ECHO DHCA-2600 Battery Hedge Trimmer Review: Quiet Power & Long Reach

Hey, what's going on, everybody? This is Tyler from C&Cut Lawns. Hope you're all doing well. If you haven't been on this ECHO Means Business channel before, consider hitting that follow or subscribe button.

Today, I just want to do a quick overview and review of the ECHO DHCA-2600. This is the battery-powered extended hedge trimmer. It's the long one, about the same length as a string trimmer. It uses the same high-quality blades and components as the gas-powered models, but it's all battery-powered.

One thing I like about this hedge trimmer is how it handles batteries. Right now, I have the 2.5Ah battery in, but I can also use the 5Ah battery for longer runtime. A lot of people think a higher amp-hour battery means more power, but it actually just means longer runtime—the power output stays the same.

The DHCA-2600 has a comfortable rubber handguard and a blade guard to help protect siding, signs, or even your legs if you get too close. The articulating head is a great feature—it only takes two fingers to adjust the angle, so you can easily trim hedges against a house or in hard-to-reach spots without stepping behind them. Just flip it to a 90-degree angle and walk along the hedge.

This trimmer also has two speed settings, controlled with a simple plus and minus button. Unlike gas models that keep running after you start them, this one requires pulling both the safety and trigger at the same time, making it a safer option.

One thing I really appreciate about using battery-powered hedge trimmers—especially in the summer—is that they're quieter. You can start earlier in the morning without disturbing customers or their neighbors. I once had a customer come outside and tell me she didn’t even know I was there, which is great when you're working in hot weather and want to get started early.

As for power, I'm impressed. I haven’t used a lot of battery-powered equipment, but I’ve used just about every gas tool out there, and this hedge trimmer cuts through holly bushes and other thick shrubs like butter. If you want to keep your hedge trimmer performing well, make sure to sharpen the blades regularly. You can use a Dremel tool or a file—it’s easier than you might think.

Another advantage of battery-powered tools is that you don’t have to worry about gas issues like clogged carburetors, especially if you don’t use non-ethanol fuel. When you’re done, just put it away—no maintenance hassles.

You can also remove the cutting head for easier storage by loosening a few screws with an Allen key.

Now, let's put this trimmer to work and show you how it performs on some holly bushes. Let us know in the comments—do you prefer battery-powered or gas hedge trimmers, and why?