5 Best Commercial Hedge Trimmers

Those who do groundskeeping or lawn services for a profession need professional commercial equipment. Regular homeowner hedge trimmers cannot withstand the wear and tear of full-time usage.

Electric hedge trimmers have been a major innovation over the past few years. Not only homeowner units but commercial hedger trimmers have come a long way in the battery world. They have reached the point where I would most likely use electric hedge trimmers if I started a lawn care company tomorrow.

For homeowners, I feel the battery is a no-brainer for most outdoor power equipment (especially handheld equipment.) There are a few more things to pay attention to for commercial users, like onboard chargers.

In this article, we break down the top five commercial hedge trimmers so that you can see the good and bad and make an informed choice on which to use in your busy landscaping business.

Top Hedge Trimmer Roundup

Of our five top picks, here is how they shake out in our roundup.

Lightest Weight – RedMax CHTZ2460, Stihl HS56

Most Inexpensive – Echo HC-155

Biggest Fuel Capacity – Stihl HL94 K

Biggest Blade Length – Shindaiwa HT235

Best Articulating Hedge Trimmer – RedMax SRTZ235

Best Fixed Shaft Hedge Trimmer – Stihl HL91 K

Best Electric Hedge Trimmer – Makita XNU01Z

Types of Power

Hedge trimmers can be gas-powered or electric and the electric variation has the choice of corded versus cordless. Which to choose? Here’s what you need to know about each type.

Cordless Electric

Cordless electric trimmers are low maintenance along with lightweight appeal; plus, they are eco-friendly and low-noise. There are limited models, but several battery hedge trimmers that would be comparable to most gas commercial hedge trimmers.

Without extra charged batteries, the run-time issue will reduce your turnaround time. It is almost mandatory that you have a charging station on your truck or trailer. Otherwise, gas will win about every time.

Corded Electric

Corded electric hedge trimmers are nearly 100% homeowner units. They are exactly how they sound, a hedge trimmer with a cord that plugs into a wall. I don't know of a commercial-grade hedge trimmer that plugs in. For that reason, that's all I'll say about that.

Gas Powered

Chosen by more professional landscapers, gas-powered hedge trimmers are more powerful and will cut faster, potentially saving time and money in the long run. They can chew through larger branches so they can get more accomplished. However, gas trimmers are also heavier and usually cost more at the beginning.

Types of Commercial Hedge Trimmers

There are three main types of commercial hedge trimmers, including lightweight, fixed shaft, articulating shaft, and battery. Each of these may be the right trimmer for you, depending on your needs and preferences.

Personally, my favorite type of hedge trimmer is a fixed shaft one. These extend further than a normal lightweight hedge trimmer and are lighter than an articulating hedge trimmer. This makes them the best, in my opinion.

Lightweight Hedge Trimmers

Lightweight hedge trimmers are the normal trimmer you're probably used to seeing. Their appearance is similar to that of homeowner hedge trimmers. These are great for tight spaces, and smaller bushes, and offer incredible lightweight designs.

Just be careful with these, I'm a little scared still from cutting my knee open with one of these when I had a landscaping company. 18 stitches later, I can still say I'm not a fan of these hedge trimmers. Maybe I'm a little biased, though!

	RedMax CHTZ600	Stihl HS56	Echo HC-155	Shindaiwa HT235
Engine	21.7 cc	24.1 cc	21.2 cc	21.2 cc
Blade Length	24 in.	24 in.	24 in.	30 in.
Blade Type	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed
Weight	10.8 lbs	9.9 lbs	11.5 lbs	10.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity	15.2 oz.	9.5 oz.	16.9 oz.	12.5 oz.
Warranty	2 years	2 years	5-year consumer / 2-year commercial	5-year consumer / 2-year commercial
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Fixed Shaft Hedge Trimmers

The fixed shaft hedge trimmers are my favorite for the reasons mentioned above. I won't repeat myself except that these are great for most size bushes, lightweight, and commercial grade components. I've personally owned and used in the field all of the units below. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

