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The Best Telescopic Pole Hedge Trimmers
Need some help finding the best telescopic pole hedge trimmer? In this guide you’ll get my top picks – all tested by me and my colleague Harry. As a professional landscaper, I’ve got over 22 years experience dealing with tall hedges! Trust me, I know what goes into a good trimmer. Strong blades, long reach pole, lightweight body and robust safety features. My top choice is the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Pole Hedge Trimmer. Find out why I think it’s so good below…
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Longest reach - Ryobi ONE+ 18V Pole Hedge Trimmer
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Hedge Trimmer & Pole Saw - Greenworks G40PSHK2 Cordless 2-in-1 Pole Hedge Trimmer
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Lightest & Quiestest - Worx WG252E.9 18V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
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Best telescopic hedge trimmer - Bosch Universal Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer 18
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Best value for money - VonHaus Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
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Best corded model - Einhell GC-HH 9048 Electric Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
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Best for smaller pruning jobs - Yard Force 20V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
Telescopic Pole Hedge Trimmer Reviews
1. Ryobi ONE+ 18V Pole Hedge Trimmer
Longest reach
- The angle of the blades are easily adjusted so you can tackle the tops of hedges
- When fully charged, the battery on this hedge trimmer can last around 40 minutes
- Robust build that doesn't wobble even when completely extended
- Versatile hedge trimmer can be used for cutting back large hedges or more delicate shaping work
- Powerful enough to trim thicker hedges like conifer
- No D-handle on the shaft which makes it a little uncomfortable to hold when extended
- May be a little heavy to hold for extended periods when cutting taller hedges
- Max. Width
- 18 mm
- Max. Pole Length
- 2.9 m
- Weight
- 4.6 kg
- Run Time
- 40 mins
- Charging Time
- 60 mins
- Power
- 18 V
- Rotation
- 115°
- Blade Length
- 45 cm
- Shoulder Strap
- Yes
- Safety Trigger
- Yes
- Battery Included
- Yes
- Design
- 4.5
- Performance
- 5
- Power
- 4.5
- Noise
- 4.5
- Safety
- 5
- Value for Money
- 5
Immediately recognisable for their atomic-green tools, Japanese firm Ryobi have fans all over the world. One thing that immediately sets this company apart is their ONE+ battery system; you can power more than 70 different tools with the same interchangeable battery.
The Ryobi cordless hedge trimmer is a particularly mighty power tool for the garden, chopping through whatever landscaping task you put in front of it.
I put this beast through its paces on a huge hedge, to see whether its performance would match its heavy-duty design. Afterwards, I changed tack to test if it could be used as a precision tool for shaping delicate bushes and shrubs. I’m pleased to say it worked well for both!
Unlike most of its competition, this chunky heavyweight pole hedge trimmer isn’t made from aluminium. Instead, Ryobi have used reinforced plastic poles to create a long reach hedge trimmer of seemingly titanium strength. It doesn’t feel flimsy or wobbly, even when fully extended!
Featuring a truly comfortable handle, an ingenious safety strap, and a large blade with huge teeth, Ryobi have thought of nearly everything.
I only have two minor gripes when it comes to this Ryobi hedge trimmer: the lack of a “D” handle, to make it better balanced; and the fact that it comes in three hefty pieces that have to be assembled.
Even so, after putting the Ryobi through its paces in the garden, I’d still consider it as one of the best pole hedge trimmer available right now. It’s a powerful and capable machine.
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2. Greenworks G40PSHK2 Cordless 2-in-1 Pole Hedge Trimmer
Hedge Trimmer & Pole Saw
- Comes with both hedge trimmer and pole saw attachments, meaning that you can trim both hedges and trees with this multi-purpose tool
- The blade is 51cm long, enabling you to get the job done faster compared to a shorter blade
- The cutting head rotates into 7 different angles, making it easy to trim the tops of hedges, as well as branches growing in awkward angles
- Leaves a beautifully clean cut, even with thicker branches
- Feels more powerful than other cordless hedge trimmers
- A 2.0aH battery gives you 45 minutes of runtime, which is very impressive!
