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Get this offerWhich hedge trimmer brand to buy in 2024
We survey owners of hedge trimmers from the likes of Bosch, Gtech, Ryobi and Stihl to find out which develop the least faults over time, and which brands customers would recommend.
If your corded hedge trimmer develops a fault, it's most likely to be an electric failure. The most common fault in petrol models is that the engine stops turning over, while for cordless hedge trimmers it's that the battery won't hold its charge.
Owners of cordless and corded electric hedge trimmers also experienced a problem with the blades breaking - a major issue that would mean you'd need to repair, or even replace, your hedge trimmer. Knowing which brands develop the most faults, and how quickly, is vital when buying a new hedge trimmer.
Our data is based on a survey conducted in January 2022. We gathered feedback from 3,151 hedge trimmer owners to find out how many models remained fault-free in the first seven years of ownership. Brands with insufficient sample sizes were not included.
In our latest analysis, we've looked at the performance of the biggest hedge trimmer manufacturers – including Bosch, Gtech, Ryobi and Stihl – and have calculated a customer score for each, so you know which brands to choose and which to avoid.
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Best vs worst hedge trimmer brands compared
| Best | Worst | |
|---|---|---|
| Which? test scores | 87% | 44% (Don't Buy) |
| Customer score | 89% | 68% |
Test scores correct as of April 2022. The customer score is based on a survey of hedge trimmer owners combining how satisfied they are with a brand and whether they'd recommend it to a friend. Results from corded, cordless and petrol hedge trimmers are combined.
As the table shows, there's a big difference in both our best and worst Which? test scores and the customer scores from our latest survey.
By consulting our expert hedge trimmer reviews before you buy, you can be sure that you're investing in a trimmer that's easy to use and effective at cutting a variety of hedge types. The best models also stand the test of time, so you won't be dealing with expensive repairs and spare parts.
To see which models performed best in our rigorous lab tests, head over to our best hedge trimmers page.
The most reliable hedge trimmer brands
The table below summarises our latest results. Brands are ranked by their customer score, which relates to whether their customers would recommend that brand.
Only logged-in members can view which brands are the most and least reliable, and which ones members are most satisfied with. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.
Petrol vs corded and cordless electric hedge trimmers
| Brand | Customer score | % fault-free |
|---|---|---|
| 89% | 97% | |
| 86% | 100% | |
| 85% | 98% | |
| 77% | 94% | |
| 77% | 93% | |
| 76% | 95% | |
| 75% | 94% |
The above data is based on a survey of 3,151 Which? members and general public in January 2022 who bought their trimmer between 2015 - 2021. Brands with insufficient sample sizes not included (30 respondents minimum). Fault-free percentage based on respondents not having experienced a fault in the first seven years of ownership. The customer score is based on a survey of hedge trimmer owners combining how satisfied they are with a brand and whether they'd recommend it to a friend. Results from corded, cordless and petrol hedge trimmers combined.
Common hedge trimmer problems
Corded, cordless and petrol hedge trimmers all operate quite differently, so they'll likely encounter different problems.
Top three common corded hedge trimmer faults
- Electrical failure (24%) Only use your hedge trimmer when it's dry or you could damage the motor or have an electric shock.
- Blades broke (13%) Always wipe your hedge trimmer blades with a rag and lubricant after use. It removes sap, prevents rust and keeps the blades in good condition.
- Motor failed (11%) Overuse can cause overheating inside the motor. Let it cool down and try again later.
Top three common cordless hedge trimmer faults
- Battery would not hold charge (27%) Lithium-ion batteries always lose their ability to hold charge eventually. That's why you should always buy a hedge trimmer with a replaceable battery.
- Battery failed to charge (14%) Correct storage can help extend the life of your battery - remove it from the hedge trimmer after use and store it in a dry place at a moderate temperature.
- Motor failed (10%) Overuse can cause overheating inside the motor. Let it cool down and try again later.
Top three common petrol hedge trimmer faults
- Engine wouldn't turn over (29%) This can be due to old oil clogging the machine, a blocked air filter or a damaged spark plug.
- Motor failed (12%) Overuse can cause overheating inside the motor. Let it cool down and try again later
- Blade case broke (10%) If your trimmer is still covered by its manufacturer warranty, contact their customer service team. Otherwise, you can usually buy replacement parts online.
For the best chance of buying a hedge trimmer that doesn't break down, you should choose from one of the more reliable brands in the table above.
Hedge trimmer brands rated
We look at each brand in more detail and give our verdict, including the number of Best Buys it’s received and the average score of its hedge trimmers in our reviews.
Only logged-in members can view the verdicts for each brand. If you’re not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.
Head to our hedge trimmer reviews
Know which hedge trimmer brand you want? Use the links to go straight to our reviews and find your ideal model:
How we calculate the best and worst brands
Which? has a wealth of information on the UK’s favourite garden-tool brands. Every two years, we ask Which? members and the general public to tell us about the garden products they own - from how likely they'd be to recommend a brand, to how reliable the products are once you get them home. This year, 8,881 consumers told us their opinions. We calculate a brand's customer score based on the results of our biennial survey.
Our product experience surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best hedge trimmer you should buy.
View hedge trimmer reviews
