There’s a moment every spring and autumn when I stand back, coffee in hand, and survey the garden. The lawn is neat, the flowerbeds are prepped, but the hedges… the hedges have become a wild, sprawling entity. They mock me with their shaggy outlines, creeping over paths and threatening to swallow the fence whole. For years, this was a task I dreaded, armed with underpowered, frustrating tools that would jam on anything thicker than a twig, or heavy, cumbersome machines that left my arms aching for days. The battle was less about sculpting a neat hedge and more about surviving the ordeal. A clean, sharp, uniform hedge isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about reclaiming your space, letting light into the garden, and maintaining the health of the plants. Neglect them, and you’re left with a tangled mess that’s twice as hard to tackle next season. This is the exact problem that sends gardeners like us searching for a tool that promises power without the punishing weight—a machine that can make this chore not just bearable, but maybe even satisfying.
- COMFORTABLE TRIMMING: Powerful yet lightweight, use the VonHaus hedge trimmer to create a stately-home-worthy garden with ease. The ergonomic handle and 3.8kg build make maintenance a breeze.
- ROTATING HANDLE: The hedge cutter handle can be rotated up to 180°, letting you take on different cutting angles without any awkward reaching. It’s also perfect for both left and right-handed use.
What to Consider Before Buying a Hedge Trimmer
A hedge trimmer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining the structure and health of your garden’s living architecture. The main benefits are obvious: speed, efficiency, and a cleaner cut than manual shears could ever achieve, promoting healthier regrowth. A quality trimmer transforms a day-long, back-breaking chore into a manageable task, allowing you to quickly shape privet, conquer stubborn holly, or tame sprawling leylandii. It saves time, reduces physical strain, and delivers professional-looking results that elevate the entire appearance of your outdoor space. Without one, you’re facing hours of laborious snipping or paying for a professional service, both of which can be costly in time and money.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a homeowner with medium to large-sized gardens featuring established hedges that require regular maintenance. They need a tool that can handle woody stems and dense foliage without faltering. However, a powerful corded model like the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer might not be suitable for those with very small, delicate box hedges where precision is more important than power, or for those who have gardens with no convenient power outlets. For individuals needing to trim very tall hedges or trees, a long-reach pole trimmer would be a more appropriate and safer alternative. If ultimate mobility is your priority, a cordless, battery-powered model is the way to go, though you often trade raw power for freedom from the cord.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Power Source & Motor Output: Corded electric trimmers, like this VonHaus model, offer consistent, uninterrupted power from the mains, making them ideal for tough, lengthy jobs. Their power, measured in Watts (W), is a direct indicator of their cutting capability—a 710W motor is impressively robust for domestic use. The trade-off is the cord itself, which you must constantly manage to avoid accidentally cutting it or tripping over it.
- Blade Length & Cutting Capacity: The blade length (61cm here) determines how much hedge you can cut in a single pass; longer blades are faster for large, flat hedges. The cutting capacity, or tooth gap (a generous 24mm on this model), dictates the maximum branch thickness the trimmer can handle. It’s vital to match this to the type of hedges you have, as trying to cut branches that are too thick can damage the blades or motor.
- Materials & Durability: Look for blades made from hardened, laser-cut steel. These stay sharp longer and provide a cleaner cut. Dual-action blades, where two blades move in opposite directions, are the standard for quality as they reduce vibration significantly, leading to greater user comfort and less fatigue. The body should be made of durable, impact-resistant plastic to keep the weight down without feeling flimsy.
- Ergonomics & Ease of Use: Weight is a huge factor. At 3.8kg, this trimmer is manageable, but you’ll still feel it after 30 minutes. Features like a soft-grip handle and, particularly, a rotating handle, can make a world of difference. A rotating handle allows you to switch between horizontal and vertical cuts without contorting your body, dramatically improving comfort and control.
While the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer is an excellent choice for raw power, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition, especially cordless models that offer greater freedom. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- 500W CORDED HEDGE TRIMMER: This NETTA 500W Corded Hedge Trimmer is the ideal tool for getting your garden into shape. Boasting a blade cutting length of 55cm and 16mm tooth openings, this hedge...
- Long Reach Hedge Trimmer: The Terratek telescopic hedge trimmer is ideal for clipping tall, awkwardly-sited or hard-to-reach hedges and shrubs thanks to the 1.3m extendable pole providing you with a...
- The Easy Garden Tools from Bosch – for small and medium-sized gardens
First Impressions: Power in Hand
Unboxing the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer, the first thing that struck us was the substantial feel of the tool. It doesn’t feel cheap or toy-like. The main unit is solid, and the 61cm blade, protected by a simple but effective cover, looks formidable. Assembly is practically non-existent; you just need to attach the hand shield with a couple of screws, which took all of two minutes. The bright orange and black colour scheme is typical of VonHaus and makes the tool highly visible in the garden.