- Weighs more than most other cordless hedge trimmers. However, it’s also better balanced and isn’t too top-heavy, meaning that the weight isn’t a huge issue
- Doesn’t come with a secondary D-handle, which could cause a problem for those who aren’t able to carry weighty machines for extended periods of time
- Max. Width
- 18 mm
- Max. Pole Length
- 2.4 m
- Weight
- 5.7 kg
- Run Time
- 45 mins
- Charging Time
- 120 mins
- Power
- 40 V
- Rotation
- 105°
- Blade Length
- 51cm
- Shoulder Strap
- Yes
- Safety Trigger
- Yes
- Battery Included
- Yes
- Design
- 5
- Performance
- 5
- Power
- 5
- Noise
- 5
- Safety
- 5
- Value for Money
- 4.5
If you’re not yet familiar with Greenworks, chances are that you soon will be. This brand has been making a name for itself thanks to its focus on creating green alternatives to petrol-powered garden tools, with one such product being the Greenworks Cordless Pruner and Long Reach Hedge Trimmer.
As its name implies, this multi-purpose tool comes with both a hedge trimming head and a pole saw head.
When the extension pole has been fitted, they provide a maximum long reach of 2.1m and 2.4m respectively. Both attachments are high-quality – the hedge trimmer boasts a 51cm laser cut blade and 7 cutting head positions, while the pole saw comes with a 20cm Greenworks bar and chain.
Although a secondary D-handle hasn’t been provided, Greenworks makes up for that by providing an adjustable shoulder strap – you can fix it to any point on the pole to give you the balance that you need when holding it.
Many 2-in-1 tools struggle to perform as effectively as a single, dedicated tool, but that isn’t the case with this machine. The hedge trimmer made light work of pruning my overgrown beech hedge, with the 18mm teeth spacing on the blade allowing it to cut through even the thicker, more mature branches.
The pole saw was just as impressive. In fact, it functioned even better than some of the dedicated pole saws that I recently reviewed. This is largely due to its high-quality chain – it has an amazing grip that enables it to slice through both hardwood and softwood with ease.
With Greenworks being a brand that specializes in battery-powered tools, I expected its battery to be better than those that come with other cordless hedge trimmers, and I was correct. A 2aH battery gave me 45 minutes of runtime – more than double that of the 2aH batteries from some other brands. Being a 40v battery also means that it’s more powerful than its 18v/20v competitors – something that you can clearly feel as soon as you turn the machine on.
Thankfully, that extra power doesn’t translate to more noise. You should still wear ear defenders for your own safety, but, at 96dB, this tool won’t bother your neighbours too much!
The safety features included in this machine are top-class too. From the plastic blade guards to the dead man’s switch to the electric chain brake on the pole saw attachment, Greenworks has made this tool safe for even a newbie to operate.
The only downside for some would be its price – it costs significantly more than some of the budget hedge trimmers out there. However, you get what you pay for, meaning a much higher-quality tool with unique design features. Plus, the fact that it also comes with a pole saw head means that it’s actually quite a bargain – you’d end up spending much more if you purchased the two separately, especially if you went with products that are as high-performance as this one is.
Even if you don’t require a pole saw, just the hedge trimmer alone would still justify the price of this tool. It really is one of the best cordless garden tools that I have ever used – it’s not often that I can’t find a major flaw with a product such as this, but this is a tool that really meets the mark in every aspect.
Its long and sharp blade, powerful battery, and numerous adjustable features make the Greenworks Cordless Pruner and Long Reach Hedge Trimmer 2 in 1 a tool that I would recommend to anyone looking for a fast, easy, and reliable way to tidy up the hedges and trees in their garden.
