5 Best Petrol Hedge Trimmers of 2024

If you’re looking for a reliable, good quality hedge trimmer with enough power to tackle most domestic hedges, take a look at the Mountfield MHT 2322 Petrol Hedge Trimmer. 

With a 22.5 cc 2-stroke petrol engine, this trimmer can cut branches up to 27 mm thick, while the 50 cm blade gives the user ample reach. It’s ideal for those with larger hedges who don’t want to move to a telescopic hedge trimmer. Additionally, it has a 180 degree twist grip rotation, so you can tackle branches at differing angles. 

The blades are made from hardened steel which help to deliver a smooth and precise cut each time. I was pleasantly surprised at how user-friendly the design is, with comfortable handles and controls that are easy to access. At 5.6 kg, it’s also fairly lightweight which makes it easy to manoeuvre and manage.

While the larger fuel tank adds to the weight, it also means that you can get around larger areas without having to refuel.

Steps have been taken to aid user comfort, with good success. There’s a soft grip handle as well as a vibration control system to protect your hands. Having said that, it does run noisily, so you will need ear defenders. 

I did have a couple of issues with this hedge trimmer. The first is that it can be difficult to start from cold, and many others have agreed with me. Once started however, it runs smoothly and efficiently. Another minor thing to note is that the included mixing bottle is fairly small, so more than one mix may be required (especially given the size of the fuel tank).

All in all, this hedge trimmer delivers an efficient and reliable performance, with only some minor drawbacks. It’s a suitable option for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile hedge trimmer, making light work of larger gardens and thicker hedges. 

The ParkerBrand 26cc Petrol Hedge Trimmer is a powerful and impressive tool, a great investment for those with large gardens or especially unruly hedges. The build quality is very good, with the whole tool feeling study and durable. It’s very reasonably priced too. 

This hedge trimmer has a 26 cc engine which gives it ample power to tackle thicker hedges. The blade length is a generous 60 cm, so you’ve got a lot of reach. The easy start system works well, as it starts easily from both hot and cold. 

It’s comfortable and fairly easy to use, despite its larger size. The handle rotates up to 180 degrees which allows you to trim both vertically and horizontally. It’s easy to operate, and assembly is very straightforward. 

The blades are very good quality. They are dual sided and stay very sharp, while there’s also a decent blade cover included to protect them when not in use. It comes with a fuel mixing bottle included too, so there’s no need to purchase this separately. 

There’s a couple of downsides. The first is that at 7.6 kg, it’s a good 2 kg heavier than the lighter models I’ve tested. This makes a real difference, and users who aren’t used to heavy machinery may find they tire quickly. If you’ve got a large area to work with, you may find a lighter trimmer more comfortable. 

Another issue is that the on / off switch is in a slightly awkward place. This seems to be the case with lots of hedge trimmers, and makes it easy to accidentally turn the machine off while in use. Thankfully, it’s easy to start again, but if this happens regularly, the starting mechanism will wear out much faster than it should. 

Overall, this petrol hedge trimmer is an impressive tool that provides a reliable performance. Its main drawback is its weight, but it’s an excellent option for those with larger properties and thicker hedges, while it remains very affordable. 

If you’ve got a larger budget, the Mcculloch HT 5622 Petrol Hedge Trimmer is well worth considering. This hedge trimmer is more expensive than others I’ve tested, but it’s both good quality and reliable. 

At 5.2 kg, this is the lightest hedge trimmer of the models I’ve tested, and you can really tell. It’s well balanced, easy to manage and suitable for beginners, while the light weight comes at no cost to blade length, which is still a reasonable 56 cm. The gaps between the teeth are 22 mm, which allows you to cut through branches up to this diameter.

When testing this hedge trimmer it became clear that every precaution had been taken to make it easy to use. The rear handle can be angled in multiple positions to make it suitable for vertical and horizontal trimming, while the anti-vibration handles mean it can be used for long periods without hurting your hands. 

It has a 22.7 cc petrol engine, with an output of 0.65 kW. I found it capable of tackling even dense hedges and shrubs. There’s a soft start mechanism which ensures it’s easy to start every time. 

One thing to note about this product is that although it’s very good quality, and fairly easy to use, it doesn’t have any more power than lower priced competitors. At 650 W with a 22 cc motor, it’s less powerful than other, cheaper models I’ve recommended. 

Having said that, this hedge trimmer certainly performs well. All features are good quality, and it’s easy to see why McCulloch are a firm favourite when it comes to garden tools. 

The Einhell GE-PH 2555A Petrol Hedge Trimmer is a top contender for the best petrol hedge trimmer. The reason is that this hedge trimmer strikes the perfect balance of power and weight. Operating at 850 W with a capacity of 2050 cuts per minute, this is one of the most powerful I’ve tested. 

However, this hedge trimmer remains very lightweight for a petrol model, at just 5.4 kg. It’s manageable and easy to use, yet it still has the power to cut through dense hedges and branches up to 19 mm thick. 

Other great features include a low vibration system as well as a hand grip that absorbs vibration. This helps keep you comfortable while you work, ensuring you can trim for longer periods without fatigue. 

There’s also an easy start system, and this works well whether the trimmer is hot or cold. The large petrol filler hole ensures refuelling is easy. The only slight design flaw is that the on/off switch is located in a slightly inconvenient place. This means it’s easy to accidentally turn it off. 

All in all, this hedge trimmer strikes the right balance of power, ability and user-friendliness. The anti-vibration system is a stand-out feature.

The vidaXL Petrol Hedge Trimmer is a reliable petrol powered model, with one of the key benefits being its 60 cm blade which gives you more use than other models. It has an air cooled 2-stroke engine and it operates at a powerful 750 W with a 26 cc motor. 

The power and length of this hedge trimmer make it a great choice for those with very unruly hedges. It has a maximum speed of 9000 RPM, and the double sided blade is good quality. The spacing between the teeth is 24 mm, making this a great choice for thicker branches. 

The blade length is one of the key benefits of this tool. At 60 cm, you’ve got a few centimetres more reach than you do with other hedge trimmers. The handle also rotates at 180 degrees which allows you to trim both horizontally and vertically. 

This tool is made from steel and plastic, which helps keep the weight down. However, it still weighs over 7 kg, which made it noticeably heavier than some competitors. If you prioritise a longer blade and the ability to cut wider branches, I’d happily recommend this model. 

One other thing to note is that although this hedge trimmer does start easily, from both hot and cold, there’s no easy start function. The recoil starter must be used. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would have preferred an easy start feature. 

All in all, this hedge trimmer is a great option if you’ve got some thicker branches that need tackling. While the weight is a downside, you’ve got a longer reach and a wider diameter between the teeth, which will make this the ideal tool for tougher jobs.