BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Review — Cordless Power for Pet Hair
Overview: This cordless hand vac delivers powerful, portable cleaning tailored for U.S. households — a top choice among hand vacs. It runs on a 20V MAX lithium-ion battery for strong suction and includes an XL extendable crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Experience strong suction with a 20V MAX lithium-ion battery.
- Clean tight gaps easily with the XL extendable crevice tool.
- Remove pet hair fast using the anti-tangle motorized brush with rubber bristles.
- Boost suction instantly using POWERBOOST mode for stubborn debris.
- Empty messes hygienically with one-touch dust bowl emptying.
- Enjoy cordless portability for home and car with a lightweight, rechargeable design.
Original price was: $99.99.$79.99Current price is: $79.99.
Introduction
This compact cordless hand vac is a lightweight, rechargeable cleaning tool aimed at people who need quick pickup power for small messes around the house and inside a vehicle. It pairs a 20V MAX lithium-ion battery with a motorized pet brush and an extendable crevice tool so you can tackle crumbs, pet hair and tight gaps without hauling out a full-size vacuum.
Who it’s for: busy households with pets, apartment dwellers, car owners, or anyone who prefers a grab-and-go cleaning tool for counters, upholstery and stairs. Quick verdict: a well-rounded portable vacuum that balances strong suction, useful attachments and easy emptying in a compact package.
What’s in the Box
- Hand vacuum unit (main body)
- 20V MAX lithium-ion battery (integrated or included—Not specified) (source: listing, checked 2025)
- XL extendable crevice tool (built-in accessory)
- Anti-tangle motorized pet brush (built-in brush head)
- Charging adapter / cable: Not specified
- User manual: Not specified
Design & Build
The unit keeps a compact footprint and is described as easy to hold and easy to store. Materials are not explicitly listed, so assume standard mixed-plastic construction typical for portable vacs; no metal chassis details are provided (Not specified). The overall profile is short and narrow, which makes it easy to maneuver into tight spaces and to hold for short cleaning sessions.
Ergonomics favor short bursts of cleaning: the handle and trigger arrangement are configured for one-handed use and the compact weight is intended to reduce arm fatigue during quick pickups. Because exact weight and dimensions are not specified, evaluate portability based on the “compact” and “lightweight” claims when comparing to other models you may be considering (Not specified).
The dust bowl empties with a one-touch release so you don’t have to touch collected debris. The motorized pet brush features rubber bristles designed to reduce hair tangles, and the XL extendable crevice tool reaches narrow gaps like between car seats or sofa cushions.
Key Features
20V MAX lithium-ion battery — reliable pickup power
Benefit: The 20V MAX lithium-ion battery delivers the power you need for consistent suction during quick cleanups. It’s a common voltage class for consumer cordless vacuums, balancing performance and weight. (source: listing, checked 2025)
Where it helps: Use this for fast pickups of dry debris on kitchen counters, crumbs in the car, or a quick pass over stairs. The lithium-ion chemistry also helps maintain steady output until the battery runs down.
Cordless convenience — portable and rechargeable
Benefit: Being cordless removes the restriction of a power cord and lets you move from room to room, or between your home and car, without unplugging and replugging.
Where it helps: Great for apartment residents or families who like to do short cleaning sessions frequently. For car interiors, cordless operation is more convenient than dragging an extension cord or relying on a handheld plugged into a car outlet.
POWERBOOST mode — extra suction when you need it
Benefit: A dedicated boost mode provides an increase in suction with a single control, useful for embedded debris or thicker pet hair.
Where it helps: Turn on POWERBOOST when you’re dealing with stubborn crumbs ground into upholstery or a high-traffic area with entrenched dirt. Note: running in boost likely shortens usable run time compared with standard mode (battery runtime specifics not listed).
XL extendable crevice tool — reach tight spots
Benefit: The included extendable crevice tool stretches into narrow gaps that are otherwise difficult to access.
Where it helps: Perfect for between car seats, along baseboards, inside window tracks and around appliance edges where crumbs and dust collect.
Anti-tangle motorized pet brush — designed for fur pick-up
Benefit: The motorized brush uses rubber bristles that help lift and loosen pet hair while being less prone to wrapping hair around the brushroll.
