Hedge trimmers: electric, battery or petrol — which one to choose?

Thuja, cypress, privet, laurel or bougainvillea: in Morocco, a hedge protects against wind, dust and prying eyes. But it still needs regular maintenance. The hedge trimmer is the tool that saves the most time, but should you choose an electric model, a battery hedge trimmer or a petrol hedge trimmer? In this guide, Brico MIM compares the three power types, with prices in Morocco for the Gardena and Efco models available in store, and reviews the essential safety rules.

Electric, battery or petrol: the comparison

The right hedge trimmer depends mainly on three questions: how long is the hedge, how thick are the branches, and is there a power outlet nearby?

The corded electric hedge trimmer

This is the most affordable choice for a villa or a house with a garden, provided you have an outdoor outlet and a suitable extension cord. It is light, starts instantly and needs almost no maintenance.

• Gardena EasyCut 450/50: 450 W, 50 cm blade with counter-rotating blades, only 2.7 kg, impact protection at the blade tip and a cable strain relief so the extension cord does not unplug. For small to medium hedges, from 1 199 DH.
• Gardena ComfortCut 550/50: 550 W, 50 cm blade, 27 mm tooth spacing, 3.5 kg, ErgoLine handle. For medium to large hedges, from 1 759 DH.
• Gardena PowerCut 700/65: 700 W, laser-cut 65 cm blade, 27 mm spacing. For long hedges to finish in one session, from 2 169 DH.

Drawback: the cable. You always need to know where it is so you don't cut it, and the length of the extension cord limits your working range.

The battery (cordless) hedge trimmer

Cordless has taken over gardens: no cable, little noise, no fuel mix to prepare. Grab the tool, clip in the battery and trim. It is the best compromise for most home hedges.

• Gardena EasyCut 45/18V P4A (kit): supplied with an 18 V / 2 Ah battery and charger, up to 55 minutes of run time, laser-cut blades, 15 mm tooth spacing, 2.36 kg including battery. Ideal for regular maintenance, from 1 759 DH.
• Gardena ComfortCut 60/18V P4A: 60 cm blade, 20 mm spacing, 18 V / 2.5 Ah battery included, up to 56 minutes of run time, ErgoTec handle. For medium hedges, from 2 699 DH.

The batteries of these models belong to the 18 V POWER FOR ALL system: the same battery can be used with other compatible tools. Browse the range in our battery tools section and read our guide to cordless battery garden tools.

The petrol hedge trimmer

The 2-stroke engine offers power and run time anywhere, even far from any outlet: farms, large properties, windbreak hedges, green-space maintenance. On the other hand, it is heavier, noisier and needs regular maintenance.

The Efco TGS 2460 P professional petrol hedge trimmer has a 21.7 cm³ engine (1.0 HP / 0.75 kW) and a 600 mm double-sided blade with a 35 mm pitch, suited to dense, old hedges. Its steel blades are adjustable according to the plant species, its gearbox is made of aluminium and its deflector pushes cut leaves aside. It is designed for intensive use, from 7 999 DH.

For petrol engine maintenance (fuel mix, air filter, spark plug), see our article petrol engines: power and maintenance.

Tall hedges: the pole hedge trimmer

Climbing a ladder with a running hedge trimmer is one of the most dangerous situations in the garden. For tall hedges, a pole hedge trimmer lets you work from the ground:

• Gardena THS 500/48 (electric): 500 W, 48 cm blade, reach of up to about 3.5 m thanks to the telescopic shaft, folding head for the top of the hedge. From 2 229 DH.
• Gardena THS42/18V P4A (battery): 18 V / 2.5 Ah battery and charger included, up to 100 minutes of run time and 250 m² of hedge per charge, telescopic shaft of about 3 m, adjustable head, 42 cm blade. From 2 899 DH.

For small touch-ups and shrubs, a Gardena EasyCut manual hedge shears (from 449 DH) remains very handy. For thicker branches, see our guide pruning shears, hedge trimmer or chainsaw.

How to choose the right one

1. Blade length: 45–50 cm for a typical garden hedge, 60–65 cm to work faster on long hedges.
2. Tooth spacing: it indicates the thickness of twigs the tool cuts easily. The wider it is, the thicker the branches the hedge trimmer can handle (15 mm on the EasyCut 45/18V, 27 mm on the ComfortCut 550/50 and PowerCut, 35 mm pitch on the Efco).
3. Weight and ergonomics: you hold the tool at arm's length. A lightweight model and a good handle reduce fatigue.
4. Access to electricity: no outlet? Go battery or petrol.
5. Hedge height: above shoulder height, consider a pole model.
6. Frequency of use: a few trims a year for a homeowner, or daily use for a professional.

Safety: the rules to follow

• Equipment: safety glasses, gloves, closed shoes, long trousers; hearing protection is essential with a petrol model.
• Always hold the tool with both hands and keep both feet firmly planted. Avoid trimming above shoulder height without a pole.
• Inspect the hedge before starting: fence wires, electrical cables, stones, bird nests.
• Electric: use an outdoor-rated extension cord, always kept behind you, and an outlet protected by a 30 mA RCD; never in the rain or on wet vegetation.
• Battery and corded: remove the battery or unplug before cleaning the blade or clearing a stuck branch.
• Petrol: refuel with the engine off and cooled down, away from any flame, using the mix specified in the manual.
• Keep children and pets away and store the tool with its protective sheath.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a hedge trimmer cost in Morocco?

At Brico MIM, expect from 1 199 DH for an electric hedge trimmer (Gardena EasyCut 450/50), from 1 759 DH for a battery model with battery and charger, and from 7 999 DH for the Efco TGS 2460 P professional petrol model.

Battery or electric hedge trimmer: which one for a villa?

If an outlet is accessible all around the hedge, a corded electric model is the most affordable. If the hedge is long, far from the house, or if you want to avoid the cable, a battery model is more comfortable.

When should you trim a hedge in Morocco?

In general, a main trim after the spring growth spurt and a maintenance trim in late summer or autumn suit most hedges. Avoid the hottest hours of the day and adapt according to the species.

Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?

Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.