Vacuum Cleaners Reviews and Deals

Black and Decker’s updated variant of its original Pivot Vac cordless handheld vacuum, the PHV1810 incorporates the same liked features including 18 volts of power with cyclonic suction action, a patented 10 position pivoting nozzle, and three stage filtration into an , smaller, quieter, and easier to clean design. The vacuum’s removable, washable bagless dirt bowl holds up to 40 percent more dirt and debris than the original model, and the washable pre filter and filter are easy to maintain for maximum suction and allergen elimination. This model includes on board brush and extendable crevice tools, a foldable body for compact storage, a wall mountable charger, and an LED charging display light. It carries a two year warranty.

169 of 171 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars This thing Sucks in a Good way!, September 2, 2010
By D. Moujaes (San Diego, CA United States) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) () This review is from: Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac, PHV1810 (Kitchen) I bought the older model PHV 1800 a little over three years ago, back in May 2007. I liked it so much that I bought another one for my in laws a month afterward. For the last couple of months, the battery not retained a correct charge and since the battery is unfortunately not replaceable, it gave me an excuse to purchase this newer model PHV 1810. As with the last model, this is the best and most powerful handheld vacuum we have ever used in our household.

As I am comparing the two units side by side, the new vacuum is a little smaller than the last model and the dirt bin is bigger (it should hold more dirt). Since the battery on the old model is pretty much dead, I can not give you an correct power suction comparison between the two, but this one looks as powerful as when the last model was new.

The nozzle has a large range of motions, it pivots to use at many angles and has a cleaning brush built into it (you just have to flip it upwards) so you will never lose it again. Dirt spins away from the filter so suction power stays strong. Cleaning the unit is efficient, you just click the side door open and unlike the older model, this one lets you to take off the canister and filter completely and rinse them. The manual comes with information for removing and disposing of the nickel cadmium battery, but nowhere does it say that replacements are available. One thing I liked on the last model was when you required to charge or use the unit; you simply put it in or remove it from a cradle; with this new model, you will have to plug and unplug the power supply on the back of the unit anytime you have to use it.

If you want a powerful and movable vacuum, look no more.

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152 of 164 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of five stars Newer isn’t better, August 30, 2010
By Robert Stephan See all my reviews This review is from: Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac, PHV1810 (Kitchen) I compared new Black and Decker 1800 and 1810 side by side. Less sound is the only thing the 1810 has over the 1800, but I do not think about that an advantage in a vacuum cleaner that I want to suck! The suction, the charging stand, the design of the 1800 is far superior to the 1810. In fact the 1810 has a big design flaw: Fold the nozzle back and everything you just vacuumed up falls out the nozzle!

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37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of five stars powerful little vac, September 11, 2010
By D (CA USA) See all my reviews () This review is from: Black & Decker Pivot Vac 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac, PHV1810 (Kitchen) This thing is a powerful hand vac!
I have not figured out if the brush feature is any good still.
I like the smaller attachment that slides out for small regions.
Emptying out the container is easy enough but on occasion I use my big vacuum to really get the junk out.
One thing to think about is it’s a bit heavy but I do not mind.
I haven’t had any problems with stuff coming out when folding it up.
I love having this thing around!

