On this page we are going to have a look at the very practical Bosch AH45-16 hedge trimmer. This is a very popular great value cutter that is designed to make light work of smaller hedges around the home. Aimed at those that are looking to trim new growth off already tidy hedges and keep on top of the garden. If you live in a new build with just a few small hedges this is a great model.
The Bosch AHS 45-16 Review
When you look at some of the features the AH45-16 has to offer you may think they are not as good as some of the bigger models. But, it has been specifically designed to be easily stored and easy to use for light cutting. Many of the longer blade models are cumbersome and hard to store in the garden shed. Not all of us have large garages to store endless tools.
The other massive benefit is the weight of this model, making it easy to use without too much physical exertion. The soft grip handles make it a very pleasant experience to tidy up your garden.
Features
Now we are going to have a look at some of the key Bosch AH45-16 features. Although not packed with tons of features, this helps to make it a compact and easy to use hedge trimmer.
The Blade
The blade on this model is short which is not great for bigger hedges but is perfect for trimming new growth off small hedges. The short blade helps to keep the weight down and makes it very easy to store. The distance between the teeth is 16mm which is ample for regular trimming, if you do come across any old thick growth you may need a saw or loppers to cut through it.
There is no sawing function on this blade. However, it is not really designed to cut old thick hedges. For that sort of work you are going to need something more robust with a bigger blade, motor and sawing function.
The 420 Watt Motor
The motor is not the biggest but is well powered for this length of blade and the lighter hedge trimming it is designed for. A powerful motor is not all about how thick the hedges are it cuts, it will also make the the machine last longer. 420 watts is more than powerful enough for this cutter. There are a few models that have similar power motors with the same length blade like the Flymo Easicut 460.
Safety Features
The design of the body means the handles are easy to grip making it easy to move around in a smooth motion. There is a guard in front of your hands to stop any materials kicking back and hitting your hands while in use. When it is not is use a blade cover is supplied which will stop you catching anything on the blades when it is stored.
Power Supply
The power for this motor is delivered through a cord that is connected to the mains, or in most cases an extension lead. This not that ideal but with the AH45-16 you are more then likely going to be cutting a smaller hedges in which case it will not be too much of a pain.
Weight
This is one of the big benefits of this model. It weighs 2.5 kilograms which is very light for a hedge trimmer. For many of us that are not used to physical labour the weight of the cutter will be a big factor in our purchase decision. The AH45-16 will allow you to cut a lot of hedges with relative ease.
Some of the large heavier hedge cutters can weigh almost four times the weight of this model. The weight is generally due to a larger motor and longer blades. It is a compromise but if you are concerned about the physical aspect of cutting the hedge then this could be a good model for you.
Warranty
Even thought this is a relatively cheap hedge trimmer it is good to know that there is a warranty to back it up should anything go wrong. The standard two year warranty is supplied with the AH45-16, this can easily be extended to three years by registering your model with Bosch on their website.
What The Customers Say
So now you have heard what we have to say about this model. We are going to have a look at some of the Bosch AH45-16 customer feedback and some of the common themes that are brought up on the various websites that sell this model.
The blades are a bit short
A number of people have complained that the blades are too short on this model. One thing that we point out a lot on this site is that you need to look at the jobs you want to tackle before buying a hedge trimmer. Measure you’re hedges and look at the type of growth you want to trim. This is designed for lighter trimming not thick old hedges. There are much bigger cutters on the market for this sort of job.
Beware of the power cable
A few people including myself have cut the power cable by accident. This is a big downside of all cable powered hedge trimmers not just this model. If this is a problem you can have someone behind you holding the cable or go for a similar cordless or petrol model. They are a lot more expensive though!
Doesn’t cut branches
Again, as above this is not designed to cut branches and thick hedges. This is for light trimming a few times a year. Ideal to quickly get out of the garage, plug in and tidy the hedge up. If you do hit some thicker branches a saw will always help.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this is a great hedge trimmer if you are using it for what it was designed for. For easy tidying of hedges and light trimming work you will be very pleased and it won’t cost a fortune.
If you are buying this to save money but have some large old hedges to cut back with thick growth you will be very disappointed. This is a great hedge trimmer with very good reviews but look at the job you intend to use it for before you buy.