Learning Yard Work One Trim at a Time
When we bought our house on 10 acres near Lake Erie, I was pretty much a complete newbie when it came to yard work. Sure, I had done some basic maintenance before, but nothing on the scale of what we have now. Before this, we rented a house with a backyard full of hedges, which is where I first got a taste of trimming. It’s also where I learned—very painfully, I might add—that I am extremely sensitive to poison ivy. Let’s just say I won’t be making that mistake again.
The Greenworks Hedge Trimmer: A Reliable Workhorse?
Before we even moved to our current home, I picked up a Greenworks cordless hedge trimmer to keep the hedges at our rental in check. Now, more than five years later, this thing is still going strong. I’ve used it on all kinds of bushes, including the rhododendrons and lilacs that cover our front yard, and it hasn’t given me a single issue with them. It’s easy to use, reliable, and makes yard work feel a little less overwhelming.
What It Can—and Can’t—Handle
While this hedge trimmer does a great job on bushes and smaller branches, it does have limits. Our 10 acres have plenty of overgrowth, and I’ve tried using it to trim hanging oak branches that were getting out of hand. Some of the thinner ones? No problem. The thicker ones? Not so much. It just doesn’t have the power to slice through heavy-duty branches. But that’s not really what it’s made for, so I can’t fault it there.
Battery Life and Practical Use Greenworks Hedge Trimmer
One thing I was a little concerned about before buying was battery life. When you’re working on a yard this size, running out of power mid-task can be frustrating. The good news? That hasn’t been an issue for me. I carry two batteries with me, so when one runs low, I swap it out and keep going. As long as I plan ahead, I never run into problems.
I’ve been using this hedge trimmer for years now, and I don’t see myself replacing it anytime soon. It’s reliable, easy to handle, and does exactly what I need it to do—within reason. If you’re dealing with standard bushes, hedges, and smaller branches, this might be a solid option for you. But if you’re hoping to take down thick, stubborn tree limbs, you’ll probably need something with a little more power.
Curious about the specs and details? Let’s take a look at the numbers—you might find it’s just what you need for your own yard.
A Hedge Trimmer That Gets the Job Done
If you’re looking for a solid, no-fuss hedge trimmer that can handle most yard work without giving you a headache, the Greenworks 40V 24″ Cordless Hedge Trimmer is a great option. I’ve been using mine for years, and it’s made keeping up with our overgrown bushes, hedges, and shrubs so much easier. It’s got just the right mix of power, convenience, and ease of use—and best of all, no annoying cords to wrangle.
Sharp Blades, Smooth Cuts
This trimmer has a 24-inch dual-action steel blade, which is just a fancy way of saying it cuts cleanly and doesn’t rattle your arms to death with vibration. Whether you’re shaping up hedges or chopping through medium-sized branches, it’s got enough power to get the job done. It handles branches up to 0.75 inches thick without an issue, but anything thicker can be a bit of a struggle. If you’re dealing with woody, old growth or thick overgrowth, you might need to bring out the loppers or a pruning saw.
Designed to Make Trimming Easier
One thing I really appreciate is the 180° rotating rear handle—it makes trimming at different angles way more comfortable. Whether you’re going at a hedge sideways, working overhead, or just tackling those weird angles, this trimmer doesn’t fight you. It’s lightweight (around 10.8 lbs) and has a cushioned grip, which helps keep fatigue at bay when you’re out there trimming for a while.
Cordless Convenience That Lasts
The 40V lithium-ion battery gives you up to an hour of runtime, which is plenty for most yard jobs. I keep two batteries on hand, so I never run out of juice mid-trim. If you already have other Greenworks 40V tools, the batteries are interchangeable, which is a nice bonus. Compared to corded trimmers, this one lets you move freely without worrying about accidentally slicing through a power cord (been there, done that).
How It Compares to Other Trimmers
If you’re looking at similar trimmers, here’s how this one stacks up:
- It’s not quite as heavy-duty as the EGO POWER+ HT2600, which can handle slightly thicker branches (up to 1.2 inches), but it’s still powerful enough for most residential yards.
- It’s stronger than the RYOBI ONE+ 18V model, with better cutting capacity and longer battery life.
- It’s lighter than a lot of gas-powered or heavy-duty electric trimmers, so if you don’t want to feel like you’re wrestling with yard equipment, this is a good middle ground.
What It Handles Best (And Where It Struggles)
This trimmer works great on soft shrubs like boxwood and privet—it gives clean, precise cuts without shaking your arms to pieces. It also does well on medium-density hedges like hydrangeas and maiden grasses, especially with that rotating handle making the awkward cuts easier.
Where it struggles a bit:
- Old, woody shrubs – It’ll trim them, but you might need multiple passes.
- Really thick branches – Anything over 0.75 inches is pushing it.
- Dense, tangled brambles or vines – It’ll chop through lighter sections, but anything really overgrown will slow it down.
Final Thoughts
For general yard maintenance, this hedge trimmer is a solid, hassle-free choice. It’s light, easy to use, and powerful enough for the usual residential trimming jobs. If you’re dealing with super thick branches or heavy-duty clearing, you might need a more powerful tool. But for keeping hedges, bushes, and shrubs under control, it’s been a great investment.
If you’re tired of fighting with cords or dealing with gas-powered trimmers, this one might be worth checking out. Just don’t expect a heavy-duty tool for the really, really tough jobs. Otherwise I’d recommend checking it out!