Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer Review (RPT184520)

Introduction

If you’ve ever stood at the bottom of a tall hedge, hedge trimmer in hand, weighing up whether to fetch a ladder or just leave the top for another year, you’ll already understand why pole hedge trimmers exist.

They’re designed to make high, awkward hedge maintenance safer and more manageable, especially in established gardens where growth can quickly get away from you if you miss a season. As a result, that extra reach removes both the risk and the hassle of working at height for many home gardeners.

The Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer is aimed squarely at this job. In practical terms, it’s built to offer:

• Extended reach for tall and hard-to-access hedges
• Ladder-free trimming from ground level
• The convenience of Ryobi’s widely used ONE+ 18V battery system

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Crucially, it delivers this without the noise, fumes, or ongoing maintenance associated with petrol-powered hedge trimmers. Because of that, it appeals to gardeners looking for a cordless pole hedge trimmer that’s easier to live with in a residential setting.

That said, pole hedge trimmers always involve compromise. While extra reach is undeniably useful, it inevitably adds weight. In the same way, cordless convenience brings limits to outright cutting power. This model is not designed to replace a heavy-duty hedge cutter, nor is it intended for reclaiming years of neglected, woody growth in a single pass.

Instead, the RPT184520 is designed for regular hedge maintenance. Rather than tackling extreme cutbacks all at once, it helps you keep tall hedges tidy and under control from the ground.

This review looks at the Ryobi RPT184520 in a real-world gardening context. Alongside practical expectations, it draws on consistent feedback from everyday users to explain:

• How the trimmer performs in typical home gardens
• Where the main trade-offs begin to show
• Who this Ryobi pole hedge trimmer is best suited to

If you already use the Ryobi ONE+ system — or if you’re simply looking for a safer, more manageable way to maintain tall hedges — this review should help you decide whether the RPT184520 is the right fit for your garden.

Continue your cordless garden tools research

If you’re reviewing the Ryobi ONE+ 18V cordless pole hedge trimmer, these guides will help you compare related tools, learn how to get the most from battery-powered equipment, and explore other cordless options.

• How to use a cordless lawn mower – Practical tips on operating and maintaining cordless lawn mowers — useful for readers new to battery-powered garden gear in general.
• The best cordless pole hedge trimmer – A broader guide to top-rated cordless pole hedge trimmers, ideal for comparing performance and features.
• Best battery garden tools – A comprehensive look at top cordless garden equipment — perfect for cordless tool owners and those expanding their battery tool ecosystem.

Quick Verdict (At a Glance)

The Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer does exactly what many home gardeners buy a cordless pole hedge trimmer for — reaching tall hedges safely from the ground. As a result, it’s particularly appealing for routine hedge maintenance where ladder use feels risky or impractical. However, it achieves this with a few clear and unavoidable trade-offs that are worth understanding upfront.

Best for

• Tall, established hedges that need regular topping rather than heavy cutting
• Ongoing hedge maintenance, not major cutbacks or clearance work
• Gardeners already invested in the Ryobi ONE+ 18V battery system
• Anyone happy to work in short, controlled sessions instead of long, continuous stints

What it does well

• Excellent reach, making hedge tops and awkward-to-access sections far easier to manage
• The articulating head improves control when shaping and trimming tall hedges
• Noticeably quieter, cleaner, and lower maintenance than petrol hedge trimmers
• Slots easily into an existing Ryobi ONE+ cordless garden tool setup

Where it falls short

• Weight and balance become noticeable at full extension
• Limited cutting ability on thick, woody, or badly overgrown hedges
• Arm and shoulder fatigue can build if large hedge jobs are rushed

Bottom line

If your priority is safe reach, convenience, and ladder-free hedge trimming, the RPT184520 is a sensible and practical choice for domestic gardens. On the other hand, if you expect all-day comfort or the cutting power of a heavy-duty hedge trimmer, it will feel restrictive.

Used as intended — keeping tall hedges tidy from ground level — this Ryobi pole hedge trimmer fits neatly into the ONE+ ecosystem and delivers results that are predictable, manageable, and easy to live with.

Key Specifications & Features

This is a straightforward, no‑nonsense cordless pole hedge trimmer, and the specifications reflect that. Rather than chasing headline power figures, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 pole hedge trimmer focuses on reach, control, and everyday usability within the ONE+ battery system — which, for most home gardens, is exactly where it matters.