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3. Worx WG252E.9 18V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
Lightest & Quiestest
- Takes just a couple of minutes to assemble
- The rear handle can be rotated, which helps with manoeuvring the hedge trimmer
- Weighs just 3kg, making it ideal for those who struggle with heavy garden tools
- The 45cm diamond ground blades neatly cut through new growth and thin branches
- Cutting head tilts to 8 different positions, which is more than what’s offered by most other hedge trimmers
- One of the quietest hedge trimmers that I’ve tested - perfect for people with nearby neighbours
- Fitted with a few key safety features, making it safe for both newbies and pros
- Has a heavy head, which makes the hedge trimmer feel unbalanced when in use
- Doesn’t have a secondary D-handle, making it harder to manoeuvre the machine
- Struggles with thicker branches
- Max. Width
- 16 mm
- Max. Pole Length
- 2.8 m
- Weight
- 3 kg
- Run Time
- Battery not included
- Charging Time
- Battery not included
- Power
- 18 V
- Rotation
- 180°
- Blade Length
- 45 cm
- Shoulder Strap
- Yes
- Safety Trigger
- Yes
- Battery Included
- No
- Design
- 4
- Performance
- 4
- Power
- 4
- Noise
- 5
- Safety
- 5
- Value for Money
- 5
Worx is a budget-friendly brand known for producing quality garden tools and, after having used several of their products myself, I can personally attest to that. So, I was hoping that the Worx WG252E.9 18V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer, which promises to be ideal for high and wide hedges, would be equally impressive.
In terms of design, this hedge trimmer ticks almost all of the right boxes. Its maximum reach is 2.8m, enabling the average person to trim the top of a 3.6m hedge, while its 45cm diamond ground blades are also a good size for garden hedges. Not only does the head tilt to 8 different positions, but the rear handle can be rotated too, enabling you to easily cut hedges from awkward angles.
For me, the main downside to this hedge trimmer was how unbalanced it could sometimes feel, especially when fully extended. Due to its heavy head but lightweight body (it only weighs 3kg), it took a fair bit of effort to hold steady, and the provided shoulder strap didn’t really help with this.
However, it still does a good job when trimming back new growth, and it whizzes through dense brambles with ease. It did struggle with a few of the thicker branches on my overgrown beech hedge, but it worked well on thinner material.
Since I used this hedge trimmer with a 5.0aH battery that I already had (Worx PowerShare batteries are interchangeable), it happily chugged away for a couple of hours, and still had more life left once I was done. If you don’t have this much hedge trimming to do, then a 2.0aH battery should give you about 20-30 minutes of runtime, and would be significantly cheaper.
While it’s in action, it’s not a particularly noisy machine – I would say that it’s one of the quietest hedge trimmers that I have ever used. It also boasts some great safety features – even someone who was hedge trimming for the first time would be able to safely and confidently use it.
Would I recommend it? If your hedges are majorly overgrown with lots of thick branches, then no, you’d be better off with a heavier-duty machine. However, if light maintenance is your aim, then the Worx WG252E.9 18V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer, with its long reach and lightweight nature, would be a great choice.
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4. Bosch Universal Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer 18[ SAVE 16% ]
Best telescopic hedge trimmer
- Light weight telescopic hedge trimmer makes it easier to hold and cut taller hedges
- Battery is interchangeable with products from several different brands, not just Bosch
- The included shoulder strap distributes the weight which makes extending it to full reach more comfortable
- One full battery charge lasts for around 40 minutes
- Can work through occasional thicker stems of up to approximately 18 mm in diameter
- May lack the power to tackle thicker hedges with many branches over 5 mm in diameter
- Too long to comfortably use as a standard hedge trimmer, or for cutting at waist height
- Feels more stable when the hedge trimmer is not fully extended
- Max. Width
- 16 mm
- Max. Pole Length
- 2.6 m
- Weight
- 3.6 kg
- Run Time
- 40 mins
- Charging Time
- 60 mins
- Power
- 18 V
- Rotation
- 135°
- Blade Length
- 43 cm
- Shoulder Strap
- Yes
- Safety Trigger
- Yes
- Battery Included
- Yes
- Design
- 5
- Performance
- 5
- Power
- 5
- Noise
- 5
- Safety
- 5
- Value for Money
- 4.5
Anyone who’s ever picked up a drill or mowed a lawn has probably heard of the German tool giant Bosch. Famed for their quality kit, it’s no surprise that they’ve produced a real contender for best pole hedge trimmer for the UK market. The Bosch Universal Hedge Pole Trimmer 18 is a very capable garden tool with only a few flaws.
After testing it out for several hours, using a range of hedges, bushes and shrubs in both in my garden and on a friend’s farm, it’s precisely what I’d expect from a brand like Bosch.
