You've got a hedge that's two weeks past tidy, a pair of hand shears that gave up on the second row, and no desire to deal with a gas engine or an extension cord. The best cordless hedge trimmer fixes that in an afternoon. It also has to carry its battery, hold a charge long enough to finish the job and not wear out your wrists. This guide is for homeowners with ordinary yard hedges, not a mile of privet. Here are the 4 best cordless hedge trimmer picks for 2026, all sold with a battery and charger.

What to Look For in a Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Blade length. 22 to 24 inches covers most home hedges. Longer blades cut faster on flat tops, but they're heavier and harder to control on tight corners.

Cut capacity. This is the thickest branch the blades can handle. 3/4 inch handles normal new growth. If your hedge has woody stems, look for 1 inch.

Battery size and runtime. A 2.0Ah battery is the usual kit size and works for small to medium hedges. If you've got a long hedge row, plan on a second battery or a trimmer that shares a battery with other tools you own.

Weight and handle. You're holding it out in front of you. A trimmer that feels fine for 5 minutes can wear you out at 20. A rotating or wrap-around handle helps for vertical cuts.

Reach. A standard trimmer is fine up to about shoulder height. For tall hedges, a pole model keeps you off the ladder.

The 4 Best Cordless Hedge Trimmer Options in 2026

1. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer, 22 Inch (LHT2220)

Best for: small to medium hedges and first-time buyers on a budget.

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This is the most reviewed pick on the list. It has a 4.7 star rating across more than 7,000 reviews, which is rare for a tool. It has 22 inch dual-action blades, a 3/4 inch cut capacity, and the kit comes with a 20V MAX battery and charger. Black+Decker says one charge trims up to 3,000 square feet of hedges.

What makes it stand out: It's simple. A full-length trigger, a wrap-around front handle and a design that cuts up to 40% less vibration than single-action blades, according to the listing. If you just need to trim a few hedges twice a year, this does it.

Good to know: The battery is part of Black+Decker's 20V MAX line, which suits light jobs. Thick, woody growth is not what this is built for. If your hedge has stems past 3/4 inch, look at the Greenworks.

2. WORX 20V 22 Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer (WG261)

Best for: people who already own, or plan to buy, other WORX PowerShare tools.

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The WORX is nearly a twin of the Black+Decker, and it has 4.6 stars across 6,500+ reviews. It has 22 inch dual-action blades, a 3/4 inch blade gap, and it comes with a 2.0Ah 20V battery and a charger. The D-grip handle lets you hold it at different angles, which helps on tops and low spots.

What makes it stand out: The battery. WORX says the PowerShare pack works across 75+ of its 20V, 40V and 80V tools. If you already have a WORX blower or drill, you can skip buying a second battery. The listing says the blades run at 2600 strokes per minute.

Good to know: If you're not in the WORX system, there's little reason to pick it over the Black+Decker. They cut the same size of branch, and the main difference is which battery you want to live with.

3. Greenworks 40V 24 Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer, 1 Inch Cutting Capacity

Best for: thicker, overgrown hedges where 3/4 inch capacity isn't enough.

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This is the step up. The blades are 24 inches long, and they cut branches up to 1 inch thick. It runs on a 40V battery (the kit has a 2.0Ah USB battery) and Greenworks says it runs up to 60 minutes on a full charge. The rear handle rotates for vertical cuts, and the kit has a 3-year tool and battery warranty.

What makes it stand out: The extra blade length and the 1 inch capacity. It's the one here that can handle an overgrown hedge without bogging down. The 40V battery also fits Greenworks' other 40V yard tools.

Good to know: It costs a lot more than the 20V trimmers above, and it has fewer reviews (about 550) at 4.5 stars. The 24 inch blade is heavier to hold out in front of you, so think about the weight if you have a long hedge row.

4. CRAFTSMAN V20 18 Inch Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer (CMCPHT818D1)

Best for: tall hedges you'd otherwise need a ladder for.

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If your hedge is taller than you are, a standard trimmer means a ladder, which is the dangerous part of the job. This one has an extension pole that reaches up to 11 feet, 18 inch dual-action blades with a 3/4 inch cut capacity and a 180 degree pivoting head with five positions. The kit includes a V20 2.0Ah battery, a charger and a blade cover, with a 3-year limited warranty.

What makes it stand out: The reach. You can trim the top of a tall hedge from the ground, and the pivoting head lets you cut flat tops and angled sides without moving your whole body.

Good to know: It sits at 4.2 stars across 800+ reviews, lower than the others here. Holding a pole at full stretch is tiring, and it's not as precise as a regular trimmer at close range. It's the right tool only if you really have tall hedges.

How to Trim a Hedge Without a Mess

  1. Wear safety glasses and gloves. Cut only when the hedge is dry.
  2. Check for nests and cords before you start. Don't trim during nesting season if you can avoid it.
  3. Cut the sides first, working from the bottom up. Keep the blade flat against the hedge.
  4. Make the top last. Slightly narrow the top so sun reaches the lower branches.
  5. Pull the battery out before you clear a jam or change the blade cover.

If your yard needs more than a hedge trimmer, our cordless string trimmer kits and cordless leaf blower kits list the options. For high branches, see our cordless pole saw picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a cordless hedge trimmer battery last?

Most kits with a 2.0Ah battery give you roughly 30 to 60 minutes of cutting, depending on how thick the growth is. Greenworks lists up to 60 minutes for its 40V kit. Heavy cutting drains a battery faster.

Are cordless hedge trimmers powerful enough?

For regular home hedges, yes. A 20V trimmer handles new growth up to about 3/4 inch. For thick, woody stems, step up to a 1 inch capacity trimmer or use loppers for the big branches.

Is a cordless hedge trimmer better than a corded one?

Cordless trimmers are easier to move around and you won't cut the cord. A corded trimmer never runs out of power, but you need an outlet and an extension cord.

Do I need a pole hedge trimmer?

Only if your hedge is taller than you can reach comfortably from the ground. For hedges at or below shoulder height, a standard trimmer is lighter and easier to control.

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Final Thoughts

For most yards, we'd get the BLACK+DECKER LHT2220. It's the best reviewed of the four, and it cuts what most hedges need. Pick the WORX instead if you already use that battery system.

Go with the Greenworks if your hedge is overgrown or woody, and the CRAFTSMAN pole trimmer only if you'd otherwise be on a ladder.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here's how we pick products.