Black and Decker are a brand with a great reputation so we have had high hopes when looking at this cordless model which is very reasonably priced, too. Read on to find out what we, and more importantly users, thought about it.
Quality– 18V Lithium ion battery to last longer – Adjustable height | Usability– Connects to base unit to use as a mower** – Weighs in at only 2.6kg | ||
Robustness– Switch between edges and normal – Charges in around 7 hours | Performance– Line spins at 6200 rpm – Lasts around 15-25mins, terrain dependant |
This very affordable model from Black & Decker has some great features that will really come in handy for the garden enthusiast. They design team over at Black and Decker have really thought about what to include in this product and it shows. Here are some of the features it has:
- Weighs in at only 2.6kg
- Has a 25cm cutting width
- Switches between normal trimming and angled for borders
- Height adjustable for optimal length cutting shaft
What Users Say
On the whole general feedback about this unit has been great and the product has been well received by gardeners. The item seems to tick nearly all of the boxes in that it is lighweight and easy to use. Users love that it is cordless and very quiet which makes their job in the garden much more enjoyable and without the need for annoying and potentially dangerous cables.
Several have commented on the fact that that battery doesn’t last as long as they wish it would do. Some report operation times of only 10 to 15 minutes, while others state that they have been able to use it for over 30 minutes. It suggests that the battery was not charged sufficiently or that the trimmer was being used on heavy terrain which meant that the power was drained quickly.
The ability for the trimmer to act as an edge trimmer as well as a general strimmer was also noted as a plus point by the vast majority of users. It is also very easy to store because it’s lightweight and compact so you can collapse it down to fit onto a shelf in the shed.
Advantages
- Well built and easy to use
- Extra handle allows for easy manoeuvering
- Adjustable height depending on height of person
- Auto line feed works well and smoothly
Disadvantages
- Battery life and charge time
What We Say
Cordless gardening tools have come a long way over the past few years and in our opinion that’s a great thing because it should result in quiet, eco-friendly machines that you can use anywhere. At the moment, however, the battery life on most of the products is not quite what it should be. This Black & Decker STC1815-GB machine does a great job but perhaps the battery life is not going to be sufficient for some people.
The unit itself is perfect. It’s lightweight, easy to move around and handle, especially with the added 2nd hand for additional support. The string cuts the grass effectively and will do a good job of getting through a reasonable thickness of grass, but don’t expect it to go through really rough overgrown areas that have thick branches. That’s not what it was designed for.
Overall we really rate this product because it does a good job, is easy to use and you can store it very easily. We’d say you just need to remember that this is for light use and for small gardens so don’t expect it to last hours on end and cut through thick overgrown areas. It’s for trimming those areas that your mower can’t get to.
Is it Right for you?
For a very reasonable price you can get yourself a great piece of kit that will deliver on what it was designed to do; trim the edges of your garden and those ares that the lawn mower is not able to pick up. If you are looking for something a little more sturdy and with the ability to be both cordless and corded, check out the Ryobi electric trimmer.
Where to Buy
We highly recommend you buy this Ryobi trimmer from Amazon because it’s safe and they will deliver fast.
Black & Decker STC1815-GB Lithium Cordless Strimmer
A well crafted, inexpensive trimmer that does the job well and will make short work of your edges and left over uncut grassy areas.
Advantages: Lightweight, inexpensive, easy to use
Disadvantages: Battery life
Approx. price range: £60 – £70
Verdict
- Noise
- Economy
- Weight
- Build Quality
- Power
- Features