The Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld BDH2000PL is one of the best selling portable vacuums sold today. We purchased one and put it through all kinds of tests to see if it was worth it. Continue reading for our impressions as well as the pros and cons we found after testing this popular handheld vacuum.
Another Good Dustbuster from Black+Decker
Verdict
The Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld performed well in our each of our tests, picking up all kinds of debris without issue.
It is a good option if you’re shopping for a portable, handheld vacuum for quick cleanup tasks around the home when you’d rather not use a full-sized vacuum.
Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld BDH2000PL
The 20V Max BDH2000PL is one of several dozen portable handheld vacuums Black+Decker sells and has listed as a best seller on their website for quite some time. On Amazon, you will find over 25,000 reviews, most of which are 4 or 5 stars. Black+Decker is the original manufacturer of the classic 1979 “Dustbuster” handheld vacuum, and has been generally known as an industry leader in this style of vacuum.
This Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld vacuum comes with a charging base, charging cord, a crevice tool, and a brush tool. It features a wide mouth and relies on cyclonic action to spin debris away from its filter. Its motor, design, and that cyclonic action bring us to our list of pros.
What we like
Strong suction power
When in use, the cyclonic action leads to stronger suction, which led to above average power scores in our tests.
We tested its suction at the base as well as airflow. We combined those scores to get a power score of 83. As we mentioned, that score came in above average when compared to the average power score of 65 for other portable vacuums we’ve tested.
Strong performance
The Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld’s suction was evident in our various pickup tests. It picked up debris of all shapes and sizes, from fine to extra large, and did so without any clogs.
Our tests included debris such as coffee grounds, sand, kitty litter, and various shapes and sizes of cereal.
In the box
Debris pickup vs. other handhelds
Other handheld vacuums we have tested struggled where the BDH2000PL excelled, especially with large debris. The reason why this Black+Decker performs better is due to three factors overall: Black+Decker’s design has a larger airway than most handhelds, it has ample suction, and its filter is positioned so that it doesn’t interfere with pickup.
Related: Have bigger messes to clean up? Check out our roundup of The Best 6.5 HP Wet/Dry Shop Vacs!
Like any handheld, the most basic and primary job the Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld will be used for is picking up debris. In that regard, it performed really well. One way that we quantified this was by measuring the size of the smallest opening, which is usually the internal air intake.
The Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld intake was 16 millimeters, while the average for this type is 15 millimeters. That extra millimeter helps to explain why it was better at avoiding clogs.
Cleaning pet hair
Another pro is that it was excellent at removing embedded hair from upholstery. To test this, we took fine pet hair and embedded it into a mat. The Black+Decker Dustbuster did exceptionally well, removing all of the hair from the mat without issue.
Ergonomics
The 20V Max BDH2000PL is also easy to use. It has a nice feeling handle, and we weighed it at 954 grams, which is a bit lower than the average of all portable handheld vacuums we have tested. This makes it light and compact, and it can be used in a variety of spaces, which is just what you want in a cordless handheld vacuum.
The Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld’s dustbin capacity is higher than average at 953 milliliters, which is about 30% larger than the average of all the handheld vacuums we have tested.
A note about battery recharge time
When we made our video about the Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld, we stated that its battery recharge time was its biggest shortcoming. At that time, we initially believed it took ten hours to fully recharge the lithium-ion battery. In checking the Black+Decker website however, it states that it takes only four hours to recharge the battery.
Four hours to recharge is right around average, if not a bit faster, than the average of all handheld vacuums we’ve tested.
Black+Decker BDH2000PL Pivot Vac
There is a little confusion, at least for us, with this model. Black+Decker lists it as the 20V Max Handheld, but we’ve also seen their 20V Max Handheld Pivot Vac sold with the same BDH2000PL product number. In that model, the nozzle pivots up to 200 degrees for, according to Black+Decker, “easy cleaning at several angles.”
It appears this model does, too, so we think they must have changed up the product’s name at some point.
What could be improved
Battery run time
Where negative aspects are concerned, the first isn’t that big of a deal, but it’s worth mentioning. Its battery life was only 12 minutes when used on its max power setting. Compared to the average 14-minute run time for all the handhelds we’ve reviewed, it’s not necessarily on the low side, but it is lower than average.
We don’t find it to be that impactful however, as 12 minutes is likely still long enough for what the vacuum is intended for.
Noise
Its noise level was also slightly high at 91 decibels when compared to the average of 85 decibels. For a reference point, 91 decibels is somewhere in the same range as the noise generated by a hair dryer or food processor.
Filtration
Filtration was about average for a handheld, which is to say it’s not all that great. The filter and dustbin are washable however, and can be conveniently washed in your sink.
Verdict
In conclusion, there are more pros than cons with the Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld vacuum. It scored above average for power, it picks up debris well without clogging, and it performed well with removing embedded hair from upholstery.
It’s easy to use because of its lightweight handle, and its dustbin capacity is over a third larger than the average competitor we tested. For the most part, the cons of this vacuum were minor and consistent with other vacuums in this category.
All-in-all, the Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld BDH2000PL is a good option if you’re shopping for a portable, handheld vacuum for cleanup tasks around the home.
About Black+Decker Dustbusters
Specs
| Vacuum type | Portable / Handheld |
| Brand | Black+Decker |
| Model | 20V Max Handheld BDH2000PL |
| Corded / Cordless | Cordless |
| Dust bin capacity | 15 oz |
| Battery type | Lithium Ion |
| Weight | 3.8 lb |
| Washable filter | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The batteries used in Dustbusters are designed to be plugged in all the time, so they are always ready to use.
Dustbusters are marketed as convenient, lightweight, handheld vacuums for cleaning small messes around the house. Today, all Dustbusters use rechargeable batteries, making them also handy for other tasks, such as car cleaning.
No. Black+Decker uses batteries that are not removable and are not intended to be replaced or serviced. There are DIY instructions however, which do walk through a procedure that involves sourcing a battery online and disassembling the Dustbuster. So while technically possible, our answer is ’no’ as it is something most customers wouldn’t be comfortable attempting and it is not supported by the manufacturer.
The Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld is available online, including at the retailer(s) below.
