Black & Decker Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer, 18-Inch

Why I reached for a pole trimmer in the first place

A ladder and a handheld hedge trimmer are a bad combination for tall hedges—slow, awkward, and not particularly safe. I wanted something that let me shape tall shrubs and the tops of hedges from the ground, and this Black+Decker pole trimmer did exactly that. It’s a cordless, 20V MAX model with an 18-inch dual-action blade, an extendable fiberglass pole, and a pivoting head. After several weekends of trimming boxwood, holly, and a stretch of overgrown privet, here’s how it stacked up.

Setup and build quality

Out of the box, assembly is straightforward. The interlocking fiberglass pole sections click together cleanly and feel corrosion-proof, which is great for a tool that spends time in damp hedges. Fiberglass keeps the weight down compared to steel or aluminum, but it does introduce some flex. At full reach, there’s a bit of bounce when you start a cut or change direction. It never felt unsafe, but it’s noticeable and affects your technique—you learn to make smoother, more deliberate passes.

The head pivots through five positions across 180°, which is the star of the design. I used the straight position for vertical sides and a 90° angle for the tops of hedges. The detents are positive, and once locked, the head doesn’t droop. The soft-grip handle is comfortable and the instant-start trigger is predictable, so there’s no fiddling with safety toggles when you need to reposition.

Black+Decker lists the weight in different places as roughly 7.7–10 pounds. In hand, with the battery and full extension, it feels closer to the heavier end and top-heavy—as most pole trimmers are. Plan on working in shorter bursts rather than muscling it continuously at shoulder height.

Reach and control

The stated reach is up to 11 feet, which depends on your height and how you’re holding the tool. For me (5'11"), I could cleanly reach the top of a hedge around 9–10 feet tall from flat ground. The pivoting head lets you maintain a safe stance while trimming the crown, and that’s far more efficient—and safer—than climbing rungs for light shaping.

Because the pole sections are modular rather than a rigid telescoping tube, they’re quick to configure but slightly less stiff. Two things helped:
- Start cuts with the blade already in contact with the foliage to minimize bounce.
- Use sweeping motions with steady pressure rather than jabbing at the hedge.

Cutting performance

The 18-inch dual-action blade is the right length for coverage without becoming unmanageable at full extension. Dual-action also keeps vibration low; my hands and forearms felt fine after a couple hours of intermittent use.

Black+Decker rates the cut capacity at 7/16 inch. In practice, that’s accurate: the trimmer slices through typical hedge growth—boxwood tips, new holly shoots, privet, and ligustrum—without drama. It will stall if you try to chew through old, woody stems at or above that limit. That’s not a flaw; it’s just the reality of a compact 20V motor. If your shrubs have a lot of thick, older growth, you’re better off snipping those with loppers first and then using the trimmer for shaping. The blade speed is adequate, and the tool recovers quickly from stalls when you release and re-trigger.

One caution: at maximum reach, it’s tempting to pry the head free if it snags. Don’t. If the blade binds, release the trigger, back out gently, and re-approach. Levering a long pole against the hedge can twist or bend a blade on any trimmer, and this one is no exception.

Battery life and charging

The kit includes a 1.5Ah 20V MAX lithium-ion battery (LBXR20) and a wall-mount charger. On a fresh battery, I typically got around 20–25 minutes of continuous cutting or around 35–45 minutes of intermittent trimming—enough to shape a row of shrubs or do a top pass on a long hedge before needing a recharge. For larger jobs, a second battery is almost mandatory; the platform compatibility is a nice perk if you already own other Black+Decker 20V tools.

The included charger is the basic wall-mount style. It works fine but isn’t particularly fast. I got into the habit of topping off batteries between tasks and charging overnight after bigger sessions.

Ergonomics and fatigue

Every pole trimmer fights the same physics: a motor and blade out at the end of a stick is going to feel nose-heavy. This model is manageable, but you’ll feel it in your shoulders and upper back after a while—especially when cutting at full extension with the head angled. The soft-grip handle helps, and the balance is better when you shorten the pole, but I do wish it included a shoulder strap to offload some weight.

On the upside, the trigger is responsive, the grip is comfortable, and the lower vibration from the dual-action blade reduces tingling in your hands. Overall, it’s more comfortable than many corded pole trimmers I’ve used, and being cordless eliminates the cord drag that contributes to fatigue.

Noise and vibe

It’s quieter than a corded trimmer and much quieter than any gas unit. Neighbors won’t give you side-eye for trimming on a Saturday morning. Vibration is well-controlled, so you can take your time and focus on clean lines rather than fighting buzz.

Maintenance and longevity

Routine maintenance is simple:
- Wipe down the blade after use and apply a light coat of oil.
- Keep the blade screws snug and check the pivot head latch for debris.
- Avoid storing the pole assembled in a way that stresses the joints.

The fiberglass sections won’t rust, and the blade coating has held up well against wet leaves and light sap. The 2‑year limited warranty is standard for the category.

What it does best

• Tall hedge tops and wide shrubs where reach matters.
• Regular maintenance cuts on soft to moderately woody growth.
• Homeowners invested in the 20V MAX battery system.

Where it struggles

• Thick, old branches near or above the 7/16-inch rating.
• Long, overhead sessions at full extension—the weight catches up with you.
• Users who need commercial-grade torque or all-day runtime.

Practical tips from use

• Let the blade do the work. If you hear it labor, back off and thin with loppers.
• Use the head pivot aggressively. A small angle change can save your shoulders.
• Work in layers. Two lighter passes often look cleaner than one heavy pass.
• Bring a brush rake. Clearing clippings from the top of a hedge helps avoid snags on subsequent passes.

Value and alternatives

For light-to-moderate residential hedging, the price-to-performance ratio is strong, especially if you already own compatible batteries. You can find more powerful pole trimmers with larger cut capacities and stiffer aluminum poles, but they’re heavier, pricier, and often overkill for suburban shrubs. If you routinely tackle mature, woody hedges, consider stepping up to a higher-voltage system or a corded unit and accept the hassle of a cord for the extra torque.

The bottom line

The Black+Decker pole trimmer ticks the right boxes for the average homeowner: enough reach to retire the ladder, a blade that makes clean cuts on typical hedge growth, a pivoting head that actually saves time, and a battery system that keeps things convenient. It’s not a bruiser, and it’s not meant to be. Respect the 7/16-inch limit, expect some flex at full extension, and plan on a second battery for larger jobs.

Recommendation: I recommend this pole trimmer for homeowners who want safe, ground-level access to tall hedge tops and regular shrub maintenance, especially if you’re already in the 20V MAX ecosystem. It’s a practical, no-drama tool for routine trimming. If your hedges are mature and woody or you need heavy-duty runtime and torque, look to a higher-voltage or corded alternative.