Craftsman V20 Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer Tested: Shape Your High and Wide Hedges Without a Ladder

6 min readCraftsman’s pole hedge trimmer has a pivoting head that makes it easier to shape tall bushes. It’s light, 8.1 pounds with battery, making it one of the more manageable pole hedge trimmers to operate.It has a reach of up to 11 feet.If you have hedges that reach heights of 6 feet or more, like I do on my property, a standard hedge trimmer isn’t going to be the best tool for the job. My everyday go-to is an Ego cordless hedge trimmer, but I prefer to operate it with two feet on the ground. Teetering on a stepladder with this 10-pound, 26-inch machine with razor-sharp teeth is not a risk I am willing to take. So what to do about those tall sections?The solution to tackling those tall bushes: Find a pole hedge trimmer with the ability to reach higher hedges while allowing me to keep my feet safely rooted to the ground. Since this trimmer would serve as a sidekick to my standard trimmer, I also wanted an affordable option. The answer turned out to be the Craftsman V20 18-inch electric pole hedge trimmer.I’ve spent an entire growing season using this hedge trimmer to manage several large bushes on my property, including several 8-foot-tall bushes and a row of rose bushes. With its 11-foot reach and multiple cutting angles, it has risen to the occasion. While it doesn’t have the blade length, cutting capacity, and battery life of other pricier pole hedge trimmers, like the Greenworks 40-volt pole hedge trimmer or DeWalt’s 20-volt Max Pole Hedge trimmer, it has enough power to handle the smattering of bushes and hedges in my yard while still managing to be reasonably priced.ProsFoam padding on pole extension adds comfort while allowing for a secure gripFive adjustable cutting head angles simplify shaping foliageThe fiberglass extension pole has a sturdy, rigid feelConsFeels less powerful than other modelsShort runtime, about 20 minutes, compared to the 30 to 40 minutes of continuous runtime on other cordless hedge trimmersKey SpecsBattery20VWeight8.1 lbBlade Length18 in.Cutting Speed2,800 strokes per minuteHow I TestedI assessed the Craftsman’s abilities by putting it to work on the bushes and shrubs around my property. I focused specifically on taller vegetation that I can’t reach with a standard hedge trimmer that has a max reach of 6 or 7 feet when I hold the machine up high. My test cases included a couple of 8-foot-tall bushes at the front of my property, five mature rose bushes, and a short row of hedges that line one side of my property in the backyard. My evaluation spanned an entire growing season—about five months in North Carolina.While my focus was on managing taller bushes, I also tested the Craftsman’s capabilities on smaller shrubs to determine whether it could function as a stand-alone hedge trimmer or if it was best suited as a companion to a standard handheld model. I also paid close attention to battery life, noting overall runtime and whether I was able to complete my hedge trimming chores on a single charge.Quick-Release Button Eases Angle Changes While You’re WorkingThe Craftsman can reach a maximum length of 11 feet, which is on the high end for a cordless pole hedge trimmer. This extra length allowed me to reach my property’s bushes, which top out at about 8 feet. The head is also adjustable to five different angles up to 180 degrees, which was helpful for shaping vegetation.I was able to hold the pole saw vertically with the head bent at a 180-degree angle to cut horizontally across a tall loropetalum in my front yard before adjusting the head to a 90-degree angle to shape the sides. Since the Craftsman uses a quick-release button just below the head to change the angle, stopping to make adjustments was a delay of just a few seconds.Tony CarrickThe Craftsman’s 18-inch blade is on the shorter side, so you might need to make more passes while trimming than you would with a longer blade.At just over 6 feet long, the Craftsman pole hedge trimmer hits that sweet spot in length. It has enough reach to trim larger vegetation while still being short enough that it's not awkward to shape the lower parts of a bush or even trim smaller shrubs and vegetation around the yard. At one point I even used it to take down clusters of weeds growing between my rose bushes and my home, eliminating the need to reach through a maze of thorns to pull them. While this tool won’t replace my standard hedge trimmer to handle shorter bushes and shrubs, this Craftsman pole trimmer certainly could serve as one’s sole trimmer.The Craftsman’s reach is a benefit, but its 18-inch blade is on the short side. Pole saws like the 40-volt Greenworks cordless pole hedge trimmer, which I’ve used previously, and the Worx 20-volt pole hedge trimmer, have 20-inch blades, while the DeWalt 20-volt Max cordless pole