Black & Decker 20V MAX Cordless Leaf Blower Kit

A couple of Saturday mornings with the Black & Decker 20V blower told me exactly where it shines—and where it doesn’t. This is a compact, cordless sweeper aimed at everyday yard tidying, not a hurricane-in-a-tube. Used within its limits, it makes quick work of hard surfaces and light leaf scatter, and it’s easy to live with.

Setup, design, and ergonomics

Out of the box you get the blower, a single 20V MAX lithium-ion battery (nominally 18V), and a charger. The tube clicks in securely, and there’s a small, molded scraper at the nozzle tip that ends up being more useful than it looks. At 6.4 pounds, the tool is genuinely lightweight. Balance is neutral with the battery installed, so I could run it one-handed without wrist strain, even while reaching under patio furniture or along fence lines.

The two-speed control is a simple rocker switch, not a variable trigger. That’s worth noting: you get Low and High, and nothing in between. I prefer the predictability during long sweeps, though it means you can’t feather the throttle for delicate corners.

Build quality is typical Black & Decker homeowner grade: sturdy enough plastic housing, snug tube fit, and a battery latch that engages with a positive click. Nothing feels cheap, but it also doesn’t pretend to be a pro shop tool. The 2-year limited warranty aligns with that positioning.

Performance: hard surfaces vs. turf

This blower is rated at 90 MPH and 320 CFM. In practice, that combination is well tuned for patios, driveways, decks, and walkways. On Low, I could clear a three-car driveway of dry leaves, grass clippings, and dust in a single pass without scattering debris into beds. It’s gentle enough for garage floors and around door thresholds, and the lower speed keeps noise and battery drain down.

High gear is where it steps up for stubborn spots. Wet clumps along expansion joints, matted leaves around the porch, and pine needles in the seams all came up when I paired High with the built-in scraper to break the bond. On turf, High will move light to moderate leaf cover and even push small piles across short grass. If your fall leaf load is heavy and persistent, you can still get it done with this blower, but expect more trips and some repositioning—this isn’t a 600+ CFM machine meant to herd a full yard’s worth of wet oak leaves.

If you’re clearing long gravel paths or trying to muscle soaked, ankle-deep piles after a storm, you’ll find the ceiling here. For routine weekly maintenance on small to medium yards, though, the power is appropriate and easy to manage.

Runtime and charging

With the included 2.0Ah battery, my runtime averaged:
- Low: about 22–25 minutes
- High: about 12–14 minutes

That translated to clearing my driveway, sidewalk, front porch, and a small deck on Low with some charge left. Switching to High for stubborn areas does eat into the clock quickly. If your “typical job” includes both hard surfaces and a pass through the yard, plan for a battery swap or a break while the pack recharges.

Charging on the included standard charger took a bit under an hour for a fully depleted 2.0Ah pack. If you already own other Black & Decker 20V MAX tools, the POWERCONNECT battery interoperability is a genuine advantage; a second pack (or a higher-capacity one) makes the whole system feel more capable.

A quick note on batteries: the industry labels this family as 20V MAX but the nominal voltage is 18V—that’s normal and not a sign of reduced performance. As with any lithium-ion pack, store it partly charged and avoid leaving it empty for long periods to preserve health.

Noise and user experience

It’s quieter than a gas blower, but still not whisper-soft. I measured the sound as a typical high-pitched whir common to compact cordless blowers. Ear protection is still a good idea, especially in High and around echo-prone areas like garages or between houses. Vibration is minimal, the handle texture is comfortable, and the intake location didn’t try to eat my pant leg, which happens on some designs.

The two-speed switch placement is intuitive, and I could flip between Low and High with my thumb while moving—helpful when transitioning from open concrete to door edges or mulch borders. That little scraper on the tip is great for prying up stuck debris without needing a second tool; I used it along gutters and between deck boards with good results.

Durability and maintenance

After several sessions, I saw no loosening in the tube fit and no unusual wear. Keep the intake screen free of leaves, wipe down the tube as needed, and you’re good. The tool doesn’t require lubrication or any complex upkeep. As with all blowers, avoid using it to move gravel regularly; the occasional pebble isn’t an issue, but repeated blasting can scuff the tube and potentially ding the fan.

One hiccup worth mentioning from my experience: the first battery I received wouldn’t take a charge. Warranty support handled a replacement promptly, and the new pack has been trouble-free. It’s a reminder to test your battery on day one and register your purchase so warranty help is smooth if you need it.

Where it fits in a yard-care setup

• If most of your cleanup is hard surfaces, this is a sweet spot. Low speed is efficient and controlled, and High speed covers the occasional stubborn mess.
• For small to medium lawns with intermittent leaf fall, it’s serviceable. Expect to nudge piles in stages rather than push everything in one dramatic sweep.
• If you regularly battle heavy, wet leaf carpets or manage a large property, look to a higher-voltage blower or plan for multiple batteries.

Because this blower lives in the Black & Decker 20V ecosystem, it’s a smart add if you already use that platform. If you’re starting from scratch, factor the cost of an extra battery into your decision; it elevates the overall experience.

Practical tips from use

• Use Low for paths and patios to reduce blowback and conserve battery; bump to High only for clumps and corners.
• Start upwind and work edges first; corral debris to a few collection points rather than chasing strays.
• Leverage the scraper on seams and damp mats before blasting—less time holding High equals more runtime.
• Keep the battery warm in cold weather until use; cold packs sag sooner.
• Store the battery at about half charge if you won’t use it for a few weeks.

Pros and cons

Pros
- Lightweight and well balanced; easy one-handed use
- Two-speed control is simple and effective for hard surfaces
- Built-in scraper genuinely helps with stuck debris
- POWERCONNECT battery compatibility across 20V MAX tools
- Reasonable charge time and straightforward maintenance

Cons
- Single 2.0Ah battery limits continuous runtime, especially on High
- Fixed two-speed switch (no variable trigger) reduces fine control
- Not ideal for heavy, wet leaf loads over larger areas
- Occasional out-of-box battery issues are possible; test early

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker 20V blower for homeowners who want a lightweight, no-fuss tool primarily for hard-surface cleanup and light yard tidying on small to medium properties. It’s easy to handle, strong enough on High to tackle damp clumps and seams, and efficient on Low for day-to-day sweeping. The runtime with the included 2.0Ah battery is the main constraint; if you add a second battery (or already own one in the POWERCONNECT line), the experience improves significantly. If your yard sees heavy seasonal leaf drops or you need to move large, wet piles across grass routinely, consider a higher-output blower instead. For most weekly maintenance chores, though, this one earns a place on the hook in the garage.