GARCARE 2 in 1 Pole Hedge Trimmer Review: Corded, 20-Inch Blade

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If you are considering the GARCARE 2 in 1 pole hedge trimmer, the first question is whether a corded unit suits the hedge and outlet you have. This review examines the listed power, reach, blade, cord, weight, switch design and warranty. The listing does not provide a measured cutting-performance result, so the practical decision depends on the stated specifications and your hedge height. Use this guide to decide whether the trimmer matches your reach and power-supply requirements before you place an order.

At a glance: GARCARE 2-in-1 Pole Hedge Trimmer, listing specs

Specification	Listed value
Power	Corded electric, 600W, 4.8 amps
Pole length	9 feet
Working height	Up to 12 feet
Blade length	20 inches (specs and bullets) — title says 18 inch, not confirmed which is correct
Max branch thickness (claimed)	3/4 inch
Cord length	10 meters (~33 feet)
Switch design	Double start switch — both switches must be pressed for blade to run

Quick answer

The GARCARE trimmer is a corded electric unit rated at 600 watts and 4.8 amps. It has a telescopic pole that the listing describes as 9 feet long, with a working height of up to 12 feet. Its blade is 20 inches, according to the specs and bullets, although the title says 18 inch. The listing includes a 10-meter cord and states a double start switch, which means both switches must be pressed for the blade to run. Check your hedge height and your outlet before you buy, and confirm the blade size on the product page.

What to check in a corded pole hedge trimmer

Four details decide whether this trimmer fits. Each one can rule it in or out.

1. Reach against the hedge. The listing gives a pole length of 9 feet and a working height of up to 12 feet. Measure the hedge from the ground to its top, and compare that height with the working height. The worked example below shows the margin for a 10-foot hedge.

2. Corded power and cord length. The trimmer is corded electric, which means you do not need a battery, but you do need an outlet within reach. The listing gives a 10-meter cord, which is about 33 feet in length. Check the outlet distance before you start. The listing does not state whether the outlet needs a ground-fault protection device, so follow the manual for power requirements.

3. Blade and cutting capacity. The specs give a blade length of 20 inches and a cutting width of 20 inches. The bullets describe a 20-inch laser-cut steel blade that the listing says can handle branches up to three-quarter-inch thick. The title, however, says 18 inch. The specs and bullets agree on 20 inches, so use that figure, and confirm it on the product page.

4. Switch design. The bullets describe a double safety start button, which the listing says starts the trimmer only when two switches are pressed. Pressing one switch should not start the blade. The CPSC recall for a RYOBI 40-volt cordless hedge trimmer involved a blade that could start after one control was pressed on its own. That recall is for a different product, but it shows why the switch design matters. Test the switch behavior on your unit before you use it.

Use these rules to choose:

• Choose this trimmer if you have an outlet within reach of the hedge and need the reach of a 9-foot pole.
• Choose a cordless trimmer instead if you do not want a cord, because the listing describes a corded unit. The long reach cordless hedge trimmers guide compares that option.
• Choose a different trimmer if your hedge is taller than the 12-foot working height in the listing.

Review of the GARCARE 2 in 1 pole hedge trimmer

The GARCARE trimmer is listed as a 2-in-1 corded pole hedge trimmer, model GPHT06. The specs give a product length of 46.06 inches, a width of 6.3 inches, a height of 7.87 inches and an item weight of 10.4 pounds. The bullets describe a detachable telescopic pole that gives a 9-foot length and a working height of up to 12 feet. They also describe a front handle that rotates through five positions, from minus 90 to 90 degrees, and a cutting head that rotates 100 degrees.

The trimmer fits a homeowner with a tall hedge who has an outlet within the cord’s reach. The detachable pole lets you use the unit as a regular hedge trimmer or a long-reach trimmer. The bullets say the soft auxiliary handle and shoulder strap help during long work sessions.

The listing has several things to note. The title says 18 inch, while the specs and bullets say 20 inches. The bullets give both 12 months of warranty service and three months of free exchange, and the listing does not explain how the two terms relate. The specs say the trimmer is corded electric, and the item highlights give 600 watts and 4.8 amps. The bullets say the 4.8-amp motor handles three-quarter-inch branches, which is the maker’s statement. This review does not test that claim.

