BLACK and DECKER LST522 20V MAX String Trimmer – Review

BLACK and DECKER LST522 20V MAX is one of the least expensive string trimmers the company makes. So is a unit so cheap any good or is it pretty much useless?

Performance

BLACK and DECKER LST522 has a cutting swath of 12 inches and uses 0.065″ single line. It also has two speed modes: 5,500 and 7,200 RPM. The lower speed mode will make the battery last longer whereas the higher speed mode obviously provides better cutting performance.

So does it cut well? Well it depends on what you use it for. For light yard work it performs decent. It does struggle a bit with a bit thicker patches of grass in a sense it takes a bit longer to cut it. For thicker and tougher jobs it’s not simply powerful enough. So does it perform well enough? It depends on what you intend to use it for.

BLACK and DECKER LST522 can be converted into edger. It works great as one, it has wheel that makes it simple to edge properly and straight.

Battery

BLACK and DECKER LST522 comes with LBXR2520 2.5Ah 20V battery. The unit typically lasts 15 to 25 minutes on full charge. It does take a few hours to charge it with regular charger, you can purchase fast charger separately which reduces charging time significantly though.

For smaller jobs battery life is adequate, however for bigger ones you probably will want to purchase extra batteries and/or fast charger.

Ergonomics

The good thing about BLACK and DECKER LST522 is that’s very lightweight – it weighs just 5.7 pounds making it easy to use. Overall balance is good too. The only flaw is that unit is a bit short so you might find yourself leaning a lot which can cause backpain, especially if you are of taller height.

Features

BLACK and DECKER LST522 20V MAX string trimmer features power drive transmission for increased torque and AFS (Automatic Feed Spool) which feeds trimmer line when necessary without bumping.

Shaft is adjustable in height although even at it’s longest setting its not that long.

─── Related Article: Best Electric String Trimmers ───

Quality

As expected for a budget priced device the build quality isn’t the greatest. BLACK and DECKER LST522 is made from cheap plastic and doesn’t feel like heavy duty unit. Doesn’t necessary mean it’s fragile or won’t last but you can’t expect to get quality of more expensive units for a budget pricing.

Conclusions

BLACK and DECKER LST522 20V MAX string trimmer works well for light duty jobs but if you are looking for something to cut through thick stuff you need something powerful. It also works surprisingly well as an edger. Overall whether it’s good enough depends on your needs.

BLACK and DECKER LST522 20V MAX String Trimmer Specs/Details:

• Type: Electric (battery powered)
• Battery type: 2.5Ah 20V Lithium-ion (Model: LBXR2520)
• Speed modes: 2
  • Low speed: 5,500 RPM
  • High speed: 7,200 RPM
• Cutting Swath: 12”
• Line diameter: 0.065”
• Weight: 5.7 lbs
• Package contents:
  • 1 x B&D LST522 20 Volt MAX* Cordless Trimmer/Edger
  • 1 x LBXR2520 20V MAX* Extended Runtime Lithium Battery
  • 1 x Charger
  • 1 x AFS Spool
  • 1 x Guard