Skil 40V 24 In. Hedge Trimmer Kit

A cordless trimmer that doesn’t slow you down

I put the Skil 40V hedge trimmer to work on a mixed run of boxwood, holly, and some overgrown ornamental grasses that usually force me to juggle a corded trimmer and loppers. Right away, the combo of a 24-inch blade and a brushless 40V motor felt well matched. It’s not trying to be a gas monster, but it doesn’t need to—its pace and reach let you move quickly and cleanly without getting beat up by vibration or noise.

Setup and first cuts

Out of the box you get the trimmer, a PWRCORE 40 2.0Ah battery, a 60W charger, a debris remover that mounts along the blade, and a sheath plus an easy-storage accessory. Charge the pack, slide it into the single battery port, snap off the sheath, and you’re ready.

Controls are straightforward. There’s a lock-off and a two-hand safety scheme: you grip the forward handle and squeeze the rear trigger to run. The safety lock is positive without being annoying, and the tool spins up smoothly. At up to 3,000 strokes per minute, the blades hit a practical sweet spot—fast enough to leave a clean face on hedges, not so aggressive that you’re tearing foliage.

Cutting performance

Skil rates the cutting capacity at 3/4 inch, and in practice that’s accurate for green growth. The dual-action, hardened steel blades (double sided) shear cleanly through the twigs you actually meet in routine trimming. On dense Japanese holly and older boxwood, I could skim edges to a crisp line and also nibble deeper to shape without stalling. For truly woody stubs over the 3/4-inch mark, I still prefer to switch to loppers or a pruning saw—this is a hedge trimmer, not a branch eater—but the motor keeps its speed under load better than many 20V-class models.

The 24-inch bar is the right length for reaching across medium-deep shrubs and keeping faces flat. It also helps you maintain consistency on taller runs since you can use the full span like a straight edge. The tip protector is a welcome touch when working near siding or fencing.

Debris management that actually helps

The included debris remover snaps along the blade to push clippings away from your cut. On formal hedges and fine foliage, it genuinely saves time; the faces don’t get blanketed with clippings that then fall into the shrub. In thick ornamental grasses or very twiggy growth, expect some accumulation along the accessory. It’s easy to remove if you prefer a bare blade for certain tasks, but I left it on for most of my trimming and appreciated the cleaner results.

Ergonomics and handling

Bare tool weight is roughly 6.2 pounds, and with the 2.0Ah pack installed you’re in the neighborhood of 7.5–8 pounds. The balance is centered, with the battery countering the blade length so you don’t feel like you’re constantly lifting the nose. The front D-handle gives you plenty of grip options for vertical faces, tops, and angle cuts.

Vibration is low thanks to the dual-action blade design. After a long session shaping a line of boxwoods, my hands weren’t buzzing, and my forearms felt fresher than they do with many single-action or higher-vibration trimmers. That matters when you’re making repeated passes to get a clean plane.

One ergonomic omission: there’s no rotating rear handle. If you’re used to quarter-turning the rear handle for vertical cuts, you won’t find that here. The D-handle gives enough leverage to keep wrists comfortable, but if a rotating handle is on your must-have list, take note.

Power, runtime, and charging

The brushless motor is the right choice here. It holds speed well as you push into thicker sections and contributes to both cut quality and battery efficiency. With the included 2.0Ah PWRCORE 40 pack (about 80 Wh), I comfortably trimmed a typical suburban front and back landscape on a single charge—multiple shrubs, a few small hedges, and several clumps of ornamental grass. If you’re tackling a large property or doing seasonal heavy cuts, a second battery or stepping up to a 4.0Ah pack is wise insurance, but the 2.0Ah isn’t as limiting as it looks on paper because the brushless drive is efficient.

Recharging the 2.0Ah pack on the 60W charger takes roughly 75–90 minutes from low. That’s fine if you charge between sessions, less ideal if you’re trying to turn packs quickly in a single long work window. Skil does offer higher-capacity batteries and faster chargers in the same PWRCORE 40 ecosystem, which is worth considering if you plan to expand beyond occasional trimming.

Noise and usability

Noise is pleasantly low for a 24-inch, 40V tool. It’s not whisper-quiet, but the tone is soft enough that early-morning trimming doesn’t feel inconsiderate, and you don’t need hearing protection for short sessions (I still recommend it for extended use). The consistent blade speed also reduces the chatter and tearing you sometimes hear when lower-power trimmers ramp up and down under load.

Weather resistance and build

The IPX4 rating is a meaningful nod to real-world use. I worked through damp early-morning conditions and a light mist without worry. IPX4 means splash resistance, not immersion, so you still shouldn’t use it in a downpour, but garden moisture is a non-issue.

The blades are hardened steel and arrive sharp; they held an edge through multiple sessions without snagging. The housing feels solid, and the tip guard prevents accidental strikes from becoming mishaps. The included sheath is thick, easy to slide on and off, and the hanging hole plus storage accessory make it simple to store the trimmer safely off the floor. As always, remove the battery before storage.

Safety considerations

The lock-off and two-hand activation are correctly implemented: intentional enough to prevent an accidental start, not so fiddly that you’re fighting the tool. The long blade means you need to stay mindful of surroundings; the included sheath and the habit of removing the battery when carrying or storing go a long way toward safe handling.

Where it fits in the cordless landscape

Compared to other 24-inch cordless trimmers, this Skil lands in a sweet spot:
- Cutting capacity: 3/4 inch is standard for this class and delivered in practice.
- Speed: up to 3,000 SPM is competitive and contributes to clean cuts.
- Weight: lighter than many 40V peers, especially noticeable in extended use.
- Features: debris remover, tip protector, and IPX4 are thoughtful touches; lack of a rotating handle and single speed are the main omissions.

If you’re already invested in the PWRCORE 40 line, this is a straightforward add. If you’re starting fresh, the included 2.0Ah battery gets you trimming right away, though frequent users may want a second, larger pack in the cart.

What I’d change

• Offer the kit with a 4.0Ah battery option for longer sessions out of the box.
• Add a rotating rear handle for more comfortable vertical cuts.
• Include a higher-output charger variant or make it easier to upgrade within the kit.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’d push the experience from very good to excellent for demanding users.

The bottom line

The Skil 40V hedge trimmer combines a well-balanced 24-inch blade, efficient brushless power, and considerate extras like a debris remover and IPX4 weather resistance into a package that’s easy to live with. It cuts cleanly, runs quietly, and stays comfortable over long trimming sessions. While the kit’s 2.0Ah battery won’t cover sprawling properties without a swap, it’s sufficient for typical yard maintenance, and the broader PWRCORE 40 ecosystem provides clear upgrade paths.

Recommendation: I recommend this trimmer to homeowners who want a capable, low-maintenance, and comfortable cordless option for regular hedge and shrub care. It delivers clean cuts, useful runtime, and good ergonomics at a reasonable weight. If you routinely tackle heavy, woody growth or need all-day runtime, plan on a larger battery or a spare—and if a rotating handle is essential to you, look elsewhere. For most users, though, this Skil strikes the right balance of performance, features, and ease of use.