Black & Decker CMM1200 19-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Mulching Lawn Mower Review
The four stars is actually for our CMM1000 which was the first generation of this mower. It's been a trooper for us and the only thing we do is sharpen the blades once a year and we've swapped out the batteries only once!
I've put a quick guide of the most popular models on Amazon. All info reported by manufacturer. Amazon won't let me put prices in my review, sorry!
MOWER............Path/Volt/Watt-hr......WT............COMMENTS
Neuton CE5.3............14"/24V/240......48#....Plastic deck, Removable batt.
B&D CM1836..............18"/36V/NA.......64#....Plastic deck
Greenworks 25092......18"/24V/480......95#....Self Propel, Removable Batt
Worx ECO WG780.......19"/24V/408......80#....Removable Battery
Haussmann CLM46NU...19"/24V/NA........94#....Haussmann who?? Metal deck
B&D CMM1200.............19"/24V/432......76#....Update to our old CM1000
B&D CM1936...............19"/36V/360.......72#....Plastic deck, Removable Batt
Neuton CE6................19"/36V/360.......88#....Plastic deck, Removable Batt
Earthwise 60120..........20"/24V/480......92#....Metal deck, Removable Batt
Toro 20360.................20"/36V/432......77#....Metal deck
>>Why SHOULD I get a cordless electric mower? They are super quiet, clean, and convenient. They aren't necessarily cheaper than a gas mower since they cost more up front but there is almost NO maintenance. (We spent over 10 years for a set of replacement batteries.) Corded electric mowers are a lot cheaper but then you have a cord.
>>Why SHOULDN'T I get a cordless mower? They weigh a LOT more than gas mowers so if you have a hilly lot or have difficulty with physical exertion, forget it. They don't have as much power as gas and re-fueling means charging for a few hours so if your lot is over ½ acre you may want to reconsider.
>>Why do they all come with mulching PLUS bagging? Electric powered mowers have come a long ways but mulching still takes a LOT more power than discharging, so bagging is pretty much a standard feature.
>>What is a watt-hour? It's basically how big your gas tank is - the more watt-hours, the longer you can mow before you have to recharge.
>>Is the cutting path a big deal? Yes - for two reasons. 1) The first thing manufacturers do when power is marginal is reduce the blade size, so I tend to see the smaller mowers as more likely to be underpowered. Second, when you consider that you have to overlap each pass by ~3", a 20" blade now effectively cuts 13% more on each pass. If you have a larger yard, you definitely do NOT want anything under 18" Also, my measurements show most mowers overstate their blade size by 1/2" (Our 20" measures 19-5/8, our 19 measures 18-1/2)
>>Why might I want a removable battery? If you have a large yard, this means you can have a second battery charging while you are using the first. A second battery typically costs 0-0 but it can make the difference between going electric or not. Finally, if you keep the mower in a shed that doesn't have power, a removable battery will let you bring it in for charging.
>>How long will my batteries last? That depends on your climate and usage. We had a small lot for many years and were religious about recharging right after use. We also live in a cooler climate (Michigan) so the mowing season is shorter. Our batteries lasted about 7 years. Most people should get 3-4 years easily but if you're careless and live in Arizona, you could probably kill the batteries in a year or two.
>>Why should I care about higher voltage? Higher voltage = more power, PLUS you can recharge the mower faster. With the same chemistry and current, a 36V mower will charge 50% faster than a 24V mower.
>>Metal deck or plastic? Metal rusts but with minimal care it's not an issue. Plastic ends up giving you a more stuff to trim since you can't cut as close to fences, etc.
If you've found this review helpful or have questions/comments, please let me know!
Black & Decker CMM1200 19-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Mulching Lawn Mower Feature
- Powerful 24-volt, 1,200-watt permanent magnet electric motor; mows 1/3-acre on a single charge
- Cutting height adjusts with the touch of a button; starts by simply pulling a lever
- Mower stores upright for compact storage
- 2-year limited warranty; limited lifetime warranty on cutting deck
- Included with mower: bag and mulching plate
Black & Decker CMM1200 19-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Mulching Lawn Mower Overview
Clean and convenient, the Cordless Electric Mulching Lawn Mower from Black & Decker runs on a dependable 24-volt battery and can mow a 1/3-acre home lot on a single charge. It allows you to eliminate tricky pull starts and tangled extension cords from your lawn care regimen and, as a zero-emissions tool, it's not just easier to use than traditional gas mowers, it's an environmentally friendly choice.
