Customer Reviews

Black & Decker NHT518/NHT518L 18-Volt Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I agree with what was said in the earlier review. My own comparison is with the 10 year old B&D 22" electric that it replaced. I was impressed in that it gives up nothing in terms of power. I used it today for the first time on my 150' of hedges and lots of other bushes, especially hugh forsythias. It did all the trimming with no sign at all of battery fatigue. It's much smoother in operation than the old one. There are two things I didn't like about it. The forward handle is made so that it's only comfortable to hold at the top and not at the sides as in the old models. Also, as was said, there's not a lock-on switch. You have to hold the switch on. They did that, no doubt, for safety reasons, but that's probably where the fatigue enters. Many folks will rig up a clip to achieve the same thing.

Black and Decker has a few cordless hedge trimmers so I was a bit confused which to try. This was their latest model and boasted a 40 minute run time so I decided to go for it.
The product worked great. I charged the battery the full 6 hours required when you first get it. What's nice about it is after the initial charge the full charge time is 3-6 hours, but the unit can left charging indefinitely without damaging the unit.
The unit performed admirably. It cut beautifully and the charge lasted the 40 minutes. The Hedge Hog breezed thru my bushes with ease. If I have two criticisms, they are 1) you have to keep your hand squeezed on the handle while using it - not a big deal cuz your hand is there anyway, and 2) (and more importantly) the unit isn't light. After about fifteen minutes or so, my arms got a bit fatiuged.
Still, the criticisms are minor, and I'd highly recommend this unit to anyone who doesn't want to deal with the gas or electric powered models.

I have had this unit for almost a full year. I have used it about 12 times now. The first time was good; neat not having a cord. The second time alright. The third time the battery petered out after 15 minutes. As it is now, the battery doesn't hold a charge just sitting on the shelf even though you might have charged it fully before putting it away. I just went to use it one last time... it lasted all of 5 minutes. Who wants to sit around waiting for 3 hours for a battery to charge and then bam!, get right to work before it loses any power... and I have tried that too... it konks out after about 20 minutes on a "full charge" now and the last ten minutes of that is not very powerful. I'm am totally disgusted with product, and that is why I marched right into the house to write this review.

When I purchased this, I was concerned that being battery operated it would be underpowered. That's not the case at all, it has plenty of power. The battery charge lasts longer than I do, too.

A real pleasure to get away from the cord. The vibration is much less than any other trimmer I've tried.

I had the same experience as another reviewer with this trimmer. It worked great until the battery stopped accepting a charge after just a few uses. I have had this problem with other Black & Decker cordless products and vowed never to buy another from them (and have not had this issue with other cordless tool manufacturers). However, at the time this was the only cordless trimmer on the market with an 18V battery. I should have listened to myself. What a waste of money.

*** Turns out it was not the battery that had the problem. It was the charger. It died after only a few uses! So, I unnecessarily bought a new battery. When that didn't charge, I got a Black & Decker rapid charger. Unexpected expense but now have two batteries and a rapid charger. Would have preferred if the original charger continued to work.

*** Now after 3 months the latest battery doesn't hold its charge. Garbage.

What good is a powerful trimmer if the battery only lasts a few minutes? I charged this fully when I first got it. It never lasted for more than 15 minutes of light to moderate duty hedge trimming. I have had it less than 6 months, and now it lasts for five minutes! I let the battery run down before I charge it, but I do not tie a piece of twine to the power switch or hold it until it is completely dead (which isn't easy on your hands). I wait until it can no longer cut the hedge and can barely move. What's the point of having this if I have to hold the switch down or tie it down for 5 to 10 minutes after each use just to completely drain the battery? When it works, it's fine, but no way did this last for me as some reviewers have stated. NiCad batteries do have a memory effect, but this battery never lasted very long even after the initial full charge. Also, it's too much work to completely drain this battery of all power if that's what must be done. Until something better comes along, take a pass on this. You will be disappointed, if not initially, then a few weeks or months down the road.

I've used this trimmer only a few times but it lives up to all that I read about it. I have some tough shrubs and it does not balk at anything I've tried to do with it.

I keep the battery charged as directed and it's ready for duty all the time.

I purchased this cordless hedge trimmer as a Father's Day present to my husband. Although I spend much of the time weeding and hedging, I wanted to make sure we both liked this new addition... it is AWESOME!
The B & D is light, easy to use and the battery life is long enough to complete the tasks required, has never run out on us (also, it is a quick charge). It is powerful, goes through branches I didn't even expect it to cut through. We also own a B & D cordless, rechargeable broom (Christmas present to hubby), and as much as he loves that, I felt I could not go wrong purchasing the hedge trimmer (the batteries are the same, 18V, so even if a battery were to die, we have many back-ups.
My father told me to steer clear of B & D products, however, he has borrowed the hedge trimmer, loves it and now wants his own.
Love our cordless hedge trimmer, highly recommend!!!

I purchased the new B&D lawncare trio comprising a trimmer, blower, and this hedger. By far and away, this hedger stands out as the best of the 3 tools that use the new 18 volt format.

The power is sufficient and the run time is thorough. I wish I could say that for the trimmer and blower but that's for another review.

This cordless will make you forget about the loud and smelly gas powered models (good-bye high gas prices) and you will enjoy the increased freedom of not being tethered by a cord. The weight is balanced and more than manageable. B&D got this one right. I only wish they would have put the same thought and effort into the 18 volt trimmer and blower(but again that is for another review).

The hard plastic sheath is a great way to protect the blade and yourself while in storage and the safety switch is a necessary evil in this era of drive-by litigation.

Bravo B&D!

I hedge, therefore I am.....
Tony
Jupiter, Florida

I love it! I use it in my garden, which is mostly consists of perrenials and vines. I used to cut them all by hand... Unit comes with the battery and a charger. I have relatevly large garden, about 1/4 of an acre. My husband loves to use it on rosemary. Unless you need to work for hours straight, second battery is not needed. I read about some problems with switches, but found them overrated. I have small hands and it worked just fine.