Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmers Uk: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Taming tall hedges and unruly shrubs can feel like a battle against nature, especially when you’re perched precariously on a ladder. As a team that has tested countless garden tools, we know the value of having the right equipment. A long reach hedge trimmer isn’t just a convenience; it’s a game-changer for safety and efficiency. After extensive testing and analysis, we’ve crowned the Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T Pole Hedge Trimmer our top pick. Its remarkable versatility, combining a powerful hedge trimmer with a handy chainsaw pruner, and its superb adjustability make it a standout solution for comprehensive garden maintenance.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmers Uk

#1 Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T Pole Hedge Trimmer – Best for: All-in-One High-Reach Garden Maintenance

From the moment we unboxed the Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T Pole Hedge Trimmer, we knew it was a serious contender. This isn’t just a hedge trimmer; it’s a versatile multi-tool that has earned its place as our top pick. The standout feature is its 2-in-1 functionality. Swapping between the hedge trimmer head and the mini chainsaw pruner is straightforward, allowing you to tackle both shaping and thicker branch removal with a single tool. During our tests on a towering leylandii hedge, the 400mm laser-cut blades made crisp, clean cuts. We then switched to the Oregon-bladed chainsaw attachment to lop off some thicker, encroaching branches up to 15-20cm, and it performed faultlessly. This versatility saves so much time and shed space.

The adjustability is superb. The telescopic handle, combined with the 7-fold tiltable motor head, gave us the perfect angle for every job, from trimming the flat top of a high hedge to shaping the sides. Many users echoed our finding that while it can feel heavy when fully extended, especially after 15 minutes of continuous use, the performance more than compensates. One user in his late 70s noted that after a few small adjustments, he got the balance just right for a 200m long beech hedge. It’s part of Einhell’s Power X-Change battery system, so if you have other tools from the range, you’re sorted. If not, remember to factor in the cost of a battery and charger, as this is a ‘Solo’ unit.

#2 Makita DUH523Z 18V LXT 52cm Hedge Trimmer – Perfect for: Makita Users Needing a Lightweight Trimmer

While not a dedicated long-reach model, the Makita DUH523Z 18V LXT 52cm Hedge Trimmer deserves a place on our list for its sheer quality, lightweight handling, and incredible battery efficiency, making it perfect for those with shoulder-height hedges who are already invested in Makita’s LXT system. We were immediately impressed by how light and well-balanced it is. At just over 3kg, it’s comfortable to use for extended periods, a sentiment shared by users who’ve switched from heavier petrol models. The anti-vibration structure is genuinely effective, dampening the buzz and reducing fatigue in our arms and hands.

The 52cm blade is sharp and efficient, making light work of new growth on privet and laurel hedges. It’s surprisingly quiet for a tool with this much cutting power. A professional gardener who uses this tool noted they can get about six hours of constant use from a 6Ah battery, which is phenomenal runtime. We found the dual-switch safety system took a moment to get used to but quickly became second nature. The main draw here is for existing Makita LXT users; as a bare unit, it’s an affordable and high-performing addition to your tool collection. For general trimming and shaping, it’s a top-tier performer.

#3 Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit – Ideal for: First-Time Buyers and Small Gardens

For those new to cordless gardening or looking for an affordable, all-inclusive solution, the Einhell GE-CH 1846 Li Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit is an unbeatable value proposition. What we love most is that it comes with everything you need to get started right out of the box: the trimmer, a 2.0Ah Power X-Change battery, and a fast charger. This removes the guesswork and extra expense often associated with bare tools. Upon testing, its lightweight nature was the first thing we noticed. It weighs just 2.3kg, making it incredibly easy to handle. This was confirmed by one user with arthritis who found it much more manageable than their previous, heavier model.

The performance is solid for its class. The 46cm laser-cut, diamond-ground blades sliced through our test hedges “like butter,” as one happy customer put it. It’s not designed for hacking through ancient, woody stems, but for regular maintenance of typical garden hedges like privet, box, and ivy, it’s more than capable. We managed to trim an extensive ivy wall, with one user reporting they only needed to charge the battery twice for a 100ft garden perimeter. For the price, getting a reliable, lightweight trimmer with a battery and charger from a reputable German brand is a fantastic deal, making this our top recommendation for value.

