A perfectly trimmed hedge is the cornerstone of any garden but keeping on top of hedge maintenance can be hard work without the right tools. Hedges grow quickly, and if your hedgerows are a fair distance from your property, you will likely find using an electric mains-powered hedge trimmer a chore.
Thankfully, petrol-powered garden tools are readily available and provide a quick and efficient way to handle those larger gardening tasks. We’ve tested the best petrol hedge trimmers available to buy and can give you our verdict. Whether for a home garden or for tending a public garden, these trimmers will get the job done.
Best Petrol Hedge Trimmer Reviews
McColloch HT 5622 Petrol Hedge Trimmer
The McCulloch HT 5622 is a compact and lightweight petrol hedge trimmer that is suited to both small and large gardens. The blade length is measured at 56cm which makes it ideal for hedge rows of average size.
Powered by a 22cc petrol engine, this hedge trimmer does not lack power despite its small size. We found it to be capable of cutting through thick hedge growth that is common with older hedges. Teeth are spaced at 22mm with the blade operating in a dual action motion which provides a clean and precise cut to any hedge branch of any thickness.
The rear handle is ergonomically designed which makes it very comfortable to hold for long periods of time. This handle can also be adjusted for cutting at different angles which increased balance and stability. We especially liked the fact that starting the petrol motor is easy due to the soft start function which makes it up to 40% easier to start than other petrol hedge trimmers.
We wholeheartedly recommend the McCulloch HT 6522 and consider it to be the best petrol hedge trimmer for small to large gardens available for sale in the UK.
Makita EH7500W Hedge Trimmer
The 680w EH7500W is a great petrol hedge trimmer from Makita, equipped with a powerful 22.2cc engine that provides plenty of cutting power.
Its 75cm ‘double blade’ offers increased reach for tall, long and wide hedges with the powerful cutting action suitable for branches and twigs with a diameter of up to 21.5mm.
The included electric start system provides instant starting, while the onboard antivibration system prevents hand and finger fatigue for increased comfort and a reduced risk of injury. The sturdy handle which is located to the rear of the trimmer can be adjusted through 5 settings, allowing you to find the right position for the hedge you’re trimming.
Despite the size and power of this trimmer it weighs only 5.2kg which means that most gardeners shouldn’t have too much trouble using it for extended periods of time.
A great hedge trimmer from a great brand.
McCulloch SuperLite 4528 Petrol Hedge Trimmer
The SuperLite 4528 is the perfect hedge trimmer for light hedge maintenance. It is one of the lightest petrol hedge trimmers we’ve ever tested with a total weight of less than 5kg and its short cutting blade makes it easy to wield.
This 45cm long cutting blade which is powered by a 600w engine provides cuttings speeds of 4050 cuts per minute. It simply slices through small to medium sized hedges and matches the best hedge trimmers available.
The inclusion of a soft start system makes this hedge trimmer much easier to start than most other models with recoil start systems. This results in a reduction in resistance which means that fewer pulls are needed to start the engine. Once fuelled and ready to go, expect this hedge trimmer to make short work of both thick and thin hedge growth thanks to the extra wide blade gap.
The McCulloch SuperLite 4528 is the best petrol hedge trimmer for small gardens or those gardens with limited hedge rows.
Hyundai 26cc 2 Stroke Petrol Hedge Trimmer
Hyundai produce some of the best tools and machinery you can buy, and their petrol hedge trimmers are no different. This model, the Hyundai HYT2622-3, is one of the best hedge trimmers around and one you should consider.
The 2 stroke petrol engine is one of the largest we’ve reviewed at 26cc. This allows it to provide unmatched cutting power making it a great choice for professional landscapers and gardeners or anyone with a large garden. The cutting blade measures in at 72cm and features a double reciprocating action which provides plenty of reach for those gardens with tall and wide hedges.
Thankfully, Hyundai have included antivibration technology with this trimmer which makes it more comfortable to use and reduces the risk of injury when used for longer durations.
For even greater comfort and improved manoeuvrability, you can adjust the handle through several positions which accommodates all users and cutting scenarios.
Einhell GC-PH 2155 Petrol Hedge Trimmer
The Einhell GC-PH 2155 features a 55cm long cutting blade that makes it suitable for both small and medium sized hedges. Powered by a 22cc engine, the counter rotating ‘double cutting’ steel blades have ample power and slice through hedge growth up to 22mm thick, providing a clean cut that leaves hedge rows looking neat and tidy.
Starting the hedge trimmer’s engine is easy thanks to the included quick start system which includes an electronic ignition which reduces resistance and an automatic choke for additional starting assistance.
