Craftsman CMCBL700B1 20V Max Attachment Review

First Impressions: A Lightweight Solution for Everyday Messes

When I first unboxed the Craftsman CMCBL700B1 20V Max Attachment, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. I have been using gas powered blowers for years, and my back often pays the price for those heavy, powerful machines. But I also know that not every job requires that kind of force. Sometimes you just need to sweep off a patio, clear some light grass clippings, or dry off your car after a wash. That is exactly where this attachment system seemed to fit. The first thing I noticed was the weight. Or rather, the lack of it. Picking up the main blower tube and nozzle felt almost like holding a toy compared to my usual equipment. It is incredibly light, and that alone made me curious about how it would perform in real world conditions.

I want to be clear from the start: this is not a replacement for a heavy duty gas blower or a high end 60V cordless unit. The Craftsman CMCBL700B1 is designed as an attachment system that connects to the Craftsman 20V Max power head (sold separately). I tested it with the CMCE010 power head, which is their standard 20V trimmer and edger power head. The attachment clicks in easily with a simple push and twist mechanism, and it feels secure once locked. No wobbling or loose connections during use. That was a pleasant surprise given the plastic construction.

How I Tested It: Real Yard Work Over Two Weeks

I did not set up any scientific wind tunnel or use anemometers. I just used the blower attachment the way any homeowner would. Over two weeks, I used it for a variety of tasks around my suburban property. My yard is about a quarter acre, with a mix of grass, concrete driveway, a small stone patio, and a few garden beds with light leaf litter. I tested it on dry leaves, damp leaves, grass clippings after mowing, light dust on the driveway, and even some light snow dusting on the patio. I also tried it for cleaning out my garage floor and blowing off my workbench. Each time I used it, I noted battery life, blowing force, and how comfortable it felt to hold and maneuver.

I used two different 20V Max batteries: a 2.0Ah pack and a 4.0Ah pack. The 2.0Ah battery is the one that typically comes with the power head kit. The 4.0Ah is an upgrade I had from another Craftsman tool. I ran each battery from full charge until the blower stopped, timing the runtime with a simple stopwatch. I also paid close attention to how the blower handled different debris types. I did not test it on wet, heavy mud or large piles of soaked leaves because, frankly, that is not what this tool is meant for. My testing was honest and reflective of what a typical homeowner would ask from a compact, battery powered blower attachment.

Performance: Great for Light Work, Struggles with Heavy Debris

Let me get straight to the point: the Craftsman CMCBL700B1 is excellent for light duty cleanup, but it is not a powerhouse. The airspeed is advertised at 90 MPH, and from my testing, that feels accurate. On a dry concrete driveway, it moved loose leaves and grass clippings with ease. I could blow a line of dry oak leaves across the driveway without much effort. The nozzle design is a standard round tube with a slight taper, and it concentrates the air stream well. For small areas like a patio, deck, or walkway, it works perfectly. I even used it to dry off my car after a wash, and it did a solid job of pushing water out of crevices and off the hood.

However, when I tried to move a small pile of damp leaves that had been sitting under a bush, the blower struggled. It would push the top layer of dry leaves, but the damp ones underneath barely budged. I had to break up the pile by hand and then use the blower on individual clumps. That was frustrating. Similarly, when I tried to clear heavier debris like small twigs and acorns, the blower just did not have enough force. The twigs would roll a few inches and then stop. Acorns barely moved at all. This is definitely not a tool for fall cleanup of heavy, wet leaves or for moving anything larger than light organic matter.

Battery life was another mixed bag. With the 2.0Ah battery, I got about 12 minutes of continuous use on high speed. That is enough to clear a small driveway and a patio, but you will need a second battery if you have a larger area or multiple tasks. The 4.0Ah battery gave me about 25 minutes, which felt much more practical. I could do the driveway, the patio, the garage floor, and still have some juice left for the car. The variable speed trigger is a nice touch. It lets you dial in the airspeed for different tasks, like using lower speed for blowing dust off a workbench without scattering everything. But honestly, I mostly ran it on full speed because anything less felt underpowered for outdoor work.

