Black & Decker Cordless Leaf Blower / Leaf Vacuum Kit

Why I reached for this blower-vac

A cordless blower that converts to a vacuum is my go‑to for quick cleanups on hard surfaces, and this one fits neatly into that role. I used the blower-vac across a modest suburban yard with a long driveway, a deck, and a patio that collect a predictable layer of dry leaves, seed pods, and grass clippings. My goal was simple: keep the hardscapes clear without dragging out a cord or a gas unit.

Design and ergonomics

In blower mode, the unit is compact and genuinely light. At a listed 5.4 lb with the tube on, it’s easy to carry one‑handed and comfortable to maneuver around cars and patio furniture. The soft-grip handle and balance are good; the weight sits close to your hand, so wrist fatigue is minimal. Switching to vacuum mode bumps the weight to 6.9 lb and adds a collection bag. The bag’s shoulder strap helps, but the setup becomes more front-heavy. It’s still manageable, just less nimble than blower mode.

Swapping between modes doesn’t require tools. You remove the blower tube, install the vacuum intake tube, and clip on the bag. It takes about a minute once you’ve done it a couple times. The built‑in scraper at the end of the blower tube is a nice touch—useful for matted grass clippings and damp leaf bits stuck to the concrete.

The battery has a simple state‑of‑charge indicator that’s visible and accurate enough for planning. The included LCS36 fast charger consistently topped off the 1.5 Ah pack from empty in about 30 minutes in my testing, matching the stated half‑hour figure.

Controls and features

A variable PowerCommand control lets you bias for runtime or for power. It’s not a stepless trigger; think of it as a speed slider you set and leave. For sweeping dry debris on a driveway, I kept it mid‑range and only bumped to max for stubborn corners. The mulching fan is integrated in vacuum mode. The spec claims up to a 6:1 reduction. In practice, reductions varied widely based on leaf type and dryness; I’ll get into that below.

Blower performance

On hard surfaces, the blower is the star. The reported top air speed of roughly 120 mph lines up with how it behaves: more than enough to push dry leaves, sawdust, and clippings across concrete and pavers. It’s also capable on decks where debris gets trapped between boards; a couple passes and it’s clean. I used the scraper edge a few times to break up tacky spots, then blew them away.

On lawn, it’s more situational. The airflow will move light, dry leaves across short grass, but it loses effectiveness as the leaf layer thickens or the grass gets long. Wet leaves are a challenge. Compared to a mid‑sized gas blower, the punch is noticeably lower, and that shows up in the yard. If most of your work is lawn leaf management in the fall, expect to spend more time or to supplement with a rake. For driveways and patios, though, the balance of weight, power, and control is excellent.

Vacuum and mulching performance

Vacuum mode is best treated as a spot-cleaner, not a leaf-collection system for full-yard cleanups. On dry days, it works well on small leaves, pine needles, and general debris along edges and in flower beds. It will pull debris out of river rock or mulch without blasting everything around as a blower would.

The limitations show up with larger leaves and volume. Big, curly species (oak, sycamore, magnolia) can bridge in the intake tube, especially if you try to ingest a handful at once. In those cases, a quick power-off and a shake usually clears it, but I had a couple stoppages that required removing the tube and pulling out a wad at the neck where the tube meets the bag. The mulching fan does reduce volume, but its effectiveness depends on leaf stiffness and dryness. I saw reductions in the 3:1 to 5:1 range on typical mixed leaves; really dry, brittle leaves mulch better than pliable ones. Moist leaves not only mulch poorly—they’re the ones most likely to clog.

A few techniques helped:
- Keep the intake just above the surface and “sip” leaves rather than plunging into a pile.
- Avoid vacuuming stems and twigs; they’re clog starters.
- Empty the bag before it’s packed full; airflow drops fast past the three-quarter mark.
- If you must vacuum larger leaves, scuff them under your shoe first to crack them.

