This Cordless Handheld Vacuum Has 70,000 Five-Star Ratings on Amazon—so I Put It to the Test
Updated: Oct. 17, 2023
For a quick clean, trust that this cordless handheld vacuum has your back.
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For me, vacuuming is a tedious task. Having to bring out my Dyson vacuum, move things around, grab all of the attachments and switch them out when needed—it’s a lot. The hardest part is the upkeep in between my deeper cleaning sessions. With three cats and a busy lifestyle, it’s hard to keep up with the amount of fur and dirt that collects in the house and even my car. So when I found this highly-rated cordless handheld vacuum on Amazon, I knew I had to snag it immediately.
What is the Black+Decker Dustbuster?
The Black+Decker Dustbuster is a cordless handheld vacuum designed to clean small areas and tough-to-reach crevices. The vacuum comes in two different colors and 16V and 20V options. The one I chose was the blue 16V one. The cordless handheld vacuum works for multiple surfaces, such as carpet, upholstery and a car’s interior. It’s battery-powered and weighs around 2.6 pounds.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Black+Decker Dustbuster
This cordless handheld vacuum has strong suction power and convenient features.
Black+Decker Dustbuster features
The cordless handheld vacuum has a flip-up brush to clean the carpet and any stuck-on hair from the upholstery. There is a crevice tool that pulls out to reach smaller areas where normal vacuums cannot reach. This works best for the car’s tight corners or to reach areas better. The translucent bowl lets you see how full the container is, keeping it from getting too full and shortening its lifespan.
The cyclonic action provides strong suction power and the nozzle rotates 180° to fit into tight spaces at different angles. It’s incredibly easy to maneuver, lightweight and comes with a charging base making it easy to place and charge for your cleaning schedule. Additionally, the bowl and filters are washable.
How we tested it
When testing the cordless handheld vacuum, I focused on a few key features: suction power, how loud (or quiet) it is, the weight and overall ease of use. I tested these metrics through different activities. The first thing I did was give my couch under the cushions a much-needed cleaning. I used the crevice to reach the back of the couch and found it was effortless to vacuum with one hand while holding the couch cushion with the other. It didn’t feel bulky or awkward to hold in any way. The vacuum sucked up the debris quickly, and I could move on to my next test.
Next, I wanted to see how well it could vacuum up stuck-on fur from my carpet. Normally for an area this big I would use my stick vacuum, but I was interested in testing the brush feature. To my surprise, the brush effectively released the hair from the carpet fibers and the vacuum sucked it right up. Next, I used it on the car floor, and to no surprise, it cleaned all the rocks and dirt from our last hiking trip with the utmost ease.
Lastly, I tested how well it could pick up larger debris, starting with some cat food. With one quick swipe, it picked up every piece I vacuumed over, much to my cat’s dismay. To add to this, I decided to vacuum up some litter that ended up on the floor next to the litter boxes. Overall, the cordless handheld vacuums managed to complete every task I gave it with space to spare in the bin.
Suction power
For such a small, portable cordless handheld vacuum, the suction power is impressive, to say the least. It didn’t matter what I tried to vacuum, it managed to pick everything up. Obviously, I chose the 16V, but the 20V would be stronger for areas that need a bit of extra work.
Sound
Even the best vacuums are loud, let’s be honest. This cordless handheld vacuum definitely makes some noise that my cats certainly do not appreciate. However, it’s not any louder than a normal vacuum. I have very sensitive hearing, and I was able to vacuum for the test without having to wear my loop earplugs to minimize the sound. With that being said, it may still be too loud for others with extra sensitive hearing.
Weight
I can’t express enough how lightweight this cordless handheld vacuum is. With one hand I could vacuum each test area with ease and never felt like it was too heavy or I had to switch arms. The handheld vacuum weighs around 2.6 pounds, making it one of the lightest vacuums to use to clean your home.
Ease of use
Because it’s cordless and lightweight, the ease of use of this vacuum is exceptional. Not having to walk around untangling cables or trying to carry a heavy vacuum up the stairs makes this a useful option for anyone who needs to spot-clean their home with little to no effort. The attached features, like the brush and crevice tool, make it convenient and portable. It’s like having a regular vacuum in the palm of your hand. The charging base plugs into an outlet and all you have to do is place the vacuum right on top to get it charging.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Convenient features
- Strong suction
- Easy to charge
- Affordable
Cons
- Not effective for larger areas
FAQ
How long does the charge last?
The charge lasts about 11 minutes, according to the manufacturer. I found that it lasted a bit longer for me to be able to do the entire test without recharging. The charging time is around 240 minutes.
How much does the Black+Decker dustbuster weigh?
The dustbuster weighs 2.6 pounds, making it super lightweight and portable.
Does it come with a warranty?
The cordless handheld vacuum comes with a two-year warranty so rest easy that if something happens to your new dustbuster, you’ll be covered.
What other reviewers had to say
“I thought I was buying a cheap vacuum, but I actually bought a fantastic vacuum at a good price,” begins five-star reviewer Margaret Luna. “This thing has amazing suction, is easy to empty and clean, and holds a charge. It’s so useful for cobwebs in the corner and dust on fan blades. I also have a lot of indoor plants, and this guy gets up all the dirt and detritus when I replant or prune. Also good for keeping the car clean. No need for a shop vac with an extension cord—this guy runs on battery.”
Five-star reviewer Jul says even her granddaughter loves using it. “What a good product. I ordered this for my daughter as her other handheld died on her. It couldn’t hold the charge like this one does. She says it is very easy to hold (not heavy like others) and has excellent suction on it. Even my granddaughter is having fun using it on the couch from her snacks. I would highly recommend it.”
Final verdict
Overall, I absolutely love this vacuum. It’s so light and easy to carry around the house. The vacuum picks up pet fur, debris and all kinds of dirt with ease. It’s easy to charge, and the actual charge lasts long enough for me to take care of all the little nooks and crannies of my home that my canister vacuum or larger cordless vacuum just can’t reach. This is a wonderful, dependable vacuum I’d recommend to everyone. It’s so fun to use and I actually love vacuuming now.
Where to buy the cordless handheld vacuum
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Black+Decker Dustbuster
This cordless handheld vacuum is lightweight and portable.
Get the 16v cordless handheld vacuum on Amazon for around $40. It’s an inexpensive, lightweight tool that’ll help keep your house tidy in between deeper cleans. Warning: you’ll want to use it for everything.