Who should skip it: a reader whose hedge is taller than the listed 12-foot working height, a reader who needs a cordless tool, and a reader who has no outlet within the 10-meter cord’s reach.

Worked example: how much height the trimmer covers

Compare the hedge height with the listed working height and the pole length.

• Listed working height: 12 feet. 12 minus 10 = 2 feet of spare height above the hedge top.
• Listed pole length: 9 feet. 10 minus 9 = 1 foot the pole falls short of the hedge top.

Check the arithmetic again. 12 minus 10 is 2. 10 minus 9 is 1.

The example shows two different measures. The working height is the listed figure for the trimmer’s reach from the ground, and the pole length alone falls one foot short of the hedge top in this example. Measure your own hedge and your own reach before you decide. The listing’s figures do not include the height of the person using the trimmer.

Setup and safety from the listing

The listing describes a corded unit, so set the cord so that it does not run through the cutting path. The bullets say the 10-meter wire can reach every place without an additional extension cord. Follow the manual for the plug type and for checking the cord before use.

Test the double start switch before you cut. Press one switch alone and confirm that the blade does not start. Then press both switches and confirm that the blade runs. The CPSC recall for a different RYOBI cordless trimmer involved a blade that could start after one control was pressed, so this check is a sensible step for any hedge trimmer. Follow the manual for setup, storage and the cutting angle.

The warranty is stated two ways. The bullets say 12 months of warranty service, and say that the product can be returned and exchanged for free for three months. Read the warranty terms on the product page to see which applies to a defect and which applies to a return.

Questions to ask before you buy

Before ordering, answer these questions from the listing. Is your hedge under 12 feet tall? Is there an outlet within the 10-meter cord’s reach of the hedge? Does the 20-inch blade suit the branch size you cut? Do you need a cord, or would a cordless tool suit you better? Do you accept the listing’s warranty terms as stated? If you answer no to the first two questions, look at a different trimmer.

How the claims compare with the specs

The title and the specs disagree on blade length, with 18 inches in the title and 20 inches in the specs and bullets. The specs and bullets agree, so the 20-inch figure has more support. The title is still a visible error, and it may matter if you compare this trimmer with another product that lists 18 inches.

The bullets describe the trimmer as a long-reach and a regular trimmer in one unit. The specs confirm the corded electric power source and the 600-watt, 4.8-amp motor. The bullets describe the cutting head and handle angles, which the specs do not list, so those angles rest on the bullets alone.

Five common mistakes

1. Trusting the title’s blade size. The specs and bullets give 20 inches, which conflicts with the 18-inch figure in the title.
2. Assuming the pole length is the reach. The pole is 9 feet, and the listed working height is up to 12 feet.
3. Ignoring the cord. The 10-meter cord sets the limit on where the trimmer can work, according to the bullets. For a battery-powered option with an extension pole, see the cordless hedge trimmer with an extension pole guide.
4. Skipping the switch test. The double start switch should not start the blade on one press, so test it before you cut.
5. Mixing up the two warranty terms. The bullets give 12 months of warranty service and three months of free exchange.

FAQ

Is this trimmer cordless?

No. The specs list it as corded electric, and the bullets describe a 10-meter cord.

How tall a hedge can it trim?

The listing gives a working height of up to 12 feet. Measure your hedge from the ground to its top, and compare the result with that figure.

What blade length does it have?

The specs and bullets give 20 inches. The title says 18 inch, so confirm the size on the product page.

Does it start with one switch?

The bullets say the blade starts only when two switches are pressed. Test the switch behavior before you cut, as the step above describes.

What warranty does it have?

The bullets give 12 months of warranty service, and three months of free exchange. Read the terms on the product page to see how the two apply.

Can it handle thick branches?

The bullets say the trimmer handles three-quarter-inch branches. That is the maker’s statement, and this review does not test it.

Bottom line

The GARCARE 2 in 1 pole hedge trimmer suits a homeowner with a hedge under 12 feet tall and an outlet within the 10-meter cord’s reach. The listing gives a 20-inch blade, a 9-foot pole and a double start switch, while the title says 18 inch. Before buying, measure your hedge, check the outlet, and confirm the blade size. Before the first cut, test the switch so that one press does not start the blade.

Sources

• CPSC: TTI Outdoor Power Equipment Recalls RYOBI 40-Volt 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmers Due to Laceration Hazard: a blade can activate after pressing one control individually, a laceration hazard.