DeWalt 22 in. Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Why I reached for this trimmer

A late-spring growth spurt turned my evergreen borders into a shaggy mess, and I wanted a cordless option that didn’t slow me down or tie me to an extension cord. I put this DeWalt trimmer into regular rotation for several weeks—boxwood shaping, privet control, holly cleanup, and a few stray sapling shoots along a fence line—to see if it could be my go‑to for seasonal maintenance.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, it’s a straightforward kit: trimmer, 20V 5.0Ah battery, charger, and a protective sheath. I topped off the battery, slid it into place, and got to work. The tool feels compact for a 22-inch class trimmer, with a sensible front handle that supports various grips for vertical and horizontal passes. Build quality is what I’ve come to expect in this category—durable housings, a clean blade guard, and switches that don’t feel spongy.

The 22-inch laser‑cut, hooked‑tooth blades make a difference on dense hedges. Those hooked profiles help pull material into the cut instead of letting branches chatter along the edge, which translates to cleaner faces and fewer ragged ends.

Cutting performance

For trimming work up to 3/4 inch in diameter—the rated capacity—this trimmer has the right mix of speed and torque. It chewed through well-established boxwood and yew with no hesitation, and it handled holly without the usual leaf tearing I see on dull blades. On privet and viburnum, I could lay the blade flat and let the teeth do the work, getting crisp lines without repeatedly going over the same section.

Where it meets its limit is exactly where you’d expect: green, springy shoots above the 3/4‑inch mark or especially fibrous stems. You can sometimes nurse those through with a deliberate, steady pass, but it’s smarter to reach for bypass loppers or a pruning saw and keep trimming brisk. The friction clutch is a thoughtful safeguard here; hit a fence wire, a stone, or a surprise chunk of hardwood and you’ll hear and feel the clutch slip instead of locking the transmission. It won’t save your blade from every mistake, but it does spare the gearbox from the kinds of shocks that sideline cheaper trimmers.

Cut quality and consistency

The blades arrive sharp and stay sharp through typical residential use. After multiple sessions, cut surfaces remained clean with minimal bruising on softer shrubs. I didn’t find myself chasing stragglers the way I do with lower‑end trimmers that flex and leave whiskers behind. If you’re particular about flat planes on formal hedges, this trimmer delivers predictable results, especially when you keep a light, consistent touch and let the blade length guide the face.

Battery life and charging

DeWalt lists up to 78 minutes of run time with the included 5.0Ah pack under no load. In actual trimming, my results landed where I hoped: roughly 55 to 70 minutes of continuous light-to-moderate cutting, and around 35 to 45 minutes when I was pushing through thick growth. That’s enough to handle a typical suburban yard in one go. Having a second 20V battery on hand extends that seamlessly, and if you already own other DeWalt 20V tools, battery swaps are quick. The included charger is fine for overnight or same‑day top‑offs, though high‑output chargers will shorten turnaround if you do larger properties.

Ergonomics and handling

Balance is good with the 5.0Ah battery—slightly blade-forward as expected with a 22‑inch bar, but not enough to fight. The grip options make a difference: I could trim vertical faces at chest height comfortably, pivot to top cuts without overextending my wrist, and reach corner transitions without somersaulting the tool. Weight is manageable for extended sessions, and the compact profile threads well around tight landscaping without feeling twitchy.

Vibration is well controlled. You still know you’re using a hedge trimmer, but it’s a far cry from older corded or gas models that leave your hands buzzing. Noise levels are neighborhood‑friendly—more of a steady whirr than a bark—so early morning touch‑ups won’t earn you the side‑eye.

Safety and thoughtful touches

The friction clutch deserves mention again; it’s the kind of feature you don’t notice until you need it. The protective sheath is sturdy and easy to slip on, which matters if you store tools in a shared space or transport them in a vehicle. I appreciate the positive‑action controls and the fact that accidental activation is unlikely if you set the trimmer down mid‑task to clear debris.

One accessory I wish were in the box is the HedgeSweep. It’s sold separately, but it’s a handy add‑on for pushing clippings off the hedge top as you go. Without it, you’ll do a bit more brushing between passes on flat‑topped shrubs. Not a dealbreaker, just something to consider if you maintain a lot of formal hedges.

Maintenance

Like any trimmer, blade care pays dividends. A quick wipe‑down and a few drops of light oil after each session kept corrosion at bay and preserved cut quality. The hardened steel blades hold an edge well; I didn’t need to sharpen during my evaluation window, and the tool never bogged due to dullness. Keep the vents clear and the battery contacts clean, and there’s little else to worry about. The three‑year limited warranty adds some confidence for long‑term use.

Where it fits (and where it doesn’t)

• Ideal for: Homeowners and groundskeepers managing small to medium properties, particularly where formal hedges and frequent touch‑ups are the norm. If you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V platform, it’s an easy addition that leverages your existing batteries.
• Works, with limits: Heavier residential or light commercial trimming. It’ll get the job done, but if you regularly tackle long runs of mature, woody hedges or constant 3/4‑inch cuts, you may prefer a higher‑voltage platform to reduce cycle times and extend runtime.
• Not the right tool for: Branches over 3/4 inch, dense brush clearing, or jobs where you repeatedly encounter vines and hardwood stems better suited to a dedicated saw.

What I liked

• Clean, consistent cuts from the 22‑inch laser‑cut blades
• Strong performance up to its stated 3/4‑inch capacity
• Useful friction clutch that protects the drivetrain from impacts
• Comfortable balance and low vibration for longer sessions
• Solid real‑world runtime with the included 5.0Ah battery
• Compatibility with a broad 20V battery ecosystem

What could be better

• HedgeSweep accessory is extra; it’s beneficial enough that I’d love to see it bundled
• Occasional jolt when the clutch slips on hidden obstacles—expected, but worth noting
• As with most 20V trimmers, heavy, woody hedges will drain the pack faster; plan for a spare battery if you maintain larger properties

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt trimmer for anyone who wants cord‑free convenience without sacrificing cut quality. It handles the core tasks of residential hedge maintenance with confidence: clean cuts, predictable control, and enough runtime to finish typical jobs on a single charge. The friction clutch adds durability insurance, the blades are legitimately sharp, and the ergonomics reduce fatigue on longer trims. If you routinely face oversized, woody material, you’ll want loppers or a higher‑powered trimmer in the mix—but for day‑to‑day shaping, cleanup, and seasonal refreshes, this trimmer earns a spot on the rack.