Black & Decker AdvancedClean Cordless Hand Vacuum

Why I reached for this hand vac

I keep a small handheld vacuum parked near the kitchen and the back door for the stuff that never justifies dragging out a full-size machine: coffee grounds around the grinder, dog hair tumbleweeds on hard floors, potting soil that misses the planter. After a few weeks with Black+Decker’s cordless hand vac in that role, it’s clear where it shines—and where you may want something different.

Design, build, and what’s in the box

At 2.7 pounds and about 16 inches long, this hand vac is compact and easy to stash. The clear, bagless dust bowl is more than a design flourish; it lets me see when I’m approaching full and whether a paper clip or LEGO has snuck in. The one-latch emptying mechanism is genuinely clean and quick—flip it open over the bin and the contents drop without needing to wrestle with any liners.

Two onboard tools cover most small jobs without hunting for attachments. A pull-out crevice tool extends from the nozzle for baseboards, car seats, and the sides of appliances. It’s not needle-thin, but it fits into most problem spots. A flip-up brush rides on the nose and is handy for blinds, keyboards, and upholstery.

The hand vac lives on a minimalist wall mount. It’s a simple bracket—no charging dock—so you hang the unit and plug a jack-style charger into the port on the front of the vacuum. There’s a single charging indicator light that confirms connection and charging status.

Build quality is better than the price bracket typically delivers: plastics fit tightly, the bin latch feels secure, and the hinge hasn’t loosened after dozens of emptying cycles. The whole bowl and the pleated filter are washable, which helps keep suction consistent over time.

Setup and charging experience

Mounting the bracket took a couple minutes with two screws. The charger cord threads through a channel in the mount to tidy it up, but you still end up with the plug entering the front of the unit. Functionally it’s fine; visually it’s not the cleanest solution, and you need to guide the jack into the port each time.

The charging light is basic. It confirms charging and full charge, but there’s no multi-segment battery gauge to show remaining runtime while you work. Plan to leave it plugged in between sessions; lithium-ion chemistry is happiest that way, and this model is clearly designed around quick, frequent top-ups rather than a remove-and-swap battery.

Suction and cleaning performance

For a 10.8-volt handheld, it pulls more than I expected. Hard-floor pickup is excellent for crumbs, grit, coffee grounds, and pet hair, and it manages small pebbles without choking. On low-pile rugs, it grabs surface debris but—like most non-motorized handhelds—won’t lift embedded dirt from fibers. In a car, it’s great for seats, mats (surface level), and consoles; the crevice tool does well in door pockets and between cushions.

Airflow is brisk and the nozzle opening is slightly wider than the typical needle-nose approach, which means you can sweep across a counter or stair tread quickly. I also appreciate that the brush flips in with one finger when I move from counters to blinds or to the couch.

One quirk: the exhaust is directed out the back with a noticeable stream of cool air. It feels fine on your hand, but if you’re pushing hair or dust into a pile, aim your stance to keep the exhaust from scattering what you just corralled.

Ergonomics and noise

At 2.7 pounds, the weight and balance are right over the hand, so long sessions don’t fatigue the wrist. The handle is comfortable for medium and large hands; the controls are simple and there’s no speed selector—just on/off and go. The trade-off is noise. The motor has a distinctly high-pitched whine that’s sharper than some larger vacuums. It’s not intolerable, but it’s not discreet either. If you have skittish pets, introduce it gently.

Filtration and maintenance

The washable pleated filter sits inside the dust bowl and catches fine particles well enough that I didn’t see plumes when emptying, as long as I didn’t overfill. Keeping suction strong is mostly about filter hygiene. Every few uses I tap the filter against the inside of the trash can to knock dust off, and every couple of weeks I rinse both the filter and bowl. They need to be completely dry before reassembly—overnight on a windowsill works. Replacement filters (Black+Decker VLPF10) are available and worth having as a spare so you can rotate while one dries.

Battery life and recharge time

This model is built for short, targeted cleaning bursts. In my use, I get roughly 10–12 minutes of strong pickup on a full charge before it tapers. That’s plenty for kitchen crumbs, a set of stairs, or a quick pass through the car’s front row. It’s not the right tool for tackling every room at once. Recharge time is several hours; I leave it on the wall mount between uses so it’s always topped up.

If you expect to clean for long stretches or want multiple power levels, you’ll want a larger handheld or a compact stick vacuum with swappable batteries.

What I’d change

• The charge port location. A rear or bottom-mounted port—or better yet, contacts on a charging cradle—would make the wall-mounted setup cleaner and more convenient.
• A simple battery gauge. Even a three-LED indicator during use would help plan the last few minutes of cleaning.
• A narrower crevice tip. The integrated tool works, but a true needle-nose option would reach deeper into car seat rails and window tracks.

Durability and warranty

Nothing about the unit has loosened or rattled in my time with it. The dust bowl latch still closes with a firm click, and the hinge shows no play. It’s reassuring to see a 2-year limited warranty in this category. Given the washable parts and straightforward design, long-term upkeep should be inexpensive.

Who it’s for

• Apartment and small-home owners who want a grab-and-go tool for everyday messes.
• Pet owners dealing with hair on hard floors, stairs, and upholstery.
• Car owners who want something light and simple for weekly tidy-ups.

Who should look elsewhere: anyone who wants a near-silent handheld, expects 20+ minutes of runtime per charge, or prefers a dock-style charger with completely hidden cords.

The bottom line

This Black+Decker hand vac nails what a handheld should be: light, simple, and ready to pick up the mess you notice on your way out the door. Suction is strong for its size, the clear bowl empties easily, and the built-in crevice tool and flip-up brush mean you’re never searching for attachments. The washable bowl and pleated filter make maintenance cheap and quick, and the wall mount keeps it in reach.

Its weaknesses are clear too. The battery is sized for spot cleaning rather than whole-room jobs. The charging setup works but isn’t as elegant as a contact-based dock, and the high-pitched motor note won’t win any quiet contests. If those are dealbreakers, a larger handheld or a compact stick vac is the better fit.

Recommendation: I recommend this hand vac for quick daily cleanups, especially on hard floors and upholstery. It’s a strong performer in short bursts, thoughtfully designed for maintenance, and backed by a solid warranty. If you need longer runtime or a sleeker charging solution, consider stepping up to a model with a dock or swappable battery, but for the classic grab-and-go “dustbuster” role, this one does the job well.