BLACK+DECKER dustbuster PIVOT VAC Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Home and Car Vacuum with Crevice Tool and Pivot Nozzle (BDH2000PL)

Very versatile and simple to clean out, much better design, motor is powerful and improves functionality. Purchased, based on raving review from Americas Test Kitchen.Own other B&D small vac which is difficult to clean out and much less powerful pickup ability.

Only got this reassuringly hefty (but easy to handle) hand-vac today, and though I knew it needed to be charged first, I had to do a quick test with the existing amount of factory charge it had, just to see how well it worked. I was very impressed. Even as the couple of moments of charge was running down, it still managed to pick up more rogue cat litter, pet hair and assorted fluff from my area rug than my relatively new (and already retired) Shark hand-vac. The Shark suction was so pathetic that it couldn't even hold bits of lightweight cat litter -- the litter granules would fall back out of the vacuum as I was using it. In order to get assistance with product issues, Shark customer service requires that you provide them with a video of their sub-par appliance in action (more like inaction), and I couldn't be bothered, so I just put it back in its box. But this Black & Decker model is so impressive that I'm not even annoyed that I just wasted fifty-something dollars on the Shark model so shamefully lacking in suction power that it can't handle anything more challenging than a dust-bunny.Though very powerful, this B & D model is relatively quiet, and the filter collection/emptying/cleaning is superior. This vacuum also feels built to last, and even though it's a bit heavier than the useless Shark model, its handle makes it easy to hold and maneuver, and being able to change the nozzle angle is genius. I watch "America's Test Kitchen" regularly, and I have them to thank for recommending this Black & Decker model -- I only wish they'd filmed their hand vacuum test episode before I wasted money on the anemic Shark model I bought just a few months ago. But the consolation is that this B & D vacuum is amazingly effective and even fun to use.I may update this review once I've used it for a while, but I'm sure I'll have only good things to report, bearing in mind the helpful warnings from other reviewers to be careful with the hinges so they don't break.

Thank you Amazon for having a sale on this portable vacuum cleaner! I just got this about a week ago and only used it once for some light vacuuming of dust and hairs which worked perfectly. As directed by the instructions, I charged it for 24 hours, actually a little bit more, before first usage. I know using it once and plus for light usage doesn't speak well for my review but I want to point out that I have some history with Black and Decker Pivot vacuums.My previous portable vacuum cleaner was also a Black and Decker, specifically PHV1800. I had that vacuum for about 7+ years and I love the suction power and pivot design. Of course since it's cordless, the battery wore out over time. Now it only lasts a few minutes after a full charge. However I've never had an issue with it. In fact I never replaced the filter. I was meticulous in cleaning the canister and filter when it was medium dirty or sometimes even just light dirty. For the filter, I would shake out the dark gray junk and then use a toothpick to pick out the junk in each fold of the filter.Again because of the battery issue I thought it was finally time to retire the old one and buy a new one. I was a little hesitant to buy the BDH2000PL after reading reviews of the vacuum going dead after about a month or so for some unknown reasons. After some consideration, I decided to give Black and Decker the benefit of a doubt based on past experiences. I never had any issues with my previous B&D portable vacuum. Also years ago my family got a B&D Dustbuster and we never had issues then. So I am of the mindset that B&D makes reliable products at good consumer level prices.I like this vacuum so far and yes it hasn't died yet. Battery withstanding, this new one is a big improvement over my old PHV1800. It is a lot lighter and also has less mass. The canister can now be completely removed from the main unit for a thorough cleaning without lugging the the whole thing around like the old one. I like that the brush is now integrated into the nozzle. With the old one, the brush was a separate thing that I left plugged into the charger base and was too lazy or never noticed it to take it out and use it. The pivot feels like it has a smoother ratchet than the old one.One thing that worries me a bit though is the vacuum doesn't sound as loud as my old one. Maybe I am just equating loudness with suction power or I am not knowledgeable of any technology improvements B&D has done to this vacuum. I will just have to use it more to see how it goes.Oh one more thing, my old one actually has two "On" levels: regular power or high power vacuuming. Whenever I use the vacuum, the old one, I naturally push the switch up to the highest point until it stops. I forgot the old one's switch has a middle point before reaching the end. So I guess for my usage maybe the new one is an improvement because it removes the middle point which I never used.But so far this vacuum works. I also like the improvements over the old one so I'm convinced this new one is great. :)