Black+Decker HHVI315JO42 Review

The dustbuster series from Black+Decker has been around longer than some of us have been alive. Even now, this base model continues to impress after years of testing, repeatedly outperforming much of the competition at a fraction of the price.

Cleaning Performance

It has decent suction strength for such a compact handheld, where we could see it lift dirt from hard surfaces just by getting close to the pile. The dustbuster crevice tool was able to remove nearly everything from the grooves of a rubber car mat, fitting into the narrow sections and sitting flush with the bottom for the best possible results.

On upholstery and carpet, it takes a few passes to remove all the debris, and the finest dust can sometimes leave a faint haze on the surface. This vacuum doesn't include a motorized attachment, which would normally provide the agitation needed to pull out embedded dirt. Instead, you'll need to press down firmly with the brush attachment and scrub back and forth to loosen what's stuck. It works, but it requires extra time and energy, and even then a light haze may remain. These trade-offs are common at this price point, but overall, it does a good job of cleaning the majority of everyday messes.

The wide mouth of the dustbuster makes it great for snack spills, so picking up what kids leave behind is a big plus. Some vacuums we tested had rotating attachments that work well for hair and fur, but can be tricky with snacks since the bristles can break them up and spit pieces back out. Others had small flap-style openings where Cheerios and similar items could get stuck, but the dustbuster's wider opening lets bigger debris pass through without a problem.

Ease of Use

The dustbuster weighs just 2.2 lbs, making it one of the lightest handheld vacuums. You can twist and turn it into tight spots without a struggle, and it makes heavier handhelds feel unnecessarily bulky. Its simple, traditional design is compact enough to reach between furniture or inside the car. It also comes with a small wall-mount docking station that makes storage straightforward, something many pricier vacuums don't offer. The only drawback is that it doesn't have built-in storage for attachments, so the smaller pieces are easier to lose.

The runtime is about 14 minutes, which is below average compared with the best models we tested, with the top performer lasting twice as long. It also doesn't have a charge indicator, only a plug-in port, so you can't tell exactly when it's fully charged.

While it is larger than most at 0.61 liters, the dustbin has a traditional design that requires two hands to open and empty. There's no handle to pull out the filter, so your hands can get dusty in the process. The paper filter tends to trap hair and fur, which means you often have to tap it against the trash can, sending even more dust into the air.

The noise level is average at 72.8 dBA, which is typical for handheld vacuums. You probably wouldn't want to use it around a sleeping baby, but we didn't notice any sharp or piercing sounds.

Pet Hair

The dustbuster does a decent job of picking up loose hair on hard surfaces and in tight spaces thanks to its slim crevice tool and decent suction power. However, those narrow areas make up only a small portion of what you'll usually need to clean. Hair on larger swaths is much harder to remove with this vacuum, so overall performance is still mediocre.

The very short, stiff bristles help grab strands of fur and other hair, making it more effective than handhelds that don't have bristle attachments. It takes more passes, and we often have to put in extra effort to get every strand compared to other models. Once you've finished, you'll need to flip the vacuum over, as most hair gets caught in the bristles, making it tedious to remove afterward.

Should You Buy the Black+Decker dustbuster?

If you're looking for a simple, affordable vacuum that handles everyday dirt and kids' snacks, the dustbuster could be a great fit. If you need something specifically for pet hair or fine dust, it may be worth investing in a package deal that includes a mini motorized attachment to help with these more difficult messes.

What Other Handheld Vacuums Should You Consider?