a woman wearing protective glasses, using the STIHL ASA 20 Cordless Secateurs to prune a small tree

Looking for a practical Mother’s Day gift for a keen gardener? STIHL’s AS System cordless tools are compact, lightweight and powered by one interchangeable AS 2 battery that fits the whole range. With quiet, emission-free operation, they’re ideal for pruning, trimming and light cleaning. From the GTA 26 pruner to the ASA 20 secateurs and RCA 20 pressure washer, you’ll find them all in Garden Machinery Direct’s dedicated STIHL shop.

Small Tools to Make a Big Impact This Mother’s Day

 

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, if you’re searching for a present that’s thoughtful, practical and will be genuinely appreciated, it may be time to think beyond flowers and chocolates. For the mum who takes pride in her garden, who enjoys shaping shrubs, tidying borders and keeping outdoor spaces looking their best, a high-quality cordless garden tool will make a gift that keeps on giving.

STIHL’s AS System has been designed precisely for this kind of work. Compact, lightweight and impressively capable, these cordless tools are ideal for lawn maintenance, pruning, hedge trimming and even light cleaning jobs around the home and garage. If your mum is happiest with secateurs in hand or finds satisfaction in a neatly trimmed hedge, an AS System tool could be the perfect way to say thank you this Mother’s Day.

What Is STIHL’s AS System?

a close up of a STIHL AS 2 Battery on a wooden worktopSTIHL’s AS System stands for ‘Accu Switch’ and centres around one lightweight, easy-to-change lithium-ion battery: the STIHL AS 2. This interchangeable battery can be used to power any AS System tool, including pruners, secateurs, shrub shears, hedge trimmers, pole pruners, a grass trimmer, leaf blower, sprayer, compressor, vacuum, and even a handheld pressure washer.

This means there’s no need to invest in multiple batteries for different machines, saving money, reducing clutter, and making life simpler. You simply slot the battery into each tool, and can swap it out in seconds. It is lightweight, easy to handle and engineered to deliver reliable energy for small to medium-sized tasks around the home and garden.

The AS 2 battery is charged using a STIHL AL 1 Charger as standard, with other compatible options including STIHL’s AL 5 Hi-Speed Charger, AL 5-2 Hi-Speed Dual Charger, ALS 31 Charger and PS 1 Power Bank and Charger—all of which have their own unique selling points.

The Advantages of Choosing an AS System Tool

There are several reasons why an AS System tool makes such a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift.

a woman using the STIHL KOA 20 Cordless Compressor to pump up a bicycle tyre indoorsCompact Design

These tools are lightweight and easy to handle, which is perfect for smaller gardening jobs such as trimming shrubs, pruning branches or tidying lawn edges. They’re comfortable to use and simple to store between tasks.

Emission-Free and Quiet Operation

Cordless battery power means no exhaust fumes and significantly lower noise levels than petrol equivalents. That’s better for the environment and more neighbour-friendly, especially in built-up areas.

Ease of Use

STIHL’s ergonomic designs focus on comfort and control. Rubberised grips, balanced weight distribution and intuitive controls make these tools accessible to a wide range of users.

Constant Power

With many battery tools from other brands, performance drops as the battery charge decreases. STIHL’s intelligent electronics prevent this from happening. Each AS System tool continues to operate at consistently high power throughout the charge cycle, giving dependable cutting or cleaning performance from start to finish.

a woman wearing an orange hard hat and protective shades, adjusting the blade on the STIHL HLA 40 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer IPX4-Rated Protection

This means the tools are tested against splash water from all sides, making them suitable for outdoor use throughout the changing seasons. So, a light shower needn’t bring mum’s gardening plans to a sudden halt.

Premium Performance

STIHL has designed these tools for domestic use, but they’re certainly not underpowered. For mums who enjoy maintaining their own space without wrestling with heavy machinery, that unique balance of power and practicality is ideal.

Unbeatable Versatility

Because the same AS 2 battery powers multiple tools, it’s easy to build a small collection over time. Start with one tool this Mother’s Day and add to it for birthdays or Christmas. It’s a practical system that can grow with the gardener.

Examples of STIHL AS System Tools

Let’s take a look at some examples of STIHL AS System tools right now. All of these tools can be purchased with or without the battery and charger, and at least one of them is sure to make a wonderful present for mum…

someone using the STIHL GTA 26 Cordless Pruner to cut a small branch off a tree, with a blue, circular sign in the top left of the image noting this product is a Telegraph 'Best Buy' for 2025STIHL GTA 26 Cordless Pruner

Weighing just 1.45 kg including the battery, the STIHL GTA 26 Cordless Pruner offers an effortless way to prune trees and shrubs, cut back woody stems, and even reduce garden waste into manageable pieces.

This battery powered pruner features a 10 cm (4-inch) guide bar and ¼ inch PM3 saw chain with galvanised teeth for excellent cutting performance. With a maximum power output of 0.18 kW and the ability to cut branches up to 40 mm in diameter, it really is ideal for light pruning tasks. The flexible protective hood enhances safety without obstructing view, while a rubberised control handle ensures comfort and precision.

