Black & Decker 40V MAX Cordless Sweeper/Vacuum

Why I reached for this cordless sweeper‑vac

I keep a few cordless yard tools around for quick, no‑excuses cleanup, and that’s exactly the niche the 40V sweeper‑vac aims to fill. It’s a compact unit that flips between blower and vacuum, runs on Black+Decker’s 40V MAX battery system, and claims lower‑noise operation than the average leaf blower. After several weekends of clearing patios, walkways, and a corner of the driveway under a messy street tree, here’s how it stacked up.

Setup, battery, and ergonomics

This is a “tool‑only” purchase, so you’ll need a compatible Black+Decker 40V MAX lithium‑ion battery and charger. If you’re already in the brand’s 40V lineup, that’s a plus; otherwise budget accordingly. Swapping between blower and vacuum requires changing tubes and attaching the collection bag. It’s a no‑tools process that takes a minute or two once you’ve done it once.

Weight is reasonable for a combo tool. In blower mode, it’s light enough for one‑handed use and easy to maneuver around cars and planters. In vacuum mode, it gains a bit of heft and becomes more nose‑heavy, but it’s still manageable for short sessions. The soft‑grip handle and a well‑placed trigger help with control, and the tool‑mounted scraper on the end of the blow tube is useful for nudging along stuck leaves without bending over.

One note on the bag connection: it’s an uncomplicated clip‑style attachment. It’s quick, which I appreciate, but I treated it gently—plastic hardware on yard tools tends to be the first wear point.

Performance: blower mode

This sweeper emphasizes air speed (rated up to 120 MPH) over air volume (90 CFM). In practice, that means it shines on hard surfaces with light to moderate debris: dry leaves, twigs, seed pods, sawdust, and dirt that collect on patios and walkways. I could corral debris into neat windrows without blasting everything into the flower beds. The narrow airstream is easy to aim along edges and around furniture.

Where it runs out of steam is moving larger piles or dense, damp heaps. If your fall cleanup involves several inches of wet leaves on grass, this isn’t the right blower. It’s a “sweeper” first—good for tidying surfaces, not for power‑moving heavy yard waste.

The POWERCOMMAND speed control gives you a sliding range from “sip battery” to “give me a bit more.” The top end is helpful when you need to break up stubborn clumps, but the overall spread is modest. I mostly used two positions: low for dust and dry leaves on a patio, and high for driveway corners and seams where debris tends to cement itself.

Performance: vacuum mode

Vacuum mode is where combo tools either make sense for your yard—or don’t. The 40V sweeper‑vac will pick up dry, lightweight leaves on hard surfaces and mulch them on the way into the bag. On my concrete walkway and a brick patio, it handled scattered leaves and maple seedlings with minimal babysitting. The mulching fan works; you can pack far more into the bag than you’d expect from its size.

However, suction is modest. Broad, leathery leaves or anything damp require patience and technique. I had the best results by sweeping material into small piles with the blower first, then switching to vacuum to collect. Trying to inhale a thin blanket of leaves across a wide area was slow going. If your yard drops heavy or wet foliage, consider a dedicated higher‑CFM vac or stick with the blower function and a rake.

As for the bag: capacity is fine for light maintenance but it fills quickly when mulching dry, crispy leaves. You’ll make frequent trips to dump if you’re tidying a larger area. The zipper is easy to use and doesn’t dump debris back out when you pop it open, which helps keep cleanup neat.

Runtime and noise

With a mid‑capacity 40V MAX pack, I saw roughly 15–20 minutes of continuous use at higher settings and a noticeable bump—closer to half an hour—when staying in the lower half of the range. Realistically, that translates to spot‑cleaning a few zones per charge or doing a quick pass every few days. If you want to work longer, a second battery or a higher‑capacity pack makes the experience much smoother.

Noise is a bright spot. Rated at 66 dBA, it’s on the quiet side for a blower. In use, it’s conversation‑friendly—I didn’t feel the need for hearing protection for short sessions, and I didn’t get the usual “what on earth are you doing?” looks from neighbors. The tone is less shrill than many compact blowers, which makes a bigger difference than the raw number suggests.

Build quality and maintenance

Fit and finish are decent for the class. The tubes click in positively and don’t rattle loose. The mulching fan is plastic but protected, and I avoided ingesting stones or twigs thicker than a pencil to keep it that way. The scraper on the blow tube is handy for popping up matted edges or coaxing leaf mats off textured concrete.

As with most combo tools, the collection bag and its attachments are the parts I’d watch over time. Empty the bag before it’s bulging, avoid dragging it across abrasive surfaces, and don’t yank on the clip. A quick brush‑out of the fan housing after vacuuming dusty areas helps keep the impeller clear and prevents performance drop‑off.

What it does well

• Quick, cordless hard‑surface cleanup. Driveways, decks, patios, garages, and shop floors are its sweet spot.
• Lower noise than typical blowers. Suitable for small urban lots or early‑morning tidying.
• Lightweight and simple to operate. No mixing fuel, no cord management.
• Mulching that actually extends bag capacity. Great for collecting small amounts without overflowing immediately.

Where it falls short

• Limited suction and airflow. It struggles with heavy, damp, or large leaves and isn’t for lawn‑level leaf removal.
• Modest speed control range. The difference between low and high is there, but it won’t transform the tool into a powerhouse.
• Smallish bag and average attachment hardware. Expect frequent emptying; handle the bag connection with care.
• Tool‑only purchase. If you don’t already own a 40V MAX battery and charger, the ecosystem buy‑in matters.

Who it’s for

If your cleanup routine is mostly keeping hard surfaces tidy—sweeping pollen off a porch, rounding up dry leaves on a patio, clearing the driveway after mowing—the 40V sweeper‑vac fits well. It’s also a good choice if you’re already invested in Black+Decker’s 40V system and want a quiet, grab‑and‑go tool to complement a mower or string trimmer.

If your property produces heavy leaf fall, or you need to move or collect damp, matted material, you’ll be happier with a higher‑CFM blower or a purpose‑built leaf vacuum with more suction and a larger bag.

Tips to get the most out of it

• Use blower mode to gather debris into small piles before switching to vacuum.
• Keep to dry conditions. Performance drops quickly on damp leaves.
• Choose the right battery. A higher‑capacity 40V MAX pack extends runtime and reduces frustration.
• Empty the bag often and keep the zipper clean to prolong its life.
• Leverage the built‑in scraper and the narrow airstream to unstick debris along seams and edges.

Recommendation

I recommend the 40V sweeper‑vac with caveats. As a quiet, lightweight, hard‑surface maintenance tool, it’s easy to live with and genuinely useful, especially if you already own a compatible 40V battery. It keeps patios and driveways tidy without fuss, and the vacuum mode is a helpful bonus for collecting small piles.

I would not recommend it if your primary need is heavy leaf removal or vacuuming damp, stubborn debris. Its airflow and suction are tuned for light cleanup, and the small bag and modest runtime make big jobs a chore. Match it to the right tasks and expectations, and it’s a handy, neighbor‑friendly addition to a 40V toolkit. For larger or tougher jobs, look for a higher‑CFM blower or a dedicated leaf vac with more capacity.