Black+Decker BEMW213 Corded Electric Lawn Mower Review

The BEMW213 keeps things simple, and most of what it does well comes straight from that simplicity.

Light enough to push and carry

At about 46 lb, it is light for a 20-inch corded push mower.

Starts every time

There is no pull cord, no fuel and no oil. You press the button and hold the bail handle, and the motor runs. That alone removes the most common reason a small mower sits unused in the garage.

A clean cut on fine grass

The winged blade is designed for cutting and collecting, and it handles a normal residential lawn at the right height without drama. One buyer on Amazon notes it handles high grass without slowing down, though that is one report, not a rule for thick or wet turf.

Height changes with one lever

A single lever moves the deck through six positions from 1.5 to 4 inches. You can drop it a notch between passes without kneeling or fiddling with four separate wheel levers.

Folds flat and stores small

The Easy Grip foam handle folds down, so the mower tucks against a wall or under a bench. The foam grip is a small thing that matters on a long mow.

Two discharge options in the box

Side discharge is the better everyday choice on this mower, while the bag is there when you want the clippings off the lawn.

The honest weak point of the BEMW213 is how long it lasts, and the rest of its limits are about fit rather than failure.

Durability is the headline concern

Buyers on Amazon are mostly negative on durability, with multiple reports of motors burning out, often after a couple of seasons of heavy use. Quality draws the same kind of feedback. This is a minority of owners, but it is a real one, and it should shape how you think about the purchase.

A two-year limited warranty

Two years is short for a mower. If the motor fails in year three, the repair is on you.

Bagging is the weakest mode

The bag is the included collection method, but it can fit loosely and let dust blow back up at you. Side discharge avoids the problem entirely.

Mulching is not promised

The box lists the collection bag, push button, winged blade and Easy Grip foam handle. No mulching plug is listed, so do not count on mulching out of the box. Check the contents before you buy, and expect mediocre results if you simply close the rear port.

It will not cut to the edge

The wheelbase holds the blade off the line, so a strip of grass survives along beds, fences and walls. You will finish those with a string trimmer.

Light weight cuts both ways

The same 46 lb that makes it easy to push lets it ride over dense, lush turf instead of sinking into it. In thick grass the cut is less clean than a heavier machine would give.

Push only, and tethered

It is not self-propelled, so you supply the forward effort, and it is tied to a cord the whole time. The box lists the collection bag, push button, winged blade and Easy Grip foam handle.

These are the figures that decide whether the mower fits your yard.

• Motor: 13 A, 120 V
• Cutting width: 20 inches
• Height settings: 6, from 1.5 to 4 inches, single lever
• Drive: push, not self-propelled
• Weight: about 46 lb
• Dimensions: 34.8 inches long, 22.95 inches wide, 16.06 inches high
• Wheels: 6 inches front, 8 inches rear
• Start: push button with bail handle
• Handle: folding, foam grip
• Warranty: 2-year limited
• In the box: collection bag, push button, winged blade, Easy Grip foam handle

The 20-inch width and the light weight suit a small, flat lawn where you turn often. The 1.5- to 4-inch range covers a normal residential cut, from a short summer trim to a taller setting for the first pass of spring. The 13 A motor is the reason the cord matters so much, and that is the next thing to get right.

An electric mower is only as good as the cord feeding it, and this is where most of the trouble starts.

Gauge and length

For a 13 A tool at 120 V, use a 14-gauge cord up to 25 ft and a 12-gauge cord for 26 to 50 ft.

Why the gauge matters

An undersized or overly long cord drops the voltage reaching the motor. The motor then runs hot. A proper cord is not an accessory; it is part of the machine.

The circuit

Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet on a 15 A circuit, and do not share that circuit with other loads. A 13 A motor sits close to a 15 A breaker's limit.

How to mow with a cord

Lay the bulk of the cord near the outlet and work away from it. Turn to the right, stepping over the cord, and never mow toward the cable. The cord retainer on the switch box is small and will not hold a heavy 12-gauge cord.

The light weight and unlimited runtime are what make a corded setup worth the tether on a small yard.

The mower is built around a steel deck with a plastic upper housing and frame, on 6-inch front and 8-inch rear wheels, with a folding handle.

What buyers report

Buyers on Amazon most often praise performance, weight, cutting and ease of use. The complaint that comes up most is durability, followed by quality, with motors burning out sooner on yards that push the mower hard. Opinions are divided on maneuverability and on value. Treat the failures as a minority but a real one.

Parts are available

Replacement parts are sold separately and are inexpensive: the blade (N580092), the grass bag (N603437), the deck (N606248) and the fan (N580094).

Maintenance that keeps it running