Black & Decker 20V MAX Lithium EASYFEED string trimmer/edger (12-inch)

Why I reached for this Black & Decker 20V trimmer

I put this 20V Black & Decker trimmer through several weeks of regular yard work—weekly lawn edges, fence lines, garden beds, and a couple of overgrown corners I’d been ignoring. It’s aimed squarely at homeowners who want a lightweight, uncomplicated trimmer that can also tidy up edges without hauling out a second tool. After a handful of battery cycles, edging passes, and line changes, I have a solid feel for where it shines and where it asks for patience.

Setup and ergonomics

Out of the box, assembly was straightforward: attach the guard, click in the auxiliary handle, and set the shaft height. The straight shaft telescopes enough to find a comfortable working stance, and the textured auxiliary handle lets you fine-tune balance. At 8.8 pounds with a battery, it feels light for a cordless trimmer, and the weight distribution sits close to your hands. That translates to less forearm fatigue than I typically get with longer, nose-heavy designs.

The controls are simple: variable trigger, a two-speed rocker, and a push-button line feed. The feed button is large and easy to hit with your thumb; the two-speed setting is an honest feature—not just marketing. Low keeps noise down and stretches runtime for grass and light trimming, while high gives you the extra bite needed for thicker patches.

Build quality is typical of Black & Decker’s 20V line: durable enough for homeowner use, with plastic housings and a metal shaft. Nothing feels flimsy, but it’s still a consumer-grade tool. Treat it like that and it holds up; abuse it like a brushcutter and you’ll find its limits.

Performance and cutting

With a 12-inch cutting swath, this trimmer favors precision and control over raw acreage speed. That’s a good match for clean-up around beds and fences, but it does mean a few more passes in larger areas. In low speed, it neatly trims regular lawn grass without shredding tender plants nearby. In high, the POWERDRIVE transmission provides enough torque to cut through thicker, knee-high grass and light weeds without bogging. It’s not a 40V+ brushless bruiser, so woody stems and dense thickets will take patience—or a different tool—but for typical suburban growth, it’s confidently competent.

Noise and vibration are pleasantly low. It’s much quieter than a gas trimmer, and the straight shaft plus balance keep vibration from creeping into your elbows. After a full battery, I wasn’t buzzing, which isn’t always the case with budget cordless trimmers.

Line management: EASYFEED works

The push-button EASYFEED line advance is the standout convenience. I didn’t miss bump-feeding one bit. Press once, the spool feeds, and you’re back to cutting. It cuts down on stoppages and the temptation to thump the head on the ground—good for both the tool and your tempo. Line feed was consistent, and I didn’t encounter tangles or nests during my tests.

Line wear depends on what you’re hitting: edging along concrete and chewing up chain-link fence nubs will go through line faster, as expected. The included spool is easy to replace; you can re-wind bulk 0.065-inch line yourself if you want to save on consumables. The guard’s built-in cutter kept the line at a proper length without leaving ragged ends.

Edger mode: surprisingly effective

Converting to a wheeled edger is quick: rotate the head and roll along the edge. The guide wheel stabilizes the cut and lets you keep a steady line down sidewalks and driveways. On established edges, it leaves a crisp finish in a single pass. If you’ve got a season of overgrowth creeping over the concrete, plan for two or three slower passes to avoid overloading the motor. Depth is fine for lawn edges; it won’t trench like a dedicated blade edger, but it cleans up a yard nicely without a second tool.

Battery and charging

Two 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries are included (1.5 Ah each), and only one battery is needed to run the tool. That’s a smart bundle—swap and keep working. In my yard, I averaged roughly 20 to 25 minutes per pack on high and closer to 35 minutes on low, trimming and edging mixed. Your time will vary with grass thickness and speed selection. With both batteries, I could reliably finish a full weekly trim and edge on a medium lawn.

The wall-mountable charger is the bottleneck. It’s a slow unit that takes several hours to top off a depleted pack. If you trim frequently or want back-to-back sessions, plan your charging schedule or consider adding a faster charger from the same platform. For most weekly maintenance, having two batteries offsets the slow charge well enough.

Compatibility with Black & Decker’s 20V MAX system is a plus if you already own other tools; the pack interchangeability adds flexibility and value.

Comfort and control

The adjustable shaft height and auxiliary handle let me dial in a neutral wrist angle, and the straight shaft makes it easy to reach into tight corners. The trigger pull is light, and the variable response is predictable. The texturing on the handle helps when your hands get sweaty, and the guard gives decent debris control without blocking visibility. It’s a comfortable tool to use for a full battery cycle.

One small note: all the action—trigger, speed switch, feed button—happens at the handle. They worked smoothly during my testing, but as with any electric trimmer, those controls are wear items. Keep the handle clean, don’t mash the buttons, and you’ll minimize issues over time.

Maintenance and durability

Basic upkeep is minimal: keep the head clean, check the guard screws, replace line as needed, and store batteries out of the sun. The 2-year limited warranty is standard for this class and adds a little peace of mind. The head and wheel took normal scuffs without loosening; the spool cap clicked in securely and didn’t pop off in use.

This is not a heavy-brush tool, and if you routinely attack woody stems or thick field grass, you’ll push it past its sweet spot. Used for lawn care and regular trimming, it feels appropriately durable.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners maintaining small to mid-size lawns who want a combined trimmer and edger.
• Anyone done with bump-feed heads who wants simple, push-button line advance.
• Users already on Black & Decker’s 20V MAX platform who value battery interchangeability.
• People prioritizing light weight and low noise over maximum cutting width and raw power.

Who should look elsewhere: if you need to clear heavy, woody growth or want to cover large areas quickly, a higher-voltage, brushless trimmer with a wider swath will save time. If rapid turnaround matters, budget for a faster charger or a higher-capacity battery.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Lightweight, well-balanced, and comfortable for extended use
- EASYFEED push-button line advance is reliable and frustration-free
- Converts to a wheeled edger for clean, consistent edges
- Two-speed control meaningfully balances power and runtime
- Includes two batteries; compatible with the 20V MAX system
- Low noise and vibration

Cons:
- Slow included charger; plan charging around your schedule
- 12-inch swath is efficient for detail work but slower on big areas
- Not intended for woody brush or heavy overgrowth
- Consumer-grade controls warrant a gentle touch over the long term

Recommendation

I recommend this Black & Decker 20V trimmer for homeowners who want an easy-to-use, comfortable trimmer/edger combo for regular lawn care. It’s at its best in weekly maintenance: trimming grass, cleaning fence lines, and producing neat sidewalk edges without fuss. The push-button line feed, two-speed control, and light weight make it approachable for new users and satisfying for experienced ones. The included pair of batteries offsets the slow charger enough for most routines. If your yard demands heavier-duty cutting or you want a faster charge cycle, consider stepping up to a higher-voltage model or adding a quicker charger. For typical suburban yards, though, this tool hits a practical sweet spot of convenience, capability, and price.