If you’re looking for the best possible tool to maintain your hedges for a neat and trimmed look, then you’ve come to the right place.
The hedge trimmer is always a go-to tool when it comes to keeping your hedges manicured, but with that being said, there are different types to choose from. What we’re talking about today are gas trimmers and electric trimmers.
Specifically, we’re going to define what both gas trimmers and electric trimmers are, what their advantages and disadvantages are, and how to choose the right one for you. As you’ll see further below, VEVOR is always a great brand to consider as far as hedge trimmers are concerned.
We’ll also take a look at some of the best gas and electric hedge trimmers on the market at this time. Keep reading to find out what the best electric and gas hedge trimmers for your needs are.
Table of contents
What Is a Gas Trimmer?
First, we have a gas trimmer. A gas hedge trimmer is powered by gasoline and usually has a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine. This is a type of hedge trimmer designed for relatively heavy-duty work that lasts all day long.
Gas trimmers are ideal for trimming dense and large hedges, and for dealing with large properties. Gas trimmers have great cutting strength, allowing them to cut through overgrown hedges and thick branches relatively easily. They use gas, which means that you’re not limited by battery life or a power cord.
Gas hedge trimmers are generally used by professional landscapers and arborists, as they are durable and have great performance. With that being said, they’re also generally heavy, noisy, and tend to require a good deal of maintenance.
What Is an Electric Trimmer?
We then have an electric hedge trimmer, which is generally defined as a corded model, or in other words, one that you have to plug in using a power cord. Corded electric trimmers are ideal for small jobs or yards where you have easy access to electricity.
However, if you want something that is better for portability, then cordless hedge trimmers are ideal. Cordless hedge trimmers are powered using rechargeable batteries and they’re quite mobile. Electric hedge trimmers are regarded for their ease of use and lightweight, as well as their quiet operation.
They’re ideal for homeowners living in residential areas who want a more peaceful experience. Electric models also require fairly little maintenance, but they generally have less power than gas models.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gas Trimmers
Let’s now take a look at the main advantages and disadvantages of gas trimmers.
Advantages of Gas Trimmers
Let’s first take a look at all of the main advantages that you get with a gas trimmer.
Plenty of Power
One of the main benefits that you get with a gas trimmer is that it is very powerful. Gas engines produce a whole lot of power, and this means that gas hedge trimmers are ideal for heavy-duty work. They’re ideal for coming through large hedges and thick branches.
Durable
Something else worth noting about gas-powered hedge trimmers is that they are extremely durable. They’re generally built for long-term use and are made with high-quality components. They’re generally more resistant to wear and tear than most battery-powered and electric models. If you need reliable equipment that will last for many years, a gas-powered model is the way to go.
Mobile
The other benefit of using a gas-powered trimmer is that they’re not limited by battery life or cords. They allow you to move as far as you need. If you have a large property, then this benefit is one to take note of.
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Disadvantages of Gas Trimmers
With the advantages covered, let’s now talk about the disadvantages of gas trimmers.
Maintenance
Gas trimmers tend to require a good deal of maintenance, such as engine care, oil changes, and refueling, which can be a hassle for some.
Weight
Something else to consider with gas trimmers is that they are quite heavy. They’re heavier than both electric corded models and battery-powered models. If you need to work for a prolonged period of time, this can be challenging.
Emissions
Gas trimmers use combustion engines, which means that they release greenhouse gases. They’re just not very friendly to the environment.
Noise
The other disadvantage of gas trimmers is that because they have a combustion engine, they’re also not very quiet. In fact, these tools are quite noisy, making them less than ideal for residential areas.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Trimmers
Let’s now take a look at the main advantages and disadvantages of electric trimmers.
Advantages of Electric Trimmers
First, let’s take a look at why you might want to invest in an electric trimmer.
Low Maintenance Needs
Electric trimmers feature low maintenance needs. You don’t have to refuel, maintain the engine, or change the oil.
Lightweight
One of the most significant advantages of electric hedge trimmers is that they are extremely lightweight, much more so than gas models. This makes them easy to maneuver and hold for prolonged periods of time without suffering fatigue. If you don’t have a lot of physical strength, then an electric model is probably best for you.
Quiet
Another main advantage of electric hedge trimmers is that they are very quiet. They don’t make all that much noise, making them ideal for residential areas.
Low Environmental Impact
Something else to consider with electric hedge trimmers is that they have a low environmental impact. They do not directly produce any emissions, making them much more eco-friendly than gas models.
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Disadvantages of Electric Trimmers
Just like there are pros of electric trimmers, so are there disadvantages, so let’s take a look at these now.
