The Best Cordless Vacuum Reviews http://bestcordlessvacuums.net Tue, 05 Nov 2019 17:15:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Dyson DC44 Animal Digital Slim Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/dyson-dc44-animal-digital-slim-review/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:28:26 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=479 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Dyson DC44 Animal Digital Slim Cordless Vacuum

The DC44 Animal Digital Slim is a high-end cordless vacuum by Dyson. It’s also one of the most expensive cordless vacuums available. Is it worth the price premium? Read on for my complete review.

Power

Cordless vacuums vary greatly in their suction power. They range from being so weak that they’re barely effective to being as powerful as most corded vacuums. Dyson’s corded models are known for their powerful and reliable suction, and fortunately the DC44 is no different with its 22.2 volt motor.

All of Dyson’s cordless vacs have two modes – regular and boost. Regular mode is sufficient for everyday cleaning and in most cases is all you’ll need. Boost mode can be activated by a button the handle for stubborn messes such as a clump of hair that’s really tangled in carpet. Power is an area where this vacuum really stands out – it can handle just about anything a corded vacuum can.

Performance

The DC44 is very effective at cleaning tile, hardwood, and other hard floors. The included cleaner head works well, but if your home is mainly hard flooring, I recommend picking up the articulating hard floor tool. It does away with the brushroll and gives you a wider yet less bulky head for maneuvering around and under furniture. It’s also safer to use on hardwood flooring as some owners have reported scratching with the included cleaner head.

On carpet, cleanup is as about as good as it gets for a cordless. As the “Animal” name suggests, it’s designed to be better at picking up pet hair. Corded models still have an advantage here as many will have larger brushrolls and a little more power. For everyday cleanup it works well on one pass. If you have a lot of pet hair to clean up you may need to go over areas your pets lie down a few times to grab it all.

Used as a handheld, the DC44 has plenty of power for use in the car and cleaning elevated surfaces such as furniture and blinds.

Ease of Use

Attachments are easy to switch out with the press of a button. The wand can also be removed entirely with one button press to allow the vacuum to be used as a handheld. The cleaner head tool, used for flooring, pivots to make it easy to guide around furniture and into tight spaces. The brushroll can easily be removed from the cleaner head to remove hair that may get tangled around it.

The dustbin has a slide lever which pops open the container, so you can simple hold it over the garbage can and empty it with a flick of the lever.

Battery Life and Charging Time

Lithium-Ion batteries are usually the best choice for a cordless vacuum, but the DC44 goes one step above to a Nickel Mangenese Cobalt (NMC) battery. NMC batteries are lightweight and have no memory like Li-Ion, but have even greater battery life. This gives the DC44 20 minutes of battery life on normal mode, and 8 minutes of run time in boost mode. While 20 minutes is an average amount of run time for a cordless vacuum, it’s quite good for a vac that’s as powerful as the DC44.

Charging time for a fully depleted battery is approximately 5.5 hours for the DC44. This is a bit longer than the DC35 and other Li-Ion models, but still far better than NiCad-powered vacs.

Weight

The DC44 weighs in at 4.9 pounds. This is a couple pounds less than the Hoover LiNX and Rowenta Delta Force, and slightly less than Electrolux Ergorapido models. Dyson vacuums are mainly made of strong plastics which may feel a little cheaper than their price tags suggest, but keep the weight down and are actually very durable.

Filter

If you’re an allergy sufferer, you may be searching for a vacuum with a HEPA filter. While the Dyson doesn’t use a true HEPA filter, it does filter much smaller particles than most vacuums. This makes it a great choice for those looking to greatly reduce the dust and pet dander which may otherwise be recirculated into the air while vacuuming.

The filter a “lifetime” filter which is removable and washable. You won’t need to purchase additional replacement filters – it can be washed and reused for as long as you own the vacuum.

Dust Bin

The dust bin on the DC44 is very easy to empty – just flick the release lever over your garbage can to empty it. Unfortunately, the dust bin is quite small. If you’re cleaning a large mess or your entire home, you’ll need to empty the canister more than once.

Included Accessories

Included with the vacuum is a motorized floor tool with brushroll, a crevice tool, and a combination accessory tool which can be used for blinds or upholstery.

A wall-mountable docking station is included for charging the DC44 and is helpful for keeping it within reach while minimizing the space it takes up.

Optional Accessories

Dyson offers a Cordless Tool kit for use on the DC34, DC35, and DC44. It’s a specialized tool kit which includes a stubborn dirt brush, soft dusting brush, extension hose, and wide nozzle tool.

The Dyson Home Cleaning kit has a soft dusting brush, multi-angle brush, and stiff bristle brush.

Another set called the Dyson Asthma and Allergy kit includes a mattress tool, flexi crevice tool, and soft dusting brush, each designed to remove dust and allergens.

The Tangle Free Turbine is great for home with a lot of long pet hair (such as golden retriever fur) or people with long hair that frequently gets tangled in brushrolls.

The Articulating Hard Floor Tool is another very useful attachment for homes with mainly hard flooring.

