The Black and Decker Dustbuster 9.6 volt vacuum cleaner is ideal for those who are looking for a vacuum that can perform consistently at a budget price. Although it cannot be practically used as a primary vacuum appliance due to its limited battery life, it is great for small jobs when only minor tidying is required.

It is battery powered, and can be charged when not in use by attaching it to the included base station. At just under thirty dollars, it is similarly priced to other competing products. Even though there are many other products available that serve the same purpose, Black and Decker has the advantage of its solid reputation to help users consider it the appliance brand of choice, especially in this product niche.

However, battery life is a major limitation of this particular model. Depending on the environment in which it is being used, the abilities of the device can start to noticeably decline in less than five minutes of solid usage, even when beginning with a fully charged battery. It can be very frustrating to be nearing the end of vacuuming the bathroom floor, only have the battery begin to lose its former power just before the task is complete

The compact design is a definite advantage of this model. the entire appliance only takes up about one foot of space, making it perfect for storing in tight spaces.

It also features a removable chamber which can be easily emptied as it becomes filled with debris. This convenient capability eliminates the need to buy replacement bags, though users must purchase replacement filters every few months to ensure optimal performance.

Although improvements to battery life should be explored in future models, the Black and Decker Dustbuster is a reliable choice for a compact cleaning appliance.

By Sarah Szczerbiak