WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear Review: The Detailer’s Dream Tool?

There’s a special kind of frustration that every dedicated gardener knows. It’s not the heavy-duty work of felling a tree or clearing a jungle of overgrown privet. It’s the small stuff. It’s the patch of grass growing defiantly between the bird bath and a rocky border, a place where a lawnmower fears to tread and a string trimmer would unleash a dangerous volley of stone shrapnel. It’s the meticulous shaping of a boxwood topiary that requires the precision of a surgeon, not the brute force of a 24-inch hedge trimmer. For years, my solution involved a rusty pair of hand shears and a sore back. I’d spend hours on my knees, snipping away, wishing for a better way. The corded tools were a tangled mess, and the larger cordless models were simply too unwieldy for the delicate, finishing touches that separate a tidy yard from a truly manicured landscape. This is the precise challenge that led us to test the WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear, a tool that promises to be the master of these small, yet significant, battles.

What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Hedge Trimmer

A hedge trimmer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining the health, shape, and beauty of your landscape. It saves countless hours of laborious manual clipping, reduces physical strain, and provides a clean, uniform cut that promotes healthy plant growth. The right tool transforms a daunting chore into a satisfying, almost artistic, task. Without one, bushes can become overgrown, blocking pathways and windows, while unruly grass edges can make an otherwise neat lawn look neglected. The freedom of a cordless model, in particular, eliminates the danger of cutting a power cord and the frustration of being tethered to an outlet, allowing you to roam freely through your garden.

The ideal customer for a compact, 2-in-1 tool like this is someone who values precision and has detailed landscaping features. This includes homeowners with topiaries, ornamental grasses, complex garden beds with rocky or brick borders, and small to medium-sized shrubs that require regular shaping rather than aggressive reduction. It’s also a fantastic solution for individuals with limited physical strength or mobility, as its lightweight nature significantly reduces fatigue. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who need to tackle large, mature, and woody hedges. If your primary task is cutting back thick, old branches or maintaining a ten-foot-tall privacy hedge, a more powerful, larger-bladed tool would be a more efficient choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Weight & Ergonomics: The weight of the tool is paramount, especially for longer tasks. A heavy trimmer leads to quick fatigue in the arms, shoulders, and back. Look for a tool that feels balanced in your hands, with comfortable, non-slip grips. The WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear weighs a mere 1.3 pounds, placing it in the featherweight class and making it exceptionally easy to handle.
• Power & Cutting Capacity: For cordless models, this is determined by the battery voltage and the blade design. Voltage (e.g., 20V) gives an indication of power. Cutting capacity, measured in inches (e.g., 5/16″), tells you the maximum branch thickness the tool can handle. Be realistic about your needs; a tool with a smaller capacity is perfect for new growth and soft-stemmed plants but will struggle with woody branches.
• Blade System & Versatility: Consider the length and type of blade. Longer blades cover more area quickly but are less maneuverable. Dual-action blades, where two blades move in opposite directions, reduce vibration and provide a cleaner cut. A 2-in-1 system with interchangeable blades, like the one offered here, provides outstanding versatility for different garden tasks.
• Battery Ecosystem: If you’re buying a “bare tool” (without battery and charger), it’s crucial to consider the battery platform. Brands like WORX have a “PowerShare” system where one battery fits dozens of other tools. This is a massive long-term value, as you only need to invest in a couple of batteries to power an entire arsenal of garden and workshop equipment. Always check battery compatibility, especially between regions, as some users have noted differences in US and international specs.

While the WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear is an excellent choice for detailed work, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, from lightweight detailers to heavy-duty powerhouses, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Featherweight Contender

Upon opening the box for the WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear, the first thing that struck us was its almost unbelievable lightness. At just 1.3 pounds, it feels more like a kitchen utensil than a piece of power equipment. This immediately sets it apart from bulkier trimmers and hints at its purpose as a tool of finesse. The unit arrives with the 4-inch grass shear blade attached, and the 8-inch shrubbery blade is packaged separately. Confirming a somewhat unusual user report, we noted that both blades were coated in a sticky, clear substance. While initially a bit messy, we concluded this is a heavy-duty factory lubricant designed to protect the alloy steel blades from corrosion during shipping and provide initial lubrication for the dual-action mechanism. A quick wipe-down, and it was ready for action.