Despite all these options, the attachments included with the DC44 work quite well in most cases.

Reliability

Very few people have reported problems with motor or battery failure. I would consider this a more reliable and long-lasting vacuum than most cordless models.

Warranty

Dyson includes a 2-year parts and labor warranty on the vacuum and its accessories. This is an average warranty duration for a cordless vac.

Price

The biggest drawback to the DC44 is its price. This being Dyson’s top-end model for an already pricey brand puts its price out of reach for many people. However, you won’t an equally powerful and versatile model for less money.

Pros

  • One of the most powerful cordless vacuums
  • Can be used as a stick vacuum or handheld
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Reliable and durable
  • Great performance on a variety of surfaces
  • Good filtration

Cons

  • Power button must be held down for the vacuum to run
  • Included cleaner head may scratch hardwood – Articulating Hard Floor Tool is recommended
  • Small dust bin must be emptied frequently

Conclusion

If you’re simply looking for the most powerful and fully-featured vacuum at any price, the Dyson DC44 Animal can’t be beat. The additional runtime and power of the DC44 over the DC35 make it worth spending a little extra to step up to Dyson’s top-of-the-line model. The DC44 is one of the few cordless vacuums that can fully replace a corded model in smaller homes, thanks to its great performance on a variety of flooring types. Add in its capability to be used as a handheld and it can be used for cleaning just about anything.

View at Amazon

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Dirt Devil BD20040RED Stick Vac Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/dirt-devil-bd20040red-stick-vac-review/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:22:25 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=477 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Dirt Devil BD20040RED Extreme Power 14.4 Volt Stick Vacuum

The Dirt Devil brand is almost synonymous with cordless vacuums to some people. At the same time, however, that’s not because they’re known for high tech innovations or expensive parts. Their BD20040RED Extreme Power 14.4 Volt Stick Vacuum is a prime example of what the brand offers, though: enough quality to be well known at an affordable price. Let’s look at what makes that work.

Power

While 14.4 volts admittedly isn’t the “extreme power” that Dirt Devil is advertising, it’s certainly more than enough to be respectable for any cordless stick vacuum. And as they say, it’s not how much you have, it’s how you use it.

Performance

This vacuum really shines on bare floors, and especially in one-room regions of the house like kitchens, attics or basements, where it can be dedicated to really cleaning that one area well. It doesn’t do too well on carpet…but it’s not designed for that! Remember, stick vacuums are for quick cleaning, so save that more challenging surface for corded vacuums.

Ease of Use

Even for its more affordable price the Extreme Power includes a few features that make it a pleasure to use. There is a switch to turn the brushroll on and off, which many vacuums oddly don’t have – it’s a real help, especially when cleaning hair. Also, the vacuum’s head swivels for greater agility, and the handle folds down for more convenient storage.

Battery Life and Charging Time

Dirt Devil includes a NiCad battery with this vacuum. It’s a well proven type of battery, and while it has a longer charging time of twenty-four hours, it’ll be a good many small messes cleaned before it needs to be charged, and it’s very easy to replace.

Weight

The Extreme Power weighs about six pounds. With a stick vacuum, that’s a nice balance of relatively light but also solid enough to be effective at its job – if you’ve ever used a vacuum that’s too light, you’ll know what I mean.

Filter

The filter for this vacuum is a simple cloth cup – it’s classic, easy to use, and easy to clean.

Dust Bin

The Extreme Power’s long, transparent dust bin can hold a surprising amount of dust, hair and dirt, and it’s easy to pop off and let it all slide out into the trash.

Included Accessories

This vacuum, like most cordless sticks, does not come with any accessories. Replacement filters are available however, and it has the advantage of very easily replaced batteries…unlike some more expensive vacuums that have their battery integrated into themselves.

Reliability

As I mentioned with the vacuum’s weight, this is a pretty solid cleaning tool. It’ll get the job done for a good while, especially if you’re using it in the way it’s designed for and not attempting to clean your whole house with it.

Warranty

Dirt Devil includes a one year limited warranty, which is right about standard for this price level of vacuum. And like I said above, if you use the vacuum how it’s intended, you won’t even end up needing it.

Price

This is a vacuum that’s easy to buy – in fact, you might find it hard to get, even on Amazon, because they go off the shelves so quickly! It’s still worth looking on Amazon, however, I should point out – they have the best sale price on an already affordable vacuum.

Pros

  • solid power that’s great on bare floors
  • affordable price
  • simple, easy to maintain design
  • fold-down handle for convenient storage
  • easy to replace battery and filters

Cons

  • long charging time
  • not great on carpet

Conclusion

Dirt Devil’s Extreme Power is a great vacuum – just make sure you use it in the right way! Even if you’re not paying too much in the first place, you’ll resent it if you think you’re buying some miraculous cordless vacuum that will clean your whole house. Instead, get this affordable vacuum, dedicate it to one or two rooms like the basement or kitchen that you hate getting your big, awkward corded vacuum out for, and go to town on those bare floors.

