BLACK+DECKER LDX120C

BLACK+DECKER LDX120C

By BLACK+DECKER · Cordless Drills · Power Tools

  • 3/8 in keyless chuck
  • 650 RPM max speed
  • 11-position clutch
  • 1.5 Ah 20V MAX battery
  • 3.3 lb weight

Lowest price seen
~$59.99 (approx.)
from $59.99 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

An entry-level 20V MAX cordless drill/driver for household DIY — furniture assembly, hanging pictures, drilling in wood and metal. Consumer Reports found it slow and less powerful than pricier drills, and battery charging failures are the most common owner complaint, so test the drill promptly after purchase.

Strengths

  • Lightweight at 3.3 lb and compact, so it handles overhead work and tight spaces without fatigue.
  • Adequate for common household tasks: furniture assembly, hanging pictures, drilling in wood and metal.
  • The 11-position clutch helps prevent stripped screws and overdriving.
  • Battery holds a charge up to 18 months when not in use, so it is ready when you need it.
  • Shares batteries with the full 20V MAX POWERCONNECT tool lineup.
  • LED work light and on-board bit storage are practical touches.

Weaknesses

  • Consumer Reports lab tests found it slow and less powerful, limiting it to smaller screws and drills.
  • Battery charging failures are the most common owner complaint, including new-in-box units that won’t charge.
  • No hammer mode, so it is not suitable for concrete or masonry.
  • CR measured recharge time at 180-240 minutes, well above the 60-minute manufacturer claim.
  • Trigger sticking, chuck tightening problems, and units stopping abruptly are reported failure modes.

Verified specifications

ModelLDX120C (kit with LBX20 battery, LCS20 charger, double-ended bit).
Battery20V MAX* lithium-ion, 1.5 Ah (LBX20), 26 Wh.
ChargerLCS20, wall-mountable base; 60-minute charge time (manufacturer claim).
Chuck3/8 in keyless.
Max RPM650, single speed.
Motorbrushed.
Clutch11 positions.
Max torque115 in-lbs.
Weight3.3 lb.
Dimensions9.4 × 7.7 × 2.6 in (L × H × W).
LED work lightyes.
Bit storageon-board driver bit holder.
Hammer modeno.
Warranty2-year limited (tool and battery).
Battery holdholds a charge up to 18 months when not in use.
Full research notes and sources

Speed, power and run time

Consumer Reports has tested the LDX120C twice: in 2012 as “Light Duty” and in 2020 as “Heavy Duty (18-20V)”. The 2020 lab notes call it “slow” and “less powerful, limiting use to smaller screws and drills”, but give it “moderately long run time per battery charge”. CR measured battery recharge time at 180-240 minutes, while the manufacturer claims 60 minutes. The gap likely reflects real-world conditions versus ideal lab settings with the LCS20 charger and LBX20 battery.

Battery charging and reliability

Battery charging problems are the most common issue across owner forums. iFixit lists “Black and Decker 20 volt Battery wont charge” as the most popular forum question for this model. BLACK+DECKER’s own support page has multiple owner comments describing new-in-box units that won’t charge: “The charger flashes green once when plugged in. It flashes red continuously when the battery is attached for charging but is cool to touch. After 6 hours, the battery has zero charge.” Other reported issues include batteries dying quickly, chuck tightening problems, trigger sticking, and units stopping abruptly during use.

Nobody has published a failure rate for these charging issues, so treat them as a known risk rather than a definite defect. BLACK+DECKER provides a diagnostic: if the charger is warm after 30 minutes of charging, the battery needs replacement; if cool, the charger does. The company also documents charger fault codes from F01 (shorted cell) through F06 (reverse polarity).

Repairs and upkeep

iFixit hosts repair guides for the motor, chuck, gears, light, and safety switch, so common failure points are fixable with moderate skill. The LBX20 battery and LCS20 charger are sold separately through the 20V MAX POWERCONNECT system, so replacements are straightforward. The 40-page manual covers battery charging procedures, bit installation, clutch adjustment, and storage. BLACK+DECKER specifies a 2-year limited warranty on both tool and battery.

Is it worth it?

The LDX120C has historically been positioned in the $30-70 range at major US retailers, making it one of the cheapest branded cordless drills available. Consumer Reports listed it from $69.99 in its 2020 review. At $30-50 it covers basic household tasks adequately and shares batteries with the broader 20V MAX ecosystem. At $50-70 the value weakens — the LD120VA hammer drill offers 750 RPM and a 2.0 Ah battery at about $60 list. Above $70 it is hard to recommend unless you need the specific form factor or already own 20V MAX batteries.

Which model this is

This page covers the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT Cordless Drill/Driver, model LDX120C, sold as a kit with the LBX20 battery, LCS20 charger, and double-ended bit. The manual uses catalog number “LDX120” for the same drill. The Amazon listing is ASIN B005NNF0YU. Don’t confuse it with the BDCDD120C (a newer compact 20V model at 3.2 lb), the LD120VA hammer drill, or the BDCDMT120C MATRIX system.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Manuals:

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