Corded electric hedge trimmers may seem like antiquated tools with all the new battery powered hedge trimmers. The best corded electric edge trimmer is the Worx 24 inch 4.5A corded hedge trimmer because it has some cool functionality that swaps the blade around.
But there is definitely still a place for corded electric. In fact, for many folks corded hedge trimmers are better tools than battery-powered trimmers. If you have the right tool, the right job, and the right attitude – these things can be sick.
Let me break it down for you today.
Here’s our ranking of corded hedge trimmers:
- Worx 24 in 4.5 Amp corded hedge trimmer
- Toro 22 in 4 Amp corded hedge trimmer
- Black + Decker 24 in 3.3 Amp corded hedge trimmer
- Black + Decker 22 in 4.0 Amp corded hedge trimmer
- Black + Decker 20 in 2.8 Amp corded hedge trimmer
Corded Hedge Trimmers: Ranked
Now that we know how to evaluate a corded hedge trimmer, let’s jump into the ranking. All of these are GREAT options, but we ranked them according to our experience with having cords yanked out, getting wrists hurt, and accidentally cutting off shrubs. Basically – we learned the hard way.
Worx 24 inch 4.5 Amp Corded Hedge Trimmer
A total surprise to us, but the best corded electric hedge trimmer is the Worx 24 inch 4.5 Amp hedge trimmer. I say this as a surprise because Worx isn’t the most famous brand in the world. But they have a super niche market that they dominate – corded electric. It’s really between Worx and Black and Decker for the best corded electric lawn tools.
Worx has a few others we really like, including their standing leaf mulcher – basically a blender on stilts.
But the WORX 24 inch corded hedge trimmer has all the things we like in one of these, plus a few bells and whistles. Let me break it down:
- Perfect length at 24 inches
- Dual action blades – this is standard on most hedge trimmers now and basically just means the blades move up and down in both directions, increasing efficiency
- Extremely light at only seven pounds
- Has an in-line motor – which basically means the motor is in line with the handle and not off to the side. This makes it basically feel like a big sword instead of a motor with some blades coming out.
- Rotating cutting head – means you can rotate the entire set of blades sideways on either side, making it easy to handle when doing precision cutting. This is a unique feature to this hedge trimmer and is a big reason why it ranked number one.
So this is basically a flippin’ sweet hedge trimmer with the basics plus all the bells and whistles. And I haven’t even gotten to the best part.
The whole thing is well under $100 and can be bought at Home Depot for an insane price. You can also buy it on Amazon, but it looks to be a little more expensive over there.
Toro 22 in 4 Amp corded hedge trimmer
Toro is also establishing itself in the electric game despite being a household name in just about every other category. Toro makes some awesome mowers, which we have reviewed extensively.
But they knocked it out of the park with this hedge trimmer as well. When I think of Toro, I usually think of quality. They definitely are consistent with that here as well.
One thing I like about the Toro 22 inch corded hedge trimmer is that it has a heck of a lot of power. It cuts through branches up to ½ an inch thick, which comes in handy when you’re doing your shrub pruning at the beginning of the year. In my experience with weaker corded hedge trimmers, when you come across a thicker branch it kind of gets stuck on it and is unable to cut it.
Then the bush starts shaking, then the tool, then you. And you have to go grab a big pruner or something to take care of the rest of it. The whole experience sucks.
This corded electric hedge trimmer also has a cord lock system that ties the extension cord into the tool, so no random unplugging when you reach for the top of a bush. It comes in even lighter than the Worx one above.
I ranked this one number two because it is slightly shorter, doesn’t have the cool rotating blades, and is a tad more expensive – but it is still easily one of the best corded hedge trimmers out there.
This one is also available at Home Depot for a really good price or on Amazon, where the price is also extremely low (I would check both to compare as they go on sale often)
Black + Decker 24 in 3.3 Amp corded hedge trimmer
Like I said, Black and Decker has some great hedge trimmers – it is kind of their bread and butter. This one is ranked in third place because it has all of the right characteristics of a good corded hedge trimmer, but is simply more expensive than the others.
At 24 inches and 3.3 Amps of power, there’s nothing wrong! It can even cut branches around ¾ of an inch thick. Additionally, it’s got the inline motor, just like Worx did with theirs. This makes it almost like a wand trimmer, except handheld and lightweight.
It’s also got a cord retainer, nice soft-grip handles, and comes in at 6.5 lbs.
It’s a great hedge trimmer! But it’s no better than either the Worx or the Toro hedge trimmer, and it costs a little over $100. If the price changes on this, which it often does, then it can easily tie our top corded hedge trimmer.
You can watch the price here on Home Depot grab it for a kind of ridiculously unbelievably low price on Amazon here.
Black + Decker 22 in 4.0 Amp corded hedge trimmer
This Black and Decker HT2200 corded electric hedge trimmer is just like the one above, except it has a slightly smaller cutting length and a tiny bit more power.
The crazy thing about this one is that it is around $50. People – $50 for a corded electric hedge trimmer is freaking unreal.
If you are a first time homeowner and spent your savings on the down payment and furnishing your house, this is an amazing budget lawn tool that will get you through the first few years (or more) of home ownership. This thing is a freaking DEAL.
This one is on the list because of how inexpensive it is – it can be bought at Home Depot online and shipped straight to your house in like 2 days.
Black + Decker 20 in 2.8 Amp corded hedge trimmer
Last but not least is the Black and Decker 20 inch hedge trimmer with saw blade tip. It’s kind of like a swiss army knife lawn tool in that it can cut normal hedges, shrubs, bushes, and small branches – but also has a saw tip that can cut through 1.5 inch thick branches (or more if you are determined).
If you’ve ever played the game Gears of War, then you may be reminded of the crazy gun that had a chainsaw at the end. This is the modern dad’s version of this and can definitely get your imagination going. Another equivalent is the musket with bayonet.
This one is cool because it has all the things we love:
- Nicemotor
- Wrap around handle
- 20 inch blades (a little on the small side)
- A wine bottle opener (just kidding)
It is a really cool tool that comes in at a great price and is the most popular corded electric hedge trimmer bought at Home Depot.
You can check the price of it at Home Depot (it goes on sale a lot), but a good deal is anything under $100.
The Bottom Line on Corded Hedge Trimmers
Some of us aren’t obsessed with battery-powered everything. In fact, it gets annoying when the batteries die and you have to sit and recharge them. The power on corded electric never runs out unless you stop paying the bill (learned from experience).
There are some great ones out there – but we recommend a 24 inch, easy to use (inline motor and rubber grips), and lightweight hedge trimmer. Any on this list will get the job done.
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What to look for in a corded hedge trimmer
Corded hedge trimmers are a great addition to any homeowner’s toolkit. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they also offer a number of advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. However, with so many different models on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a corded hedge trimmer:
Length of hedge trimmer
Corded hedge trimmers come in a variety of lengths, from small handheld models to larger units that can reach up to several feet. Choose the size that is best suited for your needs. I like 24 inch hedge trimmers because they have length and power while still being relatively nimble.
Ease of use
Corded hedge trimmers should be easy to operate, with comfortable handles and simple controls. Look for a model that is lightweight and easy to maneuver. I also keep an eye out for corded hedge trimmers that accommodate the extension cord by having something that keeps it from getting unplugged.
Cost
Corded hedge trimmers often are less expensive than cordless hedge trimmers. They don’t have the battery attached which saves quite a bit of money, but you do need to have a good extension cord.
You can get a very good corded electric hedge trimmer for around $100, often less. Keep that in mind when searching for a new one.
With these factors in mind, you’ll be sure to find the perfect cordless hedge trimmer for your garden.