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Haan’s FS20 steam cleaning floor sanitizer enables you to easily clean and sanitize any sealed hard surface floor without using chemicals providing an ecologically green and naturally healthy way to keep your home clean. The FS20 emits 212 degree F steam to kill 99 of bacteria, bacteria and dust mites and leave your floors instantly dry. Weighing less than four pounds with a full tank of water, the FS20 features 15 powerful, evenly spaced steam jets for maximum cleaning possible and gives up to 20 minutes of steam cleaning time. The FS20 Plus is fast to start up and is prepared to use in less than three minutes. Engineered to decrease friction and dry floors instantly, the patented super absorbent, multilayer Ultra Microfiber cleaning pads lock in dirt and leave floors dry to the touch and they are machine washable and reusable. The ultra microfiber material used by Haan is 5 10 times thinner than common microfiber, for a considerably higher thread count in the same surface area. The thinner and higher the thread count, the greater the absorption and the less time you will use up cleaning. The prepared For Use display over the big easy grip cap turns orange when the unit is prepared to use, and display lights on the rear let you know when to refill the unit. Other features are a locking, adjustable telescopic handle made of heavy gauge aluminum, power cord management system, and convenient storage hook for hanging. The unit measures 50 1/2 by 11 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches (HxWxD) when completely expanded and weighs 3.15 pounds. It is supported by a 1 year restricted warranty. What is in the Box
Haan FS20 steam cleaner, fill cup, floor protector/resting mat, two Ultra Microfiber pads, instructions

1,609 of 1,627 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of five stars The steam mop SHOW DOWN: Results of steam mop 1st hand comparisons & studying of comps, August 7, 2009
By A. Chandler (Austin, TX) See all my reviews
(#1 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME) This review is from: Haan FS20 Plus Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer with Deluxe Sanitizing Tray (Kitchen) (update: This review has been updated on 11 2 09 after I got to compare the Bissell also as add notes about the Ladybugg steamer at the bottom. Also someone has since edited an old review on the Eureka Envirosteamer page to include all the mops we reviewed and the temperatures we recorded, etc when their old review contained none of that. Because of this, this may look redundant and I apologize. At the time of this review this was the only review that contained this info on any of the steamer pages. Because their review is above mine on the Envirosteamer page and has an older date, it could appear as though we simply were redundant or WE copied their review but, instead, their review has been edited after we discovered all these things , then they added our information to their review.I apologize that it makes reading the reviews now a little boring but we’re flattered that someone took all our info and put it into their old review. : ) )

I live in a neighborhood where EVERY home is “green built certified” that means that, to have that certification, the builder built no homes with carpet. All the major floors are polished concrete and the upper floors wood. The bathrooms all have tile or slate in every home.

Because of this, as you could imagine, steam mops are quite the neccessity.Not only because they get the hard surfaces better than anything else, but because they’re also “green” and clean chemical free. I will be honest, for us.That’s a bonus but we were not cleaning chemical free before. We like chemical free for our pet’s paws but I will confess I mopped with chemicals before I got my steamer and just kept the pets out of the room while doing it because, up till then, I could not get it clean any other way.

Okay, so that said.We decided to have a steamer show down to compare five different steamers because my friends and I knew as long as we’re in these homes we’re gonna have to have a steamer to get all these hard floors clean.We may also figure out which one to purchase next go round. Because my own home is graced with two cats, three dogs, and two gregarious cooks, my kitchen floor (which hadn’t ever been cleaned by a steamer since my steamer had just arrived) was the testing spot.

Mind you, I vaccuum twice per week and do a mega mop twice a week. I THOUGHT I had pretty clean floors in spite of my pet capacity.

I thought wrong. These picked up dirt so well it is scary

So here is the results:

1. Steam mops are the mac daddys of clean floors. What these things picked up was tremendous and no comparison to my vigorous previous constant big mopping.

2. So now I will break down the elements of each mop we used , then go into more detail about each at the end.

We tried out:
“S”: The shark by Europro
“E” The Envirosteamer by Eureka
“H” the haan steamer
“M” the Monster
“B” The Bissell Green Tea

CORD LENGTH: so you do not have to stop and unplug and replug in someplace else:
Shark ( will be called S):20 feet
Envirosteamer (will be called E): 25 feet
Haan: (will be called H)19’8″
Monster (will be called M): 25 feet
Bissell (will be called B) 17 feet

