Black & Decker 20V MAX Lithium EASYFEED String Trimmer/Edger

Why I reached for a cordless trimmer—and how this one stacked up

I put the Black+Decker 20V trimmer/edger to work over several weekends of routine yard care: cleaning up fence lines, trimming around beds and trees, and edging along a long driveway and patio. I wanted something lighter and simpler than a gas unit, but still capable of keeping up with seasonal growth. This model offers a push-button line advance, a two-speed switch, and a quick conversion to a wheeled edger—on paper, a compelling mix for a homeowner setup. In practice, it delivered most of what I hoped for, with a few caveats you’ll want to consider.

Setup, fit, and comfort

Out of the box, assembly is quick. The guard snaps on, the auxiliary handle clamps into place, and the single 20V MAX lithium-ion battery seats with a firm click. The shaft height adjusts to suit different users, and the soft, padded grip takes the sting out of longer sessions. At 7.6 pounds, it’s manageable for most people, and the balance is decent once the battery is in. I appreciated the adjustable handle angle; it let me get the cutting head exactly where I wanted it without craning my wrist.

A small ergonomic detail I liked: the trigger and safety interlock are easy to operate with one hand, so starting and stopping around obstacles never felt fiddly. The switchgear is plastic, but the feel is positive and not overly mushy.

Power and cutting performance

The two-speed control makes a noticeable difference. In low, the tool sips power and hums along for routine trimming—grass around the mailbox, along a fence, and around landscaping stones. In high, the motor and PowerDrive transmission put more torque to the line and keep the head from bogging in thicker patches or slightly damp grass. I wouldn’t reach for it to knock down knee-high brush, but for typical residential growth, high gear has the bite you want.

Cut quality is clean when the line is fresh, and the motor spins up quickly. I ran it along chain-link fencing, around wooden posts, and against concrete edging without the motor stalling. Like most consumer trimmers using light line, you’ll get the best results by skimming rather than ramming the head into tough stalks. If you’re patient with your pace, the tool rewards you with even cuts and fewer line breaks.

Noise is vastly lower than a gas trimmer—enough to hold a conversation when idling and not wake the neighborhood on a Saturday morning. There’s some high-pitched whir typical of line trimmers, but vibration is modest and the soft-grip handle helps.

Edging mode with the guide wheel

Converting to an edger is as simple as rotating the head and engaging the small guide wheel. The wheel does more than keep you on a straight path; it stabilizes the tool so you can run a consistent depth along sidewalks and driveway edges. In my yard, that meant tidy lines without having to fight the tool’s angle or scrape the guard. It’s not a powered blade edger—this is still a string doing the work—so you’ll get best results maintaining an already defined edge. For overgrown edges with encroached turf, plan a couple of passes in high speed or a preliminary trim first.

EASYFEED: push-button line advance done right

The standout feature here is the EASYFEED. Instead of bumping the head, you tap a button on the handle to advance line. In use, it’s simple and reliable: one press feeds just enough line to keep the cut width up without wasting spool. I didn’t miss the old bump-feed routine at all, especially when working along gravel or pavers where bumping can be awkward.

Line wear was reasonable. Trimming against rough concrete will chew line on any trimmer, but the feed mechanism kept pace and I didn’t experience tangles or bird’s nests in the spool. Swapping spools is straightforward when the time comes.

Battery, runtime, and charging

This kit includes a single 2.5Ah 20V MAX battery and a plug-in charger. On low speed I consistently finished front and back yard touch-ups on a single charge. On high, runtime drops as expected; I averaged roughly a half hour of steady cutting before the battery asked for a break. If your property demands a lot of edging or thick trimming on high, plan on either pacing the work or having a second battery on hand.

Charging is uncomplicated—plug the charger into the battery and let it top up. It’s not a fast charger, so think in terms of hours, not minutes, to recover a depleted pack. The advantage is simplicity and lower heat; the downside is you won’t quickly bounce back mid-session. If you already own other 20V MAX Black+Decker tools, the cross-compatibility is a big convenience.

Handling and control

The adjustable shaft length matters more than you might think. With the head set at a comfortable distance, I could keep the guard just off the ground and maintain a consistent cut height without stooping. The tool’s weight bias is slightly toward the rear with the battery installed, which helps keep the nose light for edging and reduces wrist fatigue. The guard is effective at deflecting debris; I still recommend eye protection, but I wasn’t peppered with clippings.

Two-speed control is a genuine benefit for control, not just battery life. Low speed reduces the tendency to scuff delicate mulch edges or fling stones, while high speed tightens up the cut in dense grass. That flexibility helped me work closer to garden beds without chewing up borders.

Durability, maintenance, and warranty

There’s not much maintenance to speak of beyond keeping the guard clear and checking line. The motor housing and shaft feel solid for a homeowner-grade tool. The feed button and trigger are the components I scrutinized the most; after multiple sessions, both remained responsive. Long term, I’d treat them with a bit of care—avoid dropping the tool on the handle, store it indoors, and don’t hose down the head.

Black+Decker backs the tool with a two-year limited warranty. That’s standard for this class and gives some peace of mind, especially for the electronics around the feed system and trigger. As with any battery tool, store the pack at moderate charge and temperature for best longevity.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

• Best for: Small to mid-sized suburban yards, routine weekly trimming, and homeowners who value light weight, low noise, and easy edging.
• Less ideal for: Heavy brush, large properties where long high-speed runtime is mandatory, or users who need the bite of thicker line and pro-duty heads.

The bottom line

The Black+Decker 20V trimmer/edger checks a lot of practical boxes. It’s light, quiet, and easy to handle. The push-button EASYFEED is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade over bump systems, and the two-speed control plus PowerDrive transmission give you useful range—from gentle trimming to confident cutting in thicker grass. The wheeled edging mode turns a chore into a clean, straight pass along hardscapes with minimal fuss.

The trade-offs are predictable for the category: runtime on high isn’t endless with a single 2.5Ah battery, the included charger is leisurely, and while the build is solid for homeowner use, it’s not designed for abuse. None of those were dealbreakers in my yard. With an extra battery, this setup comfortably covers a typical property and leaves you with tidy edges and minimal cleanup.

Recommendation: I recommend this trimmer for homeowners who want an easy-to-use, low-maintenance tool for regular yard care, especially if you appreciate the convenience of button-advance line and a wheeled edger. If you have extensive trimming in tough growth or demand long, continuous high-power runtime, plan on a second battery or consider a higher-voltage system. For most residential needs, this 20V unit is a smart, friendly workhorse.