Black+Decker 40V Max Cordless Sweeper & String Trimmer Combo Kit
This lightweight and easy-to-use lawn and garden care set keeps yards looking neat and tidy.
I’ve been trying to save money this year by handling my own landscaping. Here's what I've learned so far: It's not an easy feat if you are petite and trying to use large, heavy leaf blowers and weed whackers over your entire yard. So I went in search of the best lightweight landscaping tools that are simple to use and don’t break the bank, and found success with Black+Decker's Cordless Sweeper & String Trimmer Combo Kit.
Best Price: $128 from Amazon
Also Cheap: $158 from Walmart
Who Should Buy This?
Anyone who is looking for lightweight, easy-to-use landscaping tools will be excited by this affordable set. They work well for a novice like myself who is just getting interested in lawn care, as the battery is easy to pull in and out and charge, and the machines themselves worked quickly. They feel safer than gas powered tools, as well.
What We Liked
Black+Decker is a well-known name, so I felt confident that this wasn’t some strange, unknown, cheap brand; to me, the tools felt trustworthy. The blower's noise levels were low, so I didn’t feel like I was going deaf using it, despite the fact that it blows up to 130mph. Both tools share a rechargeable battery that you swap between them. There's a "state of charge" indicator, which shows your battery charge level so you never have to wonder how much charge you have. I had enough battery to do my entire yard while swapping between both tools for over an hour.
Photo credit: Jennifer MagidWhat We Didn't Like
My main issue was with the blower, which was kind of weak, and I found it to be better for touch-ups and small areas. If I was trying to blow all the wet leaves off a lawn in the fall, it wouldn’t be powerful enough. Still, if you need something lightweight that you can use in simple scenarios, this fits the bill.
What Consumers Think
Over 6,000 reviewers gave the set 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Most reviewers mentioned how lightweight the set was, as well as how easy it is to use. The battery lasted a significant amount of time for most. All in all, reviewers thought it was a good value set for the money. But the overriding agreement was that the blower simply isn’t very powerful. The lowest reviews claimed the set broke fairly fast.
TLDR: Pros and Cons
Pros
Lightweight
Easy to use
Easy to charge
No gas needed
2-in-1 set saves money
Not too loud
Cons
Blower isn't very powerful
Weed eater seems better for lighter jobs
May need to buy more string for the trimmer before too long
What To Look For
If you're in the market for easy-to-use landscaping tools, number one is looking for a set that uses battery charge over gas or oil. Additionally, anything requiring an electrical cord isn’t going to give as much freedom of use. Less than 130 mph for a blower is probably not going to give much power for big, heavy jobs.
The Bottom Line
This set’s greatest asset is that it is lightweight and easy to use. Is it something a professional landscaper would choose? Probably not. But it’s great for those dipping their toe into yard work who don’t need a lot of hassle. Simply pop the battery in and out to charge and then get to work.
Our Process
Before buying the Black+Decker 40V Max Cordless Sweeper & String Trimmer Combo Kit, I did research on an affordable, lightweight set that included the basics for yard work. I consulted Consumer Reports as well as reviews for similar products available at Home Depot and Lowe’s. I’ve now used the set a couple times problem free and have been satisfied.
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