Build Quality and Value: Plastic, Light, and Affordable

This is where the Craftsman CMCBL700B1 really shows its character. The build is almost entirely plastic. The nozzle, the tube, the connection collar, everything is made of a hard, glossy plastic. It does not feel premium. It feels like a budget tool, which it is. I have seen this attachment sold for around $30 to $40, which is very affordable for a blower attachment. You are not paying for industrial grade materials. You are paying for a lightweight, functional tool that does a specific job. And for that price, I think the plastic is acceptable. It is not flimsy or brittle in a way that worries me about breaking during normal use. But I would not drop it on concrete or lean on it too hard. The plastic connection points feel sturdy enough for the forces involved, but I can see them wearing down over years of use if you are frequently swapping attachments.

The value proposition here is interesting. If you already own a Craftsman 20V Max power head for your trimmer or edger, then this blower attachment is a no brainer. You are buying into a system, and adding a blower for around $30 is a steal. It saves you from buying a whole separate blower unit, battery, and charger. That is the real strength of this product. It is an affordable add on that expands the usefulness of your existing tool. If you do not own the power head, then you have to factor in that cost, which makes the overall investment higher. But as a standalone attachment for an existing system, the value is excellent.

One thing I noticed is that the attachment does not come with any kind of storage bag or hook. It is just the bare tube and nozzle. That is fine for most people, but if you are particular about organization, you will need to find a way to store it without it rolling around in your garage. Also, the nozzle is not adjustable. You cannot change the shape of the air stream or add a concentrator nozzle. What you see is what you get. For the price, I did not expect any fancy features, but it is worth noting if you are used to more versatile blowers.

Who Should Buy This Attachment?

This blower attachment is not for everyone. Let me break it down into clear categories.

• Homeowners with small yards or patios: If you have a small concrete area, a deck, or a tiny patch of grass, this is perfect. It is light, easy to grab, and does the job for light debris.
• Existing Craftsman 20V Max system owners: If you already have the power head for your trimmer or edger, this is a must have. It adds a blower to your tool lineup for very little money. It is the most cost effective way to get a cordless blower.
• People who value lightweight tools: If you have arthritis, back problems, or just hate carrying heavy equipment, this blower is a dream. It weighs almost nothing. You can use it for 20 minutes without fatigue.
• Apartment dwellers or condo owners: For cleaning a balcony, small patio, or drying off a car, this is ideal. It is compact and does not take up much space.
• Not for heavy duty users: If you have a large yard with big trees and heavy leaf fall in the fall, skip this. You need a gas blower or a high voltage cordless model. This will frustrate you with wet leaves or large piles.
• Not for professionals: Landscapers and contractors will find this too weak and too plastic. It is a homeowner tool through and through.

My Verdict: A Solid Budget Option for Light Chores

After two weeks of using the Craftsman CMCBL700B1, I have a clear opinion. This is a good tool for what it is. It is not a powerhouse, and it is not built like a tank. But it is also not priced like one. The combination of very affordable cost, extremely lightweight design, and ease of use makes it a winner for specific scenarios. If you are looking to blow dry leaves off your driveway, clean grass clippings off the patio, or dry your car, this attachment will serve you well. You will appreciate how easy it is to handle and how little space it takes up in your garage.

However, you need to be honest with yourself about your needs. If you have a large yard with heavy leaf loads, wet debris, or if you need to move anything heavier than light twigs, this is not the tool for you. You will be disappointed by its lack of power. The plastic build also means you need to handle it with some care. It is not a rugged, drop it on the ground tool. Treat it gently, and it will last. Abuse it, and you might crack something.

For me, the biggest takeaway is the value for existing Craftsman system owners. I already had the power head, so adding this blower for under $40 felt like a steal. I now have a dedicated blower that I use for quick jobs without dragging out my heavy gas unit. It has become my go to for small, frequent tasks. I do not think I would buy the power head just for this blower, but as an add on, it is fantastic. If you are in that situation, buy it. If you are starting from scratch, consider your yard size and debris type carefully. For small areas and light work, you will be happy. For anything more, look elsewhere.

Final score from me: a solid 7 out of 10. It does exactly what it promises for the price, no more, no less.