The Universal Hedge Pole Trimmer 18 forms part of Bosch’s standard “green” line of DIY tools, so I didn’t expect professional-level build quality. However, I was pleasantly surprised by its excellent power to weight ratio and intelligent electronic anti-blocking features.
It knows when you’re tackling tougher stuff and adjusts the blade speed accordingly!
Similarly to the Ryobi hedge trimmer mentioned on this page, this Bosch Pole Hedge Trimmer has a battery that is interchangeable amongst other POWER FOR ALL products. What sets it apart from Ryobi, however, is that the POWER FOR ALL battery system isn’t exclusive to Bosch. You can power a whole host of great tool brands, all with just the one battery type.
Returning to the hedge trimmer itself, it’s both solid and reliable. Although, my one criticism is that it performs at its best in “short mode”. I found that the relatively narrow aluminium pole and lack of a decent front grip makes it feel a bit less stable than the Ryobi RPT184520 hedge trimmer when fully extended.
Nevertheless, Bosch have still created a top candidate for the best long reach hedge trimmer on the market with this model. It’s a high-quality machine with reliable features that make it easier to use, such as the automatic adjusting of the blade speed.
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5. VonHaus Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
Best value for money
- Assembly takes just 2 minutes and doesn’t require any tools
- At 3.8kg, this hedge trimmer is very lightweight yet feels nicely balanced
- Has a secondary D-handle for better manoeuvrability
- The dual-action blades cut quickly and are great for shaping a hedge
- The cutting head tilts to 10 different angles, which is more than what you get with most other hedge trimmers
- A 2.0aH battery gives you about 45 minutes of runtime, which is pretty good for a small battery!
- Much quieter than hedge trimmers powered by mains electricity or petrol
- Its 244cm reach isn’t as long as many of the other hedge trimmers on the market
- Blade teeth spacing is just 14mm, although the machine is still able to handle branches that are slightly thicker than this
- Max. Width
- 14 mm
- Max. Pole Length
- 2.44 m
- Weight
- 3.8 kg
- Run Time
- 50 mins
- Charging Time
- 60 mins
- Power
- 20 V
- Rotation
- 135°
- Blade Length
- 45 cm
- Shoulder Strap
- Yes
- Safety Trigger
- Yes
- Battery Included
- Yes
- Design
- 4
- Performance
- 4
- Power
- 5
- Noise
- 5
- Safety
- 5
- Value for Money
- 5
Loved for their extensive range of home and garden tools, VonHaus is known for being an affordable yet reliable brand, making it no surprise that their Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer With Extendable Reach is a bestseller. Quick to assemble and easy to use, even hedge trimming newbies would feel comfortable using this tool.
Having said that, as a professional landscaper, it’s one that I would turn to as well.
Although its reach is just 244cm, which is one of the shortest of the hedge trimmers that I tested, its lightweight nature (only 3.8kg) makes it extremely easy to manoeuvre. The 10 different settings that you can tilt the head to helps with this as well, as does the incredibly sharp 45cm blade. It was able to slice through even thicker branches with ease, often far more effectively than some of the higher-end models out there.
For me, the only downside was its lack of reach. 244cm would be sufficient if your hedges aren’t too tall, but this wasn’t long enough to reach the tops of my beech hedges, or the fruit trees that I used it to prune. There are models out there that have a longer reach, but these also tend to be more top-heavy and unbalanced, so you’ll need to decide which is most important to you.
Reach aside, I was very pleased with the power behind this machine. You get about 45 minutes of runtime with a 2.0aH battery, which is actually pretty impressive!
Even better, this isn’t an overly noisy machine either – it’s ideal if you need to trim a hedge that’s in close proximity to your neighbours.
VonHaus has included some key safety features in the design of this hedge trimmer too, which, again, makes it suitable for both novices and professionals.
All in all, this hedge trimmer offers fantastic value for money. It comes with a battery and charger, along with a two-year warranty, although, in my opinion, the quality of this product is high enough that I don’t foresee the warranty being needed!
