DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless Folding String Trimmer and Handheld Blower Combo Kit

A few weekends with DeWalt’s 20V trimmer/blower combo

I spent the last few mow cycles using DeWalt’s 20V trimmer/blower combo around a typical suburban property—patches of cool-season turf, some overgrown corners near fencing, a driveway, and a clutter-prone garage. The short version: the trimmer punches above its weight for light-to-moderate vegetation, and the blower is a handy daily driver for hard surfaces and lighter leaf work. Together, they make a convenient, compact kit—so long as you understand the limits of a single 20V battery running two tools.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly was straightforward: attach the guard on the trimmer, click in the D-handle, and slip the concentrator nozzle onto the blower if you want more focused air. DeWalt includes one 20V MAX XR 4.0 Ah battery and the DCB115 charger. Expect about an hour(ish) to bring that pack up from empty.

The trimmer’s folding hinge is the standout feature at first glance. Flip a latch and the shaft folds, chopping the stored length by roughly 40%. That matters if your storage is tight or you’d like to keep both tools on a single shelf or in a car trunk. The hinge locks positively, though there’s a trace of play compared to a fixed shaft. It doesn’t affect cutting performance for me, but it does make the tool feel less monolithic.

Build quality is typical midrange DeWalt: durable plastics, a straight aluminum shaft, and a brushless motor on the trimmer. The blower is an axial design with a variable-speed trigger and a speed lock (cruise control) lever that becomes surprisingly addictive for longer cleanup.

Trimmer performance

The trimmer runs a 14-inch cutting swath with dual 0.080-inch line, using a bump-feed head. Power-wise, it chews through lush grass, tall fescue seed heads, and other non-woody growth without bogging. Around raised beds and chain-link fence, the motor holds RPMs well enough that cut quality stays clean with only occasional bumps to feed line.

Line management is painless. The bump feed is consistent, and the head’s quick-load design makes respooling far less tedious—just thread line and wind by twisting the housing. For homeowners who dread line changes, this is a quality-of-life upgrade.

A couple of caveats. First, it’s not designed as a dedicated edger. You can tilt the head to do a passable vertical edge in a pinch, but there’s no rotating head or guide wheel. Second, while .080 line is a good match for runtime and cut speed, it won’t love woody stems or invasive vine bases. If you routinely tackle heavy brush, you’ll want a more robust trimmer or a thicker-line-capable head.

Blower performance

The blower is rated up to 450 CFM, with a top airspeed of 125 MPH when using the included concentrator nozzle. In practice, it excels on hard surfaces—driveways, patios, garage floors—where volume and focused air speed move dust, sand, grass clippings, and dry leaves efficiently. The speed lock lets you set a steady blast and adjust your aim without finessing the trigger constantly, which reduces hand fatigue.

On turf, it’s solid for light-to-moderate leaf scatter, but this isn’t a heavy-leaf-season mover. Damp oak leaves matted in grass require patience and shorter passes, especially if you stick with the concentrator (which ups airspeed but narrows the plume). If you need to strip a yard of thick, wet leaves weekly, you’re shopping in a higher-voltage class. For everyday cleanup, it’s exactly the kind of tool you’ll grab far more often because it’s so easy to deploy.

Noise is a sharp, high-pitched whine at full tilt. I wore ear protection for sustained use and recommend you do the same.

Ergonomics and handling

Both tools are reasonably lightweight, and balance improves when the battery is inserted. The trimmer’s straight shaft gives good reach under shrubs. On slopes or long sessions, I missed having a shoulder strap; there isn’t one in the box. Vibration is well controlled. Trigger modulation on the blower feels natural, and the speed lock is genuinely useful for long driveway and sidewalk runs.

The folding hinge on the trimmer is a storage win and a transport win. Carrying the trimmer folded makes getting through doors and tight garage aisles simpler. The tradeoff, again, is a hint of flex at the joint compared with a fixed-shaft pro trimmer. It never compromised cut quality in my use.

Battery life and charging

With the bundled 4.0 Ah pack, here’s what I experienced:

• Blower: roughly 10–15 minutes at full power, 20+ minutes at a reduced, practical working speed for hard surfaces.
• Trimmer: about 20–25 minutes of mixed trimming (start-stop, not full trigger the whole time).

That’s plenty for quick touch-ups, small lots, and after-mow cleanup, but it’s tight for larger properties if you want to use both tools in one go. The charger is modest in speed; plan on about an hour for a 4.0 Ah pack. If you’re already in the 20V MAX platform, bring a second battery. If you’re new, I’d budget for at least one more battery, ideally a 5.0 Ah or 6.0 Ah, to run both tools comfortably without waiting.

Storage and portability

This kit’s strongest lifestyle feature is how little space it demands. The trimmer folds short enough to hang under a shelf or sit in a compact corner of a shed. The blower nests practically anywhere. If storage is at a premium—or you haul tools in a trunk or SUV—this folding design is a real advantage.

Platform and warranty

Compatibility with DeWalt’s 20V MAX ecosystem is a big part of the value proposition. If you own other 20V tools, you can swap packs and keep working. The kit carries a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which is competitive for this category.

What could be better

• More battery out of the box: One 4.0 Ah pack for two tools is a bottleneck. A second battery would transform the experience.
• Not a heavy-leaf blower: It’s tuned for everyday cleanup. Fall marathons with wet leaf mats will test your patience.
• Edging and accessories: The trimmer lacks a rotating head or a simple edging mode, and there’s no strap included.
• Hinge feel: The folding joint is incredibly useful, but a touch more rigidity would elevate the premium feel.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with small-to-medium yards who prioritize convenience, quick deployments, and compact storage.
• Anyone already invested in DeWalt’s 20V MAX batteries.
• Users who mainly need: trimming grass and light weeds, cleaning clippings off hard surfaces, clearing dust and leaves from garages, patios, steps, and walkways.

Who should look elsewhere: If your yard drops multiple inches of wet leaves in the fall, or you routinely cut woody growth, you’ll want either higher-voltage outdoor tools or gas equivalents, plus edging-specific gear if a crisp vertical edge is important to you.

Tips for best results

• Stick to 0.080-inch line for good balance of cut and runtime, and keep a spare pre-cut length ready to reload.
• Use the concentrator nozzle for stuck debris in seams and corners; remove it for broader leaf sweeping.
• Pulse the trimmer throttle around delicate beds to avoid overcutting and to stretch runtime.
• Wear hearing protection with the blower at high power and eye protection with both tools.
• If yard size demands it, add a 5.0–6.0 Ah battery; run time improves noticeably without a big weight penalty.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 20V trimmer/blower combo for homeowners who want a compact, low-hassle setup for routine yard maintenance and already use (or plan to use) the 20V MAX battery platform. The trimmer is genuinely capable for grass and typical weeds, the blower is excellent for hard-surface cleanup, and the folding trimmer design is a meaningful storage advantage. The tradeoffs—limited runtime on a single 4.0 Ah pack, a blower that’s not intended for heavy leaf removal, and no dedicated edging mode—are easy to live with if your needs align with light-to-moderate tasks. Add a second battery, and this kit becomes a practical, grab-and-go solution for most weekly yard work.