Black + Decker Archives - The Lawn Review

February 28, 2023April 3, 2024

5 Corded Electric Hedge Trimmers For Pristine Bushes

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.

Press the button on the side to rotate the hedge trimmer.

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.

I’ve had this bad boy for…longer than I can remember.

With these factors in mind, you’ll be sure to find the perfect cordless hedge trimmer for your garden.

January 27, 2022April 1, 2024

We Bought & Compared Worx and Black & Decker String Trimmers

Worx and Black + Decker are two super popular string trimmers for folks like you and me on a budget. The WORX GT Revolution is a better overall weed eater for homeowners, but the Black and Decker comes in at a lower price point.

The Black and Decker can turn on its side with a wheel.

The WORX GT Revolution and Black and Decker 14 inch weed eater are two of the best budget-friendly and lightweight weed eaters you can buy. Let’s break down which is better for you.

Jump ahead using the below links:

Comfort comparison between Worx and Black and Decker
Which has better battery use?
Actually using the Worx vs the Black and Decker trimmers
Cost comparison
The Winner: Worx GT Revolution
Weed Eaters 101

Feature comparison

Now that we understand what we are looking for, we can roll up our sleeves and compare these two. Let’s start with comfort.

Worx is a more comfortable trimmer than Black & Decker

As mentioned previously, comfort is super important in a string trimmer. You frankly have to hold the trimmer at a weird angle, which ends up torqueing my upper back.

Both of these trimmers have adjustable handles, meaning you can change the ANGLE but not the LOCATION of the handle. Changing the location would be ideal, but changing the angle will get you close enough.

Let me show you the below picture and ask you: which do you think is more comfortable?

The battery beneath the handle on the Worx, but behind the handle on the Black + Decker.

While the Black and Decker handle looks more like a typical power drill handle, it’s actually going to give you more problems than the Worx trimmer. You see, the battery location being at the very tip of the handle means that it is going to weigh that end down. This then forces your other arm to push down on the handle (which is super close), and causes you to pull up on the trigger.

This action-counteraction is normal, but starts to really wear down your back when you are trimming over a long period of time or being particularly meticulous. Frankly, it makes it hard to control.

The Worx battery is just under the handle, which is still going to cause the action-counteraction we saw in the Black and Decker, but to a lesser degree.

The more comfortable string trimmer is the Worx GT Revolution.

Black and Decker has more tools to use with the batteries

Let me get this out of the way right now – battery life is super hard to measure in tools like these. So instead, I am going to talk about batteries more broadly.

Worx and Black and Decker both have 20V batteries with 2 Amp Hours (measure of power). They are going to be very similar in battery life and power output – so no concern there.

One area that you want to be sure to watch out for is how many other products you can swap out the battery for. Work has a ton of other products that use the same battery, but honestly – Black and Decker might be the best in the game at this.

Black + Decker has power tools, lawn tools, and even home cleaning tools that all can take the 20V battery used on this trimmer. That means one plug, one charger, and you’re good to go.

Worx is growing their line, but doesn’t quite have the scale or the dominance in this space that Black and Decker has had for decades.

The advantage here is clear: Black and Decker wins this round.

The Worx String Trimmer has some cool advantages

Something neat about both of these trimmers is that they come with a funny looking wheel on the top. Well, the wheel isn’t just for toying around with – it can serve as a guide wheel for a relatively light-duty edger.

While most edgers come with a big metal blade, much of the simpler jobs can be done with the normal string trimmer. Simply turn the tool on its side, let the wheel balance, and let it rip. This will give you nice, clean lines around your driveway or sidewalk.

One thing that gives Worx a *slight* advantage in this category is the brush guard that it has.

The trimmer head on the Worx string trimmer with a collapsible brush-guard.

This metal thing is collapsable, so when you convert it from a string trimmer to an edger, simply push it in and keep going. The metal brush guard helps you from running the string into brick or wood that quickly deteriorates the integrity of the trimmer line.

Price comparison

The Worx WG163 GT trimmer is for sale right now for a super low price. It includes two batteries and a charger as well.

The Black and Decker is on sale for even less here. This comes with one battery – but can also use the battery from any of the Black and Decker tools you might already own.

The overall review: Worx vs Black and Decker String Trimmer

We have reviewed the comfort, battery life, usability, and price of the Worx string trimmer and the Black + Decker string trimmer that we thought was super light. I’ve gotta say – this is one of the tougher comparisons I have done.

Overall, I think the Worx is the better tool. BUT is it $30 better? It depends. If you already have a Worx piece of equipment and can reuse the battery, I say go with Worx.

If you are completely new to battery powered cordless lawn equipment, then I would grab the Black + Decker for a lower price. Once you have the battery, then this will help you as you choose your next set of tools.

Why we review string trimmers

Worx and Black and Decker: A history

A LOT of people are buying these trimmers – and for a good reason (we will get to that in a minute).

Something that many of you may be scratching your head around is….what is Worx? It isn’t quite the household name that Dewalt, John Deere, or some of the other big name brands. Worx has quietly been creeping into the marketplace and has found their niche in electric lawn tools.

Black + Decker is also a ubiquitous household name. Virtually every garage has some sort of Black and Decker tool stored away in it. One of the first tools I owned was a Black and Decker power drill that I still use to this day.

To add more confusion, these two brands even have the same color scheme. And to take things even further (!), the color scheme is the same as Home Depot. I mean, c’mon people, get it together.

Check out our full review of the WORX WG163 GT 3.0 AKA the “Revolution” here.

What to look for in a string trimmer

I have an electric string trimmer. It’s a Ryobi 40V string trimmer that can handle attachments and it gets the job done. But I have had some ups and downs and learned things the hard way.

As someone who didn’t grow up with a green thumb, I am a self-taught lawn tool expert. Which means I have made a lot of mistakes and wasted a LOT of money. You don’t have to be like me – so check out what to know before you buy.

Make sure you buy a tool that has a battery that fits other tools
- Why waste time and wall space with a million different batteries in your garage? Simply flip the same one in and out and get on your merry way.
Comfort is king – find a trimmer that has some adaptability with the handles to tailor it to your fit
- I am very, very tall. The mixture of my height with the weird, stiff handle on my Ryobi 40V means that I often finish trimming in pain. Don’t do that.
Find a trimmer with easy-to-advance trimmer line.
- This means when you inevitably lose some of the trimmer line, you can easily bring out more trimmer line without having to slow down too much.

If you’re looking to upgrade your weed eater, make sure you right-size your weed eater string.