The Ego Power+ Cordless Hedge Trimmer is a Powerhouse... But Wielding it is a Workout

6 min readEgo’s hedge trimmer can cut through stems up to 1.2 inches thick. You can tackle more faster thanks to a high cutting speed and 26-inch long barAt 10 pounds, it takes some muscle to operate this hedge trimmerMost cordless hedge trimmers are good for trimming a few shrubs, but if your yard is like mine—filled with bushes and hedges to manage—you’ll need a machine with serious power and battery life under the hood. My goal was to cut the 75 minutes it takes me to trim the hedges and shrubs in the yard in half, so I went looking for a hedge trimmer with the chops to handle bigger trimming jobs. Having tested both Ego’s impressive and powerful 56V leaf blower and 20-inch electric chainsaw, I was curious if its top-of-the-line 56-volt hedge trimmer, the HT2601, would be up to the task.I spent three weeks testing the HT2601, which included using it to tame an unruly row of hedges in my backyard and a half dozen large rose bushes lining the front of my home. During this time, I trimmed the top and sides of a 20-foot-long, 5-foot-high row of Loropetalum that creates a privacy hedge between my property and my neighbor’s, a few large bushes in the front yard, and a row of mature rose bushes that frame my front porch.ProsTrims through foliage quickly thanks to high cutting speedLarge 1.2 inch cutting capacityLong battery lifeBattery56VWeight10 lbBlade Length26 in.Cutting Speed3,400 cut/minNoise Level67dBWhile I didn’t get the one-hour runtime that Ego advertises on a single charge, I did get a full 45 minutes, which was enough to finish the entire pruning job. It’s not the longest runtime of the hedge trimmers I tested for our buying guide—the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 took that prize—but it is on the high end. The Ego also scores high marks for its quick recharge time.The Ego was similar in performance, though, to our top overall pick, the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60. While the 320iHD60 offered a faster cutting speed and features like vibration dampening and a boost button that allows you to toggle between saving battery life and max power, the Hedge Master also weighs 1 pound more.Backed by its powerful 56V system, the Ego HT2601 can carve through denser shrubbery far better than hedge trimmers packing less power. While its large battery and motor make it one of the heavier hedge trimmers out there, the HT2601’s cutting power, capacity, and better-than-average battery life make it a worthy hedge trimmer for anyone with a lot of shrubs to trim and the upper body strength to handle this machine’s heavier weight.Plenty of Power Shaved 30 Minutes Off Longer JobsEgo’s cordless yard tools pack a wallop largely because of their 56-volt ARC lithium-ion battery. It’s what made the brand’s 20-inch chainsaw our pick for best heavy-duty electric chainsaw. For Ego’s flagship hedge trimmer, that 56-volt system translates to an impressive cutting speed of 3,400 strokes per minute (SPM) with a 26-inch cutting bar. With this speed and blade length, the longest hedge trimmer Ego offers, I was able to carve quickly through thick foliage that would have slowed less powerful hedge trimmers. While the time savings was less noticeable for smaller jobs, such as trimming a single shrub, it shaved about 30 minutes off the 75 minutes or so that it normally takes me to complete my yard’s hedge trimming chores.Tony CarrickThis hedge trimmer has an adjustable handle that rotates so you can shape your plants or bushes without a struggle like you might with a fixed handle.Tony CarrickTackling thicker branches is no sweat with Ego’s 26-inch cutting bar with its 1.2-inch cut capacity.That 56-volt system also gives this hedge trimmer a cutting capacity of 1.2 inches, greater than the 1-inch capacity we see on similarly powered hedge trimmers like the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60, and well above the three-quarters of an inch you’ll get out of lighter-duty cordless and corded models. This was especially useful when pruning a set of 5-foot-high rose bushes, which have thicker, woodier stems than the average shrub.Ego lists the runtime for the HT2601 at 1 hour, which is high for any battery-powered hedge trimmer. Realistically and based on our testing, you can expect something closer to 45 minutes depending on the thickness of the hedges you’re cutting. Given its high cutting speed, it was ample time for me to complete all my trimming needs. I trimmed the aforementioned hedge, pruned my rose bushes, cleaned up some smaller bushes, and trimmed back an overgrown bush by my front walk—and still had one bar of battery life left. With the Ego’s fan-cooled charger, it took just 51 minutes to recharge the 2.5-amp-hour battery. That’s lightning fast compared to the Husqvarna Hedge Master’s 36-volt