As you would expect, the handle is adjustable for easier trimming when you encounter difficult angles. In fact, this rear handle swivels through a complete 180° which works perfectly with the front handles to find your ideal position.
Another fantastic petrol hedge trimmer for small to medium sized gardens.
Petrol Hedge Trimmer Buying Guide
Petrol garden tools can seem daunting at first to those who are used to tools powered by electricity. Thankfully, petrol tools are more accessible and easier to use than ever so you should not be put off from buying one.
To help you along your way, we’ve put together this guide so you can buy the best petrol hedge trimmer for your garden.
Hedge Trimmer Comparison
Electric
Often the cheapest, mains powered electric hedge trimmers are common and readily available to buy. They vary in size and specification but often make a good entry into novice gardening.
The advantages are a lighter weight due to no battery, engine or fuel tank but of course you’re tethered to a mains cable which can be inconvenient depending on the layout and size of your garden.
Electric hedge trimmers usually aren’t as powerful as their petrol variants, but this may not be an issue for some gardeners.
Cordless
Cordless hedge trimmers are electric models that are battery powered. The greatest advantage being unrestricted movement and no power cord to accidentally cut through.
They are slightly heavier than corded models, but lightweight lithium batteries are narrowing this gap.
On the flip side, some smaller batteries can provide short run times of up to an hour. Great for small gardens but not for those with several acres. If this is an issue, we recommend going for a hedge trimmer with a bigger battery.
Petrol
Petrol hedge trimmers are powered by a small petrol powered engine. They are fuelled by a mixture of petrol and 2 stroke oil which can either be bought whole or mixed together yourself.
The petrol engine provides unmatched cutting power which makes petrol hedge trimmers the best for thick growth and large hedges. They’re also great for old hedges which tend to have strong, thick branches.
You might have noticed that professional gardeners and landscapers use petrol tools; this is the reason why.
Petrol Hedge Trimmer Features
Blade Length
The length of the blade is important as it affects how quickly you can trim any hedge. Trimming wide hedges is easier with a longer blade as you can create level surfaces and a flap top with a single pass rather than having to make several.
You can also reach the tops of taller hedges with a longer blade, preventing the need to climb too high on a ladder.
Hedge trimmer blade lengths range from 400mm to 700mm so buy the one most suited to the size of your hedges and garden. 400mm to 500mm is perfect for smaller hedges and gardens and above 500mm should be considered for larger hedges and gardens.
Blade Teeth Spacing
The spacing of each cutting tooth on the blade affects how thick a branch the hedge trimmer can cut. Wider gaps between each tooth mean the blade can cut through thicker branches and large hedges with anything 30mm or wider being best for older, mature hedges.
Smaller gaps such as 15mm or 20mm will be suitable for smaller hedges with limited growth as they shouldn’t require as much cutting power.
Motor Size
The size of your hedge trimmer’s motor or engine is directly related to its power output and performance. Larger motors have more power and make light work of heavy-duty trimming tasks. This includes cutting brambles and other types of thick growth and woody weeds.
Its important to note that larger motors also use more fuel. In practice this difference will be small but its something to bear in mind. Larger engines also weigh more so balance these characteristics to find a hedge trimmer suitable for your needs.
Engine capacity is always measured in cubic capacity or cubic centimetres (cc).
Prefer to remove brambles with a brush cutter? Take a look at our brush cutter reviews.
Handling & Ease of Use
Power tools can be heavy which can cause fatigue to set in before you’ve finished gardening. This is especially true of hedge trimmers because they need to be held at high level to cut a hedge properly.
For this reason, you want to buy the lightest hedge trimmer you can find which will let you trim for longer. The bigger your garden, the lighter your petrol hedge trimmer needs to be.
Using a hedge trimmer for the first time can seem daunting. We’ve put together a guide on how to use a hedge trimmer which will hopefully make you feel more comfortable.
Safety
There are of course risks to using any power tools. While not as dangerous as a chainsaw, petrol hedge trimmers still need to be treated with care.
Most hedge trimmers come with several safety features built in such as a kill switch for emergencies and a trigger system that only works when held down.
Look for other features such as wrap around handles for better grip and ergonomics, so you have more control over the trimmer while cutting.
As a final point, we strongly recommend wearing ear protection when using any petrol powered garden tool. This will prevent hearing damage and loss.
Final Verdict
We’ve tested the best petrol hedge trimmers you can buy and have a verdict. The McCulloch HT 5622 is the best petrol hedge trimmer for most gardens and is the model you should buy.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, the other hedge trimmers featured in our petrol hedge trimmer reviews are just as valid and come with our recommendation.
