7 Best Extendable Hedge Trimmers For Reaching Over Fences Old Gardeners Love
Trim high hedges and reach over fences without strain. Our guide reviews the 7 best extendable trimmers, prized for being lightweight and easy to handle.
That back fence line, once a neat row of privet, is now a wild, woody beast reaching for the sky. You can’t get the mower close, and leaning a ladder against it feels like a recipe for a trip to the emergency room. This is where a good extendable hedge trimmer changes the game, turning a dangerous, day-long chore into a manageable afternoon task. It’s not about finding the most powerful tool; it’s about finding the right tool that balances reach, weight, and power for your body and your property.
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DEWALT 20V MAX: Power for Tough Overgrowth
The DEWALT is for that hedge you’ve let go for a season too long. Its real strength is cutting through thicker, woodier branches that would jam up less powerful trimmers. If you’re dealing with mature lilac, forsythia, or an old privet hedge, this is the tool that brings the necessary muscle.
Think of it as a preventative measure. By having the power to cut branches up to an inch thick, you can reclaim an overgrown area without having to switch to a pole saw or loppers for every other branch. This saves a tremendous amount of time and frustration. The 20V MAX battery platform is also a huge plus if you already own other DEWALT tools, simplifying your charging station.
The tradeoff for this power is weight. It’s not the lightest tool on the list, and holding it fully extended overhead requires some strength. For quick, tough jobs, it’s a beast. For a long afternoon of delicate shaping, you might feel the burn in your shoulders.
EGO Power+ Multi-Head: A Versatile System
The EGO system isn’t just a hedge trimmer; it’s an investment in a platform. The power head accepts different attachments, including a string trimmer, edger, and a fantastic pole saw. For a hobby farmer with limited shed space, this is a brilliant solution that reduces clutter and long-term cost.
Powered by a 56V battery, the EGO has incredible power and runtime, rivaling some gas models without the noise, fumes, or maintenance headaches. The hedge trimmer attachment itself is sharp, durable, and articulates to different angles, making it easy to get a flat top on a tall hedge. This is the system you buy if you plan to tackle multiple property-maintenance jobs and want one reliable power source for all of them.
The initial buy-in is higher than for a dedicated tool. You’re paying for the potential of the system. But if you know you’ll eventually need a pole saw for pruning fruit trees or an edger for the driveway, it’s more economical in the long run. It’s the smart choice for the homesteader looking to consolidate their tool collection.
Ryobi ONE+ 18V: Best Value for Hobby Farmers
Ryobi has mastered the balance between "good enough" and "affordable." The 18V ONE+ pole hedge trimmer has plenty of power for routine trimming of boxwoods, yews, and other common landscaping shrubs. It won’t chew through ancient, woody overgrowth like a DEWALT or EGO, but it’s not designed to.
This is the perfect tool for someone who stays on top of their hedge maintenance. Its lighter weight makes it manageable for longer periods, and the ONE+ battery system is one of the most extensive and affordable on the market. If you already have a Ryobi drill or impact driver, you can likely buy the "tool-only" version of this trimmer and save a good chunk of money.
Don’t mistake value for weakness. For 90% of the maintenance trimming you’ll do around the garden and fence lines, this tool is more than capable. It’s the pragmatic choice for the budget-conscious gardener who values practicality over raw power.
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX: Lightweight and Nimble
This is the trimmer you buy for your parents, or the one you grab when your shoulders are already aching from stacking firewood. The BLACK+DECKER is noticeably lighter than many of its competitors. That difference is massive when you’re holding it overhead for 30 minutes straight.
The reduced weight means a slight reduction in power, so this isn’t the tool for reclaiming the back forty. It’s designed for precision and comfort during regular maintenance. The articulating head and comfortable grip make it easy to maneuver, allowing for clean, straight lines on hedges without the fatigue that causes sloppy work.
