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The Black+Decker Pivot 20V was great for its price.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

The Black+Decker Pivot 20V was great for its price.

Best Value
Black & Decker BDH2000PL

We think the Black+Decker Pivot 20V is a great buy if you're looking for a dedicated cordless handheld vacuum.

One of the great design features is a pivot joint that lets you bend the unit 200º. This literal flexibility lets you turn the Pivot into a hook to get cobwebs off the tops of cabinets, or fold it up for easy storage. However, its big body and lack of a hose make its hard to maneuver under car seats. The crevice and dusting tool are permanently attached, too.

We clocked the Pivot's run time at 11-and-a-half minutes—third in endurance of all the vacuums we tested. It came in second place during our pickup test, capturing 70 percent of the dirt we laid out. Considering that it only costs around $70, that's an impressive showing.

At the end of the day, if you need help cleaning up small messes in tight spaces, but don't need a top-of-the-line tool, the Pivot is a safe choice.

公关os

  • Powerful 20V motor

  • Can angle head to get in tight spaces

Cons

  • Small dirt capacity

How We Tested Handheld Vacuums

The Tests

Testing these little suckers and picking a winner was a three-step process. The first step consisted of weights and measurements. Out of the box, we put on the heaviest attachment and placed the vacuum on a scale. We then measured the "reach" of each vacuum: how far it extends from your hand for cleaning.

We tested nine of the top-selling handheld vacuums.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

We tested nine of the top-selling handheld vacuums.

Next came the performance tests. We measured battery life and pickup of dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. To make everything fair, every vacuum was allowed to charge for 24 hours before and after the battery test. If a powered brush head was available, it was attached. All tests were performed on the highest power settings.

Finally, we took our top picks and brought them out of the lab and into a dirty car. We put uncooked rice on the floor to simulate debris like tracked-in road salt and discarded snacks. We stuffed pet hair between the seats, and scattered dirt all over the trunk.

We also judged our top picks based on how easy it was to change attachments, and how balanced each vacuum felt in hand during cleaning.

We used sand that was around 450 microns wide to conduct our dirt pickup test.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

We used sand that was around 450 microns wide to conduct our dirt pickup test.


Other Handheld Vacuums We Tested

公关oduct image of Black & Decker HNV215BW52
Black & Decker HNV215BW52

Do you ever have spills at your home that are too small for a mop, but too big for a paper towel? Well, that's where theBlack+Decker HNV215BW52comes in.

Retailing for around $40, this mini wet-dry vac mastered both. During our dirt pickup test, it captured 60 percent of the dirt, placing it in the top half of our roundup. And it picked up water, too, so you won't have to go through a roll of paper towels. This was the lightest handheld we tested, tipping the scales at only 1.5 pounds.

So, why didn't it win? Well, its battery life wasweak. It only ran for a total of 10 minutes, and we noticed a decline in suction at around the 8 minute mark. That might be fine for a small spill, but that's not nearly long enough for cleaning a car or any of the other more involved uses for a compact vacuum.

公关os

  • Can clean up spills

  • Very light and easy to handle

Cons

  • Only 10 minutes of battery life

Related content

公关oduct image of Black & Decker CHV1410L
Black & Decker CHV1410L

The Black+Decker CHV1410L is great for quick cleanups in the kitchen. Like the Pivot, its crevice tool and dusting brush are attached at the tip.

It only weighs 2.8 pounds, and can stand up while charging on your countertop. During our testing, the CHV1410L picked up 62 percent of the debris we left out for it—8 percent less than the Pivot. We say this model is good for light dusting and crumb cleanup, but it can't handle any heavy-duty work.

公关os

  • Weighs less than three pounds

  • Can charge and fit on countertop

Cons

  • 只有平均吸

  • Outdone by other Black+Decker vacuums

公关oduct image of Shark Ionflex Duoclean IF251
Shark Ionflex Duoclean IF251

The pricey cordless Shark IonFlex 2X DuoClean converts from astick vacuum. It can clean for up to 26 minutes with all the bells and whistles engaged, and comes with two removable, rechargeable batteries.

Unfortunately, as a hand vacuum, the IonFlex isn't very good. With a motorized brush head attached, it tips the scales at 7.7 pounds—so your hand will get tired long before the batteries run out. It also costs more than most stick vacuums we've tested, and its Pet Multi Tool doesn't have spinning brushes, powered or otherwise.

The IonFlex also comes with a large brush head that's normally found on full-sized vacuums—good for big messes, but not for the sort of spills you'll pick up with a hand vac.

公关os

  • 26 minute battery life

Cons

  • Weak suction

  • Expensive for what you get

公关oduct image of Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum 1782
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum 1782

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser sits in the middle of all the performance rankings, and only costs $50. Its battery only lasted 14 minutes, and the motor started to fade at the 11-minute mark. With that power, the spinning brushes did fine with fur—but only picked up around 52 percent of all the dirt we laid out for it.

With a maximum weight of 3.3 pounds, you'll be able to tote the Pet Hair Easer around without fear of fatigue. Plus, every purchase means a donation toBissell's pet rescue foundation.

公关os

  • Lightweight

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Battery starts to fade after 11 minutes

Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews

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