Black & Decker 20V MAX String Trimmer / Edger, 10-inch

I picked up the LST201 at the start of the season to handle weekly touch-ups around a small suburban yard. After a couple months of mowing days and quick evening cleanups, I’ve got a clear sense of where this compact cordless trimmer shines—and where it doesn’t.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, assembly is straightforward: snap on the guard, click in the handle, and charge the 20V battery. The included charger is a simple wall-mountable base, and a full charge from empty takes about an hour. The first thing I noticed is the weight. With the battery installed it’s still light enough to carry one-handed between spots—about six pounds by feel—which makes it accessible for just about anyone.

The shaft and front handle are adjustable, and the head rotates so you can flip from trimming to edging in seconds. Nothing about the setup feels intimidating. It’s approachable, even if this is your first cordless trimmer.

Power and cutting performance

This is a light-duty trimmer with a narrow, 10-inch cutting swath. That smaller diameter is a double-edged sword: you make more passes in open areas, but you get better control around delicate landscaping and fences. In typical lawn grass along beds, posts, and the fence line, it cuts cleanly and neatly if you keep a steady pace.

Push it into taller, thicker or wet weeds and you’ll quickly find its limit. It’ll complete the cut, but it bogs if you try to force it. I found that two lighter passes—first to knock down height, then to clean up—work better than trying to muscle through in one go. This isn’t the machine for overgrown lots or dense invasive stalks; it’s at its best as a precision tool after the mower has done the bulk of the work.

Edging mode

The rotate-to-edge function is simple and genuinely useful. Flip the head vertical and you can define a clean line along sidewalks and driveway edges. There’s no guide wheel, so you’re freehanding it, but the light weight and decent balance help. With a little practice, I was able to maintain a consistent, tidy edge. For crisp lines on new edges or neglected borders, it’ll take more patience than a more powerful dedicated edger, but for weekly maintenance it does the job.

Automatic line feed (AFS)

The automatic feed spool is the standout convenience feature. No bumping, no fiddling in the middle of a pass—the line advances as needed. Most of the time it’s spot-on; I didn’t notice sudden stubs or uneven cuts. As with many auto-feed systems, hard edging against concrete can trigger slightly more frequent advances, which burns through line faster. Keeping a spare pre-wound spool on hand is a smart move if you edge often. Swapping spools is tool-free and takes under a minute.

Ergonomics and usability

• Balance and feel: With the battery in place, the tool feels balanced and nimble. It’s easy to angle into tight spaces without wrist strain.
• Adjustability: The sliding shaft and pivoting head help dial in a comfortable stance. I’m average height, and I could get the handle where I wanted it. Very tall users may still wish for a bit more length.
• Vibration and noise: Vibration is low; you can run a full session without tingling fingers. Noise is a high-pitched whir—far quieter than gas, and neighbor-friendly.
• Controls: The trigger is predictable, with enough finesse to feather power through delicate areas.

The overall build is light and mostly plastic, which keeps weight down. Treated as a homeowner tool—not a brush cutter—it feels appropriately sturdy.

Battery life and charging

The included 20V lithium-ion pack is a 1.5 Ah battery. In real use, I consistently saw about 20–25 minutes of trimming heavy grass, and closer to 30 minutes when I was just tidying edges and around obstacles. If you’re trimming after every mow on a modest yard, that’s enough to finish in a single session. If you’re reclaiming overgrowth, it won’t be.

The good news: recharge time lands around an hour, and the battery fits other tools in the same 20V MAX family. The flip side is compatibility is brand-bound—you’ll want additional Black+Decker 20V packs if you need more runtime. A higher-capacity pack (2.0–3.0 Ah) meaningfully extends runtime at the cost of a few extra ounces.

Maintenance

There’s not much to do beyond keeping the guard clear and swapping spools. The line feed mechanism has been reliable so far. If you store it neatly (the wall charger helps), the tool is grab-and-go every time. I appreciate that there’s no bump head to wear out and no carburetor or fuel issues to fuss with.

What it does well

• Lightweight and easy to handle, even for long sessions
• Quick switch between trimming and edging
• Automatic line feed that mostly just works
• Quiet operation and low vibration
• Includes battery and charger; an accessible way into a cordless system
• Compact 10-inch swath for precise control around beds and fences

Where it comes up short

• Limited power for thick weeds and tall, wet grass
• Narrow cut path means more passes in open areas
• Edging without a guide wheel takes a steady hand
• The included 1.5 Ah battery caps runtime at around 20–30 minutes
• Brand-specific battery ecosystem, as expected in this class

Best use cases

• Small to medium urban or suburban yards that are mowed regularly
• Weekly touch-ups around beds, play equipment, AC units, and along fences
• Maintaining sidewalk and driveway edges after you’ve already established a clean line
• Users who value light weight and simplicity over brute force

If your yard tends to get overgrown between cuts, or you often face thick, woody weeds, you’ll likely be happier stepping up to a higher-voltage trimmer with a wider cutting swath.

Value

At around $99 with battery and charger, the package is competitively priced. The two-year limited warranty is standard for a homeowner-oriented tool. Given the performance, you’re paying for convenience and ease of use rather than raw power—and that’s a fair trade for many homeowners. If you already own other 20V MAX tools, it’s also a practical way to share batteries across tasks.

Tips for better results

• Take two light passes on tough patches instead of forcing one heavy cut.
• Edge with a slight forward roll so the line doesn’t slap the pavement—this helps preserve line.
• Keep a spare spool ready if you edge often.
• Consider a higher-capacity battery if your trimming routinely runs past 20 minutes.
• Trim after mowing; the mower handles bulk, the trimmer handles detail.

Recommendation

I recommend the LST201 for homeowners with small to modest yards who want a light, simple trimmer that’s easy to grab and use without fuss. It’s comfortable, genuinely convenient with its auto-feed and quick edging, and quiet enough for evening cleanups. If your expectations are aligned—routine maintenance rather than tackling overgrowth—it’s a solid, affordable choice.

I don’t recommend it if you regularly confront thick, tall weeds, or if you want a single tool to reclaim neglected areas. In those scenarios, you’ll outgrow the power, the 10-inch swath will feel slow, and the 1.5 Ah battery won’t last long enough. For light-duty trimming and edging, though, this compact cordless trimmer hits the mark.