STEAM TEMPERATURE: this is a main element. The hotter the steam, the more dirt picked up and hot steam will also kill parasites, mold and mildew and loosen more dirt:
S 110 degrees. Lame
E 220 degrees. Hot
H 212 degrees. Hot
M 266 degrees. Hottest.Although the envirosteamer and haan seemed plenty hot enough. The shark did not clean almost also and this was one reason. 110 degrees just is not going to melt off stuck on grime.
B 125 degrees. Note that, because of this low steam temperature the manual said that if I wanted to sanitize the floor or pick up caked on spills, I had to hold the steamer on the spot for 15 seconds but no more than 20 because that could damage many floors. Now I do not know about you, but if I can sanitize with one swipe of the other steamers because of their sanitizing temps my floor will be done WAY faster but I do not have a timer to worry about the extra five secons where my wood floors could get damaged. My sink water is hotter than this so it could take less time to use a regular mop if I have to hold the steamer on every spot of my floor for 15 seconds to santize. Just sayin

BUILD:
We found how it was made corresponded with issues with the steamer. The Shark, as an example, was quite flimsy and they really sell substitute handle kits because so many people have issues with the handle breaking! We know this because my neighbor’s shark broke and the store had a substitute handle kit on the counter because he said “it happens often”. That is another cost.
Envirosteamer: Was 5.4 lbs which made it lightweight but strong enough that you did not have to press down to clean. Well made and strong parts
Haan: not made also as the envirosteamer but it is costly so this was a surprise. A bit flimsy and you have to press down on it more to clean at 3.15 lbs.
Monster: hefty and well made at nine lbs but a bit too heavy unless you want a good workout. (Note: They changed the Monster handles on the mops now and they’re all plastic and people are having breakage issues)
Bissell: it is 8.4 pounds but that will include a water filter that you must get for this one (see notes below)

WATER CAPACITY: vital because having to stop and add more water just adds on to the time you must use up cleaning, particularly if you’re cleaning a hallway or livingroom or many other area that has no sink:
S: only holds ten oz of water. Lasted for ten miinutes of cleaning
E: holds 20 oz. Of water. Lasted for over 20 minutes of cleaning (we stopped at 20 and it was still going)
H: holds 11.83 oz of water. Lasted for 13 minutes of cleaning
M: holds 17 oz. Of water. Lasted for 15 minutes of cleaning
B: holds 13 oz of water, lasted for 12.5 minutes of cleaning AND you must undo and remove the tank from the machine every time you fill it up then hook it back on and the steam tank is on the handle rather than the base so the steam does not flow directly out after heating up which may explain why it is not as hot once it leaves the machine. The way this mop is made the water goes past heating elements which can, as indicated by Bissell, develop calcium deposits on it so this is the only mop where, because of this, you have to use a water filter with it and replace the water filter when there’s build up which means and extra twelve bucks every not many months. The better mops are made to heat the water in a metal tank so this isn’t an issue and you pour the water directly into the tank.

STEAM HOLES: We found a difference though you’d think they’d all be the same. The shark only had one hole that the steam came out of so it was not cleaning things on the edges, just in one spot. All the others had steam coming from bottom and sides.

SIZE: The taller it’s the less stooping, the wider the mop head, the more it covers
S: 40″Hx12″Wx7″D
E: 50″Hx13.25″Wx6.75″D (the fact that this depth was smaller made it reach under applicances better.It fit better under things)
H: 50.5×11.5×7.5
M: 48×12.7.5
B: 45.25H (this was uncomfortably short) x11 x8.4 (even though this did not fit under cupboards due to depth it did swivel the best)

Conclusion of comparison: 1st it must be pointed out that, to use the shark and the Bissell, you had to keep pumping the water. This was the most annoying feature of anything.The others just steamed on their own and did not wear out your fingers. Hated this feature of the shark and Bissell. We liked that the Monster and the Shark and Envirosteamer and the Bissell came with two cleaning pads rather than one. The Haan only came with one at the time of the review (I double checked since when she bought hers it was only one and as of today, that has not changed) so that ups the price more because I can not imagine only wanting one to clean. All worked well on sanitizing mattresses and showers. Too.

