Black & Decker 40V MAX Cordless Sweeper (battery and charger not included)

I reached for this 40V sweeper the way I reach for a shop broom—when I want a quick, quiet clean-up on hard surfaces without dragging cords or firing up a gas unit. After several weeks of use around a small yard, garage, and patio, I’ve got a clear sense of where it shines and where it falls short. It’s a sweeper first, blower second—keep that framing in mind and it makes a lot more sense.

Design and ergonomics

At roughly 4 pounds, the 40V sweeper is genuinely light. The weight bias sits close to your hand, so it balances well one-handed, even when you’re stretching out over steps or reaching under a bench. The soft-grip handle is comfortable bare-handed, and the trigger is easy to feather.

A thumbwheel on the handle controls speed, labeled with Black & Decker’s POWERCOMMAND branding. It has enough detents to fine-tune between “just push the dust” and “move some leaves.” I appreciate that you can set a speed and then forget it—no need to keep a finger on a turbo button.

The blow tube includes a built-in scraper. It’s a small rib at the tip, but it’s surprisingly handy when you need to break up matted leaves against a threshold or nudge damp clumps free before the airflow carries them away.

Fit and finish are what I expect at this price: molded plastics, solid tube connection, simple battery latch. No shoulder strap or nozzle attachments, no vacuum mode—this is a straightforward tool.

Power and performance

Despite the 120 MPH spec, this is not a high-output leaf blower. On patios, decks, driveways, and garage floors, it’s excellent for moving dust, grass clippings, sawdust, and a light layer of dry leaves. On speed settings 3–4, I can clear a two-car driveway and front walk in a few minutes without chasing debris around.

Where the sweeper runs up against its limits is volume and weight. A thick pile of oak leaves, small sticks, wet leaves in the gutter trough, or anything sitting in turf rather than on a smooth surface will quickly show the difference between a sweeper and a full-blown yard blower. You can crank the wheel to max and work closer to the debris to compensate, but it’s still a “clean the hardscape” tool. If your fall routine involves moving a blanket of leaves across a lawn into a pile, this isn’t the right match.

On gravel, it’s usable if you keep the nozzle slightly higher to avoid blasting stones, but it takes more passes than a more powerful unit. The built-in scraper helps with stuck-on debris—think soggy maple leaves or dried mud tracks—but expect to do some nudging before air takes over.

One pleasant surprise: control. The speed wheel makes it easy to avoid just re-distributing dust. At lower speeds it behaves like a precision broom, which is ideal in a garage with shelves or near door thresholds where you don’t want to blow debris into the house.

Noise and comfort

This is a quiet tool by outdoor power standards. I can use it early in the morning without bothering neighbors, and conversation-level talking is still possible when it’s set at mid power. There’s very little vibration, and the overall feel is less fatiguing than corded blowers I’ve used. The “quiet” claim isn’t marketing fluff—you’ll notice the difference if you’re used to older corded or gas models.

Battery and runtime

The sweeper runs on Black & Decker’s 40V MAX lithium-ion platform. The tool ships bare—no battery or charger—so plan for that cost if you’re not already in the system. I primarily used a 2.6 Ah pack. With the speed wheel at 3–4, I consistently saw 45–60 minutes of runtime. At max power, that drops significantly; in my use, 20–25 minutes is typical when running full tilt. Recharging took roughly an hour with the standard fast charger.

A few practical notes:
- If your cleaning routine is lots of quick, short jobs, the pack holds charge well on the shelf, so it’s always ready.
- For larger hardscapes, a second battery or a higher-capacity pack makes this tool far more flexible.
- You’ll stretch runtime by using the lowest speed that gets the job done and working closer to the debris. The difference between setting 4 and setting 6 is noticeable in both power and battery drain.

Cold-weather and “off-label” tasks

For light, dry snow—about an inch on steps and cars—the sweeper is surprisingly competent. It clears powder from door mats, steps, and windshields quickly, which saves you from reaching for a scraper and brush for every little flurry. Wet, heavy snow is a different story; treat it like wet leaves and expect limited effectiveness.

It’s also handy in the shop for pushing sawdust off benches and floors, though you’ll want to keep the speed low to avoid turning cleanup into a dust storm.

Maintenance and durability

There’s not much to maintain beyond keeping the tube clean and storing the battery indoors. The housing, tube, and battery seat all still feel solid after regular use, and the tube joint hasn’t loosened. A three-year limited warranty is reassuring for a tool at this end of the performance spectrum. As with any lithium tool, avoid running the pack stone dead every time and keep it out of extreme heat for the best long-term health.

Value and ecosystem

As a bare tool, it’s a solid value—if you already own a compatible 40V battery. If you need to buy a pack and charger, the total cost approaches that of more powerful corded units or even some entry-level higher-output cordless blowers. What you’re paying for here is convenience, low weight, and low noise. If those matter more than raw airflow, it pencils out. If your priority is moving piles of leaves, your dollar goes further with a different class of blower.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with patios, decks, and driveways who want a fast, quiet clean-up after mowing or after a windy day.
• Townhome and small-yard users where storage space is tight and noise matters.
• Anyone who values a truly lightweight, one-handed tool for frequent, short cleanups.
• Existing Black & Decker 40V users who can share batteries.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Folks tackling seasonal leaf removal across lawns or large properties.
- Anyone needing to move wet, matted debris routinely.
- Users expecting corded or gas-blower power in a featherweight package.

Tips for best results

• Use the lowest speed that moves the debris; it’s cleaner and extends runtime.
• Keep the nozzle close to the ground and work in steady rows, pulling debris to natural collection points.
• Use the scraper to break up clumps before blasting them; it’s more efficient than fighting them with air alone.
• Plan a second battery if you regularly run at high speed or have a lot of ground to cover.

Pros

• Very light and well-balanced; easy one-handed use
• Quieter than corded and gas blowers
• Simple, useful speed control with good low-speed finesse
• Built-in scraper is practical on stuck debris
• Battery holds charge well between uses
• Three-year limited warranty

Cons

• Limited power for heavy leaves, wet debris, and lawn work
• Bare tool; battery and charger add to the total cost
• Shorter runtime at max speed
• No nozzle attachments or vacuum functionality

Recommendation

I recommend the 40V sweeper for light-duty, hard-surface cleanup where convenience and quiet matter more than brute force. It excels as a cordless broom: quick to grab, comfortable to use, and effective on dust, clippings, and a thin layer of dry leaves. If your needs live on patios, decks, driveways, and garage floors, it’s a satisfying, low-hassle tool—especially if you’re already on Black & Decker’s 40V platform. If your to-do list includes moving heavy or wet leaf piles or clearing large lawns, you’ll be better served by a higher-powered blower.