Black & Decker 18-Inch 9 Amp Electric Mulching Mower #MM275

To use an electric mower you have to have electrical outlets that are not much more than 100 feet from every part of your lawn. You have to mow in dry grass only. And you have to not mind doing the cord dance, which doesn't bother me.

This mower has one problem, which is the switch. After half a summer of operation, the on-off switch on our mower is almost worn out. Pretty soon it isn't going to turn on anymore. This may be due to the "revving-up games" that my kids played before we became wise to the situation. Black and Decker have a replacement switch back-orderered for me, and I have reason to believe that with more judicious use of the switch (and a 12 gauge extension cord rather than 14 gauge) this next switch will probably last a lot longer. If it doesn't, you'll see a much less positive review here next year, and I'll be turning my mower off by unplugging the cord.


A good deal.   August 25, 2003
James. E. Paynter (Champlin, MN USA)
56 out of 56 found this review helpful

I rate this as one of the best purchases I ever made. It cuts quite well and has never bogged down in any grass. My wife loves it because starting the mower is simply a matter of turning on the switch. Our neighbors look on the whole thing as kind of weird since it looks so odd and doesn't have the roar of a gas engine. We look at our neighbors and feel sorry for them as they billow smoke, noise and as they wrestle their gas monsters. We especially feel sorry for them when they have to shut down the mower, go do something else, and then yank their hearts out on the starting rope.

It takes a while to develop a technique for dealing with the extension cord but, once developed, it becomes second nature. It can't be used when the grass is wet. I have had it now for three years and have no complaints. The blade is quite easy to remove and sharpen. It mulches quite nicely and I have never attached the bag that came with it. When and if it wears out I will replace it with another similar type.


Better than we expected   September 18, 2002
Cheryl (Grover Beach, CA United States)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful

This mower is fantastic! Compared to our old mower, it is very easy to push. It starts just by holding up a handle and is much quieter than a gas mower. It mulches the grass so well that you can't even see it on the grass, only on the walkway. We wish we had this mower years ago. I highly recommend this.


Brand new yard gets 1st cut.   September 6, 2002
23 out of 23 found this review helpful

First of all, the mower was delivered faster than I had expected, especially since I used Super Saver Shipping. It was easy to assemble...took me about 10 minutes tops. I have an upward slope in my backyard, and even with tall unmown grass, the mower was up to the task. I figured it would be a good mower under regular conditions, but it exceeded expectations by handling the hill. In fact, its lack of a gas engine made it lighter and easier to maneuver. At the end of the afternoon, I was pleased with the look of my yard. Make sure you have an ample amount of extension cord and all is well!


Very nice cut   March 29, 2004
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

I purchased this because I was fed up with gas mowers. It seems the newer ones, in an effort to be more "environmentally friendly" (not to mention requiring more frequent service and care, which means more $$$$ for all concerned) are quite finnicky if not properly maintained. Maybe I'm old fashioned (I'm 26), but I should not have to take care of a lawnmower the way I take care of a car. I bought a $200, 6.5 HP gas mower for my mom at the end of last summer. OK, so she didn't drain the oil and gas out at the end of the season after using it maybe twice. Now that spring is here, we try to start it and nothing. I had to take off the carb and clean it thoroughly to continue. Boo to the direction gas mowers are going. Luckily their plan to cash in on traditionalists has led a group of people towards a more durable alternative.

This mower works great. I have used the mulch setting on it, and it does an excellent job. I bought a 16 guage 100' cord for ~$5.50, and it works fine. (The mower box and instructions say you need a 14 guage cord if you want 100', but 16 guage works if the amp rating matches).

Assembly was straightforward, with the exception of some funky tabs that go where the mower handle fits into the mower body. I do not see the need for these tabs personally, as the grass does not have an opportunity to go through them. But I suppose they are included for a reason, it took me a few minutes to figure out how they went in there- based on the instructions.

The small handle you use to start the mower feels a tad on the flimsy side. But the mower is so simple (being little more than a motor and a switch) that repacing that, should it be necessary, should be easy.

It's pretty light weight, and I can operate it with one hand while holding the cord in the other, a-la vacuuming. It's noiser than I expected having not heard one before. It makes a whirring sound, which I admit is more pleasant than the sound of a gas mower (when they're running).

Overall I'm quite happy with it.