Black and Decker 18V Flexi Vacuum Review

There are two very common complaints about cordless hanheld vacuum cleaners. One is that they are not powerful. They easily lose suction, making it difficult to pick up certain types of debris. Two is that they tapper out too quickly. After just a couple of minutes or so, they start losing power and need a recharge.

The Black and Decker Lithium-ion cordless vacuum has neither of those frustrating qualities. It is a compact handheld vacuum cleaner that is surprisingly powerful. Its size combined with a flexible hose and the fact that it is cordless give it much more versatility than you would get from a traditional vacuum cleaner. You can clean just about any surface and reach all corners and crevices with it.

Black and Decker 18V Flexi Vacuum Review

What Are You Buying?

1. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

The Flexi uses lithium-ion batteries to power the powerful motor. The batteries are light, ensuring you don’t get tired when holding the vacuum. Here are other key battery features.

• They are always ready to use since they do no self-discharge.
• Unlike other battery types, Lithium-ion batteries do not require complete discharging before charging them again. After vacuuming, you can safely plug in the vacuum again to charge even if the batteries are not completely out.
• Fast charging. The batteries fill up in just four hours. This gives you 12 minutes of cleaning time, quite a try for such a powerful vacuum cleaner. You can also give it a quick 1 or 2-hour charge if you just need a quick power burst to dust your house before guests arrive.

2. 1.5meter flexible hose

The powerful Lithium-ion battery is the main reason you can carry this vacuum cleaner around without plugging it in.

But the 1.5-meter flexible hose is what makes it a real pleasure to use. Being able to clean around corners, within tight spaces and inside small crevices is not a capability traditional vacuum cleaners can boast of, powerful as they are.

The hose can be used in a rigid position like a normal corded vacuum cleaner or it can be unclipped for increased flexibility. You can twist and turn it anyway you want to get your cleaning done.

3. Hands-off dirt bin

The dirt bin can fill up pretty quickly especially if you have kids and pets around the house. The bin has a window where you can see the level of collected debris. This way you only empty the bowl when necessary.

The emptying process is easy and hands-off. You don’t need to touch the dirt. Just open the side door over your trash bin and the dirt will pour out.

4. Quiet operation

The Black and Decker Flexi vacuum is one of the quietest cordless vacuum cleaner you can buy. Despite its powerful suction, its sound doesn’t go beyond conversation-level. Don’t worry about waking everyone up when doing your early morning cleaning.

How Easy Is It To Use?

Really easy. There is no complicated set up process involved. Attaching other accessories and emptying the dust bowl is straightforward. If you run into trouble or need help doing something, there is a handy instruction book to guide you.

What Accessories Are Included?

The vacuum comes with two accessories that extend its functionality. The first is a flip out upholstery brush. This comes in handy when you need to dust delicate surfaces such as upholstery, furniture and lamps.

The second is a crevice tool to give you deeper rich inside hidden spots, which by the way tend to accumulate the most dirt.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• Accessories included.
• Powerful.
• Quiet motor.

Cons

• Filter needs regular cleaning to remove fine dust.

Anything Else You Should Know?

Most people worry about leaving electronics charging for too long lest the battery get damaged. There is no such concern with the Black and Decker thanks to its lithium-ion battery technology.

You can leave the vacuum cleaner plugged in for hours. It will not blow out or suffer deterioration. The battery is smart enough to automatically shut itself off when charging is complete.

Conclusion

To be clear, the Black and Decker Flexi is not on the same level of power as a traditional vacuum cleaner. It will not clean your entire house as well as a Dyson. But it wasn’t made for that. It was designed for smaller surfaces and those spots where your usual cleaner cannot reach.

So if you are looking for the perfect light and compact vacuum cleaner for your car, upholstery and general spot cleaning, I highly recommend the Flexi.

Where To Buy?

• Amazon UK: >> Click here to see today’s price