Customer Reviews
Excellent Product 
2008-06-13
The is an excellent trimmer. It is powerful and light weight. I highly recommend this as a replacement trimmer for any cord trimmer.
Full charge only lasts 15 min; hope you have a lot of free time 
2008-06-04
Okay first let me tell you that I have had a lot of unfavorable experiences with hedge trimmers. I started by borrowing my neighbor's electric version and it died while in my care. SO I went to Lowe's and bought a replacement for him and one for me (about $35 each without the cord).
That one served me well for a few years without ever sharpening the blade; though I did accidentily cut the cord once (a disadvantage to electric). The other disadvantage I can think of is that the cord comes off repeatedly due to the vibration. I have used various cords, and they all do this.
Anyway after my son left it out in the rain once I took the plunge and replaced it with the rechargable version to eliminate the cord dilemma (this model). I paid about $83, and I burned up the motor in the first week. Also worth mentioning is that the charge only lasted about 10 minutes, so I had charged it 4 times (6 hours per charge), and still was not finished when the motor died (hot and burnt smelling).
So finally I bought a nice gas powered one. It is VERY NICE and can handle large limbs, BUT it is very heavy. I suppose that is the true disadvantage to gas, but it is more durable than any other model I have used. And when you compare prices it's the best deal considering that it cuts up to 3/4" branches. Unless you have just one hedge, consider buying a sturdier model.
B&D Cordless Hedge Trimmer mets our expectations! 2008-05-19
We are very pleased with the B&D 18 Volt 22" Cordless Hedge Trimmer.
There is about 140 feet of hedges, shrubs, and bushes next to the house. Other vegetation is located on the property that required maintaining too. The most challenging is the 14 foot tall Holly Shrub that this trimmer functions well with. The trimmer performs as good as the electrical trimmer we formerly used until replacing with this cordless trimmer.
The 22" cutting length fulfills our needs without any complaints. The trimmer possesses sufficient power to cut, and shape the hedges that we maintain. It is efficient to have on hand and keep everything trimmed back: just attach the battery, and does the job right, without any issues.
We will no longer be using the electrical trimmer and the cumbersome long cords. It is a pleasure to trim without dealing with the extension cords. We are sold on the cordless yard tools, discarding the the gas powered expect for the chain saw for downed trees. No more fighting with the obnoxious pull string gas operated weed eaters, edge trimmers, hedge trimmers, and noisy leaf blower.
We are aware that some persons complain about the B&D 18 volt batteries not meeting expectations or needs for time of charge for a battery. To remedy this, we purchased the B&D 90 Minute Quick Charger to which keeps the batteries fresh and available by rotating them, and disappointments. Typically the batteries are recharged much sooner that this. Since we have the B&D Pole Saw, Grass Trimmer, and this Hedge Trimmer we have 4 batteries therefore, no shortage of charged batteries for any project.
We recommend this B&D Hedge Trimmer, and will be converting to other B&D 18 volt lawn tools to complete a uniformed maintenance system, that use the same power source. The Power Scrubber with extension bar is next on the list to buy also will provide another battery as well.
careful not to hit a wire or a stick 
2008-05-10
It is good for a small project as someone esle stated. What can you expect fom a cordless $80 unit? One major drawback is that you have to squeeze the handle to keep it running (for the safety feature).
I used it several times in 7 months. I hit the wire few times, it stopped but it worked OK. The last time I used it, I hit a bamboo stick, it stopped and messed up the inside. The two blades started moving together, so it was no use!!! They have one year warranty, so I took it to DeWalt service center. They took it apart to see what's broken and I found out that it was my fault to hit the wire a couple of times, thus the repair is not covered. The cost is about $40 to replace the small rivet. Well, I did not hit the wire on purpose, doesn't that happen all the time??? I think the parts are not made heavy duty enough. Anyway, I don't wanna pay $40 for repair; the new is $80. Now, I am stuck with the parts all apart and I will see if I can put them back together and fix it. Wish me a luck!
Great for quick light jobs 2008-05-08
I just received mine a few days ago and I used it the next day after a battery charging. This little hedge trimmer is lighter than I expected, even with the heavy battery, and lasted longer on a full charge than expected. I managed to trim my waist high boxwoods and cut back some other bushes on one charge and still had enough juice in the battery to pop it into the blower and blow off the front sidewalk. Keep in mind I have a small yard in the city so we are not talking about maintaining 2 acres here. I was also impressed with the strength of the trimmer. It buzzed right through bush limbs up to 3/8 inch in diameter. I am impressed and pleased. I just hope it proves to be reliable in the long term.
Very pleased 2008-07-14
Black & Decker 18-Volt Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer #NHT518/NHT518L
As someone resisting a power tool in favor of hand clippers, I have been surprised at how much faster and with superior results the cordless trimmer achieved. It was easy to handle (lightweight), cut very precisely, and the charge was more than adequate. My use was primarily on 7'and 8' pines (20 more or less) that I am shaping to stay small and manageable and I must say they look terrific.The long and short of it that I now actually look forward to doing what was an odious task. Shipment from Grady Hardware was immediate.
A near fit for the job 
2008-07-07
It's light enough that I can wield it one-handed in tight quarters. With no cord I can lug it easily anywhere in the yard. It is adequately powerful for most of what I intended to cut with it though I noted it could not handle some small branches that my old manual scissor-style clippers could. Still, what it could cut was more quickly and easily done than I could have managed with those old clippers.
Another soild performer in the B&D 18v line 2008-06-21
I love this hedge trimmer! I have a fair number of bushes and hedges that need trimming, but always hated having to trim them mainly becuase of the tools. I had a corded model (also a B&D) that cut very well, but the cord was always a real pain -- it always got snagged on something, and I ended up spending more time dealing with the cord than actually trimming. Looked into a gas model, but the weight was an issue, as well as the noise.
The cordless B&D is a fantastic tool! It lets you concentrate on the trimming. Ready to go in a second (no cord to unwind and plug in) and the battery lasts a decent interval. No, it's not an everlasting battery that will run for hours, but that's an easy problem to solve -- just get a second battery so if the first one gives up before you're done, you just pop in another.
Nicely balanced and easy to handle. Highly recommend!!
You will like this product 2008-06-16
I own a new 24" electric B&D trimmer, however, I have a large property and a cord would just not do it. I bought a new B&D cordless 22" trimmer and to my surprise after two solid days of cutting I found this trimmer did it all. In fact, I got so taken up with this trimmer I leveled my 25 square miles, not a thing standing, and started on my neighbors when I was arrested for tresspassing, under the influence and carrying a deadly weapon and its only 9 am. Now what am I going to do?
Gardener 2008-06-15
It has good power and the fact that it is cordless affords great freedom for the user. I do wish it came with a shorter blade (16 or 18")