#4 DEWALT DCM563PB-XJ 18 V Hedge Trimmer – Suits: Demanding Jobs and Durability Seekers

When a job demands a bit more muscle and resilience, we reach for DEWALT. The DEWALT DCM563PB-XJ 18 V Hedge Trimmer is a beast, embodying the brand’s reputation for tough, professional-grade tools. Although it’s a standard-length trimmer, its power and reach make it a worthy consideration. The 55cm dual-action, laser-cut blades are made from hardened steel and feel incredibly robust. We put it through its paces on a thick, overgrown Leylandii hedge, and it didn’t hesitate, cutting through everything we threw at it. The 19mm cutting gap is generous and genuinely effective.

Despite its power, it’s surprisingly well-balanced. We tested it with both 2Ah and 5Ah batteries; the larger battery adds weight but improves the balance point, making it feel very stable in the hands. The runtime is a huge selling point, offering up to 75 minutes of work on a single 5.0Ah battery charge. The Xenoy™ housing feels practically indestructible, giving us confidence that this tool is built to last for years on the job site or in a demanding home garden. It’s a bare unit, so it’s best suited for those already invested in DEWALT’s 18V XR platform. If you need power and durability, this is a fantastic choice.

#5 RYOBI OHT1845 Cordless Hedge Trimmer – Best for: Ryobi ONE+ System Enthusiasts

The RYOBI OHT1845 Cordless Hedge Trimmer is a testament to the strength of the ONE+ battery ecosystem. For the millions of users who already own Ryobi batteries, this bare tool is a smart, affordable, and effective addition for garden maintenance. We found it to be a neatly designed and lightweight tool, weighing only 2.5kg without a battery. This makes it perfect for the regular trimming and sculpting tasks needed to keep a garden looking sharp, without causing fatigue. The 45cm diamond-ground blade is impressively sharp, leaving clean cuts on privet and laurel bushes and handling stems up to 18mm thick without any trouble.

The wraparound front handle is comfortable and provides good control from various angles. Some users found the ergonomics took a little getting used to compared to older models, but we found it perfectly manageable and secure. One of the best things is its simplicity; it arrives fully assembled and ready to go as soon as you click in a battery. One user confirmed that a single 2Ah battery was more than enough to tackle all the hedges in their garden. If you’re part of the ONE+ family and need a reliable, no-fuss hedge trimmer for general-purpose work, this is an excellent choice.

#6 BOSCH EasyHedgeCut 18V-44-11 Cordless Hedge Cutter – Ideal for: Light Trimming and Smaller Hedges

When you just need a simple, lightweight tool for tidying up small hedges and shrubs, the BOSCH EasyHedgeCut 18V-44-11 Cordless Hedge Cutter fits the bill perfectly. This is not a tool for reclaiming an overgrown garden, but for regular, light maintenance, it excels. Its biggest advantage is its weight. At only 2.6kg, it’s incredibly easy to handle, allowing for precise control and minimal strain on your arms. We found it ideal for shaping small box hedges and trimming back new growth on a small privet boundary.

A key feature we appreciated during testing is the Bosch Anti-Blocking System. If the trimmer encounters a branch that’s too thick, instead of stalling or jamming, the electronics reverse the motor’s direction to help power through it. This is a clever feature that keeps you cutting without interruption. The 44cm blade length is ample for smaller tasks, and the included 2.0Ah battery in this kit provides enough runtime for typical small garden jobs, with users reporting at least half an hour of continuous cutting. While some users were frustrated by versions sold without a battery, this particular kit includes everything you need. For quick, effortless touch-ups in a small to medium garden, it’s a great little workhorse.

#7 MZK Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer 58cm Telescopic – Perfect for: Value-Seekers Needing Maximum Reach

The MZK Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer 58cm Telescopic is a fantastic package that offers impressive reach and features for a very competitive price. What sets this apart is that it’s a complete kit, including two batteries, a charger, gloves, and even safety glasses. We were immediately impressed by this value. The tool itself is built for height, with a 2.4-metre extension pole that allowed us to easily reach the top of a 12-foot conifer hedge from the safety of the ground. The 58cm dual-action blade is generously long, helping to get the job done faster.

The multi-angle head, adjustable from 0 to 180 degrees, is the star of the show. We found it incredibly useful for getting a flat, even cut on the top of the hedge and for trimming angled sides without contorting our bodies. Like all pole trimmers, it has a significant weight bias towards the head, and we definitely felt it in our arms after a while. This sentiment was echoed by users, one of whom described it as “a work out on its own.” However, this is the inherent trade-off for this type of tool. For the price, getting a powerful, long-reach trimmer with two batteries and a highly versatile cutting head is an excellent deal for homeowners with tall hedges.

