Black & Decker furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet Handheld Vacuum

Why I reached for this Black+Decker pet handheld

I put a lot of small vacs through real-world messes—crumbs under car seats, litter around the box, and the never-ending tumbleweeds from a long‑haired dog. This Black+Decker pet handheld immediately appealed because it promises three things that matter for quick cleanups: cordless convenience, a motorized brush that actually lifts hair, and a dustbin big enough that I’m not constantly emptying it mid-job. After several weeks of use around the house and in the car, I have a clear sense of where it shines and where it stumbles.

Design and ergonomics

This is a straightforward, no‑nonsense handheld. The body sits securely on a shelf without rolling, and the built‑in XL crevice tool slides out of the nose, so you’re not chasing loose attachments. At 4.3 lb, it’s on the heavier side for a handheld, but the balance is decent; my wrist didn’t fatigue during typical 5–8 minute sessions. The handle is comfortable, though I had to adjust my grip to avoid brushing the power button with my thumb.

The control scheme is simple: press once for standard suction, again for POWERBOOST, and once more to turn off. That sequence means you pass through high to turn it off, which is mildly annoying and briefly spikes noise and power draw when you’re done.

Fit and finish are what I expect from Black+Decker in this category—sturdy plastics, good tolerances, and a dustbin latch that hasn’t popped open accidentally. The motorized pet brush locks on securely, and the extendable crevice tool feels robust.

Suction and cleaning performance

Suction in standard mode is strong for typical handheld tasks: dry food bits, dirt on stairs, and the persistent grit that collects in floorboard corners. POWERBOOST adds a noticeable step up and is where I lived for embedded debris. It’s not shop‑vac powerful, but for its size it holds its own.

The star is the motorized pet brush. Its anti‑tangle rubber bristles do a better job than bristle-only tools at gripping hair off upholstery. On a dog-frequented sofa and a carpeted stair runner, it pulled hair that other handhelds tend to smear. It also excels on car mats and cargo liners. I occasionally paused to clear long strands that wrapped around the brush axle, but it never choked on them; a quick peel‑off and it kept going.

The built‑in XL crevice tool is handy for vents, between cushions, and under seat rails. It’s long enough to reach the junk zone near the driver’s seat and narrow enough to avoid wedging. Having it integrated means fewer lost parts.

Battery life and charging

The 20V MAX, 1.5Ah lithium‑ion pack delivered about 10 minutes of continuous runtime in my mix of standard and POWERBOOST. Used strategically—standard for crumbs, boost for embedded hair—that’s enough for a thorough sofa pass plus a few steps, or one car’s front cabin. Expect closer to 6–8 minutes if you live in boost. Recharge is a wall‑wart jack plug and takes about four hours from empty.

I prefer a drop‑in dock for grab‑and‑go convenience, and a user‑replaceable battery would extend the tool’s lifespan. Still, the jack plug is acceptable if you designate a charging spot. The battery indicator is clear and updates accurately under load.

Filtration, dustbin, and maintenance

The 680 ml dustbin is generous for a handheld. Hair and dander pack loosely, so I can usually do a whole couch and a set of stairs before emptying. One‑touch emptying works well; debris drops cleanly without the plume effect some bins create.

The pre‑filter and main filter (HHVKF10) are washable. Rinsing them and letting them air‑dry fully restores airflow; I noticed suction diminish after three heavy pet‑hair sessions, and a wash brought it back. If you use this daily for pets, plan a quick rinse every week or two and a deeper clean monthly. Replacement filters are reasonably priced and easy to source.

The quirk that tripped me up

The most frustrating behavior I encountered involves the interplay between the extendable crevice tool and the motorized pet brush. The brush’s power path depends on the crevice tool being fully retracted and seated. If the crevice tool creeps forward even a little during use, the brush can cut out. In my case, the tool didn’t always “click” as positively as I’d like, and an accidental nudge sometimes caused the brush to stop. Turning the unit off and back on restored operation, but it breaks your cleaning rhythm.

Two mitigations helped:
- Make a habit of pushing the crevice tool firmly home until you feel a positive seat before attaching the brush.
- Periodically check it during use—especially on upholstery—so you can reseat it before it interrupts power.

This is a solvable annoyance rather than a deal‑breaker, but it’s the one area that feels more finicky than it should.

Day‑to‑day usability

Noise levels are typical for a handheld—conversationally loud in standard, sharper in POWERBOOST, but not shout-over-it loud. The vacuum’s footprint lets it sit flat on a shelf, and the attachment set is minimal but effective: motorized brush for fabrics, crevice tool for tight spots. No dusting brush is included, though the pet brush can gently agitate fabric lampshades and car headliners if you go light.

I did have one odd first‑use moment where the pet brush drum felt stiff out of the box. Running it briefly and manually rolling the drum loosened it up, and after clearing a few casting shavings and hair strands, it spun freely thereafter. Since then, normal.

Tips for better results

• Use standard mode for loose debris and save POWERBOOST for embedded dirt to stretch runtime.
• Keep filters clean; suction drop‑off is most noticeable with a clogged pre‑filter.
• Check that the crevice tool is fully retracted before attaching the motorized brush.
• On thick upholstery, approach at a shallow angle and pull slowly to let the brush dig in without bogging.
• Let washed filters dry a full 24 hours to protect the motor.

Pros

• Strong suction with a meaningful POWERBOOST
• Motorized pet brush lifts hair from upholstery and stairs effectively
• Large 680 ml dustbin empties cleanly
• Built‑in XL crevice tool means fewer loose attachments
• Washable filters (HHVKF10) keep long‑term costs down
• Stable, shelf‑friendly body and clear battery gauge
• Two‑year limited warranty adds peace of mind

Cons

• Brush power can cut out if the crevice tool creeps forward; requires reseating or power cycling
• Control logic forces you through high to turn off
• Jack‑plug charger instead of a drop‑in dock; long 4‑hour recharge
• Heavier than some handhelds at 4.3 lb
• Runtime is short if you live in POWERBOOST

Who it’s for

If your primary enemy is pet hair on sofas, stairs, and car interiors, this handheld hits the sweet spot. It’s also a strong fit for households that value washable filters and a larger dustbin. If you want a docked, always‑ready handheld you can flick off with a hard switch—and you never want to think about attachment seating—there are simpler, though less capable, options.

Recommendation

I recommend this Black+Decker pet handheld for pet owners and anyone who needs a portable, high‑suction cleaner for upholstery, stairs, and car interiors. The motorized pet brush is genuinely effective, the dustbin and filtration are practical, and the overall cleaning performance is strong for quick jobs. The crevice‑tool/brush power quirk is the caveat: if you meticulously seat the tool, you’ll be fine; if you’re impatient or share the vacuum with folks who won’t remember that step, it may irritate. For me, the cleaning gains outweigh the inconvenience, and with a bit of habit‑building, it’s become a reliable part of my weekly cleanup routine.