But the winner picked by all of us unanimously as the mop we want to have for our next steam mop order?
The Eureka Envirosteamer. It picked up the most dirt, was made also as the Monster but was less costly, held the most water, emitted the most hot steam so it sanitized also, lasted three times as long with one water resevor fillup as the others, and had a cord as long as the monster. BUT if you have carpets than I could recommend the Monster because it has a carpet attachment that lets you to steam clean your carpets and it picked up pretty close to the same total of dirt as the Eureka Envirosteamer, and had close to the same features.A bit heavier though but that may make it last longer. It’s costlier, but to clean two surfaces I could think that may make it worth it.

UPDATE: The Haan just started as well as two pads with the mop as indicated by the product description page. Not that this changes our opinion since it did not work also and the parts were flimsier, but it should be mentioned that this issue of not having enough cleaning pads has now been resolved and equals to the other mops.

ANOTHER UPDATE: 1. The Shark came out with a new machine that holds more water and has a longer cord BUT it still only heats the water to 110 degrees so it will not sanitize or get rid of trapped grime at this “bathwater” temperature.

Another update: I have not tried it still but was told about an better mop than the Eureka Envirosteamer but I can not personally pay for it.Still, it is worth mentioning in case you may be able to. It is.Read more ›

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180 of 180 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Great Job!, February 21, 2009
By C. Thompson “Clean Freak” (Illinois) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Haan FS20 Plus Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer with Deluxe Sanitizing Tray (Kitchen) I did broad research on the steam floor cleaners. I had seen the Haan info mercial a long time ago and also saw the Shark one also. My research was well worth it. The Haan has definately proven itself. I have hardwood floors on the complete 1st level of my home and they came out looking great. My ceramic and travertine in my upstairs bathrooms looks great also. I tried the carpet attachment on the landing and in one of the bedrooms and I can really tell a difference. You don’t have to fill too frequently and the area of steam is in way extra of the other steam cleaners on the market. It’s light and easy to use. I also did my homework on price and beat out QVC.

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80 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Go Green!, February 21, 2009
By Zetterbug (Crestview, FL USA) See all my reviews This review is from: Haan FS20 Plus Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer with Deluxe Sanitizing Tray (Kitchen) The Haan Steam Cleaner w/carpet attachment is great. It is so easy to use, lightweight, and cleans tile floors so clean. I pulled off the pad after it cooled down and there was more dirt than I thought my floors had. I tried the carpet attachment on a greasy footprint that’s just in front of my garage door. It cleaned it up pretty good, but I just scrubbed it with a little sunrise dish soap to take off any lingering grease. Looks much better, but I will attempt it again after it dries. Why did not I purchase this earlier? I am happy I caught the information commercial. I could not stand the smell and sticky floors that the Swifter left behind. Plus, no more filling up my garbage with disposable pads. The Haan pads are washable! I am going GREEN!

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The Dirt Devil Breeze Bagless Upright Vacuum is powerful and versatile enough to clean every room in your home. Its MicroFresh filtration technology traps 99 of dust and allergens, and the height changes to let you clean on both carpet and hard floors. The bright headlight allows you to see the dirt in black corners and closets. Will include stretch hose, extension wand, dusting brush, and crevice tool. Powerful 12 amp motor with 25 foot power cord. 13 inch cleaning path helps you finish your housework faster. 14.2 x 11.5 inches. 19 pounds. 2 year warranty on parts and motor.

90 of 90 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Powerful and lightweight, December 1, 2007
By buyer (Longmont, Colorado) See all my reviews () This review is from: Dirt Devil Breeze Bagless Upright Vacuum, M088160RED (Kitchen) Our big and heavy Dirt Devil Platinum Force quit after five years of service and we decided to attempt something lighter and less costly.

The Breeze arrived in three days, with free shipping thanks Amazon!
Assembly was a breeze, just four screws. We have over 1500 sq ft of carpeted regions and steps so I put the new vacuum to work.