Where it helps: Ideal for couches, throw rugs and pet beds. The anti-tangle design reduces time you spend cleaning hair off the brush head, especially if you have shedding pets.
One-touch easy empty — hygienic dust disposal
Benefit: The dust bowl opens with a single action so you can empty debris directly into a trash bin without handling the dirt.
Where it helps: Useful after cleaning the car or pet areas, and beneficial for allergy-conscious users who want to minimize contact with dust and allergens.
Compact design — easy storage and handling
Benefit: The small footprint makes storage simple in a closet, pantry or car trunk, and handling is less fatiguing for short jobs.
Where it helps: If you don’t have space for a full-size vacuum or you prefer a unit you can keep in the kitchen or boot of your car, the compact design keeps the tool close at hand.
Performance & Use
Real-world performance depends on what you ask of a compact cordless cleaner. This model’s 20V MAX battery and POWERBOOST mode are tuned for quick pickups rather than marathon cleaning sessions. Expect excellent results on dry debris like cereal, cracker crumbs, and loose pet hair; tougher jobs—deeply embedded dirt in thick carpet—may require multiple passes or a full-size vacuum.
Practical setup tips
- Charge fully before first use: while the listing confirms a rechargeable 20V battery, the exact charging time and included charger are Not specified. Allow a full charge for best initial battery conditioning.
- Check attachments before use: extend the crevice tool only when needed to avoid accidentally misaligning the mechanism.
- Use POWERBOOST sparingly: reserve the boost setting for spots that need extra suction to preserve battery runtime.
Maintenance tips
- Empty after each heavy use: the one-touch empty is handy—dump the contents into a trash bin and wipe the bowl with a dry cloth. If you need to wash the bowl, consult the manual (Not specified whether components are washable).
- Clean the brushroll: even with an anti-tangle design, occasionally inspect and remove hair that wraps around the brush.
- Filter care: filter type and washing instructions are Not specified—treat the filter gently and refer to any included manual before washing. If a replacement filter is needed, check the manufacturer’s site for compatible parts.
Noise and vibration
- Noise levels are Not specified. Typical handheld vacs produce moderate noise during normal use and louder output in boost mode. If noise is a concern, test a demo when possible.
Storage and portability
- The compact frame and lightweight design make it easy to store on a shelf or in a closet. If you plan to keep it in a car, secure it to prevent rattling and protect the charger from temperature extremes.
Safety notes
- Use on dry debris only unless the listing explicitly states wet pickup capability (Not specified). Keep fingers clear of moving parts and follow any manufacturer safety guidelines included in the manual.
Pros vs Cons
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Strong, 20V MAX lithium-ion power for a portable unit (source: listing, checked 2025) | Exact run time per charge is Not specified |
Anti-tangle motorized pet brush reduces hair wrap and improves pet hair pickup | Materials and weight figures are Not specified, making comparisons harder |
XL extendable crevice tool reaches tight gaps in cars and furniture | Charger and exact in-box accessories beyond listed tools are Not specified |
One-touch empty makes disposal quick and hygienic | Not intended to replace a full-size vacuum for deep-cleaning large carpeted areas |
Compact, easy to store and simple to grab for quick tasks | Noise levels and filter washability are Not specified |
POWERBOOST mode for short bursts of extra suction | Boost mode may noticeably reduce runtime (runtime not listed) |
Who Should Buy
- Pet owners who need a quick, targeted solution for hair on furniture and stairs.
- People with small living spaces (apartments, condos) who want a compact grab-and-go cleaner.
- Car owners who want a cordless tool for routine interior tidy-ups.
- Anyone who values an easy-to-empty dust bowl and an extendable crevice tool for hard-to-reach debris.
Who Shouldn’t Buy
- Households that rely on a single vacuum for deep-cleaning large carpeted areas — this hand vac is best used as a supplement to a full-size cleaner.
- Shoppers who need exact runtime, charger specs, weight or materials upfront — those specs are Not specified in the listing and may be important for side-by-side comparisons.
- Buyers who require wet pickup capability or a model specifically rated for heavy-duty professional use (Not specified).