hedge trimmer boasts a long 22-inch blade.The shorter blade of the Craftsman required making more passes while trimming, which added more time to the job. It also gave me less depth when trimming the top of a bush. I found myself having to maneuver around to the back of that giant loropetalum in my front yard to cut the entire top due to the Craftsman’s relatively short blade. This wasn’t a huge issue for me, but it could be for you if you're trimming a wider hedge or bush and can’t access its backside because it’s against a property line or up against a house or fence.A Pole Trimmer Best Suited for Light TasksThe Craftsman uses a 20-volt battery, and it doesn’t feel like it packs quite the same cutting punch as more powerful rivals, such as the Greenworks 40-volt pole hedge trimmer or DeWalt 20-volt Max pole hedge trimmer that I recommend.Tony CarrickAt 8.1 pounds, the Craftsman is lightweight but still requires some upper body strength to maneuver.While its maximum 2,800 strokes per minute (SPM) is comparable to other pole hedge trimmers, including the 40-volt Greenworks, its cutting capacity is smaller. The Craftsman is limited to cutting through 3/4-inch-thick stems, which is less than the Greenworks’s 1-inch cutting capacity. This made a difference while trimming the five 7-foot-tall rose bushes that line the front of my home. I was able to cut through the thinner stems of the outermost branches of these bushes, but the Craftsman refused to cut into the thicker stems closer to the plant’s center. My Ego hedge trimmer, in comparison, has no problem cutting through these thicker stems.The Craftsman’s lower voltage battery resulted in less runtime. I got about 20 continuous minutes under load out of the Craftsman and its 2.0-amp-hour battery, which is less than the 30 minutes the Greenworks pole hedge trimmer offers. While 20 minutes was enough to complete the trimming duties for my yard, it would fall short for those property owners with more bushes and hedges to prune. This is a case where you’d want to have an extra battery on hand.Smaller Motor Equals Less Weight for More ManeuverabilityThe Craftsman’s small motor and battery may make it less powerful than some of its counterparts, but it also makes it lighter. At 8.1 pounds, it’s one of the lightest pole hedge trimmers out there. While it still requires some upper body strength to use, it's easier to operate than pole hedge trimmers I’ve used that weigh a couple of pounds more. The lighter weight was particularly noticeable when extending the blade outward horizontally or raising it up to chest height to increase its reach.The VerdictThe Craftsman’s ability to cut hedges and bushes that range upward of 11 feet makes it the ideal companion to my standard hedge trimmer, but there are limitations. For instance, the Craftsman’s 20-volt system and smaller cutting capacity limit the size of stems it can cut, while also making for slower cutting overall.It’s by no means underpowered, but homeowners who have long rows of tall hedges to manage should look for a higher-voltage option that offers greater cutting capacity and longer runtimes. I’d recommend the Greenworks 40-volt pole hedge trimmer, which offers a longer cutting blade, runtime, and the ability to cut thicker stems. Those with taller bushes and hedges to manage should consider DeWalt’s 20-volt Max Pole Hedge trimmer kit, which offers a 12-foot reach and a long 22-inch cutting blade.I did appreciate the Craftsman’s adjustable head, which allowed me to cut from varying angles and change the blade position quickly. Its 11-foot reach is enough to handle taller bushes while still being short enough to trim lower to the ground. And again, it’s one of the lightest pole hedge trimmers out there, which, in turn, makes it one of the more manageable machines to operate.All of these features coupled with its low price make Craftsman’s cordless pole hedge trimmer a smart option for those with a short row of hedges or a few tall bushes to trim. Since it uses a 20-volt battery, it’s also an ideal choice for anyone who's already bought into Craftsman’s line of 20-volt power tools and yard tools.Other Hedge Trimmers We RecommendHusqvarna 320iHD60 Hedge TrimmerNow 20% OffGreat cutting power, a smart design, and pro-level build quality are why we ranked this hedge trimmer at the top of our hedge trimmers list.Worx Nitro 40V 24-Inch Electric Hedge TrimmerWorx’s Nitro line of yard machines offers power at a low price. This machine gives you great cutting power and runtime at a homeowner-friendly price.Ego Power+ 26-Inch Electric Hedge TrimmerNow 18% OffThe Ego hedge trimmer boasts a powerful 56-volt motor that supports a 26-inch cutting bar and blade that can slice through stems up to 1.2 inches thick. It’s the most powerful cordless hedge trimmer we’ve tested.Best OverallTony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.