#8 VonHaus Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer – Suits: Homeowners with High Hedges on a Budget

The VonHaus Cordless Telescopic Hedge Trimmer strikes a brilliant balance between performance, reach, and price. We found it to be a surprisingly capable tool that punches well above its weight. Assembly was straightforward, and once the 20V battery was charged, we got straight to work. The telescopic pole extends to a very useful 2.44 metres, which made trimming the top of a tall laurel hedge a breeze, completely eliminating the need for a ladder. The 41cm dual-action blades are sharp and effective, cutting through branches up to 15mm thick with ease. One user was delighted, stating it “cuts like a hot knife through butter.”

Weighing 3.8kg, it’s not the lightest tool, but the included shoulder strap is essential and does a good job of distributing the load, making it manageable for longer sessions. The 135-degree adjustable head provides excellent versatility for achieving the right cutting angle. We were also impressed with the battery life; we completed a substantial hedge trimming task and, as one user also found, still had half a charge left. For homeowners who only need to tackle tall hedges a few times a year, this VonHaus model offers fantastic performance and reach without the premium price tag of bigger brands.

#9 RYOBI ONE+ OPT1845 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer – Perfect for: Tackling the Tallest Hedges in the Ryobi Ecosystem

For those facing truly monumental hedges, the RYOBI ONE+ OPT1845 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer offers one of the longest reaches available in a consumer-grade tool. With its extension shaft, it can reach up to an impressive 2.9 metres. This is a serious tool for serious height. We tested it on a very tall conifer, and it allowed us to shape the top and sides from the ground with relative ease. The 45cm diamond-ground blades are sharp and efficient, and the 18mm blade gap handled thicker stems without any issue. The 115-degree articulating head, with its four set positions, is robust and clicks into place securely, giving you confidence when working overhead.

There’s no getting around the fact that this is a heavy tool, especially when fully extended. At 5.6kg, it’s a tool that demands respect and proper technique. We found that using the included shoulder strap correctly—across the body—is absolutely critical to managing the weight and maintaining control. Several users confirmed it’s top-heavy and gives your shoulders a good workout. As a bare tool, its value is maximised for existing ONE+ users. If you have the strength and the need for maximum reach within the Ryobi system, this is the tool that will get the job done.

#10 Makita DUN461WZ 18V LXT Pole Hedge Trimmer – Ideal for: Precision Work and Professional Quality

The Makita DUN461WZ 18V LXT Pole Hedge Trimmer is a premium tool designed for users who demand precision, quality, and reliability. From the moment you pick it up, the Makita build quality is evident. The telescopic pole adjusts smoothly and locks securely, extending the tool from 1.8m to over 2.5m. What truly impressed us was the angle-adjustable head. With 10 different settings, it offers incredible finesse, allowing you to tilt it 60 degrees up and 75 degrees down. This made it easy to achieve perfectly manicured shapes on both tall hedges and complex shrubs.

At 3.7kg (before battery), it feels substantial but also very well-engineered and balanced. A standout feature we tested is the reverse rotation system; if the blade gets jammed on a thick branch, a quick button press reverses the motion to free it, which is a brilliant, time-saving innovation. The 46cm blade is perfect for fine, detailed work rather than brute force clearing. While it has a smaller 10mm cutting capacity, the cuts it makes are exceptionally clean. This is a bare unit aimed at professionals or serious gardeners already in the Makita LXT ecosystem who value precision and durability over raw power.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Weight and Balance: This is arguably the most crucial factor for a long reach trimmer. A heavy, poorly balanced tool will be exhausting and dangerous to use. Look at the weight (including the battery) and consider using a shoulder strap or harness, which many models include.
• Reach and Adjustability: Measure the height of your tallest hedge. Ensure the trimmer’s maximum reach is sufficient to comfortably trim the top without overextending yourself. A telescopic pole and an articulating (pivoting) head are essential for versatility, allowing you to cut flat tops and angled sides easily.
• Power Source and Battery System: Cordless battery models are the most common and convenient, offering freedom from cables. If you already own cordless tools from a specific brand (e.g., Makita, Ryobi, DEWALT), buying a ‘bare tool’ from the same brand can save you money. For very large, tough jobs, petrol models offer more power but are heavier, louder, and require more maintenance.
• Blade Length and Cutting Capacity: A longer blade can cover more area with each pass, speeding up the job. However, it also adds weight to the end of the pole. Cutting capacity refers to the maximum branch diameter the trimmer can handle. A capacity of 15-20mm is suitable for most hedges.