 A removable safety key prevents accidental startups. |
 The height of all four wheels adjusts with the pull of one lever. |
 The folding handle makes for easy storage. |
 Depending on conditions, this mower can handle up to 12,000 sq.ft. on a single charge. View larger. |
 Versatile configurations let you choose where grass clippings end up. |
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This cordless electric mower is designed to simplify lawn care. Just insert the key, pull the lever, and go. No pull cords or time-consuming maintenance and tune-ups required. No gas and oil to buy, mix, store, or spill. No need to worry about the length of an extension cord. No dirty fumes polluting your yard.
Versatile and Dependable Cordless Cutting Power
With this electric mower, a 1200-watt output permanent magnet electric motor delivers quick, effective performance. A single battery charge provides plenty of run time to mow a typical home site of 1/3 acre, which translates to a grass area of 10,000 to 12,000 square feet.
The mower's deck offers a cutting width of 19 inches. This durable polymer deck is easy to clean, won't ever rust, and is backed by a lifetime warranty. The mower also offers you the choice of using the mulching plate to lay cuttings back on your lawn as free, chemical-free fertilizer, or of using a rear bag with a large 1.5-bu capacity to collect clippings.
You can select a mowing height from 1.5 to 3.5 inches to account for a variety conditions. One-touch height adjustment lets you adjust all four wheels with the pull of a single lever. And when it's time to put the mower away, the handle folds to create a more compact footprint, allowing for storage in tight spaces.
Energy Star Approval and Support for Battery Recycling
The Black & Decker 24-volt battery-powered mower is the first in its class to offer a charger that qualifies for the Energy Star approval mark. This charger meets the strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. A battery will charge to 70-percent in just three or four hours, or to 100-percent overnight. In addition to benefiting the environment, this efficiency helps you save money on utilities.
Black & Decker also supports the activities of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBCB), a not-for-profit company established for the purpose of collecting and recycling rechargeable batteries within the U.S. and Canada so that they don't end up in landfills. Companies involved in this recycling effort pay for the cost of collection and recycling so that the environmental benefits come at no cost to you, the consumer.
This electric mower weighs just 76 pounds, and it is backed by a full two-year warranty.
What's in the Box
Mower, rear bag, mulching plate, and safety key.
Available at Amazon Check Price Now!
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Customer Reviews
CMM1200 Black&Decker Cordless Lawnmower - S. Gartrell - Natick, MA United States
I bought this mower in Sept. 0f 2008. In general I like the mower but it does have some issues. I agree with most of the reviewers that this is somewhat heavier than similar gas mowers. It doesn't cut medium length grass very evenly (it leaves a bit of a ridge on one side) and it has a tough time in taller grass. My primary problem is that today, the plastic post in the handle of the on switch broke, rendering the mower useless. This confirms what many reviewers have said about the switch being the weak link of this mower. I guess I'll have to borrow my neighbor's Toro until it gets fixed. The good news is that it has a two year guarantee and I'm within that period.
Simply Put - A Great Mower - J. Russell - Columbus, OH USA
I'm in my second season of using the CMM1200. At first I was skeptical that it would still work after being charged in the garage over the winter. But it still works as well as when I purchased it last year.
I have a medium sized yard that's relatively flat which is ideal for this mower. Sure it's heavier than a standard gas powered mower but it is on wheels, fellas. Not like you have to carry it...
I've also heard gripes about losing the key. I put mine on a key-chain attached to the mower. Unless you store the thing out of your locked garage, who cares? The key will be there when you need it.
This mower was pricier than a gas-powered replacement (unless you look at Lawn Boys or other upscale mowers) but the ease of use and elimination of gas, oil and maintenance is well worth it. Plus it doesn't stink up the neighborhood with gas fumes and smoke and it's quieter than my wife's hairdryer. It'll make you enjoy cutting your grass with a clear conscience. Perfect for Suburbia!
Awesome mower for smaller lawns - M. Woolf - Seattle, WA USA
I had the previous model of this mower for 6 years and loved it. The battery doesn't hold much of a charge now (only about 20 minutes) but I'm buying the newest model today. This mower is a great way to go green as there are no emissions and it still performs very well. If you have a large lawn, as I did (1/2 acre), I did have to mow 1/2 and then charge it, and then mow the other half. Love this mower though... I'm a repeat customer!
Satisfied with experience - National Parks - Seattle, Wa.
I am satisfied with the purchase experience and the product. Everything went smoothly, and so far, after 2 uses, we are very happy with the Lawn Mower. The only thing I was surprised about was the temperature restrictions for charging the battery. The manufacturer recommends that it NOT be charged in temperatures below 41 degrees F. to ensure longevity of battery life. It's also recommended that you charge the mower continuously when not being used.
