Save Your Back And Arms With The Skil 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Hedge trimmers are one of the great success stories in battery-powered lawn care equipment, but the extra weight of a battery can be a literal pain. The Skil 20V cordless hedge trimmer looks to give your back a break by using a PWRCore 20 battery. We wanted to see if it has the performance to recommend it for your landscaping needs.
Skil 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Performance
In a departure from some of their other OPE products, Skil opts for a brushed motor rather than brushless for this hedge trimmer. This is one tool class where that call works, though. A hedge trimmer’s reciprocating action isn’t nearly as power-hungry as other lawn care tools and it helps keep the cost down.
The blade (often called knives in professional circles) is 22 inches long and operates at 3000 SPM. Like we expect, the blade is dual-action, meaning it cuts on both the push and pull of each stroke.
The opening allows for cutting branches up to 3/4-inch. While there are more expensive models that can cut an inch or more, we rarely find that it’s necessary, even on hedges that haven’t been trimmed in months. In fact, our top-rated cordless hedge trimmer has a 3/4-inch capacity.
So how well does Skil’s hedge trimmer actually cut? We tested it on a variety of hedges around the house that needed some attention. Even with branches nearing the 3/4-inch max, the blade had no problem cutting through and it made quick work of shaping things up.
Skil 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Design
Weight
Bare, the trimmer weighs 5.4 pounds and a 2.0Ah USB battery brings it to 6.5 pounds. Compared to most battery-powered models, this is lightweight and it’s SOOOOO much easier on your arms and back, especially if you have hedges you like to keep above chest level. It’s light enough that just about anyone can pick this up on Family Yard Day and use it comfortably.
You can use a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery if you need more runtime. It adds more weight, and while it’s still not overbearing, it does shift the balance to the back.
Handle Ergonomics
Skil’s handles are very well-designed for the way you need to use a hedge trimmer. The main trigger runs the length of the handle, making it easy to engage no matter what angle you’re holding the tool and it’s less fatiguing on your fingers when you have a lot of trimming to do.
Even though it doesn’t have a rotating handle, the secondary trigger on the D-handle wraps around so you can activate it in a wide range of grip positions.
Like most battery-powered hedge trimmers, you need to have both triggers engaged to trim. The cool thing is that it doesn’t matter what order you pull them in and you don’t have to reset them both if you release one. It’s really helpful as you’re adjusting your grip on your way around a hedge.
Storage Bracket
Many hedge trimmers have a keyhole on the back so you can set a screw in the wall to hang them from. They work, but Skil takes things more seriously with a hanging bracket that pairs with the storage hook on the tool. By installing the bracket on the wall, hanging is much easier than working the tool around until you finally get the hole lined up with the screw.
Additional Features
- Blade tip protector
- USB charger built in to the kitted 2.0Ah batttery
- Cooling material wrapped around each battery cell to improve runtime and service life
- Compatible with all Skil PWRCore 20 batteries
Skil 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Price
You can pick up the hedge trimmer kit that includes a 2.0Ah USB battery, charger, and storage bracket for $129.99. Looking around at other options on 18V/20V platforms, that’s a pretty attractive price. Plus, the battery works with all of Skil’s PWRCore 20V lawn care and power tools, opening up a pretty nice platform for your needs as a DIYer. Sweetening the deal even more, the tool has a 5-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
The Skil 20V cordless hedge trimmer gets the job done without breaking your back or the bank. Its lightweight design is easier to work with than many cordless options, you get a lot of value for the price, and it works with the same batteries as Skil’s PWRCore 20 cordless tools. If you’re looking for one battery platform to do it all, Skil makes a very compelling argument to be the system for you.
Skil PWRCore 20 Hedge Trimmer Specifications
- Model: Skil HT4222B-10
- Power Source: Skil PWRCore 20 battery
- Blade Length: 22 inches
- Cut Capacity: 3/4-inch
- Weight: 5.4 pounds bare, 6.5 lbs with 2.0Ah USB battery
- Price: $129.99 kit with 2.0Ah USB battery
- Warranty: 5 years
