REASONS TO BUY
Maneuverable
Broad cutting range
Well designed bail
REASONS TO AVOID
Short runtime
Limited cutting power
Not self-propelled
Black+Decker CM2043 Review
An economy machine that's best suited to low-demand lawns
Credit: Amazon.com
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Our Verdict
The Black+Decker CM2043 offers consumers maneuverability, a broad range of cutting heights, and a competitive price point. However, it's lack of self-propulsion, cutting power, and battery life limit its usefulness to small or otherwise difficult to negotiate lawns. Despite these restrictions, when used appropriately, this mower will leave most users satisfied. See it rated versus top competitors in our review of the best cordless lawn mowers.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Black+Decker CM2043 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $349 List $404.62 at Amazon | $649 List | $150 List $89.99 at Amazon | $300 List $299.00 at Amazon | $280 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A low-cost mower suited for smaller lawns | This do-it-all mower eats up turf like Popeye eats spinach | An easy to maneuver mower that performs best on small, flat turfs | This inexpensive, push mower has a relatively long runtime | This petite mower is best suited for smaller lawns |
| Rating Categories | Black+Decker CM2043 | Ego LM2102SP | American Lawn Mower... | Greenworks 25322 | Sun Joe iON16LM |
| Mowing (35%) | |||||
| Battery (25%) | |||||
| Handling (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Black+Decker CM2043 | Ego LM2102SP | American Lawn Mower... | Greenworks 25322 | Sun Joe iON16LM |
| Self-Propelled | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Estimated Cutting Area | 6,457 ft² | 14,275 ft² | N/A | 9,196 ft² | 7,627 ft² |
| Measured Recharge Time | 300 min | 57 min | N/A | 60 min | 67 min |
| Cutting Deck Width | 15 5/16" | 18 1/8" | 14" | 13 3/4" | 13 7/16" |
| Measured Cutting Gap | 1 1/2" | 3/4" | N/A | 1" | 1 1/2" |
| Measured Noise | 74.5 dBa | 71 dBa | 86 dBa | 72.8 dBa | 76.5 dBa |
| Power (1 - 10) | 3 | 7 | Manual powered | 5 | 6 |
| Folding/Unfolding Ease (1 - 10) | 5 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Our testing revealed that the Black+Decker CM2043 lacks the power to efficiently mulch the turf it cuts and that tall grass will stop this machine in its tracks. This meager mower also lacks sufficient battery life to run for more than 20 minutes. That said, this machine is maneuverable, and inexpensive, making it a good option for those with low demand lawns.
The Black+Decker struggles in tall grass and is best kept on well-maintained lawns
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Performance Comparison
Likes
This machine has a broad cutting range that covers 1 3/8" - 3 3/4" over seven settings. The Black+Decker is also maneuverable. This benefit is in large part due to its lack of self-propulsion, which allows the wheels to roll freely around tight corners. It also has a well-designed bail that is easy and comfortable to grip. Finally, this mower is inexpensive.
Dislikes
First off, the Black+Decker has a very short runtime, and as a consequence, it is only capable of mowing an estimated 6,456 square feet of turf. When the batteries run out of charge, it takes an epic 5 hours to recharge them. As mentioned previously, this model also lacks self-propulsion as well.
Due to its general lack of power, the Black+Decker struggles a good deal in cutting all but the well-maintained lawns. Mulching will cause the motor to labor, and cutting tall grass will stop it dead in its tracks. Also, at 1 1/2", this model has a considerable cutting gap. The cutting gap is the space between the end of the blade and the outside of the cutting deck and is the main contributor to leaving uncut turf when cutting along a wall or other barrier.
The Black+Decker in its element -- flat ground with well-maintained turf
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Value
Essentially, value is an assessment of a product's performance to cost ratio. We know this product is inexpensive, so its value largely depends on the intended use. If the Black+Decker is used on small, well-maintained turf, it offers a good value because it will perform to expectations. On the other hand, if the mower is bought with unrealistic expectations, its value will decrease proportionally to its misemployment.
The Black+Decker does not do well mulching but prefers to bag the clippings
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Conclusion
The Black+Decker CM2043 is an economy lawnmower that has notable shortcomings. However, the machine is maneuverable, it has decent cutting deck dimensions and sufficient cutting power. While these features and the mower's low cost warrant acknowledgement, the Black+Decker will disappoint those who lack realistic expectations of what this machine is capable of delivering. That said, if the task you have in mind is within this performance envelope, then this mower will be a good investment.
—
Nick Miley and Austin Palmer
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