Black & Decker 18 In. Electric Hedge Trimmer

Why I reached for this 18-inch corded trimmer

My shrubs don’t need a powerhouse—just a tool that’s light, predictable, and sharp enough to keep hedges tidy without wearing me out. That’s the niche this 18-inch corded trimmer fills. It’s a compact, no-frills unit with an 18-inch dual-action blade, a 3.5-amp motor, and a weight that stays easy on the arms. After several weekends of shaping boxwood, privet, and a few lanky forsythia, I’ve got a clear sense of where it shines and where it taps out.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, setup is simple: attach a guard, plug in, and go. At 5.5 pounds, it feels almost airy, and the balance is surprisingly good with the motor and blade weight centered near the hands. The wrap-around front handle gives you multiple grip positions, and the full-length trigger means I can reposition my hand without hunting for a small paddle switch. That matters when you’re trimming vertically or reaching over a bed—your hands can move and your control stays steady.

The built-in cord retention hook is a thoughtful touch. Loop the extension cord, snap it into the keeper, and accidental unplugs disappear. It’s a small thing that prevents a lot of frustration.

Cutting performance

This trimmer is built for routine yard maintenance, not clearing brush. The 3.5-amp motor paired with an 18-inch dual-action blade gives it a clean, quick cut on fresh growth and most residential hedges. On new shoots and medium-density foliage, it sails. On older wood up to the claimed 5/8-inch capacity, it does fine if you let the blade do the work and keep your cuts deliberate.

Push past that thickness, and you’ll find its limit. Anything woody and over roughly 1/2 to 5/8 inch becomes a chew-and-vibrate situation. That’s not a knock; it’s simply where a compact trimmer belongs. I keep a set of bypass loppers nearby for the occasional oversized branch and move on.

The dual-action blade reduces chatter compared to single-reciprocating designs I’ve used. There’s still vibration—you’re moving a lot of steel back and forth—but it’s better controlled, and the tool doesn’t rattle my hands even after a long session. Blade sharpness out of the box was excellent, leaving clean cuts on boxwood and not shredding softer hedges like viburnum.

Control and ergonomics

Ergonomics are a high point. The wrap-around front handle lets me switch from horizontal top passes to vertical side trimming without an awkward wrist angle. The full-length trigger distributes finger pressure across the hand, which reduces fatigue more than I expected. After an hour of intermittent trimming, my forearm felt fine, and I wasn’t fighting the tool’s balance or grip design.

At 18 inches, the blade length hits a good middle ground: long enough to span the width of most residential hedges, short enough to keep precise control around tight garden spaces. If you need to shape small, detailed shrubs or navigate between plants, the shorter blade is an advantage.

The corded experience

Corded tools demand a bit of choreography. With this trimmer, I run a 14- or 16-gauge outdoor-rated extension cord sized to the distance I need, route it behind me, and loop it through the cord keeper. Once you’re in the rhythm—cut a pass, step back, check the cord—it becomes second nature. For smaller yards or close-to-outlet trimming, the cord is a non-issue and the uninterrupted power is a plus.

No batteries to charge, no drop-off in power, and no fuel to mix. That said, if your hedges are spread across a large property, or you’re frequently working far from outlets, you’ll either be hauling a lot of cord or you’ll want to consider a different power source. For the average suburban hedge line, it’s perfectly workable.

Noise and vibration

It’s noticeably quieter than gas and has a more controlled sound profile than some high-output electrics. You’ll still want hearing protection—any reciprocating blade at full tilt carries a bite—but neighbors won’t glare. Vibration is well-managed by the dual-action mechanism, and the handles don’t transmit harsh buzz under typical loads.

Build quality and maintenance

The blades are hardened steel and hold an edge commendably over multiple sessions. The housing is mostly plastic but feels rigid and well-fitted. There’s no tool-free blade access (not unusual for this class), so maintenance is the basics: clean off sap and debris, wipe down with a light oil, and store it dry. I recommend a quick spritz of silicone or a dedicated hedge trimmer lubricant on the blade before and after use to keep sap from building and to protect the cutting edges.

Long-term durability will depend on not asking it to do more than it’s designed for. Keep it away from fence wire, avoid biting into thick, dry, woody stems, and don’t pry with the blade. Treated properly, it’s the kind of tool that should handle seasonal trimming for years.

Safety and handling

Two-handed operation is required, as it should be. The guard is sized well without blocking sightlines to the cut. The tool stops quickly when you release the trigger, and the front handle inspires confidence—no slippery plastics or awkward angles. As always, gloves, safety glasses, and careful cord management are a must.

Where it fits in a tool lineup

This trimmer is ideal if:
- You maintain hedges and shrubs a few times a season.
- Your branches are mostly soft growth or under 5/8 inch thick.
- You prefer light, easy-to-handle tools over power-focused models.
- You have access to outdoor outlets and don’t mind managing a cord.

It’s not the best choice if:
- You frequently tackle old, woody hedges with thicker branches.
- You need long reach for tall hedges without a ladder.
- You want completely untethered mobility.

Tips for best results

• Use the right cord: 16-gauge for shorter runs, 14-gauge for longer distances, outdoor-rated.
• Let the blade do the work: steady passes with modest forward pressure yield the cleanest cut.
• Pre-cut thick branches: loppers for anything stubborn or near the capacity limit.
• Keep blades clean and lubricated: this improves cut quality and extends edge life.
• Plan your path to avoid cutting your own cord: work away from the outlet, keep the cord draped behind.

Value and warranty

For the feature set—dual-action 18-inch blade, low weight, full-length trigger, and cord retention—the value is strong. The 2-year limited warranty is standard for this category and provides a reasonable safety net. The biggest value driver is its dependability: it powers on every time and cuts consistently as long as the blade stays sharp.

Final thoughts

This 18-inch corded trimmer is a practical, lightweight solution for routine hedge and shrub maintenance. It prioritizes control and ease of use over brute force, and within that lane, it performs very well. The design choices—the wrap-around handle, full-length trigger, and dual-action blade—translate directly into less fatigue and more predictable results in the yard.

Recommendation: I recommend this trimmer for homeowners with small to medium hedges who want a light, reliable, and budget-friendly tool for regular upkeep. If your landscaping leans heavily toward thick, woody growth or you need the freedom to roam without a cord, look elsewhere. For everyday trimming with minimal fuss, this one earns a spot on the pegboard.