REASONS TO BUY
Great maneuverability
Light
Inexpensive
Great edging
REASONS TO AVOID
Mixed hard surface and carpet cleaning performance
Loud
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V Review
There are many benefits to this vacuum, but the disadvantages of poor cleaning performance on common surfaces outweigh those benefits
Credit: Black+Decker
Price: $150 List
By Jessica Riconscente and Benjamin Hickok ⋅ Jun 16, 2023
RELATED: Best Stick Vacuums
Our Verdict
In terms of performance, convenience, and ease of use, the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V vacuum is only an average model when compared to other top stick vacuums on the market. While it offers reliable suction power and decent cleaning performance, it fell short of the performances of many other models we tested. Higher-end vacuums provide greater cleaning abilities on both hard surfaces as well as a range of carpets. Vacuums at a similar price point also outshine the Black+Decker. So if you are considering purchasing this model, keep reading, but also take a look at a few of our alternative recommendations.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | ||||
| Price | $150 List | $170 List $131.74 at Amazon | $150 List $129.99 at Amazon | $34 List $33.95 at Amazon | $35 List $34.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | The advantages of this vacuum are numerous, but the drawbacks of subpar cleaning performance on typical surfaces outweigh those benefits | This inexpensive vacuum is convenient and well-priced but only average overall | Doing a solid job at cleaning both hard and soft floors, this is a fantastic value option | A budget vacuum with distinct limitations across all metrics | This vacuum definitely wasn't our favorite, with its main merit being its exceptionally low price and not much else |
| Rating Categories | Black+Decker Powers... | Eureka RapidClean Pro | Shark Navigator Fre... | Bissell Featherweight | Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik |
| Convenience (35%) | |||||
| Hard Surface Cleaning (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Carpet Cleaning (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Black+Decker Powers... | Eureka RapidClean Pro | Shark Navigator Fre... | Bissell Featherweight | Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik |
| Weight | 5.8 lbs | 5.1 lbs | 7.1 lbs | 2.9 lbs | 3.4 lbs |
| Cordless Battery Life | Boost: 16 min 36 sec Auto: 24 min 50 sec |
23 min 12 sec | 13 min 53 sec | n/a | n/a |
| Measured Charge Time | 4 hours 45 min | 4 hours 30 min | 5 hours 55 min | n/a | n/a |
| Noise Level | 80 dBa | 65 dBa | 75 dBa | 78 dBa | 74 dBa |
| Model Number | BHFEA520J | NEC180 | SV1106 | 2033 | SD20000RED |
| Measured Head Width | 9.88" | 9.75" | 9.75" | 8" | 9" |
| Variable Suction Control | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Brush On/Off Switch? | No | No | Reduced Speed | Yes | n/a |
| Storage | Stands up; wall mount | Wall mount only | Stands up | Stands up | Stands up; falls over easily |
| Swivel Head? | Yes | Yes | Yes; very limited | No | No |
| Soft Bumper? | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Cordless? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Maximum Corded Reach | n/a | n/a | n/a | 15 ft | 17.5 ft |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
You'll likely need to keep looking if you want the best stick vacuum for your home. The Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V is a rather average vacuum in terms of cleaning performance, with an enticing price tag, but it simply can not compete with the best models on the market today.
Performance Comparison
The Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V is a light and easy to use model that offers effective cleaning performance when it comes to most types of messes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Convenience
The Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V is a relatively convenient model that allows users to remove the head and transition to a versatile crevice cleaning tool that makes tackling hard-to-reach places and objects easy. With its cordless design, you can easily maneuver around your home without being tethered to a power outlet, and the lightweight construction of the vacuum makes it effortless to carry from room to room.
The battery life of the Powerseries+ 20V is only average, offering a runtime of just under 17 minutes in boost mode and a sub 25 minute runtime in its default setting. Charging is also significantly slower on this model when compared to the top models we tested, requiring four hours and 45 minutes to achieve a full charge. The uptime compared to the downtime is significant, and you'll be out of commission for a while if you can't complete your cleaning tasks before you run out of juice.
Many premium stick vacuums come as lightweight cordless models, which allows you to move and vacuum throughout your home without difficulty.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Hard Surface Cleaning Performance
The Powerseries+ 20V offered mixed performances across our hard surface cleaning tests. It did a perfect job of cleaning the entire mess in a single pass and offered a near-perfect performance cleaning flour, requiring only two passes to leave the hard surface completely spotless and shiny.
However, it broadcasted and displaced rice, failing to lift all the rice grains after repeated passes, and offered a similar disappointing performance in our oatmeal test where it pushed and displaced oatmeal.
Due to its inability to handle rice or oatmeal but an exceptional ability to handle cereal and flour, the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V earned an overall hard surface cleaning score that was just shy of average.
This model struggles to clean specific types of debris from hard surfaces.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Ease of Use
Ease of use is where the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V really shines. It can clean all the way up against the edges of walls, and its under-furniture reach is also exceptional. It also handles well, is relatively lightweight at six pounds, and is one of the more maneuverable models we've tested.
Our only minor gripe when it comes to ease of use is that it is a little rough on the ears, registering 80 decibels while in boost mode.
Our test team measuring the noise produced by each model in decibels.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Carpet Cleaning Performance
In our carpet cleaning tests, where each model is tasked with cleaning rice, oatmeal, pet hair, flour, and oatmeal from high and low-pile carpets, the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V struggled to handle the challenges well.
While this model did a great job of cleaning pet hair and an impressive job of cleaning cereal from carpet, it did a mediocre job of cleaning rice and oatmeal messes. It also failed to clean flour. Due to a mix bag of performances, it finishes near the middle of the pack.
Debris left behind by the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V in our short-pile carpet tests.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Should You Buy the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V?
While easy to use and attractively priced, we think there are a handful of models worth considering over the Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V. While some of those models might be more expensive, they offer a significant increase in performance that you will appreciate when tidying up your home, versus having regret that you chose price at a significant compromise to performance.
What Other Stick Vacuum Should You Consider?
The Black+Decker Powerseries+ 20V is an exceptionally easy model to use, and it has an attractive price tag, but its carpet and hard surface cleaning performance doesn't compare to the top models we tested. At a similar price point, the Eureka RapidClean offers greater convenience, similar carpet cleaning performance, and better hard surface cleaning performance. The Shark Rocket Pet Pro is an ideal option if you're seeking excellence at a more approachable price. However, for the highest performance that money can buy, the Shark Stratos Cordless is well worth considering.
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Jessica Riconscente and Benjamin Hickok
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