Following on from the best-selling second version of their Cordless Hedge Trimmer, GTech have launched a new and improved model imaginatively titled the GTech Cordless Hedge Trimmer HT 3.0.
But the question on everybody’s lips is, is the new version any good and how does it improve on the old model. Well, read on and find out.
Gtech have long had a reputation for good quality cordless electronic tools for both home and garden and their product range gets stronger and stronger with each passing year. It’s not difficult to see why. Gtech products are convenient, easy to use, low maintenance, reliable, and more importantly portable.
With the new Cordless Hedge Trimmer HT 3.0, Gtech have continued the trend of great products and have managed to improve on the previous model in every way. This makes this trimmer a great choice for most gardeners.
But before we get carried away, let’s get down to basics.
What exactly is the GTech Cordless Hedge Trimmer HT 3.0?
The 3.0 version of GTech’s hedge trimmer is a replacement for the incredibly popular HT20 model. It is similar in design and functionality but includes a variety of major improvements making it a better purchase for most gardeners.
The new model includes a professional grade lithium-ion battery that will power the trimmer for up to 1 hour from a 4 hour charge. It also has a new adjustable, laser-cut blade that powers through stems and branches up to 15mm thick. As with all Gtech tools, it is both lightweight at 2.5kg, comfortable to use, and incorporates Gtech’s patented cordless technology.
The improvements come at a cost though, with the new trimmer coming in £75 more than the previous model, that’s almost a 50% increase. The question is, are the improvements worth the increase or is the version 3 hedge trimmer an expense too far?
The short answer to this question is yes, the new version is worth the extra cost. For our money the 3.0 trimmer is not only a vast improvement over the old version but one of the best trimmers on the market. We’ll discuss why a little later on, but first let’s see what you get in the box.
What’s included in the box?
The GTech Cordless Hedge Trimmer HT 3.0 comes with the following in the box as standard:
What are the main features of the GTech Cordless Hedge Trimmer HT 3.0?
In this section we’ll take a look at the headline features of the Gtech Cordless Hedge Trimmer HT3.0 and discuss how it improves on previous versions.
More durable blade
Gtech have improved the quality of its standard blade. It is stronger and less bendable than the older 2.0 model making it better for cutting through dense foliage and thicker branches. This is invaluable on those occasions when you inadvertently hit a thicker branch that would normally make a weaker blade bend.
Battery Power
The new lithium-ion battery in the Gtech Cordless Hedge Trimmer charges to full in 4 hours and you can get up to 60 minutes of run time from a single charge. This is 33% more than the old 2.0 battery which came in at 45 minutes from a full charge and should be plenty of time for even the most demanding garden. If you need longer, then extra batteries can be bought directly from Gtech. The battery is the same one used in the new GTech Grass Trimmer GT 3.0 making swapping them out or having a spare always on charge a viable option, so long as you have both products.
As a nice addition, the trimmer sports a handy battery indicator on top allowing you to keep an eye on how much time you have left before the battery dies.
Branch Cutter Attachment
The Gtech Cordless Hedge Trimmer 3.0 has an optional branch cutting attachment for cutting through thicker branches. The cost of the attachment is £24.99, which isn’t bad considering the quality of the blade.
The normal blade will tackle most leaves, bushes, and thick stems up to 15mm with ease but for thicker wood the attachment is a godsend, especially if cutting a tree or overgrown bush.
Changing the standard cutter for the branch cutter is easy once the guard is removed. The branch cutter bears more than a passing resemblance to a pizza cutter in terms of shape and had no problem cutting branches up to 20mm thick. Gtech state that it can cut to 60mm but reports suggest that this isn’t recommended, at least not on a regular basis. A dedicated tree saw would be more suited to a job like this.
Has a Safety Harness in the Box
One of the more unique features of the trimmer is that it comes with safety harness in the box. The harness is not only good quality but adds to the safety of the trimmer and, along with the safety switch on the side that prevents accidental turning on of the blade, helps make the Gtech trimmer safer than most of the competition.
Things we like about the HT3.0
- The increase in running time from 45 minutes to 60 mins. This should be more than enough for any small to medium sized garden.
- The interchangeable battery that can be swapped with the Gtech Cordless Lawn Mower 2.0 is a great idea… so long as you have the mower as well. For those that don’t you can buy extra batteries from Gtech but they are a little expensive.
- The stronger, more durable blade make cutting through most branches easy…
- And for those thicker branches, the branch cutter attachment is a nice addition and cheap at less than £25.
- Despite the extra power and longer lasting battery, the trimmer is still lightweight at just under 2.5 kg making long cutting session less of a strain on your back.
Things we didn’t like
We really like the Gtech Cordless Hedge Trimmer 3.0 and find it hard to pick fault. If we were picky, we’d say:
- The higher price tag can’t be sniffed at. £75 is a fair chunk of money and almost a 50% increase on the old model. But having said that, the new blade’s durability and other improvements make the 3.0 trimmer something that will last you for many years to come and is a big improvement over the previous model.
Who is the 3.0 for?
The weight of the Gtech Cordless Hedge Trimmer 3.0 makes it ideal for most users, particularly older gardeners or those who struggle lifting heavy tools. It’s powerful cutting blade makes cutting hedges and small branches a breeze.
If, however, you’re looking for a heavy-duty trimmer for a professional gardening business, you might want to look for something more suitable to larger gardens and/or thicker branches.
The Final Word…
For our money, the Gtech Cordless Hedge Trimmer 3.0 is one of the best cordless hedge trimmers on the market. It’s great cutting action, lightweight frame, and portable design make it a quick and effective option for trimming most hedges and bushes.
Check out our other hedge trimmer reviews here and our guide on the Gtech leaf blower here.
