Black & Decker 20V MAX Cordless Combo Kit: String Trimmer/Edger, Hedge Trimmer and Sweeper

First impressions and setup

I spent a few weekends putting the Black+Decker 20V combo kit through typical suburban yard chores: edging the driveway and walk, cleaning up clippings, and tidying shrubs. The kit includes three tools—a 2‑in‑1 string trimmer that flips into a wheeled edger, a compact sweeper, and a small hedge/shrub trimmer—plus two 20V lithium-ion batteries (2 Ah each) and a charger. Assembly was straightforward and tool-free: click in the guard and handle on the trimmer, slide on a nozzle for the sweeper, and snap blades on the shrub trimmer.

Everything is compact and lightweight, and the controls are simple: triggers with safety locks, and no-nonsense latches for adjustments. The light weight and modest size are a clue to how this kit should be used: routine, light-duty yard maintenance rather than heavy landscaping or overgrown reclamation projects.

Trimming and edging

The trimmer is the workhorse here, and it’s well thought out for quick tidy‑ups. The flip‑to‑edge head rotates with a press and twist, and the built‑in guide wheel helps hold a consistent line along sidewalks. The Auto Feed System advances line automatically, so there’s no bumping the head; it worked reliably in my use, with clean line advance every time I stopped and started. As with most auto‑feed trimmers, quick on/off cycling can make it feed more often than necessary, so I found it best to make steady, continuous passes.

Cutting power is adequate for fresh grass and typical edging jobs. The POWERDRIVE transmission seems to keep the head from bogging down in slightly taller patches, but this is not a heavy-brush cutter. It will scuff and tear at thick, fibrous weeds rather than slice them cleanly, and it doesn’t like dense, knee-high growth. Used as intended—weekly edging and trimming around beds and fences—it leaves a tidy finish.

Line control is good, with minimal fling of debris. I appreciated the balance: the adjustable front handle and the relatively light battery keep the tool nimble. If you’re used to gas trimmers, it will feel gentle in comparison; if you’re stepping up from corded, you’ll appreciate the freedom.

Shrub and hedge care

The included hedge trimmer is more accurately a shrub/grass shear with two interchangeable blades: a shorter 4-inch shear blade and a longer 8-inch shrub blade. Swapping blades is tool‑free and takes seconds. For what it is—a compact, one‑handed trimmer—it’s handy. It shines on small boxwoods, shaping ornamental grasses, and tidying perennials. The stated 3/8-inch cut capacity felt realistic; thin, green stems clip cleanly, while older, woody growth at that diameter needs patience and sometimes multiple nibbles.

This tool fills a specific niche: precision trimming where dragging out a full-size hedge trimmer is overkill. It’s also great for touch‑ups between bigger pruning sessions. Just be realistic—this is not a replacement for a long-blade hedge trimmer if you have tall hedges or thick privet.

Sweeping and cleanup

The sweeper is a lightweight blower with an air speed up to 130 mph. On hard surfaces, it does a nice job corralling dry leaves, dust, and grass clippings. It’s quiet enough for early-morning use and won’t fatigue your arm. Where it struggles is the usual Achilles’ heel for compact blowers: wet leaves and heavy piles. It will move them, but slowly, and I often needed to break up clumps by hand or with a rake. For patios, decks, garages, and daily tidy‑ups, it’s perfectly serviceable.

Battery life, charging, and noise

Two 2 Ah batteries are included, and they’re interchangeable across the three tools. In my typical routine:

• Trimmer: about 15–20 minutes per 2 Ah pack in normal grass
• Sweeper: about 12–20 minutes depending on how continuously you run it
• Shrub trimmer: 30+ minutes of intermittent use with the shear blade

Those numbers will swing with material density, temperature, and how hard you push the tools. The charger is basic—not the fastest—but predictable. Swapping batteries mid‑job is quick, and having two packs in the box is the right call for a kit like this. If your property is larger than a small suburban lot or you prefer to do everything in one go, a third battery (or higher capacity 20V MAX packs) is a worthwhile upgrade.

Noise levels are pleasantly low across all three tools. The trimmer’s pitch is not harsh, and the blower’s tone is subdued compared with most cordless units.

Ergonomics and build

Ergonomically, the kit is friendly. The trimmer’s grip and adjustable handle fit a range of users, and the wheeled edger mode takes the strain out of maintaining a straight edge. All three tools are lightweight, which matters on longer sessions. Vibration is modest, especially compared to gas tools.

Build quality is what I’d call homeowner-grade. Plastics are durable enough for regular use and garage storage, and the mechanisms (edge flip, blade swap) click positively. There’s nothing here that feels industrial, but nothing felt flimsy in normal use either. Keep them out of the elements and avoid using the trimmer as a brush cutter, and they should hold up.

Who it’s for

• Small to medium suburban lots with regular weekly maintenance
• Townhomes and patios where light weight and low noise matter
• Users already invested in Black+Decker 20V MAX batteries
• People who prefer convenience over raw power

Who should look elsewhere: anyone with a large property, heavy brush, thick hedges, or fall leaf loads measured in tarps rather than dustpans. In those cases, step up to higher‑voltage systems or corded/gas alternatives.

Tips to get better results

• Make fewer, longer passes with the trimmer. Auto feed advances line at starts, so steady cuts reduce line consumption.
• Edge first, then trim, then blow. It saves time and battery by minimizing rework.
• Keep the shrub trimmer blades clean and lightly oiled. Sap buildup dulls performance quickly.
• For the blower, tackle leaves before they get wet. This tool excels on dry debris.
• Consider an extra 2 Ah or 4 Ah 20V MAX battery if you want to complete front and back on one session.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Lightweight, easy-to-use tools with simple controls
- Handy 2‑in‑1 trimmer/edger with a stable guide wheel
- Reliable auto line feed—no bumping
- Compact shrub/grass shear is great for quick, precise touch‑ups
- Quiet operation and low vibration
- Two batteries included; compatible with the 20V MAX system

Cons:
- Limited power for thick weeds, woody stems, or wet leaf piles
- Runtime per 2 Ah pack can feel short on larger jobs
- Basic charger; plan your workflow around charge cycles
- Shrub trimmer is not a replacement for a full-size hedge trimmer

Recommendation

I recommend the Black+Decker 20V combo kit for small to mid‑size yards where routine, light‑duty maintenance is the goal. It’s approachable, quiet, and genuinely convenient, with smart features like the trimmer’s wheeled edger and reliable auto feed that make weekly touch‑ups quick. The included two batteries make it practical out of the box, and the 20V MAX compatibility adds flexibility if you own other tools in the line.

I would not recommend this kit if you routinely tackle heavy weeds, thick hedges, or large volumes of wet leaves, or if you expect to maintain a large property in a single session on two 2 Ah packs. In that case, consider higher‑voltage gear or plan on adding higher‑capacity batteries.

For the intended tasks—keeping edges crisp, shrubs tidy, and walkways clean—the kit delivers a straightforward, low‑stress experience at a homeowner-friendly weight and noise level.