This is the all new Black & Decker PV1825N 18 volt Pivot Nose Dustbuster. So, what is so different about it? Is it that much better than the previous model the PV1805? Well yes actually it is. It is smaller, quieter and also lighter. A lot lighter making it easier to hold. Yet it is Black & Decker’s most powerful and highest performing Dustbuster to date. How have they done this? Let’s take a more detailed look.

It is 10% smaller than the previous model which helps to reduce the weight. Don’t worry because the dirt bowl is actually bigger. No I mean 40% bigger. So it is lighter and therefore it is also more comfortable to hold, yet it provides even greater performance. How have they done it? Well, the new Dustbuster has a patented ‘motor in filter’ design. This has led to the reduced size and weight. The bulky rear of this hand held vacuum has been replaced by a motor contained within the filter in the dust bowl. It is also much quieter than the original Dustbuster Pivot so you won’t disturb the entire house when tidying.

So OK, it is quieter, smaller, lighter and more powerful. It doesn’t end there however. The Black and Decker Patented Nozzle design can pivot through an amazing 200 degrees. It actually locks into 8 different angled settings, great for getting into those awkward spaces such as under furniture, the tops of door frames, picture frames and mirrors. It’s also great for cleaning the car, getting into those small spaces around the dashboard and between the seats.

The other great benefit of this nozzle design is that it allows you to balance the unit in a way that best suits you. For any of those difficult to reach spots you can always use the crevice pull out tool. This extends from the main nose and enables you to get into those tighter spots with ease.

If you want to clean a more delicate surface such as a wooden table or a polished floor then you can always flip up the soft brush which is attached to the underside of the nose. This will prevent any scratching of the surface.

This all new Black & Decker Pivot Nose Dustbuster has a cyclonic action. What does that mean? It means that all of the dust and dirt spins away from the filter, rather than getting sucked into it like most other handheld vacuums. This causes the Dustbuster to maintain its high level suction for longer, rather than losing power. It also means that the filter is much easier to clean. The filter can easily be lifted out of the dirt bowl and shaken out or washed and left to dry so vastly improving the life span of the vacuum. The bowl is also translucent and so you always know when you need to empty it out.

This process couldn’t be easier. Simply click open the dirt bowl door and empty the contents into the bin. You can even remove the dirt bowl so that it also can be cleaned.

So now to storage. The entire unit simply folds in half and stands upright on the charging base. A blue light tells you when it is charging. Not only is it an efficient hand held vacuum, it also looks good. Its impressive design will make it a product you are proud to have on display in your house.

So, to recap. The main plus points are: -

• 200 degree pivoting nose allows access to hard to reach areas
• Cyclonic action spins the dust away from the filter to improve suction
• 18v power delivers maximum suction power and performance
• Smaller, quieter and easier to clean than original Dustbuster Pivot
• Translucent, bagless dirt bowl is easy to empty and clean

Having just checked the reviews on amazon.co.uk, they are all 5 stars. There is not a single negative out there. With comments such as “It’s like comparing your Dyson to those horrible dustbusters of old that didn’t really pick up”, “Highly recommended.”, “This has to be the grand daddy of all dustbusters!”, “I feel that I am winning the “dog hair” battle at last!” and “this Black and Decker has really impressed me” I think they are on to a real winner.

Black & Decker NEW 18v Pivot® Dustbuster®

The Vax H90-GA-B Gator. Some of the most recent reviews on Amazon say – “Great little machine – very easy to use” , “a nippy little thing!!”, “Does exactly what it is supposed to do”. I could go on. I decided to look for some negative reviews. I couldn’t find any. The Vax H90-GA-B or the Vax Gator as it is favourably known is just half the price of some other handheld vacuums, so what are the draw backs?

Well if you want to spend half an hour cleaning out the car then you will need something with a longer charge capacity. The Vax Gator however is a reasonably powerful handheld vacuum cleaner. It is great for picking up dust quickly with no fuss.

It is lightweight, and the cordless design make it very manoeuvrable. The gator’s mouth flips open at the touch of a button for easy, hygienic emptying. There is also a built-in crevice tool for cleaning those tight corners, which is fully retractable for easy storage.