View at Amazon

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Dirt Devil BD10175 Hand Vacuum Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/dirt-devil-bd10175-hand-vacuum-review/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:19:06 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=475 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Dirt Devil BD10175 18-Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Dirt Devil says their BD10175 18-Volt Cordless Hand Vacuum, or the “Gator,” packs quite a power punch for what they’re selling it for – they even say it has extra features beyond those volts, too. Will their claims stand up under scrutiny? Let’s take a look and find out.

Power

The Gator is one of Dirt Devil’s stronger handheld vacuums, with 18 volts of power. It’s an easy comparison to make, but it’s an apt one: that’s the kind of power you want in a cordless stick vacuum, but in a much smaller package.

Performance

If there’s one good, and moreover, startling example of that high power, it’s how well this vacuum does on carpet. An included brushroll attachment makes short work of even pet hair on upholstery and carpet.

If you’re wondering when you might use a handheld vacuum on carpet, just look at what’s covering the footwells of your car or the stairs to your second floor. And if this vacuum can do that well on carpet, it’s obvious how well it’ll do on much easier surfaces.

Ease of Use

With a 2 ¼” wide nozzle, the Gator needs much fewer passes to get through messes – there’s no cutting a narrow trail through spilled cereal with this vacuum. A D-shaped handle contributes to the vacuum’s agility, and a built-in crevice tool extends for hard-to-reach areas.

Battery Life and Charging Time

Dirt Devil opted to save space for you by designing this vacuum to use a cell-phone style charging plug, so you don’t have to worry about storing a charging mount as well as the vacuum. The charging time for the NiCad battery is 24 hours, but its charger is Energy-Star rated, and if you’re doing small messes the Gator can easily go for over a week on a single charge.

Weight

The Gator is in a nice sweet spot between solid and light at 4.1 pounds. Any heavier and that D-shaped handle wouldn’t support it, and the vacuum is light enough that the handle just makes it more agile.

Filter

Dirt Devil decided to go with a simple screen filter for this vacuum. It keeps the overall cost down, and it’s easy to wash with water.

Dust Bin

There’s no removing a dust bin and accidentally spilling it or fiddling with fitting in with the Gator. Instead, the front of the vacuum flips up, just like an alligator’s mouth (hence the name!) and you just tip it out over the trash can.

Included Accessories

As I mentioned above, there’s a crevice tool built into the vacuum itself (if you’ve ever lost a useful vacuum accessory like that, you’ll definitely appreciate that feature). Even more significant though is the Gator’s wonderful brushroll attachment – it works much better than many cordless stick vacuums for carpet, and it’s just an attachment on a handheld!

Reliability

This vacuum takes some care to use, but it’s really not that much of a chore – it’s just NiCad batteries take a little more attention to charge properly so they maintain their lifespan. Otherwise, it’s a pretty solid Dirt Devil vacuum.

Warranty

Dirt Devil knows well how solidly they built it, speaking of the Gator’s reliability – it comes with a three year limited warranty, a good year longer than the average for most handheld vacuums.

Price

This vacuum won’t put a dent in your wallet – it costs perhaps a little more than the lower end of the spectrum, and you really don’t want to be buying at the lowest end of the spectrum if you’re smart, anyway.

Pros

  • fantastic brushroll attachment
  • very strong power
  • built-in crevice tool
  • affordable price
  • wide nozzle

Cons

  • unable to hang on the wall
  • older style NiCad battery
  • small dust bin given its power

Conclusion

Dirt Devil advertises the Gator mainly on the basis of its power, which in and of itself could arguably be reason to name it a vacuum to go out of your way for, especially for the price it’s sold at. But it’s really more about the Gator’s brushroll attachment, which could be sold at a much higher price – if you have carpeted stairs in your home, a lot of upholstery, or really want to get your car clean, this is the vacuum for you.

View at Amazon

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Dirt Devil M0914 Extreme Power Hand Vacuum Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/dirt-devil-m0914-extreme-power-hand-vacuum-review/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:14:40 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=473 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Dirt Devil M0914 Extreme Power Hand Vacuum

Dirt Devil’s M0914 Extreme Power Hand Vacuum was winner of the Good Housekeeping Good Buy Award for its supposed innovations when it first came out. It has such a low price tag, however, you wouldn’t expect that award or for it to even have such innovation – let’s take a look and see what the truth of it is.

Power

Some say that the Extreme Power is a little misnamed when they glance at it and see that has 15.6 volts. That’s pretty decent for a handheld, but certainly not at the top of the list in terms of just power. What they don’t realize though, is that design plays as much a part as power in creating suction.

Performance

You can see what I mean by design and power working together when you use this vacuum. Its suction is all out of proportion to its 15.6 volts, and it excels at even bigger debris like bits of broken glass, or say, the mess from pets like birds or hamsters. It’s a consummate handheld vacuum – it’s made for small messes, and that’s what it does best with.

Ease of Use

With a built in brush and crevice tool (I’ll describe those later on) and its strong suction, this vacuum makes it very easy to clean both what it’s best at – small messes – and the odd places and surfaces those messes can sometimes get on. Remembering that design is a big part of the Extreme Power’s suction, though, you do have to hold the vacuum at a certain angle to get maximum effect.

