Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac, PHV1810 Review


When it comes to cleaning up small (and large) messes at home, there's nothing more convenient than a cordless handheld vacuum.  The Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac (Model PHV1810) is a popular choice due to its excellent performance on bare floors, carpets, stairs, furniture, and inside vehicles.  It sports a pivoting nozzle and on-board crevice tool and upholstery brush for better accessibility and versatility.
Product Features
  • High performance 18-volt motor with cyclonic action
  • 2-speed cordless handheld vacuum
  • Pivoting nozzle allows easy access to tight spots from different angles
  • Folds in half for compact storage
  • On-board extendable brush and crevice tool
  • Filters and dirt bowl are removable and washable
  • 4-inch cleaning path
High Performance Motor
Powered by an 18-volt rechargeable battery, the vacuum's motor generates a cyclonic action that spins dirt from the incoming air and deposits it into the dirt canister.  The motor is equipped with a 2-speed switch.  The high speed setting provides stronger suction for maximum pickup while the low speed setting allows extended run time.
Cordless and Lighweight
Without a power cord to tie you down, you can maneuver the Black & Decker Pivot Vac for easy cleaning. This lightweight hand vac weighs only 4 pounds and is easy to transport one room to another.
Bagless Technology
With no bags to replace, the Black & Decker cordless pivoting hand vac saves you time and money.  The dirt bowl that collects dirt and debris is very easy to empty.  It is removable and washable for easy, hygienic cleaning. 
This vacuum is also equipped with a 3-stage filter that results in a cleaner air exhaust.  The filter is washable, which means more savings on your part.
Convenient Cleaning with On-Board Tools
The Black & Decker Pivot Vac PHV1810 is no ordinary handheld vacuum.  It features an integrated extendable crevice tool for cleaning hard-to-reach places.  An on-board flip-up brush provides added convenience when cleaning upholstery, carpeted stairs and furniture.
Pivoting Nozzle Design
The Black & Decker 18V pivoting hand vac provides strong suction power for superior cleaning, but it does not stop there.  It features a patented nozzle design that pivots the nozzle in one of 10 positions, allowing you to reach tight spots from any angle.  You'll find it easier to clean your couch, computer keyboard, stairs, near baseboards, and under car seats.
The vacuum folds completely in half for easy storage.
Energy Star-Certified Battery Charger
The handheld vacuum comes with a wall mountable battery charger that is Energy Star-certified and helps cut energy costs.  The charger features an indicator light that lets you know that the unit is charging.
The vacuum plugs into the charger, rather than sitting in a charging cradle.
Pros
  • Powerful suction
  • Switches to 2 speeds
  • Pivoting nozzle provides greater accessibility
  • Filter is reusable and dishwasher-safe
  • On-board  crevice tool and upholstery brush
  • Foldable and easy to store
  • Cyclonic action keeps dirt away from the filter so that suction stays strong
  • Dirt bowl is easy to empty
Cons
  • A bit heavy
  • Battery charge is poor
  • Bulky nozzle
  • Somewhat noisy
What Customers Say
There are several hundred reviews posted on the Amazon website for the Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V PHV1810 and most of the comments are positive, with many 4-star and 5-star ratings.  Many customers are impressed by the strong suction power of this handheld vacuum.  They also like the integrated, on-board crevice tool and brush.  Because these attachments are built into the vacuum, all you have to do is flip them out to be used.  An added bonus is that there's no danger of misplacing and losing them.
According to customers, the Black & Decker PHV1810 cleans very well, and it is also easy to clean.  The dirt bowl that collects the dirt and debris is easy to empty and the filter is washable.
There are a few negative comments for the Black & Decker handheld vacuum.  The biggest disappointment is that the battery charge does not last very long.  A number of customers complained that after the first charging, the battery could no longer hold a full charge and the vacuum would only work for a few minutes before running down.
Another complaint is that dust and dirt would fall out of the nozzle when you fold it after using.  This can be remedied by emptying the dirt bowl after every use.
Overall, the positive reviews outnumber the negative ones but clearly the battery issue is cause for concern.  Many people, however, are happy with their Black & Decker Pivot Vac which works very well.  You can find this handheld vacuum online for only $51.54.  Amazon ships it for free.