When selecting a cordless hedge trimmer, one of the most critical factors is the battery voltage which determines the power and performance you’ll get.

Hedge trimmers today typically utilise lithium-ion batteries rated from 18V right up to 56V and beyond. But what voltage provides the best blend of power, runtime and usability for domestic hedge trimming duties?

How Voltage Impacts Power

The voltage indicates how much rotating force the electric motor can produce. Higher voltage equals more torque directly transferred to the cutting blades. This added power lets the blades slice effortlessly through thicker branches and harder wood. Lower voltage hedge trimmers (18V – 24V) make light work of soft green new growth. But they often struggle when faced with woody mature stems.

Hedge trimmers rated from 36V to 40V hit the sweet spot for most homeowners. This voltage easily tackles overgrown hedges and woody stems up to the thickness of a finger. The increased power makes it less necessary to go over the same spot multiple times just to get through old woodier growth. You’ll zip through ragged hedges in a fraction of the time required by lower voltage models.

Higher voltage tools rated 50V or 56V tackle the toughest professional landscaping tasks. They power through decades old growth like butter.

Unless you have hugely overgrown hedges, these ultra-high voltage tools provide almost excess power for typical home needs.

Battery Runtime

Voltage isn’t the whole equation determining how long your cordless hedge trimmer will run before requiring a recharge. Amp hour (Ah) ratings indicate the charge capacity stored within the battery. Higher Ah equals greater runtimes for extended trimming between charging stops.

Most household hedge trimmers utilise batteries rated from 2.0Ah to 5.0Ah capacity. Lower capacity 2.0Ah batteries (common on lower voltage 18V models) average around 30 minutes runtime. This dwindles further cutting thicker older branches. Fine for quick top-up trimming sessions but frustrating if you have expansive hedges to tackle.

Look for hedge trimmers equipped with at least 4.0Ah batteries. These offer 45 to 90 minutes runtime even battling through woody growth. Some premium tools now utilise enormous 5.5Ah or even 7.5Ah lithium-ion cells. This gives over two hours of cutting action off a single charge. Enough to tame extremely overgrown hedges up to 20-30 metres long in a single session!

Ergonomic Comfort

Another consideration alongside raw power is user comfort. Higher voltage hedge trimmers with long run times inevitably weigh more. Most models counterbalance increased battery heft cleverly to avoid feeling too front-heavy.

Better balanced tools reduce arm strain over extended trimming jobs. Useful features like rotating rear handles or adjustable auxiliary handles provide you with multiple comfortable grip options. This allows you to tackle all parts of the hedge without placing excess strain on your body.

Get Equipped! When looking for domestic hedge trimming greatness, a 36V to 40V cordless model hits the optimal balance of power and runtime.

Pair it with a high capacity 4.0Ah+ battery for impressive cutting stamina. This will equip you to sculpt shrubs with satisfying speed while avoiding recharging frustration. Then simply enjoy those immaculate hedges as the envy of your neighbourhood!