Black & Decker Cordless stick vacuum

A nimble, everyday cleaner with a few smart touches

Cordless vacuums live or die by two things: convenience and consistency. This Black & Decker stick vac leans hard into the former, and delivers enough of the latter to make daily maintenance easy in homes with mostly hard floors and low-pile rugs.

Out of the box, it’s straightforward: the floorhead clicks onto the wand, the wand into the body, and you’re running as soon as the 20V battery charges. The unit stands on its own (a small but meaningful quality-of-life feature), and the front-facing bin keeps the profile low enough to slide under a sofa or bed without feeling like you’re wrestling a dustpan on a stick.

Setup and the battery system

The included 20V MAX Lithium Ion battery is removable and part of Black & Decker’s POWERCONNECT system, so if you own other compatible tools—or pick up a spare battery—you can swap on the fly. With the supplied 2.0 Ah pack, I averaged around 18–22 minutes of mixed-use cleaning with the floorhead attached and AUTOSENSE engaged. On hard floors with lighter messes, I could stretch that a bit longer; on carpet, expect less. Use the higher suction setting and the clock runs faster, as with any stick vac.

Charging is via the included cup charger or wall mount. The charge cycle isn’t particularly quick—this is not a “sip power, dash out” situation—so having a second battery is the best way to maintain momentum in larger spaces.

Cleaning performance on real floors

On hard floors, this vacuum is in its element. The brush bar and floorhead form a good seal without snowplowing debris, and the LED headlights genuinely help you see fine dust lines and pet hair you’d otherwise miss. AUTOSENSE bumps suction as soon as you transition to rugs, and it works as advertised: the change is smooth, and I didn’t have to fiddle with modes.

Low-pile carpet pickup is solid for a compact cordless. It lifts surface debris and pet fur reliably and avoids overly tugging smaller throw rugs. On thicker carpet, I could feel the motor working harder, which shortens runtime and slightly slows the brush. You can still get the job done, but it’s more of a maintenance clean than a deep, once-a-week extraction.

Edge cleaning is respectable; the floorhead gets close to baseboards, and a pass or two from different angles usually clears debris from room edges. The anti-tangle brush bar does reduce hair wrapping compared to standard brushes. Long strands and string can still wind around the roller (physics wins eventually), but I had noticeably less to cut away after several weeks than with older designs.

Maneuverability and ergonomics

At roughly 8.8 pounds, it’s not the lightest stick vacuum on paper, but the weight distribution is sensible. The handle angle and swivel joint make it easy to snake around furniture, and the front-facing bin keeps the head low so you can flatten the wand and push far under bed frames and couches. It’s genuinely helpful in tight spaces where a taller dustbin would block access.

The self-standing design is a blessing. Being able to park it upright mid-clean to move a chair or answer the door sounds minor until you go back to a vacuum you have to lay on the floor every time.

One critique: the charging interface is positioned near where your hand naturally wraps the handle while carrying the unit. The placement makes it easy to brush that area inadvertently. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I’d prefer those contact points tucked out of the way.

Filtration, bin, and maintenance

The 600 ml dustbin fills faster than you expect if you’re picking up pet hair or fine debris. The flip side is how easy it is to empty: because the bin opens forward, you can keep the mess away from the machine and your hands. The cyclonic pre-separation helps keep the washable filter from clogging too quickly, but you’ll still want to tap the filter out every few sessions and wash it periodically. Replacement filters are easy to source (model BHFEAF1).

As with most stick vacs, a little preventative maintenance pays off. Clearing the brush bar ends and checking the airway for compacted lint keeps suction consistent and reduces the chance of mid-clean clogs.

Handheld mode and accessories

Press a release and the body converts to a handheld unit. That makes quick work of crumbs on counters, car seats, and stairs. The included crevice tool is the lone attachment in the box; it covers basics like baseboard edges, corners, and window tracks. I would have liked a small dusting brush or a motorized mini tool for upholstery, but for everyday grab-and-go jobs, the handheld mode earns its keep.

Noise and build quality

Noise is typical for a cordless stick—in the midrange hum rather than a piercing whine—rising a notch on higher suction. Build quality feels in line with the category: sturdy enough plastic housings, a latch system that holds up to repeated bin openings, and a brush roll that pops out for cleaning without wrestling with tiny fasteners. The LED headlights are bright and well positioned, a simple touch that makes a visible difference in how efficiently you clean.

The 2-year limited warranty is competitive for this class and offers some peace of mind.

What could be better

• Runtime on carpet: Expect the battery to drop faster on rugs and medium pile. If you have a lot of carpeted space, budget for a second 20V battery.
• Charge time: It’s on the long side, which can stall momentum if you only own a single battery.
• Small bin: The 600 ml capacity keeps the unit compact but requires frequent emptying in high-shedding or dusty homes.
• Limited included tools: The crevice tool is useful, but a soft brush or upholstery tool would round out the package.
• Handle/charging contact placement: I’d prefer those contact points to be less exposed where the hand naturally sits.

Who it’s for

This Black & Decker stick vac shines in apartments, smaller homes, and households with mostly hard flooring and low-pile rugs. If you clean in short, frequent sessions—think quick passes after meals, daily pet fur patrols, or getting under furniture without moving it—it’s a practical, low-friction tool. If your priority is deep-cleaning wall-to-wall medium-to-high pile carpet in one long session, a higher-capacity system or a corded vacuum will serve you better.

The bottom line

The combination of a self-standing design, truly useful headlights, a low-profile head that slides under furniture, and automatic suction adjustment makes this a compelling everyday cleaner. It’s not trying to replace a full-size corded vacuum for deep weekly cleans; it’s trying to make it painless to keep floors looking presentable every day. In that role, it succeeds.

Recommendation: I recommend this Black & Decker stick vac for users who value convenience, maneuverability, and solid hard-floor performance, and who are willing to work within the limits of a compact bin and a single 20V battery. Pair it with a spare battery and you’ll eliminate its biggest constraint. If most of your home is thick carpet and you want long, uninterrupted sessions, look elsewhere; for quick, frequent cleaning in mixed spaces, this is an easy tool to live with.