Black & Decker Dual Charger - Tool Only

Why I added the dual charger to my 20V kit

I keep a small stable of 20V MAX tools for around-the-house fixes and yard tasks, and the one thing that can stall a weekend project is juggling half-charged packs. The Black+Decker dual charger promised a simple solution: two bays, one cord, and status LEDs for each battery. After several weeks of use—charging a mix of 1.5 Ah and 2.0 Ah packs—I have a clear sense of where it shines and where it’s better to manage expectations.

Setup and first impressions

The charger is compact and light at just 0.8 lb, with a footprint that’s easy to tuck onto a shelf or toss into a tool bag. It’s a straightforward plastic housing with two battery slots and separate LED indicators—no screen, no buttons, no learning curve. It’s designed for the 20V MAX POWERCONNECT system, so any of those slide-pack batteries clicked in cleanly and securely in my tests. There are no batteries in the box, just the charger itself, which is exactly what I wanted for expanding an existing kit.

Build quality feels in line with the rest of the 20V MAX ecosystem: not ruggedized for jobsite abuse, but tidy and durable enough for garage and workshop life. The housing stayed stable on a bench during battery swaps, and the low height (about 2.6 inches) means it doesn’t dominate a surface or snag on shelves in a charging station setup.

Charging performance: what “dual” really means

This unit’s behavior is simple and predictable, which I appreciate. It will charge one or two batteries simultaneously, but the output is modest. With a single battery inserted, it charges at roughly 1 A; with two batteries inserted, the charger splits its attention and each bay effectively gets about half that current.

In practice, the published times matched my experience:
- One 1.5 Ah pack: about 1.5 hours
- Two 1.5 Ah packs inserted together: about 3 hours total (both ready at roughly the same time)

Scale that expectation up and you get a useful rule of thumb:
- A 2.0 Ah pack takes about 2 hours alone, 4 hours when charging two at once
- A 4.0 Ah pack takes about 4 hours alone, 8 hours for two simultaneously

That’s not “fast charging,” and it’s not pretending to be. The upside is that heat is well managed. Even in summer garage conditions, the charger and batteries were warm but never hot, and I didn’t experience thermal pauses or weird behavior. For overnight or between-task top-ups, this gentle approach is battery-friendly and consistent.

If you need to turn one battery around as quickly as possible, here’s the trick: only insert the one you need and leave the other bay empty. You’ll get the higher charge rate and cut your wait time in half versus charging two at the same time.

LED indicators and day-to-day usability

Each bay has its own LED indicator to show state of charge. It’s basic but useful: I can glance across the shop and see which pack is ready without popping anything off the charger. I prefer independent indicators to shared logic or sequential charging because I can triage batteries more efficiently—pull the first full one and keep working while the second finishes.

There’s no percentage readout, no diagnostic codes, and no premium features like a USB pass-through. This is a single-purpose tool and behaves like one. On the plus side, it’s quiet and unobtrusive—no fan noise in my usage—and requires essentially zero setup or attention beyond plugging it in and docking the packs.

Compatibility and limitations

Compatibility is straightforward: it’s for Black+Decker 20V MAX POWERCONNECT batteries. It’s not a universal charger, and it won’t work with older NiCd packs or other brands’ 20V systems. If your kit is built around POWERCONNECT, you’re good.

The main limitation is speed. At 1 A when charging a single pack and effectively 0.5 A per pack when charging two, this charger is about reliability and convenience rather than quick turnarounds. If your workflow demands rapid cycling—think trades work or mowing a large yard with a high-capacity battery—you’ll want either a higher-amperage charger or multiple single-bay chargers to parallelize.

Also note there’s no battery included. That’s expected for a charger-only product, but it’s worth stating explicitly for anyone building their first 20V MAX kit.

Real-world use cases

Here’s where it makes sense:
- DIY and homeowner tasks with several compact packs. For example, drilling and driving with a 1.5 Ah while a second and third pack sit in the charger. You always have a battery ready, even if none are charging quickly.
- Light yardwork with 20V trimmers or blowers where you cycle through smaller packs over the morning. Drop both on the charger at lunch, come back later and they’re ready for the next session.
- A compact “charging hub” for a garage or utility closet. The dual charger consolidates two single chargers into one outlet, reduces clutter, and lets you track status at a glance.

Where it’s less ideal:
- High-demand tools with larger packs (3.0–4.0 Ah or more) where you need them turned around in under two hours. The dual charger can do it, but it’s a slower dance.
- Mixed-brand ecosystems. If you’re juggling multiple manufacturers, a brand-agnostic charging solution isn’t what this is.

Thermal behavior and battery health

I’m cautious with charging heat, especially with compact chargers. Across multiple full cycles, the dual charger stayed well-behaved. Charging one pack at a time is inherently gentle, and even simultaneous charging never pushed the batteries into uncomfortable temperatures in my conditions. That slower current is kinder on cells, which should help long-term battery health if you’re not in a hurry. I consider that a meaningful advantage for homeowners who want packs to last several seasons.

Build details and ergonomics

The dual charger’s low weight and small footprint are practical advantages. It fits in a toolbox or on a crowded shelf without demanding real estate. The battery slots are well-aligned, and the latch engagement is positive—no wiggling to get contact. The housing doesn’t feel fragile, though I wouldn’t subject it to heavy drops or jobsite grime. It’s a shop/garage charger through and through.

I’d love to see a couple of small touches in a future revision: clearly labeled mounting points for wall installation and a bit more visual granularity in the LED readout. Neither is a dealbreaker, just quality-of-life improvements.

Warranty and value

The 2-year limited warranty is on par for this category and gives some peace of mind for an essential accessory. In terms of value, what you’re buying is workflow efficiency and space savings. If you routinely manage two or more 20V MAX batteries, this charger streamlines your routine and reduces the plug-and-cord sprawl. If you only own a single battery, a dual charger won’t change your life.

Bottom line and recommendation

The Black+Decker dual charger is a practical, compact solution for users with multiple 20V MAX POWERCONNECT batteries who prioritize convenience and battery health over raw charging speed. It charges reliably, runs cool and quiet, and keeps your pack status visible with independent LEDs. The trade-off is speed; when charging two batteries at once, each takes roughly twice as long as it would alone.

I recommend this charger for homeowners and DIYers with a couple of 20V MAX tools who want a tidy, dependable way to keep two packs topped up without babysitting the process. It’s especially good if your batteries are 1.5–2.0 Ah and your workflow allows for a few hours of charging during breaks or overnight. If you need rapid turnarounds on larger-capacity packs, look for a higher-amperage or fast-charge option; otherwise, this dual charger is a simple, effective addition to a 20V MAX kit.