Just what I needed! Works great for all my needs. I can do my whole yard trimming on one battery charge. No more having to try to start those damn 2cycle gas trimmers again (20 or more pulls!)! Two other BIG pluses: No more smell, no more noise.... gone GREEN! The only (slight) drawback is the lack of power in real thick grass or weeds, but I just take a little more time and it gets through it. Also, I just don't let it get long or thick anymore!

I bought the whole family of B&D 18-volt yard products (blower, pole chain saw, hedgehog and this) and love all of them! And with 5 batteries and 3 chargers now I'll never be out of power!

GO GREEN, BABY!!!

The Black & decker Cordless Trimmer is great to have. I used the
product 6 times since I got and did better than one I have before.
Now I go places where I did go before when I electric cord trimmer.
I would rcommend this product everyone even people who have gas trimmer.
Less depend on gasoline and more electric.

First let me say, this trimmer is not going to replace your gas trimmer by any means.

For quick, light duty jobs, the trimmer handled itself very well. I completed my trimming chores on my 1/2 acre yard on one fully charged battery. The trimmer handled grass and thin-stemmed weeds around trees, the foundation, downspouts, concrete patio edge, and uneven brick trim with ease. Another plus the trimmer is light weight. Your arms and back won't ache using and carrying the trimmer around the yard.

The trimming line fed out as advertised and it was a big time-saver not to have to interupt my work session to manually feed the line out like I would two or three times when using my gas trimmer. One word of caution, as the battery weakens and if you bog the trimmer head down in heavy grass, there is an increased risk of line breakage without the new line feeding out properly. I experienced no problem but don't force the trimmer and keep the batteries fully charged.

As far as the noise level goes, the trimmer was much quieter than my gas trimmer. I mean no one in the house was rushing to close their window as I trimmed outside their room.

I was very pleased with how well the trimmer worked as an edger. After completing my trimming chores and without replacing the battery, I gave the trimming head a quick

It was represented as having 9 hours of power. I don't know if they were counting 1 or both batteries. Either way, it ran about 1 hour per battery.

I have a 60 x 100 lot. It took 4 batteries (2 from trimmer + 2 from my power tools) to trim my lot. I know my batteries are good, so this thing does take a lot of power. When the auto feed works and at full battery power, the trimmer does a good job. Otherwise, it requires patience. At lease it's better than dragging an electrical cord around.

I purchased this about one month ago and have used it twice. It works really well on trimming down grass at the edge of my driveway and garden. I haven't used it to trim anything thicker than that. It was a little heavy and the day after using it my arms were aching but that is probably my fault for being out of shape!

I purchased this trimmer in May 2008 and I am very happy with it. I have used it about 5 times. The majority of my weed trimming is done by a yard service, but I needed a trimmer for touch up and weed trimmer in areas outside the lawn. It is very nice to put in a battery and go. Battery life is good. I can get about 20 minutes of hard use (briars, thick weeds) and about 40 minutes of light use (grass) out of a fresh battery. The unit comes with two batteries. I have changed the "string" once and it was easy. The trimmer is light and quiet. May experience with the cordless trimmer resulted in me purchasing the B&D cordless pole hedge trimmer. They use the same battery, which is very helpful. All and all very good product, if you understand your getting a light duty trimmer.

We have a one acre lot and borrowed our neighbors Black and Decker loved the ease of the start!
So we bought our owm and we love it. It takes us both batteries to do the whole lot but hey there included.

I read a whole bunch of reviews before I bought this-not only this product but a lot of other cordless and corded electric trimmers. In retrospect, I would say that many of the reviewers of this type of product are people who want to do work that is heavier-duty than what I wanted. All I wanted was something to trim around a lawn and keep things tidy, not cut down really tall grass or big weeds. For a well-kept yard, medium or small in size (all I do it trim along a 100 foot driveway and around a few shrubs and trees), this product is just fine. I don't even exhaust one of the two batteries doing my yard. If, on the other hand, you are going after grass that is a foot tall, or if you are trying to cut down woody stemmed weeds, you will not be happy with this trimmer. I would definitely say this machine was worth the money and does what B&D says it will do.