battery, which took more than two and a half hours to fully recharge when I tested it.An Adjustable Handle Offers You More DexterityTrimming a hedge or shrub typically requires that you hold the hedge trimmer blade at various angles to shape the plant’s foliage. Holding the hedge trimmer at those angles can be awkward if the handle is fixed. Similar to the WORX Nitro hedge trimmer, Ego solves this issue with an adjustable handle. The handle rotates 180 degrees (90 degrees to the left or right) to five different positions, so you can cut horizontally, vertically, and at several angles in between. Since these adjustments can be made from the handle by simply pulling a trigger, I was able to cut over the top of a hedge, then make an adjustment to carve down the sides, making handle adjustments midcut.Tony CarrickThe Ego is a powerful option, but its hefty weight means you’ll need some muscle.With Great Power Comes Extra WeightSince Ego’s chainsaws, blowers, and other yard equipment get their power off a hefty 56-volt battery, they also tend to be on the heavier side. That’s the case with the Ego hedge trimmer, which weighs 7 pounds as a bare tool and an arm-burning 10 pounds with the 2.5-amp-hour battery. While Ego does a nice job of balancing this weight, I could still feel it in my shoulders after trimming a 20-foot-long row of hedges or when cutting at or above the shoulders. While the weight didn’t slow me down, I certainly felt it more than with my old corded hedge trimmer, which weighs about half as much.Tony CarrickThe HT2601 has the industry’s first carbon fiber rail. This stiffer rail allows more rigidity that helps to cut denser foliage and deliver cleaner cuts.Part of the HT2601’s weight stems from its sturdy build quality. The body is made from a sturdy grade of plastic that’s built to take a beating. It didn't crack, even when the trimmer slipped out of my hands while carrying it across my concrete driveway. The HT2601 also uses the industry’s first carbon fiber rail, which makes it more rigid without adding as much weight to the machine as an all-metal rail would. Along with keeping the HT2601 from being heavier than it already is, the stiffer rail also prevents it from flexing when pushing it through denser foliage, keeping the blades aligned for a cleaner cut.The VerdictWe’re used to Ego’s yard tools pushing the power envelope when it comes to battery-powered yard machines, and that’s the case with the HT2601. With its 1.2-inch cutting capacity, high cutting speed, and 26-inch-long bar, it’s one of the highest-performing cordless hedge trimmers I’ve tested.Ego’s cutting power and battery life do come at a cost of sorts, and that’s in weight. At 10 pounds, this hedge trimmer requires some measure of upper body strength and endurance, especially when cutting up high or for longer trimming jobs. There are lighter options out there, and if that is what you are looking for, check out the WORX Nitro 40-volt which weighs a full 2 pounds less. While the WORX won’t offer the power and cutting capacity of the Ego HT2601, its lighter weight makes it easier to operate.At $229, Ego’s top hedge trimmer isn’t a budget pick, but it’s also more affordable than other premium cordless hedge trimmers like the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 with a kitted price of $320. The Ego’s reasonable cost along with its impressive power and battery life make it a great choice for homeowners with considerable hedge trimming duties on their weekend to-do list.Shop the Ego Power+ Hedge TrimmerOther Hedge Trimmers We RecommendHusqvarna 320iHD60 hedge trimmerNow 7% OffThis top-of-the-line hedge trimmer combines exceptional cutting speed with long battery life and a design that makes it easy to cut at various angles.Worx Nitro 40V, 24-Inch Electric Hedge TrimmerThis hedge trimmer is affordable and lightweight, making it a good choice for small to moderate hedge trimming jobs, especially if you already own some WORX 20-volt yard machines.Craftsman V20 18-inch Electric Pole Hedge TrimmerIf you’re cutting hedges that extend well above the head, then ditch the ladder and keep your feet safely on the ground with this pole hedge trimmer. With its 6-foot length, it can reach well above your head to trim taller shrubs and bushes.Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.Jamie, Senior Reviews Editor, joined the Hearst Enthusiast Group in 2021. She has covered technology and consumer lifestyle gadgets since 1995—and shared her expertise in print, digital, and in broadcast originating the role of The Gizmo Girl for ESPN’s Cold Pizza. She has written about, tested, and reviewed everything from turkey fryers to high-definition TVs. Her byline has appeared in TWICE, Sound & Vision, Consumer Reports, and many others. In her free time, Jamie is in a yoga class, searching for the perfect matcha latte, or walking the boards.