I remember the Sunday morning ritual all too well. Dragging out the old gas mower, priming the engine, pulling the cord again, and again, and again, until my shoulder ached and the neighborhood was filled with the sputtering cough of a reluctant two-stroke engine. Then came the battery-powered revolution, a welcome silence, but it introduced a new anxiety: “range anxiety” for my lawn. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a mower die with three strips of grass left to cut. This constant battle—the noise and fumes of gas, the limited runtime of batteries—is what sends many homeowners like us searching for a simpler, more reliable solution. We want a machine that starts with the press of a button, runs as long as we need it to, and has the muscle to chew through a week’s worth of overgrown turf without complaining. The promise of a powerful corded electric mower is just that: endless power, less maintenance, and a quieter cut. But does it deliver?
- CORDED – Corded design offers unlimited runtime for even the biggest jobs.
- POWERFUL ELECTRIC MOTOR – 13 Amp motor supplies ample power for cutting through thick grass and overgrowth.
- TOOL-FREE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT – A single lever adjusts the mower deck’s 7-setting cutting height between 1-1/2 in. to 4 in.
What to Consider Before Buying a Corded Electric Lawn Mower
A Walk-Behind Lawn Mower is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining the health and appearance of your property. It’s the difference between a chaotic, overgrown yard and a manicured, inviting outdoor space. The primary benefit of a corded electric model, like the one we’re examining today, is the trifecta of convenience, power, and reliability. You get the instant-on, low-maintenance benefits of electric power without the significant drawback of a finite battery life. It eliminates trips to the gas station, messy oil changes, and the suspense of whether your battery has enough charge to finish the job.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenges of a small-to-medium-sized suburban lawn, typically under a quarter of an acre. They value dependability and consistent power and aren’t intimidated by managing an extension cord. It’s perfect for homeowners who want to unbox a mower, plug it in, and get to work. However, it might not be suitable for those who have very large properties with numerous obstacles like trees, garden beds, and fountains, where a cord would become a constant, tangled nightmare. For those users, a high-capacity battery-powered mower or a gas-powered self-propelled model might be a better, albeit more expensive and maintenance-heavy, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The cutting width, or deck size, is paramount. A 20-inch deck, like the one on this BLACK+DECKER, strikes a great balance, being wide enough to reduce the number of passes on a medium lawn but nimble enough to maneuver. Also, consider storage. Models with folding handles are a godsend for those with limited garage or shed space, allowing the mower to be stored vertically or in a compact footprint.
- Capacity/Performance: For a corded mower, power is measured in Amps. A 13-Amp motor is on the higher end for push mowers, indicating it has sufficient torque to handle thick, dense, or even damp grass without bogging down. Also, look at the cutting height options; a wide range (e.g., 1.5 to 4 inches) across multiple settings (7, in this case) gives you the versatility to handle different grass types and seasonal conditions.
- Materials & Durability: The mower deck is a critical component. While many modern mowers use durable polymer or plastic decks to save weight, an alloy steel deck suggests a more robust, long-lasting construction. However, you must also inspect the quality of other parts like wheels, handles, and adjustment levers, as these are common failure points that can render an otherwise powerful machine useless.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Simplicity is a key selling point. A single-lever height adjustment is far superior to changing the height of each wheel individually. Beyond that, maintenance on an electric mower should be minimal—primarily just cleaning clippings from the underside of the deck and the motor housing and occasionally sharpening the blade. There are no spark plugs, oil, or gas to worry about.
Keeping these factors in mind, the BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower stands out in several areas, particularly its power and feature set for the price. You can explore its detailed specifications here.
While the BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at top models that cut the cord, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
Our Complete Guide to the Best Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers
- Effortless Power for ½ Acre Yards- Experience gas-like performance without the hassle—35 minutes of continuous runtime from a single 4.0Ah battery (full charge in 2 hours). Perfect for small to...
- POWERED BY A RELIABLE B&S ENGINE: Equipped with a powerful 140cc B&S engine, known for its smooth start-up, consistent performance, and long-term durability—ideal for tough mowing jobs.
- Powerful & Easy-Start Gas Engine: Get going quickly with the reliable 144cc 4-stroke OHV engine on this gas lawn mower. Features a convenient primer button for simplified cold starts, delivering...
First Impressions and Unboxing the BLACK+DECKER MM2000
Pulling the BLACK+DECKER MM2000 from its box, the first thing we noticed was its substantial, yet manageable, weight. At just under 47 pounds, it feels solid without being overwhelmingly heavy to push around. Assembly was refreshingly straightforward and entirely tool-free. It primarily involves unfolding the handle and securing it with a set of plastic-headed tightening screws. The grass collection bag, a 13-gallon fabric container, hooks on and off easily. From sealed box to ready-to-mow took us less than ten minutes.
The overall aesthetic is classic BLACK+DECKER: orange and black, with a design that prioritizes function over form. The single lever for height adjustment feels firm and clicks satisfyingly into each of its seven positions. The EDGEMAX design, which pushes the front wheels slightly inboard, is a thoughtful touch that immediately suggests this mower is designed to get close to fences and garden borders. However, our initial tactile assessment also raised a small red flag: the foam padding on the handle felt thin and somewhat flimsy, a point of concern that, as we’d later discover, was shared by many users.