I have a small yard and can barely finish trimming it with two batteries. These are old fashioned nicd batteries that develop a memory over time so if you recharge them when they aren't fully charged they never really recharge properly again. This is really bad considering there are much better battery technologies available that don't have this problem. Why they continue to sell this product with such terrible batteries is beyond me. Every thing else about this trimmer is fine, but it's all kinda besides the point without a proper power source.

I was expecting a really wimpy machine that wouldn't be able to do much of a job. However, it works very well for what I need -- weekly trimming around shrubs, raised beds, etc. I already have a gas powered string trimmer, which I hate because it is so heavy and loud. The weekly chore of triming after mowing (on a big property) doesn't require a gas powered trimmer if you don't allow the weeds to get big, and this works very well. I'm saving the gas powered trimmer for the big jobs.

Excellent product with tons of power to cut through the toughest brush. Battery life starts to run down after about 20 minutes but since two are included you just have to make sure their charged. As good as a gas without the problems starting.

Works well, not a weed wacker per se, but good for trimming grass in areas the mower won't reach. The batttery life is pretty good for a cordless tool, I use both to get my large yard done and keep them charging on a timer during the week. No major complaints

I like it but its a bit heavy for my arthritis and the battery doesnt last long...

I think this is a fantastic product.....I use it to cut my lawn...because my backyard is mostly pool and only a small lawn. It works Great. I wish the batteries lasted a little longer...but I usually have enough juice to finish my lawn. It was a lot cheaper than buying a lawn mower and the string is really simple to change....YEAH!

Works fine for what it is. I have a lot edging on my property and can get it all done with two batteries. This includes doing more than the "maintenance edging" that the manual states this unit is designed for. Next spring I will have to use a real edger and then I imagine the Grass Hog will handle the maintenance edging for another year. The line feed has worked flawlessly. Very happy with the Grass Hog.

We have been using this trimmer for about six weeks now and it has worked fine. The charge lasts long enough to deal with our roughly one half acre yard. I would not want to try and use it on heavy grass or bigger weeds as the line is kind of wimpy, but for use around the house trimming grass it has served our needs.

A very nice light weight weedwacker. Cordless design works well for me because my yard is spread out. Having two chargeable batteries means you can always switch to the backup if your battery runs low. Auto string feed is also very handy. Overall an excellent choice.

This is the second summer I'm using my grass hog. If you understand it's limits - it is an outstanding product. It is not powerful. It won't cut heavy brush or branches. Battery life is about 15-20 minutes. I suggest buying an extra charger so two batteries are always charged. My home is on a corner lot and it takes both batteries to do the trimming.

I am very happy to have the grass hog. Not having to drag a cord around more than compensates for its low power. It is reliable and starts easily. It is lightweight and is suitable for somebody that is elderly. You can buy spools of string or put your own on an empty spool. Note - it goes through sting rather quickly, especially in the edging mode. The grass hog is an ideal tool for the person with a small yard or with mostly grass to trim. It has made it much easier to take care of my yard since I've bought it. I would buy the grass hog again.

I purchased this for keeping the grass around my house and fence trimmed and am very satisfied. Granted, the batteries don't hold up to lots of heavy trimming, but for a normal trim (which for me is grass and some weeds around the entire house plus both sides of about 320ft of fencing) the 2 batteries are just enough when fully charged. It can definitely handle much thicker weeds and such, but don't expect the batteries to last too long under those circumstances. So I think the recommendation really comes down to your use. If you're just using it to keep the grass and small weeds around the house neatly trimmed, you'll be very satisfied. If you're hacking through the jungle, you'll definitely want to look at more traditional solutions.

This is a powerful effective weed wacker, that my wife loves. I use a heavier gasoline powered unit that she can not heft. The only problem is operating time - probably between 20 minutes to 30 minutes per battery. I bought the fast charger, which seems to take a good hour or more to charge. But two charged batteries last as long as my wife lasts at weed wacking, so on the whole it is a fine unit. But this is based on perhaps 10 uses, over a 2 week period, still on the first roll of cutting line.
Durability and reliability are presently unknown quantities.

