Black & Decker Scumbuster Pro Rechargeable Powered Scrubber with Extension Pole

What it is and where it fits

I’ve been testing the Scumbuster Pro in my bathrooms for a few weeks, putting it through the kind of chores most of us avoid: soap-scummed tubs, streaked shower glass, grungy grout lines, and the inevitable ring in the toilet. It’s a cordless powered scrubber with an oscillating head and a telescoping pole, meant to take the sting out of routine cleaning. In practice, it does exactly that—reducing the amount of kneeling, bending, and wrist torque that manual scrubbing demands—while keeping enough finesse to work on delicate surfaces like glass and fixtures.

This isn’t a restoration-grade machine for years of neglect, but it’s a solid maintenance tool that can keep a bathroom looking presentable with far less effort.

Design and build

Black & Decker kept the package straightforward: a compact scrubber body, a telescoping pole that threads on and off, a charging/storage stand, and two washable pads (a microfiber and a general-purpose pad that ships on the head). The scrubber weighs about 2.5 pounds, and the balance feels right—handheld it’s nimble, and with the pole attached it’s still manageable overhead. The non-slip grip is a real help when your hands are wet or soapy.

The head oscillates rather than rotates. That choice matters. Oscillation is gentler, less likely to fling grime, and safer on coatings, but it isn’t as aggressive as a true rotary scrubber for cutting through heavy buildup. The head is sealed and submersible, so I had no qualms dunking it in a tub or running it under the faucet mid-job.

Construction feels durable for a household tool. The pole’s lock is positive and the threads are sturdy; it didn’t wobble or rattle during use. I wouldn’t pry on it like a crowbar, but it took normal downward pressure without complaint.

Setup and charging

Out of the box, I clicked it onto the stand and topped it off before first use. The stand keeps the footprint small and makes storage easy. With the pole attached it’s too tall to sit neatly on a counter, so I charge the handheld unit and leave the pole nearby.

Controls are minimal—just a power button. There’s no speed control, which simplifies operation but limits finesse for those who like to feather a tool under load. It’s either on and oscillating or off.

Battery life was enough to clean a full bathroom in one session. I ran it through a standard cycle—tub, tile surround, glass door, sink basin, and toilet exterior—in roughly 25 minutes and still had power left. Recharge time on the stand felt reasonable; a couple of hours brought it back to ready.

Performance on common surfaces

• Shower glass and mirrors: With the microfiber pad, the Scumbuster Pro shines. A spritz of glass-safe cleaner, a slow pass with light pressure, and water spots come off without streaking. I finished with a quick squeegee and the glass looked new.

• Tubs and surrounds: The general-purpose pad and an all-purpose bathroom cleaner handled day-to-day film and grime well. I let the cleaner dwell for a few minutes, then worked in overlapping passes. On textured fiberglass, the oscillation does a good job of reaching into the pattern without scuffing.

• Tile and grout: On glazed tile, it brings back the sheen nicely. For grout, oscillation helps lift surface dirt, but don’t expect miracles on deeply stained joints. A dedicated grout brush still beats it for surgical detail, though this will keep light staining at bay between deep cleans.

• Fixtures and hardware: The smaller, controlled oscillation is safe enough for chrome and brushed nickel. I used the microfiber pad with a mild cleaner and it didn’t leave swirls or haze.

• Toilets: The submersible head means I could scrub the bowl’s waterline and exterior surfaces without worry. I keep a dedicated pad for this task to avoid cross-contamination.

Where it falls short is the heavy, chalky soap scum you get from hard water and months of neglect. The included pads don’t have the bite to power through that quickly. Pre-treating with a lime/soap scum remover helps a lot, and pairing the tool with a more abrasive, heavy-duty pad (sold separately) brings performance up to the task. But out of the box, it’s better at maintaining than rescuing.

Ergonomics and reach

The telescoping pole is the unsung hero here. Cleaning an 8-foot shower wall or the top of a mirror without stepping on a stool is a quality-of-life improvement I didn’t know I needed. The pole locks securely and transmits pressure well enough that you can lean into horizontal surfaces like tub floors. I still prefer handheld mode for tight corners and around faucets, but switching between modes is quick.

The non-slip grip and the tool’s weight mean fatigue isn’t an issue. I could work one-handed most of the time, guiding with my off hand only when reaching high or applying extra pressure on the floor.

Pads and maintenance

The pads hook on securely and survive machine washing (I air-dry them to preserve the backing). Included are a microfiber and a general-purpose pad. Microfiber is perfect for glass, mirrors, and polished surfaces; the general-purpose pad handles light grime on tile and tubs. For tougher jobs, a heavy-duty pad is compatible and, in my opinion, worth having in the kit. It adds the cut that the included pads lack, as long as your surface can tolerate it.

A couple of practical tips:
- Let your cleaner dwell for 3–5 minutes before scrubbing. Chemistry should do half the work.
- Start with the least aggressive pad and escalate only if needed.
- Move slowly; let the oscillation do the work rather than mashing down.
- Color-code pads and keep one dedicated for toilets.

Noise, mess, and cleanliness

Noise is a steady hum—quieter than a vacuum, louder than an electric toothbrush. Because the head oscillates, it doesn’t fling water the way a rotary brush can. It’s civilized to use in a small bathroom and won’t announce itself to the whole house.

Cleanup is as easy as rinsing the head and pad under the faucet and setting the tool back on its stand. The sealed head doesn’t mind a soak, and the grip stays tacky even when wet.

Durability and warranty

After multiple wet sessions and plenty of pressure on textured fiberglass, I see no signs of looseness or leaks. The pole mechanism still locks tight, and the head hasn’t developed play. There’s a one‑year limited warranty, which is standard at this price tier and use case.

Limitations and what I’d change

• Cutting power out of the box: With only microfiber and general-purpose pads, it’s tuned for maintenance. A bundled heavy-duty pad would make it more versatile.
• Single speed: A low/high toggle would add control for delicate finishes and extra oomph for stubborn areas.
• Edge access: The round pad can’t get into tight inside corners. I still reach for a manual brush for edges and grout lines where precision matters.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth noting so expectations match reality.

Who it’s for

• People maintaining bathrooms weekly who want to reduce scrubbing strain and time.
• Renters and homeowners with tile, fiberglass, or glass shower enclosures.
• Anyone who appreciates a tidy storage/charging solution and cordless convenience.

Who should look elsewhere:
- If you’re trying to rehabilitate a shower that hasn’t been deep-cleaned in a long time, you’ll need chemical help and a heavy-duty pad at minimum—or a more aggressive rotary scrubber for the first pass.
- If you want variable speed or a full suite of pad types in the box, this isn’t that package.

The bottom line

The Scumbuster Pro makes routine bathroom cleaning faster, easier, and less punishing on the body. Its oscillating, submersible head is gentle where it should be and effective on the daily film that accumulates on tubs, tile, and glass. The telescoping pole is genuinely useful, the pads are washable, and the charging stand keeps it ready to go.

I recommend it—with a caveat. As a maintenance tool, it’s excellent and has earned a spot on my cleaning cart. If you expect it to erase heavy, mineral-laden soap scum with the included pads, you’ll be underwhelmed. Pair it with the right cleaner and pick up a heavy-duty pad for tough jobs, and it becomes a well-rounded scrubber that meaningfully cuts the effort of keeping a bathroom clean.