shark
- Worse: emptying and cleanup The reviewer disliked cleaning the Shark and found cleanup easier with the Dustbuster.
- Worse: power The reviewer framed the Dustbuster as having noticeably more power than the Shark hand vac it replaced.
Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Handheld Vacuum Review
Bottom Line
Choose it for convenient quick pickups, built-in tools, small-space storage, and easy emptying. Skip it if you need strong pet-hair removal, fine-dust containment, quiet operation, long runtime, or heavy-duty car/detailing performance.
Best for
Best for quick dry messes in small homes, apartments, cars, and around tables where built-in tools and easy emptying matter more than deep cleaning.
Not for
Not for pet owners needing reliable hair removal from carpet or upholstery, fine-dust-sensitive users, or anyone expecting heavy-duty car detailing, quiet operation, or long runtime.
Verdict
The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean comes across as a convenience-first handheld vac: reviewers liked its built-in crevice and brush tools, simple controls, light feel, and easy emptying, and several long-term users said it stayed useful for years. The tradeoff is that measured and real-world cleaning results were inconsistent. Some reviewers praised the suction on crumbs, ash, rocks, and quick car messes, while lab-style testing found weak dusting, poor pet-hair pickup, loud operation, short runtime, and dust escaping through or from the bin/filter. Its best evidence is for small, everyday debris and quick grab-and-go use, not demanding carpet, pet hair, or fine-dust cleanup.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Hoover
- Compared: small cleanup convenience Even after getting a Hoover for larger cleanups, the reviewer still kept reaching for the Dustbuster.
Ryobi
- Better: carpet mat flour pickup The review says the Dustbuster did not clean the mat nearly as well as the Ryobi.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
43 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 30% 13 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 26% 11 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 30% 13 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 9% 4 features
- Very negative below 1.5 5% 2 features
Pros
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Setup is consistently easy, with reviewers describing assembly as simple or very easy.
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The canister design received positive feedback in one comparison because debris stayed in a neat, easy-to-dump container.
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The cordless format is praised for grab-and-go convenience in small cleanups around the home and car.
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Hard-floor hair pickup is supported positively by a long-term user cleaning cat hair bundles from hardwood.
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Onboard storage is a clear positive because attachments stay on the vacuum instead of in a separate box.
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Versatility is a strength in positive reviews, which used it for the car, small apartment cleanups, hard floors, and multi-surface messes.
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Controls are consistently described as simple, especially the stay-on switch and easy on/off operation.
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Ease of use is strongly positive in owner reviews, with simple operation and frequent use cited.
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Maintenance is mostly positive because reviewers found the washable filter and routine cleaning manageable.
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Build quality received limited but positive evidence, mainly for solid construction out of the box.
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Kid-friendliness is positive but limited, based on one household saying a child was not scared and could set it on the charger.
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Handling evidence is positive but limited, centered on a good center of gravity.
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The brush attachment was valued for surfaces reviewers did not want to scratch.
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Suction evidence is split: several hands-on reviewers called it powerful for quick debris, while testing found weak or inconsistent cleaning on flour, carpet, and crevices.
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Emptying is generally praised as easy and neat, though one reviewer found the process a little tricky.
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Weight is generally favorable, described as average, not heavy, lightweight, and portable.
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Reviewers who mentioned appearance liked the compact, cool-looking design.
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Large-debris intake is a relative strength, with evidence of cereal, rocks, and pebbles being picked up.
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Small-space suitability is positive, with reviewers praising closet/corner storage and compact size.
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Reviewers liked the built-in brush and crevice tools and not having loose attachments, though one comparison test criticized the missing small crevice attachment.
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The visible bin/fullness cue was liked because it helps users know when the container is full.
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Overall opinion is mixed, ranging from five-star and repeat-buy praise to poor lab results and one strongly negative ownership rant.
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Longevity is sharply split: multiple users said it worked for years, while one owner reported battery failure after roughly two years.
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Crevice pickup is mixed: it reaches confined spaces and has a handy crevice tool, but comparative sand removal was not especially fast.
Cons
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Value opinions vary: some called it a good deal or worth the upgrade, while critical reviews said stronger options cost about the same or repairs were not worth it.
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Battery and charging are split: some users liked the ready-on-dock charging, while others reported poor runtime, long waits, or battery failure.
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Tool changes are usually simple, but there are complaints that the rotating/extendable tool can be tricky or fail to stay locked.