Core specifications

• Battery platform: Ryobi ONE+ 18V (battery and charger sold separately on most listings)
• Blade length: 45 cm hedge trimmer blade
• Maximum cutting capacity: Best suited to light and medium hedge growth
• Head adjustment: Articulating cutting head for topping and angled trimming
• Reach: Extended pole design for trimming tall hedges from ground level
• Weight: Noticeable at full extension, particularly with larger ONE+ batteries

Key features explained

45 cm hedge trimmer blade
In practical use, the 45 cm blade length strikes a sensible balance between reach and control. It’s long enough to make steady progress along hedge tops; however, it remains manageable when trimming at height. As a result, accuracy stays high and the tool feels predictable rather than unwieldy.

Articulating cutting head
This feature genuinely improves real‑world usability. The adjustable head makes it far easier to trim hedge tops and work along awkward angles without constantly twisting your wrists or shoulders. Consequently, shaping and topping tall hedges feels more natural and less physically demanding.

ONE+ battery compatibility
Like the rest of Ryobi’s 18V cordless garden tools, this pole hedge trimmer runs on the ONE+ battery platform. For existing Ryobi users, that’s a clear advantage. You can rotate batteries between tools, reduce downtime, and avoid investing in another charging system — which, in turn, makes the RPT184520 easier to live with day to day.

Cordless pole hedge trimmer convenience
Being cordless removes the usual frustrations of extension leads and nearby power sockets. At the same time, it keeps noise levels, emissions, and maintenance far lower than petrol hedge trimmers. For residential gardens, that quieter, cleaner way of working makes a noticeable difference.

What the specs don’t tell you

On paper, the specifications may look modest — and that’s largely by design. This Ryobi pole hedge trimmer isn’t built for aggressive cutting or reclaiming heavily overgrown hedges in one go. Instead, its strengths show when it’s used for regular hedge maintenance, where safe reach, control, and ease of use matter far more than raw cutting power.

By understanding that distinction early on, you avoid disappointment and can judge far more easily whether the RPT184520 is the right cordless pole hedge trimmer for your garden.

Design & Build Quality

At first glance, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer looks exactly like what it is — a practical, domestic-grade garden tool designed around reach, safety, and everyday usability rather than heavy-duty construction. That isn’t a criticism; instead, it helps set expectations early for anyone looking for a cordless pole hedge trimmer for home use.

Overall construction

The body and pole are made largely from reinforced plastic, which helps keep overall weight down compared with metal-bodied alternatives. As a result, the tool feels solid enough for normal hedge maintenance without tipping into being unnecessarily heavy. However, it doesn’t try to pass itself off as a professional, all-day workhorse — and that’s very much by design.

In practice, this build choice lines up well with how most home gardeners actually use a Ryobi pole hedge trimmer: occasional, targeted trimming to keep tall hedges tidy, rather than hours of continuous cutting.

Pole, joints and rigidity

When fully extended, some flex in the pole becomes noticeable, particularly when working at full reach or above shoulder height. This is common with long-reach and pole hedge trimmers, and it regularly appears in real-world user feedback. While it doesn’t make the tool unsafe, it can affect cutting precision and, over time, contribute to arm and shoulder fatigue.

That said, the locking mechanisms feel secure once tightened properly. Even so, it’s worth checking them occasionally during use — especially if you’re frequently adjusting the articulating head angle.

Cutting head and blade quality

The 45 cm hedge trimmer blade is neatly finished and well suited to light and medium hedge growth. On fresh, green material and regularly maintained hedges, it cuts cleanly and predictably. As expected, it’s far less comfortable dealing with thick, woody stems, where a standard hedge trimmer or loppers are usually the better option.

Blade protection and guarding are sensibly designed, with no obvious sharp edges exposed when handling, storing, or repositioning the tool.

Balance and ergonomics

Balance is where the biggest compromise shows. With the cutting head extended and a ONE+ battery fitted, the tool becomes noticeably top-heavy, particularly during overhead trimming. While this is typical of cordless pole hedge trimmers, it does mean most users naturally work in short, controlled bursts rather than long, uninterrupted sessions.

The handle and grip layout are straightforward and comfortable enough for normal use. However, if you try to rush through a large hedge in one go, arm and shoulder strain will build quickly — which reinforces the value of a steady, paced working approach.

Storage considerations

Because of its length, storage is worth thinking about early on. This isn’t a pole hedge trimmer that slides neatly onto a small shelf. Instead, a wall hook or dedicated shed space makes day-to-day storage safer and more practical.

