Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme 20V Max vs Kenmore 8161 600 Series

To test our vacuums, we task them with picking up pet hair to see how readily the brushroll gets tangled. Then, we use fruity cheerios to see if the vacs can handle large particles without clogging. Finally, we use sand as a stress test to gauge their ability to deep clean fine particles. We do each test three times on low and mid pile carpets as well as hardwood floors

I was able to follow the instructions for putting it together. Overall it seems intuitive to use and has excellent suction, especially on rugs and carpet. The switch for hardwood, carpet and power on the handle work as intended but seem flimsy. It’s easy to hit the carpet setting on hardwood

Pro comes in three different versions: we chose the anti allergen version because it has a HEPA filter, which is the main difference between the other...

We just got it, the second one, identical, i took a brush and used it with old vacuum, it works awesome so far! So a[ardently, brash alone was a problem, we should start from replacing it, instead of a handle. We used the first one for one year in total, even though with constant troubles, but it is so cheap, that i thought to give it another chance, maybe the other one will last longer, if not- i will look for something else, because buying it once a year will be costly overtime. Update: I noticed that the first vacuum (exactly identical 200 series Kenmore) had telescopic expandable pipe, this new one, ordered in 2019, does not, and it is so short that with my height on 5’1” I can not use it! It’s too inconvenient. The other issue with new vacuum: bare floor attachment has too thin brush, which is too soft, like it is not even there, so entire brush just sucked to floor, that you can’t even move it around! Same about upholstery brush -too flimsy

Overall it's not a bad choice for simple chores but don't expect a high-powered pet vacuum. Its very convenient when I dont want to pull out my corded vacuum. I would recommend if you want something to use when touching up.

I have a 10 year old Miele swivel upright vacuum, which I love (sadly, it'I believe they stop making them longer & replaced with a few worthless battery corded stick vacuums) and a Sebo Flexi swivel upright. My uprights have a swivel heads which makes moving them about from room to room a breeze, plus there's isn't a long hose to push while dragging the heavy canister behind you (that crashes into everything).

I am a bit disappointed in the durability of the front wheels in the power head. They only lasted a couple of months and now are clogged with hair and thus immobile. Attempts to clean them out by a mechanically-minded person have repeatedly failed and it just grates along the surface now causing a scraping noise and obvious wear to the plastic on the bottom but it still works. The internals are also a bit flimsy and brittle

Besides using the vacuum for normal floor cleaning, you can easily clean the edges and corners of your room with the Kenmore 81614 canister vacuum cleaner. This Kenmore canister vac combines the affordable price, quality and performance in a unit that are design for all-surfaces cleaning including the pet hair This is a 2-motor system that comes with powerful suction power (12 amps) and you can use it to clean all types of floors including bare floors, carpets and dog hairs. The vacuum cleaner is provided with adjustable suction power and can be used according to the type of material or surface being cleaned. You can reduce the power for delicate carpets, furniture and so on

CONS: the waste container is only lightly latched on so is ridiculously easy to accidentally knock off while in use, the waste container hatch is spring-loaded so when the container gets knocked off and hits the floor the hatch springs open spewing everything you just vacuumed (REALLY BAD DESIGN THERE), a standard B&D 20V battery does not last very long when using the motorized attachment (definitely need to use one of the larger 3rd-party batteries), the motorized rug attachment does a poor job on bare wood floors -- I made my own attachment from an old Hoover canister vac (see photos). CONCLUSION: will use this as our main household vacuum, but I still have to figure out a workaround for the absurd waste container latch. For the high price point, I shouldn't have to do that. UPDATE: I used a slice of an old bicycle inner tube as tie-around security for the tumbling waste container

I have some floor attachments, brushes, and long-reach wands that fit other vacuums, but they won't work with this Kenmore because of it's design. I was able to fashion an adapter that gets around this problem, but there's some risk the adapter may damage the hose. Kenmore should make their vacuums to use standard attachments, so customers don't lose their investment in specialized attachments. Third, the only attachment with a brush for effectively vacuuming bare floors is only 9 inches wide instead of the standard 14 inch width of most floor attachments

It'll pick up very light material on a smooth surface if it's directly below the suction area. You know when you're using a standard corded vacuum and you get close to something on the floor and the vacuum pulls it in and sucks it up? Or when there's a tuft of hair against a wall and you can push the vacuum against the wall to pull it in? Or when you're vacuuming on a textured floor or floor mat that has crevices about 1/4 inch deep and the vacuum pulls the dirt up and out of the crevices? This vacuum won't do any of that. It's low suction even at the highest setting. For smooth floors, or very low pile mats and throw rugs on hard floors, you'll more often be using the med power

Out of curiosity, considering the old one is shot, I took apart the wand and discovered the problem. It used to be that the power cord was on the outside of a tube that never extended or retracted. Now, the extendable wand has its wiring inside, in the form of a ribbon wire, that when repeatedly extended and retracted (as much as one can in the 4 months we have had it using it occasionally) the wire snaps at the one connection end. This is a serious design flaw

I mean, a BIG mess. I just don’t get this thing. All the hair and dust sticks to the metal filter inside and you have to literally pull it off, getting your hands all dusty and it creates a dust plume from the trash can too. It fills up fast, so I need to empty it pretty much every time I use it

It tips over & the hose gets tangled & the hepa-filter falls off all of the time. This vacuum has actually come between my husband & I..

The filter can not be removed and cleaned (at least as far as I can find and the rotating filler is useless.

It does a good job picking up dust and dirt from both. But Cons: - The air filter cover pops off. There's a single sliding latch that is supposed to keep the cover on, but it pops off frequently when the vacuum is stood on end. The design would have been better off if Kenmore had put on two opposing latches to release the cover

Very easy to use, store and recharge. We have multiple Black and Decker tools in our home so no shortage of extra batteries! The only downfall is the filter clogs quickly and collects a bit of dust, it's been washed a few times but we are desperately looking for a replacement filter as we have two rescue animals that shed - A LOT! PLEASE MAKE REPLACEMENT FILTERS MORE AVAILABLE!

Poorly made, the back filter door pops off continually and filter falls out. And it's July and the filter is NOT washable and you have to duct tape the filter door. Worst piece of junk I ever bought