Specs
- Battery: 20V MAX lithium-ion (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Power modes: POWERBOOST mode (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Cordless: Yes (portable, rechargeable) (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Built-in accessory: XL extendable crevice tool (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Brush: Anti-tangle motorized pet brush with rubber bristles (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Emptying: One-touch easy empty dust bowl (source: listing, checked 2025)
- Compact design / Lightweight: Claimed by listing (specific weight and dimensions: Not listed)
- Charger included: Not listed
- Filter type and washability: Not listed
- Runtime per charge: Not listed
Closing — Should you buy it?
If you want a convenient, cordless hand vac for frequent quick cleanups—especially in homes with pets or for car interiors—this model is a practical choice. It combines a 20V MAX battery, an anti-tangle pet brush and an extendable crevice tool in a compact package with hygienic one-touch emptying. If you need detailed runtime, weight, charger specs or deep-cleaning power, check the full product page or contact the seller for those specifics before buying.
If it matches your use case, it’s worth picking up for everyday tidying; otherwise, consider a full-size vacuum or a handheld with explicitly listed runtime and weight specs.
Specification: BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Review — Cordless Power for Pet Hair
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MJH –
Strong suction for a small unit. Very useful for pet hair on stairs, and smaller jobs. Easy to empty. Like the extendable tip. Even vacuumed the dining room table when salt was spilled on it. Overall, a good product.
Kelbelle –
This thing is the bomb! Good suction. Works great. Easy to empty canister to clean. And you can take out the cup filter and clean that.
Amazon Customer –
Awesome! Nice power and SO easy to clean!
Charging takes a bit, but this little thing has strong suction, perfect for vacuuming carpeted stairs. It is so simple to clean the filter: just pull it out and you can wash it in the sink. I love that the roller brush is made of rubber vs. fine synthetic bristles — this makes it so much easier to clean out hair, dust, etc. from the brush. (Ideal for me, since my long hair nests everywhere and piles up quickly in vacuums lol). It’s my perspective that this vacuum works much better on carpets, floors, and rugs compared with the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser. That said, I’m finding that the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser does a much better job on upholstery and blankets. Overall, I love it!
peter folkes –
The aggressive powered roller should probably not be used on delicate rugs! Amazing cleaning. I was slightly ashamed at how much dust and fur my carpet had accumulated in 2 weeks. Cats going to get brushed and bathed more often now. Great power. Avoid lower power versions. Noisy.
Ken Wick –
I normally don’t leave reviews but I felt the need to leave one for this. I was spending a lot of time trying to find the best and reasonable priced battery powered vacuum with the motorized brush attachment. The battery isn’t terrible but wish it was longer but isn’t much of a nuisance. Overall it seems to get about 15 to 20 minutes of use with the brush. It’s best to just plug it in when done with it so the battery is always charged. This will not work if you try to use it while charging. As far as how it function it’s worked very well so far. The suction without the brush works well but the motorized brush is what makes this vacuum. It does a great job getting hair or dirt that is stuck in carpet or fabric. The only part that I dislike about the brush is if you push too hard the brush may turn off and you have to restart the vacuum again for the brush to work. The brush also doesn’t work with the extension that slides out. Overall I’m happy with this purchase for it’s price. It’s always great to have a decently strong portable vacuum that is light and easy use for cars, pets, stairs, and any random cleaning. I feel this is a 4 to 4.5 out of 5 and worth a buy.
Shay –
I’m a single guy who lives alone, so I really don’t make much of a mess other than some crumbs and dirt that I track inside. The two miniature panthers I live with; however, are disgusting heathens who leave hair, more hair, and even more hair all over the place. I was looking for something that would allow me to take care of quick messes instead of breaking out the evil vacuum that gives the panthers night terrors: my pizza crumbs, or perhaps a glob of hair that one certain panther likes to leave behind every so often.
So I thought I did some good research and found the right dust buster for me. I read tons of reviews, both good and bad, checked out the specs, and even looked at what spare parts are available since it could be a sign of what breaks most often. Boom. Sold. It arrived today, and my initial impression was: “meh”. After a few hours to get it charged up, I took it for a test spin on hardwood floors, a countertop, some carpet, and a couch cushion.
