Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

Just got the 9.6 volt model V9610 about a week ago. Overall I like it a lot. It might seem a little large at first, but is handy to use and well balanced. Suction on the high setting is impressive, while the normal setting still provides plenty for most things. Emptying it out is easy, as is cleaning the filter. Be sure to read and understand the instructions for charging it before use. The manual says it'll run 10 minutes between charges. Seems to do better than that to me. It's a lot easier to pull out of the craddle when wall mounted, so I suggest you use the supplied screws and drywall anchors. I took off one star for that and the switch being a little on the stiff side. I definitely recommend this model over the lesser powered ones for the good suction.

Black&Decker had made some cheapy models of dustbusters thru the years. I have owned several, and the batteries eventually refuse to hold charges for very long, or the internal connections fail.
The 9610 seems, so far, to buck that trend.
I have used the 9610 for 14 consecutive minutes on high setting. I have done this twice, and it still lasted the full 15 minutes on high. It should run longer on the lower power setting.
random comments on this unit:
- The attachments (when not in use) snap into the bottom of the vacuum, but a vigorous shake of the vacuum will dislodge them. Well, they have fallen out several times for me, because there are times when you do shake the vacuum for whatever reason.
- The power of this vacuum is excellent. My older, lower voltage dustbusters had very little sucking power. This one is a real sucker. Basically, if it will fit thru the front hole, it's gone. (Except for maybe heavy steel items)
- The plastic finish does scratch fairly easily, so if you want a showpiece device, this isn't it.
- The filter is a two stage. You only need to clean the outer filter every time, and the inner filter when it gets really dirty. I like that.
- The price/performance issue. You can pay $20 for a low end dustbuster, or pay $34 (walmart) for this one. Is it worth it? Well, if the $14 difference is significant for you, maybe not. But if the cost is not prohibitive for you, by all means get this model instead.
I would not recommend other dustbuster models, but I would recommend this one.

First of all, for me to be enthusiastic enough about a vacuum to bother with a review speaks volumes.

I got a dust buster about 10 years ago and it did minimally well for a few things, but was mostly disappointing. Actually I didn't use it much because it's usefulness was so limited. Periodically I used it to clean the massive cob webs in the basement ceiling and it shined there. So when that one died, even after reading positive reviews of the newer ones, I was skeptical. And, I'm happy to say I was wrong.

I've got hardwood floors and linoleum in the kitchen and bath. Dust bunnies reproduce like, well, bunnies. I could never keep up with them all. And I have 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that shed super-fine hair. Combine the two things and YOWWIE! Dust-ball-city, baybee--especially if company is coming.

But this new dust buster with the 9.6 volt power really sucks! And I mean that in a good way. It's actually "fun" to suck those annoying balls of dust and dirt out of corners and wherever they hide. It easily picks up dirt and dry lawn stuff the dogs constantly drag in from outside too. I start in the kitchen and then end up going all over the house looking for more.

Let me just add that I am NOT one of those women who treat housekeeping as a hobby. It's one of my favorite things to procrastinate over. So when I say a vacuum is fun, it's bizarre! But this is one of the best and most useful purchases that I've made recently, and my house is cleaner for it. It's a handy product.

We have two of these time-saving Deluxe Dustbusters. One is kept in our garage for messes around the workshop table there and available for our cars. And one I keep in the laundry room for wet spills there, in the kitchen, and quick clean-ups in my crafts room--it zaps those 'lil scraps.

One of my favorite uses is having the teens do their stairs with the nifty crevice tool. It is amazing what they pick up out of that carpet material. Note: reminding them to replace it in the charger is not quite as simple, but important.

Easy to maintain with the two included filters, (which we clean about once a week;just shake out if dry, rinse off from wet spills), having a 2 year warranty, being convenient and time-saving---these powerful dirt dusters will be great additions without being budget busters.

This is definitely better than the older models of the dustbuster. It lasts longer after being recharged, picked up more and larger items, and does pick up some spills with its wet vacuum capabilities. However, after being recharged, it still does not clean my entire car without needing more recharging and when picking up wet spills, it still leaves some remnants.

Good vacuum but you cannot buy replacement filters anywhere!

This vacuum cleaner is the reason I am on-line right now - It's so bad that I'm looking for another one. The parts are cheap and it can't handle more than two rooms at a time. When you empty the canister, dust gets EVERYWHERE. This has been an awful vacuum cleaner. I have tried new filters, pulling hair out of the brush, and emptying it after each room. It still won't pick up pieces of fuzz from my carpet. But it does pick up dust, so at least it does something right. You're better off looking elsewhere if you don't want to be disappointed!