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6. Einhell GC-HH 9048 Electric Long Reach Hedge Trimmer[ SAVE 10% ]
Best corded model
- Quick and easy to put together
- The extension pole is optional, meaning that if your hedges aren’t too tall, you can use the machine without the pole to make it lighter and easier to balance
- Provides a maximum reach of 260cm, which is longer than many of the other hedge trimmers out there
- The rear handle can be twisted into different positions to make it easier to manoeuvre the machine
- The cutting head can be angled into 7 positions, making it so easy to slice through branches growing at awkward angles
- Comes with a secondary D-handle that can be adjusted
- An extremely powerful hedge trimmer that cuts through thick branches with ease
- Weighs 5.1kg, which feels quite heavy after you’ve been holding the hedge trimmer up for a while
- The electric cable may be 10m long, but chances are that you’ll still need to use an extension lead
- Very loud and will very likely annoy your neighbours!
- Max. Width
- 20 mm
- Max. Pole Length
- 2.6 m
- Weight
- 5.1 kg
- Run Time
- n/a
- Charging Time
- n/a
- Power
- 240 V
- Rotation
- Not Listed
- Blade Length
- 48 cm
- Shoulder Strap
- Yes
- Safety Trigger
- Yes
- Battery Included
- n/a
- Design
- 5
- Performance
- 5
- Power
- 5
- Noise
- 3
- Safety
- 3
- Value for Money
- 5
Einhell prides itself on showcasing high-quality German design when it comes to their garden tools, and all of the Einhell tools that I’ve used in the past have definitely set themselves apart from the competition (in a good way!). So, I had high hopes for the Einhell GC-HH 9048 Electric Long-Reach Hedge Trimmer, even though I was going to be tackling some very overgrown hedges and trees with it.
Assembling this hedge trimmer is simple – just like the others that I tested, it only takes a couple of minutes and you probably won’t need the instructions. As you put it together, you’ll notice that the extension pole is optional, allowing you to use the machine at a shorter 210cm or extended out to 260cm. The blade’s 41cm cutting length may not be as long as some of the others out there, but the 7 positions that you can rotate the cutting head to, along with the rotating rear handle and adjustable secondary D-handle, more than make up for this.
I first put this hedge trimmer to the test on a very overgrown beech hedge. It sliced through every part of that hedge with ease, leaving behind a very clean finish. I then moved on to some sycamore and plum trees that I would usually use a pole saw for, but this hedge trimmer saved me from having to swap tools. It did need a little persuasion on the thicker branches, but it still got the job done well!
This was partly due to its sheer power. Compared to the cordless hedge trimmers that I tested, this corded one, at 900W, was so much more powerful. It promises an impressive 2000 cuts per minute – I don’t know if it actually delivered on this, but it definitely made fast work of what could have otherwise been a time-consuming task.
Of course, the power that this machine provides means that you compromise when it comes to noise. This is definitely not a quiet hedge trimmer. Beware, if your neighbours are trying to enjoy the outdoors, this may cause conflict!
In terms of safety, this machine comes with the standard features. However, the ineffective shoulder strap does make the hedge trimmer’s weight tiring to balance, and the black electric cable isn’t easy to see when it’s covered by long grass and hedge clippings. It also restricts your maneuverability too of course. So if you’re accident-prone, this may not be the hedge trimmer for you!
However, there’s no denying that this hedge trimmer offers amazing value for money. It’s one of the least expensive on the market, yet its power is impressive. It may be heavy, but it’s also a heavy-duty machine. If you’re looking for a high-performance long-reach hedge trimmer that’s capable of tackling more than just hedges without leaving too big a hole in your bank account, then the Einhell GC-HH is it!
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7. Yard Force 20V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer[ SAVE 17% ]
Best for smaller pruning jobs
- Lightweight which makes it easier to hold for longer periods
- D-shaped handle gives good grip and make the telescopic hedge trimmer easy to manoeuvre
- One of the easiest hedge trimmers to pick up and use for small odd jobs around the garden
- Powerful enough for small/medium jobs like trimming back conifer hedges
- Easy to control thanks to light weight and more compact size
- Doesn't have as long a reach as many pole trimmers (reaches to 2.5 m)
- Can't cut through thicker branches and is only suitable for lighter jobs
- No shoulder strap included for distributing the weight, although it's already light
- Max. Width
- 14 mm
- Max. Pole Length
- 2.56 m
- Weight
- 3.8 kg
- Run Time
- 40 mins
- Charging Time
- 60 mins
- Power
- 20 V
- Rotation
- 135°
- Blade Length
- 41cm
- Shoulder Strap
- No
- Safety Trigger
- Yes
- Battery Included
- Yes
- Design
- 4
- Performance
- 4
- Power
- 4
- Noise
- 3.5
- Safety
- 4
- Value for Money
- 4.5
The bright orange garden tool brand Yard Force might not be the most well-known name out there, but they certainly know how to make one of the best lightweight pole hedge trimmers on the market. Boasting a 20-volt battery system, and clever space-saving features, the Yard Force 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer is a brilliant, lightweight pole trimmer that’s ideal for smaller garden pruning jobs.
