What's inside
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For most small yards, the best Black+Decker lawn mower is the least glamorous one: a 15-inch corded model like the BEMW472BH covers city lots indefinitely, the 40V CM2043C makes sense when you’re pushing toward a quarter acre or hate managing a cord, and the 20V 3-in-1 MTC220 only earns its place on lawns small enough to finish in ten minutes. Below is how the three tiers actually differ where it matters — deck width, runtime, and cutting-height range.
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The three tiers at a glance
| Model | Power source | Deck width | Cutting-height range | Weight | Practical coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEMW472BH (corded) | 10 amp, 120V | 15 in | 1–3 in, 6 positions | ~38 lb | Unlimited (extension cord reach) |
| MTC220 (20V 3-in-1) | 20V MAX, two batteries | 12 in (trimmer line) | ~1.6–2.4 in, 2 deck positions | ~13 lb | Up to ~750 sq ft per charge |
| CM1640 (40V) | 40V MAX, two batteries | 16 in | ~1.1–3.1 in, 6 positions | ~38 lb | Up to ~1/8 acre per charge |
| CM2043C (40V) | 40V MAX, two batteries | 20 in | 1.5–4 in, 6 positions | ~56 lb | Up to ~1/4 acre per charge |
Two things stand out. First, only the corded and 40V models cut with a real blade — the 20V machine is a string trimmer riding on a small mower deck, which changes what it’s good at. Second, the height ranges differ meaningfully: if you keep grass tall (3.5–4 inches for fescue or to survive summer), the CM2043C’s range is the only one that gets there.
Corded: the default choice for small, flat yards
An electric lawn mower from Black and Decker’s corded line trades one inconvenience — the cord — for a stack of advantages: it’s the lightest blade mower in the lineup, it never runs out of power mid-pass, it’s the cheapest tier (typically $130–$180), and there’s no battery aging in your garage. The BEMW472BH’s winged blade and close-to-edge deck geometry also trim reasonably tight along fences and foundations, which reduces follow-up string trimming.
The cord is a real constraint, though. Practical rules:
- Stay under 100 feet of total reach, and use a 14-gauge outdoor-rated cord at minimum — step up to 12-gauge if you go longer, because an undersized cord starves the motor and shortens its life.
- Mow in lanes starting nearest the outlet so the cord trails behind you on already-cut grass. Working away from the outlet is the classic first-day mistake.
- Flowerbeds, trees, and irregular shapes multiply cord management. If your lot is an obstacle course, the hassle scales faster than the yard size does.
20V: a mower, trimmer, and lawn edger in one — for tiny lawns
The MTC220 isn’t a conventional mower. It’s a 20V MAX string trimmer that clicks into a rolling deck for mowing and detaches for trimming and edging — which is why it shows up in searches for a Black and Decker lawn edger as often as for mowers. On a deck, the two-position height adjustment and automatic line feed give a surprisingly even cut on grass that’s already short.
Be honest about fit before buying: line cuts less cleanly than a blade on thick or wet grass, the 12-inch swath means lots of passes, and the pair of included 20V batteries is sized for townhouse strips and courtyards — roughly up to 750 square feet. If your lot is 3,000 square feet, this is the wrong tool, full stop. But if it’s 500 square feet behind a row house and you’d otherwise buy three separate tools, it’s the cleverest option Black+Decker sells.
40V cordless: real mowing without the cord
The Black and Decker cordless lawn mowers worth comparing are the 16-inch CM1640 and the 20-inch CM2043C. Both ship with two 40V MAX batteries, both mulch, bag, or side-discharge, and both use a single lever for height adjustment. The differences are scale:
- CM1640: At ~38 lb it’s as easy to push as the corded model, and the narrower deck fits through gates and between beds. The trade-off is coverage — figure on 1/8 acre comfortably, less in thick spring growth.
