If you’re looking at buying a hedge trimmer you might be surprised at just how much choice is on the market. Choosing between a gas vs electric hedge trimmer is not always easy, as both have their share of pros and cons. For example, you might want to get an electric hedge trimmer, but it just might not have the durability you are looking for. In this guide, we’re looking at all of the differences between these two types of hedge trimmer, so that you can make an informed and educated decision in which is suited to your own needs, and make some other considerations such as the environmental factors.
Battery technology has come a long way, but there is still plenty of demand for gas hedge trimmers. Let’s delve into the benefits of both, and whether one type is undeniably better.
Electric hedge trimmers have become very popular for people who have relatively modest needs. If you employ a big, industrial landscaping company to work on a huge garden then the chances are that electric hedge trimmers won’t be their preference. For home use, though, they are ideal.
They’re lightweight, which makes them easy to store and handle. Even if you’re not the strongest person in the world, you can find that using the trimmer is a breeze. Products like the Greenworks 22272 electric hedge trimmer have telescopic reach, so you can even get to high branches without too much strain.
Electric models tend to be significantly cheaper than gas. The mechanism is simpler, and you don’t have to keep buying the gas to put in. Even the best electric hedge trimmers are not particularly expensive when compared to some other garden hardware.
Perhaps the biggest selling point is how environmentally friendly they are. They don’t have any harmful emissions like gas hedge trimmers.
Comparing a gas vs battery hedge trimmer is really no contest if you need to use your trimmer for your job, and plan to use it for hours at a time. Batteries need to be charged for long periods of time, and will usually drain quite quickly. This is fine if you’re doing a bit of trimming at home, but if you need to trim a lot of hedges in your job, perhaps as a landscape gardener, you will find that a gas trimmer is a better option. It means you don’t have to keep recharging the batteries.
Gas trimmers are also heavy-duty, and can cope far better with rainy conditions. If you are planning to work in adverse weather conditions then gas might be your only option. The Husqvarna 122HD60 is a very high-quality hedge trimmer that runs on petrol. Though you should avoid the rain if you can, this kind of trimmer can cope with a little bit of moisture.
The other area where the best gas-powered hedge trimmers clearly win the day is the power they provide. A gas hedge trimmer will normally cope much better than an electric model when it comes to heavy use, thick branches, and prolonged periods of trimming.
Gas-powered hedge trimmers will be cordless. Electric models can be either corded or cordless, relying on batteries if they are cordless. They don’t need an electric power supply so there will not be a cord running to the trimmer. With a cord, there is the inconvenience of being tethered to a power cord, as well as the risk that you will cut straight through the cord. You’d be surprised at how often this happens!
There isn’t necessarily one type that can be categorically called “better”. It depends on what you need from your trimmer. To make it easier to choose, you might want to directly compare some of the different uses and features. A gas vs electric hedge trimmer will be an easy choice if you evaluate your requirements first. Do you need more power or something that is cheaper and more environmentally friendly?
PriceIn the vast majority of cases, electric hedge trimmers are cheaper. The fact that the gas models tend to be more powerful means they are usually more expensive, too. On top of that, you may spend more on the actual fuel. Gasoline and oil aren’t necessarily cheap.
Most electric hedge trimmers will have enough power for home uses. Trimming the bushes in your yard probably won’t call for a gas trimmer. However, if you need something to use on thicker branches, a gas model is usually a better choice.
Electric hedge trimmers are usually lighter, too. They don’t have to hold the actual gasoline to run, so they weigh less. You can get some models that have a clip-on mechanism for the charger, and these are often even lighter as you remove them from a charging dock before use.
When it comes to environmental considerations, electric trimmers are almost always better. You can use sustainable methods of power and you don’t have to worry about the fuel running out. A gas model runs on a fossil fuel, and while it doesn’t use that much compared to a vehicle, it is still a good idea to consider whether you could get by with an electric model.
A good hedge trimmer should be pretty safe, especially if you take precautions. Though electric models tend to have less of a risk due to the lower power, there is still a need to be cautious. Electrocution is a risk.
Gas trimmers are heavier and more powerful. This means that it is possible to do more damage.
Trimming long hedges and bushes can be difficult with an electric model. If you have a few small bushes and hedges at home, you can make do with a small electric model. The heavier and more overgrown the bushes are, the more likely it is that you will need a gas model with a bit more power. Something like a Leylandii Trusted Source Leyland cypress - Wikipedia The Leyland cypress, Cupressus × leylandii, often referred to simply as leylandii, is a fast-growing coniferous evergreen tree much used in horticulture, primarily for hedges and screens. en.wikipedia.org grows really quickly, and may need a heavy-duty gas trimmer.
A hedge trimmer can be user-friendly regardless of whether it is gas or electric. Usually, an electric model will require less maintenance. Just charge it and you’re ready to go. The gas models need gasoline, and sometimes oil. This can add to the maintenance tasks.
If you want a beginner option, most electric models of hedge trimmer allow you to get started quickly and easily with very few controls to master.
As you can see from our guide, both have their merits. Choosing between a gas vs electric hedge trimmer will largely come down to what your own needs are, and the hedges and overgrown plants and trees you plan to use your trimmer on. Consider whether you’re looking for some simple garden maintenance, or a heavy-duty product that can handle a full day of cutting, with no need to keep charging it time and time again.
