BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM 12 inch Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Black+Decker BESTA512CM is a compact, battery-powered electric lawn mower designed for smaller yards. This 12-inch mower features a 20V MAX lithium ion battery that provides enough power to cut up to 250 square feet on a single charge.

Key specs of the BESTA512CM include:

• 12-inch cutting width
• Height adjustable from 1.5 to 4 inches
• Weighs only 35 lbs
• Mulching and rear bagging capabilities
• Foldable handle for easy storage

With its lightweight, portable design and cordless operation, the BESTA512CM offers an easy and convenient way to maintain small lawns and turf areas. Its compact size makes storage and maneuverability a breeze.

Design

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower features a compact and lightweight design intended for easy maneuverability. Despite its smaller size, it still offers a generous 12-inch cutting deck to get the job done efficiently.

Weighing in at just 25 pounds, this mower is one of the lightest in its class. The light weight makes it easy to push and turn while mowing your lawn. Even though it's compact, the mower's design still allows for a 20-inch wide cut - perfect for small to mid-sized yards.

At just 20.5 x 15.5 x 11 inches (LWH), the mower can be stored in tight spaces. The short height also enables users to easily lift the mower for access to harder to reach areas or for vertical storage. The integrated carry handle further improves portability around the yard.

Despite the small footprint, the BLACK+DECKER electric mower still feels sturdy and stable when in use. The durable plastic housing resists wear while mowing. Large 7-inch front wheels and 5.5-inch rear wheels help maintain traction on uneven terrain.

Overall, the scaled down size, light weight, and thoughtful design features make the BESTA512CM ideal for navigating tight spaces and mowing small to medium yards with ease. The easy maneuverability ensures an efficient and hassle-free mowing experience.

Cutting Deck

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower has a 12 inch cutting deck, which is suitable for small to medium sized lawns up to 1/4 acre. The cutting deck houses a durable steel blade that is 12 inches wide.

The cutting height is adjustable between 1.5-4 inches in 0.75 inch increments, allowing you to customize the cut to your lawn's needs. At the lowest setting, the mower cuts down to 1.5 inches for a close shave on manicured lawns. At the highest 4 inch setting, it can tackle longer grass and uneven terrain. With 7 height options, you can fine tune the cutting deck to achieve the perfect cut for your lawn.

The 12 inch cutting width allows the mower to maneuver easily around landscaping features and obstacles in the yard. While it may take more passes to mow larger yards, the compact deck makes the mower accessible for yards with tight spaces. Overall, the cutting deck is thoughtfully designed for versatility, durability and customization.

Motor

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower is powered by a 12 Amp, 24V motor. This provides sufficient power and torque to cut through typical residential grass while maintaining a quieter operation compared to gas-powered mowers.

The 24V system allows the mower to be powered by two removable 12V batteries. This provides up to 35 minutes of continuous mowing on a single charge. The batteries can be easily swapped out for extended mowing sessions.

The 12 Amp motor draws moderate current from the batteries to balance power and run time. It generates torque efficiently without over burdening the battery system. This allows the mower to tackle typical lawn conditions in a single pass.

The electric motor requires no fuel, oil changes or tune ups making it very convenient to use and maintain. It starts up instantly with the push of a button for quick mowing sessions. Overall, the 24V electric motor provides adequate power for this compact mower while remaining quiet and easy to use.

Battery

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower comes equipped with a powerful 12V battery that provides ample runtime to tackle small to medium sized lawns. The 12V battery allows for up to 30 minutes of continuous mowing on a full charge, which is suitable for lawns around 1/4 acre in size.

Charging the battery is straightforward - simply plug it into the included charger and it will be ready to go in about 4 hours. This charge time makes it easy to top off the battery in between mowing sessions. Having a second battery on hand is recommended for larger lawns to avoid downtime waiting for the battery to recharge.

The 12V sealed lead-acid battery is maintenance free. There's no need to worry about checking fluid levels or additional maintenance. Just charge it when needed and it's ready for use. With proper care and storage, the battery should deliver consistent runtime for multiple seasons.

Overall the 12V battery included with this electric lawn mower provides sufficient power and runtime for small property owners who need an emission-free, quiet mowing solution. The fast 4 hour recharge time helps keep the mower ready to tackle the lawn anytime.