Performance in Real‑World Use

This is the section where expectations matter most. In real gardens, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer performs at its best when it’s used as intended — for ongoing hedge maintenance rather than aggressive cutbacks or heavy clearance work. Framed this way, its strengths and limits are easy to understand.

Cutting performance

On fresh, green growth, this cordless pole hedge trimmer cuts cleanly and predictably. Regularly maintained hedges — including common types such as conifer, laurel, and mixed boundary hedges — sit comfortably within its working range. Progress along hedge tops is steady rather than fast; however, once you settle into a rhythm, accuracy remains consistently good.

That said, performance drops off on thicker, woody stems or hedges that haven’t been cut back for several seasons. In those cases, the trimmer can feel underpowered and usually benefits from slower passes or some pre‑cutting with loppers. This behaviour is typical of an 18V cordless pole hedge trimmer, but it’s worth being clear: this isn’t the right tool for reclaiming heavily neglected hedges in one go.

Reach and control

Reach is where the RPT184520 really earns its place. Being able to trim tall hedge tops safely from ground level makes a noticeable difference, particularly if you’re used to balancing on ladders or stretching awkwardly with a standard hedge trimmer.

The articulating cutting head proves genuinely useful in everyday hedge trimming. It allows you to adjust the cutting angle for hedge tops and vertical faces without forcing uncomfortable wrist or shoulder positions. Control feels reassuring at partial extension; however, at full reach, small movements become more pronounced. As a result, a steadier, more deliberate pace pays off.

Weight, balance and fatigue

With the pole fully extended and a ONE+ battery fitted, the trimmer becomes noticeably top‑heavy. Most users feel this fairly quickly in the shoulders and upper arms, especially during overhead trimming. Because of this, the Ryobi pole hedge trimmer naturally encourages short working sessions rather than long, uninterrupted cutting.

This isn’t a flaw so much as a trade‑off. Extra reach always brings extra leverage, and the RPT184520 is no exception. When you work in measured bursts, fatigue stays manageable. On the other hand, pushing through large hedge jobs without breaks is where discomfort builds quickly.

Real‑world working rhythm

In practice, this cordless pole hedge trimmer works best when you:

• Tackle hedges little and often, instead of letting growth get out of control
• Use loppers or a standard hedge trimmer on thicker material first
• Work in sections and take regular breaks to reduce strain

Approached this way, hedge trimming feels consistent and predictable, rather than tiring or frustrating.

Battery Performance (ONE+ Ecosystem Reality Check)

Battery choice plays a bigger role than many people expect in how this cordless pole hedge trimmer feels in day-to-day use. In real gardens, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 pole hedge trimmer is noticeably more sensitive to battery size and battery weight than smaller handheld tools — so it’s worth factoring this in early.

Manufacturer claims vs real-world use

On paper, Ryobi’s figures suggest reasonable runtime from a single charge under ideal conditions. In practice, however, most gardeners quickly find that battery runtime and perceived cutting power depend heavily on how the trimmer is used — particularly whether you’re trimming overhead, running the pole at full extension, or working through denser hedge growth.

For example, light topping on well-maintained hedges uses relatively little power. By comparison, sustained overhead trimming or pushing into thicker material drains the battery faster and makes power drop-off more noticeable.

Choosing the right ONE+ battery size

Smaller 2.0Ah ONE+ batteries will run the trimmer, which makes them suitable for short, light trimming sessions. However, frequent battery changes quickly become frustrating — especially when you’re already managing a long, top-heavy cordless pole hedge trimmer.

For most home gardens, 4.0Ah or larger ONE+ batteries are a far better match. They offer:

• More consistent power delivery under load
• Fewer interruptions while trimming tall hedges
• A steadier, more predictable feel when working at full reach

The trade-off, of course, is extra weight. That said, while larger batteries do add to overall fatigue, most users find the improved runtime and smoother performance well worth it compared to constantly stopping to swap smaller packs.

Power delivery and consistency

Power delivery remains smooth rather than aggressive. The trimmer doesn’t surge or snatch when it meets resistance. Instead, it slows gradually if pushed beyond its comfort zone. As a result, it reinforces its role as a cordless pole hedge trimmer designed for regular hedge maintenance, rather than brute-force cutting.

ONE+ ecosystem advantage

For gardeners already using the Ryobi ONE+ battery system, compatibility is a genuine advantage. Being able to rotate batteries between cordless garden tools makes the RPT184520 easier to live with — particularly if hedge trimming is spread across several shorter sessions.

