Black & Decker USB Rechargeable 4V MAX Cordless Power Stapler

Why I reached for this cordless stapler

I do a fair amount of light upholstery, quick jigs, and craft builds where dragging out a hose or extension cord feels like overkill. For those days, a small, cordless stapler earns its keep. This Black & Decker cordless stapler slots into that niche: a compact, USB‑rechargeable tool that fires staples (and short brad nails) without fuss. I’ve used it on chair re-covers, fabric panels, felt drawer liners, and a handful of plywood and MDF odds and ends. It’s not a framing tool or a finish nailer—nor is it trying to be. It’s a convenience stapler with just enough punch to be useful, and that’s how I evaluated it.

Design and ergonomics

The first thing I noticed is the grip. The rubberized handle is genuinely non-slip and comfortable, and the tool’s shape encourages a neutral wrist angle when you’re pressing down to seat a staple flush. At roughly 3 pounds, it’s not featherlight, but it balances well over the nose, which actually helps you keep steady pressure on the work surface. The easy‑squeeze trigger deserves its name; you don’t have to clamp down, even when you’re running a long strip. After an afternoon of stapling fabric to 1/2-inch plywood, my hand felt surprisingly fresh.

The power switch has a locking position, which I appreciate for storage and for setting the tool down mid-task. It reduces the chance of an accidental trigger pull when you’re moving between stations.

Setup and loading

Loading staples is straightforward. The magazine accepted the common 1/4–9/16 inch staples I use in the shop, and the tool comes with a generous starter pack of 1/2-inch staples. There’s also a bundle of brad nails in the box, which I’ll get to in a moment. Out of the gate, I was driving staples within a minute of unboxing.

Charging via USB is a blessing and a curse. On the plus side, I can top it up from a power bank or the same wall charger I use for other devices. On the downside, USB charging is never particularly fast, so planning your work around charging breaks is wise. The 4V max battery is sealed inside, so there are no swappable packs—again, this is a convenience tool, not a production gun.

Performance with staples

This stapler’s wheelhouse is light-duty fastening into soft materials and softwoods. In 3/8-inch staples over fabric, batting, and thin leather into pine and plywood, the tool consistently drove staples flat. On MDF it also performed well, provided I kept firm downward pressure on the nose. In hardwoods like oak, it still fired but occasionally left a leg proud; a quick tap with a hammer set those in the few instances where I needed hardwood.

I had the best results with 1/4 to 1/2‑inch staples for upholstery and craft work. Stepping up to 9/16‑inch is possible, but you’re closer to the limits of what a 4V driver can do in denser stock, and technique matters more. Keeping the tool perpendicular and pressing the nose firmly into the material before pulling the trigger made the difference between flush and slightly proud on tougher surfaces.

I didn’t run into chronic jams. A couple of misfires cropped up when the staple strip was nearly empty; reseating the strip and cycling the power switch cleared it. That’s normal behavior for compact electric staplers in my experience.

Light brad nailing

This unit can also fire short 18‑gauge brad nails. The spec calls out compatibility up to 9/16 inch, which is very short by brad nailer standards. It’s good for tacking thin trim, securing backer boards on small boxes, or pinning templates. The box included a pack of brads slightly longer than that spec, and while those did feed and fire in my tests, seating consistency dropped as material density increased. I’d stick to 9/16 inch or shorter brads, as specified, for the most reliable results.

As with stapling, pressing the nose firmly against the work and keeping your angle square improves outcomes. This is not a substitute for a true brad nailer when you need longer fasteners or strong hold in hardwoods; use it for what it is—quick, light pinning.

Speed and consistency

Black & Decker claims the tool can fire more than one staple per second. In practice, that’s true when you’re working in soft plywood or pine and moving down a straight line. The trigger response is snappy, and I could “zip” along the edge of a fabric panel without feeling like I was outrunning the tool. On denser stock, a slightly slower cadence ensures you get full depth and reduces the chance of a proud leg.

Importantly, the driver left a flat crown imprint rather than a crater, avoiding the crushed-fiber look you get from some overpowered tackers. It’s a small thing, but it matters on visible upholstery runs.

Battery life and charging

Run time is quoted at up to 30 minutes, and that matches my experience in mixed use—installing a couple of yards of fabric, securing some felt liners, and tacking a thin trim piece in one session before the tool asked for a recharge. Heavy, continuous driving into denser materials shortens that window, of course, but for typical craft and upholstery tasks I didn’t feel constrained.

USB charging is convenient. I topped it up off a standard USB wall adapter and also from a power bank onsite. Expect a longer break for a full charge; plan your workflow around natural pauses (layout, cutting, fitting) and it’s painless. If you need all-day, near-continuous firing, a higher-voltage tool with swappable batteries or a pneumatic stapler remains the better fit.

Safety and control

The locking power switch is the main safety feature here. It’s simple and effective: flip it to lock when you set the tool down. The nose offers good visibility so you can place staples where you want them, even near edges. I had no trouble running close to a corner without tipping. As always, it’s smart to keep fingers clear of the firing path and wear eye protection—especially when working near edges where fasteners can deflect.

Where it shines

• Upholstery work: fabric to pine, plywood, or MDF, with clean, flush crowns.
• Crafts: attaching webbing, felt, leather, or thin veneer, and quick jig building.
• Light cabinetry and shop tasks: stapling backers, labels, and templates; pinning with short brads where clamps are awkward.
• On-the-go jobs: the USB rechargeable battery and compact size make it easy to toss in a tote for site visits.

Limitations and small quirks

• Power ceiling: It’s a 4V tool. Expect occasional proud staples in hardwood and with the longest staples; technique helps but can’t rewrite physics.
• Brad nail length: It’s limited to very short 18‑gauge brads. For casing, baseboard, or anything structural, use a proper brad or finish nailer.
• Recharge downtime: USB charging is convenient but not fast; there’s no spare battery to swap in.
• Spec clarity: The included brads in my box were slightly longer than the published compatibility. They fired, but results were mixed in denser materials. I recommend sticking with brads at or under the spec’d length.

The bottom line

This cordless stapler is a handy, no-hose solution for light-duty fastening. It’s comfortable, easy to control, and reliably drives common staple sizes flush in softwoods and sheet goods. The ability to fire short 18‑gauge brads expands its usefulness for quick pinning, though it’s not a replacement for a full-fledged brad nailer. Battery life is respectable for the category, and USB charging makes it simple to keep topped up without special chargers.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for DIYers, crafters, and upholstery work, and for pros who want a grab‑and‑go stapler for light tasks away from the compressor. You’ll appreciate the comfortable grip, the easy trigger, and the consistent, flat drives in appropriate materials. If your work leans toward dense hardwoods, longer fasteners, or all-day production, you’ll outgrow its 4V power and should look at higher‑voltage cordless or pneumatic options. For its intended use, though—portable, cord‑free stapling with just enough muscle—it earns a spot on the shelf.