Battery Life and Charging Time

I can’t really tell you much about the Extreme Power’s battery itself – it seems to be something of a mystery that Dirt Devil doesn’t disclose and that no other reviewer has been able to find out about. I can tell you this: it’s probably not a lithium-ion, because it has a twenty-four hour charging time, but it at least has a very solid runtime of about fifteen minutes.

Weight

This vacuum is pretty light – it’s 3.15 pounds. That’s a boon both in it being easy to carry around, and because of that particular angle it needs for best efficiency.

Filter

The Extreme Power comes with Dirt Devil’s standard paper filter. It’s not the best filter out there, but it does work well enough and it’s easy to shake out and clean.

Dust Bin

This vacuum’s dust bin isn’t translucent unfortunately, but it is at least fairly large, which is a good thing given how good its suction is.

Included Accessories

Don’t fret when it says the Extreme Power doesn’t come with accessories – they’re built in, just like more expensive vacuums! A crevice tool flips down with one quick movement, and works great along baseboards as well. There is also a retractable brush for when you want to do a little dusting along your television and shelves.

Reliability

The Extreme Power is on the much more affordable side of vacuums, which would tend to indicate that it would be cheaply made. Remember, though, this is a Dirt Devil, which for many is the name in vacuums, and they have a reputation to keep for quality.

Warranty

You can see they know it, too – this vacuum comes with a three year warranty, so you can tell they’re expecting the Extreme Power to last at least that long.

Price

Dirt Devil sells this vacuum for a very low price, especially since you’re getting built-in attachments (I just looked at a vacuum with a similar feature that sells for more than twice as much) and great suction for a handheld.

Pros

  • strong power and suction
  • built-in crevice tool and brush
  • solid runtime
  • lightweight
  • great features for low price

Cons

  • loud
  • battery lifespan isn’t ideal in long term

Conclusion

Now that we’ve gone through the ins and outs of the Extreme Power, it’s easy to see why it would have gotten an award even though it’s so affordable: it gives you some of the features of much more expensive vacuums for much less money. This vacuum would be ideal given its size and features for small spaces that often have small messes, or even to keep in a mobile home or car.

View at Amazon

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Hoover S1120 Wet-Dry Hand Vacuum Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/hoover-s1120-wet-dry-hand-vacuum-review/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 18:10:30 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=471 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Hoover S1120 Hand Held Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum Cleaner

Among their many vacuums, Hoover counts a small, affordable handheld with both wet and dry capabilities: the S1120 Hand Held Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum Cleaner. Wet/dry vacuums are normally much heavier and much more expensive, though, so you might be asking yourself, how well does the S1120 really work? Luckily, we’ve found out for you.

Power

The S1120 only has 7.2 volts, which isn’t that much. It does its level best to make up for it with its design, however. Thus, this vacuum directs all of its power through a narrow channel that in certain contexts provides much more suction that you might expect.

Performance

With that very shaped field of suction, this vacuum excels in a couple areas. For dry messes, it’s best for larger debris, like spilled cereal. For wet messes, it can even get liquid out of carpet – that’s quite a feat for such a small vacuum! In the same token, for any mess that’s really spread out, it’s going to take some extra passes to clean.

Ease of Use

The S1120’s exhaust is nicely directed to the side, so you won’t get hot air in blasted in your face when you clean. You’d be surprised by how many vacuums in which that is exactly the case, so this is quite a boon. There is no switching modes from wet to dry, either, unlike many wet/dry vacuums that require extra steps.

Battery Life and Charging Time

This vacuum will take about sixteen hours to charge – it’s not a terribly long charging time, and if you attach it to its charger each time you use it, you won’t even notice that length, anyway. The S1120’s runtime is only about seven minutes. It’s true that handhelds do generally have shorter runtimes than other vacuums, but seven minutes is admittedly still on the low end of things.

Weight

Hoover has made this vacuum very light: it’s only three pounds. For a wet/dry vacuum, that’s a surprisingly light weight.

Filter

The S1120 uses a washable filter – I was talking to someone who complained that it was hard to clean, but I pointed out that if you just give it a light smack, the dust actually just pops right out (you don’t need to go trying to rub the dust out).

Dust Bin

The front of this handheld is basically also its dustbin – it’s translucent so you can see how full it is, and also washable in case you have a combination of wet and dry mess to deal with.

Included Accessories

Hoover hasn’t included any accessories with this vacuum model, but extra filters are available at a reasonable price.

Reliability

This vacuum has its general simplicity going for it in terms of reliability – less complex designs make for less breakdowns of the vacuum itself. The battery of the S1120 has been known to give out pretty quickly, however.

Warranty

The S1120 comes with a one year warranty – it’s less than the average for handheld vacuums, but considering how affordable this vacuum is, it’s more than one might expect.

Price

Speaking of, Hoover is letting the S1120 go at a very reasonable price – certainly for a handheld, but most especially for a wet/dry vacuum.

