Black & Decker Cordless Edger Kit (20V MAX)

First impressions and setup

I set out to clean up the borders along my driveway and flower beds with Black+Decker’s 20V cordless edger. Assembly took only a few minutes, but there’s a quirk worth noting: the power cable that runs inside the two-piece shaft leaves very little slack. The trick was to mate all three sections loosely first, gently tucking the cable into the tubes, then insert and tighten the bolts. Once assembled, the tool feels tidy and compact. At just over seven pounds with the 1.5Ah battery, it’s light enough to maneuver one-handed for short stretches and easy to lift in and out of storage.

Build quality lands where I expect for a homeowner-focused tool. The aluminum shaft and plastic base keep weight down, and the 7.5-inch steel blade is sturdier than it looks. The guide wheel and adjustable depth plate are simple but effective. There’s no fancy display or battery gauge here—just a basic charger with a single LED.

Ergonomics and controls

Ergonomics are a strong suit. The handle angle, weight distribution, and small footprint make this edger intuitive to steer. The guide wheel rides along hard edges nicely, which helps keep lines straight without excessive attention. I also appreciated the depth adjustment. Multiple settings let me start shallow and step deeper as needed, limiting bog-downs and dirt spray. The max cutting depth is 1.75 inches, which is plenty for crisp edges along sidewalks and bed borders.

Noise and vibration are moderate. It’s far quieter than gas, but there’s still enough blade whir and debris impact that I recommend hearing and eye protection. The trigger response is immediate; no soft start here, but the blade gets up to speed quickly.

Cutting performance

On established edges, this cordless edger does exactly what you want: create a clean, consistent trench with minimal effort. I started on a curb line I maintain regularly. With the depth plate set mid-range, the tool tracked straight and produced a neat, uniform groove. Dry soil and typical turf weren’t a problem, and I was able to move at a comfortable walking pace.

The story changes in overgrown areas. Cutting a fresh edge through dense turf or creeping runners (think vigorous St. Augustine or bermuda that’s crept over the concrete) will challenge the 20V motor, especially with the included 1.5Ah battery. In these conditions, the blade can stall if you force it, or the guard can pack up with damp soil and grass. Two simple adjustments helped:

• Start shallow, make a pass, then drop to a deeper setting for a second pass.
• Keep your forward speed modest—let the tool cut at its own pace.

Even with those adjustments, truly neglected edges may be slow going. For an initial reclaiming cut, a flat spade or a string trimmer to rough in the line, followed by the edger for refinement, worked best in my testing. Once the edge is established, the cordless edger maintains it quickly and cleanly.

Battery life and charging

Runtime is the limiting factor. Black+Decker rates the system at up to about 815 feet per charge, and in light, maintenance cuts on relatively dry soil, I saw performance that aligns with a portion of that claim. In heavier grass or when cutting fresh edges, I averaged roughly 6–10 minutes of continuous cutting before the tool slowed and needed a battery swap. Translating that into distance, I edged roughly 250–400 feet on a single 1.5Ah pack depending on conditions.

Recharging on the included charger took a few hours from empty. There’s no fuel gauge on the battery or charger, so you’re relying on the tool’s performance to gauge remaining juice and the charger’s solid-green light to know when you’re at full. If your property lines exceed a couple of short runs, plan on a second battery. A higher-capacity 20V MAX pack noticeably improved real-world productivity for me—less voltage sag under load and significantly longer runtime.

Handling clogs and blade care

Any edger will throw dirt and debris; this one does better in dry conditions. Damp soil and stringy grass can gum up the guard, especially when you’re digging a new trench. I kept a small stick in my pocket to clear the housing periodically. Important: remove the battery before clearing debris or inspecting the blade.

Blade wear is predictable. Avoid dragging the blade against concrete, particularly at corners, and the edge stays sharp longer. Replacement blades are inexpensive and easy to swap, and they’re the same style used on the brand’s corded model, which makes sourcing spares straightforward.

Where it excels

• Regular maintenance of established edges along sidewalks, driveways, and garden borders
• Small-to-medium suburban yards where portability and quick setup matter more than brute force
• Users who want cleaner, straighter lines than a string trimmer typically produces
• Anyone sensitive to weight; at just over seven pounds, it’s easy on wrists and shoulders

Where it struggles

• First-time edging through thick, overgrown grass or encroached turf
• Damp, sticky soils that pack the guard
• Larger properties if you rely solely on the included 1.5Ah battery and charger

Tips for better results

• Make multiple shallow passes instead of forcing one deep cut.
• Edge when conditions are dry; if soil is wet, expect more cleaning stops.
• Keep a second, higher-capacity 20V MAX battery on hand if you have more than one or two runs to complete.
• Use the guide wheel to stay off the concrete—let the blade cut in the soil, not grind the curb.
• After use, blow out or brush away packed dirt from the guard and depth plate to prevent caking.

Cordless vs. corded vs. string trimmer

Cordless makes sense if you need to reach far corners of your yard without dragging a cord. Compared to a corded edger, you give up some sustained power and unlimited runtime, but you gain convenience and freedom of movement. Compared to edging with a string trimmer, this tool wins on precision and consistency. The blade tracks straighter, produces a cleaner trench, and throws fewer pebbles. I still keep a string trimmer for areas where the wheel can’t ride cleanly or where I need to feather around irregular stones.

Durability and maintenance

After several sessions, there’s minimal play in the shaft connections, and the fasteners stayed snug. The plastic base shows normal scuffing but no cracks. As with any lightweight yard tool, common sense goes a long way: store it indoors, keep the blade sharp, and don’t force the cut. The blade and belt path are simple; there’s not much to fail if you keep debris from packing in.

The bottom line

The cordless edger is a practical, easy-handling tool for homeowners who want clean borders without the hassle of cords or the bulk of gas. It shines at maintaining edges and tidying up after mowing. Its limitations are clear: the included 1.5Ah battery delivers modest runtime, and the 20V motor can bog if you try to open up a fresh trench in heavy, damp turf. Pair it with a higher-capacity battery and a patient, multi-pass technique, and it becomes a dependable part of a yard-care kit.

Recommendation: I recommend this edger for small to medium yards with established edges, especially if you value light weight and straightforward operation. Plan on buying a second, higher-capacity 20V MAX battery to address runtime. If your yard is large, your edges are heavily overgrown, or you want to do major reclaiming in a single push, a corded edger or a more powerful platform will serve you better.