit each product page for the latest information or contact Taylormade before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best STIHL petrol hedge trimmer for home use?
The STIHL HS 45 is the best match among these three tools for routine home use. It is designed for light maintenance of accessible hedges, shrubs and bushes and combines a double-sided blade with anti-vibration technology and a manual fuel pump.
Which STIHL hedge trimmer is best for tall hedges?
The STIHL HL 94 C-E is the better choice for tall, long and wide hedges. Its long shaft and 145° adjustable cutter bar make it much more suitable for high hedge sides, tops and difficult cutting angles.
Is the STIHL BG 86 suitable for professional use?
Yes. The STIHL BG 86 is designed for demanding domestic and professional clearing. Its 15 N blowing force, anti-vibration system and HD2 filter make it suitable for landscapers, grounds teams and property-maintenance users as well as homeowners with larger gardens.
Can the STIHL BG 86 clear hedge cuttings?
The BG 86 is suitable for blowing light hedge clippings, leaves, grass cuttings and other garden debris into piles. Larger or heavier branches should be collected separately rather than pushed using airflow alone.
What is the difference between a standard and long-reach hedge trimmer?
A standard hedge trimmer, such as the HS 45, provides close control when trimming accessible hedges and shrubs. A long-reach hedge trimmer, such as the HL 94 C-E, uses an extended shaft and adjustable cutting head to reach taller, wider or more awkward hedge sections.
Are petrol garden tools better than cordless tools?
Petrol tools are often preferred for longer sessions, demanding jobs and locations where charging access is limited. Cordless tools can be lighter, quieter and require less engine maintenance. The right choice depends on the size of the job, required performance, noise considerations and how long you expect to work.
Does Taylormade service garden machinery?
Yes. Taylormade provides servicing and repairs for a wide range of garden, horticultural and landscaping machinery from its workshop near Uttoxeter. Contact the team to confirm support for your particular machine and arrange a booking.
Does Taylormade deliver STIHL garden machinery?
Taylormade offers standard mainland UK delivery and click-and-collect options, subject to its current delivery terms, product availability and postcode restrictions. Check the individual product and delivery pages before ordering.
Find the right STIHL tool at Taylormade
For ordinary hedge maintenance, choose the STIHL HS 45. For high, wide and demanding hedges, step up to the STIHL HL 94 C-E. To clear the resulting leaves and clippings quickly, add the STIHL BG 86.
Shop the products:
- Buy the STIHL HS 45 Petrol Hedge Trimmer
- Buy the STIHL BG 86 Petrol Blower
- Buy the STIHL HL 94 C-E Long-reach Hedge Trimmer
Not sure which machine is right for your garden or workload? Call Taylormade Garden Machinery on 01889 591241 or visit the showroom at Taylormade House, Beamhurst, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 5EA for expert advice.
