Stihl HLA 140 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer
Stihl HLA 140 B Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer: £594*
*Price correct from Stihl at time of publishing.
Tested June 2026
Hedge trimmers and cutters come in all shapes and sizes, with pros and cons for each power option. Petrol gives you freedom but brings weight, noise and fumes. Cabled electric machines are lighter and quieter, but you are restricted by the cable. Battery machines give you the best of both worlds in many respects, with the only extra weight being the battery.
I’ve used many different Stihl machines over the years and have always found them to be top quality: well designed, reliable and built to last. Until now I hadn’t used a battery-powered long reach hedge trimmer, so I was looking forward to trying this one.
Out of the box
The trimmer arrives in two main pieces with a few other parts to fit. The shaft and cutting head need connecting to the transmission and tightening with the supplied star key, the loop handle needs attaching with clamps and bolts, and the shoulder strap clips onto a carrying ring on the shaft. Once assembled, it really only needs doing once.
This model is sold without batteries or charger, so these need to be bought separately. I was supplied with a Stihl AL501 fast charger and three 36v batteries. Charging was impressively quick, with each battery taking under an hour from flat. That makes a real difference on a busy day, especially if you have more than one battery available. The batteries also have LED charge indicators, are weather resistant, and can work with the Stihl connected app if needed.
In use
The HLA 140 weighs 5.6 kg before the battery, so it feels substantial but still manageable, especially with the shoulder strap taking some of the strain. The cutter head adjusts through 145 degrees in 12 fixed positions, which makes it very useful for taller hedges and awkward angles. The 60 cm laser-cut, double-sided blades are extremely sharp and give a very clean cut.
At Barnsdale we have a mix of hedges and this trimmer came into its own on taller hedges and shrubs where access is limited. I used it on a mixed native hedge around 8 ft high, and it handled young growth and thicker woody stems without trouble. It felt powerful, smooth and comfortable and much quieter than a petrol machine.
Verdict
This is a top quality battery long reach hedge trimmer and a real joy to use. It has plenty of power, excellent blade quality, and enough flexibility to make taller hedge work much easier. If you want a serious cordless machine, the Stihl HLA 140 is hard to fault.
Our Tools on Test reviews are based on genuine day-to-day use at Barnsdale Gardens. Each tool or machine is assessed in real gardening conditions, from maintaining ornamental borders and lawns to working on our allotments and woodland areas, giving gardeners practical insights beyond the manufacturer's specifications.
Please note: The tool featured in this review is not sold by Barnsdale Gardens. Our assessment is based solely on practical use and is intended to help gardeners make informed decisions when choosing equipment.