Handheld Vacuums: Reviews

The Black & Decker Pivot Vac is more powerful than most other cordless hand vacuums. Its predecessor, the PHV1800, was top-rated in three expert reviews for consistently surpassing other hand vacs at picking up both fine… expandand coarse debris. The PHV1810 has a few improvements over the older PHV1800 -- namely a larger dirt container and lighter weight. Key features include a pivoting nozzle, an integrated extension nozzle, an upholstery brush and washable filters. Owners say it's quiet, powerful and has enough battery run time to clean a set of stairs or the interior of a car. Although the pivoting nozzle and integrated extension nozzle make it easy to reach dirt, users note that debris can fall out of the nozzle when rotated downward. It's covered by a two-year warranty. collapse

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is specially designed to pick up more pet hair from upholstery and carpet. Most owners say it works well for sucking up dog and cat hair, but a few disagree. Still, it's considerably less… expandexpensive than most other handheld vacuums, and it's the clear favorite among owners of corded hand vacs. The Pet Hair Eraser has a 16-foot power cord, so users don't have to worry about a battery running down. One feature that users find particularly useful is the rubber tip with bristles that loosen pet hair and other sticky debris. The Bissell is recommended for allergy sufferers because it has a HEPA filter that reduces airborne allergens. One review finds it noisy. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser comes with two nozzles and has a one-year warranty. collapse