Available as a shell-only option or complete kit with AS 2 battery and charger included, the GTA 26 is a compact tool with serious capability.

someone using STIHL ASA 20 Cordless Secateurs to prune a treeSTIHL ASA 20 Cordless Secateurs

For mums who love precision pruning, STIHL ASA 20 Cordless Secateurs offer an impressive blend of power and control. Designed for pruning trees, bushes, ornamental plants and vines, they make garden maintenance far quicker and much less tiring.

Weighing under 1 kg, these secateurs can cut green material up to 25 mm in diameter. The progressive cut function allows the blade to follow the movement of your finger, delivering exceptional accuracy. With two blade opening widths, users can adjust for faster cutting of thinner branches. An integrated OLED display shows battery charge level, blade setting and cut count in real time.

With a holster available as an optional extra, these secateurs provide consistent performance and up to 2,000 cuts per charge, making them a premium yet practical gift.

someone dressed in jeans and a checked shirt, holding STIHL HSA 26 Cordless Shrub ShearsSTIHL HSA 26 Cordless Shrub Shears

Versatile STIHL HSA 26 Cordless Shrub Shears are ideal for detailed hedge shaping and lawn edge tidying. Compact and lightweight at just 0.8 kg without the battery, they are easy to handle for extended sessions in the garden.

The HSA 26 includes both a 20 cm shrub blade and a 12 cm grass trimmer blade. Tool-free blade changes make switching between tasks quick and straightforward. The specially designed cutter geometry holds stems securely for clean, precise cuts, while an LED charge-level indicator lets you check battery status at a glance.

With up to 110 minutes of runtime on a full charge, these shears are perfect for maintaining topiary, trimming small-leafed shrubs and keeping lawn edges neat.

someone dressed in dungarees, using the STIHL HLA 40 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer to shape the top of a hedge in a gardenSTIHL HLA 40 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer

For taller hedges and shrubs, the STIHL HLA 40 Cordless Long Reach Hedge Trimmer provides safe, ground-based trimming. Lightweight and simple to operate, it’s perfectly designed for confident domestic use.

A telescopic shaft extends the working length up to 260 cm, allowing access to higher growth without ladders. A 45 cm laser-cut, diamond-ground blade ensures clean and consistent results, while tool-free blade angle adjustment from -45° to +70° supports precise top and side trimming. Weighing 3.5 kg without the battery, the HLA 40 remains comfortable to handle, with quiet operation and low vibrations making it well suited to residential areas.

As any keen gardener will tell you, this STIHL hedge trimmer combines reach, control and practicality in one exceptionally well-made tool.

a woman cleaning a partially glazed door using the STIHL RCA 20 Cordless Handheld Pressure WasherSTIHL RCA 20 Cordless Handheld Pressure Washer

Gardening often goes hand in hand with cleaning, and the STIHL RCA 20 Cordless Handheld Pressure Washer adds even more versatility to the AS System range.

Powered by 2 x AS 2 batteries, this compact power washer weighs just 1.5 kg but delivers up to 24 bar of pressure. It includes a 5-metre suction hose and 20-litre container bag, allowing you to draw water from alternative sources when no tap is nearby. The 4-in-1 nozzle offers rotary, fan-jet, narrow jet and watering modes for different tasks. Eco mode helps extend runtime, and STIHL’s intelligent electronics maintain consistent power.

Ideal for cleaning garden furniture, tools, bikes and patios, the RCA 20 is an invaluable addition to any garden toolkit.

A Thoughtful Gift for Use Year After Year

a woman wearing dungarees and an orange hardhat, stood at ground level, using the STIHL HTA 30 Cordless Pruner to prune a tall treeChoosing a garden tool as a Mother’s Day gift isn’t about practicality alone. It’s about recognising what brings your mum joy. For any keen gardener, time spent outdoors shaping, pruning and perfecting their space is one of the most rewarding aspects of life.

STIHL’s AS System makes this work easier by offering compact, high-quality cordless tools that are straightforward to use, easy to store, and designed to deliver reliable long-term performance. With one interchangeable battery powering all machines, it’s a smart and flexible investment.

Mother’s Day is now less than two weeks away, so there’s no time to waste. If you’re looking for an extra-special present that’s sure to be appreciated, explore STIHL’s full range of AS System tools today, where you’ll find brilliant gifts for practically minded mums, ready to ship straight to your door.

And when you’ve got a bit more time and would like to browse our full range of STIHL products, be sure to pay a visit to our dedicated STIHL shop.

Published On: 3 March 2026Categories: Buying Guides, Events, Recommendations, Spring Gardening

About the Author: James Laidler

Hello, I’m James. I write most of Garden Machinery Direct’s blogs, along with product descriptions, category pages, and other website content. I also look after the company’s X account and post on LinkedIn.