Buying guide for Best Black+Decker hedge trimmers
With today’s advanced and increasingly versatile hedge trimmers from BLACK+DECKER, there’s no reason to wait to trim the hedges, trees, and bushes around your house. You can get them done easily and quickly and then move on to living your life. Today’s hedge trimmers are all about convenience and saving you time and energy.
In addition to saving you elbow grease, a hedge trimmer can also save fuel by using clean electricity, whether from a lithium-ion battery or extension cord. Small electric tools are also lighter, easier to start, and much, much quieter than gasoline-powered ones. If you do have to wait until later in the day to do your trimming, you won’t bother the neighbors when you’re using an electric hedge trimmer.
There are a lot of options, though. BLACK+DECKER has a huge line of hedge trimmers and choosing the right one can be a challenge. Keep reading our buying guide, and check out our favorites, and we’ll guide you to your final decision.
Key considerations
Yard size
The larger your yard, the more likely it is that you have trees or shrubs that need trimming (very few people have giant properties that are only grass). The size of your yard has an impact on which hedge trimmer you need.
If you buy a corded model, 100 feet is the practical limit for the recommended extension cord length. Eventually, the weight of the extension cord will offset the advantages of using a lightweight hedge trimmer. The other problem is voltage drop from the increased resistance. With a cord longer than 100 feet, your hedge trimmer may not receive the power it needs to operate correctly.
Age of vegetation
If your house is new, the yard isn’t likely to have many large trees or shrubs. In that case, a smaller hedge trimmer with an 18-inch blade and a smaller, less-powerful motor should be sufficient for your needs.
If your house is older, it may have larger, mature trees and shrubs with thicker branches. In that case, you need a bigger, stronger hedge trimmer to cut through them. Before buying a hedge trimmer, inspect your property. If the branches that need trimming have a diameter larger than 1/2 inch, get a bigger hedge trimmer.
BLACK+DECKER hedge trimmer features
Steel, plastic, and rubberized grips on the handles are standard materials on all BLACK+DECKER hedge trimmers. They are also the company’s distinctive orange and black. Your main choice in choosing a hedge trimmer is whether you want corded or cordless.
Cordless vs. corded
Cordless: The convenience of a battery-powered hedge trimmer is evident in its flexibility. You can take it anywhere and reach into tangled shrubbery without fear of catching an extension cord on branches. If you have a large lot, or you need to trim shrubbery far from an electrical outlet, a battery-operated hedge trimmer is ideal.
BLACK+DECKER cordless hedge trimmers run off a lithium-ion battery. Most battery-powered trimmers come with one battery and one charger. Battery technology has improved over the years and can now store enough power to run a hedge trimmer for as long as two hours on a charge. It usually takes less than an hour to recharge the battery. If you have two batteries, the one that’s charging will be fully charged and ready to go before the one in the trimmer runs out of power. This allows you to cut almost without stopping until the job is done.
Corded: Corded hedge trimmers that run off AC power need an extension cord (but note the caution about length in the section above). You have continuous power, which means for big jobs you don’t have to stop to swap batteries or wait for the battery to charge. Corded hedge trimmers also weigh less than battery-powered ones. They’re easier to maneuver and hold for long periods of time.
Accessories
Replacement 40V battery: Biswaye Replacement BLACK+DECKER 40V Lithium Battery
This is a good option if you have a cordless hedge trimmer that uses a 40-volt battery. Check the specifications to make sure it’s compatible with your model.
Replacement 20V battery: BLACK+DECKER Replacement 20V MAX Lithium Battery
If your hedge trimmer uses a 20V battery, BLACK+DECKER sells extras for a reasonable price with a two-year warranty.
Extension cord: AmazonBasicsExtension Cord
If you have a corded hedge trimmer, you’ll need an extension cord. This highly visible 100-foot cord is abrasion, moisture, and UV resistant.
BLACK+DECKER hedge trimmer prices
Inexpensive
You can find cordless BLACK+DECKER hedge trimmers that don’t include a battery or charger for $40 to $60. These are intended for people who already have other cordless equipment by the company that uses the same battery as the hedge trimmer. Corded BLACK+DECKER hedge trimmers start around $30 to $45. They’re usually about $10 to $15 cheaper than cordless models due to their lower assembly costs.
Mid-range
Cordless hedge trimmers that include a battery and charger cost between $60 and $110. Corded models with such features as extended blades and rotating handles for maneuverability are in the $45 to $70 range.
Expensive
Top-of-the-line cordless hedge trimmers cost more than $110, while the corded models that cost more than $70 are considered to be some of the best in their line.
Tips
- Trim between hedges and buildings. You want to leave a gap large enough for you to fit in. Trimming this area will help prevent the accumulation of dry vegetation that can create a fire hazard.
- Keep two hands on the hedge trimmer. It’s safer than using one hand and it gives you greater control to prevent injury.
- Never use electrical equipment in the rain. Even the best-shielded tools present a hazard to anyone using them in wet conditions.
- Oil the blades. Lubricate the blades with a light machine oil so they move smoothly.
- Clean the blades with a brush after each use. This prevents any buildup of dirt and debris that could cause the blades to jam.
FAQ
Q. How long has BLACK+DECKER been making electric hedge trimmers?
A. The company entered the hedge trimmer market in 1957 with electric lawn edgers and hedge trimmers for homeowners.
Q. How often should the blades on a hedge trimmer be sharpened?
A. As a general rule of thumb, hedge trimmers should be sharpened after approximately 50 hours of use. If you wait longer than that, the blades will become too dull to cut efficiently, and the motor will have to work harder.
Q. How should the blades be sharpened?
A. The first step is to position the blades, so they’re directly aligned with each other. Next, use a mill file and make downward strokes along the edge of each tooth in turn. Never use a back-and-forth motion when sharpening the blades.
