Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet Handheld Vacuum review – small yet surprisingly powerful

A handheld vacuum is an easy way to stay on top of pet hair and day-to-day mess. Keeping one nearby allows you to quickly spot clean whenever necessary, and means that your deeper weekly house cleans aren't quite as taxing.

Black+Decker is a big name in this market and their series of Dustbuster handheld vacuums are some of the most highly-rated handheld vacuums available, so I was excited to get my hands on the dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet with its specialized tool for removing pet hair from fabric and carpets.

As a home tech editor, I've spent almost 100 hours testing 14 vacuum cleaners for H&G. To see if the Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster is one of the best handheld vacuums, I tested it in a local pet shelter and in my own home to get a complete feel for its cleaning performance in real-world conditions.

Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet: Specifications

Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet: Unboxing and setup

The Black_Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet is a simple vacuum to set up. All that's included in the small box is the vacuum cleaner, the separate motorized pet brush and the charging station.

I attached the vacuum to the station and it took just over an hour to fully charge.

Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet: Design and features

I'm a big fan of how Black+Decker have designed this user-friendly handheld vacuum. It's operated using a single button: press it once to turn it on, press again for power boost mode, then press a third time to turn it off. The boost mode is surprisingly powerful for such a tiny vacuum and I've found it works wonders when vacuuming stubborn pet hair on thick carpet.

The intake nozzle has rigid edges to help scrape dirt and debris from the floor for easier vacuuming. You can also pull the nozzle out by approx 8.6 inches to use it as a crevice tool which I've found to be super helpful when vacuuming tighter spaces. However, there's no latch or button to loosen it when doing so as you just force it out then back in again, so I do worry about its durability over time.

There's a battery power indicator with three levels that lights up when the vacuum's switched on, which isn't a given in affordable handheld vacs. It also has a spacious dustbin that acts as a sturdy base, allowing the vacuum to stand up by itself.

Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet: Vacuuming

I tested the Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet handheld vacuum in my own home and in a local pet shelter to see how it handles real-world conditions and great amounts of pet hair on different surfaces.

I was hugely impressed with the vacuum's performance when testing in Bristol Animal Rescue Centre. Handheld vacuums aren't typically the most powerful, with minimal cleaning power when compared with the best vacuum cleaners.

But when using the motorized pet brush, the dustbuster furbuster was able to clean a rug that was covered in dog hair that hadn't been cleaned in weeks. It took a few repeated passes over it, sure, but it did so without needing to use the power boost. From the handheld vacuums we've tested, this is easily the best vacuum for pet hair.

I tested it alongside the Black+Decker 12V MAX dustbuster (available at Walmart) and that wasn't even close to matching the furbuster's performance. This was clear from the large amounts of clumped pet hair in the furbuster's dustbin compared to the minimal amount in the 12V MAX's dustbin.

When vacuuming hard floors with the standard attachment, I watched as dust, dirt and hair were pulled into the vacuum from 1-2 inches away. It was able to clean all the mess on the floor without needing to use the power boost. I found similarly strong performance when cleaning kitchen countertops where it was able to pick up fine particles like dust and small crumbs as effectively as a dusting cloth would.

I also tested the dustbuster furbuster on a pet hair-covered chair using the motorized pet brush, and although it took a few minutes it was able to remove the stubbornly stuck-on fur. I enjoyed the bendable flexibility granted by this pet tool too, as it means you can clean from different angles without sacrificing power.

At home, I tested how well the vacuum could clear large amounts of debris using a quarter cup of uncooked rice, and the vacuum had no problem whatsoever vacuuming it all in a single motion. I was also impressed to see that, when using the power boost, it was able to clean debris from my floor as effectively as other cordless vacuums I've tested from brands like Miele and Ultenic, and it easily sucked dust away from my baseboards with ease.

Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet: Cleaning and maintenance

Like most handheld models, opening the dustbin is as easy as pressing a button to release the latch. The dustbin is surprisingly large and it was able to handle all the mess I cleaned up from both the pet shelter and my own floors.

A fair amount of dust had matted to the outside of the filter, which took a bit of shaking, tapping and scraping to remove it all. It's worth mentioning here that a vacuum loses suction power when the filter becomes clogged, so this is likely something you'll need to do regularly to maintain the Black+Decker vacuum's performance.

The dustbuster furbuster doesn't use a HEPA filter, but it is washable, replaceable and easy to remove when emptying the vacuum.

How does the Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet compare?

I tested the dustbuster furbuster alongside the more affordable Black+Decker 12V MAX (available at Walmart) and found that the furbuster performed better in every way. It's easier to use and hold, has a more spacious dustbin, has much more powerful suction power, can clean more effectively on carpets and upholstery, and comes with a motorized pet tool to deal with hair and fur.

Our previous favorite handheld vacuum was the Brigii Cordless Handheld. This compact model works excellently for spot cleaning on all surfaces while costing around $40 less, but doesn't include the large dustbin or motorized attachment of the Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster.

It's also worth mentioning that pretty much all of the best cordless vacuum cleaners can be switched into a handheld vacuum by removing the wand. These models have much more powerful suction and smart features (like floor and dust sensors) that will improve their cleaning ability around the house, while also saving you from having two appliances when one will do.

Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet: My verdict

The Black+Decker dustbuster furbuster AdvanceClean+ Pet is the best handheld vacuum we've tested at H&G. It surprised me in a number of ways, like cleaning stubborn pet hair from carpeting and cleaning floors as well as a full-sized vacuum would.

It's easy to use, has a decent battery life and large dustbin, and includes a handy charging station to neatly store it when not in use. If its filter was HEPA and easier to clean, this would be an easy five stars.

Next, consider one of the best robot vacuum cleaners to take some chore time off your hands.