Noise, Vibration & Comfort

Compared to petrol-powered alternatives, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer is noticeably quieter and more civilised to use. As a result, it’s far better suited to residential gardens, where prolonged engine noise from petrol hedge trimmers quickly becomes tiring — both for you and for anyone living nearby.

Noise levels

In everyday hedge trimming, noise levels remain consistent and unobtrusive. There’s no engine revving or sudden spikes — just a steady cutting sound that fades into the background once you get going. Because of that, this cordless pole hedge trimmer suits short maintenance sessions particularly well, without feeling like you’re announcing the job to the whole street.

That said, while hearing protection is always sensible for longer sessions, most gardeners will find the noise level far less fatiguing than petrol-powered hedge trimmers.

Vibration and feedback

Vibration through the handles is moderate and well controlled. On lighter hedge growth, the trimmer runs smoothly with minimal feedback. As resistance increases, vibration does rise slightly; however, it stays well short of becoming uncomfortable or distracting.

Crucially, the tool doesn’t produce harsh jolts or sudden kickback when it meets tougher stems. Instead, it slows in a predictable way. As a result, it reinforces its role as a cordless pole hedge trimmer designed for regular hedge maintenance, rather than aggressive cutting or clearance work.

Comfort during use

Comfort largely depends on how long you use the trimmer in one go. For short, focused trimming sessions, the grip and trigger layout feel comfortable enough, and control quickly becomes natural once you settle into a steady working rhythm.

When fatigue does appear, it usually comes from weight and leverage, not vibration. Working overhead or at full pole extension places extra strain on the shoulders and upper arms. For that reason, most users naturally break hedge trimming into manageable sections instead of trying to tackle everything at once.

Practical comfort tips

In practice, overall comfort improves noticeably if you:

• Take regular breaks during overhead hedge trimming
• Adjust the articulating head angle instead of forcing awkward positions
• Avoid rushing larger hedges in a single session

Common Complaints & Limitations

No cordless pole hedge trimmer comes without compromise, and the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 pole hedge trimmer is no exception. That said, most recurring complaints relate to handling, balance, and expectations, rather than genuine faults or reliability issues.

Weight and balance at full reach

The most common limitation users mention is weight distribution once the pole is fully extended. With the cutting head positioned out front and a ONE+ battery fitted, the trimmer becomes noticeably top-heavy — particularly during overhead hedge trimming.

That doesn’t make it unsafe. However, it does mean:

• Fatigue builds more quickly than with a standard cordless hedge trimmer
• Precision drops if you try to rush hedge cutting
• Short, controlled sessions work far better than long, continuous use

Power on thicker or neglected growth

On regularly maintained hedges, performance remains consistent. However, once you move into thicker, woody, or long-neglected hedge growth, the limitations of an 18V cordless pole hedge trimmer become more obvious.

Gardeners dealing with overgrown hedges often need to slow right down, make several lighter passes, or switch to loppers or a more powerful hedge trimmer first. This isn’t a defect — instead, it’s simply the reality of a cordless pole hedge trimmer designed for maintenance, not heavy clearance work.

Fatigue over extended sessions

Even with good technique, arm and shoulder fatigue is difficult to avoid if you try to cover long hedge runs in one go. The leverage created by the extended pole amplifies effort, especially when trimming above shoulder height.

As a result, most owners quickly adapt by breaking hedge trimming into sections and spreading the work across multiple sessions.

Storage and handling off the hedge

Because of its length, storage is worth considering early on. If shed or garage space is limited, this Ryobi pole hedge trimmer can feel awkward to store. Likewise, manoeuvring it in tight spaces or around garden obstacles takes more planning than with shorter, handheld hedge trimmers.

What’s not commonly reported

It’s also worth noting that there are few consistent reports of serious mechanical failures or safety concerns when the trimmer is used as intended. In most cases, complaints focus on practical limitations rather than long-term reliability.

What Users Like (Positive Patterns)

Even allowing for the usual trade-offs that come with any cordless pole hedge trimmer, several clear positives come up time and again when owners talk about living with the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 pole hedge trimmer. Importantly, most of this positive feedback centres on safety, convenience, and predictable performance, rather than chasing outright cutting power.

Ladder-free hedge maintenance

By far the most commonly praised benefit is the ability to trim tall hedges from the ground. For many home gardeners, avoiding ladders altogether is reason enough to choose a pole hedge trimmer for tall hedges in the first place. Once you’ve worked this way, going back to balancing at height quickly feels unnecessary — and, quite honestly, risky.

