DeWalt 20V MAX 22 in. Cordless Hedge Trimmer

I spent a weekend taming a mixed row of boxwood, holly, and euonymus with DeWalt’s 22‑in cordless hedge trimmer, and it quickly became the tool I reached for first. It’s compact, it feels planted in the hands, and—most importantly—it cuts cleanly without fighting you. Here’s how it fared across a full round of spring shaping and a second pass for summer touch‑ups.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box you get the trimmer and a sturdy blade sheath; batteries and charger are sold separately. I ran it primarily with a 5.0Ah 20V MAX pack, and also tried a lighter 4.0Ah pack to see how balance changed. The tool itself is about 7.5 lb bare, and the weight distribution is nose‑neutral with either battery—no tip‑heavy wrestling, even when working out at arm’s length.

Fit and finish are classic DeWalt: rigid housing, a wraparound forward handle with a positive safety bail, and a trigger with a familiar interlock. There’s an antivibration design at play here; you can feel some isolation between the grips and the moving assembly that pays dividends over time.

Cutting performance

The 22‑in, double‑sided, laser‑cut, hooked‑tooth blades are the star. Hooked profiles matter on gnarlier shrubs: they pull material into the teeth and reduce chatter on springy growth. At 2,800 strokes per minute, this isn’t the fastest cutter in the class, but the bite is confident. On soft to medium hedging—boxwood, privet, laurel—the trimmer produces crisp, even cuts, leaving fewer bruised tips than I see with bargain blades.

DeWalt rates the cut capacity at 3/4 in. In practice, that’s accurate but situational. Fresh 3/4‑in shoots went through cleanly with a steady pace. On older, hardwoody holly of the same diameter, I had to pause and let the teeth work; rushing just bounces branches. For anything beyond 3/4 in or seasoned branches, a quick pre‑cut with loppers is still wise.

The 22‑in blade length is a nice middle ground. It’s long enough to flatten hedge tops quickly and reach across modest depths in one pass, yet short enough to thread around ornamental shapes without lopping off something you meant to keep. If you routinely face deep or tall hedges, a 24–26 in blade might be faster, but the nimbleness here is a real benefit for residential work.

Ergonomics and control

What stood out after an hour straight was how easy it is to keep lines straight. The front handle’s wrap allows multiple grip positions for vertical and horizontal cuts. There’s no rotating rear handle, which some trimmers offer for more wrist‑neutral vertical trimming. I missed that a bit when cutting sides for long stretches, but the light weight and balanced center help make up for it.

Vibration is kept in check. You still feel the mechanical pulse at full stroke, but numb hands weren’t a problem for me, and I’m picky about that. The guard is well sized—large enough to protect the off hand without blocking sight lines to the blade tip. Trigger action is smooth, with just enough resistance to prevent accidental bumps from energizing the blades.

Noise is on the quieter side for a full‑size trimmer. You can comfortably converse between cuts, though I still recommend hearing protection for extended sessions.

Power and runtime

DeWalt quotes up to 78 minutes of runtime per charge using a 5.0Ah pack under no load. Real‑world trimming is a different story, of course. On a fresh 5.0Ah battery, I consistently got around 35–45 minutes of mixed work—shaping, cleanup passes, and a few 3/4‑in cuts. With lighter shaping only, you can stretch beyond that. A 4.0Ah pack delivered a bit less, as expected. If you’re maintaining a typical suburban yard, one 5.0Ah battery will handle a weekly or monthly trim with room to spare. For larger properties or heavier overhauls, plan on a second pack.

The high‑output motor never felt bogged down, and it recovers quickly after hard bites. One thoughtful feature is the friction clutch in the drive. I found it the first time I clipped a hidden piece of garden wire; the clutch slipped audibly, protecting the transmission, and I was back to cutting immediately after freeing the blade. It’s a small thing, but it extends the life of the tool—and your patience.

Maintenance and blade care

If you cut sappy species (arborvitae, some laurels), the teeth will collect residue that can bind the blades and dull performance. A quick routine keeps it sharp and smooth:

• Before and after use, wipe down the blades and spray a cleaner that cuts sap (isopropyl alcohol works in a pinch).
• Follow with a light oil on the teeth to reduce friction and resist rust.
• Keep the included sheath on during transport and storage.
• Inspect the screws along the blade spine periodically; they stayed snug for me, but vibration can loosen hardware over time.

The blades arrived sharp and stayed that way through multiple sessions. When the time comes, you can sharpen them carefully yourself or have a service shop do it; laser‑cut blades reward proper maintenance.

Accessories and compatibility

This trimmer is compatible with DeWalt’s Hedge Sweep attachment. If you do a lot of flat‑top hedges, it’s handy for pushing clippings off the top as you go, saving a cleanup step. Not mandatory, but a nice productivity boost. Being part of the 20V MAX line is another advantage: if you already own DeWalt 20V tools, the tool‑only purchase makes sense. If you’re new to the platform, budget for at least one 4–5Ah battery and a charger to get the most out of it.

Durability and build

After a couple of months of periodic use and one heavier spring cleanup, there’s no play in the blades, no transmission rattle, and no cracked plastic at stress points. The guard still sits tight, and the safety interlock hasn’t gotten sticky. The clutch feature is the unsung hero for longevity—since it slips under impact, you’re less likely to shear gears if you catch chain‑link or a hidden stone.

The trimmer carries a 3‑year limited warranty, which aligns with expectations for this class. Given the build quality I’ve experienced, I’d expect many seasons of homeowner use with only blade maintenance needed.

Limitations and trade‑offs

• No rotating rear handle. If you do long vertical runs, you’ll angle your wrist more than with a rotator‑equipped model.
• 22‑in blade length trades reach for control. For very tall or deep hedges, a longer trimmer—or a pole trimmer—will be faster and safer.
• Tool‑only purchase could be a higher initial spend if you don’t already own 20V MAX batteries. Plan battery capacity to match your yard.
• The 3/4‑in capacity is real, but older hardwood at that size needs patience. Anything larger calls for loppers or a pruning saw.

Who it suits

• Homeowners already in the DeWalt 20V MAX ecosystem who want a capable, lighter trimmer that doesn’t fatigue the forearms.
• Anyone maintaining small to medium hedges who values clean cuts and predictable handling over sheer blade length.
• Pros who want a compact, low‑noise trimmer for detail work and quick touch‑ups between heavier gas or 60V tools.

Tips for better results

• Let the blade do the work on thicker branches. A steady feed rate cuts cleaner than “mashing” into the hedge.
• Keep the blade lubricated if you’re cutting sappy species; performance stays snappy and batteries last longer.
• Choose battery size based on session length. A 2.0–3.0Ah works for quick touch‑ups; 4.0–5.0Ah for full hedges.
• Consider the Hedge Sweep if you dislike raking hedge tops; it genuinely reduces cleanup time on flat surfaces.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 22‑in hedge trimmer for most homeowners and for anyone already invested in 20V MAX batteries. It balances cutting performance, weight, and control better than many competitors in its size class. The blades are sharp and effective, the antivibration and balance reduce fatigue, and the friction clutch is smart insurance against the inevitable hidden obstruction. Runtime with a 5.0Ah pack suits typical yard work, and the tool’s compact feel makes it easy to be precise rather than brute‑force.

If you routinely tackle very large hedges, need a rotating handle, or want a longer blade for maximum reach, you might prefer a different configuration. But for day‑to‑day shaping and seasonal trims, this trimmer hits the sweet spot: capable, comfortable, and built to hold up.