Black+Decker 20V Lithium Weed Eater Review for Homeowners
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A black and decker 20v lithium weed eater review should start with the model that matches that description most closely. The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX LST522 is a 12-inch cordless string trimmer and wheeled edger that comes with a lithium battery and charger. This review is based only on what the listing says about that model, and it marks the places where the listing leaves out a value you would normally want before buying.
Quick answer
- The LST522 is a cordless 20V MAX string trimmer with a 12-inch cutting width and a wheeled edger attachment, according to its title and bullets.
- The package includes an LBXR2520 20V MAX extended runtime lithium battery, a charger, an AFS spool and a guard.
- The listing describes an automatic line advancement system, a 2-speed PowerDrive transmission and a telescoping, adjustable handle.
- The listing gives a 2-year limited warranty. It does not state the charge time or the trimmer weight.
What the listing covers
The LST522 listing has a title, a set of bullets and a short spec sheet. The spec sheet gives only the brand and the model number, LST522, so most of the details come from the bullets. That makes the bullets the main source for this review. Each bullet names one feature, and most of them tie that feature to a practical result such as no bumping to advance the line or a quicker switch between trimming and edging.
The bullets are written for a homeowner trimming around a yard, a fence line or a garden bed. They do not describe a commercial use, and the listing does not mention brushcutting or heavy clearing. If your work is mostly heavy brush, read the listing for the trimmer’s power claims and check the cutting head design before you decide.
Specifications from the listing
The table includes only values the listing states. “Not stated” means the listing does not give the value.
| Feature | What the listing says |
|---|---|
| Brand | BLACK+DECKER |
| Model | LST522 |
| Power source | 20V MAX cordless, lithium battery |
| Cutting width | 12 inches (in the title) |
| Battery in the package | LBXR2520 20V MAX extended runtime lithium battery, 2.5Ah (in the title) |
| Runtime claim | The LBXR2520 gives 66% more runtime than standard models, according to the listing |
| Speed settings | 2-speed control, with PowerDrive transmission |
| Line feed | Automatic line advancement (AFS) |
| Conversion | Trimmer to wheeled edger by rotating the head |
| Adjustments | Adjustable height and handle, premium soft grip |
| Included | LST522 trimmer/edger, LBXR2520 battery, charger, AFS spool, guard |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Charge time | Not stated |
| Shaft length | Not stated |
| Warranty | 2-year limited warranty |
Line feed: the feature the listing leads with
The first bullet describes the AFS, the automatic feed spool. The listing says the system dispenses trimmer line as you work, so you do not have to tap the head on the ground to release more. For a homeowner, that is the difference between stopping every few minutes to reset the line and keeping a steady cut along a border. The listing also includes an AFS spool in the box, which is the part the feature depends on. Replacement spools are not described in the listing, so check the spool type before you buy extra.
The listing says the line advances automatically as you work. It does not describe how the head responds if the line runs out completely, or how often you will need to reload. Those details matter for a long session, so read the spool instructions when the trimmer arrives.
Power and speed control
The listing describes a 2-speed control and a PowerDrive transmission. It says the speed setting lets you choose higher power for tough areas or longer runtime for extended jobs. The listing does not say how much the higher setting shortens a charge. The PowerDrive transmission is described as boosting torque at the string, which means more turning force on the line when it meets thick grass or weeds.
The listing does not give a motor speed in RPM, a motor type, or a figure for how much grass the trimmer can cut in one pass. Those are the numbers you would compare against a gas trimmer or another 20V model. Without them, use the 2-speed setting and the 12-inch cutting width as the main guides.
Battery and runtime
The package includes the LBXR2520, which the listing calls an extended runtime lithium battery. The listing says it offers 66 percent more runtime than standard models. That is a comparison the seller makes against its own standard batteries, so it is a relative claim and not a figure for minutes of trimming. The title gives the capacity as 2.5Ah.
The listing does not state how long the battery takes to charge, how many minutes of trimming a full battery gives on each speed, or how the battery performs in cold weather. Those three facts decide how much work you can do in one session. If you are buying the trimmer to cover a larger yard, ask the seller for the charge time and check whether a second 20V MAX battery is needed for the job.
The listing says the trimmer is part of the 20V MAX system. That places it in the 20V MAX system, but the listing does not name the other tools that share its battery. Confirm compatibility with any BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX battery you already own before you assume it works.
Converting to an edger
The listing describes a quick conversion from trimmer to wheeled edger. You rotate the cutting head, and a wheel guides the line along a sidewalk, driveway or bed edge. That is a practical feature for a homeowner who wants one tool for both jobs. The listing does not describe how much the head must be adjusted for each edge, or whether the wheel can be locked in place, so check those details on the unit when it arrives.