Its greatest feature is its usability. It encourages you to trim more often because the task is less physically demanding. This leads to healthier, better-looking hedges and prevents the overgrowth that requires a heavier, more powerful tool in the first place.
Greenworks 40V Pole Trimmer: Quiet Operation
If you have neighbors close by or animals that spook easily, a loud gas trimmer is a non-starter. The Greenworks 40V system is impressively quiet. You can get out early on a Saturday morning to trim hedges without waking up the entire neighborhood.
The 40V platform provides a great middle ground of power. It’s a clear step up from 18V/20V models, giving you the confidence to tackle slightly thicker branches, while still being lighter and more manageable than the 56V+ systems. The runtime is excellent, often lasting long enough to complete all your trimming on a single charge.
This is a fantastic all-around option for the suburban hobby farmer. It has enough power for most jobs, is light enough for extended use, and operates quietly. It’s a considerate tool, both for your ears and your relationships with your neighbors.
WORX 20V Power Share: Adjusts for Any Angle
The standout feature of the WORX pole trimmer is its highly adjustable pivoting head. While most trimmers offer a few set angles, the WORX often provides more granular control, which is incredibly useful for sculpting or trimming awkwardly shaped shrubs. It allows you to keep the blade perfectly flat on top of a hedge without having to stand on a ladder.
This adjustability is a huge safety and convenience feature. It means you can often keep both feet planted firmly on the ground while reaching the top, back, and sides of a hedge. The 20V Power Share battery system is another bonus, as it works across a wide range of WORX garden and power tools.
The tool is lightweight and best suited for maintenance rather than demolition. But for the gardener who takes pride in perfectly shaped hedges and wants to do it safely and comfortably, the superior articulation of the WORX is a compelling reason to choose it.
Sun Joe Corded Electric: Reliable, No-Fuss Power
Sometimes, you just want a tool that works every single time you pull the trigger. With a corded model like the Sun Joe, you never have to worry about a dead battery halfway through a job. The power is consistent from the first cut to the last.
Managing the extension cord is the obvious trade-off. It can be a hassle, especially when working along a long fence line far from an outlet. But for hedges right next to the house, garage, or an outdoor outlet, it’s an incredibly practical and affordable solution. Corded tools are also significantly lighter than their battery-powered counterparts because they don’t have a heavy battery pack on the back.
This is the ideal trimmer for someone with a smaller, more contained property. If your trimming needs are predictable and close to a power source, the reliability and low cost of a corded model are hard to beat. It’s a simple tool for a simple job.
Choosing Your Trimmer: Weight, Reach, and Power
Making the right choice comes down to being honest about your needs and your physical limitations. Don’t get sold on power you’ll never use if it means the tool is too heavy for you to operate safely.
First, consider the weight. Pick up a 10-pound bag of flour and hold it out in front of you. Now imagine holding it over your head for 15 minutes. A couple of pounds makes a monumental difference. A lighter tool you can use comfortably is always better than a heavy-duty one that sits in the shed.
Second, evaluate the reach. Measure your tallest hedge. A tool that boasts a "12-foot reach" usually means the total length of the tool plus a person of average height holding it. Look for the actual tool length and be realistic about how high you need to go. More reach always means more weight at the end of the pole, making it harder to control.
Finally, match power to the task. Look at what you’re cutting.
- New, leafy growth: Any 18V or 20V model will work perfectly.
- Branches pencil-thick or slightly larger: A 40V system provides a good power boost.
- Woody, neglected branches up to an inch thick: You’ll need the torque of a 56V+ system or a high-end 20V model like the DEWALT.
There is no single "best" trimmer. The best one is the one that fits your property, your budget, and your body.
The right extendable hedge trimmer isn’t just a tool; it’s a ticket to independence in the garden. It keeps you off rickety ladders and makes a daunting task manageable, allowing you to maintain your property safely and efficiently. Choose wisely, and you can spend less time fighting with your landscape and more time enjoying it.