Key Benefits
- Powerful 13-Amp motor provides consistent cutting power through tough grass
- Unlimited runtime thanks to the corded design
- Wide 20-inch cutting deck covers ground efficiently
- Convenient 3-in-1 functionality (mulch, bag, side discharge)
- Single-lever, 7-position height adjustment is fast and easy
Limitations
- Significant concerns about long-term durability and motor lifespan
- Build quality of smaller components like the handle foam and plastic parts is poor
- The inherent hassle of managing an extension cord
A Deep Dive into the BLACK+DECKER Mower’s Real-World Performance
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a mower, you have to push it, challenge it, and see how it performs when the grass is high and the clock is ticking. We put the BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower through its paces on a typical suburban lawn with a mix of thick fescue and stubborn weeds, evaluating everything from its raw power to its user-friendliness and, most critically, its potential longevity.
The Heart of the Beast: A 13-Amp Motor with a Voracious Appetite
The single most impressive attribute of this mower is its motor. The 13-Amp power plant is no joke. Where lesser mowers might sputter, stall, or require you to slow your pace, this machine plows ahead with confidence. We intentionally let a section of our test lawn grow out for nearly two weeks, resulting in grass that was thick, tall, and slightly damp from morning dew—a true test for any mower. The BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower didn’t flinch. It ripped through the overgrowth without bogging down, leaving a clean, even cut in its wake. This experience mirrors that of many users, one of whom noted, “The backyard was probably almost a foot high. This lawn mower was able to rip right through it without any problems!”
The 3-in-1 capability also performed well. In mulching mode, it chopped clippings finely, leaving little visible residue on the lawn. When bagging, the 13-gallon fabric bag filled up efficiently, and its design makes it easy to see when it’s nearing capacity. The side-discharge option is perfect for those rougher areas where you just need to get the grass cut down quickly. This raw power is the machine’s primary selling point; it provides gas-like performance without any of the associated maintenance hassles. For homeowners who frequently face challenging, overgrown conditions, the sheer cutting capability of this mower is a compelling reason to consider it.
Ergonomics and Design: Smart Features Marred by Flaws
BLACK+DECKER included several features designed to make the mowing experience easier. The single-point height adjustment is a standout. With one sturdy lever, we could cycle through all seven cutting heights, from a low 1.5 inches to a towering 4 inches, in seconds. This is a massive improvement over older designs that require adjusting four individual wheels. The 20-inch steel deck feels robust, and the EDGEMAX feature genuinely works, allowing you to cut right up against fence lines and landscaping borders, significantly reducing the follow-up work needed with a string trimmer.
However, the user experience is a tale of two halves. While these core features are excellent, the smaller details betray a lack of quality. As we suspected during unboxing, the foam grip on the handle is laughably fragile. We saw noticeable wear and a small tear after just our first full mowing session. This is not an isolated incident; it’s one of the most common complaints from other users. One owner stated, “Crappy foam on handle has already split after three cutting sessions,” while another resorted to duct tape after just 75 minutes of use. This might seem like a minor cosmetic issue, but it speaks to a broader problem of cost-cutting on crucial touchpoints, which directly impacts the user’s perception of quality and comfort.
The Elephant in the Room: Durability and Quality Control Catastrophes
This is the most critical part of our review. While the BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower performs admirably out of the box, a concerning number of users report catastrophic failures, suggesting significant issues with quality control and long-term durability. We can’t ignore the chorus of feedback detailing motors that burn out, smoke, or simply die after a handful of uses or within one to two seasons. One user described a common failure mode: “it emitted a high-pitched screeching noise and then quit,” diagnosing the problem as a faulty motor brake. Another experienced a complete motor burnout, complete with smoke and a “burnt electrical smell” after only light use on a small yard.
The issues extend beyond the motor. We found reports of wheels being bent right out of the box, plastic components cracking from minor impacts with small rocks, and tightening screws for the handle falling off and getting lost in the grass. One user warned that grass clippings and dirt can accumulate around the motor, potentially leading to overheating and failure, and recommended periodically removing the top cover to blow it out with compressed air—a maintenance step that shouldn’t be necessary on a well-designed product. This pattern of feedback suggests a trade-off: you’re getting a very powerful motor in an affordable package, but the longevity of that motor and the components surrounding it is a serious gamble. It seems for every user who gets a reliable workhorse, there’s another who receives a product destined for premature failure.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from dozens of real-world owners reveals a deeply divided opinion on the BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower. The praise is almost universally focused on its raw power. Owners are consistently impressed, with comments like, “This lawn mower cut right through my tall, thick and wet lawn,” and “Quiet and more powerful than expected.” For those who receive a well-built unit, it performs its primary function—cutting grass—exceptionally well, especially for the price.
