BLACK+DECKER String Trimmer: Review

BLACKDECKER String Trimmer

Review of the BLACK+DECKER String Trimmer

As of this writing, there were 3,972 customer comments and 577 answered questions on Amazon for the Black and Decker String Trimmer.  I’ve read through the reviews and condensed the results into this report.  I hope that this makes your shopping experience easier.

Best Features

  • check ​Lightweight
  • check ​Easy to store
  • check Easy to start
  • check Low price
  • check Runs quiet

Item Specifics

The Black and Decker String Trimmer has a PowerDrive Transmission delivers more power from the motor to the cutting string so that you can get the job done faster.  The battery is a 40V MAX lithium battery.  With the PowerCommand dial you can choose between MAX power and MAX runtime.  The Automatic Feed Spool ensures continuous work without bumping.  This string trimmer easily converts from a trimmer to an edger with a simple turn of the shaft.

Lightweight

At 10.3 pounds the Black and Decker String Trimmer is light weight.  Weight might not seem important until you carry the unit around for while.  Then every ounce starts adding up, especially if you are reaching at odd angles.  With this trimmer, the unit and battery are both lightweight, especially in comparison to gas powered trimmers.  For some people like the following customer the weight is real bonus and selling point.  The customer shared that, “this is an amazing trimmer. It is very lightweight but really powerful, You can adjust the power of the unit using a numbered wheel on the handle – increase the number for difficult weeds, decrease it for normal stringing. The battery is also small and lightweight.”

Easy to Start

With gas trimmers you may be pulling on a cord again and again to get them to start.  The same can hold true for gas powered lawn mowers and chainsaws.  But the nice thing about the Black and Decker Trimmer is that it will start up with the push of a button.  This is definitely an advantage over gasoline powered trimmers.  On this same topic, a customer shared this, ” I am so glad to say good-bye forever to those noisy, smelly, finicky, infuriatingly hard-to-start gas-powered weed whackers. This thing is a keeper.”

Battery Life Is Short

One drawback to the Black and Decker String Trimmer is that the battery isn’t going to last very long between charges.   Customers found that the battery only lasts about 10-15 minutes on high power level.  On low to medium level, this trimmer will last about an hour with intermittent use.  The top complaint I found on this string trimmer was definitely about the low battery life.  Here is one of many comments about the battery, “The only thing about this product I don’t like is that it only includes one battery (which I knew when I bought it), but it really eats up batteries FAST, even on low power settings. I am probably going to need to buy an extra two batteries just to get a very small lawn done at one time.”

On a positive side, this battery is about a third of the size of large trimmer batteries.  When carrying around and working with a machine weight or lack of weight really adds up.  It will take about an hour to recharge the battery.

Quiet

The Black and Decker String Trimmer is quiet.  If you live out in the country with no close neighbors then noise might not bother you.  However, if you have any neighbors within earshot, a loud string trimmer may limit  you on what time of the day that you can use it.  With this Black and Decker Trimmer, you will be able to trim anytime of the day without worrying about waking people up.  It is so quiet that it may even get some getting used to as this customer humorously explains, “I used it all last year and it takes some getting used too because of how quiet it is. I’m used to a screaming motor right behind me.”

Price

Compared to a gas powered string trimmer, the Black and Decker String Trimmer is priced very low.  If you have a lot of acreage to trim and if the vegetation is thick and heavy, then I would recommend a gas trimmer.  However, if you just need it for light yard work trimming to do, and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, then I say the Black and Decker String Trimmer can’t be beat.  As one person who owns a Black and Decker String Trimmer put it, this is “an effective yard tool that is light, low maintenance compared to gas trimmers, and will meet most home owners needs at a reasonable price.”

best string trimmer

Pros

  • plus Great price
  • plus Lightweight
  • plus Runs quiet

Cons

  • close Short battery charge life 

BLACK+DECKER String Trimmer Conclusion

The Black and Decker String Trimmer is an inexpensive and lightweight trimmer that does a good job with small to average trimmer jobs.  It is quiet and runs on a lithium battery.  One drawback though is that the battery life is not very long in between charges.  It will take about 1 hour to recharge the battery.  Some people wished they had purchased multiple batteries, since this unit only came with one battery.  For the price, if you are looking for a lightweight string trimmer that is not gas powered, I recommend the Black and Decker String Trimmer.  It got good review and aside from the short battery life, overall people were very satisfied with it.

Common Questions

Here are some top questions that I found for people considering buying a BLACK+DECKER String Trimmer.

  • chevron-circle-right Does this trimmer come with the string or does it need to be bought separately?  It comes with 1 spool. After that, you have to buy separately.
  • chevron-circle-right How much vibration is there compared to a similar size gas-powered trimmer?  There is no to little vibration at all with this string trimmer.
  • chevron-circle-right How do I replace the string trimmer spool on this machine?  The orange cap pops off by squeezing the sides. Then just lift the used black spool out, pop in the new one, thread the string through the guide hole (very easy), pop orange cap back on, and you’re ready to go. It’s very easy — takes about 20 seconds. 

Related Article: Best String Trimmer-The 10 Best Choices and our Top Pick

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