Black & Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum

A compact, capable cleanup companion

I keep a small hand vac parked near my pets’ feeding area and another by the front entry, and the Dustbuster has earned both spots. It’s purpose-built for quick pickups: grit on hard floors, crumbs on counters, cat hair on cushions, and the inevitable car-seat debris. It isn’t a mini shop vac or a deep-cleaning tool, but within its intended lane it’s efficient, easy to live with, and generally pleasant to use.

Design and ergonomics

The Dustbuster is light at about 3.5 pounds, with most of the weight toward the front. That front-heavy balance actually helps on horizontal surfaces; I can guide the nozzle with a loose grip and let the weight do the work. On vertical surfaces or overhead shelves, I needed a slightly firmer hold, but it never felt unwieldy. The on/off is a slide switch rather than a trigger, which I prefer for handhelds—no need to keep a finger pressed during longer passes.

The translucent, bagless bowl makes it obvious when it’s time to empty (and oddly satisfying to see what you’ve captured). The latch to release the bowl is simple and positive, and the fit is secure—no flex, rattles, or misalignment in my unit. Build quality is solid for the category: all-plastic, yes, but well-molded, with clear markings and no sharp edges.

A rotating slim nozzle swings 180 degrees to get the right angle without contorting your wrist. It’s a small thing that becomes a big convenience when cleaning along baseboards, around chair legs, or between car seats. The integrated tools ride on-board: a pull-out crevice wand and a flip-up brush. There’s nothing to misplace, and you can switch mid-task without hunting for an accessory.

Attachments and ease of use

The crevice tool extends from the main nozzle, giving extra reach into narrow gaps and under appliances. It’s long enough for cabinet rails, window tracks, and sofa seams. I did find that if I pushed hard against a surface, the extension could creep inward slightly—light pressure avoids that. The flip-up brush is best for vents, blinds, lamp shades, and upholstery. It’s a simple, passive brush (no powered roller), so for embedded pet hair you’ll want to make slow, overlapping passes or use a lint brush afterward.

You can’t use the brush with the crevice tool extended—design-wise they’re mutually exclusive—so plan your passes accordingly. The nozzle’s rotation makes up for that in many cases; rotating to meet the surface often achieves the angle I needed without the brush.

Suction and real-world performance

Black & Decker rates this as a 16V MAX lithium-ion unit, and it has the pull to match quick-clean expectations. On hard floors, it picked up sand, bird seed, dry food crumbs, and road grit in one or two passes. On low-pile rugs and car mats, it handled crumbs and surface hair well. For heavier debris like small wood pellets, it did fine as long as I avoided overfilling the bowl. Where it’s less effective is in extracting hair that’s woven into fabric or carpet—without a motorized mini brush, you’ll need patience or a secondary tool for that.

The cyclonic action keeps much of the airborne dust away from the filter, maintaining suction longer than older bagless handhelds I’ve used. That said, performance is very dependent on filter cleanliness. If you notice a quick drop-off in power mid-session, a quick tap of the filter over the trash usually restores a lot of airflow.

One quirk to be aware of: the rear exhaust moves a noticeable amount of air. On a counter dusting job, if I aimed the back of the unit toward a loose pile of flour or ashes, it could scatter debris. The fix is simple—approach from the side, keep the exhaust pointed away, and take shallow passes—but it’s worth building that habit.

Noise is on the higher side for a handheld. It’s a clear, high-pitched whirr rather than a low rumble. Ear-splitting? No. Conversations will pause while it’s running, but the trade-off is the suction you get in return. Keeping the nozzle in contact with a surface slightly dampens the pitch.

Battery, runtime, and charging

The lithium-ion pack delivers around 10–12 minutes of real-world runtime, which aligns with its spec and my use. That’s enough for most “oops” moments: a kitchen sweep after a meal, stairs, the driver’s seat area, or a quick pass around a litter box. It’s not a whole-home cleaner; treat it as a rapid-response tool.

Charging is straightforward on the included base. You set the vac onto a small puck-style dock and it tops off in a few hours. It’s convenient in that the Dustbuster is always ready when I grab it, and the pack holds its charge well between uses. Two cautions: the base doesn’t lock the unit in place, so choose a stable, low-traffic spot; and there’s no wall mount included. If you’re used to older models that hung on a bracket, you may miss that. I tucked the dock on a shelf near an outlet and it’s been fine, but I would welcome a keyed cradle or optional wall mount in the box.

Filtration and maintenance

Maintenance is refreshingly simple. Twist off the bowl, dump the contents, knock dust off the filter, and you’re back in business. Both the bowl and filter are washable—just make sure the filter is completely dry before reassembling to preserve airflow and avoid musty smells. I wash mine monthly with mild soap and water and keep a spare filter on hand to rotate while one dries. The filter part number is easy to find if you want an extra replacement.

With a capacity of roughly 0.6 liters, the bowl is generous for a handheld. You’ll still want to empty frequently if you’re picking up fine dust, which can cake on the filter and reduce suction. The clear bowl makes it obvious when to stop and dump.

Everyday usability

A few quality-of-life touches stand out:

• The constant-on slide switch is great for prolonged passes along baseboards and stairs.
• The rotating nozzle saves wrists and improves reach in awkward areas.
• The integrated tools mean no rummaging for attachments.

A few realities of the category show up too:

• No LED light on the nose, so shadows can hide debris under cabinets.
• No motorized brush; upholstery and pet hair need more time.
• The exhaust airflow requires mindful approach angles.

None of these are dealbreakers for a quick-clean handheld, but they set expectations.

Who it’s for

• Households that want a grab-and-go tool for hard floors, counters, stairs, and cars.
• Pet owners dealing with daily scatter like litter, seed, or surface hair.
• Anyone who values simple maintenance—washable filter, clear bowl, onboard tools.

Who should look elsewhere

• Those who prioritize quiet operation.
• Users needing a motorized mini brush for embedded hair or fabric grooming.
• Anyone committed to a wall-mounted storage solution out of the box.
• People expecting deep-clean runtime; 10–12 minutes won’t replace a stick or upright.

The bottom line

The Dustbuster hits the right notes for a modern handheld: enough suction to matter, a smart rotating nozzle, genuinely useful onboard tools, and maintenance that doesn’t require a manual. The battery life suits spot-cleaning, the filter system is easy to keep in shape, and the ergonomics make it something I don’t mind grabbing multiple times a day.

It’s not perfect. The charging base is stable only if you give it a safe corner, the exhaust can nudge light debris if you’re careless with your approach, and the noise won’t endear it to quiet households. But those are reasonable trade-offs for a compact, always-ready cleanup companion.

Recommendation: I recommend the Dustbuster for quick daily pickups in homes, apartments, and cars, especially if you value simple upkeep and grab-and-go convenience. If you need a wall-mounted storage solution, ultra-quiet operation, or a powered brush for embedded pet hair, consider alternatives—but for the core chores a handheld is meant to handle, this one earns its spot on the counter.