Skil 20V 22 In. Hedge Trimmer Kit

A light, capable trimmer that favors control and convenience

I spent a few weekends putting Skil’s 20V hedge trimmer to work on boxwoods, privet, rose canes, and a handful of overgrown shrubs along a fence line. The short version: it’s a well-balanced, easy-to-handle trimmer that prioritizes comfort and control without feeling underpowered. If you’ve been dragging a corded trimmer around or fighting a heavier gas unit, this is a welcome change of pace.

Setup and first impressions

The kit arrives complete with a 2.0Ah 20V battery, a 60W charger, a blade sheath, a debris-remover attachment, and a wall-mount storage bracket. Everything clicks together cleanly. Fit and finish are solid, with no rattles, and the blade set arrives sharp and true. The IPX4 rating is a nice touch for outdoor work—splash-resistant, fine for damp mornings or light mist, though I still avoid trimming in steady rain.

At around five pounds bare, it’s noticeably lighter than many 24- to 26-inch competitors. With the battery installed, it remains very manageable. The 22-inch dual-action blade is a sweet spot for maneuverability while still spanning enough width to flatten hedges quickly. There’s a tip protector to help you avoid striking brick or siding when working close to structures.

Ergonomics and controls

Skil leans into safety and simplicity here. The trimmer requires two-handed operation: a front handle trigger and a rear trigger must both be engaged. It’s a smart layout that keeps your off-hand planted where it should be, and the lock-off feels positive without being fussy. The handle shape and rubber overmolds offer good grip security, even with gloves.

Balance is where this trimmer shines. The center of gravity sits close to the hands, so overhead and extended reach trimming don’t punish your shoulders as much. There’s no rotating rear handle, but the light weight makes angle changes easy enough. Vibration is low thanks to the dual-action blades; at the end of a long pass, my hands weren’t buzzing.

Cutting performance

Skil calls out a brushless motor running up to 3,000 strokes per minute, and the cut quality reflects it. On small to medium growth—think 1/8 to 3/8 inch shoots—the trimmer leaves clean edges and maintains a consistent pace. It’s particularly effective on boxwood and privet, where blade speed and low vibration make it easy to get crisp, flat faces.

The trimmer is rated for 3/4-inch cutting capacity. As with most consumer hedge trimmers, that’s a best-case figure. In practice, I treated 1/2 inch as the comfortable ceiling for “clip and keep moving” work. The tool will chew through occasional thicker branches near the blade tip if you use a gentle rocking motion—the “saw” section at the nose helps here—but it’s not a chainsaw. If your hedges hide old, woody stems well over 1/2 inch, plan on a quick lopper assist.

The debris-remover accessory does what it says: it nudges clippings away from the blade path so you’re not constantly re-cutting loose material. I found it most helpful when skimming the tops of hedges to keep the surface clean as I went. In dense, twiggy shrubs, it can occasionally brush and hang on protrusions. The good news is that it’s easy to remove if you prefer a slimmer profile for tight spaces.

Runtime and charging

With the included 2.0Ah battery, I consistently completed typical suburban trimming sessions on a single charge—front and sides on several hedges, a few shrubs, and some fence-line shaping. Expect roughly 30 to 45 minutes of steady cutting, depending on how woody the material is and how aggressive you are with the passes. Heavier, spring-growth sessions will naturally shorten runtime.

The 60W charger is quick enough that a full recharge takes well under an hour. If you maintain a larger yard or like to trim at a leisurely pace with breaks, a second battery is the most convenient upgrade. Stepping up to a 4.0Ah pack noticeably extends runtime without making the tool feel unwieldy. Skil’s 20V battery compatibility across tools is a practical bonus if you already own others in the system.

Noise and user experience

Noise levels are reasonably low for a hedge trimmer. It’s more of a high-frequency whir than a chug, and conversation across the yard is still possible. I still wear hearing protection—it’s a cutting tool—but this is much easier on neighbors than a gas unit.

The blade set is laser-cut and hardened steel, which helps with both cut quality and durability. After my sessions, a quick wipe-down and a light oiling kept the edges sharp and clean. The included blade sheath slides on securely and is worth using, especially if you’re storing the tool on a wall or moving it through a garage where it might brush against bikes or bins.

Storage and accessories

Skil includes a tidy EASYSTORAGE wall bracket. It’s straightforward to mount and holds the trimmer securely. Between that and the sheath, you can store the tool safely and out of the way. There’s also a hanging hole on the tool itself if you prefer a simple hook. Little touches like these don’t affect cut quality but do make ownership easier.

What I’d improve

• Battery capacity in the box: The 2.0Ah pack is fine for small to mid-size jobs, but a 4.0Ah kit option would better serve folks with deeper hedges or long runs.
• Handle options: A rotating rear handle would be nice for vertical passes on tall hedges. The light weight compensates somewhat, but a rotation feature improves wrist comfort.
• Single speed: The trimmer runs one speed. Variable speed isn’t common at this price point, but it can help with precision cuts around delicate plants.

None of these are deal breakers; they’re the kinds of refinements that would push the trimmer from very good to excellent for a broader audience.

Who it’s for

This trimmer fits homeowners who value light weight, clean cut quality, and the convenience of cordless operation. If your landscape is mostly hedges and shrubs with branches up to about 1/2 inch, it’s right in the pocket. Small to medium yards are where it excels. If you manage long, tall privet walls or encounter a lot of thick, woody growth, a higher-capacity battery and strategic lopper use will keep you moving—or consider stepping up to a longer bar or a higher-voltage platform.

The bottom line

The Skil 20V hedge trimmer is an easy tool to live with. It starts instantly, it’s light and well-balanced, it cuts cleanly, and it includes thoughtful accessories that make day-to-day use simpler. The brushless motor and dual-action blades provide the smooth, predictable performance you want when shaping plants where precision matters. While a larger battery and a rotating handle would broaden its appeal, neither omission undermines what the tool does best.

Recommendation: I recommend this trimmer for homeowners with small to medium hedges who prioritize comfort, maneuverability, and a tidy cut. It offers a strong combination of performance and usability in a lightweight package, and the included kit pieces—battery, charger, debris deflector, sheath, and wall bracket—make it a complete, ready-to-work solution. If you regularly tackle large, woody growth or long hedge runs, pair it with a 4.0Ah battery or look to a longer, higher-voltage unit; otherwise, this Skil is an excellent everyday trimmer.