Best BLACK+DECKER Leaf Blowers

Buying guide for Best BLACK+DECKER leaf blowers

Written by Bob Beacham

Updated October 2021

The trees in your yard can produce a beautiful display in the fall. The trouble is sooner or later all those golden leaves end up on the ground! Raking them up is good exercise and can certainly warm you up on a cold day, but it can be a chore. A BLACK+DECKER leaf blower is a competitively priced, easy-to-use solution.

BLACK+DECKER is one of the leading names in electric garden tools, with a tremendous reputation for quality and affordability. The company’s extensive range means there’s something for every backyard, however big or small. The only challenge you’ll face is choosing the right model.

Here at BestReviews, we’ve been delving into the details so we can help you make the right decision when it comes to which leaf blower suits you best. Our recommendations underline the variety of options available, and you might well find your perfect pick right there. For those who want more information, we’ve put together the following buying guide.

Some urban areas have noise limits at certain times of day or near sensitive buildings like hospitals. Though BLACK+DECKER leaf blowers aren’t excessively loud, their use may be restricted, so check local ordinances to avoid any problems.

Key considerations

Corded vs. cordless

One of the top considerations is whether to go for a corded or cordless leaf blower, and BLACK+DECKER provides multiple choices for each. The choice between corded or cordless isn’t really about power. It’s about price and convenience. One isn’t better than the other; you just have to weigh practicality versus price.

Corded: These BLACK+DECKER leaf blowers are the budget option, but that doesn’t mean they lack power. If you have a small outdoor space, a 7-amp blower is ideal. The 12-amp three-in-one blower-mulcher-vacuum is a powerful alternative if you have a larger space.

A corded model costs noticeably less than a cordless one, but even with an extension cord it limits you to a working distance of 100 feet. For safety reasons, you should never join extension cords together, and the power drops over longer distances, so you’d get poor performance anyway. That gives a clearly defined limit for these tools.

Cordless: The cordless range runs from compact 20-volt sweeper models through mainstream 40-volt models to a high-powered 60-volt blower. A cordless leaf blower gives you the freedom to go wherever you like, but the initial cost is higher. While a corded model will run as long as you like, a cordless leaf blower has a battery that needs regular recharging. Buying a spare is an obvious solution, but it adds more to the price.

If you’re buying cordless, you’ll want to check the ampere-hour (Ah) rating for the battery. The higher the number, the more run time you’ll get. You can’t do anything about the voltage — a 20-volt BLACK+DECKER leaf blower always needs a 20-volt battery — but you can choose a higher ampere-hour battery, particularly when buying a spare.

Features

Performance

Speed: Blower speed is usually the headline figure, and it can be anything from 130 to 250 miles per hour. That’s certainly impressive, but it’s not all about being fastest. High speed is of most value when the leaves are stuck in long grass or among bushes. Most of the time a lower speed gives you the control you need. It’s more like using a brush or rake. Variable speed gives you the best of both worlds.

CFM: Equally important is the cubic feet per minute (CFM). This tells you the actual volume of air being moved and is arguably a better indicator of outright performance.

Nozzle: The size of the nozzle also has an impact. A narrow nozzle can give a pinpoint blast, but a wider one allows you to collect leaves gently and not blow them into the neighbor’s yard! Small, lightweight BLACK+DECKER leaf blowers have a fairly narrow nozzle and are at their best when used to clear hard surfaces like decks and driveways. Many larger models offer a selection of nozzles so you can switch them in and out. Usefully, several also have a Power Boost button for a bit of extra power even if you’re using a wider nozzle. Vacuum models have particularly wide nozzles to suck up as much as possible.

Weight

Weight won’t be an issue for many, though you might want to check this if you have reduced mobility in your hands or arms. Vacuum models have a shoulder strap or backpack straps to make managing the collecting bag easier.

Accessories

Work gloves: Custom Leathercraft Work Gloves
The right work gloves give you a sure grip on your blower and protect your hands when you’re clearing up. These synthetic leather gloves feature spandex and Lycra panels for dexterity and comfort. They’re also insulated for cold weather. Great value for all yard duties.