Conversely, the negative feedback is overwhelming and centers on poor build quality and a short lifespan. The litany of complaints is alarming. One user received a unit with a bent front axle, rendering it unusable from the start, stating, “Any company that has quality control issues like that… I wouldn’t buy from.” Another user reported a “catastrophic failure after less than 12 uses,” where the motor pulley came off and the motor caught fire. Many others echoed the sentiment of motor death after one or two seasons, calling it “garbage straight out of the box.” The flimsy handle foam is another consistent point of frustration. It’s a product that seems to either work brilliantly or fail spectacularly, with little middle ground.
How Does It Compare to the Alternatives?
The BLACK+DECKER mower exists in a crowded market. To understand its value, it’s essential to see how it stacks up against other types of lawn care tools that might be on a buyer’s shopping list.
1. Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 Scarifier and Dethatcher Kit
- Powerful 48V Cordless Power: Dual 24-V 4.0-Ah batteries deliver up to 48V of runtime, allowing you to dethatch, scarify and care for your lawn with a brushless 600W motor for extended, gas-free...
- Tailored Depth Control: Adjust the 5-position depth control knob from -0.375" to 0.4" to precisely control scarifying and dethatching depth, promoting thicker, greener grass growth.
- Maximize Thatch Pickup with AirBoost Technology: The 24-tine dethatching cylinder with spring steel tines maximizes thatch removal, while the 7-blade scarifying cylinder slices through thick moss and...
This is an important distinction: the Sun Joe product is not a lawn mower. It’s a specialized lawn health tool. A dethatcher or scarifier uses rotating tines to remove the layer of dead grass (thatch) from your lawn, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the soil more effectively. Someone would choose this Sun Joe unit *in addition* to a mower, not instead of one. It’s for the serious lawn care enthusiast who wants to achieve a golf-course-like lawn. While the BLACK+DECKER mower is for the weekly task of cutting grass, the Sun Joe is for the seasonal task of improving turf health.
2. Greenworks 5-Piece Garden Tool Set
- Complete Yard Maintenance System: 5-in-1 cordless kit includes 20" steel-deck push mower (7-position height adjust, Up To 30 Minutes Run-Time With 2 Fully Charged 4Ah USB Batteries. Run-Time Varies...
- Powerful 24V Battery Ecosystem: 2x4Ah + 1x2Ah USB batteries power all tools, compatible with 150+ Greenworks 24V products (no need for multiple battery types). It should be noted that the push mower...
- Ergonomic Design for Efficiency: Hedge trimmer features rotating rear handle and 3-sided wrap-around grip for angled trimming of complex hedges; weighs only 4.6 lbs for reduced fatigue. Mower’s...
The Greenworks set represents a completely different philosophy: the cordless, battery-powered ecosystem. This package includes not just a mower, but a string trimmer, leaf blower, chainsaw, and hedge trimmer, all running on the same 24V/48V battery system. The primary appeal here is ultimate convenience and freedom from cords. You can take these tools anywhere on your property. The trade-off is runtime and cost. This package is significantly more expensive than the BLACK+DECKER mower alone, and you are limited by battery life. This is the ideal choice for a new homeowner who needs a complete suite of tools and prioritizes cordless freedom over the unlimited runtime and raw power of a high-amp corded mower.
3. Scotts 2000-20S 20-Inch Push Reel Mower
- Classic Scotts 20 inch push no-motor manual reel rotary lawn mower features 20" cutting width, 5-blade ball bearing reel, and 10" dual tracking wheels
- Quick-snap 1"-3" cutting height adjustment for a clean, even cut every time with this Scotts classic hand push reel rotary 20 inch lawn mower
- Blades on the Scotts classic hand push reel rotary 20 inch lawn mower are made of quality, heat-treated alloy steel for staying sharp longer
The Scotts Reel Mower is the antithesis of the powerful electric BLACK+DECKER. It is entirely manual, powered by nothing more than you pushing it. Its benefits are numerous: it’s silent, emission-free, incredibly low maintenance (just sharpen the blades periodically), and provides great exercise. Reel mowers provide a scissor-like cut that is healthier for the grass blades than the tearing action of a rotary mower. However, it’s only suitable for small, flat, and well-maintained lawns. It struggles with tall weeds, twigs, and uneven terrain. This is for the eco-conscious homeowner with a small yard who enjoys the process and simplicity of manual lawn care.
Our Final Verdict: A Powerful But Risky Proposition
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower is complex. On one hand, it delivers truly impressive cutting power that can tackle the most challenging residential lawns with ease. Its 13-Amp motor and 20-inch deck make quick work of thick, overgrown grass, and its core features like single-lever height adjustment are genuinely convenient. For pure performance-per-dollar, it’s a beast.
On the other hand, the overwhelming evidence of poor quality control and catastrophic component failure is impossible to ignore. Buying this mower feels like a lottery; you might get a reliable machine that lasts for years, or you might get one that dies within a single season. The flimsy handle foam, weak plastic parts, and, most importantly, the vulnerable motor, make it a significant gamble. We would recommend this mower only to budget-conscious buyers with a medium-sized yard who need maximum cutting power and are willing to accept the considerable risk of a short product lifespan. If durability and peace of mind are your top priorities, you should look elsewhere.
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided the raw power of the BLACK+DECKER 20-Inch 13-Amp Corded Lawn Mower is the right fit for your needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API