Echo DHCAS 2600HD Review

As promised review of above- having being used to the likes of Stihl 92ce and Echo petrol hedge cutters was expecting to be underwelmed by this battery machine which was bought purely on the basis of weight. I was wrong.

This machine is awesome and is the best I have used in over 40 years in the trade. So many of these battery cutters have the motor at the blade end which make them front end heavy. The Echo motor is at the battery end it is beautifully balanced. Cutting performance is equal to petrol. The safety switch stays on for a sensible amount of time allowing you to move step ladders without having to constantly reset it and displays a light to show its on. It has 3 blade speeds 3500,4050,4600 the bottom setting is plenty fast enough for leylandi and laurel. Choice of 2.5 or 5ah batteries I went for 2.5 purely as I wanted to keep the weight down which is 5.3kg with this battery runtime is around 50 mins and there is a free battery offer on at moment. With battery and charger £770. The DHCAS 2600 is 2198mm the DHCA 2600 2483mm. If you are looking for a long reach get one !!

Replies

Billybop July 15, 2026 at 10:24pm

sounds good Peter, would love to test performance side by side with Stihl HLA135 or similar (which I've been using the past few seasons) which despite being a good rear motor machine has an infuriating safety cut off if left unused for just a few seconds, apart from that it's been a great tool, could be wrong but when the blades hit thicker material it seems the electronics inside immediately sense this and up the ante by applying greater force somehow, am sure the Echo does the same
- Peter sellers > Billybop July 16, 2026 at 7:32am
  
  The Echo will cut stuff as thick as your finger without drama, not tried it on anything thicker. As far as comparing it to the Stihl HLA 135 I did try one but it is considerably heavier than the Echo and the switch having to be reset constantly did not improve my temper or blood pressure ! Who thought that one up?
  - Billybop > Peter sellers July 16, 2026 at 7:58am
    
    yes drives me nuts sometimes. If I knew some way to bypass it I would. Safety feature I guess but I don't have it on any of my Stihl short reach hedge trimmers or cordless chainsaws, which are potentially just as dangerous. The same lever is the speed control but I only ever use the fastest level anyhow
PRO

Honey Badger July 20, 2026 at 3:13pm

Blessed be another petrol head converted!
- Sam Bainbridge > Honey Badger July 20, 2026 at 8:26pm
  
  I wouldn't worry a 50min run time is pretty shocking. Mine has a 60min run time then a 30 second refill of 2 stroke.
  - Billybop > Sam Bainbridge July 20, 2026 at 8:52pm
    
    takes only maybe 5 seconds to swap over to another battery though? I wouldn't have the patience to wait 30 seconds lol
    - PRO
      
      Honey Badger > Billybop July 20, 2026 at 10:27pm
      
      You forgot to add the time for back and forth to your wagon.
  - PRO
    
    Honey Badger > Sam Bainbridge July 20, 2026 at 10:22pm
    
    PRO
    
    I still have and use all my petrol machines I would not be without a petrol blower or petrol lawn mower. But to cut a hedge with significantly less noise, minimal vibration and no fumes it a yoy. My sthil hla66 has 2.5hrs trigger time on a ap200 battery.
    - Sam Bainbridge > Honey Badger July 21, 2026 at 6:46am
      
      My issue is memory I know fine well I'd forget to charge them so petrol all the way for me still
      - PRO
        
        Honey Badger > Sam Bainbridge July 21, 2026 at 2:50pm
        
        I sometimes forget to buy petrol!