The second most annoying thing about this dust buster (I’ll get the most annoying in moment) is that you have to cycle through both the low and high speeds to turn it off, and there seems to be a small delay in transitioning between the speeds and turning off. In other words, you can’t just press the power button twice very quickly. You have to press it once, let it cycle into what sounds like a launch of some sort of space rocket, and then press again a second or two later to get it to turn off. This drove me nuts. The suction was OK on the hard surfaces, but it sucked – or rather didn’t suck so well on carpeting and the fabric cushion.
The most annoying thing about this is that the pre-filter and filter (they’re connected) fall out when you go to empty the thing. The instructions and common sense state to hold it over a trash bin, press the release button on the canister, and lightly shake to get the debris out. This happens before the light shaking even begins. After a bit of detective work, I was able to determine that this is caused by the pre-filter. It’s simply too heavy to allow the filter to remain attached. Aside from being the thing that will make you go fishing through whatever you just sucked up to retrieve it, the pre-filter does a great job of caking and compacting dust that will surely burn up the motor sooner rather than later.
Third most annoying thing (only going to list three, but I could go on) is that there is no place to mount it, the charger is awkwardly designed – don’t break or lose it (and is white?), and it just doesn’t fit anywhere. It’s not some sort of showpiece I want out on display for all to see, but who has electrical outlets in their hallway closet to charge something like this? You’ll be stuck with this sitting out in a room, which isn’t so bad when it’s brand new out of the box, but disgusting after one use.
I know some people seem to love this thing, but some people also take a lot of medication. Maybe there is a correlation there, maybe there isn’t. My advice is to stay away from it. Far away.
Gabriel –
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Es la solución al pelo de mascota en los muebles; yo intente de todo (cepillos, rodillos y otros métodos manuales) y la verdad es que no hay comparación, si es una inversión, porque es cara pero vale la pena.
Las imágenes y el video hablan por si solo; yo tengo un perro pequeño, pero tira mucho pelo, y deje que llenara esa área una semana para mostrar como funciona la aspiradora.
Ventajas:
-Al tener un rodillo de hule recoge muy fácil los pelos de mascota.
-El contenedor es muy practico para vaciar.
-La batería es de buena capacidad, claro que va a depender de que tanto quieras aspirar, pero para una
sala de 3 piezas te debe durar mas de 2 días.
-Tiene dos velocidades, aunque para mi es suficiente con la primera.
Desventajas:
-Es un poco ruidosa, pero nada exagerado.
-El contenedor pudiera no ser suficiente para una mascota de raza grande
Consejo: si vas a aspirar superficies con tela suelta o corrugadas te recomiendo mantenerlas estiradas mientras las aspiras y solo hacerlo hacia una dirección. Ya me ha pasado que al intentarlo hacer en dos direcciones el movimiento provoca que la tela se arrugue y se meta en el rodillo, lo que provoca que se atasque, solo hay que apagarla inmediatamente y desatorar el rodillo.
Gabriel –
Build quiality is ok, but the charger supplied is 120volts 2 pin. Having to spend ANOTHER £16 on a UK charger. This was NOT stated in the listing.
ben matthews –
This product Is not fit for purpose given it is positioned as a pet-vacuum. I bought it as I wanted something to suck up my dog’s fur on the carpet and on timber surfaces. It does neither with any effectiveness!
I have previously owned B&D hand vacuums and they have worked well but this is probably the worst vacuum I have ever had the misfortune of buying. It doesn’t even really work in the car.
Don’t waste your money – it is a not a pet vacuum, not even a dust buster. Rather, buy the Dyson option which costs a little more but is infinitely superior in vacuuming up pet hair
Patrick Broomell –
What a neat little package that cleans up almost everything. It wouldn’t pick up the bricks or large rocks,but everything else was game. Seriously though a well thought out machine. I just hope the battery is a stable long life part. It has three settings for power and a pet hair pickup . The wand telescopes to reach deep difficult areas. All in all I would say it seems very sturdy. I hope it lasts longer than our Ryobi. Very easy to empty the container for the waste and washable filter.