I have owned this trimmer for about 2 months and here is the scoop....I will never again use a gas or electric corded unit.....This trimmer is lightweight....Instant start.....quiet......and with the 2 batteries... you have enough juice to last about 40 minutes which should do the job for most yards...The edger is also easy to change over and the only regret I have is not buring this trimmer sooner......Perfect!!!!

This model was highly rated by Consumers Group, and I can see why. Overall it works great, it's easy to handle, easy to assemble, and the battery packs seem to last as expected. Includes a charger with 2 battery packs so you always have a "hot spare". Amazon was selling this as bundle with a highly rated B&D cordless mower, so I bought the package deal.

The manual is decent. Let's face it - we're all interested in the assembly section so we can get busy. But they have some good points in the other sections of the manual.

I would recommend it for home use. It's definitely not industrial-grade for pro landscapers, but it does work well for home use.

This is an excellent product! It is easy to handle and does a beautiful job. Highly recommended!

I am satisfied with this product. It is just what i needed for keeping my yard looking neat and well cared for. I received it good time and in great condition. Thank you for having this kind of service.

This battery powered string trimmer fits exactly into the role that I needed it for. It provides the perfect portability and ease of use that I (and my wife) need for our small areas of grass. The automatic string feed has worked exactly as advertised.

The model that I purchased actually came with 2 batteries, which has provided a starting point for me to power a couple of other B&D 18v devices that I have acquired. I am now about to acquire the pole hedge trimmer for use on some of the bushes around the house.

I expect these 18v tools will provide much better service than older Versa Pack devices..... making them look like "toys".

This the second one of this type I have bought. The last won lasted 6 years. This is better than the last one. More power and lighter too.

This trimmer does a great job, and it's so nice not to be tethered to an electric cord. Thank goodness it comes with two batteries, however, because the batteries run down rather quickly. I use up both batteries and have to recharge before I can finish my rather large yard. I'd still buy it again, though, because it works so well, and I love cordless.

For years I have been unable to weed eat around my yard because I don't have the strength to start the rope pull weed eater. My new Black & Decker 12 volt weed eater is what I have waited for. It starts with a press of my thumb and first finger. Now I am free to weed eat as long as the battery doesn't run out. It isn't made for huge jobs but for we girls it is wonderful. Thank you Black & Decker.

For the money, this is the best trimmer I've ever used. I have several Black and Decker 18 volt tools, so I always have four or five batteries charged and ready to go. I have an acre property with lots of trees and flower beds that require trimming, and can usually do the job with two batteries. It is very plastic, but that also means it's light and comfortable. It's far less noisy than a gas model, and I personally like the auto-feed string head.

If you are a homeowner with a small lot, I think you'll like the convenience of this cordless trimmer. Don't expect it to perform like an industrial machine; it won't. But it will help you do your trimming with effortless starting, little noise, and hardly any pollution. I bought mine just to use for an occasional quick touch-up job, but liked it so well I'm getting rid of my gas model. Swapping batteries in the middle of a job is much faster, easier, and cleaner than filling a tank with gas. It may not be for everyone, but it's just the tool for many of us.

Very lightweight & easy to use. Yes the battery only last about 20 minutes but for me that is quite enough and if you charge one battery while using the other, you have 40 minutes of use. It is great for those of us who are smaller and not able to hold the heavy stuff.

A new era of my life was begun this summer when I bought my own grass trimmer/edger and lawn mower. After five years of hiring one lawn service after another, I decided to mow and tidy my own lawn. Mind you, I am a senior citizen on the young end, a woman, and not a lover of machines with sharp edges that I must handle (not the edges, the machine). Just to make sure I could do this, I borrowed my brother's equipment. He showed me how to use them and I buzzed away.

On July 4th, I declared independence from lawn services by buying my own lawn mower and grass trimmer. I was nervous at first, but now I get out there and have the best time.

Here are the reasons that I like this particular trimmer (Black and Decker 18-volt cordless electric 12-inch Hog String Trimmer/Edger):

1. It is electric! That means no cord! When I was using my brother's corded unit, I kept thinking, wow, the person who invents a cordless unit will make a ton of money.

