Black & Decker 20V MAX Lithium 10 In. String Trimmer/Edger and Hard Surface Sweeper Combo Kit

Why I reached for this 20V combo

I spent a few weekends putting this 20V trimmer/sweeper combo to work around a modest suburban lot—front walk, driveway, patio, and about 100 feet of fence line. I wanted something light, quiet, and simple for weekly touch-ups without dragging a cord or firing up gas. On those fronts, this kit fits the brief: the trimmer weighs about 4.5 lb, the sweeper 3.7 lb, and both are genuinely easy to live with.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly is minimal. The guard clicks onto the trimmer, the auxiliary handle adjusts without tools, and the blower tube slides onto the sweeper. The wall-mountable charging base is compact and topped off the included 20V Max 1.5 Ah batteries in right around an hour in my testing. The tools feel decidedly lightweight—more plastic than metal—which keeps fatigue low but also signals that they’re intended for light-duty tasks.

This kit includes two batteries, which matters with 1.5 Ah packs. I labeled mine and rotated them during sessions.

Trimmer performance

For routine grass trimming, the trimmer is straightforward. It runs at a rated 7,200 RPM with a 10-inch cutting swath. That narrower head makes it easy to thread around landscaping and fence posts without scarring them. Cutting performance in normal turf and thinner weeds is fine; it’s not fast, but it’s consistent. In thicker, stalky growth, you’ll feel the motor bog and end up “whipping” rather than cleanly slicing. That’s expected for a 20V, 10-inch trimmer and is the point where a higher-voltage or corded model makes more sense.

The Automatic Feed Spool does what it promises: no bumping. Each time the tool spins up or the line shortens, it advances just enough line. Over several sessions, I only had one instance of overfeed, which I fixed with a quick trim using the built-in cutter on the guard. As with any AFS trimmer, keep a spare spool on hand; automatic systems tend to consume line a bit faster than manual bump heads, especially if you power-cycle frequently.

Runtime with the 1.5 Ah pack landed around 12–18 minutes per battery in a typical mix of lawn edges and around obstacles. If you’re strolling and trimming as you go, expect closer to 15 minutes. That’s enough to tidy a small yard, but not enough for long fence lines or lots of overgrowth in one shot.

Edging with the wheel

Converting to a wheeled edger is quick—rotate the head, drop it onto the guide wheel, and walk your line. On sidewalks and driveways that get maintained regularly, I could carve a clean edge at a comfortable walking pace. If you’re reclaiming an overgrown edge with encroached turf, you’ll need patience. The motor has enough power for maintenance edging, not renovation-level cuts. Once the edge is established, the wheel makes it easy to stay straight and avoid scalping.

Sweeper performance

The sweeper is purpose-built for hard surfaces, and that’s the right mental model. It’s a “debris broom,” not a leaf blower. On dry sidewalks and a composite deck, it cleared grass clippings, dry leaves, and pollen quickly. On heavier or damp clumps—like wet grass stuck to concrete—it struggled, and I had to slow down and move closer or switch to a broom. It’s pleasantly quiet for its class and light enough to use one-handed without forearm fatigue.

My best results came from short, frequent cleanups: 5–10 minutes post-mow, quick porch tidy, garage threshold. Runtime mirrored the trimmer—roughly 10–15 minutes per 1.5 Ah battery at full speed.

Ergonomics and noise

Adjustability is excellent for a budget kit. The trimmer shaft length and auxiliary handle angle are tool-free to set. I’m 5'11" and found a comfortable stance with the head tilted to keep the guard close to the ground while keeping my back straight. The balance on both tools is neutral enough that I never felt wrist strain, even near the end of a battery.

Noise is notably lower than gas and many higher-voltage cordless tools. I still wore ear protection, but it’s the kind of quiet that won’t raise eyebrows with neighbors on a Sunday morning.

Batteries, charging, and the 20V Max ecosystem

Each 1.5 Ah battery is 30 Wh (nominal 18V, 20V Max off the charger). In practice, you’re trading power and time for weight—these packs are very light, which contributes to the comfortable feel of the tools. The included charger took about an hour per pack to reach a steady green in my tests, which lines up with the spec. With two batteries, I could trim first, swap packs, then sweep, and often have just enough left to touch up missed spots.

If your property or routine demands longer sessions, the best upgrade is capacity. The tools accept other 20V Max packs from the same platform; a 2.0–3.0 Ah battery extends runtime significantly and reduces the stop-and-charge dance. The flip side is that bigger packs add weight at the rear—still manageable here, but noticeable.

A quick tip: test both batteries when you unbox. The charger’s status light will tell you if a pack isn’t taking a charge. It’s worth verifying early so you can swap anything that’s not behaving.

Maintenance and durability

Ongoing maintenance is simple:

• Keep the guard clean so the line cutter trims properly.
• Don’t ride the AFS; avoid unnecessary on/off cycles to conserve line.
• Store batteries at room temperature and off the tool.
• Snap the blower tube fully until it locks to avoid leaks at the joint.

Fit and finish are in line with the price. The tools are light and use a lot of plastic, so I wouldn’t toss them into the back of a truck bare. Treated as homeowner tools—hung on hooks, not abused—they should be fine. The 2‑year limited warranty provides a reasonable safety net.

Where this kit shines—and where it doesn’t

Buy this combo if:
- You have a small yard, townhome, or patio to maintain.
- You value low weight and low noise over raw power.
- You want a simple, bump-free trimmer with easy edging for maintained lines.
- You already own or plan to grow into the 20V Max battery system.

Skip it (or plan upgrades) if:
- You regularly tackle tall, thick weeds or overgrown edges.
- You need to clear wet, heavy debris from hard surfaces.
- You want to finish a larger corner lot on a single charge.
- You’d be frustrated by ~15-minute runtimes per 1.5 Ah pack.

The bottom line

This 20V trimmer/sweeper combo is a light, approachable way to handle weekly yard touch-ups. The trimmer’s automatic feed and wheeled edging make neat work of regular maintenance, and the sweeper keeps hard surfaces presentable without much noise or effort. The trade-offs are predictable for the class: shorter runtimes from 1.5 Ah batteries, a modest 10-inch cut path, and limited grunt in heavier growth or wet debris.

I recommend this kit for small properties and regular maintenance, especially if low weight and ease of use are top priorities. If you’re managing a larger yard or want more headroom for tough tasks, pair the kit with higher-capacity 20V Max batteries—or step up to a more powerful system.