Pros:
Price (and I also used a gift certificate) sweet!
Lightweight! What a difference it makes.
Powerful. It sucked a full dirt container from our house.
Thermal protecting device as indicated by the manual this will shut off the motor to prevent overheating (what our old vacuum didn’t have)

Cons:
No HEPA filter out of the box but the next time I replace the filter I can get a HEPA filter from Amazon
To use the hose (on the steps, inside car) I required to detach the major hose and connect the special hose. But it is cool how you plug and twist the hose in place.
Warranty is only two years. But for the price I paid that is good.

So really, no negatives still. Happy with this buy.

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131 of 140 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of five stars The Breeze is a mixe bag(less) of good and not so good, May 11, 2008
By A. Maier (Fort Wayne, IN) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Dirt Devil Breeze Bagless Upright Vacuum, M088160RED (Kitchen) 1st off, how do you say “mixed bag” about a “bagless” vacuum? Well but you say it, here is my opinion on it the good and the bad. I bought mine as a second vac, and in spite of past nightmares with entry bagless vacs, wanted something I could empty after each sporadic use and store away with a partly filled bag.

On the pro side: This unit is light in weight. Great for those with arthritis or anybody who is carrying a vacuum up and down stairs. What isn’t lightweight is the power it certainly has good suction. I also like the somewhat narrower width whem in comparison to most other vacuums 13″ large vs the more common 15″ large may not seem like much, but this fits in narrow places still is still a full power vac.

On the neutral side: Emptying is easy, but like most entry level bagless units, the filter is a mess to deal with. Best bet is, from time, use a second vac to clean this units filter, or used canned air outside upwind.
Attachments are okay connecting the hose is akward. Just a note the height is really simply fixed, not “automatic”, but it does lift the beater bar up when the handle is in the upright position to prevent carpet damage.

On the negative side: This is a deafening vacuum cleaner. On a scale of 1 10, this is an 11. Pickup may be difficult, as it wants to spit things back at you and with the exhaust blowing down in the front, stir up dust ahead of you. Note if you have problems with dust and allergies, avoid this or have someone else clean the filter for you.

Overall: The negatives are strong issues against the positives and neutrals on this vac. Also think about that with the low end bagless vacs, the money you save on bags is more than spent on filters. Nearly like purchasing a printer the printer is cheap, but they get you on the ink. Here they get you on the filter.

All in all, this makes for a useful and powerful second vac, a lightweight vac for those who can not handle a heavy vac, and a vac to think about if you’re really stretching the dollar. But be cautious not to think bagless is going to save you money.

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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of five stars Built Like a Tank, Sounds Like One, Too!, December 26, 2008
By M. LAPITAN (Harrisburg, PA) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Dirt Devil Breeze Bagless Upright Vacuum, M088160RED (Kitchen) I have had my Dirt Devil Breeze for (3?+) years now (Obviously an older variant but depending on what I see from the picture nothing had changed much.) Bought this as substitute to a last vacuum cleaner which had the “fan” (not sure if this is the correct word for it) that was in the path of the dirt (I believe that was a hoover). I used it to pick up many hard object and got stuck in the “fan” which caused it to break on me. The design of the breeze was many better since the filter catches objects before it gets to the suction system. In general, does what its supposed to do.
Cons:
The exhaust out in front was certainly a design “duh”. But you would not realize it till you use it for picking up light material (e.G. Small bird feathers).
Is there an easier way to switch from bottom suction to the onboard tools?
Emptying the canister is certainly a annoyance (but sames me money in the long run)
LOUD And I can not say this enough. My unit is a little older and I swear this thing gets louder over time. I swear, I was two houses away and I thought my wife used the table saw. If you want to tune out the rest of the world or not want to hear somebody nag at you, though, this is certainly for you.
No height modification (tough to use on thick carpet)
Pro:
A certain work horse. I think this thing will last a lifetime. This is the 1st vacuum cleaner I’ll get rid off that really still works.
As mentioned above, design was better than other vacuums
Cheap

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