	RedMax SRTZ260F	Stihl HL91 K	Echo SHC-225	Husqvarna 525HF3S
Engine	21.7 cc	24.1 cc	21.2 cc	25.4 cc
Blade Length	24 in.	24 in.	21 in.	26 in.
Blade Type	Fixed, extended	Fixed, extended	Fixed, extended	Fixed, extended
Weight	10.8 lbs	12.8 lbs	12.1 lbs	13.4 lbs
Fuel Capacity	15.2 oz.	18.3 oz.	14.2 oz.	17.25 oz.
Warranty	2 years	2 years	5-year consumer / 2-year commercial	2 Year
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Articulating Hedge Trimmers

Articulating hedge trimmers have a blade that can be adjusted to different angles. They usually extend further than most fixed shaft models as well. The articulating trimmers can be great if you regularly have large bushes to trim. They can be especially useful if you trim cone-shaped or other oddly shaped bushes.

I'm a fan of them and have owned them in the past. They are great for the right application or for a second hedge trimmer. If you're using one of these all day for all of your bush trimming, these can get a little heavy.

	RedMax SRTZ235	Stihl HL94 K	Echo HCA-2620
Engine	22.5 cc	24.1 cc	25.4 cc
Blade Length	24 in.	24 in.	21 in.
Blade Type	Articulating, extended	Articulating, extended	Articulating, extended
Weight	12.5 lbs	12.8 lbs	14.3 lbs
Fuel Capacity	21.64 oz.	18.3 oz.	20.6 oz.
Warranty	2 years	2 years	5-year consumer / 2-year commercial
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Electric Hedge Trimmers

Electric or battery hedge trimmers that are actually commercial grade are fairly new to the market. They have continued to get better each and every year, and I can confidently recommend the units below. I would seriously consider switching to battery, especially hedge trimmers if I had a lawn care business because it isn't used all day. They typically get less use daily than a string trimmer or mower.

	Makita XNU01Z	Greenworks Pro 82PH30F	Stihl HLA 66	Echo DHC-2300	Husqvarna 520iHE3
Battery Type	18V LXT	82V	AP Series	56V eFORCE	40V
Run time	80 minutes	205 minutes	145 minutes	90 minutes	n/a
Blade Length	20 in.	24 in.	20 in.	22 in.	22 in.
Blade Type	Articulating	Fixed	Articulating	Fixed	Articulating
Weight	9.2 lbs	11.9 lbs	10.96 lbs	9.15 lbs	11 lbs
Warranty	3 Years	2 Years	2 years	5-year consumer / 2-year commercial	2 Year
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Top 5 Commercial Hedge Trimmers

I've done all the research, tested each unit extensively, and owned all of these hedge trimmers. Through all of that, I have selected the following five commercial hedge trimmers as my favorites. See what makes them our choice and see which of these hedge trimmers is perfect for your commercial needs.

	RedMax CHTZ600	Stihl HL94	Echo SHC-225	Shindaiwa HT235	Husqvarna 525HF3S
Engine	21.7 cc	24.1 cc	21.2 cc	21.2 cc	25.4 cc
Blade Length	24 in.	24 in.	21 in.	30 in.	26 in.
Blade Type	Fixed	Articulating, extended	Fixed, extended	Fixed	Fixed, extended
Weight	10.8 lbs	12.8 lbs	12.1 lbs	10.8 lbs	13.4 lbs
Fuel Capacity	15.2 oz.	18.3 oz.	14.2 oz.	12.5 oz.	17.25 oz.
Warranty	2 years	2 years	5-year consumer / 2-year commercial	5-year consumer / 2-year commercial	2 Year
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

RedMax CHTZ2460

The RedMax CHTZ2460 has a Strato-charged 2-stroke engine and a 24-inch dual steel blade. This is a great, lightweight hedge trimmer that will trim small to medium size bushes with ease. The best part is the weight of this trimmer. It comes in at under 10 pounds so you'll be able to cut bushes for a long time.