Pros

  • wet/dry capability
  • concentrated suction
  • lightweight
  • affordable
  • side-directed exhaust

Cons

  • shorter runtime
  • unreliable battery

Conclusion

The S1120 is a pretty specialized vacuum, but if you use for a couple specific tasks it’s worth buying. It’s perfect to keep on hand in the kitchen for both spills on the counter and so it’s nearby to the dining room to use for liquid-on-carpet. This vacuum can make difference between having an unsightly stain or not on your carpet by helping you get the offending liquid out quickly without accidentally rubbing it in.

View at Amazon

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Black and Decker FHV1200 Flex Vac Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/black-and-decker-fhx1200-flex-vac-review/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 17:58:13 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=468 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Black and Decker FHV1200 Flex Vac Cordless Ultra-Compact Vacuum Cleaner

The Black and Decker FHV1200 Flex Vac is one of those more uncommon designs that end up looking a little like a sea creature with a circular shell. It’s one of the less expensive options in that oddly-shaped niche, though it supposedly has a new kind of lightweight, high-performance motor. Let’s find out whether Black and Decker has really made an affordable, flexible-hose handheld that still works well.

Power

It looks like that motor is able to generate a solid amount of power – 12 volts is a lot more than one might expect from a handheld vacuum in this price range.

Performance

The question is, is the “high-performance” of the motor translated into actual, effective suction by the design? The answer, as it turns out, is a resounding yes – the Flex Vac has startlingly strong suction, and I’ve nary a complaint about this aspect of the vacuum at all.

Ease of Use

That same quality in design extends into the very nature of this handheld – instead of being one rigid piece like most handhelds, it has a four-foot flexible hose. This might not seem like too much of an advantage when you’re cleaning messes on the floor or even the counter, but just wait until the moment where you realize you can suddenly easily clean everything above you, from curtains to high shelves. And that’s not even mentioning not having to crawl and contort yourself inside your car – just extend the hose!

Battery Life and Charging Time

I’m a little disappointed in Black and Decker for this category. Given that they don’t advertise what kind of battery is in the Flex Vac (though the charger is Energy Star approved, at least), I’m going to go by evidence and guess they’re trying to sidestep admitting they went with a cheaper NiCad battery. What evidence, you ask? A charging time that takes almost a full twenty-four hours and an okay but not great six-to-seven minute runtime.

Weight

The Flex Vac is a little heavier than average at 3.8 pounds, but it quickly occurred to me when using the hose that weight is so much less of an issue with this vacuum. You never really have to lift the vacuum when you can stretch the relatively weightless hose!

Filter

Black and Decker went with an above average filter, at least, which makes me feel better after the battery issue. It’s a three-stage system, dishwasher safe, and has a helpful refresh knob to clear the filter while you’re still cleaning.

Dust Bin

I am a little impressed that Black and Decker managed to get a good seventeen ounce capacity for the Flex Vac’s dustbin, considering that at first glance there doesn’t seem to be any room in the vacuum’s shape for the more bulbous shape of dust bin you might normally look for.

Included Accessories

The Flex Vac really shines when it comes to accessories. Not only are a crevice tool, a brush (especially useful for dusting high shelves) and a tool for working out pet hair included along with a storage carry so you won’t lose them, but you can also buy a set of mini-tools that attach to the vacuum head as well.

Reliability

Despite having a NiCad battery, this vacuum holds up pretty well. Of course, just make sure that you charge the battery properly if you happen to get one – an impatiently and improperly charged NiCad is a surefire way to ruin a good vacuum.

Warranty

Black and Decker went with a two-year warranty for the Flex Vac, which I’d say is about right for what it is – they could have conceivably gone with a one-year warranty for this price range, but I don’t think that would have been a good choice on their part.

Price

The Flex Vac’s price is, not to pun too much, one of its main selling points. True, there are other handhelds with flexible hoses out there, but those other companies seem to think they can charge an arm and a leg for the same design idea.

Pros

  • four-foot flexible hose
  • excellent accessories
  • great suction
  • filter refresh knob

Cons

  • long charging time
  • short runtime

Conclusion

The Flex Vac was a surprising find for me in looking in its price range. It’s got a design that you normally can only find on the more expensive end of the spectrum, and on top of that has the high-performance and accessories to go with it. Most especially, though, if you have an abundance of higher shelves, curtains, or blinds, or even just want to clean your car more conveniently, go straight for this vacuum.

View at Amazon

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Black and Decker CHV9610 Dustbuster Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/black-and-decker-chv9610-dustbuster-review/ Tue, 15 Jul 2014 17:54:43 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=466 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Black and Decker CHV9610 Dustbuster 9.6-Volt Cordless Hand Vac

One of Black & Decker’s more affordable options is the CHV9610 Dustbuster 9.6-Volt Cordless Hand Vac. It looks modern and sleek, and is actually kind of pretty, but is the money you save in buying it worth a possible cut in performance? Or has Black & Decker managed to create an inexpensive but effective vacuum?

