DeWalt 20V MAX 22 in. Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer Head Attachment (Trimmer Head Only)

Why I reached for this head

I already own DeWalt’s 20V MAX pole system, so swapping in the hedge trimmer head felt like the logical next step. I was looking for a cleaner, safer way to shape tall hedges and reach tricky spots without dragging out ladders. After several weekends trimming boxwood, holly, and a few leggy privet runs, this DeWalt pole hedge trimmer head has proven to be a capable, thoughtfully designed attachment that plays to the strengths of a pole system.

Setup and compatibility

This is a head-only attachment, so you’ll need a compatible 20V MAX power unit. It couples directly to DeWalt’s pole hedge trimmer and pole saw bases using the same mid-shaft connection. The fit on my pole power unit was precise with no slop, and the locking mechanism engaged solidly. Because the motor and battery live on the pole, all the weight of this piece is at the cutting end; that’s expected for a pole trimmer head and affects how it handles, especially overhead.

If you’re new to DeWalt’s ecosystem, note that there’s no battery or charger included here. If you already have the pole saw or pole hedge trimmer base, the head clicks in and you’re cutting in minutes.

Design and build quality

The headline features are straightforward and useful:

• 22-inch, hardened-steel, laser-cut, dual-action blades
• 7-position articulating head that sweeps 180 degrees
• Rated to cut up to 1-inch branches
• Up to 2,800 strokes per minute, depending on the power unit

The blade bar gives you long, efficient passes across hedge faces. Dual-action blades reduce vibration and tear-out compared to single-action designs, and the hardened steel holds an edge well. The 7-position head is the real enabler on a pole: the detents are positive, with enough resistance that the head won’t drift under its own weight while you’re working.

At 7.9 lb for the attachment and roughly 41.6 inches long, it’s not a featherweight, but the build feels rugged—no rattle, no flex where there shouldn’t be. The extra length versus a handheld hedge trimmer is welcome when you’re reaching across wide beds or up and over hedges.

Cutting performance

On standard hedge work—shaping and slicing soft to medium woody growth—this head cuts cleanly and quickly. The 22-inch bar makes it easy to skim flat planes on the sides and tops of hedges. I ran it along a 30-foot line of mixed boxwood and holly: the finish was crisp, with minimal leaf bruising, and the dual-action blades helped keep chatter down even when the branches thickened.

The 1-inch cut capacity is realistic, with a caveat. It will sever true one-inch material, but you need to let the blade do the work and approach thicker stems with lighter, incremental bites. For old, knotted, or very fibrous branches near that limit, the tool slows down. That’s normal for a pole hedge trimmer; for sustained cutting above three-quarters of an inch, a pole saw head is still the better choice.

Speed-wise, paired with my 20V MAX power unit, the head runs fast enough to avoid dragging or chewing. I didn’t notice bogging unless I forced the cut or tried to gulp down big tangles in one pass. If you maintain steady, sweeping strokes, the quality stays high and cleanup is minimal.

Articulation and real-world reach

The 7-position, 180-degree articulation is the difference between a good pole head and a frustrating one. I used three angles the most:

• Slight downward tilt for vertical hedge faces
• Flat for topping hedges without climbing
• Aggressive downward tilt to undercut the bottom edge without crouching

Being able to make those changes with quick detents keeps you in flow. It also helps with awkward places—back-row shrubs tucked behind a planting bed, or a slope where footing is sketchy. I rarely felt the need to reposition my body; I just adjusted the head and kept going.

Ergonomics, balance, and fatigue

Any pole trimmer demands some compromise on balance. This head adds leverage on the far end, so you feel it in your shoulders during long overhead sessions. The upside: the motor and battery weight near your hands helps counterbalance. For waist-to-shoulder-height trimming, the setup is comfortable and stable. Overhead work is doable, but you’ll want to pace yourself—short passes, brief breaks, and a harness if you have one.

Vibration is low for a pole tool, thanks to the dual-action blades. Noise is certainly less than gas, and there are no fumes—good for early weekend starts without annoying the whole block.

Battery life and runtime

Runtime depends on your battery capacity and how aggressive you’re cutting. With a 5.0Ah 20V battery on my power unit, I averaged about an hour of stop-and-go trimming on mixed hedges. Light shaping stretches that; heavy cuts into thicker, woody growth shortens it. The blade speed remains consistent until the pack is near empty, and there’s no fiddling with choke or warm-up—squeeze the trigger and go.

If you’re maintaining a lot of footage in one session, bring a second battery. For typical suburban hedges and shrubs, one pack covered my needs without swapping.

Maintenance and care

Upkeep is straightforward:

• Brush and wipe sap from the blades after each use; a light coat of lubricant keeps them moving freely.
• Inspect the blade screws and the articulation pivot periodically; everything stayed snug during my testing.
• Sharpen as needed; the hardened steel holds its edge well, but cleanliness matters more than aggressive resharpening frequency.

DeWalt backs the head with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee, which is solid coverage for a wear-item tool head.

What could be better

• Weight at the cutting end can tire you out overhead, especially with the 22-inch bar extended at full reach.
• The 1-inch cut spec is achievable but optimistic on older, hardwood stems; swap to a pole saw for faster, safer cuts above three-quarters of an inch.
• It’s tool-only, so newcomers to the platform need to factor in the cost of a compatible power unit and batteries.

Who this head is for

• Homeowners and pros already in DeWalt’s 20V MAX pole ecosystem who need to shape tall or deep hedges without ladders.
• Anyone trimming hedges behind garden beds, on slopes, or around obstacles where a handheld trimmer can’t reach.
• Crews who want a quiet, low-vibration hedge solution for light to medium woody growth with the flexibility of an articulating head.

If your work is mostly knee- to chest-height shrubs and tight topiary, a lighter handheld trimmer will feel nimbler. If you frequently encounter thick, mature hedge wood, keep a pole saw head handy for the big cuts and use this to finish clean.

Pros

• Sharp, 22-inch dual-action blades leave a clean finish
• Excellent 7-position, 180-degree articulation with solid detents
• Fast cutting speed up to 2,800 SPM (with compatible power unit)
• Low vibration and quieter operation than gas
• Robust build and generous warranty

Cons

• Front-heavy at full extension; overhead work can fatigue shoulders
• Near-limit woody cuts require patience and good technique
• Tool-only; requires compatible power unit and batteries

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt pole hedge trimmer head to anyone already using DeWalt’s 20V MAX pole system who wants clean, efficient hedge trimming with real reach and versatile angles. It delivers a quality cut, sensible ergonomics for a pole tool, and a reliable articulation mechanism that meaningfully improves control and safety. The 22-inch dual-action blade makes quick work of typical hedge maintenance, and the head’s build feels ready for regular use.

It’s not the right first purchase if you don’t own the compatible power unit, and it’s not a substitute for a pole saw on thick, mature wood. But as a dedicated trimming head for shrubs and hedges—from shaping tops to cleaning up faces behind flower beds—it does exactly what it should, without fuss.