Edging with a string trimmer is a different task from edging with a dedicated edger. A wheeled edger keeps a straight line along a hard edge, while a trimmer head cuts around the edge at a slight angle. The LST522 listing presents the conversion as a convenience, not as a substitute for a steel edger on a long, straight border, and that is the right way to read it.
Handle, height and comfort
The listing says the trimmer has adjustable height and an adjustable handle. It also describes a premium soft grip. Adjustments like these matter for a homeowner who works for long periods or who is shorter or taller than the average user. The listing does not give a range for the height adjustment or the handle position, or the weight of the trimmer, so measure the tool when it arrives and judge the fit for your own use.
The title says the trimmer is lightweight. That is a relative claim, and the listing does not give a figure. A lightweight design helps when you hold the trimmer at arm’s length for a long edge, but the balance and grip matter as much as the total weight, so try the handle position before you start work.
What comes in the box
The listing names the trimmer, the battery, the charger, an AFS spool and a guard. That is enough to start work without buying extra parts. The listing does not say whether a second spool or a spare battery is included. If you plan to use the trimmer on a large lawn, budget for a second battery, since the listing does not promise more than one battery in the package.
Warranty
The listing gives a 2-year limited warranty. That is the same warranty term that the other BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX trimmers in this group carry. A limited warranty covers defects under the stated terms, and the listing does not describe what the warranty excludes, such as wear parts or the battery, so read the warranty card that comes with the tool.
Who the LST522 suits
The listing’s features point to a homeowner who wants one cordless tool for trimming and edging around a yard. The automatic line feed, the 2-speed setting and the wheeled edger conversion all serve that use. A user with a small to medium yard who mows the lawn with another machine and needs a trimmer for the edges is a natural fit.
The LST522 is less suited to heavy brush, a large property that needs more than one battery each session, or a user who needs a trimmer with a measured runtime figure in minutes. It is also not the right choice if you need a trimmer that runs on a corded power source, since the listing describes a cordless tool only.
Alternatives from the same group
Two other BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX models appear in the same set of listings, and they cover some of the same jobs. The LSTE523 is a 12-inch trimmer and edger with the same EASYFEED automatic line feed and 2-speed control. Its listing includes an LB2X3020 extended runtime battery, a charger, an AFS spool and a guard, with a 2-year limited warranty. Choose it when the EASYFEED name and the listed battery are what you want.
The LCC222 is a combo kit that adds a leaf blower to a 10-inch trimmer and edger. Its listing includes two batteries and a charger, and it names a 1.5Ah battery and a 2-year limited warranty. Choose it if you want a trimmer and a blower in one package, and read the listing carefully for the battery figures before you compare it with the LST522.
View the LCC222 combo on Amazon
FAQ
Is the LST522 a lithium weed eater?
Yes. The listing describes the included battery as an extended runtime lithium battery and names the 20V MAX lithium system. The title gives the battery capacity as 2.5Ah. The listing does not give the cell chemistry or the charge time, so ask the seller for those if you need them.
How much runtime do I get?
The listing says the LBXR2520 battery gives 66 percent more runtime than standard models. It does not state the number of minutes of trimming on each speed setting, so you cannot convert that figure into a time estimate from the listing alone. Plan your session around the speed setting and check the runtime after your first use.
Does the trimmer bump-feed or auto-feed the line?
The listing describes an automatic line advancement system called AFS. It dispenses line as you work, so you do not need to bump the head on the ground. The spool and guard come in the box.
Can I convert it to an edger?
Yes, according to the listing. You rotate the cutting head to convert the trimmer to a wheeled edger. The listing does not describe how precise the edge line is, so test the conversion on a sidewalk or bed edge when the tool arrives.
Is the battery compatible with other BLACK+DECKER tools?
The listing says the trimmer belongs to the 20V MAX system. It does not name specific tools that accept the LBXR2520 battery, so confirm the fit with the other BLACK+DECKER tools you own before you rely on a shared battery.
What warranty does it carry?
The listing gives a 2-year limited warranty. Read the warranty document for the exclusions, since the listing does not describe what the warranty covers beyond the term.
Related reading on this site
For a wider view of cordless trimmers in this feature range, read the guide to the best Black and Decker 20V cordless weed eaters. If you are considering a larger battery platform, the comparison of Black and Decker 36V weed eaters covers the next step up in voltage.
Bottom line
Choose the LST522 if you want a 20V MAX cordless trimmer with automatic line feed, a 2-speed setting, a wheeled edger conversion and an extended runtime lithium battery in the box. Before you order, confirm the charge time, the spare battery plan and the warranty terms, since the listing does not state those values in full.