Power

At first glance, 9.6 volts is…not an ideal number. Now, you can’t expect too much from a handheld vacuum in terms of power, because they’re simply limited by their smaller size. Hopefully this Dustbuster’s design makes the most of the power it does have, at least.

Performance

And it does, in spades! The CHV9610 is surprisingly strong for only having 9.6 volts. I mean, it’s still not going to match up to say, a larger stick vacuum, but for a handheld it really gets the job done fairly well for small messes.

Ease of Use

Some handhelds have suction mouths as wide as the entire vacuum (try fitting that into a smaller space) and some have little narrow mouths to try to make the most out of their suction (try cleaning up spread out debris with only one swipe with those). This vacuum is right in the middle and manages to get some of the advantage of both sides. Its handle is also nicely placed so you don’t have to contort your wrist to put the mouth at the right angle for suction.

Battery Life and Charging Time

Black & Decker seems to be doing that thing where they never explicitly say what kind of battery they’ve chosen, but going by its charging time, it’s probably a NiCad. Its charger is Energy-Star rated and has an indicator light, but remember that for this vacuum, the included wall mount is not the charger – it still needs to be plugged in after you’ve hung it up. In any case, one advantage of the Dustbuster’s relatively low power is that it’s not too much of a draw on its battery, giving it a pretty good runtime.

Weight

This vacuum is only one pound – that’s just about the lightest handheld I’ve encountered. Between that and its ergonomically angled handle, it barely feels like you’re carrying anything.

Filter

As you might expect with a very inexpensive vacuum, the Dustbuster comes with a pretty standard papery filter. It works well enough for what it is, and is at least easy to replace.

Dust Bin

Here’s what gives this vacuum its aesthetically pleasant appearance, with translucent pink or teal options. But that’s not all! It’s 31.8 ounces – that’s downright huge for a handheld vacuum. It is admittedly hard to take off and clean, but it’s so large it might be a rare occasion you actually have to empty it.

Included Accessories

Oddly, considering what comes with similar Black & Decker vacuums, this particular model doesn’t come with any, and Black & Decker’s accessories won’t fit it, either. This might be a function of this being on the cheap end of the company’s spectrum…but at least replacement filters are affordable.

Reliability

It’s true that this vacuum probably isn’t as strongly constructed as a more expensive handheld, but it does have its very simplicity going for it – there’s simply not enough moving parts or complicated components for it to break down much.

Warranty

Surprisingly for both its size and cost, Black & Decker includes a two-year limited warranty with this Dustbuster. I was expecting maybe a one-year warranty, if that – so bravo, Black & Decker!

Price

This vacuum’s price is really its main advantage over similar handhelds – you’ll have trouble finding anything like it in terms of features and specifications in this very low end of the price spectrum.

Pros

  • affordable
  • surprisingly strong
  • huge dust bin
  • solid runtime
  • very lightweight

Cons

  • no accessories
  • cheap filter

Conclusion

To put it succinctly, f you’re looking for a very affordable handheld that does a solid job, then this is the vacuum for you. Don’t be put off by its seeming lack of power – the CHV9610 quite easily handles the small messes that handhelds are made for, it’s lightweight and has a high capacity, and it’s even pretty to look at it.

View at Amazon

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Black and Decker CHV1410L Dustbuster Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/black-and-decker-chv1410l-dustbuster-review/ Fri, 09 May 2014 19:06:27 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=450 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Black and Decker CHV1410L Dustbuster 14.4-Volt Cordless Hand Vacuum

At first glance, Black and Decker’s CHV1410L Dustbuster 14.4-Volt Cordless Hand Vacuum looks a lot like some of the company’s cheaper hand vacuums – same shape, outwardly the same design, similar size – but it’s a good bit more expensive. Have they upgraded this Dustbuster enough to warrant that increase in cost? I’ll investigate it and see.

Power

With 14.4 volts, this Dustbuster is off to a great start in terms of upgrades. Considering that cheaper Dustbusters get great performance from their power which is only two-thirds as much as this one’s with a very similar design, putting the power of a larger stick vacuum in a handheld is almost overkill…in the best possible way.

Performance

That power and design combination really shows in this vacuum’s performance: it has suction quite obviously like an upright’s. It would be a rare occasion with the CHV1410L for you to have to pass over a mess multiple times to make sure you suck it all up – powerful efficiency is the name of the game, here.

Ease of Use

While the power upgrade is fairly obvious, the advantages of going with this model of Dustbuster are a bit subtle, but nice to have nonetheless. While the ergonomic handle is the same, the nozzle has been made longer to give you a better reach, and moreover can rotate to get the best angle for harder to reach messes.

Battery Life and Charging Time

With the battery, we go back to more obvious upgrades, namely a lithium-ion battery. This kind of battery, of course, is better in several ways than cheaper NiCad and NiMH batteries, and provides an almost ten minute runtime in this case – great for a handheld vacuum. The charging base, which rests on the floor or counter, uses smart charge technology to both charge the battery very quickly while using 50% less energy. If you’re looking to save some money and don’t need quick charging or a long runtime, you can instead opt for the otherwise identical CHV1410.

