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

Why this 20V trimmer earned a spot in my shed

The first thing I noticed after snapping the battery into this Black+Decker 20V trimmer was how approachable it felt. At 8 pounds, it’s light enough to sling around a small yard without fatigue, and the balance is surprisingly good for an entry-level cordless trimmer. For routine grass trimming and weekly edges along sidewalks and beds, it’s a straightforward, low‑stress tool that does what it promises.

Setup and first use

Assembly is quick. The shaft adjusts easily for height, the auxiliary handle tightens securely, and the head pivots so you can switch from trimming to wheeled edging in seconds. I appreciated the soft, textured grip—it’s not a gimmick; it helps when your hands get sweaty in summer heat.

The included 20V MAX 2.0Ah battery and wall‑mountable charger get you going out of the box. The charger is the slower “park it and forget it” style rather than a rapid charger, so I mounted it on a screw in the garage and treat it like an overnight charge solution.

Power and the two‑speed control

The two‑speed switch is the secret to making this trimmer work well across different yard conditions:

• Low speed is ideal for weekly maintenance, fence lines, and light grass. It’s quiet, battery‑friendly, and still tidy.
• High speed brings noticeably more string torque. It’s the mode I use for overgrown patches, thicker turf varieties, and along gravel edges where the string catches more resistance.

I wouldn’t call the high setting “brutish,” but the PowerDrive transmission does a decent job of keeping the string from bogging down in tougher grass. It’s not a substitute for a gas unit or a heavier 40V/60V platform if you’re tackling woody weeds or a severely neglected yard, but for normal suburban lawn duty, it has enough muscle to be satisfying.

EASYFEED line advance that actually works

The push‑button EASYFEED is the feature I used the most—and it works. A quick press advances line without the old bump‑to‑feed dance. In practice, I hit the button once after each battery swap and occasionally when I hear the motor speed spike (a sign the line’s too short). Because the feed is consistent, the cut stays cleaner, and I spent less time stopping to “fix” the spool.

Spool changes are straightforward. You can buy prewound spools or rewind your own; the head opens without drama, and the path is clearly marked. Keep an extra spool on hand if you have a lot of concrete edging—abrasive surfaces eat line faster.

Trimming performance

In trimming mode, the head angle and guard size keep clippings contained reasonably well. The cut path is well suited to:

• Along fences, sheds, and swing sets
• Around trees and shrubs
• Under benches and along garden borders

The motor is brushed, so there’s a typical electric whine at high speed, but vibration is low and hand fatigue is minimal thanks to the grip and balance. I liked the control I had around landscaping; it’s easy to feather the trigger for delicate areas without scalping the lawn.

Edging with the guide wheel

Flip the head, and you’ve got a wheeled edger. The wheel is more than decorative—I used it as a reference to keep a consistent depth along sidewalks and driveway joints. The cut is crisp in established edges and respectable when you’re cutting a fresh edge, though you’ll want high speed for the first pass if the grass has crept over the concrete.

Pro tip: rotate your wrist slightly and let the wheel ride the hard surface rather than forcing the head upright. That angle helps keep the line from chewing the curb and burning through spool prematurely.

Battery life and charging

With the included 2.0Ah pack, I averaged:

• About 35–40 minutes in low speed with light trimming
• About 20–25 minutes in high speed or mixed trimming/edging

That’s enough for a typical small yard in a single session. For larger or more frequent tasks, a second 20V MAX battery makes this system far more convenient—swap and keep going while the other charges. The wall‑mountable charger is on the slower side (plan for a multi‑hour top‑off), so this is not a “quick lunch break and back at it” setup.

The upside: this battery is part of Black+Decker’s 20V MAX family, so it plays nicely with other tools in the same line.

Ergonomics and adjustability

The telescoping shaft covers a wide range of heights, and the auxiliary handle’s angle adjustment helps you fine‑tune wrist comfort. Small touches, like the narrow guard profile, make it easier to see the string tip for precision without feeling exposed.

If you’re tall, extend the shaft fully and keep the head slightly angled down in trimming mode—you’ll avoid bending and maintain the right cut height. If you’re shorter, move the aux handle closer to the head to keep your elbows in a comfortable position.

Noise, maintenance, and storage

Noise is decidedly lower than any gas trimmer I own, which is neighborhood‑friendly for early mornings. Maintenance is minimal: blow off the guard and motor vents, wipe the shaft, check the spool. There’s no gas, no carb, no pull cord—just charge, click, and go. The 2‑year limited warranty is a nice safety net for a consumer‑grade tool.

For storage, I keep the head in trimming position with the battery removed and the charger mounted near the door. The compact length makes it easy to hang vertically.

Where it falls short

• Heavy brush and woody stems are not its territory. The motor and single‑line head aren’t designed for clearing brambles or thick, dried stalks.
• The included 2.0Ah battery is adequate but not generous. If you regularly edge long walkways or trim large lots, a second battery is almost mandatory.
• The charger speed is dated. Expect an overnight top‑off rather than a quick turnaround.
• Being a brushed motor, efficiency and longevity won’t match premium brushless units—though that also keeps cost down.

Best for

• Small to mid‑size lawns with weekly maintenance
• Homeowners who value simplicity and low noise
• Users who want a combined trimmer/edger without buying two tools
• Anyone already using Black+Decker 20V MAX tools and batteries

Not ideal for

• Overgrown or neglected properties with heavy weeds
• Users who need long runtime on a single battery
• Pros or frequent users who need a faster charger and brushless power

Pros

• Lightweight and well balanced; easy to handle
• Two‑speed control makes real, practical sense
• EASYFEED line advance works reliably; no bumping
• Quick switch from trimmer to wheeled edger
• Comfortable grips and adjustable shaft/handle
• Interchangeable 20V MAX battery across the platform
• Low noise and minimal maintenance

Cons

• Slow charger and modest 2.0Ah battery out of the box
• Not suited for heavy brush or woody stems
• Brushed motor won’t match high‑end efficiency
• Single‑line head uses line faster on abrasive edges

Recommendation

I recommend this Black+Decker 20V trimmer for homeowners who want a simple, dependable tool for regular lawn upkeep without the noise and fuss of gas. It trims cleanly, edges well with the guide wheel, and the EASYFEED button is one of those small conveniences you quickly come to appreciate. Pair it with a second 20V MAX battery and you’ll have a smooth, interruption‑free workflow for typical suburban yards. If your needs skew toward heavy brush, long sessions, or pro‑level demands, step up to a higher‑voltage, brushless system; otherwise, this is a smart, comfortable, and budget‑friendly choice for everyday yard work.