DeWalt 60V MAX 26 in. Brushless Cordless Hedge Trimmer

I spent a weekend taming a mixed row of boxwood, holly, and laurel with DeWalt’s 60V hedge trimmer, and it left a strong impression: big capacity, big reach, and big cuts—balanced by a bit of heft and the need for smart technique when you push its limits.

Design and build

The headline feature here is the 26-inch, hardened steel, laser-cut, dual-action blade. That length matters. It lets you flatten faces and tops in fewer passes, and because the blade is double-sided, you can trim on the push and pull without flipping the tool. The 1.25-inch blade gap is generous for a handheld trimmer, and the dual shear edges bite into thicker, woodier stems more confidently than smaller residential models.

The housing feels solid, with a robust gearcase and a wrap-around auxiliary handle that encourages different grips. The tool weighs 8.7 pounds bare. Once you add a 60V pack, you’re realistically in the 10–12 pound range depending on the battery. It ships as a bare tool and includes a blade sheath. Build quality and finish are in line with the rest of DeWalt’s 60V MAX lineup, and the brushless motor and 3-year limited warranty inspire confidence for regular use.

Setup and battery choice

This is a tool-only purchase, so battery choice is on you. It’s part of the 60V MAX system, which makes it a convenient add if you’re already invested. I ran it primarily with a larger-capacity 60V pack for maximum runtime, and also tried a compact pack to see how the balance changed. The larger battery delivers endurance but shifts weight to the rear; the compact pack makes the tool feel a touch more nimble, with the tradeoff of shorter runtime. If you trim once or twice a season, a compact pack will get it done. For frequent maintenance or long hedgerows, a high-capacity pack is the better pairing.

There’s no learning curve to start-up: squeeze the safety and the trigger and you’re cutting—no pull cords, no choke, no fumes.

Cutting performance

The trimmer’s brushless motor drives the blades up to 3,400 strokes per minute, and that speed translates to clean, fast cuts on tender and semi-woody growth. On boxwood and privet, the finish was crisp with minimal tearing, and the long blade kept faces straighter simply because I could span the hedge width in fewer swipes. On holly and laurel with finger-thick shoots, the 1.25-inch gap gives you the clearance to let thicker stems fall into the blades, but technique matters: let the blades do the work and avoid twisting or prying. In the 3/8 to 3/4-inch sweet spot, it sails. Up around an inch, it still cuts, but you’ll feel the tool slow if you bind the blade deep in a dense tangle.

I did manage to trigger the tool’s protection a couple of times when I choked the blade in green, sappy growth near its maximum capacity. The motor cut out, I released the trigger, freed the blade, and resumed cutting. In one instance it took a moment and a couple of re-triggers to clear. That behavior is consistent with electronic protection doing its job—annoying in the moment, but preferable to smoked windings. It’s avoidable with better feed technique: keep the blade teeth moving, don’t force the nose straight into a twig knot, and nibble large-diameter stems rather than trying to sever them in one bite.

Ergonomics and handling

The wrap-around front handle is thoughtfully shaped, and it’s the right call on a blade this long. I trimmed vertical faces with a thumb-forward grip, then rotated my hand for overhead work to keep my wrist neutral. The trigger and safety feel positive without being fatiguing. Balance is slightly nose-heavy with a compact battery and closer to neutral with a larger pack, but in both cases the length of the blade means you’ll notice leverage when reaching high or far. Expect some forearm fatigue during extended overhead work; that’s the tradeoff for reach and capacity.

Vibration is impressively low for a tool with this kind of bite. The dual-action blade helps, and after an hour of trimming I didn’t have tingling hands or that buzzy fatigue you can get from cheaper trimmers. Noise is a comfortable hum compared with gas—still worth wearing hearing protection, but you can work early without becoming the neighbor everyone talks about.

Runtime and efficiency

Runtime depends on battery size and how aggressively you cut. With a high-capacity pack, I was able to knock out a typical suburban hedge circuit without swapping. Light shaping and maintenance cuts sip power; repeated heavy cuts in dense growth draw more. The long blade improves efficiency because you cover more area per pass. If you maintain your hedges regularly, you’ll move very quickly with this setup.

Maintenance and durability

The hardened steel blades arrive sharp and track true. After each session, I brushed off debris and wiped the blade with a light spray lubricant to reduce sap build-up. There’s no onboard oiler to worry about. Fasteners stayed tight, and the blade sheath slides on easily for storage and transport. The brushless motor and clean, simple drive layout should wear well. Keep the blades sharp and debris out of the gear area and you’ll be in good shape for the long term.

Where it shines

• Large, long hedges: The 26-inch reach lets you true up faces and tops quickly and evenly.
• Mixed plantings with occasional thick shoots: The 1.25-inch gap gives you headroom to handle outliers without reaching for loppers every other minute.
• Users already on DeWalt’s 60V MAX platform: Sharing batteries streamlines storage and charging.
• Gas alternatives: You get serious cutting performance without fuel, fumes, or seasonal carb headaches.

What could be better

• Weight: At 8.7 pounds bare, it’s not light. Add a battery and long overhead sessions become a workout. If your top priority is low weight for frequent ladder work or long reach above shoulder height, a shorter, lighter trimmer—or a pole trimmer—might be a better fit.
• Electronic cutout under binding: When you choke the blade on dense, near-capacity material, the motor protection can shut the tool down. It’s manageable with technique, but it’s something you’ll notice if you push the capacity often.
• Tool-only purchase: Not a downside if you’re already on the platform, but new users need to budget for a battery and charger.

Practical tips

• Use the blade length to your advantage: Keep the bar parallel to the hedge face and let the full span do the work for straighter results.
• Don’t pry: If a branch stalls the blade, back out, reposition, and cut with a slight slicing motion rather than forcing the nose.
• Mind battery selection: Choose a larger pack for long runs or a compact pack to reduce fatigue for shorter sessions.
• Clean and lube the blade after use: It keeps sap from building and preserves cut quality.

The bottom line

DeWalt’s 60V hedge trimmer is a high-capacity, high-reach cutter that rewards good technique. The long, dual-action blade and fast stroke rate deliver clean, quick results across a range of shrubs, and the 1.25-inch gap buys you real-world flexibility when you meet thicker stems. It’s built stoutly, runs quietly, and slips neatly into the 60V MAX ecosystem.

It’s not the lightest option, and if you habitually try to chew through 1-inch-plus wood in dense clusters, you can trip the electronic protection. But used as intended—fast maintenance cuts, shaping, and occasional thicker material—it’s efficient and confidence-inspiring.

Recommendation: I recommend this trimmer to homeowners and pros who maintain medium to large hedges and value reach, cut quality, and platform compatibility over absolute lightness. It’s especially compelling if you’re already in the 60V MAX system. If your work is mostly overhead for long stretches or you frequently need to cut well over an inch in woody growth, consider a lighter, shorter trimmer or a dedicated saw for the thicker material. For everything else, this is a capable, durable tool that makes hedge work faster and cleaner.