Black & Decker Electric Lawn Mower, String Trimmer, Edger, 3-In-1, Corded

A compact mower that thinks like a trimmer

I rolled this little orange-and-black hybrid onto a patch of overgrown grass fully expecting a compromise. It is a trimmer on a wheeled deck, after all. A few passes in, I realized the compromise is exactly the point. The Black & Decker 3‑in‑1 corded mower is built for small yards, slopes, and tight spaces where a full-size mower is awkward and overkill. Used that way, it’s surprisingly capable—and even a bit fun.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly is straightforward: snap the string trimmer into the mower deck, attach the handle, and thread your extension cord through the retention clip. I had it ready in minutes. At 13.9 pounds, it’s light enough to carry with one hand and park in a closet. The deck is narrow—12 inches—and the stance is compact. The trimmer rotates to become a wheeled edger when you pop it off the deck, and the conversion is quick once you’ve done it a couple of times.

The overall build is what I’d call practical plastic. Nothing feels premium, but nothing feels flimsy either, as long as you treat it like the lightweight it is.

Mowing performance

Pushing this tool feels more like vacuuming than mowing. The narrow deck excels at weaving around bed edges, playsets, and along narrow side yards. On a gentle slope behind my shed, I could guide the machine with one hand and keep steady footing, something I can’t say about heavier mowers.

Cut quality is acceptable but not manicured. The 12-inch path means more passes, and the deck rides lower than a typical mower. The listed cutting height is around 1.6 inches; think “short” by suburban lawn standards. There’s limited height adjustment, so if you prefer a taller cut—especially for cool-season grasses—you’ll need to mow more frequently to avoid scalping. I found two tricks that help:
- Take overlapping passes to catch stragglers.
- Slow down in thicker patches to give the 6.5-amp motor time to work.

On that note, the POWERDRIVE transmission and motor are well-matched to the job. It isn’t going to bulldoze through knee-high crabgrass, but it handled a week-and-a-half of growth without bogging down in my small yard. Wet grass is another story; the deck clumps and the string struggles. Plan to mow dry.

One thing to watch: if you lift the handle to pivot sharply, you can torque the head enough to unlatch the deck. It never happened when I kept the machine rolling and turned with short, controlled arcs. Listen for the latch “click” when mounting the trimmer to the deck, and avoid lifting the tool by the motor housing when repositioning.

Trimming and edging

This is where the platform shines. Pop the trimmer off the deck and you’re holding a familiar, lightweight string trimmer for around posts, walls, and raised beds. Because you’re already on a cord and on site, you can bounce between mowing and trimming without switching tools or batteries. For small yards, that continuity saves time.

Rotate the head and it becomes a wheeled edger. The guide wheel does a good job stabilizing the cut along sidewalks and garden borders, and the 12-inch reach gets into corners larger mowers miss. It’s slower than a dedicated edger, but it’s clean and consistent if you keep the string fresh and your pace steady.

The Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) is truly hands-off most of the time. The line advances as needed, which keeps the cut width consistent. Expect to go through .065-inch line faster than a thicker trimmer—this is a lightweight system, and the line is part of why it feels so manageable. Keep at least one spare AF‑100 spool on hand, and avoid thicker line that can overload the feed system. If you notice the line advancing too often, check for debris around the spool and keep the guard clear.

Ergonomics and handling

The adjustable handle helps dial in a comfortable stance, and the tool’s balance is thoughtful. In mower mode, you guide it with light wrists; in trimmer and edger modes, the weight is centered enough that longer sessions don’t fatigue your forearms.

Corded tools live or die by cord management. The retention clip keeps the plug from popping out, and the motor’s placement keeps the cord running over your shoulder rather than dragging in front of the deck. I had the best results working away from the outlet in a “S”-shaped pattern, sweeping the cord behind me. Plan on a 14‑gauge, 100‑foot outdoor-rated extension cord for most small lots; the tool doesn’t include one.

Noise is lower than any gas mower I own and more in line with a household vacuum. You’ll want ear and eye protection, but your neighbors won’t be texting you at 8 a.m.

Power, cut quality, and limitations

• Power: The 6.5‑amp motor is appropriate for its 12-inch job. It thrives on light, regular maintenance cuts and sputters only when I ask it to chew wet, tall clumps.
• Cut: Short and tidy with occasional stragglers. Expect to make an extra pass around uneven areas.
• Speed: Because of the narrow deck, plan on more time for open areas. In tight spaces, it’s actually faster than wrestling a full-size mower.
• Slope: The light weight makes slopes less stressful, though I still wore cleats for traction and worked laterally.

Maintenance and reliability

There’s no gas, oil, or pull-cords to fuss over. Keep the deck clean, blow out the guard vents, and inspect the spool and line before each use. The AFS mechanism prefers clean, properly wound spools; cross-wrapped line can cause intermittent feeding.

The detachable deck is the one potential weak point. Treat the latch like a precision part: clear debris, seat it firmly, and avoid prying torque on the handle. I didn’t have any lasting issues once I adjusted my turning habits and lifted only by the deck when I needed to reposition.

Black & Decker backs the tool with a 2‑year limited warranty, which is appropriate for this class.

Safety notes

It’s easy to forget this is a fast-spinning string, not a reel. Gloves, eye protection, and closed-toe shoes are non-negotiable. In mower mode, keep your legs clear when changing direction; the compact footprint encourages sharp turns, but you still need the same awareness you would with a trimmer. Unplug before swapping spools or clearing the deck.

Who it’s for

• Small, intricate lawns, courtyards, and townhome lots.
• Sloped patches where a heavy mower is unwieldy.
• Renters or anyone with minimal storage.
• Users who value switching between mowing, trimming, and edging without juggling multiple tools.

Who it’s not for:
- Medium to large lawns where a 12-inch deck will test your patience.
- Anyone who wants a taller cut height and manicured, single-pass finish.
- Overgrown, neglected properties—this is a maintenance tool, not a brush cutter.

What could be better

• A higher maximum cutting height would help summer heat stress and reduce scalping on uneven lawns.
• The deck latch could use a more positive lock or secondary catch to prevent accidental release during aggressive pivots.
• Including guidance on cord gauge and length in the box would help new users choose the right extension cord.

The bottom line

Used in the environment it’s built for, the Black & Decker 3‑in‑1 corded mower is a practical, flexible solution. It replaces three tools for small yards, keeps weight and storage to a minimum, and makes quick work of edges and tight corners. You accept a narrower cut, a shorter mow height, and the realities of a cord. In return, you get an easy, low-maintenance setup that’s ready whenever your grass is dry and your outlet is handy.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for small, complex yards and for users who want an all-in-one mower/trimmer/edger without the cost, storage, and upkeep of separate machines. If your lawn is larger or you prefer a taller, single-pass cut, step up to a wider-deck mower and keep a separate trimmer for detail work.