This benefit matters most in established gardens, where hedge tops usually just need regular tidying rather than aggressive cutting back.

Controlled, predictable cutting

Users often describe the cutting action as steady and easy to control, rather than fast or aggressive. As a result, it’s easier to work carefully along hedge lines, and you’re far less likely to remove too much growth in a single pass.

For regular hedge maintenance, this slower, more deliberate cutting pace is generally seen as a benefit rather than a drawback.

Articulating head in real use

The adjustable, articulating cutting head earns genuine praise once the tool is actually in use. Being able to change the cutting angle makes it noticeably easier to:

• Tidy hedge tops cleanly
• Shape vertical hedge faces
• Avoid awkward wrist and shoulder positions

On paper, this might sound like a small detail. In practice, however, it quickly becomes one of the most useful features when trimming tall hedges at height.

Quiet, low-stress operation

Compared to petrol hedge trimmers, the RPT184520 is noticeably quieter and calmer to use. Because of that, many users appreciate being able to work without excessive noise, vibration, or fumes — particularly in residential gardens or shared outdoor spaces.

It also makes stopping and starting hedge trimming far easier, without the usual hassle of warm-ups, pull cords, or ongoing engine maintenance.

ONE+ battery ecosystem convenience

For existing Ryobi users, compatibility with the Ryobi ONE+ battery system comes up repeatedly as a major positive. Being able to rotate batteries between cordless garden tools helps this pole hedge trimmer slot neatly into everyday garden routines — especially when hedge trimming jobs are spread across several shorter sessions.

“Perfect for X, not Y” clarity

A strong theme among satisfied owners is clear expectation-setting. Gardeners who buy the RPT184520 specifically for:

• Regular hedge maintenance
• Tall or awkward hedge sections
• Safer, ground-level hedge trimming

Tend to be happy with it. Problems usually arise only when the tool is expected to handle heavy hedge clearance work outside its intended role.

How It Compares to Alternatives

Choosing a cordless pole hedge trimmer is almost always about compromise. Reach, weight, cutting power, and convenience all pull in different directions. Because of that, it helps to be clear about where the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 pole hedge trimmer sits compared to other hedge trimming options — and, just as importantly, what you gain or give up with each.

Compared to manual hedge trimmers

Manual or telescopic hand shears are lighter and cheaper, which can be appealing at first. However, once hedges grow tall, they demand far more physical effort. Beyond the occasional touch-up, manual hedge trimmers quickly become tiring and time-consuming.

By contrast, the RPT184520 removes much of that strain and makes regular hedge maintenance far more realistic, particularly when you’re trimming above shoulder height. As a result, if you value safety, efficiency, and ground-level working, a cordless pole hedge trimmer is a clear step up.

Compared to standard cordless hedge trimmers

A handheld cordless hedge trimmer is easier to balance and generally more comfortable for longer sessions. Because of that, it’s usually the better choice for side faces and denser hedge growth. That said, once hedge height becomes an issue, ladders or awkward stretching often creep back in.

Here, the RPT184520 trades some comfort and outright cutting power for safe reach. In practice, many home gardeners use both tools together — a standard cordless hedge trimmer for most shaping work, then the pole hedge trimmer for hedge tops and awkward sections.

Compared to corded pole hedge trimmers

Corded pole hedge trimmers can deliver consistent cutting power, which sounds ideal on paper. However, they also bring extension leads, limited power access, and constant cable management. In larger gardens or around established hedges, that quickly becomes frustrating.

By comparison, the Ryobi’s cordless design offers far greater freedom of movement. It also makes short hedge trimming sessions easier to fit in, even if outright power is lower than some corded alternatives.

Compared to petrol pole hedge trimmers

Petrol pole hedge trimmers offer noticeably more cutting power and cope better with heavy, overgrown hedges. However, they’re heavier, louder, require ongoing maintenance, and are far less forgiving in smaller residential gardens.

For most home gardeners, the RPT184520 provides a quieter, cleaner, and more manageable alternative for routine hedge maintenance — provided expectations stay realistic.

Compared to higher-voltage cordless systems

Higher-voltage cordless pole hedge trimmers deliver more power and longer runtime. On the other hand, they’re usually heavier and more expensive. For large properties or commercial hedge cutting, that trade-off can make sense.

For everyday hedge maintenance, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V platform keeps weight and cost down while still delivering enough performance to stay on top of regular hedge growth.

