Bob Vila named the EGO Power+ HT2411 their Best Overall cordless hedge trimmer after hands-on testing, and that verdict echoed across HGTV, Power Tools Insider, and Pro Tool Reviews. The common thread: the 56V brushless motor delivers 3000 strokes per minute, which is enough raw speed to chew through 3/4-inch branches without slowing down or binding the blades.
The 24-inch dual-action hardened steel blades cut in both directions, which means fewer rough passes and cleaner hedge faces. Bob Vila specifically praised how the long, straight blade handled hedgerows and large shrubs equally well. The included 2.5Ah battery and rapid charger deliver about 60 minutes of runtime, which is enough to trim most residential properties in a single charge.
The EGO 56V ecosystem is the real long-term play. That same battery fits EGO mowers, blowers, chainsaws, and string trimmers. If you buy one EGO battery tool, you are likely buying into a full yard care platform. At $219 for the complete kit, it costs more than budget options but less than a Milwaukee or Greenworks kit.
What It Won't Do
The 24-inch blade is mid-length. If you have long, continuous hedgerows, the Ryobi and Greenworks offer 26 inches, which means fewer passes per row and faster finishing times. For the same money, you could get two extra inches of reach from a different brand. The 2.5Ah battery is also on the smaller side compared to what Ryobi or Greenworks bundle.
The Ryobi 40V HP delivers the longest blade in its price tier at 26 inches, covering more hedge surface per pass than trimmer costing twice as much. The HP (High Performance) brushless motor is a genuine upgrade over standard Ryobi 40V tools, generating meaningfully more cutting force per Pro Tool Reviews.
At under $180 with a 2.0Ah battery and charger, the price gap from the $219 EGO is real money, and the Ryobi compensates with blade length and ecosystem reach. Ryobi's 40V platform has over 200 compatible tools at Home Depot, making it one of the most affordable battery ecosystems to expand. If you already own Ryobi 40V batteries from a mower or blower, this trimmer costs you nothing in ecosystem tax.
The 2800 SPM stroke rate is 200 strokes behind the EGO, and you will notice the difference on thick boxwood or privet. On normal hedges, thin branches, and ornamental trimming, the Ryobi keeps pace without complaint.
What It Won't Do
The 2.0Ah battery is the smallest in the group. Heavy users will need a spare, and Ryobi batteries are cheap but not free. At 7.5 lbs with battery, it is heavier than the EGO or Stihl, which matters when you are holding a trimmer overhead for extended periods. The longer 26-inch blade amplifies that forward weight.
Who Should Buy Which
EGO Power+ HT2411 56V 24-Inch Hedge Trimmer
The 56V benchmark that chews through 3/4-inch branches without hesitation
- Homeowners with established hedges that include woody branches up to 3/4 inch
- Anyone building out an EGO 56V ecosystem for complete yard care
- Users who value a complete kit (battery plus charger) without researching battery compatibility
- People who prioritize clean, precise cuts on formal hedges
- Those who want the balance of power and portability at 6.2 lbs
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 26-Inch Hedge Trimmer
The longest blade in the budget tier with brushless HP motor performance
- Budget-conscious buyers who want the longest blade under $180
- Ryobi 40V ecosystem owners who already have batteries on the shelf
- Homeowners with long, continuous hedgerows where blade length saves time
- First-time cordless hedge trimmer buyers looking for a low-risk entry point
- Users with primarily thin ornamental growth that does not demand 56V power