Every hedge trimmer gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Trimmers are grouped by power source, battery and gas, and value, blade and weight have their own scale for each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per inch of blade | 30% |
| Cutting capacity | largest branch it cuts | 20% |
| Blade | blade length | 15% |
| Weight | the trimmer's weight as the maker states it | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 20% |
Where the numbers come from
Blade length, cutting capacity, weight and warranty come from the maker’s product page, spec sheet or manual, or the maker’s own copy on its Amazon listing. Prices are checked at Amazon and the maker’s own store, and the lowest is used. Battery trimmers are priced as kits with a battery and charger.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the blade length in inches, on a log scale, so going from $10 to $5 per inch counts as much as going from $20 to $10. For battery trimmers, $25 per inch scores zero and $4 full marks; for gas trimmers, $32 per inch scores zero and $8 full marks.
Cutting capacity is the thickest branch the maker says it cuts, or the tooth gap when that is all it gives: 1/2 in scores zero and 1 1/4 in full marks.
Blade is the blade length: for battery trimmers, 18 in scores zero and 26 in full marks; for gas trimmers, 18 in scores zero and 30 in full marks.
Weight is the weight the maker states: for battery trimmers, 11 lb scores zero and 6 lb full marks; for gas trimmers, 13 lb scores zero and 9 lb full marks. Makers state weight with or without the battery or fuel, so the basis is shown next to each figure.
Warranty is the length of the consumer warranty on the trimmer: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Strokes per minute, a rotating handle, a double sided blade, runtime and battery size are listed but not scored. Runtime claims depend on how hard the trimmer works, so they aren’t a fair comparison.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.