DeWalt 20V MAX 22 in. Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer Kit

A tall hedge has a way of reminding you just how short your reach really is. I spent a few weekends putting the DeWalt 20V pole hedge trimmer through its paces on yew, privet, and a run of taller cypress, and came away with a clear sense of where it excels—and where it asks for a bit of compromise.

Setup, build, and first impressions

The kit is straightforward: trimmer head, rear pole section, 4.0 Ah 20V MAX battery, charger, shoulder strap, and a blade sheath. The split-shaft connection locks up solidly—no play at the joint—and the blade arrives sharp and well-finished. The 22-inch, laser-cut, dual-action bar is the right length for covering ground efficiently without becoming unmanageable around tighter shrubs.

The head articulates across seven positions (180° total), and the detents feel positive. I never worried about the head creeping out of angle mid-cut. The overall build quality is in line with DeWalt’s better outdoor tools: robust plastics where appropriate, metal where it matters, and a sheath that actually protects the blade and you when transporting or hanging it.

Ergonomics and reach

This is a pole trimmer with a fixed-length shaft, not a telescoping model. DeWalt lists “up to 12 ft of reach,” which assumes a roughly 6-foot operator holding the tool at shoulder height. In practical terms, that let me top hedges around the 9–10 ft mark from the ground on level footing. Taller hedges still pushed me to a step ladder. If your shrubs live in the 6–8 ft range, the reach is comfortable; if they’re taller, plan on repositioning more often or bringing a ladder for the top.

Balance is the bigger story. With the 4.0 Ah pack installed, the rig is undeniably top-heavy. That’s the trade-off with most pole trimmers: the cutting head and gearbox sit out at the end, and gravity insists you feel it. The included shoulder strap helps—clip it short and let it take some of the nose weight—but you’ll still notice forearm fatigue during prolonged overhead trimming. For trimming face cuts and working the sides, I found the weight manageable. Overhead passes are where I took frequent breaks, especially when the head was set near 90°.

The handle layout is good, with ample grip area on the rear and plenty of shaft for a second hand. One quirk: the safety interlock for the trigger feels a bit stiff. A couple of times it didn’t disengage on my first squeeze, and I had to reset my grip. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s noticeable, and it rewards a deliberate, full press rather than a quick tap.

Cutting performance

At around 2800 strokes per minute, the trimmer cuts clean and relatively fast. The dual-action blade helps reduce vibration and leaves a tidy finish on soft to medium woody growth. On boxwood, yew, and privet, it made quick work of seasonal growth and shaped clean edges without tearing.

DeWalt rates the blade gap at 1 inch. In the real world, I’d call the comfortable cutting capacity closer to 1/2 inch, maybe 3/4 inch on softer species. It will chew through the occasional thicker twig if you slow down and let the teeth work, but it’s not meant to be a substitute for loppers or a pole saw. For neglected hedges with a lot of old, hard stems near the surface, plan to pre-cut those few offenders and then let the trimmer tidy up the rest. On more typical maintenance, the cut quality is excellent—crisp and repeatable—with minimal chatter or kick.

The articulating head is the star here. For topping, setting the head around 70–90° lets you stand a bit off the hedge and still see the bar clearly as you work. For the backsides of hedges against fences, I appreciated being able to find a middle angle that kept the blade parallel to the surface without twisting my wrists into submission. The detents feel secure under load, and I didn’t experience any slop.

Battery and runtime

The included 4.0 Ah 20V MAX battery is a reasonable match. On continuous cutting along a mixed hedge line, I averaged about 30–40 minutes per charge. With more intermittent use—trim a section, step back, reposition—you can stretch that to an hour or a little more. Swapping to a higher-capacity pack will extend runtime, though it also adds weight at the back. The standard charger brings the 4.0 Ah pack back to full in roughly an hour-plus in my shop.

As always with battery tools, having a second pack on the bench keeps you moving. If you’re already in the DeWalt 20V MAX ecosystem, that’s a simple win.

Vibration, noise, and control

One of the immediate upsides of going cordless is the reduction in noise compared to gas. This trimmer is civilized—loud enough that I still wear ear protection, but quiet enough that you won’t annoy the neighborhood. Dual-action blades keep vibration in check, and even at full extension I didn’t feel the kind of buzz that turns your hands numb after a session. The trigger ramp-up is immediate, so control over starting and stopping cuts is easy.

The safety interlock and trigger require a deliberate grip; I’d prefer a slightly lighter action on the interlock, but it’s consistent once you get the feel. The guard at the base of the blade provides a bit of confidence when working near masonry, though common sense still applies—kiss a brick wall with the tip, and you’ll know it.

Maintenance and durability

The hardened steel blades held their edge through several sessions. Keep them clean and lightly oiled; sap build-up will slow any trimmer down and increase strain on the drivetrain. I like that DeWalt includes a proper sheath—it makes a difference if you’re storing the tool in a crowded shed. After a few angle changes under load, the head’s pivot still felt tight, with no creep.

Long-term, the straight shaft’s simplicity is a plus—fewer joints, fewer problems. The 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee offer a decent safety net.

Practical tips from use

• Shorten the shoulder strap more than you think you need to. A higher carry point along your torso reduces nose dive.
• Pre-set the head angle before you start a long pass. Constantly changing the angle mid-job wastes time and saps energy.
• Take overlapping passes rather than trying to hack down thick protrusions in one go. It leaves a cleaner face and keeps the motor happy.
• If the trigger interlock feels sticky, clean the area around it—dust and fine debris can make it feel worse.

What it’s best at—and where it falls short

Best at:
- Routine hedge maintenance up to roughly 10 ft tall
- Clean finishing cuts on new growth and medium woody stems
- Jobs where an articulating head improves visibility and cut quality
- Homeowners already on DeWalt 20V MAX batteries

Falls short if:
- You regularly tackle thick, old growth over 3/4 inch
- Your hedges are truly tall and demand more than a fixed-length pole
- You want a neutral balance for long overhead sessions; the head-heavy feel is real

The bottom line

The DeWalt 20V pole hedge trimmer is a well-built, cordless solution that prioritizes cut quality and head articulation over raw brute force. It’s capable, convenient, and quiet, with enough runtime from the included 4.0 Ah battery to handle typical yard sessions. Ergonomics are good but not perfect—the top-heavy feel is the main trade-off—and the safety interlock requires a deliberate grip. Within its lane—regular trimming, clean shaping, and occasional thicker stems—it performs reliably and leaves a professional-looking finish.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for homeowners and groundskeepers managing small to medium hedge lines up to about 10 ft, especially if you’re already invested in DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform. You’ll get sharp, consistent results and a flexible head that makes awkward angles easier. If your hedges are significantly taller or you often encounter branches near an inch thick, consider a longer-reach system or pair this with a pole saw or loppers. For everyone else, it’s a solid, thoughtfully designed trimmer that gets the job done without gas, cords, or drama.