As stated above, I'm not a huge fan of normal hedge trimmers, but if I had to choose one, this would be one of my top picks for several reasons.

• Power: Gas
• Blade Length: 24 inches
• Weight: 9.9 pounds
• Cutting speed: 3,640 cuts per minute
• Fuel capacity: 15.9 fluid ounces

Price: $$$

Stihl HL94

This commercial choice has a 24.1 cc engine and a 24-inch dual steel blade. This is a top-of-the-line hedge trimmer that is built incredibly durable and can trim bushes in a hurry.

I love the vibration-dampening system and the hedge trimmer's articulating blade. The downside of any articulating hedge trimmer is the weight. It is a couple of pounds heavier than most other hedge trimmers. While that may not sound like much, this can be taxing after several hours.

• Power: Gas
• Blade Length: 24 inches
• Weight: 12.8 pounds
• Fuel capacity: 18.3 fluid ounces

Price: $$$

If you'd prefer a fixed shaft instead of an articulating one, check out the HL91 K and HL56 K. Even though the engine isn't quite as good, the HL56 K model is a little lighter and shorter, so it's easier to control. I used one of these for years.

Echo SHC-225

This commercial choice has a 21.2 cc professional-grade, 2-stroke engine, and a 24-inch dual steel blade. Starting with the negative, this hedge trimmer is a little heavy, and the blade is a little shorter than other competitors.

For some reason, I grew to love this hedge trimmer, though. Outside of it being a little heavy it is very easy to control and the vibration is pretty low.

• Power: Gas
• Blade Length: 21 inches
• Weight: 12.1 pounds
• Fuel capacity: 14.2 fluid ounces

We love the large, user-friendly handle and the toolless access air filtration system that makes it easy to change on the fly.

Price: $

If you need a lighter-weight fixed shaft hedge trimmer, check out the RedMax SRTZ260F.

Shindaiwa HT235

This commercial choice has a 21.2 cc professional-grade, 2-stroke engine and 30 inches of blade. The best part about this hedger trimmer is the blade length. You can trim small to medium size bushes extremely fast with this unit.

This is a very powerful head trimmer that is easy to control, has low vibration, and is fairly light. It is definitely worth looking into depending on the type of bushes you will be trimming.

• Power: Gas
• Blade Length: 30 inches
• Weight: 10.8 pounds
• Cutting speed: 4,670 cuts per minute
• Fuel capacity: 12.5 fluid ounces

Price: $$$

Husqvarna 525HF3S

The Husqvarna 525HF3S is kind of a wildcard pick for me. It probably wouldn't be my first option, but it does a great job and you can't go wrong with it. It has a 25.4cc X-Torq® engine and a 26-inch dual steel blade.

There are a ton of pros for this hedge trimmer including, a long blade length, tons of power, and a large fuel capacity. The only real downside is the weight of the hedge trimmer

• Power: Gas
• Blade Length: 26 inches
• Weight: 13.5 pounds
• Cutting speed: 4,339 cuts per minute
• Fuel capacity: 17.25 fluid ounces

Price: $$

Best Commercial Battery Hedge Trimmers

Commercial battery hedge trimmers have come a long way in the past few years. I have tested nearly every electric hedge trimmer on the market and I can confidently say overall, they do a great job.

Below are my top electric hedge trimmers for commercial applications. These are top-of-the-line and built to be used by lawn care and landscaping companies.

Makita XNU01Z

The Makita XNU01Z is probably one of my favorite battery hedge trimmers because of its versatility. It is very light and has a lightweight battery that lasts a fairly long time.

Battery: 18V LXT

Run Time: 80 minutes

Blade Length: 20 inches

Weight: 9.2 lbs

Price: $$$

Check out the rest of Makita's hedger trimmers here.

Greenworks Pro 82PH30F

The Greenworks Pro 82PH30F is a newer model that stands out because of its runtime. This hedger trimmer legitimately lasts at least 3 hours on a single charge. There is also a rapid charger that can charge the battery in around 40 minutes.