Expect fine dust to pass through the bag fabric. If you’re vacuuming in a garage, a dust mask and eye protection are smart.

Battery and runtime

With a 40V Max (36V nominal), 1.5 Ah pack, this is a 60 Wh tool. That informs the runtime you can expect. I consistently got:
- Blower mode, mid speed: around 18–22 minutes of real work.
- Blower mode, max speed: 12–15 minutes.
- Vacuum mode: 10–15 minutes, depending on how restricted the bag was.

Those numbers vary with debris, temperature, and how often you’re on and off the throttle. The fast charger makes the short runtime less painful. A true half-hour to full means you can rotate if you own a second battery; with one pack, you’re limited to short sessions or taking a break while it charges. For small properties, that’s fine. For larger areas or deep fall cleanup, a second 40V pack is almost a requirement.

One note on platform: this battery is specific to the 40V Max line. It does not fit 20V tools. If you’re planning your battery ecosystem, keep that separation in mind.

Noise and user experience

The lower-noise brushless motor is a relief compared to a gas unit. It’s not silent—no blower is—but the tone is lower and less piercing. I could work without ear protection for short periods and still hold a conversation across the driveway, though I still prefer earplugs for long sessions. Vibration is minimal, and there’s no engine maintenance to worry about.

Dust control is the main comfort downside in vacuum mode. Fine leaf dust escapes the bag and settles on your pants and shoes. If that bothers you, stick to blower mode for the bulk and vacuum only the places where blowing would make a mess.

Durability and maintenance

The tubes and latches feel adequate for homeowner use. I didn’t see excess flex or sloppy fitment. The bag zipper is smooth and large enough to dump quickly, and the bag material breathes well (which is both why it vacuums efficiently and why dust escapes). After several sessions, the mulching fan showed minor cosmetic scuffing—normal wear. Maintenance is limited to keeping the tubes clear, emptying and shaking out the bag, and wiping down the tool. Avoid vacuuming gravel; the fan isn’t designed for impacts.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

This blower-vac shines as a convenience tool:
- Quick driveway and sidewalk sweeps.
- Deck and patio cleanups.
- Edging and bed touch-ups where you’d rather vacuum than blow debris into plantings or onto the neighbor’s side.

It’s less suited to:
- Moving heavy or wet leaf layers across a lawn.
- Vacuuming large, dense piles or big, leathery leaves.
- All‑day property care on a single battery.

If you have a small to medium hardscape footprint and you value a light, quiet, cordless setup, it’s right in the pocket. If your fall leaf load is serious, you’ll spend more time clearing clogs and swapping batteries than you might like.

Tips for best results

• Work dry. This applies to any electric blower-vac, but especially here.
• Use mid speed for most tasks; save max for stubborn corners to extend runtime.
• In vacuum mode, think “trim the edges” rather than “mow the whole yard.”
• Empty the bag early and often to maintain airflow.
• Keep a stiff brush handy to clean the bag exterior and a dowel to nudge clogs if they occur.
• Consider a second 40V battery if your cleanup regularly runs past 15 minutes.

Recommendation

I recommend this blower-vac for homeowners who primarily need a lightweight, low-noise solution for hard-surface cleanup and occasional spot vacuuming in beds and along edges. It’s comfortable to use, easy to switch between modes, and the fast 30‑minute charger makes short sessions productive. The blower side is the clear highlight; it performs well on patios, decks, and driveways.

I don’t recommend it if your main task is moving large amounts of leaves across grass or vacuuming bulky, damp foliage. In those scenarios, power and airflow limitations, plus the tendency to clog on big leaves, slow you down. Likewise, if you’re invested only in a 20V battery platform and want pack interchangeability, this 40V system won’t slot in.

Used within its strengths—small hardscapes, light to moderate debris, dry conditions—it’s a handy, genuinely useful tool that earns its spot on the hook by the garage door. For heavy seasonal leaf work, look to a more powerful blower and treat vacuuming as a targeted tool rather than a bulk solution.