Choosing Between a Cordless Hedge Trimmer and a Li-Ion Battery Hedge Trimmer
Before you decide to purchase a hedge trimmer, you need to consider what type of trimmer is best suited for your needs. Different trimmers provide different versatility. Choosing the right one for your purposes means choosing one that will cut through all kinds of grasses and shrubs, not just the typical green grass. You also want a hedge trimmer that is not only durable but easy to use and operate as well. This makes it easy to find the perfect one for you.
The topiary industry has developed cordless hedge trimmers over the years. Today's trimmers are a lot more powerful than those in years past. However, they still only manage to trim a limited amount of ground at a time. Depending on how many branches you need to trim, you might be better off using a gas trimmer rather than cordless. Cordless trimmers can however get into large areas quite easily and cut into thickets with relative ease.
The choice between cordless hedge trimmers and corded versions is also largely dependent upon whether or not you want a cordless model that can also trim leaves and branches. While this feature is not generally that useful on hedges, it can be useful if you do a lot of trimming. If not, cordless trimmers that are cordless do make great alternatives to corded models for people who are more concerned about ease of use. Cordless hedge trimmers tend to have longer battery lives and are generally less expensive than their corded cousins.
Another big difference between the two types of trimmers is the way they run. A cordless hedge trimmer is designed so that it can use a small lithium battery that stores electrical charge when it is being used. When the cordless battery dies, it simply needs to be recharged. This allows the user to use the trimmer without actually using a cord. This charge can then be stored in a deep-cycle battery which should last up to one year. Once the battery has reached its maximum capacity, it can be disposed of in any regular trash container.
This battery power source can give users plenty of time to trim the hedges. On average, a corded trimmer will need to be plugged in for a minimum of forty minutes before it is actually useful enough to trim the hedges. The best models can even trim lawns for up to three days straight. The biggest drawback of this, however, is that the batteries will need to be replaced every three to four months. This means that the initial investment will be back breaking for most people.
Cordless hedge trimmers are also designed differently from their corded cousins. The rechargeable battery will have a smaller keychain that will require the use of a compatible charger cord. It will also be easier for users to recharge the battery. Most models will only need to be charged once per charging session, which is very convenient.
The cordless hedge trimmer is not the only type available, however. For those with large gardens, or medium-sized hedges, a trimmer with a cord might be too large. In these cases, a smaller trimmer will do just fine. Smaller gardeners will find that these trimmers often come with a rechargeable lithium battery. These are smaller, lighter and much easier to use than their corded cousins.
A lithium ion battery gives the user greater mobility, but at a cost. The smaller, lightweight lithium ion battery has a much shorter charge life than the li-ion batteries used in corded trimmers. This shortening in charge life is not enough to make up for the additional effort required to move and recharge the battery. For medium-sized and larger gardens a combo of the cordless hedge trimmer with a li-ion battery combination will be the right choice.