Additional Features

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower comes with several useful additional features that enhance the mowing experience.

Mulching

This mower has mulching capability, allowing you to recycle grass clippings back into the lawn as a natural fertilizer. The mulching blade cuts grass into tiny pieces which decompose quickly. This eliminates the need for bagging clippings and saves you time spent emptying the bag. Mulching also provides nutrients back to the soil.

Bagging

While mulching is convenient, the mower also has a 1.2 bushel cloth grass collection bag if you prefer to collect clippings. The bag attaches easily and has an indicator window so you can see when it needs to be emptied.

Runtime Meter

A handy runtime meter shows the remaining battery life so you can monitor power levels. This helps avoid unexpectedly running out of juice mid-mow. The meter lets you know when it's time to recharge the battery.

Ease of Use

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower is designed for easy operation and maneuverability. The controls are simple and intuitive, with a single button to start the mower and levers to adjust height and speed.

The 12 inch cutting deck allows the mower to easily navigate around landscaping and other obstacles. Weighing only 35 pounds, the BESTA512CM is lightweight and can be maneuvered with just one hand. The compact size makes storage easy as well.

Users mention how quiet the mower is compared to gas-powered models. The high-efficiency brushless motor operates smoothly and reduces noise and vibration. This makes mowing early in the morning or later in the day much easier without disturbing neighbors.

Overall, the streamlined design, compact size, and quiet motor of the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM allow for effortless mowing and trimming in tight spaces. Controls are user-friendly for beginners while still delivering power and performance.

Maintenance

Keeping your electric mower running smoothly involves some periodic maintenance. Here are the key things to keep in mind:

Cleaning - After each mowing session, use a damp cloth to wipe down the mower deck and remove any built up grass clippings or debris. Avoid using a hose or pressure washer to clean the mower.

Every so often, remove the battery and use a soft brush to gently clean under the deck and around the blade area. Make sure the mower is unplugged before doing this.

Blade Maintenance - Check the mower blade periodically for any nicks, dull edges or wear. Use heavy work gloves when handling the blade for safety.

To sharpen the blade, remove it and use a metal file to sharpen the cutting edges at the same angle they are currently set at.

For optimal cutting, the blade should be replaced after 2-3 seasons of use. Replacing a dull blade with a factory sharp blade can greatly improve cutting performance.

Follow the owner's manual instructions for proper blade removal and installation. Take care not to overtighten the blade bolt when re-installing a freshly sharpened or new blade.

Proper blade maintenance is key to keeping your electric mower cutting cleanly and efficiently season after season. Take some time to regularly inspect, sharpen and replace the blade as needed.

Pros

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower has several advantages that make it a great option for homeowners:

Lightweight and Easy to Maneuver - Weighing only about 35 pounds, this mower is lightweight and easy to push around the yard. The compact 12 inch deck size allows you to trim in tight spaces and maneuver around obstacles with ease. This makes the mowing experience less tiring compared to heavier gas mowers.

Quiet Operation - Electric mowers like this model operate much more quietly than gas-powered mowers. Without the loud roar of a gas engine, you can mow early in the morning or later in the evening without disturbing neighbors. The quiet operation is ideal for small yards in subdivisions or townhouses.

Simple to Use - With just an easy push button start, no priming or choke levers are required. The intuitive controls and auto-shutoff safety feature also make this electric mower straightforward to operate right out of the box. No gas, oil changes or tune ups are required, adding to the overall user-friendly design.

Cons

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM electric lawn mower has some drawbacks to consider before purchasing.

• Short Run Time: The run time on a single charge is only about 30-35 minutes. This is quite short compared to some competing models that can run for over an hour per charge. For larger yards, you may need to stop and recharge the battery multiple times to finish mowing the lawn. This can slow down your mowing time significantly.

• Small Cutting Deck: The cutting deck on this mower is only 12 inches wide. This is smaller than many gas-powered mowers which often have 20-22 inch decks. The small deck means it will take more passes to mow the same area compared to a wider cutting deck. So mowing time may be longer, especially for larger yards.

The short runtime and small cutting deck are the two major downsides of this electric mower. If you have a yard larger than 1/4 acre, you may want to consider a model with a larger deck and longer lasting battery. But for small urban yards, the size and run time are likely sufficient.