Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer Review

Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer
PTR Review
  • Cutting Power 8.5
  • Cutting Capacity 9.5
  • Run Time 9.0
  • Ergonomics 8.0
  • Build quality 8.0
  • Value 8.0

The Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer is an excellent option for the prosumer that wants professional results and performance. The pro is really only limited by the run time and maybe a touch of concern about the plastic housing.

Overall Score 8.5 (out of 10)

You keep hearing us say it – cordless outdoor power equipment (OPE) is gaining huge momentum. Part of it is the convenience of not maintaining a small gas engine. Part of it noise reduction. With future noise reduction requirements picking up more support, I’m glad that we have so many options on the market already – it means they’re going to continue to get better.

The Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer I’m looking at today is part of the company’s line that also includes a mower, blower, chainsaw, and string trimmer. Echo’s mower performed reasonably well in our Lithium-Ion Mower Shootout , receiving high marks for it lightweight composite deck and solid design. Likewise, the blower delivered excellent performance for its class.

Echo’s Cordless Hedge Trimmer comes in sharing the battery platform and brushless motor. It’s billed as a professional line of tools. Given the company knows a thing or two about commercial lawn maintenance, that brings some significant expectations with it.

First Impressions

The Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer seems to be on the heavy side for what I expected. It may be that I’ve just put my hands on too many other lithium-ion products that are light weight thanks to the amount of plastic involved. You do get some metal housing on the underside of this unit. A lot of the weight comes from the 24 inch blade. Looking at the other pro focused models though, the weight is right in the wheelhouse.

Echo 58V Hedge trimmer Metal Casing

Speaking of the blade, 24 inches gives you a lot more reach than the consumer models out there. When it comes to maximizing efficiency around multiple yards in a work day, this blade will fit nicely.

 

Balance is decent with the battery installed. It’s always relative with a hedge trimmer though – you’ll be working in all kinds of positions, so you’re going to feel the weight shift at some point regardless.

Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer Safety

You have a couple of safety features to overcome before starting the Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer. I say that meaningfully – they will feel like an obstacle until you get used to them. You’ll need to have one hand on the guide to depress the switch while the other disengages another safety with your thumb near the trigger. It’s awkward at first, but you’ll stop thinking about it after a few uses.

Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer trigger

The only potential cause for concern I found on the build quality was the side housing for the battery. It’s a little flimsy for what I would expect in a professional hedge trimmer, especially given the importance of its protection detail. It’s pretty standard for what I’ve seen on other battery powered units – I’m just being a bit picky because of the intentional pro focus in this line.

Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer Performance

Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer In Use

After charging up the 2.0 amp hour battery, I locked it in the top oriented compartment and got to work on several of the shrubs that I had been neglecting. The Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer is capable of conquering branches up to 3/4″ thick and I found that to be just about right. Of course, you need the branches to get between the knives just right at the max diameter, but I didn’t feel like the brushless motor was really struggling to make it through.

Smaller branches were handled with relative ease. I say relative because the branches really were cut easily on most of my shrubbery. Bringing the unit above shoulder height is where the real effort had to be performed. Hoisting the 11.5 pound hedge trimmer briefly isn’t necessarily a challenge. Keeping it there while I worked around an 8 foot plant… I could feel the burn.

I didn’t have enough shrub to cut or desire to hold the trigger down long enough to test Echo’s 90 minute run time claim. I only dropped to 3 LEDs after trimming for about 20 minutes, so it certainly looks like there is solid run time. I also didn’t have much high stress cutting with most of the branches being under 1/2 inch in diameter. Pros can probably count on a solid day’s work with 2, maybe 3 batteries if it’s simple maintenance (given that you’re mowing, blowing, and trimming as well). For any properties that have been neglected a while, I’d plan on having s charging solution available.

Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer Specifications

 

  • Model: Echo CVT-58V2AH
  • Power Source: Echo 58V Battery Pack (2.0 amp hour included)
  • Blade Length: 24″
  • No Load Speed: 3500 SPM
  • Run Time: Up to 90 minutes
  • Charge Time: 30 minutes (2.0 amp hour battery)
  • Cutting Capacity: 3/4″
  • Weight: 11.5 poundsEcho 58V Hedge Trimmer In Use 2
  • Price: $269
  • Warranty: 5 year consumer, 2 year commercial

Conclusions

I was impressed by the cutting performance of Echo’s lithium-ion hedge trimmer. I really don’t see much that you’ll come across wishing you had the performance of another brand in this class. While I was surprised initially by the weight, I’m happy to bear it given the 24 inch blades that help me get the task done more efficiently.

The Echo 58V Hedge Trimmer is an excellent option for the prosumer that wants professional results and performance. The pro is really only limited by the run time and maybe a touch of concern about the plastic housing.

Related articles

ECHO CS-4920 Chainsaw Review

ECHO’s chainsaws have long been fierce competition for rival brands. Over the last 50 years, they’ve earned a reputation as powerful, high-performance tools that cater to the full spectrum of OPE consumers. This is especially true of their 50cc models, which are popular not only for performance but also for their size and weight characteristics. […]

ECHO eFORCE Chainsaw DCS-2500TN

Not long ago, we traveled to ECHO’s Illinois-based headquarters for a summit about upcoming product releases. The long-time leader in outdoor power equipment has been busy expanding their lineup. This includes everything from blowers and string trimmers to edgers and chainsaws. Indeed, we had a second opportunity to see them again at this year’s Equip […]

Ryobi 18V Hedge Trimmer Review

When we picture a beautifully manicured yard, we often focus on lush, emerald grass. But your gardens play a huge part in your home’s appearance, and they’re not always blossoming flowers. How about a beautiful line of boxwoods? Simply put, neatly shaped greenery adds to the stateliness of your property, giving it an established look […]

ECHO Shred N Vac Leaf Blower (ES-250AA)

Most OPE manufacturers have a specific type of equipment that defines their identity among homeowners and Pros alike. For ECHO, that tool is the leaf blower. In our opinion, this puts them in a strong position. After all, consumer research stats show that an estimated 150 million Americans own at least one leaf blower. And […]