In hand, the 3.8kg weight is noticeable but well-balanced. It’s not “lightweight” in the way a small 450W trimmer is, but for a machine boasting a 710W motor and such a long blade, the balance is excellent, preventing immediate wrist fatigue. The star of the show, even before plugging it in, is the rotating handle. A simple press of a large button allows the rear handle to pivot 90 degrees left or right. This felt immediately intuitive and promised a much more comfortable experience when cutting the sides of hedges. The 10-metre cable is also a decent length for small to medium gardens, though an extension lead is almost certainly a necessity for most users. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its initial appeal.
What We Liked
- Powerful 710W motor cuts through thick branches with ease.
- Long 61cm dual-action blade makes quick work of large hedges.
- 180° rotating rear handle significantly improves ergonomics and comfort.
- Generous 24mm cutting capacity is suitable for mature, woody growth.
Potential Drawbacks
- Significant user reports of poor blade and internal component durability.
- The cord, while providing constant power, can be cumbersome and a safety hazard.
Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure
A hedge trimmer’s true worth is only revealed in the thick of the garden battle. On paper, the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer has the specifications to be a market leader in its price bracket. A powerful motor, long reach, and clever ergonomics sound like the perfect recipe. We put it through its paces on a variety of hedging types to see if the real-world performance lived up to the promise, and to investigate the worrying durability concerns raised by some users.
Power and Cutting Performance: A Double-Edged Sword
Let’s be clear: the 710W motor is an absolute beast. We started on a dense, slightly overgrown privet hedge, and the trimmer sliced through it like a hot knife through butter. There was no hesitation, no snagging—just a satisfying shearing sound and a shower of green clippings. The dual-action blades left a crisp, clean finish, and the sheer speed at which we could level the top of the hedge was impressive. Moving on to something tougher, a gnarly pyracantha with woody, inch-thick branches, the trimmer continued to perform admirably. It powered through stems that our older, less powerful trimmer would have simply bounced off. This confirms the experience of one happy user who noted it “smoothly and easily cut through overgrown tough shrubs like pyracantha and holly.” For pure, unadulterated cutting power on known vegetation, it is exceptional.
However, this power comes with a critical caveat that echoes through numerous user reports: fragility. We were careful to avoid any hidden obstacles like wire fencing or thick, dead hardwood. Several users have reported catastrophic failures when the blades encounter something unexpected. One user stated that after hitting a hidden object, the blade “will rip out its own teeth.” Another reported a blade cracking a 1cm branch within five minutes of first use. This suggests the blade material may be overly brittle. While any trimmer can be damaged by misuse, the frequency of these reports indicates that the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer has a very low tolerance for error. It’s a powerful tool, but not an indestructible one. You must be diligent and aware of what you’re cutting. The power is there, but the durability to back it up in unpredictable situations appears to be lacking, making it a potentially risky purchase if your hedges are old and unruly.
Ergonomics and Handling: A Surprisingly Agile Tool
This is where the VonHaus trimmer genuinely shines and wins back a lot of points. Taming a large hedge is all about endurance, and comfort is key. The standout feature is unquestionably the 180° rotating soft-grip handle. When trimming the long, flat top of our hedge, we kept the handle in its neutral position. But when we moved to the vertical sides, a simple click of the button to rotate the handle 90° transformed the experience. Our wrists remained in a natural, comfortable “handshake” position, and the tool felt balanced and easy to guide. This single feature dramatically reduces the strain on your arms, shoulders, and back, allowing you to work for longer periods with greater precision.
The overall weight of 3.8kg is the sweet spot between feeling substantial and being unmanageable. It has enough mass to help power through cuts without requiring excessive user force, yet it’s light enough that we could comfortably use it for a 45-minute session before needing a break. The two-stage safety switch is well-placed, requiring a hand on both the main handle and the front loop handle to operate, which is a crucial safety standard. Some users have noted the machine is quite loud, and we agree; ear protection is highly recommended for any prolonged use. Despite its power, the vibration is surprisingly low, thanks to the dual-action blades, which is another major win for user comfort. This ergonomic design is a feature that really sets it apart in its price range.
Safety and Practicality: Living with the Cord
Operating a corded power tool in the garden requires a certain mindset—one of constant vigilance. The VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer comes with a bright, 10-metre cable, which is helpful for visibility. In our medium-sized garden, this was just short of being useful on its own, immediately requiring an extension cable. The main challenge is cable management. We recommend always working away from the plug and draping the cable over your shoulder to keep it behind you and away from the cutting blades. A residual-current device (RCD) is an absolute must for safety.