As this is the WG801.9 “bare tool” model, no battery or charger is included. We snapped in a 20V PowerShare battery from one of our other WORX tools. The connection was firm and satisfying. The ergonomics are excellent; the rubber overmold handle provides a secure, comfortable grip that effectively dampens the minimal vibration the tool produces. The entire unit is compact and feels exceptionally well-balanced with the battery installed, which is crucial for the single-handed, precise movements it’s designed for. This incredible lightness is a feature that really sets it apart from the competition and promises fatigue-free operation.

A Deep Dive into the WORX WG801.9’s Performance

A tool can look good on paper and feel good in the hand, but the real test is in the garden. We put the WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear through a series of typical, yet tricky, landscaping tasks to see if its performance matched its promise of precision and ease. From overgrown ornamental grasses to unruly boxwoods, here’s our in-depth analysis of how it performed.

Ergonomics and Handling: A Revolution in Comfort

The single most dominant feature of this tool is its weight, or lack thereof. We cannot overstate what a game-changer this is. Many of our team members have spent hours wielding heavy, gas-powered or even corded electric trimmers, and the resulting shoulder and back strain is a familiar ache. The WORX WG801.9 eliminates this entirely. We used it for over an hour and a half straight, and the only thing that stopped us was running out of things to trim. This experience is echoed by numerous users, including a 78-year-old gardener who was able to completely reshape a spirea bush while sitting on the ground—an impossible feat with a heavier tool. Another 76-year-old user found it to be the perfect solution for her back pain, finally freeing her from her heavy corded trimmer.

The comfortable control grip, with its soft rubber overmold, does an admirable job of absorbing the tool’s 1100 strokes-per-minute vibration. Control is effortless. You can maneuver it with one hand, twisting and turning to get the perfect angle for sculpting or trimming, much like using a large pair of scissors, but with powered assistance. This level of control makes tasks that were once tedious, like trimming around delicate flower heads or along intricate paver pathways, surprisingly enjoyable. One user aptly described the experience as turning “yard work” into “yard fun,” finding themselves just wanting to keep trimming and trimming. This is the hallmark of a well-designed tool: it makes you want to use it.

Dual-Blade Versatility: Two Tools, One Body

The core of this tool’s value proposition is its 2-in-1 design. The “EZ” blade change mechanism is straightforward and, after the first try, becomes second nature. You simply flip a small lever, press the large orange button on the bottom, and the entire blade plate slides off. Swapping to the other blade and re-engaging the plate takes less than 30 seconds, with no tools required. We tested both blades extensively in their ideal environments.

The 4-inch Grass Shear Blade

This, in our opinion, is the star of the show. The 4-inch grass shear is an absolute beast for detail work. We tested it on the stubborn grass that creeps over our sidewalk edges, and it created a perfectly crisp, clean line with minimal effort. It excelled in the awkward space behind our air conditioning unit, a spot that has shredded countless string trimmer lines. We also used it to trim back fountain grasses and muhly grass, a task mentioned by one satisfied user. The shear navigated the dense clumps with ease, allowing for precise reshaping that a larger tool couldn’t manage. It made quick work of the most tedious jobs, proving its value immediately. If you have any areas where your mower can’t reach or where a string trimmer is too aggressive, this attachment alone is worth the price of admission. You can see this versatile blade system in action on the product page.

The 8-inch Shrubbery Blade

The 8-inch shrub blade requires a more nuanced understanding of its purpose. With a maximum cut capacity of 5/16 of an inch, this is not the tool for renovating a long-neglected hedge. We found that some users were disappointed with this blade, reporting that it wouldn’t cut and required multiple passes. In our testing, we discovered this is true if you attempt to cut into older, woody parts of a shrub. The tool will seize up or simply fail to cut. However, when used for its intended purpose—light shaping and trimming of new growth—it performs admirably. We used it on densiformis yews and boxwoods, and it was perfect for maintaining their shape, cleanly slicing through the soft, green growth of the season. It’s a maintenance tool, designed to replace manual shears for light, frequent touch-ups. If you understand and respect this limitation, it is highly effective and saves a tremendous amount of time compared to clipping by hand.

The PowerShare Ecosystem: A Smart, Expandable Investment

It’s impossible to review the WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear without discussing the ecosystem it belongs to. As a “bare tool,” its primary audience is those who already own other 20V WORX products. For them, this tool is an exceptionally affordable and logical addition to their collection. The PowerShare platform is one of the most extensive on the market, covering everything from drills and saws to leaf blowers and lawnmowers. The ability to swap one battery between dozens of tools is not just convenient; it’s a massive cost saving over time.

