BLACK+DECKER LDX220C: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-08
Summary
The LDX220C is a budget 20V MAX* cordless drill/driver kit — 3.5-3.7 lb, brushed 2-speed motor, 1.5 Ah battery and charger in the box — and the cautions owners raise concern longevity and charging: sporadic early-failure reports, a plastic chuck, no battery-level indicator and a charger that can take up to 8 hours [4][6][7]. Running costs are drill bits plus a replacement battery every few years; a spare battery-and-charger bundle is $62 from BLACK+DECKER [2]. It is strong value at $60 or less and fair value up to $85, with the official price at $84.99 [1].
Common problems and fixes
- Plastic chuck — the 3/8 in. keyless chuck is plastic, flagged as a durability concern for heavy use [4]. No fix documented; keep torque demands light.
- No battery-level indicator — you track usage time by hand [4]. No fix documented.
- Slow charger — one comparison site reports the included jack-plug charger can take up to 8 hours to refill the battery and pauses charging if the battery is too hot or cold [7]. Fix: charge in a temperate room and plan around long charge times.
- Small battery and kit variance — the kit ships with a 1.5 Ah pack (about 30 Wh), some bundles ship a 2.0 Ah LBXR20 instead, and the tool cannot run while charging [7].
- Not for masonry — the 3/8 in. chuck limits shank size, and this is a standard drill/driver, not a hammer or impact drill [3][7].
Parts and consumables
- 20V MAX lithium-ion battery, 1.5 Ah (LBXR20 class, included) — no standalone battery price recorded, but BLACK+DECKER sells a spare 1.5 Ah battery-and-charger bundle (LBXR20CK) at $62, marked down from $72.99 (blackanddecker.com, 2026-10) [2]. One comparison site says lithium-ion packs typically last 3-5 years and should not be left in a hot car [7].
Yearly running cost
Not enough data. The sources record no bit prices, and the only battery figure is the $62 bundle, so no yearly total can be computed. The recurring costs are drill/driver bits and eventually a replacement battery: a spare battery-and-charger bundle is $62 and packs typically last 3-5 years, so battery replacement is a $62 expense every few years rather than an annual one [2][7]. There is no subscription or consumable lock-in.
When it is a good buy
- At $60 or less it is strong value for light DIY — hard to beat new with warranty and battery included [1][5].
- Between $61 and $85 it is acceptable if you want the 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT platform for tool sharing; BLACK+DECKER lists the kit at $84.99 (blackanddecker.com, 2026-10) [1].
- From $86 to $110 it is weak value — brushless drills with faster charging and larger batteries exist at that level; above $110 it is poor value for this model [7].
Named alternatives: the DeWalt DCD771C2 (1500 RPM) and Makita XFD131 (1900 RPM) are the named brushless rivals and the better choice when raw speed matters [4]. For hammer-drill capability or heavy masonry work, look at a different tool class entirely [3][7].