Due to this trimmer’s one-piece folding body and ultralight frame, I’ve reached for it more than the rest for any odd jobs around the garden.
The reach isn’t anywhere as long as some of the competition, at just over 2.5 metres, and the blade isn’t the biggest either, but it depends what you need it for. Compared to the big beefy hedge pole trimmers I’ve tested, this one is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and still packs a reasonable punch.
I’m a big fan of the “D” shaped front handle, it makes this light long reach hedge trimmer even easier to get into the right cutting position. The cutting head can also be adjusted through 135° which makes it ideal for delicate shaping work as well as rough hedge cutting.
It’s a shame that it doesn’t come with a shoulder strap, but I still think it’s one of the best cordless pole hedge trimmers for small gardens. It’s easy to manoeuvre, comfortable to hold, and still relatively powerful. All good points in my book, especially for light ‘odd jobs’.
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Product Testers
In our quest to find the best long reach telescopic hedge trimmers, we tested a selection of hedge trimmers, considering a range of important criteria to ensure we identify top-performing models. Our testing process included various aspects: design, performance, power noise, safety, and value for money. Here is an overview of how we evaluated these categories:
- Design: We examined the design and adjustability of the telescopic pole and handle, assessing how well they cater to different user heights and reach requirements. Those that offered a large extendable range up to 3 m were marked highest, as these were able to tackle anything from small to tall hedges. We assessed each trimmer’s balance and manoeuvrability, identifying whether the product felt well-balanced and had an adjustable shoulder strap to aid manoeuvrability.
- Performance: Cutting capability is important when it comes to a trimmer’s performance. We tested our trimmers on various hedge types and sizes, including dense and woody growth. As we went, we evaluated the quality and precision of the cuts. A trimmer’s blade length is important for the tool’s versatility and performance over large areas – models with a blade length of 43 – 45 cm were given top marks as these could significantly reduce a user’s time. We also inspected the blade material and sharpness to ensure efficient cutting performance – models with hardened steel blades were given the best ratings as these had the perfect combination of durability, sharpness, and resistance to wear and corrosion.
- Power: Hedge trimmers with too little voltage or watts were rated down, as these weren’t powerful enough to tackle some of the more heavy-duty garden jobs. Battery-powered hedge trimmers with 20 V of power were given the best ratings, as these were the most powerful. We also tested cordless models on their battery life – those with a run time of 45 minutes or more were given the best ratings, as this is perfectly suitable for most users.
- Noise: Telescopic hedge trimmers typically range from 80 – 95 dB in noise levels, so any models that produced more than this were rated down. Exceptionally quiet models were given higher marks in this category, as these models ensure you don’t annoy your neighbours!
- Safety: Weight is an important factor of safety, as tools that are too heavy can cause injuries or be unsuitable for less able-bodied people. Trimmers that weighed less than 3.5 kg were given higher marks, and those that accounted for additional weight with a shoulder strap were rated higher. In all mains-powered models, safety was also a top priority, as the power cord can pose a safety risk. However, models with a 10 m cable are sufficiently safe, so these were given better marks.
- Value for Money: We assessed each product’s value for money based on their combination of features, performance, power, efficiency, and safety. Those that ticked the most boxes for all of these categories whilst staying good value were given the best ratings.
Compare Product Features
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature you want to see.