This vac is not intended to be your primary vacuum. It is light weight and easy to handle. I bought it for my children to use, to help out around the house. They love it. I use it for small jobs. The canister is very easy to empty and not messy at all, in my opinion. I think it's great! I don't know how much it costs new. I bought mine from a thrift store, but it looked brand new. I probably wouldn't spend over $40.00 on it new.

Very handy tool. VERY well designed. NOT a ton of suction-but I have 2 dogs so have special requirements. LOVE the fact that the handle comes off and you can just pick up the base, stick on the hose and vacuum bookshelves and cabinets. ALSO, you can turn off the rotors when you do this so it is SAFE. You can also put the roters on if you want too....
Very impressed with the design ofthis unit. It is NOT a replacement for a $400 cyclone (if you have wall--wall carpets or several pets-get one) but a very neat tool. Light enough for almost anyone to use too...
If you have a house buy this for a 2nd vacuum to keep on the secondary level.

I bought this vacuum for my wife as a gift. I was quickly impressed with it's powerful suction and all the attachments. We have wood floors in our kitchen and several area rugs and this machine looked like just the right tool. There was just one problem. When you hook all the tubes together to make a long stick vac the only way it attaches to the vacuum is by snugging it inside the end. This becomes problematic with the weight of the attachment. It fell out over and over while vacuuming the rugs. Black and Decker could have easily solved this by making it a secured attachment on the end of the vacuum, click into place if you will. Without it it just keeps falling out rendering it useless. My wife suggested using two hands, one on the unit and one on the tube but that is hard on the back. A decent product with one major flaw. Since this was the primary use I returned it.

This vacuum is wonderful for those who need a small, very powerful vacuum, for a small space. I use this for my darkroom, and it's pretty much perfect.

However, it has too many attachments, with bizarre adapters, and even comes with a quick reference sheet to help you figure out how to get each one one. Someone needs to get fired at Black and Decker, immediately.

I gave the vacuum and a bag of pieces to my friends father, who has worked in carpentry and construction for 20 years, and he had serious trouble figuring out how to get on certain pieces.

I was just laughing when I started to read the instructions. If they had just made everything connect via tubes, like any other normal vacuum, everything would be great. I just use two different pieces, and put the rest of the attachments in a box.

It is loud, but that comes hand in hand with being very powerful.

I don't think they really intended it to work out this way.. but you can use the blower mode to clean out the filter, which fills up very quickly.

This is a very powerful hand vac. I tried a dirt devil and returned it. The cord is sturdy and longer than most. The attachments are super and makes stairs a breeze. It also has long attachments and a piece that makes doing hardwoods and kitchen floors easy. This gets allot more of the dirt, especially in tight to reach places. Only draw back is it is a bit loud.

I got this as a present because I wanted a dust buster so I could vaccum my truck out. This thing never ever stays charged!! It also cant even suck up anything. A waste of money!!! I now own a shop Vac!!!!

I agree with labmommy--great product but short life! After only a few months of having it (and cleaning it diligently) the motor stopped running. I tried everything--charging it, looking at the motor, and it's dead. I might as well just go to Sam's or Wal-Mart where I can at least return it without much hassle. Good thing this was only $30.

Black&Decker should mention in LARGE print that although this vacuum is rechargeable, the rechargeable battey eventually loses its charge and is not replaceable -- mine lasted less than a year (I used it 10 minutes a week on average). Unfortunately, I recycled the battery pack before I learned I needed it to get a replacement unit under the warranty. Also, B&D website was dense and hard to navigate. I had to contact their phone support (which only operates M-F) to find out I had worthless piece of garbage. I would recommend another model or, for me, another brand.

Worked (sorta) for about 30 seconds for a half-dozen times, then battery was too weak to drive the motor. Replacement batteries appear to be non-existent or are certainly not cost effective. Couldn't get the battery pack out of the unit without having to break the little keeper tabs on the access door and even after you get the door open, you can't get the battery pack out. Too bad I put holes in the wall to mount the charger unit.... A waste of time and money and space in the landfill, like many Black and Decker Harry Homeowner-grade products.

Most of us have had our share of low power, low reliability hand vacuums... the kind where you grudgingly shovel the paper or grass clippings, fuzz balls and other refuse into its awaiting maw because its suction is lacking or nonexistant. Well, no more of that mess when you get a Dust Buster Deluxe. I know, I was extremely skeptical as well. Powerful handheld vacuum -- an oxymoron, right?

