Black & Decker 7.2V MAX 1.5Ah Cordless Hand Vacuum (Icy Blue)

A compact cleaner that earns its keep

A hand vac earns its keep the day you knock over a box of cereal or track cat litter across the floor. That’s where this Black+Decker hand vac slots in for me: fast, no‑fuss cleanups that don’t warrant dragging out a full‑size machine. After several weeks of using it around the house and in the car, I’ve come to appreciate its lightweight build, simple maintenance, and honest performance—along with a few compromises that come with the 7.2V class.

Design and ergonomics

At 2.3 pounds and just over 17 inches long, the hand vac feels lighter than it looks. The weight is well balanced, so the nose doesn’t dip while you’re reaching into corners or sweeping across a car seat. The translucent, bagless dirt bowl is practical—I can see at a glance when it’s nearing full and what I’ve picked up. The styling leans clean and modern, and the Icy Blue accents are a nice touch for something that will live out on a wall cradle.

Controls are straightforward with a single power button that’s easy to locate without looking. I do wish the switch behavior felt a bit more “set‑and‑forget” during longer cleanup sessions; a lock‑on or more tactile click would reduce finger fatigue. That said, the overall ergonomics are solid for quick jobs.

Accessories and on‑board storage

Two things make this unit more versatile than a bare‑nose hand vac:

• A slide‑out crevice tool that gives you a few extra inches to reach along baseboards, in couch creases, and between car seats. Because it’s on‑board, it’s always there when you need it.
• A small upholstery brush for fabric and mats, which helps agitate crumbs and pet hair on softer surfaces.

Both attachments are compact, snap into place securely, and don’t feel like afterthoughts. I especially like that I don’t have to go hunting through a drawer to find them.

Performance and suction

For a 7.2V handheld, suction is better than I expected. Dry debris is this vacuum’s comfort zone: cereal, coffee grounds, dust bunnies, sand, and—importantly for my house—loose litter granules near the boxes. On hard floors and counters, it was reliably one‑pass on small messes. On car mats or low‑pile rugs, the upholstery brush helps nudge debris loose so the vacuum can capture it.

Where it runs out of steam is with heavier debris or embedded pet hair. It will pick up light fur on upholstery if you’re patient, but I wouldn’t choose this as a dedicated pet hair solution. If you have lots of shedding or routinely tackle bigger messes, you’ll likely want a higher‑voltage hand vac or a stick vacuum with a motorized mini brush.

Noise is typical for its size—noticeable but not shrill. It’s not whisper‑quiet, but I never felt the need for ear protection, even in the car.

Dustbin capacity and filtration

The 325 ml dust bowl fills faster than you might think, which is par for a compact handheld. Emptying is painless: a single release opens the bowl, and debris drops right out without turning the unit upside down. The washable filter is another cost‑saver. I pop it out, knock it against the trash to remove fine dust, rinse it under warm water when it looks clogged, and let it air‑dry completely before reinstalling. If you like to keep a spare on hand, the replacement filter is part HNVCF10.

Filtration is adequate for a small vac. Fine dust doesn’t plume out the exhaust, and there’s no musty smell when the filter is kept clean. As with any washable filter, regular maintenance keeps performance steady; I noticed airflow improves immediately after a rinse and dry.

Battery life and charging

This model uses an integrated 7.2V lithium‑ion pack rated at 1.5Ah. In practice, I averaged around 9–10 minutes of continuous runtime, which aligns with the spec. That’s enough to sweep a staircase, tidy a car interior’s front seats and console, or handle a couple of small spill zones in the kitchen. The tradeoff is obvious: power and portability are there, but stamina isn’t meant for whole‑home cleaning.

Charging happens on a tidy wall‑mountable base. Mounting it by the entryway or laundry room works well; the vac is always topped off and ready. From empty, a full charge takes hours rather than minutes, so this is a “use and return to base” tool, not one you’ll cycle multiple times in a day. The compact power plug is thoughtfully designed and doesn’t hog an outlet.

Everyday usability

What makes this hand vac easy to live with is the low friction between noticing a mess and getting it gone. The cradle keeps it visible and charged, the on‑board crevice tool reaches into crumbs’ favorite hideouts, and the clear bowl gives feedback on when to empty. The lightweight build means I can clean with one hand while the other moves shoes, toys, or pillows out of the way.

I do recommend emptying the bowl as soon as it looks half‑full when vacuuming larger particles like litter or dry rice; airflow drops sooner with chunky debris in the path. For the best performance, keep the filter clean and dry, and give the bowl a quick rinse periodically to prevent fine dust from caking the mesh.

Build quality and warranty

Fit and finish are in line with what I expect from Black+Decker’s modern Dustbuster line: no rattles, no loose panels, and a sturdy latch on the dirt bowl. The charging base mates cleanly with the contacts, and the tool seats reliably whether it’s wall‑mounted or parked on a shelf. A 2‑year limited warranty adds some peace of mind for a household tool that’s likely to be used daily.

Where it shines

• Quick, targeted cleanups on hard surfaces and low‑pile textiles
• Households that want a lightweight, grab‑and‑go complement to a main vacuum
• Entryways and kitchens where crumbs and grit appear daily
• Cars, stairs, and cobweb patrol thanks to the on‑board crevice tool

What could be better

• Runtime is short by design. Expect a single, 10‑minute session per charge.
• Suction is strong for its voltage class but not for embedded debris or heavy pet hair.
• The power control would benefit from a more ergonomic lock‑on feel for longer tasks.
• The dust bowl fills fast with larger debris; frequent empties are part of the routine.

None of these are deal‑breakers given the price bracket and intended use, but they’re worth knowing so you pair the tool with the right jobs.

The bottom line

This Black+Decker hand vac is exactly what I want from a small Dustbuster: light in the hand, simple to maintain, and ready on the wall when I need it. Its 7.2V motor delivers honest suction for crumbs, grit, and day‑to‑day messes, and the on‑board crevice tool and upholstery brush expand its usefulness without adding clutter. The washable filter and easy‑dump bowl keep upkeep cheap and fast.

You give up extended runtime and deep‑cleaning muscle, and that’s the right trade for a compact unit meant to handle the 90% of messes that don’t require a full‑size vacuum. If your expectations are aligned—quick spot cleans, not marathon sessions—this is a dependable helper that fits seamlessly into daily life.

Recommendation: I recommend this hand vac to anyone who wants a lightweight, always‑ready tool for small dry messes on hard surfaces, stairs, and car interiors. It’s not the pick for embedded pet hair or long cleaning sessions, but as a grab‑and‑go cleanup companion with a tidy wall charger, washable filter, and sensible accessories, it earns a spot in the house.