Black & Decker 7.2V MAX 2.0Ah Cordless Hand Vacuum - Black

A small, grab-and-go Dustbuster that does the basics well

I’ve kept a Black+Decker hand vac on a wall hook near the kitchen for a few months now, and it’s become the thing I reach for when there’s cereal underfoot, cat litter scattered outside the box, or sand on the car mats. This 7.2V model is as simple as handhelds come: light, compact, and built for quick dry pickups. It won’t replace a full-size vacuum or a higher‑voltage handheld, but used for what it is—fast, targeted cleanups—it’s effective and easy to live with.

Design and ergonomics

At 2.3 lb, the hand vac is genuinely lightweight, and the balance is neutral enough that your wrist isn’t doing a ton of work during short sessions. The translucent, bagless dirt bowl lets you see when it’s time to empty, and the latch is secure as long as you snap it home; if you don’t, the front end can feel a little loose, so give it a firm click after every empty.

The power control is a press‑and‑hold trigger rather than a toggle. That helps conserve battery between bursts, but it does mean you’re keeping a finger on the button the entire time. I don’t mind it for short jobs, though I wouldn’t want to hold it down for extended sessions.

The charging base is the best part of the design. You can set it on a counter or mount it to a wall, and you simply drop the vac onto the cradle to charge—no fiddly barrel plugs. The low‑profile power brick is easy to place without blocking another outlet.

Accessories that cover the basics

An onboard crevice tool slides out from the nose to extend reach by a couple of inches. It’s stiff and short, but it’s handy for window tracks, baseboard edges, and in between seat cushions. The push‑in upholstery brush is a nice add for dusting vents and lifting crumbs from fabric. Both tuck away on or into the vac so you’re not chasing loose attachments.

Would I like a longer, more flexible crevice tool? Absolutely. But for a compact unit, the included pieces are sensible and always at hand.

Suction and real‑world performance

For a 7.2V handheld, the suction is better than I expected. It’s strong enough to lift:

• Dry crumbs, rice, and cereal from hard floors and counters
• Cat litter, sand, and road grit from mats and entryways
• Dust bunnies and cobwebs from corners and ceiling lines
• Light debris on stairs and sofas (with the brush attachment)

What it doesn’t love: heavier pebbles, deeply embedded pet hair, or substantial amounts of fine powder. You can coax it through those, but it’s not the right tool if you regularly need heavy pickup. Airflow is focused, but like most compact handhelds, the side exhaust can push very light debris around if you get too close with the vents pointed at the mess. Approach from an angle and let the nozzle contact the surface; that minimizes scatter.

On low‑pile rugs and car mats, the brush helps agitate grit free. For deep car cleanings, I’d want more run time and a longer reach, but for quick refreshes, this little vac is perfectly serviceable.

Battery life and charging

This model runs on a 7.2V, 2.0Ah lithium‑ion pack integrated into the unit. I consistently see around 12–16 minutes of usable time on a full charge. That’s enough for a kitchen sweep, stairs, and a couple of quick spot jobs before performance tapers. Expect less if the filter is clogged or you’re tackling heavier debris.

Charging on the base takes several hours from empty. There’s no fast‑charge here. The intended workflow is simple: use it for short tasks, drop it back on the cradle, and it’ll be topped up when you return. If you plan a lot of back‑to‑back cleanups in a single day, you’ll outrun the battery; in that case, consider a higher‑voltage handheld with longer runtime.

One tip: park the base somewhere you naturally pass after using the vac (pantry door frame, garage entry). The “grab, use, dock” habit is what makes this kind of tool shine.

Filtration and maintenance

The dirt bowl holds about 384 ml—roughly a cup and a half—so it fills quickly with litter or sand. Emptying is a two‑step process: pop off the bowl and pull the filter assembly. The filter is washable, which saves money, but the first couple of empties can be dusty as you get the routine down. I’ve had the best results by:

1) Tapping the filter gently on the inside wall of a lined trash can to knock off debris.
2) Rinsing the filter under running water when it looks gray or suction drops.
3) Letting the filter air‑dry completely (overnight) before reinstalling to avoid odor and performance issues.

If you use the vac daily, it’s worth picking up a spare filter (HNVCF10) so you can rotate a dry one in while the other dries. Keep an eye on the rubber gasket and the interface between the bowl and motor housing; wipes with a damp cloth help maintain a good seal and consistent suction.

Usability notes

• Noise: It’s not whisper‑quiet, but the pitch and volume are typical for small handhelds—more of a sharp whirr than a roar.
• Controls: The momentary trigger saves battery between bursts but can lead to finger fatigue over longer tasks.
• Exhaust: Vents are on the side; keep that in mind when approaching light dust to avoid blow‑by.
• Fitment: After you empty, make sure the bowl is fully seated. If it’s even slightly off, airflow drops and the housing can feel loose.

Durability and warranty

Build quality is solid for a lightweight handheld: no creaks in the body, attachments fit with a firm push, and the bowl latch hasn’t loosened over time. The washable filter has held up after multiple rinse cycles, and the battery hasn’t shown noticeable fade within typical use. There’s a 2‑year limited warranty, which is fair coverage in this category.

Where it lands on value

This is an affordable, no‑frills Dustbuster. You’re paying for convenience—light weight, a wall cradle, and enough power for everyday crumbs and grit. If your needs are mostly quick spot cleanups around the kitchen, pet areas, and the car, it’s a strong value. If you often do longer sessions or handle heavy debris, stepping up to a higher‑voltage handheld will be money better spent.

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to grab for fast messes
• Respectable suction for a 7.2V unit
• Wall‑mountable cradle makes charging and storage simple
• Translucent, bagless bowl and washable filter keep costs down
• Useful built‑in crevice tool and push‑in brush

Cons

• Short run time (about 16 minutes) and slow recharge
• Press‑and‑hold trigger can cause finger fatigue
• Small bin fills quickly with litter or sand
• Emptying can be dusty until you get the hang of it
• Side exhaust can scatter very light debris if you approach head‑on

The bottom line

I recommend this Black+Decker hand vac for anyone who wants an inexpensive, lightweight tool for quick, dry pickups and values a dock‑and‑go charging setup. It succeeds at the daily tasks a small handheld should: collecting crumbs, litter, dust, and grit without fuss. Just be aware of its limits—short run time, modest capacity, and a somewhat messy emptying process—and it will earn its spot on your wall. If you regularly need deeper cleaning power or long sessions, look to a higher‑voltage handheld; otherwise, this one does the everyday jobs reliably and without drama.