Electronics Sophistication Advantage: Dyson Root 6

Price: Advantage Black & Decker Pivot Handheld Vacuum

The Dyson Root 6 handheld vacuum is about twice (street price) the Black and Decker Pivot. But as we will see, you get what you pay for with the Dyson Root 6. Ebay.com sells the Dyson Root 6 handheld vacuum for $121 (delivered) and the Black & Decker Pivot for $55 (delivered). (Prices Fall 2008.)

Form Factor: Black & Decker Pivot Handheld Vacuum

While the Dyson Root 6 vacuum has the conventional somewhat clumsy configuration of main unit and attachments, the Black & Decker Pivot Vacuum comes in a wonderfully efficient form that has the main nozzle built-in and usable, just like a flip cell phone. (See inset.) The built-in nozzle even has an integrated extension. There are still included separate, individual specialized extensions, i.e., a crevice tool and a brush tool. However, the main built-in nozzle is a good general, all-purpose one to always have with the handheld vac.