Quick verdict
Ryobi's 40V HP hedge trimmer gives you a 26 inch bar, a 1 inch cut capacity, dual-action blades and a rotating handle for noticeably less than the EGO HT2600. It is a bare tool for the 40V platform. Owners rate it as the best balance of reach, power and price among long-blade battery trimmers.
What we liked
- 26 inch bar with 1 inch cut capacity
- HP brushless motor for clean, fast cuts
- Dual-action blades reduce vibration
- Rotating rear handle for vertical faces
- Lower price than premium rivals
What we didn't
- Tool only; battery and charger extra
- Heavier than 22 and 24 inch trimmers at full reach
- Steel rail rather than carbon fiber
Long Blade, Sensible Price
Ryobi’s 40V HP Brushless 26 inch hedge trimmer brings the specifications of premium trimmers, a long dual-action blade, a 1 inch cut capacity and a rotating rear handle, to a lower price point. It is a bare tool for Ryobi’s 40V platform, which is one of the largest in outdoor power, and it uses the brand’s top-tier HP brushless motor.
This review is based on Ryobi’s specifications and on owner feedback rather than on our own research.
Cutting Performance
A 1 inch capacity handles most overgrown shrubs as well as maintained hedges, and owners report the HP motor keeping blade speed up through dense material. Dual-action blades, where both blades move, cut cleanly and transmit less vibration to your hands than single-action designs. The finish on formal hedges is described as neat.
Reach and Handling
Twenty-six inches of blade covers wide hedges quickly and reaches across the top of tall ones. The trade-off is tip weight: with a steel rail this trimmer is heavier at full extension than EGO’s carbon-railed HT2600, and overhead work tires the arms sooner. The rotating rear handle compensates on vertical faces by keeping the wrist straight.
Runtime
Hedge trimming is intermittent and the brushless motor is efficient. Owners with 4.0Ah HP packs report finishing a typical property on one charge. Any Ryobi 40V battery fits.
Build and Warranty
Build quality is solid consumer grade, with hardened steel blades and a sturdy guard. Ryobi’s five-year limited warranty on 40V outdoor tools is among the longest in the category.
Common Owner Complaints
Weight at full reach and the bare-tool pricing are the recurring ones. A few owners note the blade cover is awkward to fit. Reliability reports are good.
Setup and Technique
The trimmer arrives assembled apart from the front guard. Owners get the cleanest results by cutting from the bottom up on hedge faces, letting the long blade sweep in slow arcs rather than sawing, and by trimming little and often so growth stays under the 1 inch capacity. Rotating the rear handle before starting a vertical face, rather than mid-cut, keeps the motion smooth. A quick clean of the blades after each session prevents sap from slowing them. Store it with the blade cover fitted and the battery removed.
Who Should Buy It
- Ryobi 40V owners with wide or tall hedges.
- Value buyers who want long-blade capability without EGO pricing.
- Anyone reclaiming overgrown shrubs where 1 inch capacity matters.
Alternatives to Consider
The EGO HT2600 adds a carbon rail and 1.2 inch capacity for more money. Black+Decker’s LHT2436B is the budget 24 inch option. For small hedges, Ryobi’s own 22 inch 40V trimmer is lighter.
Verdict
For Ryobi 40V owners this is the long-blade hedge trimmer to buy, and for anyone else it is the best value in the category once a battery is added. It gives up a little refinement to the EGO and nothing in everyday capability.
Full specifications
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 26 Inch Hedge Trimmer FAQs
A 4.0Ah HP pack balances the long blade well. The 6.0Ah mower packs work but make it rear-heavy.
Up to 1 inch branches, which covers most overgrowth. Anything thicker needs loppers first.
Yes. Rotating the rear grip keeps your wrist straight when cutting the sides of a hedge and is the feature owners mention most.
Similar blade length and handle, slightly less capacity, steel instead of carbon rail, lower price.