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Pole Hedge Trimmer
- 4.8
- 18 mm
- 2.9 m
- 4.6 kg
- 40 mins
- 60 mins
- 18 V
- 115°
- 45 cm
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Greenworks G40PSHK2 Cordless 2-in-1 Pole Hedge Trimmer
- 4.9
- 18 mm
- 2.4 m
- 5.7 kg
- 45 mins
- 120 mins
- 40 V
- 105°
- 51cm
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Worx WG252E.9 18V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
- 4.5
- 16 mm
- 2.8 m
- 3 kg
- Battery not included
- Battery not included
- 18 V
- 180°
- 45 cm
- Yes
- Yes
- No
Bosch Universal Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer 18
- 4.9
- 16 mm
- 2.6 m
- 3.6 kg
- 40 mins
- 60 mins
- 18 V
- 135°
- 43 cm
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
VonHaus Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
- 4.7
- 14 mm
- 2.44 m
- 3.8 kg
- 50 mins
- 60 mins
- 20 V
- 135°
- 45 cm
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Einhell GC-HH 9048 Electric Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
- 4.3
- 20 mm
- 2.6 m
- 5.1 kg
- n/a
- n/a
- 240 V
- Not Listed
- 48 cm
- Yes
- Yes
- n/a
Yard Force 20V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer
- 4
- 14 mm
- 2.56 m
- 3.8 kg
- 40 mins
- 60 mins
- 20 V
- 135°
- 41cm
- No
- Yes
- Yes
How to Choose The Best Long Reach Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
Telescopic hedge trimmers make it easier to cut tall hedges without using a ladder.
They reduce the time spent on hedge cutting, because you don’t have to waste precious minutes repositioning ladders; plus, their extendable pole handle makes it possible to reach more of the hedge from ground level.
Telescopic pole hedge trimmers also tend to have adjustable ‘head’ positions, so you can cut at several different angles too.
Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of variation between telescopic pole hedge trimmers, so it can help to know about the different styles before choosing which to buy.
READ NEXT: The UK’s Best Hedge Trimmers
Cordless Hedge Trimmers vs Mains Powered Hedge Trimmers
A hedge trimmer can be powered by either petrol or batteries (in the case of a cordless hedge trimmer). There are pros and cons to each, and then there are mains-powered trimmers as well, which have their own benefits and disadvantages.
READ NEXT: The Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers
Petrol-Powered Pole Hedge Trimmers
The UK’s best petrol hedge trimmers are very powerful, they can generally cut through thicker stems and branches than electric-powered models, and they’re suitable for tougher jobs.
However, unless you have a lot of large, overgrown hedges and trees in your garden, you probably won’t require a petrol hedge trimmer for standard garden maintenance.
They can be very heavy, and quite unwieldy due to the long pole and heavy motor. Plus, combusting petrol fuel is considered worse for the environment than using electricity.
Cordless Hedge Trimmers
A cordless hedge trimmer will be lighter and easier to manage than a petrol trimmer, although they generally don’t have quite the same strength.
For the most part, a battery-powered hedge trimmer will be suitable for standard gardening jobs including regular hedge maintenance and reducing overgrown treetops. If you need to cut back a lot of thick hedge, they may struggle.
They have the advantage of being relatively light weight, although this can vary somewhat between models. Some battery-powered pole trimmers weigh as little as 3 kg, whilst other can weigh over 5 kg.
The main advantages of cordless hedge trimmers are their manoeuvrability and their weight. They can be taken anywhere because you’re not tethered to a plug, and they can be used for prolonged periods without causing fatigue.
Of course, the main disadvantage is that the battery will run out eventually. The batteries on long reach hedge trimmers will usually last for around 30 minutes, although some models may last for slightly longer, or for less time.
Checking hedge trimmer customer reviews is a reliable way to find out how long the tool’s battery lasts in the real world (as opposed to how long the manufacturer states it will last).
Mains-Powered Pole Hedge Trimmers
Whilst also not as powerful as petrol hedge trimmers, mains-powered options usually pack a bit more punch than battery-powered models.
They tend to offer a middle ground in terms of power.
Whilst better for the environment than petrol-powered trimmers, mains-powered tools have one clear disadvantage: you’re tethered to the electricity socket.
This can make them less versatile, especially if you have a large garden. Extension cables may have to be used, depending on the length of the cord provided.
On the plus side, there is no battery that might run out, no fumes being emitted, and no need to stop a job until it is complete. This can offer peace of mind to some gardeners.