Our Dust Buster Deluxe lives downstairs near our entryway, plugged into its rechargeable stand. The Deluxe has plenty of power to remove all traces of high volume mishaps, such as when a potted plant suddenly finds itself green-side-down on your carpet. It also has sufficient battery power, when fully charged, to vaccuum dirt, dust and debris from a standard two-story home's carpeted staircase, though I generally start vacuuming wherever the soiling is greatest to ensure the vacuum's providing maximum suction/cleaning capability, just in case.

The vacuum works equally well on hard surfaces as carpeted ones, making it handy for ridding tiled entryways of leaves, grass clippings, pine needles or dried dirt from shoes. If you have pet cats with a scratching post (or items of furniture they've adopted as their scratching post), the Deluxe also makes quick work of removing all the carpet and upholstery fibers little Kitty's workouts deposit around the house. Some hand vacuum's don't have a generous enough opening to vacuum up thick, twisted carpet fibers, but the Deluxe does the job without complaint.

My only complaint would be battery life, like other reviewers have mentioned, but since I leave it in the charging base after each use that's only a minor inconvenience -- a good excuse to take a break during whirlwind home cleaning sprees, allowing me to recharge as well as the vacuum!

I've had the same Dustbuster 450 Plus for about 8 plus years & it still works well for kitchen floor detris, kitty litter, etc (in fact, I am rather stunned that it still *does* works after some of the ways I have abused it). It does need to left in the charging base when not in use as it wimps out fairly soon but I've never replaced the batteries in all this time so that might have a lot to do with the afore. MY ONLY COMPLAINT: finding replacement filters (over the web) is semi-impossible when searching by model name.

I really like this dustbuster: I have absolutely no intention of replacing it for a "newer model" until it absolutely dies. This is one item I have bought where "planned obsolesence" didn't seem to be among the design features!

I have always trusted B&D products so when I bought this piece of junk I wish I would have returned it right away but once you use something you cannot return it.
I have misplaced the manual for it and need to know how to empty the compartment..any takers on helping me out on this one?

This product on the box says how powerful it is! Well if I wanted only a dust buster to pick up little pieces of dirt fine.
As a vacuum I was not happy at all, on carpet it (flat) it does not pick up lint type particles. It has more power coming out of the side air then the suction.

I was very disapointed with it, of course after you purchase it it is yours! Thats if you use it and get it dirty.

the Euro pro is an awesome product!!I like Black & Decker products but for $69.00 it is not worth it.

I bought this vacuum after reading all the rave reviews. With 2 small children I needed something to use everyday to pick up crumbs. I was very disappointed. I currently own a Eureka Boss Lite cordless which has been just OK but that I've used for four years. I wanted something more powerful so I bought the dustbuster. This vacuum is very very heavy for a cordless, weighing in at 7 pounds on my scale. My full-size vacuum is an 8 lb Oreck so I felt this was way too heavy. Also, I was not impressed with its cleaning ability. I had to go over dirt many times before it picked up. This does not happen with the Eureka. I gave it 2 stars only because it is versatile in that it can also function as a plain old handheld but overall I was disappointed and I am returning it in the morning to look for something else.

I've had the DustBuster for less than a year and have used it for light clean-up in my kitchen. The blower on the unit actually blows the dirt away, so I end-up having to chase after it.

My biggest complaint, however, is that after 6 months of relatively infrequent use, the unit only ran for about 45 seconds. Now it doesn't run at all, because the battery has to be replaced, and I precisely followed the directions regarding proper battery care in order to prolong the life of the battery.

Please save your money and just use a broom or a more reliable shop-vac. The battery performance in this unit has been extremely disappointing.

Jan 29, 2003

This vacuum is ok for small clean ups, but not the best. It is not avery reliable product. Received this vacuum as a gift 12/25/ 99. After a year and half, the battery had to be replaced. Now six months later in Jan 2003, it is not working. It only runs less than a half minute. It was not used that extensively. I wll not spend the money to check for repair or replace the battery.

I have an older version of this hand vac and it has served me well. I have replaced the filters occasionally, although they were hand washable. I have 2 original batteries, and bought 2 new ones two years later. So that's one battery a year, essentially. Sure the batteries run down, but that's what the charger is for! Have a spare on hand (they are sold cheaper in 2-packs anyway). It picks up beads and cat litter great. Only complaint is that you have to take the filter out to empty it, and it drops stuff if it gets too full. Otherwise, my old one is a great product, so I ASSUME the newer one is even BETTER! I'll be buying another soon.