This battery hedge trimmer is a little heavy but for the longer blade and runtime, I think this one is definitely worth looking into. I was instantly a huge fan of it.

Battery: 82V

Run Time: 205 minutes

Blade Length: 24 inches

Weight: 11.9 lbs

Price: $$$

Stihl HLA 66

Of course, Stihl is the leader in handheld equipment and they have doubled down on their battery-powered equipment. The Stihl HLA 66 is a solid choice if you need a lightweight hedge trimmer that is also fairly light.

Battery: AP Series

Run Time: 145 minutes

Blade Length: 20 inches

Weight: 10.86 lbs

Price: $$$

Commercial Hedge Trimmer Buying Guide

There are several factors to consider when you go to buy a commercial hedge trimmer. Here are just a few things you’ll want to look for and think about before you go shopping.

• Power – the bigger the engine the more power you are going to have at your fingertips. Deciding how much power you will need for the job will depend on what size branches you are typically cutting in your business.
• Cost – you’ll want to budget for this, and figure out how much you can afford to put into a hedge trimmer. For our list, there wasn't too much money difference, but for businesses just starting out it may be a factor.
• Blade Length – do you want a shorter blade that is easier to manage or a longer blade that will trim a wider area? Blade length is one of the more critical issues to figure out so you can choose accordingly.
• Type of Blade – single-sided blades are easier to work with but double-sided blades speed up the process and allow for cutting both sides at once. Most commercial options are double-sided.
• Weight of Trimmer – heavy trimmers can lead to fatigue but are more powerful usually while lightweight trimmers are safer and easier but not as powerful. Your body size and strength level may factor into this decision.
• Ease of Use – you can pick trimmers that have fatigue control and larger, more ergonomic handles, as well as have features that make maintenance easier on the user.
• Time for Maintenance – you’ll want to factor in the time spent mixing fuel and sharpening blades, as well as winter maintenance for your trimmer. If maintenance isn’t a key thought, you’re gambling on pulling out a broken down and faulty trimmer when the new growing season emerges.

FAQ

What are the best commercial hedge trimmer brands?

The best gas commercial hedge trimmer brands are Stihl, RedMax, Echo, Shindaiwa, and Husqvarna. Most of these brands also have battery hedge trimmers. If you're in need of a better hedge trimmer, the best brands are Makita, Greenworks Pro, Stihl, and Echo.

What is the cheapest commercial hedge trimmer?

The cheapest commercial hedge trimmer is the Echo HC-155. Even though it is the least expensive, it isn't by much and it definitely doesn't lack in features. This is a solid hedge trimmer for the money.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Hedge Trimmer?

Just like any other piece of outdoor power equipment, there are several factors to take into consideration when choosing a hedge trimmer. The main things to pay attention to are blade length/type, engine/power, weight, fuel tank capacity, and warranty. If you really want to go the extra mile, you may want to look into the cutting speed and max diameter the hedge trimmer can cut.

Should I oil hedge trimmer blades?

Most commercial hedge trimmers have steel blades with a couple of pivot points. After each use you should clean off all dirt and debris from the blade. Once this is complete you should add a little oil to the pivot points and the blade.

Should I get a multi-attachment system or individual tools?

This ultimately comes down to personal preference. I will say that a multi-attachment system makes the most sense with a hedge trimmer. I definitely wouldn't want a multi-tool system for a string trimmer and edger. These are used too often to have to switch the tool at each yard.

Since you most likely don't trim bushes in every yard it may be worthwhile to use one of these systems.

A few good choices for multi-tool systems are Stihl's Kombi system, RedMax EXZ260S-PH, and Echo's Pro Attachment Series.

Wrapping it up

Whether you are looking for a commercial trimmer for your large property or for your business, these top commercial hedge trimmers should definitely be in contention for your choice. With careful thought and planning, you can pick a hedge trimmer that will give you and your business years of service.

What Do You Think?

What do you think is the best commercial hedge trimmer? Let us know in the comments!

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