2. Other reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with the cordless machine because it was not strong enough or didn't last long enough or took too long to charge. Here are my findings:

a. Strong enough to do my job--didn't find this complaint true for me
b. I couldn't believe the unit faded out just as I finished. True, a yard any larger would require more charging.
c. The instructions say to keep the unit on the charger all the time. My unit is always ready to go when I am!

3. One of my biggest complaints about lawn services and one which they totally ignored me concerning was stripping the grass blades to just strings. These poor blades never got over the shock nor did they ever grow again. Since the lower part of my yard slopes, rain water washes the top layer of soil down the yard every time, creating a barren look. I could never get the grass to build up or soil to stay put. There are no stripped blades now!! The same is true wherever they trimmed: along brick edgers, around night lamp, and the area around my gigantic oak tree. Grass now grows right up to the roots which project from the trunk.

When I want to edge, I flip that shield over and edge away. Of course, one should always wear protective goggles.

Another great aspect of this trimmer is its spools of string. When I used my brother's, I had to restring the unit several times because the string became loose. My unit has already-strung spools to go with it. I can't believe how wonderfully this works! And no more bad words!

This trimmer is incredible and works only as well as the person in control! Plus, best bonus--my yard looks great!

I bought this hoping to replace an old corded trimmer, but the Grass Hog just did not have the juice to do the job. The batteries take 9 hours to charge! I have never heard of a rechargeable battery taking 9 hours, but that is what the instructions say, and the instructions were accurate. The 2 batteries combined could not trim our .2 acre yard. You will be lucky to run the trimmer for 10 minutes per battery, then you get to wait for another 9 hours to have a charged battey. I returned mine and will buy a new corded trimmer so I can do the entire yard in one day.

Does a good job as a trimmer and edger. Light weight makes it easy to handle. Battery doesn't last as long as I would like, however, with the two batteries supplied I am able to finish my yard.

I bought this product in the last week and have used it twice since then.

It comes with two identical batteries. At first I was suspicious about the battery life - why include two, unless one won't last? Fortunately, that wasn't entirely the case. Each lasted at least a good 20 mins (that's about as much edging/trimming as I needed to do). Over time I could expect the battery life to decrease, and other people might have larger yards. So I could see why they included two. But I still would have expected a bit longer life out of just one. After all it's not a very small/light battery in the first place. It's the width/length of an average size brick, but a little taller.

Charging takes a good 9 hours as the instructions say. But the "3 light" charge indicator is a bit misleading: It doesn't light up at all when a new battery is initially plugged in, nor are there any other lights. So you have no clue it's even charging. In fact I thought it was dead, or the wall socket went out, since I didn't see anything for over an hour. After a full overnight charge, it finally showed all 3 lights. I unplugged it to charge the 2nd battery, and set it aside. After an hour, the first battery only showed "1 out of 3" lights" indicating it was drained. Yet, I tried it out in the trimmer and it worked fine. Inaccurate indicator? Or fast-draining-unused battery? Not sure. I can't say anything about the long-term life yet.

Performance was adequate, but not stellar. It'll whip through the average blades of grass without problem, but don't expect it to do much on low-lying weeds or thicker plants. Several passes or slow movement will be needed to get the full result. It's a little on the heavy side to be carrying around for very long. The front handle helps a bit, but I got fatigued after my 20 minute run. The vibrations made my hand shudder for several minutes after.

Usage instructions are lacking. The battery charger has a thorough instruction sheet, but the product itself does not. It's all done in a few small pictures - most likely to bridge the language barrier. But those pictures are vague at best. I had to figure it out by trial and error. The adjustment to go from "edging" to "trimming" was nice and convenient with a twist of the shaft.

As with most devices of the kind, you shouldn't be trimming with exposed skin or without eye protection. Debris has a tendency to go flying out of this thing, based on the mere nature of what it's doing. I noticed a few other reviewers got some injuries, which I don't understand. Hello?!?! You're holding a device that's whipping a cord around at a high RPM, with it impacting small stones & pieces of brush. Wear pants and keep the kids away!

If you have a small suburban yard that requires light to moderate work once a week like I do, you should have no trouble with this product. Anybody else should look elsewhere.