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.

My third one. The other 2 are still working after several years of use still holding a charge and powerful suction. Strong enough to suck up not only crumbs and sand/dirt on the floor but also house flies and ladybugs off the windows. Keep one in bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

I love how small this is. It's great if you live in an apartment. It's so compact that mine sits on my countertop - it sits on it's own little stand. I also love that you never have to go look for the tools because they are built in. I thought the crevice tool was a little hard to get pushed back into place, but you just have to press down on the raised button (3 raised lines) and give it a gentle shove back in. I wish the crevice tool was much longer and more narrow, but it works and you don't lose any suction using it. Speaking of suction, this little vac has it! It's a powerful little thing. I love it! I only have a large area rug in one room of my apartment, but this little hand vac keeps me from having to pull out my large corded vacuum cleaner. And I own a Dyson Animal which has unbeatable suction. So I thought there was no way this little Black + Decker could compare, but what a surprise! It gets all the little pieces of paper and bits off the rug and floor just like my Dyson. It will also vacuum hair, but I noticed it takes about 2 to 4 passes to get it. It is not a very light vacuum, so your arm can get a little tired after a while, but it's not heavy either. I would say it's probably about average. I've tried it in my car and the only thing I was dissatisfied about was that there was dog fur in the very back of my car and it wouldn't suck that up very well. I couldn't understand that because the suction seems so great otherwise. It was just a little clunky trying to maneuver it around the pedals on the floorboards, but it did get everything clean as well as the upholstery. I just couldn't get into any little nooks or crannies because, again, the crevice tool isn't as long or narrow as I'd like it to be. But it does get down in between where the seat backs meet the seats and many other places.I have just taken other people's advice on here and I charged it fully and then unplugged the vacuum. I use it sporadically many times, and then when I think it probably needs charged I charge it again and then unplug it again. That part is a pain, but anything to save the battery, right?Overall, I think this was a great purchase and I am very pleased. I have only owned it for about 2 or 3 months, so I hope that it lasts a long time. I also purchased the extended warranty on this. I don't normally do that, but the fact that so many reviewers were concerned about the battery life gave me pause.I think you'll be very happy if you purchase this. You'll never have to go look for your tools, they're always on board, you can't beat the suction, and the price is pretty much on point with others that I looked at. Hope this helps!