Weight

This Dustbuster model is admittedly much heavier than cheaper models, at 3.8 pounds. That’s not necessarily a disadvantage, however, when put in context: the cheapest models are incredibly light, and this one is only a little above average weight for a handheld.

Filter

I was a little disappointed in Black and Decker in regards to the filter – they stuck with the same cheaper, papery filter that is used in cheaper models. I suppose it is washable and affordable to replace, at least.

Dust Bin

Since some of the cheaper Dustbusters have startlingly large dustbins, this model’s 20.6 ounce container might seem smaller. Again, though, it’s actually above average for handhelds, but in a better way than with its heavier weight.

Included Accessories

One big upgrade is this model’s accessories. Or rather, I should say two: both a brush and a crevice tool are integrated into the nozzle itself, so there’s no worry about losing them, and they’re easy to flip into place.

Reliability

With its lithium-ion battery and smart charger, this is one cordless vacuum you’ll thankfully almost never hear about battery issues with. Combined with Black and Decker’s sturdy construction, I fully anticipate this vacuum lasting past its warranty.

Warranty

And speaking of the warranty, a two-year limited warranty is included. That fits this vacuum’s price range just right, in my opinion.

Price

As with the weight and the dust bin, this Dustbuster is a little above average in price for a handheld. As always, though, consider the context!   It’s not that bad a price at all for a cleaning tool that works well and will probably last years.

Pros

  • very strong suction
  • lithium-ion battery and smart charger
  • integrated accessories
  • rotating slim nozzle
  • large dustbin

Cons

  • loud
  • cheaper filter

Conclusion

The CHV1410L Dustbuster is really one of the better cordless handheld vacuums, to say little of it being the best of the various Dustbuster models. You are paying a little bit more to get the higher end of the Black and Decker line, but it’s really not as expensive as some handhelds out there, and you get some great features that make it worth it.

View at Amazon

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Black and Decker CHV1410 Dustbuster Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/black-and-decker-chv1410-dustbuster-review/ Fri, 09 May 2014 18:59:23 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=448 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Black and Decker CHV1410 Dustbuster 14.4-Volt Cordless Cyclonic Hand Vacuum

Black and Decker has been making their Dustbuster vacuum for many years now, and it’s a time-honored design. Just the fact that the word “Dustbuster” is synonymous with handheld vacuums in some places shows how significant and popular it has become. Let’s take a look at one of their newer models, the CHV1410 Dustbuster 14.4-Volt Cordless Handheld, and find out if it measures up.

Power

With 14.4 volts of power, this vacuum actually isn’t that far behind one of Black and Decker’s more top of the line models, the BDH2000L, which has 20 volts. Here’s the trick: either way, 14.4 volts is the same as many larger cordless vacuums that are designed to clean floors, so it’s great regardless.

Performance

There’s many reasons the Dustbuster brand is well-known, and one of them is great performance. The CHV1410 matches up well to that reputation – it channels its strong power through a medium-sized nozzle that is wide enough to clean up messes quickly while still having robust suction.

Ease of Use

Speaking of that nozzle, it actually rotates so you can more easily find that sweet-spot angle that all vacuums have for maximum suction. Its well-placed loop handle makes it easy to let the vacuum dangle from your grip in a relaxed way so you can best utilize that nozzle-feature.

Battery Life and Charging Time

Here’s the one issue with the CHV1410: it has a NiCad battery. That’s not the greatest option – most especially because of its 24 hour charging time – but as I’ve already noted, it generates a great amount of power. The charger is also Energy Star approved and has a charging light, so those points do help a little as well. If the long charging time and merely “average” runtime are a problem for you, the CHV1410L is available. It’s identical, except it comes with a Lithium-Ion battery, but does cost considerably more.

Weight

The CHV1410 weighs in at about, well, average: 3.26 pounds. That’s neither good nor bad for a handheld vacuum, but the ergonomic loop handle makes it so you don’t notice the weight so much anyway.

Filter

This Dustbuster’s filter is in the same category as its weight; its three-stage filtration system is better than a cheap, papery filter, but it’s not the best filter that could be used, either.

Dust Bin

With 20.6 ounces of space for dust and debris, the dust bin on this vacuum is actually well above average – you’ll definitely end up filling it anyway, though, with such great performance, so it’s good it’s so large.

Included Accessories

The CHV1410’s nozzle is just full of little tricks, it seems! A brush is attached right on the side of the nozzle (so there’s no chance of losing it), and a crevice tool extends directly from the nozzle; the latter actually reaches far enough that you won’t even have to kneel or bend over in certain situations.

Reliability

Considering reliability for this vacuum circles us back around to the battery – NiCads are simply known for having memory effect issues, and not being as reliable as other options in general. The construction of the CHV1410 itself is solid and p to Black and Decker standard, though.

Warranty

Black and Decker also keeps things on the up and up with a two-year limited warranty, so even if the battery does have some issue, you’ll be covered.

