BLACK+DECKER BEMW213 20 inch Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The BLACK+DECKER BEMW213 is a cordless electric lawn mower designed for small to mid-sized lawns. This 20-inch mower features BLACK+DECKER's patented PowerDrive transmission system which provides more power and torque to tackle thick grass.

Some of the key features of the BEMW213 include a durable steel deck, adjustable cutting heights ranging from 1.5-3 inches, and a high performance brushless motor. The mower's lithium-ion battery can deliver up to 40 minutes of continuous runtime on a single charge. Additional aspects like folding handles and compact vertical storage make the BEMW213 easy to maneuver, transport and store.

With its cordless convenience, straightforward operation and quiet performance, the BEMW213 aims to provide an efficient and hassle-free mowing experience for homeowners. This review will examine the mower's build, power, features and ease of use in detail.

Design & Build Quality

The Black & Decker BEMW213 lawn mower features a durable steel deck that provides excellent durability for regular mowing. The materials used in the build feel sturdy and stand up well to bumps and scrapes that can happen when mowing over uneven terrain.

The handle design provides good ergonomics overall for ease of pushing and maneuvering the mower. It folds down easily for compact storage and transportation. At about 38 pounds, the mower is lightweight enough for most users to maneuver and lift into a car trunk or storage shed. However, some users may find it still slightly heavy compared to the lightest battery-powered models.

The general fit and finish is decent but not exceptional. The plastic housing pieces feel a bit flimsy compared to higher-end mowers. However, for a mower at this price point, the build quality is good overall and can handle typical homeowner use.

Cutting Deck

The BEMW213 comes with a 20" cutting deck, which is a good size for maneuvering around most suburban yards. The cutting width allows you to make fewer passes to mow the lawn.

The cutting height is adjustable between 1.5"-3" in 6 increments, controlled by a single lever. This gives you flexibility to cut at different lengths depending on your grass type and seasonal needs. The normal range suits most lawns well.

The poly deck design is lightweight yet durable. It allows good grass discharge and cutting performance. The rounded housing shape lets you get close to fences, trees and other obstacles.

Overall the 20" cutting deck is well-designed for easy pushing, smooth cutting and maneuverability around the yard.

Motor & Power

The Black+Decker BEMW213 electric lawn mower is powered by a 13 amp electric motor. Electric mowers provide consistent power and torque without fluctuation, unlike gas engines which can bog down in thicker grass.

The 13 amp motor generates substantial cutting power for this 20" wide deck. Most electric mowers in this class have 10-12 amp motors, so the BEMW213 offers a step up in strength. While not as powerful as a gas mower, the 13 amp motor can readily handle average sized yards with modest terrain. Hills and thick grass may require a slower pace to avoid overloading.

The motor is designed to plug into a standard 120V household outlet. No special high voltage connection is required. The ample 13 amp rating allows the mower to pull a consistent 1200 watts despite variations in voltage that can occur. This ensures dependable performance without stalling or brown-outs.

Overall, the 13 amp electric motor supplies capable cutting power for this mower's wide 20" deck. The consistency of an electric motor ensures smooth, uniform cutting without the power fluctuations inherent in gas engines. The higher 13 amp rating provides an advantage over 10-12 amp electric mowers.

Battery & Run Time

The BEMW213 electric mower is powered by a 40V 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery. This battery offers enough juice to run the mower for up to 45 minutes on a single charge. The battery requires about 2 hours to fully recharge when depleted.

The 45 minute run time is fairly standard for a cordless electric push mower in this class. It should allow you to mow up to 1/4 acre on a single charge. Those with larger yards may need to recharge part way through mowing.

The 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery holds a charge well when not in use. You won't have to worry about it self-discharging when storing the mower between mowing sessions. The battery can be charged by plugging the charger into any standard 110V outlet.

The mower does not come with a second battery. Having a second battery allows you to hot swap when one runs out of juice, effectively doubling your run time. However, extra batteries do add to the overall cost.

Special Features

The Black & Decker BEMW213 electric lawn mower has several handy features that make mowing the lawn easier.

• Mulching Capability: This mower can mulch clippings into fine particles that are returned to the lawn as natural fertilizer. No need for an extra attachment - just close the rear discharge flap to activate mulching mode. The fine mulch also doesn't clump on the lawn.

