I buy this vac because we have multiple pet and do not want to haul out a full size vacuum everyday . I have two primary problem with this vacuum . the first , as have be state frequently , be the battery life . no matter what quality this vacuum have , the battery be ultimately the critical flaw . it will not run while plug in and it do not vacuum with any real strength after approximately 5 minute . I certainly understand that it be mean for small job but when a product be advertise as ideal for vacuum pet hair -lrb- and have a attachment for such -rrb- then it be realistic to believe that it will have sufficient charge to vacuum a couch . unfortunately this be not the case and bring I to my second complaint : the product description on Amazon make no mention of a short battery life , which I can understand give how abysmal it be . from a company that , in my experience , make superior product , Black & Decker should be ashamed for release such a pitifully poor hand vac . let I counter other review and opinion that the battery need to be condition prior to first use and the vacuum be not mean to be use for more than a few minute at a time and other such asinine comment . anyone who have any experience with rechargeable battery should know that the battery in this vacuum be exceptionally bad . do you research and do not believe the positive review which , in my more furious moment with this device , make I believe be plant by B&D; 's marketing division . -lrb- j\/k , though you may feel the same if you buy this despite other customer warning . -rrb- to be fair , everything else about the vacuum be exceptional base on those glorious first five minute . should Black & Decker recall this sorry product and re-engineer the battery a standard will be set to which all other handheld vacuum will aspire .