Black & Decker Cordless Leaf Blower Kit

Owning a yard means dealing with the inevitability of fallen leaves and debris. Recently, I had the opportunity to test the Black & Decker Cordless Leaf Blower Kit (Model BCBL700D1AEV), and here’s a detailed run-down of my experience with this tool.

Design and Build Quality

The Black & Decker Cordless Leaf Blower is relatively lightweight, weighing in at just 6.4 pounds. This makes it easy to maneuver around the yard, and it's a welcome change from heavier, gas-powered blowers. The compact design is also a plus, allowing for easy storage and handling.

One of the standout features is the built-in scraper at the bottom of the nozzle. This was particularly useful for loosening stubborn debris that tends to cling to the ground, such as wet leaves or packed dirt. The blower also features a 2-speed control switch, which gives you the flexibility to adjust the power based on the task at hand.

Performance

In terms of performance, the blower has a maximum airspeed of 90 MPH and an air volume of 320 CFM. While it’s not the most powerful blower on the market, it performed adequately for light-duty tasks. It handled leaves on my driveway and patio with ease, particularly on the higher speed setting. However, it struggled a bit with larger piles of leaves and thicker yard debris.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Black & Decker Cordless Leaf Blower starts to show its limitations. The blower is part of the 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT system, which means the battery is interchangeable with other tools in the Black & Decker lineup. This is a great feature if you already own other Black & Decker tools.

The blower comes with a 2.0 Ah battery, and on a full charge, I found that it lasted around 10-15 minutes on high speed. This is barely enough time to tackle even small yard tasks. On the lower speed setting, the battery lasted slightly longer, but the reduced power made it less effective for most jobs. The battery also took a considerable amount of time to recharge, which added to the inconvenience.

Usability

One of the advantages of this cordless blower is its ease of use. There are no cords to trip over, and it’s much quieter than gas-powered alternatives. This makes it a good option for those looking for a more environmentally friendly and neighbor-friendly tool.

However, the blower does have some quirks. For example, when using it on high speed, it would occasionally shut off after a few seconds of use. This required me to turn it off and back on again to continue using it. This intermittent power issue was quite frustrating, especially when trying to complete a job efficiently.

Durability

In terms of build quality, the Black & Decker Cordless Leaf Blower feels solidly built. Despite its lightweight design, it doesn’t feel flimsy or cheaply made. The parts fit together well, and the tool has held up well during the testing period.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Black & Decker Cordless Leaf Blower Kit has some commendable features, such as its lightweight design, ease of use, and the convenience of being part of the 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT system. However, its performance is hampered by significant battery life issues and occasional power interruptions.

Would I Recommend This Tool?

Given my experience, I would recommend this tool only for those who need a lightweight, easy-to-use blower for very light yard tasks. If you’re looking for a tool to handle heavier jobs or larger areas, this blower may not be the best choice due to its short battery life and power limitations.

If you already own other tools in the Black & Decker 20V MAX* lineup and have additional batteries, this blower could be a useful addition to your toolkit. However, for those starting from scratch or dealing with more demanding yard work, it may be worth investing in a more powerful, perhaps gas-powered or corded alternative.