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Fine-dust pickup is inconsistent: one test found flour was pushed around, while another user picked up ash and charcoal from stone.
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Storage feedback is mixed, with one reviewer praising the low-clutter setup and another disliking the drawer-and-charger arrangement.
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Reliability is polarized, with one long-term reviewer calling it dependable and another owner saying battery durability made buying pointless.
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Above-floor and upholstery pickup is mixed, with failures on pet-covered couch/carpet but positive car and fabric-use comments from other reviewers.
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Low-pile or carpet-like pickup is mixed, with poor automotive-carpet flour results offset by praise for the brush helping loosen carpet dirt.
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Comparative evidence is mixed but leans weak in formal tests, while one household comparison favored it over a Shark hand vac.
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Noise feedback is mixed: formal and user reviews often called it loud, while one household found it less alarming than expected.
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Pet-readiness is mixed to weak, with one long-term user vacuuming pet hair from seats but testing saying pet owners should not rely on it.
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Medium-pile or entry-mat performance was weak in comparative testing because it did not pull flour well from the mat grooves.
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It is not well supported for heavy-duty cleanup, with one reviewer saying a car-detailing level clean was beyond what it could do.
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Area-rug or entry-mat handling was weak in the comparative mat test due to the large inlet holding performance back.
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Dust containment is a weak point, with reports of leaking sand, no HEPA-level reassurance, and fine dust passing through the filter.
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Carpet pet-hair pickup is weak, with testing and real-world car-mat use leaving embedded pet hairs behind.
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Runtime evidence is poor, with testing and ownership comments reporting around 8 to 10 minutes in negative cases.
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Airflow blowback is a major complaint in one review because fine dust was said to exhaust back toward the user.
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Ownership cost evidence is negative because battery replacement was described as costing more than a new unit.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Handheld Vacuums, this product is below average in Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries), Runtime, Filtration / Dust Containment.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 0% 0 features
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 100% 8 features
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries) | 1.0 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
| Runtime | 1.5 | 3.6 | -2.1 |
| Filtration / Dust Containment | 1.5 | 3.5 | -2.0 |
| Hair Pickup — Carpets | 1.5 | 3.5 | -2.0 |
| Airflow blowback | 1.0 | 2.7 | -1.7 |
| Pet-Ready Features | 2.5 | 4.2 | -1.7 |
| Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup | 2.5 | 4.1 | -1.6 |
| Area Rug Handling | 2.0 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
FAQ
Is the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean good for quick cleanups?
Yes. Positive reviewers repeatedly used it for small household and car messes, and several praised its easy operation, built-in tools, and grab-and-go convenience.
How well does it handle pet hair?
The evidence is mixed but leans weak. One long-term user vacuumed pet hair from car seats, while testing found it severely struggled on a couch cushion and automotive carpet.
Is the suction strong?
Some reviewers called it powerful and showed it picking up debris like cereal, ash, rocks, and crumbs. Comparative testing was less flattering, especially for flour, carpet mats, and demanding crevice cleanup.
Is it easy to empty and clean?
Mostly yes. Reviewers often praised the easy-empty bin, neat canister, washable filter, and onboard tools, though one owner found emptying or rotating parts a little tricky.
How is the battery life?
Battery feedback is split. Some users liked the charging dock and ready-to-use convenience, but negative tests and ownership reports mentioned short runtime, charging waits, and battery failure.
Is it quiet?
Not consistently. One household found it quieter than expected, but other reviews called it loud and measured or described high noise levels.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.9/5
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.4/5
Article Reviews
apartmenttherapy.com
- Review score
- 4.7/5
Consider This Instead
If you want better Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries)
Choose Saker Car Vacuum Portable Cordless 3 in 1 Handheld Car Vacuum. It scores 5.0 vs 1.0 for Ongoing ownership costs (bags, filters, batteries), with a 4.3 overall score.
If you want better Hair Pickup — Carpets
Choose Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum. It scores 5.0 vs 1.5 for Hair Pickup — Carpets, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better Runtime
Choose THISWORX Car Vacuum Cleaner. It scores 5.0 vs 1.5 for Runtime, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Airflow blowback
Choose Ryobi 18V One+ Powered Brush Hand Vacuum Kit. It scores 4.5 vs 1.0 for Airflow blowback, with a 3.9 overall score.
Overall Top Handheld Vacuums Alternatives
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