READ NEXT: How to Remove a Hedge
Telescopic Extension Range
The telescopic extension range of a trimmer will give an idea of how much ‘reach’ you can achieve.
The trimmers featured on this page have extension ranges between 2.4 and 2.9 m.
This is how long the hedge trimmer itself extends to, but their ‘range’ includes the length of your own arm on top of that.
Standard hedges tend to be approximately 2 m tall, so an extension range of around 2.4 m is generally adequate. Having a longer trimmer will give more flexibility in terms of what job you can do – especially if you want to reach trees too.
By nature, pole trimmers which extend to longer lengths have the potential to be slightly more unwieldy as you need to control something that is further away from you.
One further thing to consider when buying a telescopic hedge trimmer is how small it compacts down. Most telescopic trimmers, even when not extended, can still be quite long (somewhere in the region of 170 cm).
This may make them harder to use for more ‘everyday’ hedge trimming, when the extension isn’t required. So, either look for a manageable ‘un-extended’ length, or consider having a separate trimmer for close-range jobs.
Battery Life
Battery-powered cordless trimmers range in their battery-life capacity.
In general, you want to be looking for a hedge trimmer with battery life of at least 30 minutes to give you a good amount of time to get your hedge trimming done. Some models can only achieve around 20 minutes, whilst others might get around an hour.
Models with a long battery life can be more expensive, but it’s often good advice to spend slightly more at the start rather than end up frustrated with a trimmer that cuts out after 20 minutes.
Interchangeable Batteries
If you already have tools of a certain make, see if their batteries are interchangeable.
If the batteries are interchangeable, you can buy a trimmer of the same make, and extend the running time of your trimmer by transferring the batteries between compatible products.
Charging the Battery
Charging time can vary, and this is something to be aware of, especially if you don’t have the option of charging a spare battery whilst using the trimmer.
If you know you’re going to have to charge the battery partway through the job, a shorter charging time will be useful.
Some tools come with ‘fast charge’ chargers, which will usually get the battery charged in around one hour. These are worth looking out for, or buying separately, if it’s important to you.
Trimming Angles
Most long reach hedge trimmers also allow you to adjust the ‘head’ of the trimmer to change the cutting angle.
This is something which is worth looking out for, and a model with 4 – 5 different angle positions will normally be enough to facilitate the majority of jobs.
You’ll find that having access to different cutting angles not only makes cutting the top and sides of the hedge easier, but can also assist in trimming under the hedge too.
How to Use a Telescopic Pole Trimmer
To trim your tall hedges, work upwards from the bottom, using smooth sweeping motions.
Once you’ve neatened up the front of the hedge, turn off the trimmer and angle the blade at 90 degrees. Extend the handle so you can reach the top of the hedges.
You can then trim the top of the hedge from ground level, although it can take a bit of getting used to as you can’t easily see what you’re doing.
The best telescopic pole hedge trimmers have a head that can be set at multiple angles. This should make trimming the tops and undersides of hedges easier. Depending on the look you’re after, you can adjust the blade angle depending on the shape you want.
Assess your work from a distance when finished.
Remember to wear safety goggles or a visor to protect yourself from falling branches. It’s also important to keep on top of maintenance: make sure the trimmer blades are sharp.
If you’re after advice on cutting specific hedges, check out these informative pages on When to Trim Beech Hedge and When to Prune Box Hedges.
Long Reach Telescopic Hedge Trimmer FAQs
For standard maintenance on established hedges, use a hedge trimmer in spring or summer. You should only need to trim them once a year, but you may wish to trim them twice if you want to keep a very neat, pristine shape.
Check for nesting birds before trimming – if there are any, you should leave the hedge in peace until nesting season is over (generally after August).
In short, no. Hedge trimmers are designed to trim back the tips of hedge branches, but not to hack through thick main branches or trees. They aren’t powerful enough for those sorts of tasks.
Most long reach hedge trimmers state the maximum branch thickness that they can cut through. On average this is around 12 mm, but you should check with the model you are using.
According to the law, neighbours can legally report a hedge which is more than 2 m tall. This has been deemed the height where the hedge could likely affect a neighbour’s enjoyment of their own garden.
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