Who This Pole Hedge Trimmer Is Best For

The Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer works best when it’s matched to the right type of garden and gardener. When that fit is right, it becomes a genuinely useful, regularly used tool — rather than something that gets dragged out reluctantly once a year.

Ideal garden setup

This cordless pole hedge trimmer is particularly well suited to gardens with:

• Tall or established hedges that need regular topping and height control
• Boundary hedges where ladder use feels unsafe or impractical
• Longer hedge runs that are maintained little and often

If your hedges are kept reasonably tidy, and you’re trimming mainly for shape and height — rather than heavy clearance — this Ryobi pole hedge trimmer fits naturally into a normal hedge maintenance routine.

Ideal user profile

It’s a good fit for home gardeners who:

• Prefer working from the ground instead of climbing ladders
• Are happy to work in short, controlled sessions rather than long, continuous stints
• Value safety, predictability, and convenience over outright cutting power
• Already use tools from the Ryobi ONE+ 18V battery system

In particular, older gardeners — or anyone mindful of balance and stability — often appreciate being able to avoid working at height. Even so, the tool still rewards a steady, paced approach rather than rushing.

Best use cases

The RPT184520 really comes into its own when used for:

• Regular hedge topping and seasonal maintenance
• Keeping hedge height and shape under control through the growing season
• Tidying awkward or hard-to-reach hedge sections
• Working alongside a standard cordless hedge trimmer, rather than trying to replace it

Used this way, it helps spread effort across the right tools instead of forcing one hedge trimmer to do every job.

Who Should Avoid It

While the Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer suits plenty of home gardens, it isn’t the right fit for everyone. In fact, being clear about who it doesn’t suit is just as important as knowing who it works well for — especially if you’re choosing a pole hedge trimmer for the first time.

If you expect heavy clearance work

This cordless pole hedge trimmer isn’t built for thick, woody, or long‑neglected hedges. If your garden needs major cutbacks, or you’re reclaiming hedges that haven’t been touched for years, you’ll likely be better served by a more powerful handheld hedge trimmer, a petrol hedge trimmer, or a higher‑voltage cordless system.

If you want long, uninterrupted cutting sessions

Because of its length and balance, the RPT184520 works best in short, controlled bursts. If you prefer to tackle large hedge jobs in one long session without stopping, the weight and leverage of a long‑reach hedge trimmer will soon start to feel tiring.

If you’re sensitive to top‑heavy tools

Although this Ryobi pole hedge trimmer removes the need for ladder work, it still places strain on the arms and shoulders — particularly during overhead hedge trimming. As a result, gardeners with existing shoulder or upper‑arm issues may find extended use uncomfortable, even when using good technique.

If storage space is limited

Its overall length means it needs dedicated storage space. Therefore, if you’re working from a very small shed, garage, or tight storage area, handling and storing this cordless pole hedge trimmer may feel awkward compared to shorter hedge trimming tools.

If you don’t already use the ONE+ system

The Ryobi ONE+ battery system is a genuine advantage for existing Ryobi users. However, if you’re starting from scratch, you may find better overall value in bundled hedge trimmer kits or alternative cordless platforms, depending on your wider garden tool plans.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The Ryobi ONE+ 18V RPT184520 cordless pole hedge trimmer is a tool with a very clear job to do. It isn’t trying to be the most powerful hedge trimmer on the market, and it doesn’t pretend to replace heavy-duty cutting tools. Instead, it focuses on one key task: making tall hedge maintenance safer and more manageable from ground level.

When used within that role, this Ryobi pole hedge trimmer does exactly what it promises. Reach is excellent, the articulating cutting head proves genuinely useful, and the cordless ONE+ platform makes it easy to slot into normal garden routines — particularly if you already own other Ryobi ONE+ garden tools. At the same time, noise levels and ongoing maintenance stay low. As a result, for many home gardeners, avoiding ladders alone is worth the trade-offs.

Of course, those trade-offs matter. Because of the weight and balance common to any cordless pole hedge trimmer, it works best in short, steady sessions. Cutting performance also drops once you move into thicker, woody, or long-neglected growth. So, if you expect to power through heavy hedges in one go, this model will feel limiting. On the other hand, if you’re happy to work at a sensible pace and keep hedges under control through regular trimming, it makes far more sense.

Overall, the RPT184520 is a sensible and predictable choice for domestic gardens with tall hedges. When matched to realistic expectations and used alongside complementary hedge trimming tools, it offers a calmer, safer, and more convenient way to maintain hedges — which, for many home gardeners, is exactly what’s needed.