Price

Price is a definite positive point for this Dustbuster – it’s quite affordable. And, put in the perspective that it costs half as much as a top of the line Black and Decker handheld and has almost as much power, it’s very affordable.

Pros

  • strong suction
  • built-in accessories
  • large dustbin
  • affordable
  • rotating, slender nozzle

Cons

  • NiCad battery

Conclusion

In short, the CHV1410 is a great vacuum. Having a NiCad battery isn’t so much a sin as it might seem – really, most vacuums have used that type over the years. Here’s the thing with the Dustbuster, however – there’s an almost identical Dustbuster model that uses a much better Lithium-Ion battery. You just have to ask yourself, do you want to pay a little more for the better battery, or pay a little less and gamble with the small chance of an unreliable battery? Luckily, with Black and Decker the odds are you’ll win either way.

View at Amazon

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FilterStream DirtTamer Supreme V2400 Cordless Vacuum Review http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/filterstream-dirttamer-supreme-v2400-cordless-vacuum-review/ Fri, 09 May 2014 18:53:38 +0000 http://bestcordlessvacuums.net/?p=446 This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

FilterStream DirtTamer Supreme V2400 Cordless Wet/Dry Hand Vac

FilterStream isn’t a brand I’d really ever heard of before, and I hadn’t heard of their DirtTamer line of vacuums, either. Normally if something’s not one of the bigger name brands I’m inclined to pass it by, but I’ve heard FilterStream’s DirtTamer Supreme V2400 Cordless Wet/Dry might be a hidden, indie kind of gem – let’s find out if it really is.

Power

You know a handheld vacuum is off to a good start when it has twelve volts for power. That’s because much larger cordless stick vacuums are considered satisfactory when they have that much power – for a handheld, it’s well above the call of duty.

Performance

It’s important that a vacuum designed to handle wet messes should have that much power – liquids are much heavier than the dust and crumbs most vacuums are designed to deal with. The flaw in some wet/dry vacuums is that they have the power, but still can’t pick up liquids – luckily for the Supreme, it can handle very heavy messes, wet or dry. This vacuum simply has great suction.

Ease of Use

It also has a startling amount of little design features that add up to great ease of use. A headlight helps with finding both the glint of liquid and the last of the crumbs in a mess, while a low battery indicator will warn you when you’re about to run out of juice. For larger messes, there’s a locking on/off switch and an ergonomic loop handle, and on top of all that, the design directs the exhaust out the back end below your hand, so you don’t accidentally scatter the mess even more.

Battery Life and Charging Time

When I worked out that the Supreme has an eight minute runtime and heard that its battery has no memory effect and can last twice as long as a NiCad, I naturally assumed it probably has a lithium-ion battery. But no! It uses a lead acid battery – this really is an indie sort of vacuum, this is the first and only vacuum to use that type of battery that I’ve ever encountered. It does take about 12-16 hours to charge, but that’s still half the time required for a NiCad.

Weight

Here’s the first down-note for this vacuum: it’s five pounds. I mean, that’s not heavy in the grand scheme of things, but for a handheld vacuum that you want to be able to flip around to effortlessly clean messes, you’ll probably start to notice the weight pretty quickly.

Filter

To swing the pendulum right back in the other direction, though, FilterStream gave the Supreme a top-of-the-line filter: a three-stage HEPA system. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

Dust Bin

Alas, here’s another pendulum swing – the Supreme’s capacity is only nine ounces. Considering how good its suction is, you’ll probably be emptying it pretty often, unless you only have very small messes (and you don’t want to stop in the middle of trying to prevent liquid from spreading even more than it already has).

Included Accessories

Ok, last wild swing, I promise: the Supreme comes with a fantastic set of accessories. A squeegee helps get those just-mentioned wet messes up much more completely, while an upholstery brush helps gently work out the dust from furniture. Finally, an incredibly long 13” extendable wand really blows most similar accessories away.

Reliability

I know FilterStream isn’t exactly as well known of a company as, say, Black and Decker or Dyson. In all of my experience with it and all of my research, though, the Supreme can really last for years, so FilterStream must be doing something right in their construction of it (it also helps that the lead acid battery is known for having a long lifespan in and of itself).

Warranty

It’s nice to hear that FilterStream is also up to industry standard with its warranties – the Supreme comes with a two-year limited warranty, just right for a handheld of this caliber.

Price

Considering all the features the Supreme can boast, it could easily sell for much more than it does. I guess that’s the benefit of going with a less well-known company – you can find a steal like this vacuum.

Pros

  • powerful suction
  • wet/dry capacity
  • lead acid battery
  • 3-stage HEPA filtration
  • fantastic accessories

Cons

  • somewhat heavy
  • smaller dustbin

Conclusion

FilterStream’s DirtTamer Supreme came out of nowhere for me, in a good way. It does have a couple flaws, but you can tell that the many great features, from powerful performance to helpful accessories and an unusual but good kind of battery, are intended to well outweigh those slight negative marks. Don’t let the smaller company fool you – the Supreme is a great opportunity if you’re looking for a cordless vacuum.

View at Amazon

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