Black & Decker Handheld Vacuum, AdvancedClean+, Extended Crevice Tool

Why I reached for this handheld

Some messes don’t warrant dragging out a full-size vacuum. For crumbs in the kitchen, grit on the stairs, or sand in the car, I want a cordless handheld that’s powerful, quick to deploy, and simple to maintain. That’s exactly the niche the AdvancedClean+ handheld aims to fill. After several weeks of everyday use—kitchen cleanups, spot jobs on rugs and hard floors, and a few deep dives into a dusty hatchback—it’s clear where this compact unit excels and where it runs into predictable limitations.

Design and build

At 3.5 lb, the AdvancedClean+ handheld feels light in hand without being toy-like. The grip is comfortable and the overall balance keeps wrist strain down during extended use on stairs or while reaching into the car. The footprint is compact enough to live on a shelf or cabinet, which makes it more likely I’ll actually use it for quick hits.

The 750 mL dustbin is large for a handheld. I could do an entire set of stairs, a few kitchen cleanups, and still have room left before emptying. The bin detaches easily, and because the filter is washable, routine maintenance doesn’t require a steady stream of replacements. When it’s time to swap in a new filter, the HHVKF10 fits this model.

Black+Decker integrated an extendable crevice tool into the nose. That small design choice matters: no digging for attachments, no parts to lose. It slides out far enough to get between car seats, along baseboards, and into dryer-lint traps—exactly the tight spots that justify keeping a handheld around.

Power and performance

This model is rated up to 35 air watts on POWERBOOST, which lines up with what I felt in use. On the standard setting, it picks up crumbs, coffee grounds, and dust on hard floors and low-pile rugs without fuss. Flip on POWERBOOST, and it grabs heavier debris—road grit, cat litter, small pebbles—and pulls more out of rug fibers and car mats. It won’t replace a full-size vacuum for deep cleaning carpets, but for spot jobs, the suction is satisfying and consistent.

Hair pickup is solid on hard floors and most upholstery. Without a motorized brush, embedded pet hair in dense fabrics takes more passes, but the crevice tool helps concentrate suction for stubborn spots. On car detailing, the combination of compact size, boost mode, and that built-in crevice tool is effective for vents, console seams, under seat rails, and door pockets.

One note on noise: it’s typical for a handheld in this class—audible, especially on boost, but not obnoxiously loud.

Battery and runtime

This handheld uses a 20V MAX lithium-ion pack (nominally 18V) with a 1.5 Ah capacity. The manufacturer pegs runtime at about 10 minutes, which matches my experience on the standard setting. Expect less on POWERBOOST—enough to tackle targeted messes but not a full-home clean. The battery indicator helps prevent surprise shutoffs; I got into the habit of glancing at it before heading out to the car.

If you’re looking for a handheld to run continuously for 20–30 minutes, this isn’t it. It’s built for quick, high-power bursts, and it does that well. The included charger is basic but fine for a leave-it-docked routine. Black+Decker doesn’t publish a specific charge time here; I simply kept it on the charger between uses and never ran into a situation where I needed it immediately after a full drain.

Controls and usability

Two power levels are accessible from a simple switch—no fiddly modes or confusing icons. The bin release and filter access are straightforward, which reduces the friction to empty and clean it often (important with any handheld). The battery indicator is a small but meaningful addition; it makes planning a quick car cleanup less of a guessing game.

The extendable crevice tool deserves a second mention. Not having to attach or remove a separate nozzle speeds up a lot of tasks, especially in tight spaces. I used it constantly for baseboard edges, window tracks, and between couch cushions.

Maintenance

The washable filter is the right call. A quick tap-out after dusty jobs and a proper wash-and-dry at the end of the week kept airflow strong. As with all washable filters, make sure it’s thoroughly dry before reassembling to maintain performance and avoid odors. The dustbin itself wipes clean easily, and the larger capacity means you’re emptying less frequently, which also reduces how much fine dust makes it airborne during disposal.

If you do want a fresh filter on hand, the HHVKF10 is the replacement part. I appreciate that the filter size is common across the AdvancedClean+ line, which should keep availability decent.

Where it shines

• Quick kitchen cleanups: crumbs, dry spills, coffee grounds, flour dust. The standard mode is usually enough, and the big bin means fewer trips to the trash.
• Stairs: the weight and balance make it easy to do an entire flight without juggling power cords or full-size hoses.
• Cars: the extendable crevice tool is a standout here. POWERBOOST helps pull grit from mats and seams, and the compact body fits under seats and around pedals.
• Laundry area and workshop corners: a handy way to grab lint and sawdust without hauling out a bigger vac.

Where it struggles

• Long sessions: the ~10-minute rated runtime (less on boost) means you’ll be strategic. This is a spot cleaner, not a sustained cleaner.
• Embedded pet hair in dense upholstery: without a motorized brush, you’ll need multiple passes, and a lint brush may still be faster for some fabrics.
• Very fine dust if the filter isn’t maintained: keep the filter clean and fully dry to maintain suction, especially after drywall dust or ash-like debris.

Comparisons and context

Within the 20V-class handhelds, the AdvancedClean+ handheld sits in a sensible middle ground: more suction and bin volume than ultra-compact models, less runtime and accessory complexity than high-end handhelds with removable batteries and motorized mini-brushes. The 2-year limited warranty is better than the bare minimum and aligns with what I expect at this price tier. Black+Decker’s design choices—integrated crevice tool, large bin, removable/washable filter—focus on the jobs handhelds are actually used for, rather than chasing specs that look impressive but don’t help with cereal under the table.

If you’re already in a battery ecosystem, note that the battery in this handheld is integrated; you’re not swapping packs from a drill. The flip side is convenience: there’s no external battery to misplace, and the indicator gives you enough information to plan quick tasks.

Practical tips

• Use standard mode for most jobs; save POWERBOOST for dense debris or fabric. You’ll preserve runtime without sacrificing results.
• Empty the bin before it’s full. Suction stays stronger, and cleanup is cleaner.
• Tap out the filter after dirty jobs and wash it regularly. Keep a spare HHVKF10 if you do frequent dusty work so one can dry while the other is in use.
• Keep it parked near where messes happen—kitchen, entryway, or garage. Accessibility is half the battle with handhelds.

Verdict

The AdvancedClean+ handheld gets the fundamentals right: strong suction for its class, a genuinely useful integrated crevice tool, a big 750 mL bin, and easy maintenance with a washable filter. The trade-off is predictable—short runtime, especially on boost—but within its intended role as a grab-and-go spot cleaner, it delivers.

Recommendation: I recommend this handheld if you want a powerful, simple, and compact tool for short, frequent cleanups in the home or car. Its performance-to-weight ratio, thoughtful integrated crevice tool, and large dustbin make it a dependable everyday companion. If your priority is extended runtime or tackling deeply embedded pet hair on upholstery, consider a model with a motorized mini-brush and a larger or swappable battery. For most quick jobs, though, this is an easy tool to live with—and one I consistently reach for.