Black And Decker Dustbuster Review – How Does it Stack Up Against Shark?
Even if you have a full-sized upright or stick vacuum in your home or place of business, you may find that you need some supplementary cleaning.
The great thing about mini handheld vacuums is that they are great at getting into tight spaces and hard to reach areas.
Plus they’re inexpensive and don’t take up much room. You can even get your little ones involved in the cleaning with one of these vacuums. But there are a lot of options on the market. Which one provides the best value?
That is precisely what we will be evaluating in the following product review that revolves around the Black + Decker Dustbuster.
Black + Decker Dustbuster Overview
The Black + Decker Dustbuster is a light, convenient vacuum that can pick up wet or dry spills.
The mobility is great because there’s no cord so you can use it for the car or RV as well. This is a great little vacuum for spot cleaning.
Black + Decker Dustbuster First Impressions
We were a little skeptical as to whether this tiny little vacuum could provide enough suction for every day use.
But we were pleasantly surprised. The Black + Decker Dustbuster has a suction power rating of 14 air watts which is more than enough for quick spot cleaning.
So despite the size and our initial skepticism, the Black + Decker Dustbuster is great for light-duty cleaning.
Quick Facts
- 4 pounds
- 10-minute runtime
- Cordless
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Washable dirt cup
- Wet/dry functionality
- Bagless vacuum
Black + Decker Dustbuster Key Features
The Black + Decker Dustbuster actually surprised us with how many helpful features and accessories were loaded into it.
Take a look at the following breakdown of Black + Decker Dustbuster features:
- Squeegee Accessory – The Black + Decker Dustbuster has a squeegee attachment that you put right into the front nozzle. This allows it to suck up to 5 ounces of liquid.
- Charge Indicator – The onboard light will tell you when the Black + Decker Dustbuster battery has to be charged. Speaking of charging, the charging base can be wall-mounted to save space.
- Brush Accessory – The Black + Decker Dustbuster also comes with a soft brush accessory that is ideal for vacuuming upholstered furniture or even delicate area rugs.
- Quick Release Bowl – The quick release dust bowl can hold up to 13 ounces of dirt and debris before it needs to be emptied.
- Crevice Tool – The Black + Decker Dustbuster also comes with a crevice tool that is ideal for getting into narrow spaces or corners.
How Does it Perform?
One of the things we liked the most about the Black + Decker Dustbuster was that it was so lightweight.
It can be used by pretty much anyone in your household and it’s small enough to get into tight areas.
We don’t like narrow cleaning widths so we were pleased that the Black + Decker Dustbuster had a wide cleaning width for a vacuum of its size.
The only thing we didn’t care for regarding the performance was the fact that you have to continuously hold down the power button to operate the vacuum; but that is true of most vacuums of this size.
How Much Dirt Can it Handle?
The Black + Decker Dustbuster comes with a Quick Release Bowl that can hold up to 13 ounces of debris at a time.
Where is it Stored?
This is another cool thing about the Black + Decker Dustbuster. It comes with a charging base that can be placed on a flat surface or mounted to a wall.
You can easily mount it inside a hallway closet wall where it won’t eat up any floor space!
How Loud is it?
The Black + Decker Dustbuster is rated at 65 decibels. Even if you’re the one operating this vacuum, it doesn’t make much noise at all.
Is the Black + Decker Dustbuster Easy to Use?
Absolutely. The Black + Decker Dustbuster weighs only 1.4 pounds so you can use it until the battery dies without getting fatigued.
Again, the only thing that is a bit of an inconvenience is that the power button needs to be held down to keep the vacuum on.
However, it should be noted that a lot of cordless vacuums – even full-sized upright stick vacuums – are like this as well.
How Durable is it?
While we only tested the Black + Decker Dustbuster for a couple of days, we felt that it could hold up for several years.
Our only concern is that it’s made mostly of plastic. However, most vacuums these days are also made mostly of plastic.
It is heartening that it’s made by Black + Decker which is a company known for making heavy-duty, long-lasting tools and appliances – and that the Black + Decker Dustbuster comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
How Long Does the Battery Last?
The battery has a runtime of 10 minutes.
How Can You Replace the Battery?
The Black + Decker Dustbuster features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery so you shouldn’t ever have to replace it.
Dustbuster 3.6v Vs 7.2v
The Dustbuster 3.6v has a smaller dust cup (11 ounces) and is a bit lighter at 1.2 pounds. However it doesn’t come with a wall-mount charging base and can’t be used to pick up wet spills.
Dustbuster 3.6v Vs 230 Volts
The Black + Decker Dustbuster 230 volt vacuum is obviously for larger spills. It has better suction and it can be mounted to the wall. Just keep in mind that it is also more expensive than the 3.6v version.
Black + Decker Dustbuster Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It can be wall-mounted
- Translucent dirt cup
- Very easy to use
- Easy on the body
- Great for cars & RV’s
Cons:
- Continuous press power button
- Relatively short runtime
Overall Score: 96/100
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Who Should Buy it?
The Black + Decker Dustbuster is a great choice if you want a vacuum that you can use for spot-cleaning indoors and for vacuuming the car, boat or RV.
Alternatives
Dirt Devil Scorpion
The Dirt Devil Scorpion is a corded handheld vacuum so you get unlimited runtime. It also has a flip down crevice tool and comes with a 2.5 foot extender hose.
Overall Score: 95/100
Shark UltraCyclone
The Shark UltraCyclone is also a cordless lithium-ion battery powered handheld but it has better suction than the Black + Decker Dustbuster.
It has an 8 amp motor and also comes with an attachable power brush. It is significantly heavier though at 2.8 pounds.
Overall Score: 98/100
Shark Wandvac
The Shark Wandvac weighs the same as the Black + Decker Dustbuster and also features a soft brush attachment.
While it lacks a wall-mounted charging base, it is built with a brushless motor so it might actually last longer than the Black + Decker Dustbuster.
Overall Rating: 98/10
Final Thoughts
While Shark vacuums have some key advantages over the Black + Decker Dustbuster, keep in mind that they are also significantly more expensive.
The Black + Decker Dustbuster is a more-than-adequate little vacuum that will suit your needs if you are after some supplementary spot-cleaning.
We love the fact that it’s so portable too. It’s also a good choice for small apartments and condos so be sure to check it out today!
