Black & Decker 22 in Hedge Trimmer

Why I reached for this trimmer

My hedges were past due—boxwood, privet, and a tangle of wisteria vines that had decided my fence was theirs. I wanted something light, cordless, and capable of smoothing out a few seasons’ worth of growth without beating me up in the process. The 22-inch Black & Decker cordless trimmer fit the bill on paper: long dual-action blades for lower vibration, a wraparound handle for vertical and horizontal passes, and a built-in charge indicator to keep an eye on runtime. After multiple sessions across spring and summer, here’s how it actually stacked up.

Cutting performance

The 22-inch dual-action blade is the star here. On typical hedge duty—fresh growth and moderately woody stems—it cuts cleanly and consistently. The dual-action mechanism genuinely reduces the buzz in your hands compared with single-reciprocating blades, and the longer reach helps flatten faces and tops without constant ladder work.

• Rated capacity: up to 3/4 inch branches. In real use, I’d say it’s happiest up to about 1/2 inch, especially on older, harder wood. You can nibble through 3/4 inch material, but the motor slows and you need a steady, patient feed.
• Viney growth: It absolutely chews through wisteria and similar vines. I was able to break down the cuttings into manageable lengths quickly after trimming, which saved a lot of cleanup time.
• Finish quality: Leaves and soft tip growth come out looking clean rather than torn, which helps keep shrubs looking tidy and reduces browning on cut edges.

If you’re expecting this to replace a gas trimmer for heavy, continuous cutting on thick, woody hedges, it’s not that. But for typical residential hedges and seasonal shaping, it has the right mix of reach and power.

Ergonomics and handling

At 8.3 pounds and about 36 inches long, the trimmer strikes a good balance for two-handed work. The wraparound front handle is well designed; you can shift your grip to keep your wrists neutral whether you’re cutting vertically, horizontally, or on an angle. The full-length trigger is easy to engage anywhere along the rear grip, and the soft overmold helps with comfort.

• Balance: With the 40V battery installed, the tool is slightly rear-biased in a way that I prefer; it keeps the blade feeling light and maneuverable at chest height.
• Vibration and noise: Noticeably lower vibration than budget corded models I’ve used, and a comfortable noise profile—conversation-level across the yard is doable without shouting.
• Fatigue: For short to medium sessions (20–30 minutes of on-trigger cutting), I didn’t feel hand or forearm fatigue. During longer sessions on tall hedges, shoulder fatigue sets in like it does with any tool of this length, but the handle layout keeps you in control.

One small quirk: the full-length trigger encourages a “two finger” grip that can cause some finger fatigue if you white-knuckle it. Relaxing your grip and letting the tool’s weight work for you makes a difference.

Battery and charging

This kit includes a 40V MAX (nominal 36V) 1.5 Ah lithium-ion battery and a wall-mountable charging base. The built-in state-of-charge indicator on the battery is particularly handy—I wish every outdoor tool had one. It’s easy to check remaining runtime mid-task without returning to the charger.

• Runtime: With a fresh, healthy battery, my average cut time on mixed hedging was around 20–30 minutes of actual trigger time. On lighter work, you can stretch that a bit; on heavier, denser growth it dips.
• Charging: From empty to full typically took well under two hours in my garage at moderate temperatures. The LED status on the base is clear enough to read at a glance.
• Practicality: For small to medium yards, a single pack can get you through a routine trim. If you’re tackling overgrown hedges or multiple areas in one day, a second battery would be a smart addition.

A note from my experience: after several months, I ran into a charging hiccup where the base showed a rapid red indicator. Reseating the battery and unplugging/replugging the base cleared it a couple of times, but eventually I needed a replacement pack to restore normal charging behavior. It’s a reminder to register your purchase and keep service info handy.

Build quality and maintenance

The blades are well finished and hold an edge through normal residential use; a quick wipe-down and a shot of light oil after each session kept mine in good shape. The scabbard fits securely and helps prevent accidental nicks in storage.

The battery interface is where I’d like to see improvements. The plastic around the slide-in slot and latch feels thin compared to pro-grade tools, and it’s an area that takes repeated stress. Treating the battery insertion and removal with a little care—keeping the rails clean and aligned—goes a long way. I wouldn’t call this a fragile tool, but it’s definitely on the consumer, not contractor, side of the durability spectrum.

Preventive maintenance tips that have worked for me:
- Clean and lightly oil the blades after each use to reduce sap buildup.
- Store the tool and battery indoors; avoid leaving the pack on the charger long term.
- Brush debris out of the battery rails before sliding the pack in to avoid misalignment.

Safety and control

This trimmer is designed for two-handed operation, and you should use it that way. The long blade invites reach, but the wraparound handle gives you solid leverage and stability during vertical cuts along hedge faces. Visibility along the blade is good, and the overall weight helps dampen kick when you hit thicker stems. As with any hedge trimmer, eye protection and snug gloves are your friends, and a stable stance matters more than you think on taller hedges.

What it’s best at

• Routine hedge maintenance on boxwood, privet, euonymus, yew, and similar shrubs
• Tackling vine control and seasonal shaping without hauling cords
• Homeowners who prioritize comfort and low vibration over raw power
• Jobs where a clear battery indicator helps plan your work

Where it comes up short

• Long, continuous sessions on dense, woody hedges near the 3/4 inch limit
• Users who need professional-grade durability in the battery latch area
• Large properties where a single 1.5 Ah pack won’t cover the workload

The bottom line

This is a comfortable, capable cordless trimmer that shines on typical residential hedges. The 22-inch dual-action blade offers clean cuts and noticeably low vibration, the wraparound handle gives you good control in any orientation, and the onboard charge gauge is genuinely useful mid-task. The included 40V pack provides enough runtime for small to medium jobs, and the charging base is simple and tidy to use.

On the flip side, the 1.5 Ah battery limits how much you can do in one go, and the charging/battery system can be temperamental as it ages. The battery housing and latch area feel more “homeowner-grade” than I’d like; careful handling helps, but it’s an area to watch if you use the tool frequently.

Recommendation: I recommend this trimmer for homeowners with small to medium yards who want a comfortable, cordless way to keep hedges in shape and who value low vibration and straightforward operation. It delivers clean cuts, easy maneuvering, and sensible features at a reasonable weight. If you have a lot of dense, woody growth or you plan on long trimming sessions, budget for a second battery—or consider a more robust platform. And register the tool and keep purchase documentation handy, in case you need support down the line.