Visor: Hipa Safety Face Shield
All kinds of dust and debris can be hiding in your leaf litter, and while it’s probably not dangerous, it can certainly be unpleasant to get a face full of it! This low-cost mesh face shield has a convenient flip-up visor and good adjustability so it’s comfortable to wear for extended periods.

BLACK+DECKER leaf blower prices

Inexpensive: A budget BLACK+DECKER leaf blower with a 7-amp corded model can be had for around $40. It’s perfect for clearing paths, driveways, and so on. You can get a cordless sweeper (tool only) for around $70.

Mid-range: Most of BLACK+DECKER’s corded and cordless leaf blower range sits between $70 and $120. There’s something within this bracket to satisfy most people.

Expensive: High-voltage models and three-in-one blower-mulcher-vacuum kits can top $160. There are also kits that include gloves, protective eyewear, and battery options that are worth checking out. These can exceed $250, but they may offer better value than buying the contents individually.

Battery: If you’re buying a spare BLACK+DECKER leaf blower battery, not as part of a kit, you need to add between $70 and $130 depending on ampere-hour rating and voltage. You might find one more cheaply from other makers but check the model compatibility carefully.

Tips

• Work when leaves are as dry as possible. Wet leaves are heavier and cling to each other.
• Use a low speed, wide nozzle, and a left-to-right sweeping motion. This gives you greater control and won’t blow the leaves too far. You might need a finer nozzle and/or higher speed to free leaves from grass and brush.
• Mulch your leaves. Composting turns your waste leaves into a valuable soil enhancer, but leaves decompose much more slowly than grass or vegetable matter. You can mix some leaves in with your normal compost (the extra fiber is beneficial), but you’ll need a separate pile for most. To speed up the process, mulch them first, sprinkle blood and bone mix over them, and turn the pile once a week.
• Clean your gutters. While you’re clearing the yard, don’t forget the leaves in your gutters. If you blow them out while they’re dry, you won’t end up with a soggy mess and blockages later. Make sure the ladder is secure, the cord won’t tangle, and you never overreach.
• Don’t use a leaf blower to dry your car. Some websites suggest that you can use your BLACK+DECKER leaf blower to dry your car after you’ve washed it. While the airflow it provides makes that feasible, and the blower itself shouldn’t cause any damage, any debris in the area will get blown at your vehicle’s paintwork at over 100 miles per hour! It’s not a technique we would recommend.

Bare tools can be a bargain but bear in mind that you won’t get a charger or battery. Those from other BLACK+DECKER garden tools might work, but those from other manufacturers almost certainly won’t.

FAQ

Q. Does a BLACK+DECKER leaf blower need regular maintenance?

A. Very little. It doesn’t need the kind of servicing that gas models require, so mostly it’s just a matter of keeping it clean and checking that the blower tubes are clear of debris. During summer, store it somewhere dry like a shed or garage. If it has a collecting bag, you might want to put that inside a cupboard or plastic box. It can make a cozy home for rodents!

Q. Is it worth getting a BLACK+DECKER leaf blower-vacuum with a collecting bag?

A. It would seem like an ideal solution in that it ought to make cleaning up the yard quicker, but bag capacities are limited. BLACK+DECKER leaf vacuums have a very efficient mulching mechanism, which means you can get way more in there than would otherwise be the case, but the bag still requires fairly regular emptying. To be at its most efficient, it also needs fully dry leaves. We’d say a collecting bag is a good solution for a modestly sized yard, but in larger areas you’ll probably get the job done more quickly with a blower.

Q. Is a cordless BLACK+DECKER leaf blower better for the environment than a corded model?

A. That’s a tricky question and one that provokes lots of debate! The cordless model isn’t demanding mains power all the time, only when charging, but battery production uses rare metals and their mining is sometimes criticized. BLACK+DECKER does promote a strong commitment to sustainability and produces an annual report if you’re interested. Of course, either power source is considerably greener than a gas-powered alternative.