Black & Decker Cordless Mini Canister Vacuum

Why I reached for the Flex

I own a big upright that’s great for weekly floor care, but every home has the in‑between messes—baseboards, window tracks, car seats, stairs, pet hair on upholstery—that a full-size vac makes awkward. That’s the niche where the Flex shines. It’s a compact, cordless canister vac with a 4-foot hose and a small footprint, so I can keep it handy and tackle the annoying stuff before it becomes a chore.

Design and build

At 3.7 pounds, the Flex is genuinely easy to carry and set down on a stair tread or shelf. The canister sits stable on its base, and the 4-foot flexible hose gives you reach without having to hold the entire unit up while you work. It includes a simple caddy that parks the hose and attachments together, and while the caddy isn’t fancy, it does prevent the “where did that crevice tool go?” ritual.

The build is mostly durable plastic. The hose has enough stiffness to avoid collapsing under suction but still threads into tight corners. The canister latches feel sturdy, and the clear bin makes it obvious when it’s time to empty. Nothing screams premium, but nothing feels flimsy either—appropriate for a lightweight, go‑to cleanup tool.

Setup and charging

The Flex comes with a wall charger, and setup was as straightforward as snapping the battery lead in and letting it charge. My main gripe is the charging indicator: it’s a single blue light that tells you it’s connected but not when it’s fully charged. A more informative indicator would save guesswork. Expect a long recharge from empty; this isn’t a quick top-up between tasks tool. I treat it like a cordless hand vac—use it for targeted jobs, then park it on charge until the next session.

Energy Star approval is a nice touch for something that lives on a charger most of the time.

Suction and real‑world performance

The Flex relies on a cyclonic action motor with multi‑stage filtration, and the suction is impressive for its size. What matters is what it picks up, and here it does well: grit from entryway corners, crumbs along toe kicks, dust from blinds and shelves, and debris in window and door tracks. On carpeted stairs, it lifts surface lint and hair cleanly with the brush or pet tool, and it’s equally at home in a car interior where you need both reach and maneuverability.

It’s not meant to replace a floor vacuum. You’ll notice the limits on larger debris fields and deep carpet cleaning. But as a supplemental cleaner for edges, seams, and small areas, it punches above its weight. One area that impressed me is how consistent the suction remains as the bin fills, which I attribute to the cyclonic separation doing its job.

Attachments and reach

• Long crevice tool: Slim enough for baseboard edges, between seat cushions, and sliding door tracks. It’s the tip I use most.
• 2‑in‑1 nozzle/brush: Good for blinds, vents, lamp shades, and molding. The brush bristles aren’t overly stiff, so they won’t scratch.
• Pet‑hair tool: A compact, textured head that grabs hair from upholstery and carpeted stairs. It’s not a powered brush, but the geometry helps hair release into the airflow instead of matting.

The 4-foot hose changes how you use a small vac. Instead of holding the entire tool at arm’s length, you set the canister down and only move the hose and attachment. That makes above‑the‑floor cleaning, high shelves, or tight bathrooms much less awkward.

Filtration and maintenance

The Flex uses a 3‑stage filtration scheme, and the way the airflow is managed means the paper cartridge sees mostly fine dust. The result is less hair and fuzz clinging to the filter pleats, which makes routine care far easier. The filter is dishwasher‑safe, but I usually tap it out and rinse under the faucet; when I do wash it, I let it dry completely before reinstalling. Replacement filters are the FVF100 type and are easy to source.

Emptying the bin is genuinely clean. Pop the latch, and the center shroud releases so the compacted debris drops out in one motion. For me, that reduces the “reach in and pick it out” moments I dislike with many small vacs.

Battery life and workflow

For targeted cleaning, the runtime is adequate. I can work my way around a set of stairs, detail a small bathroom, or do a quick sweep of high‑touch dusty spots in a couple of rooms on a single charge. Don’t expect to clean the whole house in one go. Think 10–15 minutes of productive, focused work and you’ll be in the right mindset.

The flip side is recharge time. From low, it takes a long stint on the charger to be ready again. My workaround has been to treat this like a spot‑cleaning tool: grab it for specific tasks, then put it back on charge. If you need to run it multiple sessions in a day, plan ahead or use it alongside a corded or bigger cordless vacuum.

Noise and ergonomics

Noise is a mid‑pitch whir typical of small high‑speed motors; not painfully loud, but conversation‑interrupting at close range. Vibration through the hose is minimal, and because the canister stays on the floor or a step, fatigue is lower than with many handhelds. The handle on the canister helps when you need to reposition it quickly, and the hose swivel prevents it from kinking as you move.

Where it excels

• Stairs and edges: The combination of hose reach and suction makes quick work of risers, nosings, and baseboard lines.
• Cars and small spaces: The crevice tool gets between seats and into cup holder recesses, and the canister sits comfortably on the floorboard while you work.
• Dusting with purpose: Vents, blinds, shelves, and window sashes benefit from the brush attachment and consistent airflow.
• Pet hair on upholstery: The pet tool grabs and lifts hair without smearing it around.

Limitations to know

• Not a primary floor vacuum: It’s a spot‑cleaning tool. For whole‑room carpet or hard floors, use a full‑size vac or a stick vac with a floor head.
• Long recharge, basic charge indicator: If you prefer tools that clearly display charge status or fast‑charge between tasks, this will frustrate you.
• Small bin: It fills quickly if you’re dealing with larger debris; plan on a few quick dumps during intensive cleaning.

Durability and support

For a lightweight canister, the Flex feels well put together. The hose and latches have held up for me, and the filter system keeps the motor area clean. The 2‑year warranty adds peace of mind. Filters are inexpensive and widely available (FVF100), and the dishwasher‑safe design lowers ongoing maintenance costs.

Who it’s for

• Apartment and condo dwellers who need a compact, versatile cleaner for small messes.
• Homeowners who already have a primary vacuum and want a nimble tool for edges, stairs, and the car.
• Pet owners looking for a quick way to manage hair on furniture between deeper cleanings.
• DIYers who want a grab‑and‑go vac for the bench, shelves, and light workshop tidying (with the understanding it’s not a shop vac).

Tips for better results

• Keep the filter clean. A quick tap‑out after each session preserves suction.
• Use the caddy. Storing the hose and attachments together reduces setup friction, which is half the battle with quick cleanups.
• Match the attachment to the task. The pet tool on upholstery, brush for dusting, and crevice for edges will get better results than using the same nozzle everywhere.
• Don’t wait. The Flex is at its best for frequent, small jobs, not occasional heavy lifts.

Recommendation

I recommend the Flex as a supplemental vacuum for targeted cleaning. It’s lightweight, genuinely portable, and the hose‑plus‑attachments setup tackles the jobs a big vacuum avoids—stairs, cars, tight bathrooms, window tracks, blinds, and baseboards. Suction is strong for its size, the filtration is thoughtfully designed and easy to maintain, and the caddy keeps everything organized. The trade‑offs are clear: limited runtime, a long recharge, and a basic charge indicator. If you accept those constraints and use it as intended—a grab‑and‑go problem solver rather than a whole‑home cleaner—it’s a very practical addition to a cleaning kit.