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Handheld Vacuums · Comparison

The DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum meets
the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

Double the air watts of a Dyson for half the price. We tested it head-to-head against the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean across 6 key dimensions.

DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum DCV517B front view
BEST

DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

“Double the air watts of a Dyson for half the price”

Our Score
87.7 / 100
Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean HHVI315JO42 wide-mouth cyclonic handheld vacuum, 3/4 angle view on white background
VALUE

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

“The value king: more suction per dollar than anything here”

Our Score
76.2 / 100
01

Head-to-Head Breakdown

Suction
30% of score +
DeWalt
95
Black+Decker
80
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

Vacuum Nerds measured 1,295 Pascals and 73 CFM, roughly double the air watts of the $228 Dyson handheld.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

Vacuum Nerds measured 679 Pascals and 53 CFM, more than double the $70 Shark Ultra Cyclone for less money.

Usability
20% of score +
DeWalt
95
Black+Decker
80
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

Vacuum Nerds gave it a perfect 10/10 for subjective ease of use and aced the heavy debris nut-pickup test.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

Aced the nut-pickup test (Vacuum Nerds); The French Glow only knocks the non-locking trigger you must hold.

Reach
15% of score +
DeWalt
95
Black+Decker
65
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

Vacuum Nerds praised the 5.5-inch crevice tool and flexible hose that reached car floorboards where bulkier vacuums failed.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

Vacuum Nerds found the hidden swiveling crevice tool reaches deep, but the main nozzle is wide and clunky.

Runtime
15% of score +
DeWalt
84
Black+Decker
56
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

Floor+scale on a battery-dependent ~30 min runtime with a mid-size 20V pack: 50 + ((30-8)/(40-8))*50 = 84.4. Runtime rises with a larger battery.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

Floor+scale on a 12 min runtime: 50 + ((12-8)/(40-8))*50 = 56.3. The French Glow rates it fine for quick touch-ups.

Portability
10% of score +
DeWalt
45
Black+Decker
85
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

Vacuum Nerds flagged its 4.6 lb weight with the battery attached as the heaviest handheld in the test.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

The French Glow and Vacuum Nerds call it light and maneuverable at roughly 2.4 lbs.

Trust
10% of score +
DeWalt
88
Black+Decker
95
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

DeWalt is a trusted cordless-tool brand with a mature 20V MAX battery platform and wide service support.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

The French Glow says Black+Decker has dialed in this design over years, with the most reliable bins and washable filters in the business.

02

Strengths & Weaknesses

DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum

+ Strengths
  • Vacuum Nerds measured about double the air watts of the $228 Dyson for half the cost
  • Perfect 10/10 usability and heavy-debris pickup in Vacuum Nerds testing
  • 5.5-inch crevice tool and flexible hose reach deep into car floorboards
Weaknesses
  • Sold as a bare tool, so a genuine battery adds about $62 (Vacuum Nerds)
  • Heaviest handheld here at 4.6 lbs with the battery attached
  • Runtime depends entirely on which 20V battery pack you buy
Key flaw: It is a bare tool, so the sticker price hides the cost of a battery unless you already own DeWalt 20V packs.

Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean

+ Strengths
  • Vacuum Nerds measured more than double the suction of the pricier $70 Shark for less money
  • The French Glow praises years of dialed-in reliability with easy washable filters
  • Hidden swiveling crevice tool scores a perfect 10 in heavy-debris tests
Weaknesses
  • Non-locking trigger means you hold the power button the whole time (The French Glow)
  • Wide main nozzle is too fat to fit between a car seat and console
  • About 12 to 13 minutes of runtime suits touch-ups, not long detailing
Key flaw: The tradeoffs are runtime and ergonomics.
03

The Verdict

Our Bottom Line

The most rigorous testers in this group settled the question with a manometer. Vacuum Nerds measured the DeWalt 20V at 1,295 Pascals of suction and 73 CFM of airflow, which they point out is roughly double the air watts of the $228 Dyson handheld for less than half the money. When raw cleaning power is the job, nothing else here comes close.

BEST
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum
DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum DCV517B front view

The most rigorous testers in this group settled the question with a manometer. Vacuum Nerds measured the DeWalt 20V at 1,295 Pascals of suction and 73 CFM of airflow, which they point out is roughly double the air watts of the $228 Dyson handheld for less than half the money. When raw cleaning power is the job, nothing else here comes close.

Best for:
  • People who already own DeWalt 20V batteries
  • Anyone who needs class-leading suction for heavy messes
  • Serious car detailers who want deep floorboard reach
  • Buyers who value rugged effectiveness over sleek looks
  • Users who can handle a heavier 4.6 lb unit
VALUE
Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean
Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean HHVI315JO42 wide-mouth cyclonic handheld vacuum, 3/4 angle view on white background

The Black+Decker Dustbuster is the value pick because it embarrasses pricier rivals on the one number that matters most. Vacuum Nerds measured 679 Pascals and 53 CFM for about $40 to $53, then noted it delivers more than double the suction of the $70 Shark Ultra Cyclone. You simply do not find that suction-per-dollar anywhere else in the test.

Best for:
  • Budget-conscious buyers who want a complete kit for about $50
  • Households doing quick home and car touch-ups
  • Anyone who wants a proven, reliable, easy-to-clean design
  • Users who prefer a light 2.4 lb tool that is easy on the wrists
  • First-time handheld buyers who want no separate battery to purchase
04

Specifications

Spec DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Vacuum Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean
Suction 1295 Pa 679 Pa
Airflow 73 CFM 53 CFM
Power Cordless 20V Cordless Lithium
Bin Capacity 1.89 L
Filter Washable HEPA Washable
Weight (with battery) 4.6 lbs 2.4 lbs
Runtime 12 min
Read the full Handheld Vacuums review
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