Black & Decker Electric Hedge Trimmer, 22-inch

First impressions and setup

I put the Black & Decker trimmer to work on a neglected run of boxwood, privet, and holly that had gone a season too long. Setup was as simple as it gets: plug into a properly sized outdoor extension cord, loop it through the built‑in cord retainer, and squeeze the trigger. There’s no assembly to speak of and nothing fussy in the startup routine. At 6.5 pounds, it feels light and nimble in hand, and the 22-inch blade offers extra reach without tipping the balance toward nose-heavy.

Design and ergonomics

The wraparound front handle is the standout ergonomic feature. It gives you multiple grip positions for vertical faces, tops, and odd angles, and it’s shaped in a way that keeps your hands naturally aligned. I could make long, sweeping passes without wrist strain, and quick, controlled trims around tight corners felt precise.

Build quality is what I expect from a homeowner-focused corded trimmer: a durable plastic housing with hardened steel, dual-action blades. The blade rail tracks straight and true, and there’s minimal flex at full extension. There aren’t any fancy touches—no rotating rear handle or tool-free blade maintenance—but all the essentials are here, and they’re executed cleanly.

One small practicality note: my unit arrived without extras in the box. A blade sheath would have been nice for storage. Plan on hanging it or setting it out of the way with the cutting edge protected.

Power and cutting performance

With a 4.0 Amp motor and dual-action blades, this trimmer is built for routine hedge maintenance rather than heavy clearing. In that lane, it performs well. Fresh growth and typical shrub shoots disappear quickly, and the blade leaves a clean edge with minimal tearing. I could move at a steady walking pace along longer hedgerows, and the trimmer kept up without hunting or bogging.

On thicker, woodier stems, it’s capable but requires realistic expectations. The stated max cutting capacity is 3/4 inch. In practice, I found the sweet spot to be around 1/2 inch for effortless, one-and-done cuts. At 5/8 inch and up, you’ll want to let the blade work rather than forcing it; a brief pause or two passes usually does it. For anything truly near that 3/4-inch threshold—especially in hardwood—you’re better off grabbing loppers to avoid dulling the blade or binding the mechanism.

A few performance observations from the field:
- The long blade helps keep faces straight; it spans high and low spots so you don’t “scallop” the surface.
- Tip control is good. It’s easy to shape the top of a hedge with short, overlapping strokes without digging in.
- There’s enough torque to cut dense ivy mats and small volunteer saplings mixed into shrubs, provided you’re patient and avoid prying.

Vibration, noise, and fatigue

The dual-action design significantly reduces felt vibration compared to single-reciprocating trimmers. Over a 30-minute session, my hands didn’t tingle, and I didn’t feel the need to stop due to numbness. Noise is modest by outdoor power tool standards—neighbors won’t resent a weekend morning tidy-up—but hearing protection is still a good idea. The balance is slightly forward, which is normal for a 22-inch blade, but the overall weight keeps fatigue in check.

Cord management and runtime

Corded power is the headline advantage here: continuous runtime and consistent performance. If you have multiple hedges to handle or a long shaping session ahead, not worrying about battery fade is a relief. The tradeoff is the usual tether management. The built-in cord retainer is simple and effective; once the extension cord is looped properly, accidental unplugging is unlikely.

A few practical tips:
- Use a 16-gauge outdoor-rated cord up to 50 feet; step up to 14-gauge for longer runs to minimize voltage drop.
- Keep the cord draped over your shoulder and behind your lead shoulder to avoid cutting your own lifeline.
- Avoid wet conditions with any corded tool. Wait for foliage to dry for safety and better cut quality.

Control and safety

The long blade encourages confident, even strokes, and the front handle shape promotes a two-handed grip. Blade stopping time after releasing the trigger is reasonably quick, and visibility along the cutting edge is good. As with any trimmer, eye protection is a must—clippings will find your face at certain angles—and gloves help when repositioning around thorny shrubs.

Maintenance and care

Electric trimmers shine in low maintenance. After each session, I brush off debris and wipe the blade with a light oil to deter rust and keep the cutting edges moving smoothly. Check fasteners along the blade rail a couple of times a season; vibration can loosen hardware on any reciprocating tool. Sharpening is an eventual reality with hedge trimmers; most users will go a season or two before needing attention, depending on plant type and cutting frequency. The hardened steel blade on this unit holds an edge well for typical residential use.

Black & Decker backs it with a two-year limited warranty. That’s standard for the category and appropriate for a corded homeowner tool.

Where it fits in the lineup

Corded hedge trimmers sit in a useful middle ground:
- Versus battery models: You give up cordless convenience but gain unlimited runtime, lighter weight, and usually a lower cost of entry. This is ideal if you have power outlets within cord range and prefer not to manage batteries.
- Versus gas models: You won’t match the brute force needed for sustained, heavy, woody growth, but you’ll get easier starting, far less noise, and minimal upkeep.

Within the corded category, the 22-inch blade length is a practical sweet spot for reach and control. It’s long enough for tall hedges and flat tops, yet short enough to be maneuverable in tight landscaping.

Limitations

No single tool covers every hedge scenario. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Thick, old growth branches near 3/4 inch are best handled with loppers first, then finish with the trimmer for a clean profile.
- The power cord adds some choreography. If your hedges are a long way from outlets or you’re working around obstacles, a cordless trimmer may save time.
- There’s no included blade sheath. If you store tools in a shared space, you’ll want to shield the cutting edge.

Who it’s for

Homeowners maintaining small to medium landscapes, especially those with manicured hedges and regular trimming routines, will get the most value here. If you do seasonal touch-ups, shape shrubs for curb appeal, or manage longer runs of boxwood or privet within reach of an outlet, this trimmer fits well. Landscapers or users regularly tackling thick, woody overgrowth should look at higher-power or gas options, or supplement with dedicated cutting tools.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker trimmer delivers what a corded hedge tool should: straightforward operation, clean cuts on everyday hedge growth, manageable weight, and continuous power. The dual-action blade keeps vibration low, the 22-inch reach makes it easy to keep faces flat and tops tidy, and the cord retainer solves most unplugging headaches. It won’t replace loppers for thick branches, and you’ll need to mind your cord path, but as a reliable, no-nonsense hedge trimmer for routine yard care, it’s easy to like.

Recommendation: I recommend this trimmer for homeowners who want a light, capable, and affordable corded tool for regular hedge maintenance. It excels at shaping and tidying common shrubs, runs as long as you need, and keeps fatigue to a minimum. If your hedges are far from power or you routinely cut branches thicker than about half an inch, consider a cordless upgrade or keep a pair of loppers handy. For most suburban yards within reach of an outlet, this is a smart, dependable choice.