Buying guide for best black+decker lawn mowers
Few brands are better known than BLACK+DECKER. It seems to have been around forever, and its reputation for build quality and affordability is second to none. The company’s lawn mower range exemplifies those standards and adds a number of innovative features.
Not surprisingly, all BLACK+DECKER lawn mowers are either corded or cordless electric. You get simple, push-button starting, quiet running, and none of that messing about with oil and gas, and they’re kinder to the environment, too. Does that mean you have to make compromises on cutting power? They may not be the right choice for really big yards, but those are getting less and less common. These mowers provide more than enough performance for the urban lawns of most people.
We’ve been looking at BLACK+DECKER’s impressive range so we can help you decide which mower would be best for your lawn. We’ve made a few suggestions that highlight the price and power choices, and the following buying guide looks at the options in more detail.
Key considerations
Corded vs. cordless
Corded: If you buy a corded BLACK+DECKER lawn mower, you know you’re getting proven, reliable technology that won’t quit on you halfway around the lawn. As long as you’ve got it plugged in, you’ve got power. A corded mower is also considerably cheaper than a cordless option.
On the downside, the cord can definitely be frustrating sometimes. You need to be careful to keep it out of the way and not get it wound around trees or yard ornaments or pull something over when you tug on it. There’s also the question of maximum range if you have a sizable yard. The longest extension cord you can buy is usually 100 feet. You can’t daisy-chain two together because the resistance in the wire saps the power. Up to 100 feet, you’re fine. Beyond that, there probably won’t be enough power to run the mower properly, if at all.
Cordless: Battery power obviously overcomes the cord problem. While you’ll invariably pay more for a cordless mower, the price difference isn’t as great as it used to be. For many, that extra freedom is worth it. However, run times are a big factor. You don’t want to have to stop to recharge in the middle of the job. This is when the ampere hour (Ah) rating of the battery becomes a key feature.
A motor’s voltage defines the power available. So, a 20-volt motor isn’t as powerful as a 40-volt motor. Amp hours are different. They relate to the battery, not the motor, and are like the fuel. The more amp hours, the longer the battery can provide usable power. A 40-volt BLACK+DECKER lawn mower with a 3.0-amp hour battery will mow noticeably longer than a standard 2.0-amp hour version. Most BLACK+DECKER cordless mowers come with a 2.0-amp hour battery as standard. If you’re considering buying a spare, we’d recommend the highest amp hours available. It will cost more, but you’ll need to stop less often.
At the time of writing, the most powerful cordless is a 40-volt model. BLACK+DECKER has produced a 60-volt lawn mower in the past, but it appears to have been discontinued. The only reason we can see is that the extra cost of the 60-volt battery didn’t produce sufficient extra power to be worth it.
Features
There are a number of features that can add convenience to your BLACK+DECKER lawn mower, as well as a couple that right now are unique to the brand.
Deck
Standard deck sizes on BLACK+DECKER mowers vary from 15 to 20 inches, with up to six height settings. Unlike some competitors that require the front and back wheels to be adjusted individually, BLACK+DECKER offers a convenient single lever.
BLACK+DECKER’s deck design (EdgeMax) allows you to get closer to raised edges and borders than is usually possible. The mower blade has upswept wing tips to channel the clippings more effectively into the collecting bag, leaving less behind. Depending on the model, there may be one of three options. You also have the choice of side exit or mulching, where the grass is cut up into extra-small pieces and left to feed the lawn, which means you don’t need to worry about disposing of the clippings.
3-in-1
One interesting tool for those who have a small yard or an area that’s tricky to mow, is the BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 mower. Available as corded or cordless, it turns a string trimmer/edger into an ultralight mower with a 12-inch cutting path.
Handles
Most handles are the standard loop seen on mowers everywhere. These fold easily for storage. BLACK+DECKER has also introduced a couple of clever alternatives.
Comfort Grip: The first is what they call the Comfort Grip handle, adding two upright grips. It takes a few minutes to get used to, but it puts your hands in a more natural position.
Pivot Control: The second is the Pivot Control handle, which adds articulation to the upper bar area, making it possible to steer the mower more easily around curves and into very tight spaces without all that pushing and pulling you’re used to. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll wonder why all lawn mowers aren’t made this way!
Bag
Grass bags are either fabric or nylon. While some models state the type, others say that what you get “depends on availability.” We’re not sure if that is an issue beyond one of personal preference, but it’s something to be aware of.
BLACK+DECKER lawn mower prices
Inexpensive: The cheapest BLACK+DECKER lawn mowers are the clever little 3-in-1 devices that use a string trimmer, at around $100 for the corded and $150 for the cordless. However, given the recharge time, a second battery might be a good idea for the latter, and that adds $50.
Mid-range: BLACK+DECKER’s corded mowers are in the $150 to $230 range, several of which have the innovative Comfort Grip handle or pivot steering system. These are good, reliable all-rounders.
Expensive: Cordless BLACK+DECKER lawn mowers cost from about $300 to $350. Again, a spare battery will add $50 or so.
Tips
- Don’t mow when the grass is wet. Never mow just after it’s rained or when there’s heavy dew on the grass. If clippings are clogging the deck, it’s too wet.
- Don’t mow too quickly. A steady pace will allow the mower to cut efficiently, and you won’t need to go over it again.
- Mow regularly. For good lawn health as well as appearance, it’s better to cut small amounts regularly rather than let it grow long and try to give it a major cut. It depends on your local weather, but twice a month is usually about right during the growing season.
- Keep the blade sharp. Your lawnmower blade doesn’t need to be razor sharp, but if it’s mashing the grass, it will cause damage that could introduce disease. You can sharpen your mower blade with a flat file (make sure the mower is unplugged first), or you can usually get it done at a hardware store. Once a season is probably enough.
FAQ
Q. Do BLACK+DECKER lawn mowers have brushless motors?
A. No. There’s no real point on corded mowers, which have a constant power supply. Brushless motors are designed to maximize the use of battery power. However, they are quite a lot more expensive than brush motors. BLACK+DECKER seems to be focused on minimizing weight so there’s less strain on the motor and the battery doesn’t have to work so hard, as well as keeping costs down.
Q. Can I use batteries from other BLACK+DECKER tools?
A. It shouldn’t be a problem, provided they have the correct voltage. The amp hour rating doesn’t matter, but voltage is critical to proper operation. It can get confusing, because some BLACK+DECKER batteries are dual voltage (20 volt/60 volt). In the past, it’s an area that could be frustrating, but most manufacturers are now ensuring widespread compatibility (within a brand). For example, there is now a whole range of outdoor tools that take the same BLACK+DECKER 40-volt Max batteries.
Q. Are there any self-propelled BLACK+DECKER lawn mowers?
A. At the time of writing, no. The BLACK+DECKER mower range consists of compact, lightweight machines. When asked, the vast majority of owners say that they don’t really need powered drive. It would add complexity, cost, and on cordless models would probably drain the batteries at an unacceptable rate.
