DeWalt 20V MAX Hedge Trimmer DCHT820 Review: Solid, But DeWalt Needs to Step It Up
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The DeWalt DCHT820 is a solid cordless hedge trimmer. There really isn't anything wrong with it, but after using competing hedge trimmers from Milwaukee and Makita, the DeWalt is starting to feel a little behind. For normal trimming around the house, it gets the job done. It's not particularly heavy, but I also wouldn't call it lightweight. The balance is decent, there's enough power for most normal bushes and hedges, and if you're already invested in DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, it's an easy tool to add to your collection.
Good, But the Competition Is Better
My biggest problem with the DCHT820 isn't really the tool itself. It's what Milwaukee and Makita are doing. The Milwaukee hedge trimmers I've used simply feel more powerful. When you get into thicker growth or start pushing the tool harder, that's the one I'd rather have.
Makita goes the other direction. Their hedge trimmers feel more precise, balanced and ergonomic. That's arguably even more important with a hedge trimmer because you're constantly moving the tool around, changing angles and trying to make clean cuts. The DeWalt ends up sitting somewhere in the middle.
Would I Buy the DeWalt DCHT820 Again?
If I was already heavily invested in DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, sure. It's reliable, easy to use and has enough performance for normal residential work. But if I was choosing purely based on the hedge trimmer itself, it wouldn't be my first choice. Milwaukee gives me more power. Makita gives me better precision and ergonomics. The DeWalt doesn't really beat either of them in a meaningful area.
The DCHT820 isn't a bad hedge trimmer. It's actually a pretty solid one. The problem is that in 2026, solid isn't really enough anymore. DeWalt needs to step this tool up.