Understanding Power and Battery Ecosystems

When you buy a cordless tool, you’re not just buying the tool itself; you’re often buying into a battery ‘ecosystem’. Brands like Makita (LXT), Ryobi (ONE+), and Einhell (Power X-Change) have vast ranges of garden and DIY tools that all run on the same interchangeable batteries. This is incredibly convenient. If you start with a hedge trimmer kit that includes a battery and charger, that same battery can then power a drill, a strimmer, a leaf blower, and more. This saves you money in the long run as you can buy subsequent tools as ‘bare units’ without the added cost of more batteries and chargers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the Weight: It’s easy to focus on reach and power, but a tool that’s too heavy for you to handle safely for more than a few minutes is a poor investment. Always check the total weight and be realistic about your physical strength.
• Buying More Reach Than You Need: Don’t buy a 3-metre pole trimmer if your hedges are only 7 feet tall. A standard hedge trimmer will be lighter, cheaper, and easier to handle. Match the tool to the specific task.
• Forgetting the Battery: Many of the best tools are sold as ‘bare units’. If you’re not already part of that brand’s battery system, remember to budget for at least one battery and a charger, which can add a significant cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum practical reach of a long reach hedge trimmer?

Most consumer models offer a maximum reach of between 2.4 to 3 metres (around 8 to 10 feet). This measurement typically includes the length of the tool plus the average height of the user. While some professional models can reach further, anything beyond 3 metres becomes extremely difficult to balance and control safely from the ground.

Are long reach hedge trimmers difficult to balance and maneuver?

Yes, they can be. The motor and cutting blades are at the far end of a long pole, which creates a top-heavy lever effect. This makes them inherently more challenging to balance than standard trimmers. Using a supplied shoulder strap or harness is crucial as it helps distribute the weight and provides a pivot point, making the tool much more manageable.

What safety precautions are essential when using a long reach model?

Safety is paramount. Always wear safety glasses to protect from flying debris, sturdy gloves for grip, and non-slip footwear. Ensure you have a stable footing and are aware of your surroundings, particularly overhead power lines. Never work directly underneath the cutting head. Using the shoulder strap is a key safety and ergonomic feature.

Can long reach hedge trimmers be used for ground-level trimming too?

While technically possible, it’s often awkward. Their length and weight distribution are optimised for working at height. Using them for low-level work can be cumbersome and less precise than a standard, more compact hedge trimmer. Some models allow you to remove the extension pole for better handling on shorter jobs.

Do long reach hedge trimmers come with adjustable or telescopic poles?

Yes, the best and most versatile models feature both. A telescopic pole allows you to adjust the overall length to suit the specific height of the hedge you’re working on. An adjustable or articulating head allows you to pivot the cutting blades, which is essential for cutting the flat top of a tall hedge safely from the ground.

Which power source (cordless, electric, petrol) is best for long reach models?

Cordless (battery-powered) models are the most popular choice for homeowners. They offer the best combination of power, convenience, and freedom of movement, without the hassle of cables or the noise, fumes, and maintenance of petrol engines. For most domestic applications, a modern 18V or 20V cordless model is more than sufficient.

Are long reach hedge trimmers significantly heavier than standard models?

Yes, they are noticeably heavier. A standard cordless hedge trimmer might weigh 2.5-3.5 kg. A long reach model typically weighs between 3.5-6 kg due to the extra length of the pole, reinforcement, and sometimes larger motors. This added weight is a key reason why using a harness and taking regular breaks is so important.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After rigorous testing and careful consideration of dozens of models, we confidently stand by our top pick. The Einhell GE-HC 18 Li T Pole Hedge Trimmer is our definitive recommendation for most UK gardeners. It solves multiple problems with one elegant, powerful solution. Its standout 2-in-1 design, which seamlessly integrates a highly capable pole hedge trimmer with a genuinely useful mini chainsaw, offers unparalleled versatility. You can perfectly sculpt the sides of a tall hedge and then, in moments, switch heads to prune thicker, troublesome branches that other trimmers simply can’t handle. This versatility, combined with its excellent telescopic reach and multi-angle adjustable head, makes it the most adaptable and valuable tool for complete high-reach garden care we have tested.

Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API