• Edge Max Technology: The mower deck design allows you to mow closer to walls, fences and landscaping edges. The rounded nose lets you trim closer without damaging your surroundings.

• Self-Propel: The mower can propel itself forward so you don't have to push it manually. Just squeeze the variable speed handle to engage the self-propel up to your desired walking pace. Makes mowing large lawns much less tiring.

• Folding Handle: The upper handle conveniently folds down for compact storage. Easy to tuck away in a garage or shed when not in use.

• Height Adjustment: Adjust the cutting height from 1.5" to 3.75" in six increments to suit your lawn's needs. Easily adapts for seasonal variations.

• 2-Year Warranty: Backed by Black & Decker's 2-year limited warranty for peace of mind.

Ease of Use

Out of the box, the Black+Decker BEMW213 lawn mower is fairly quick and easy to assemble. The main handle clicks into place and needs to be secured with 4 included bolts using the provided allen wrench. After that, you just need to click the grass catcher bag onto the rear discharge chute. Total assembly time is about 10-15 minutes.

The controls on the mower are straightforward with a single button to turn the mower on and off. There is no self-propel option, so you simply push the mower to move it. The 20 inch cutting deck allows you to maneuver into tighter spaces compared to wider mowers.

While it does not have power-assisted wheels, the 7.5 inch front wheels and 6.5 inch rear wheels roll smoothly. Weighing in at 53 pounds, the mower is lightweight enough to maneuver well and lift into a car trunk or storage space. The handle also folds down for more compact storage. Overall, the BEMW213 scores high marks for quick assembly, easy controls, and good maneuverability.

Noise Level

Compared to gas-powered mowers, electric mowers like the Black+Decker BEMW213 are much quieter in operation. This is because electric mowers lack noisy combustion engines. Instead, they utilize quieter electric motors to drive the blades.

Users report that the BEMW213 operates at around 68-70 decibels. This noise level is similar to the volume of a normal conversation. It allows you to mow early in the morning or late evening without disturbing neighbors. The quiet operation is ideal for suburban homes in close proximity.

Some electric mowers with more powerful motors can be slightly louder in the 75-80 decibel range. But they are still quieter than most gas mowers that operate at 90+ decibels. The BEMW213 hits a nice sweet spot of power and quiet operation.

So if you want a mower with all the cutting capacity of gas models but less noise, the BEMW213 is an excellent choice. The quiet electric motor makes mowing the lawn a more peaceful experience.

Maintenance

The BLACK+DECKER BEMW213 requires minimal maintenance to keep it performing well. It is very easy and inexpensive to maintain this electric mower.

The mower blades will need to be sharpened at least once per year, depending on how often it's used. Sharpening the blades helps keep the grass cut cleanly and efficiently. Sharpening kits can be purchased for about $10 and it's a quick process to do at home.

Besides sharpening the blades annually, the only other regular maintenance is keeping the underside of the deck free of grass clippings and debris. This can be easily done by tipping the mower so the deck is facing up and using a small brush or compressed air to remove any built up residue. It's a good idea to check under the deck regularly and clean as needed to prevent clogging.

Overall, the maintenance demands of the BLACK+DECKER BEMW213 are very minimal, especially compared to a gas-powered mower. The electric motor has no oil or filters to change. The only real costs are the occasional replacement blade and a few minutes to keep the deck clean. For homeowners who don't want to deal with complex maintenance, the simple, hassle-free upkeep of this mower makes it very appealing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to maneuver
• Good cutting power for the size
• Decent 20-inch cutting width
• Easy to assemble right out of the box
• Adjustable cutting heights from 1.5-4 inches
• Mulching capable
• Low noise level compared to gas mowers

Cons

• Battery life could be longer
• Not meant for heavy overgrowth
• Collection bag is on the smaller side
• No electric start button
• Steel deck could be more durable

The Black & Decker BEMW213 electric lawn mower offers a nice balance of power, maneuverability and ease of use. The 20-inch cutting deck can handle average sized yards efficiently. It's lightweight at just over 50 pounds yet still has a 13 amp motor that delivers adequate cutting power. The push button start and adjustable height settings also make the mower straightforward to operate.

On the downside, the 40 minute battery life means you'll likely need an extra battery or need to recharge mid-mow for larger yards. It also can't power through thick grass and weeds as well as a gas mower. But overall it's a quality electric mower good for light to moderate lawn care needs.