We tested the trimmer with a standard 2.0Ah 20V WORX battery. The battery life was phenomenal. Corroborating one user’s experience, we ran the tool for nearly 90 minutes of intermittent cutting, and the battery’s built-in indicator light still showed two out of three bars of charge. For the small, touch-up jobs this tool is designed for, a single charge will likely last for multiple sessions, if not an entire season for some users. The batteries also feature a handy power check button, so you always know how much juice you have left before you head out into the yard. For those already invested, adding this tool is a no-brainer, and you can check the latest price for the bare tool here.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback for the WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear is largely positive, with praise centering on its core strengths. A recurring theme is its incredible lightweight design and ease of use, making it a favorite among older gardeners and those with physical limitations. One user raved, “Need a hedge trimmer that is lightweight and gets the job done. Look no farther. This tool is so easy to use, easy to change blades out.” Another highlighted the impressive battery life, stating they “probably have cut six times with this thing a lot of stuff and I’ve only had to charge it one time.”

The critiques, however, are just as consistent and provide important context. The most common complaint concerns the 8-inch shrubbery blade’s limited cutting ability. As one user bluntly put it, “I totally do not like the 8” blade. It would not cut the first time, you have to go over the area twice.” This confirms our finding that it’s strictly for light, new growth. A few users also reported quality control issues, such as a blade cover that wouldn’t hold securely or, in one case, a unit that arrived broken and wouldn’t run. These appear to be outliers but are worth noting. Despite these critiques, the overwhelmingly positive feedback on its ergonomics and performance in its niche makes it a compelling option. You can read through hundreds of user experiences for yourself.

How the WORX WG801.9 Compares to the Alternatives

The WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear occupies a specific niche, but it’s not without competition. Understanding how it stacks up against other options can help you make the most informed decision for your yard.

1. Makita XMU04ZX Cordless Grass Shear with Hedge Trimmer Blade

The Makita XMU04ZX is a direct competitor from a brand renowned for its professional-grade tools. Operating on Makita’s 18V LXT battery platform, it offers similar 2-in-1 functionality. The primary difference lies in the build quality and target audience. Makita tools are typically built to withstand daily job site abuse, which may translate to greater long-term durability, but also a higher price point. If you are already invested in the Makita 18V LXT ecosystem and demand professional-level ruggedness for your detailed landscaping tasks, the XMU04ZX is a formidable alternative worth considering.

2. DocSmart Cordless 20” Hedge Trimmer with Battery

This trimmer represents a completely different class of tool. With its 20-inch blade and 2/3-inch cutting capacity, the DocSmart is designed for heavy-duty hedge maintenance, not fine detailing. It’s the tool you’d choose for taming large privacy hedges or significantly reducing the size of overgrown shrubs. Comparing it to the WORX WG801.9 is like comparing a butcher’s cleaver to a scalpel. If your main job is managing large hedges and you only occasionally need to do detail work, this might be your primary tool, but it cannot replace the lightweight precision of the WORX for small-scale sculpting and edging.

3. WORKPRO 12V Cordless Grass Shear & Shrubbery Trimmer

The WORKPRO 12V model is perhaps the most direct competitor in terms of function and form factor. It offers the same 2-in-1 grass shear and shrubber capability in a compact, handheld design. The key differences are the lower 12V power system and the fact that it is sold as a complete kit, including a 2.0Ah battery and a fast charger. This makes it an excellent choice for a user who is not invested in any battery ecosystem and wants an all-in-one, affordable solution for very light-duty garden trimming. The WORX WG801.9’s 20V platform offers more power and is part of a much larger, more versatile tool family.

Our Final Verdict: Is the WORX WG801.9 Worth It?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the WORX WG801.9 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Grass Shear is not a general-purpose hedge trimmer, but rather a superb specialist tool. It is an absolute champion of detail work. For edging lawns in tight spots, shaping ornamental grasses, and performing light maintenance on topiaries and small shrubs, its performance is flawless. The ultra-lightweight design makes it accessible to nearly anyone, transforming tedious chores into quick, satisfying tasks.

However, it’s crucial to buy it for the right reasons. If you need to cut back thick, woody branches, this is not the tool for you. Its power lies in its finesse, not its force. For homeowners already committed to the WORX 20V PowerShare platform, this tool is an incredible value and an almost essential addition for maintaining a perfectly manicured landscape. If you’re tired of the strain of manual shears and find larger trimmers too clumsy for delicate jobs, the WORX WG801.9 is an outstanding choice that we wholeheartedly recommend.