Our reviews are designed to show what a trimmer is actually like to use. This page explains the method we use as reviews are published. Testing is in progress, and this page will be updated with full results.
Our tests
| What we measure | How |
|---|---|
| Weight | Weighed on a digital scale with the battery fitted |
| Blade length and cutting capacity | Measured; tested with branches of known diameter |
| Cut time | Timed on a fixed section of the same hedge |
| Battery runtime | Run on the same hedge type from a full charge |
| Charge time | Timed from empty to full on the supplied charger |
| Noise | Measured at a fixed distance with a handheld sound meter |
| Vibration and fatigue | Rated after ten minutes of continuous use (a subjective score) |
| Cut quality | Photographed up close and scored |
| Safety features | Checked against the manual: two-handed switch, blade brake, guards |
How we get products
We buy or hire products ourselves wherever possible. If a product is loaned by a brand, we will say so on the review. We never buy, use and return a product to Amazon for the sake of a review.
Independence
Brands do not see or approve our reviews. We earn commission from some links, which does not change our recommendations: see our affiliate disclosure.
Corrections
If you spot an error, please contact us and we will correct it.