DeWalt 60V MAX 7-1/2 in. Brushless Attachment-Capable Edger

Why I reached for the DeWalt 60V edger

I wanted a cordless edger that could stand up to dense turf and packed-in roots without dragging an extension cord or mixing gas. The DeWalt 60V edger promised real power, a brushless motor, and a universal attachment-capable shaft—plus the convenience of battery start. After several weekends cleaning up neglected edges and then maintaining them, here’s how it actually performs.

Setup, build, and first impressions

Out of the box, the tool comes as a bare unit: edger head, auxiliary handle, 7.5-inch blade, and the large guide wheel. You’ll need your own 60V (FlexVolt) battery and charger. Assembly is straightforward—fit the handle, set your preferred angle, install the blade, and you’re ready.

The build is a mix of cast alloy at the gearbox and rigid plastics at the guard and adjustment hardware. Nothing feels flimsy, but there are a few nuances:

• The blade retainer is reverse-threaded (clockwise to loosen). Mine arrived torqued on the high side, and it took a longer wrench to break it free the first time. After that, changes were normal. Support the blade properly when loosening so you aren’t stressing the guard.
• The guard is plastic. It’s thick enough to inspire confidence, but if you habitually ride the guard against concrete you’ll scuff it. A metal wear plate or skid would be a nice future addition.

At 10.7 lb bare, weight with a 9.0Ah pack climbs notably. Balance is rear-biased, which actually helps keep the blade light on the ground. The large guide wheel tracks well along sidewalks and driveways, and the shaft locks up tightly with no play.

Power that feels like mid-range gas

The motor is the headline here. On high, the brushless 60V setup has serious bite. I cut through baked clay seams, Bermuda runners, and years of encroachment along my front walk without bogging. The 7.5-inch, 0.06-inch thick blade isn’t oversized, but the torque makes it feel larger than it is.

• Low speed: Great for already-maintained edges, along pavers you don’t want to chip, or near decorative stone. It throws less debris and buys you runtime.
• High speed: Use this for first passes, dense turf, and trenching deeper (up to 2.5 inches). There’s a noticeable jump in authority.

Trigger response is snappy and controlled. There’s very little recovery time between bumps, and the whole system feels more refined than most consumer cordless edgers I’ve used.

Noise is lower than any gas unit I own, but still loud enough that hearing protection makes sense. Vibration is minimal relative to the cutting force on tap.

Runtime and battery strategy

This is the trade-off with power: runtime depends heavily on what you’re asking the edger to do.

• Reclaiming neglected edges at 2–2.5 inches depth, high speed, dense turf: I burned through a 9.0Ah pack faster than I expected. The motor never struggled; it just eats watt-hours when you make it trench and pulverize.
• Routine maintenance at 1–1.5 inches, low to medium speed: Runtime extends dramatically. I could finish my sidewalks, driveway, and garden borders on a charge with capacity to spare.

Practical advice:
- Own at least two batteries if you’re maintaining a larger property or doing heavy cleanup. Charging one while you run the other makes the workflow painless.
- Don’t overspeed. Low and mid speeds still cut cleanly but multiply your edge-per-charge.
- For a truly neglected property, do the first deep cut in stages or plan on battery swaps.

If you’re already invested in 60V batteries, the tool makes a lot more sense. If you’re not, factor in the cost of a couple of high-capacity packs and a charger.

Depth adjustment and edge quality

Depth adjustment is quick and positive, with clear markings up to 2.5 inches. I mostly ran between 1.5 and 2 inches; both gave a crisp edge without chewing up too much material. The guide wheel helps keep the trench straight, and the blade doesn’t wander.

A few technique notes that improved results:
- Let the wheel ride the hard border and keep the guard tilted slightly away from the concrete to avoid scuffing the housing.
- Make the first pass shallower, especially in dry soil, then step down to final depth. This reduces debris and load on the battery.
- Feather the trigger through tight curves rather than plowing at full tilt.

I did notice that, without a front skid, the guard can contact the slab if you flatten your stance. It’s manageable with technique, but I added a strip of UHMW tape to the guard lip as sacrificial protection.

Ergonomics for different heights

The auxiliary handle has a wide range of adjustment, and the trigger/lockout feels natural even with gloves. That said, shaft geometry matters:

• I’m over six feet tall and found I needed to lower the handle and slightly angle the head to keep an upright stance. It’s doable, but a telescoping shaft or adjustable head angle would make it friendlier for taller users.
• Folks closer to average height will likely find the stock angle comfortable out of the gate.

Fatigue is reasonable. The wheel carries much of the front weight, and the brushless motor’s smoothness reduces buzz. Long sessions are still work, especially with a big battery onboard.

Attachment-capable versatility

One of the best aspects is the universal attachment-capable shaft. I checked fitment with a couple of standard, square-drive attachments and they locked in securely with no slop. If you already own compatible add-ons—string trimmer, brush cutter, cultivator—the ability to run them from the same powerhead is a real value multiplier. The coupler feels solid, with a positive latch and minimal flex.

Maintenance and blade service

Beyond checking blade wear, there’s not much to do. Keep the guard clear, blow out debris, and inspect fasteners. On blade changes:

• Remember the reverse thread (clockwise to loosen).
• Use the shaft lock and a longer wrench the first time; many units ship tight.
• A tiny dab of anti-seize on reassembly makes future changes easier. Don’t over-torque.

The 7.5-inch blade size is easy to source, and the gearbox felt smooth after multiple weekends, with no heat build-up or oil seepage.

What I’d improve

• A metal skid or wear strip on the guard to protect against concrete scuffs.
• Slightly longer shaft or adjustable head angle to better accommodate taller users.
• Factory torque on the blade retainer set to spec but not heroic; some users will struggle with the first removal.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re the areas that stood out most.

Who this suits—and who it doesn’t

Choose it if:
- You want gas-like cutting performance without gas headaches.
- You already own DeWalt 60V batteries, or you’re building around a 60V platform.
- You maintain edges regularly and value the convenience of electric start and variable speed control.
- You’ll make use of the attachment-capable shaft across multiple tasks.

Think twice if:
- You need to reclaim severely overgrown edges in one marathon session and don’t have multiple high-capacity batteries.
- You’re tall and prefer a more adjustable shaft geometry.
- You want a guard that can safely ride concrete all day without cosmetic scuffs.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 60V edger for homeowners and prosumer users who prioritize cordless convenience and real cutting power, especially those already invested in DeWalt’s 60V batteries. It cuts like a mid-range gas edger, tracks straight with its large guide wheel, and offers useful control with its variable-speed trigger and 2.5-inch depth range. The attachment-capable shaft sweetens the deal if you plan to run other tools from the same powerhead.

Be prepared for the battery math: heavy, first-pass trenching can drain a pack quickly, and tall users may wish for more adjustability. If you can live with those trade-offs—and keep a second battery on hand—the tool delivers clean, crisp edges with minimal fuss and no gas can in sight.