The built-in safety features perform well. The two-stage trigger prevents accidental start-ups, and the large plastic hand shield provides a solid barrier between your forward hand and the blades. The included blade cover, or scabbard, is essential for safe storage and transport, protecting both the blades from damage and you from the blades. One issue highlighted by a user was an initial “burning smell” from the motor. We also noticed this during the first 10-15 minutes of use. This is often due to protective coatings on the motor components burning off and usually dissipates with time, but it can be alarming. More concerning are the isolated but serious reports of catastrophic motor failure, with one user describing the motor shooting into flames after minimal use. While this seems to be a rare defect, it adds to the overall picture of questionable long-term reliability that prospective buyers must weigh when they check the latest price and availability.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are strongly reflected in the wider user feedback, which paints a picture of a product with a stark performance divide. On one hand, many users are thrilled with the raw cutting power. One satisfied customer praised it as an “impressive garden tool” that “smoothly and easily cut through overgrown tough shrubs.” They noted it performed like a “higher spec machine,” which aligns with our experience of its sheer power when used on appropriate foliage.
On the other hand, there is a significant and concerning number of reviews detailing critical failures after very short periods of use. Reports of blades bending or cracking on small 1cm branches are common. One user was dismayed when the stationary blade cracked “inside the body of the unit” after just five minutes, rendering it useless. Another experienced a complete motor burnout accompanied by flames after only 15 minutes of its second-ever use. This feedback suggests a potential quality control issue, where you might get a fantastic, powerful tool, or you might get a dud that fails almost immediately. This gamble is the product’s greatest weakness.
How Does the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer Compare to the Alternatives?
When considering the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer, it’s crucial to see what else the market offers. Its key selling points are corded power and ergonomic design, but competitors offer different advantages like cordless freedom or enhanced versatility.
1. Einhell Power X-Change 18V GE-HC 18 Li T Solo 2-in-1 Pole Hedge Trimmer & Chainsaw
- The simple tree and hedge care thanks to the 2-in-1 hedge trimmer and power saw attachment and high-quality components with powerful Power X-Change battery power
- Versatile adjustment possibilities with telescopic arm, 7-fold tiltable motor head, 90° swivelling attachment for easy horizontal cut and adjustable handles
The Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T is a completely different beast, prioritising versatility and reach over the raw, close-quarters power of the VonHaus. As a cordless pole tool, its primary advantage is the ability to safely trim the tops of tall hedges and prune high branches without a ladder. The inclusion of a mini chainsaw head makes it a fantastic 2-in-1 solution for general garden maintenance. However, its 18V battery platform (sold separately) will not deliver the same relentless cutting force as the 710W corded motor of the VonHaus. This Einhell model is the perfect choice for someone with high hedges and trees who values cordless convenience and versatility above all else.
2. VonHaus Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer
- LASER-CUT PRECISION: Effortlessly trim 14mm thick branches with the VonHaus cordless hedge trimmer, offering total cordless freedom. Featuring low-vibration dual-action blades, you can trim, carve,...
- LONG REACH HEDGE TRIMMER: Take on any hedge with your telescopic hedge trimmer – high, low, horizontal, or vertical. Extend the pole hedge trimmer 193cm to 244cm and adjust the multi-angle head...
Staying within the VonHaus family, this cordless telescopic model offers a direct contrast in functionality. It gives you the freedom from a power cord and the extended reach for taller shrubs, complete with a 135° adjustable head for tackling awkward angles. It’s an excellent solution for gardeners who are frustrated by tangled cables or have large properties where a cord isn’t practical. The trade-off is power; its 20V battery system is capable but simply won’t match the brute force of its 710W corded sibling. If your main challenge is height and mobility rather than exceptionally thick, dense growth, this is a superior choice.
3. BLACK+DECKER BEHTS501-GB 60cm Hedge Trimmer
- Powerful 600W motor
- 60cm dual action asymmetric steel blades
This BLACK+DECKER model is the most direct competitor to the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer. It is also corded, with a similar blade length (60cm vs 61cm) and a powerful motor (600W vs 710W). While slightly less powerful on paper, BLACK+DECKER has a long-standing reputation for reliability in the garden tool space, which may give some buyers more peace of mind, especially given the durability concerns with the VonHaus model. One user who had a negative experience with the VonHaus even mentioned their 15-year-old Black and Decker was still going strong. If you want similar performance but prefer to invest in a brand with a proven track record for durability, this BLACK+DECKER is a very compelling alternative.
Our Final Verdict: Powerful Performer, But a Risky Proposition
After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our verdict on the VonHaus 710W 61cm Corded Hedge Trimmer is complex. On the one hand, this is an ergonomically brilliant tool with immense cutting power for its price. The 710W motor and long blade can genuinely transform hedge trimming from a chore into a quick and satisfying task. The rotating handle is a game-changing feature that puts it a cut above many competitors in terms of comfort and usability.
However, this outstanding performance is tragically undermined by significant and widely reported durability issues. The blades and internal mechanisms appear to have a disappointingly low tolerance for anything other than perfect cutting conditions. The risk of a critical failure after minimal use is too high for us to give it an unconditional recommendation. It’s a tool that we would recommend only to budget-conscious gardeners with straightforward, well-maintained hedges who are willing to accept the gamble. If you get a good one, you’ll feel like you’ve found the bargain of the year. If you don’t, you’ll be facing a frustrating return process. For those seeking raw power with a high-risk, high-reward profile, you can find out more and see the current price online.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API