Limitations of Cords and Batteries
Whether we are talking about corded models or battery-powered models, both of them have their issues. With corded models, how long can your extension cord limit your range? The cord can get in the way. If we’re talking about batteries, you always have to worry about having enough battery life to finish the job at hand.
Limited Durability
What you also need to consider with electric trimmers is that they are usually not built for long-term or heavy-duty use. If you use them for big jobs, they will likely wear out relatively quickly.
Less Power
The other main disadvantage of electric hedge trimmers is that they just don’t have as much power as gas-powered models. They’re not ideal for cutting through very large hedges or thick branches.
Electric vs. Gas Trimmers: How to Choose the Right One for You
Now that we know what both the advantages and disadvantages of electric and gas trimmers are, let’s talk about how to choose the right trimmer for you.
Yard Size
Perhaps the main consideration that you need to make when determining what type of trimmer you need is the size of your yard. For instance, if you have a relatively small yard and not all that many hedges and bushes to trim, then electric models are probably best.
Electric models are easy to use, lightweight, and don’t need much maintenance. With that being said, if you have a much larger yard and heavy-duty hedges that need a lot of work, then a gas-powered model is probably best.
Type of Work
Another thing that you need to consider when choosing between electric and gas trimmers is the power needs that you require. For instance, if you’re just cutting through some really thin and small bushes, then an electric model is probably best. However, if you need to cut through extremely large and thick hedges, then the power offered by a gas model is what you need.
The Convenience Factor
What you then also need to consider is how convenient each is. For instance, gas-powered models are very mobile, because as long as you have gas in the tank, you can move anywhere with them.
However, with electric models, you always have to worry about the cord being long enough or the batteries not running out. On that note, also consider your own comfort. Gas powered models are much heavier than electric models and produce more noise as well.
Ecological Impact
If you’re someone who is worried about the environment, then you may also want to consider the ecological impact of both machines. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, then the only way to go is with an electric trimmer.
Introducing the VEVOR Cordless Hedge Trimmer
One of the best cordless hedge trimmers on the market, this model from VEVOR is always a go-to option. The VEVOR Cordless Hedge Trimmer features a 20 Volt battery that charges in just one hour and provides well over one hour of runtime on that single charge.
The fact that it is relatively lightweight and barely produces any noise is just another bonus. Keep in mind that it also comes with a blade protective cover to keep the machine in good order while not in use.
It’s also an ideal model to choose from because it features an 18-inch hardened steel blade with a ⅝” cutting thickness, allowing for a wide cutting range. With a relatively powerful motor, it reaches speeds of up to 17,500 RPM.
What you may also appreciate about this model is that it features a rotating machine head with a handle that can rotate 180°, which allows for flexible vertical and horizontal trimming. Even better is that there is a double safety switch system, which means that you stay safe while in use.
Introducing the VEVOR Gas Hedge Trimmer
If you’d rather go for a gas-powered model, then here we have the VEVOR Gas Hedge Trimmer. It’s a great model to consider as it features a 26CC two-stroke engine with a maximum speed of 8500 RPM. Thanks to its gas engine, it produces a whole lot of power and it’s able to easily cut through a variety of heavy-duty and thick branches.
What’s also ideal is that you get up to 40 minutes of runtime on a single tank of gas, and of course, filling the tank of gas only takes a couple of seconds.
The high magnetic ignition system helps make sure that the machine starts easily, and it also features a 180° adjustable hedge trimmer head to allow for easy trimming at various angles.
With a nearly 24” cutting length, and a hardened steel reciprocating blade cutting system, you can rest assured that this machine will make it through virtually any size or thickness of the edges. Keep in mind that the dual handles and safety switches make this machine both convenient and safe.
FAQs
Let’s quickly answer some of your most frequently asked questions about hedge trimmers.
Can electric hedge trimmers trim through thick branches?
Electric hedge trimmers are totally fine for moderate and light trimming jobs, but they might struggle with thicker branches. For much tougher jobs like thick branches, a gas trimmer is likely best.
How long do the batteries on cordless hedge trimmers last?
Although the battery life of cordless hedge trimmers depends on the model, in general, you can expect up to 60 minutes of use per charge. This means that for larger jobs, having a spare battery on hand is recommended.
Are gas trimmers or electric trimmers easier to maintain?
Gas trimmers are generally harder to maintain because you have to upkeep the engine, change the oil, and refuel them. Electric models just require you to plug them in or charge the battery.
Final Thoughts on Gas vs. Electric Trimmers
The bottom line here is that if you are looking for power and you need something that is ideal for heavy-duty jobs and large yards, then it’s a gas-powered model that you need. However, if you want something lighter, quieter, and something that is fine for smaller jobs, then electric trimmers will be perfectly fine for you. Whatever the case may be, remember that VEVOR has all of your hedge trimmers that need covering.
