Why this product
The DEWALT 20V MAX 22-inch hedge trimmer is the brushless upgrade in the cordless hedge trimmer class. The brushless motor advantage shows up two places: longer runtime per battery and cleaner cuts under load. On a 60 ft privet hedge run with seasonal heavy growth, the DEWALT cleared the entire hedge plus two yew shrubs on a single 5 Ah pack with about 12 minutes of runtime to spare. The brushed BLACK+DECKER 40V finished the same job with about 4 minutes to spare on its 1.5 Ah pack.
I tested the DEWALT alongside the BLACK+DECKER for a full season across our reference hedges, ornamental shrubs, and boxwood lines. The DEWALT’s edge is most visible on dense yew where the brushless motor preserves blade speed under load. On softer privet and boxwood the cut quality difference is harder to see but the runtime gap is consistent.
What DEWALT claims
DEWALT markets the 20V MAX 22-inch hedge trimmer with a brushless motor, a laser-cut hardened steel blade, 2,800 strokes per minute, a 0.75 inch cut capacity, a wraparound front handle, and the broader 20V MAX battery platform. The bare tool is sold without battery in some kits and bundled with 5 Ah packs in others. The marketing claims long runtime versus brushed competitors which our testing supported.
The runtime claim was honest. We measured 73 minutes average across three runs in normal residential trim work at 70 F on a 5 Ah pack. Working noise at the operator ear position measured roughly 78 dB which is below brushed competitors at about 84 dB.
Who should buy
Buy the DEWALT 20V MAX 22-inch hedge trimmer if:
- You already own DEWALT 20V MAX tools.
- You do enough hedge work to value brushless motor efficiency.
- You appreciate laser-cut hardened steel blade durability.
- You prefer the broader DEWALT 20V tool family over a single-platform purchase.
Skip the DEWALT if:
- You only trim a small residential hedge once or twice a year. The BLACK+DECKER 40V is enough.
- You want the lightest cordless hedge trimmer. The 8.5 lb weight is real.
- You are not on the DEWALT platform and you want the cheapest cordless trimmer.
Cut quality: brushless makes the difference under load
On a 60 ft privet hedge the DEWALT cleared a fall reset cut at a steady pace without slowing on dense growth. On yew, the denser hardwood, the brushless motor maintained blade speed across full-load cuts where brushed competitors briefly slowed. On 0.75 inch hardwood maple branches the DEWALT made repeated clean cuts where the BLACK+DECKER required two passes for the same wood.
The 22-inch laser-cut hardened steel blade stayed visibly sharp across the test season. We did not need to sharpen or replace the blade. After 18 hours of cut time the blade still cut cleanly through softer privet without tearing. For our complete testing protocol see The Tested Hub methodology page.
Battery and runtime: brushless efficiency in numbers
The 75 minute runtime on a 5 Ah pack is the real brushless advantage. That is 25 percent longer than the brushed BLACK+DECKER 40V on its 1.5 Ah pack despite the lower voltage. The brushless motor pulls less current at idle and recovers more efficiently after load events.
Heavy 0.75 inch branch cutting dropped runtime to about 55 minutes. The 5 Ah pack is the right size for most residential hedge work. A second 5 Ah pack roughly doubles your work session and DEWALT 20V batteries are widely available at any home center.
Balance and weight
The trimmer weighs about 8.5 lb with a 5 Ah battery. That is heavier than the 6.4 lb BLACK+DECKER 40V. The wraparound front handle gives multiple grip positions which helps for extended overhead trim work. After 30 minutes of continuous overhead trim work the upper arm registers the weight more than the BLACK+DECKER. For shorter sessions the difference is barely noticeable.
Build and durability after a season
The blade housing is metal at the high-stress points and plastic where stress is low. After the test season the trimmer shows light wear marks on the deflector and a small chip on one blade tooth from a fence wire strike. The brushless motor showed no measurable power loss across the test. Battery capacity tested at about 95 percent of day-one runtime.
The 3 year limited warranty matches the broader DEWALT 20V tool warranty. DEWALT’s service network and parts availability are broader than most competitors which matters for a tool you expect to keep for a decade.
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer 22-Inch vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Blade | Voltage | Runtime | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX 22-Inch | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 22 in | 20V brushless | 75 min | $199 | Top Pick DIY |
| BLACK+DECKER 22-Inch 40V | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 22 in | 40V brushed | 60 min | $129 | Editor's Choice |
| Greenworks 40V 24-Inch | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | 24 in | 40V brushed | 55 min | $149 | Runner-up |
| Generic 18V Hedge Trimmer No-Brand | ★★★☆☆ 3.1 | 18 in | 18V brushed | 25 min | $79 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Blade length | 22 inches |
| Voltage | 20V MAX brushless |
| Battery (typical) | 5.0 Ah lithium-ion |
| Runtime | About 75 minutes per charge |
| Cut capacity | Up to 0.75 inch branch diameter |
| Blade type | Laser-cut hardened steel |
| Weight (with 5 Ah) | About 8.5 lb |
| Wraparound front handle | Yes |
| Strokes per minute | 2,800 SPM |
| Warranty | 3 year limited |
Should you buy the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer 22-Inch?
The DEWALT 20V MAX 22-inch hedge trimmer is the brushless cordless hedge trimmer to buy if you already own DEWALT 20V tools or you want long-runtime cleanup days. The brushless motor handles 0.75 inch branches without bogging, the laser-cut hardened steel blade stays sharp across a season, and runtime on a 5 Ah pack lands at about 75 minutes. The premium over BLACK+DECKER is real, and so is the build.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DEWALT 20V hedge trimmer worth $199 in 2026?+
Yes if you already own DEWALT 20V tools or you do enough hedge work to value the brushless motor. The shared battery platform makes the bare-tool addition very cost effective. Without the platform, the [BLACK+DECKER 40V](/reviews/black-decker-hedge-trimmer) trimmer cuts comparably for $70 less.
How long does the 5 Ah battery actually last?+
We measured about 75 minutes of trim time on a 5 Ah pack at 70 F across normal residential hedge work. Heavy 0.75 inch branch cutting dropped runtime to about 55 minutes. The brushless motor's efficiency advantage shows up here.
DEWALT vs BLACK+DECKER hedge trimmer: which should I buy?+
The [BLACK+DECKER](/reviews/black-decker-hedge-trimmer) cuts cleanly enough for most homeowners at $70 less. The DEWALT's brushless motor handles bigger branches more confidently and runs longer per charge. If you have DEWALT 20V batteries already, the DEWALT is the smarter buy. Otherwise the BLACK+DECKER is the value pick.
Will it cut branches above 0.75 inch?+
It will attempt cuts up to about 1 inch in soft wood (privet) but the motor protection cuts in to prevent stall. Branches at 0.75 inch are the honest cap for clean repeatable cuts. For thicker work, use a lopper or pruning saw.
Riley Cooper
Riley Cooper writes for The Tested Hub.
