May 2008
Hedge trimmers: Safer, powerful electrics
trimmer Ample power and dual-reciprocating blades helped make the $60 Craftsman 79957 our top-performing electric.
The top gasoline-powered hedge trimmers are still fastest at buzzing through thick, dense shrubs. But this year's best plug-in
trimmers perform nearly as well, cost far less, and offer more safety features.
Wider gaps between the blade teeth helped our top-scoring gas trimmers cut thicker branches and take in more smaller ones with each pass. But the wider spaces also make it more dangerous if you contact the blades. A voluntary Underwriters Laboratory standard requires that the gap on electric trimmers be small enough to keep out a 3/4-inch finger-sized probe. But gas trimmers sold in the U.S., which are used more by landscapers, lack such a standard. Putting both types under one standard would help protect everyone.
Lower prices, less weight, and much less maintenance have helped corded electric hedge trimmers outsell gas models by more than four to one. This year, our top-ranked Craftsman electric also outscored five of our seven gas trimmers, yet costs just $60 compared with $130 or more for most gas-powered models. It also safeguards fingers by requiring two hands on the trimmer for it to operate.
Our tests of 18 hedge trimmers through roughly 10,000 square feet of overgrown hedges also revealed that:
Bigger isn't always better. Our most capable trimmers packed the largest engines and highest amperage and voltage ratings. But two high-scoring gas and two corded electric models out-trimmed several with higher power claims.
Cordless doesn't cut it. The most powerful cordless trimmer couldn't match our wimpiest gas and electric models. That, coupled with run-times from 34 to 45 minutes and recharging periods as long as 24 hours, makes cordless models suited to only the lightest-duty work.
Even corded models are loud. Gas-powered hedge trimmers ranged from 97 to 103 decibels at ear level. But even the plug-in electric trimmers were as much as 6 decibels above the 85 dBAs at which we recommend hearing protection.
Wider gaps between the blade teeth helped our top-scoring gas trimmers cut thicker branches and take in more smaller ones with each pass. But the wider spaces also make it more dangerous if you contact the blades. A voluntary Underwriters Laboratory standard requires that the gap on electric trimmers be small enough to keep out a 3/4-inch finger-sized probe. But gas trimmers sold in the U.S., which are used more by landscapers, lack such a standard. Putting both types under one standard would help protect everyone.
Lower prices, less weight, and much less maintenance have helped corded electric hedge trimmers outsell gas models by more than four to one. This year, our top-ranked Craftsman electric also outscored five of our seven gas trimmers, yet costs just $60 compared with $130 or more for most gas-powered models. It also safeguards fingers by requiring two hands on the trimmer for it to operate.
Our tests of 18 hedge trimmers through roughly 10,000 square feet of overgrown hedges also revealed that:
Bigger isn't always better. Our most capable trimmers packed the largest engines and highest amperage and voltage ratings. But two high-scoring gas and two corded electric models out-trimmed several with higher power claims.
Cordless doesn't cut it. The most powerful cordless trimmer couldn't match our wimpiest gas and electric models. That, coupled with run-times from 34 to 45 minutes and recharging periods as long as 24 hours, makes cordless models suited to only the lightest-duty work.
Even corded models are loud. Gas-powered hedge trimmers ranged from 97 to 103 decibels at ear level. But even the plug-in electric trimmers were as much as 6 decibels above the 85 dBAs at which we recommend hearing protection.