You also won’t need a mains socket where it is to be stored as there is a separate charging adapter like that on a mobile phone, so just plug it in, charge it up and put it all away.

With a two year guarantee, it is a great vacuum for the money.

Oh, nearly forgot, you can buy a  Vax Gator Handheld Vacuum Cleanerhere

DC31 Animal

The DC31 Animal is reportedly the most powerful handheld with no loss of suction, and is one of the latest generation of Dyson handhelds. It is essentially the same as the DC31 model but with the addition of a motorised brush bar for powerful pet hair removal. This means that it is superb for furniture and carpets in homes with pets and also for removing pet hairs from the inside of cars and caravans. The DC31′s dual power mode also gives 10 minutes of constant suction for large cleans at the standard setting, or 6 minutes at a 70% higher suction level for removing stubborn dirt.

As is usual with Dyson products, the DC31 Animal has a strong and robust, quality feel to it. Although it weighs 1.5kg, it still feels light due to the balance and it certainlydoes feel solid. The buttons are firm to press although you do have to hold the button down during use. It is however very comfortable to hold especially when it is angled downwards.

The DC31 Animal includes the combination accessory tool comprising both a wide debris nozzle for crumbs and larger particles, which converts to a brush tool for dusting delicate surfaces and computer keyboards. It also has a crevice tool which is good for skirting boards, picture rails and harder to get to places.

Dyson DC31 motor

Dyson engineers spent a decade developing Dyson digital motors and as a result came up with a motor so small, the vacuum is lighter and more power-efficient than most others. It spins at up to 104,000 rpm – that’s five times faster than the engine of a Formula 1 racing car.

So what makes the DC31 animal different from the normal DC31? Well it has a motorised brush bar. This features stiff rotating bristles that rotate to effectively remove pet hair from carpets and furniture. It is not just a brush on the end of the attachment, it is motorised and so it rotates and literally pulls the hairs out

Dual power mode
All three Dysons in the range feature dual power modes. Sometimes you need just that little bit of extra power for those tough cleaning jobs. This gives you the option of 10 minutes  constant high suction (38 Airwatts) or 6 minutes of 70% higher suction (65 Airwatts).

Lightweight and ergonomic
The digital motor in the DC31 Animal is so much lighter than that in most similar vacuums, reducing the overall weight of the DC31 Animal to only 1.5kg. As a result of this, it is better positioned for balanced weight distribution, making the DC31 Animal so much easier to handle than other models.

Transparent collection bin -  lets you see when it’s full
The bin on a Dyson vacuum cleaner is transparent meaning that you can see when it needs emptying. As well as this, you can see just how much dust and dirt your new Dyson machine has picked up. To empty it, just press the button to release the dirt.

No additional costs
Many other handheld vacuums are still designed to use replacement filters which adds to the running costs. Not the DC31 Animal, which uses patented Root Cyclone technology, spinning dust and dirt from the air and straight into the bin. And because of the Dyson digital motor, there are no carbon dust emissions. With no filters, no bags, no extra costs.

2 year parts and labour guarantee

All Dyson handheld vacuum cleaners undergo a lengthy and rigorous testing program. That’s why Dyson include a 2 year guarantee covering parts and labour.

Its dual power mode gives 10 minutes of constant high suction for larger cleaning jobs or 6 minutes at a 70% higher suction strength for extra stubborn dirt. It will take three and a half hours to completely recharge and a handy light on the charger goes off when it is ready to use again, a really useful feature which many other handheld vacuums seem to overlook.

The DC31Animal is surprisingly quiet for a handheld vacuum cleaner although as might be expected, the higher suction setting is slightly noisier.

There is a light on the vacuum that flashes about a minute before it runs out of power. This is so much better than many cleaners, which simply run out of juice slowly giving less and less suction until they just die completely. The DC31 won’t slow down but will simply cut out before the suction runs out so that you only use it while it is sucking at full power.

Like most handheld vacuums, the body is quite bulky and with a crevice nozzle of around 30cm (1 foot) long, not particularly easy to use in very tight spaces or for getting under car seats. However, in most situations, it handles admirably and has to be one of the best handheld vacuum cleaners on the market if you have pets.