- CM2043C: The 20-inch deck and 1.5–4-inch height range make it the only tier that handles taller grass varieties and shaggy, skip-a-week lawns. It covers up to about a quarter acre on the included batteries, but at ~56 lb it’s meaningfully heavier on slopes.
Expect to pay roughly $280–$400 depending on kit. The 40V MAX batteries do not fit the 20V platform (and vice versa) — the two systems are physically different, so buy into whichever line matches tools you already own.
Matching the tier to your situation
| Your situation | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under ~800 sq ft, want one tool for mow + trim + edge | MTC220 (20V) | Three tools in one; runtime is sized exactly for this scale |
| Up to ~5,000 sq ft, flat, outdoor outlet within ~100 ft | BEMW472BH (corded) | Cheapest per year of ownership, unlimited runtime, lightest blade mower |
| ~5,000–8,000 sq ft, or obstacles make a cord miserable | CM1640 (40V) | Coverage and maneuverability match a small city lot |
| ~1/4 acre, tall-grass varieties, or inconsistent mowing schedule | CM2043C (40V) | Only deck that reaches a 4-inch cut; handles overgrown grass better |
| Rental or no outdoor outlet at all | Either 40V model | Corded tier is off the table; pick by yard size |
The math behind the recommendation
Mowing time. At a comfortable 2 mph walking pace, a 15-inch deck cuts effectively ~13 inches per pass — roughly 3.2 sq ft per second, so a 4,000 sq ft yard takes about 21 minutes of cutting plus turns and overlap, call it 30 minutes total. That’s inside one 40V charge window but well beyond the MTC220’s realistic battery budget. Corded, of course, doesn’t care.
Five-year cost. The corded mower draws about 1.2 kW, so a 30-minute mow uses ~0.6 kWh — under 15 cents of electricity per session at typical rates. Over five years you’re looking at roughly $160–$200 all-in (mower + electricity + one blade). A 40V setup costs more upfront, and the batteries — commonly $80–$120 each as replacements — typically need replacing around year 3–5 of regular use. Realistic five-year total: $400–$550. You’re paying roughly $200–$350 for the convenience of no cord. On a 2,000 sq ft lawn, that’s hard to justify; at 9,000 sq ft with trees everywhere, it’s cheap.
Ownership realities nobody puts on the box
- What wears first: On blade mowers, the blade itself — plan to sharpen or swap yearly (~$15–$25). On the MTC220, trimmer line is a constant consumable, and the deck’s small wheels take a beating on rough ground. On 40V models, the batteries are the aging component.
- Battery storage: Store 40V packs at partial charge, indoors, off the charger. Leaving them on a hot garage shelf or fully drained all winter is the fastest way to kill them early.
- Plastic height adjusters: The single-lever adjusters on the cordless models are convenient but plastic. Force the lever while the wheels are bound in tall grass and you can strip the mechanism — lift the deck or roll to clear ground first.
- Cleaning: Scrape the deck underside after every few mows. Wet clipping buildup strangles airflow, which is what actually fills the bag — a caked deck is why a mower “suddenly” bags poorly.
- Common mistakes: Cutting below 2 inches on the corded model (it lacks the torque reserve for scalping), mowing wet grass on the 20V machine (line can’t handle it), and buying the 16-inch 40V for a lawn that really needed the 20-inch.
FAQ
Do Black+Decker 20V and 40V batteries interchange?
No — they’re separate platforms with different mounts. If you already own 20V MAX tools, the MTC220 shares batteries with them; the 40V mowers do not.
Can these mowers mulch and bag?
Yes — the corded and 40V blade mowers are all 3-in-1 designs (bag, mulch, side-discharge). The MTC220 doesn’t collect clippings since it cuts with line.
Does Black+Decker make a dedicated lawn edger?
Yes — the corded LE750 Edge Hog is a purpose-built edger for cutting clean borders along walks and driveways. For occasional edging, though, the MTC220’s trimmer converts to an edger with a rotating head, which is enough for most small yards.