Black & Decker CMM1200 information from Consumer Reports

Black & Decker CMM1200

Price range:

$300.00 - $399.99

Summary: The Black & Decker CMM1200 is an electric-powered push mower. It has a 19-inch deck and electric start. An optional chute is required to side-discharge. The warranty covers 2 years.

80 people have reviewed this model.

See all 80 user reviews

Write a review

Type: Electric-battery push

About - Black & Decker CMM1200
This Black & Decker mower's rating consists of: Mulching: Reflects a combination of evenness, which is how close the mowers came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how completely the mower distributed the clippings over the lawn's surface. Bagging: Denotes a combination of evenness, which is how close the mowers came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how many clippings the bag held before it filled or the chute clogged. Side discharging: A combination of evenness, which is how close the mowers came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how evenly clippings were dispersed from the side-discharge chute. Handling: Includes ease of operating the drive controls (for self-propelled models), pushing and pulling, making U-turns, and maneuvering in tight spots. Ease of use: Includes ease of starting the engine, operating the blade-stopping controls, shifting speeds (for self-propelled), and adjusting the cutting height. Bag convenience and ease of changing modes are separate judgments that contribute to the overall score.

About - Black & Decker CMM1200

This Black & Decker mower's rating consists of:

Mulching: Reflects a combination of evenness, which is how close the mowers came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how completely the mower distributed the clippings over the lawn's surface.

Bagging: Denotes a combination of evenness, which is how close the mowers came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how many clippings the bag held before it filled or the chute clogged.

Side discharging: A combination of evenness, which is how close the mowers came to even, carpet-like mowing, and how evenly clippings were dispersed from the side-discharge chute.

Handling: Includes ease of operating the drive controls (for self-propelled models), pushing and pulling, making U-turns, and maneuvering in tight spots.

Ease of use: Includes ease of starting the engine, operating the blade-stopping controls, shifting speeds (for self-propelled), and adjusting the cutting height. Bag convenience and ease of changing modes are separate judgments that contribute to the overall score.

About This Brand
Black & Decker is the leading manufacturer and marketer of corded electric and electric rechargeable mowers. Black & Decker mowers are available in only sub-20-inch cutting widths and in mulching and rear-bag configurations. Black & Decker mowers are widely available online and through Home Depot, Lowe's, and Wal-Mart.
Read our Brand Reliability

About This Brand

Black & Decker is the leading manufacturer and marketer of corded electric and electric rechargeable mowers. Black & Decker mowers are available in only sub-20-inch cutting widths and in mulching and rear-bag configurations. Black & Decker mowers are widely available online and through Home Depot, Lowe's, and Wal-Mart.

Read our Brand Reliability

Features & Specs - Black & Decker CMM1200
Can bag Indicates whether the mower can cut in the bagging mode. In this mode, the clippings are gathered in a removable catcher. Lawns tend to have the best appearance after cutting in this mode because the mower essentially vacuums the lawn clean and leaves very little debris behind. This advantage is offset by the need to periodically empty the catcher, and dispose of the grass clippings. Can bag	Yes
Can mulch Indicates whether the mower can cut in the mulching mode. In this mode, the discharging port is closed off and the mower re-cuts clippings until they're small enough to settle and decompose in the lawn. Cutting in this mode reduces the need to fertilize the lawn because some of the nutrients from the clippings are returned to the soil. It is also more convenient because there is no need to empty a catcher, or dispose of any clippings. Certain conditions are required for successful mulching, and if these conditions are not met, many visible clippings can be left behind on the lawn. For successful mulching, one should avoid cutting more than one third of the grass's length, cutting wet grass, or cutting at too fast a pace. Can mulch	Yes
Can side discharge Indicates whether the mower can cut in the side discharging mode. In this mode, the mower simply discharges the clippings off to the side of the mower. Depending on the length of the grass cut, this method tends to leave many visible clippings behind. This mode is preferable when cutting tall grass because the mower is less likely to clog, since the clippings are quickly removed from the deck. Can side discharge	Yes
Deck size (in.) Most models have a deck size, or cutting swath, of 20 to 22 inches. A larger deck will cut more grass in a single pass, but narrower decks are easier to maneuver and use in tight spaces. Deck size (in.)	19
Engine size For gas-powered mowers, engine size in cubic centimeters (cc) provides a rough indication of the engine's power; electric models are rated in volts (for cordless) or amperes (corded). A larger number for either a gas or electric model, however, does not necessarily result in better cutting performance. Engine size	24 volts
More features and specs

User Reviews - Black & Decker CMM1200

Consumer Reports User Reviews

Already own it? Write a review

Katie Blue Eyes

from

Delaware

2.0

Frustrating

8/6/2011

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Small Lawns

Comment:

Love the instant start. I hated yanking on gas mower strings. I love the easy height adjustment. No struggles there. I'm a fit 60+ woman with about a1/3 acre yard. This unit started to constantly overheat right after the warranty ran out. It runs for about 3 minutes at a time! Very, very frustrating. Longer grass is nearly an instant stall even at the high setting. Probably going back to gas even though I think electric is more Eco-friendly.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Harry

from

Columbia, SC

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

No gas, no repair bills, reliable

6/26/2011

Pros

Easy to Push & Steer

Lightweight

No Gas

Cons

Best Uses

Comment:

I've had this mower over three years now and have always been pleased. I have 3/4 acre but the centipede grass grows slowly, so I can alternate front and back yards each week. The mower has a hard time with thick, wet grass, so this mower will work best for you if your lawn is not too lush. I have not noticed any capacity fade in the battery over the last three years. I can't understand why other reviewers say this mower is heavy - it is far lighter than ANY gas mower I have ever used, and that makes pushing the mower much less work! Another benefit that has been overlooked: if you have a lawn that puts up a lot of dust or debris (e.g. dry pine needle bits), this mower will not suffer from contaminated air filter, air intake, or carburetor system. I have saved more than the cost of the mower in savings from not having to take it in to the shop for cleaning and repairing the fuel system. If they would add some battery capacity, I'd give it five stars.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

Jack

from

San Antonio, TX

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Disappointing

6/12/2011

Pros

Adjustable Cut-Lengths

Easy to Push & Steer

Cons

Heavy

Requires Constant Maintenance

Best Uses

Comment:

I have a very small front and back yard. This LM is a perfect choice, in principle, for small yards as a single charge works for multiple mows. BUT. I have had nothing but problems with this model. The lower handle pieces completely sheared off at the mounting bolts and the replacement parts are on back order unil the end of August (2.5 months from now). The battery has been replaced twice now and the new battery and charging unit do not communicate with each other, ie the light that indicates charging status always stays red (indicating still charging). Very disappointed in the reliability of the unit.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Other User Reviews

There are 0 reviews from the web

See all 80 user reviews

Recommended Ratings

Nobody Tests Like We Do: Our testers put 100s of products through their paces at our National Testing and Research Center. Learn more about how we test for:; Performance; Safety; Reliability; Learn more

To find the model that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value. Here's one tip: Don't pay for more features than you'll use.

Lawn mowers & tractors

ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports Network