Black & Decker: the work only gets easier.

• Position: What's New?

Let's be honest: New Year's may be when all those phony self-improvement resolutions are being bandied about, but Labor Day is the for-real new year that counts: the kids get back to school, businesses get back to well ... business, and, finally, with the passing of those wretched dog days, we can get back to doing what we do best--cleaning and fixing with no kids or spouse underfoot. When it comes to household chores, whether working solo or not, you simply have to use the right tools--and, in that regard, we, as always, turn to Black & Decker, Towson, Md., which has extended its burgeoning family of vacuums with the versatile 18-volt Cordless High Performance Pivot Floor Vac. B&D also takes high-end screwdrivers to the next level with the Lithium Ion SmartDriver Cordless.

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Ideal for quick pickups around the home, the Floor Vac ($99.99) provides exclusive pivoting action to vacuum under coffee and kitchen tables easily, as well as sofas and beds--with no need to move furniture. This low-profile-design vac pivots in three positions, eliminating the bending, stretching, and reaching of traditional upright or stick vacuums. Besides, there's no cord to tie you down and the 18 volts of power provides plenty of suction for all kinds of messes.

Weighing just 8 1/2 pounds, and folding in half for recharging and compact storage, this is a convenient primary vacuum for condos or small apartments. For larger homes, it serves as a quick pick-up solution when you don't feel like dragging out a heavy vacuum. Moreover, the on-off motorized brush roll allows for multi-surface cleaning. The Pivot Floor Vac's powerful spinning action keeps dust and debris away from the filter so suction power stays strong. Side-suction vents provide superior edge cleaning along baseboards, under kitchen cabinets, and in other tight spots. When you're done vacuuming, the Pivot folds in half in one...