For deep cleaning of embedded dirt, you will want a regular-sized vacuum, either an upright or a canister. But for smaller jobs or a quick once-over, a smaller vac may fill the need.
Smaller vacuums don’t cost too much so the average homeowner might want to keep a couple on hand in different areas of the home. Some of the more-efficient vacs cost less than some less-reliable models that cost more. This is an analysis of the top-rated vacuums lab-tested by the ever-trusted Consumers Union, as published in their Consumer Reports October 2008 magazine. Consumers can depend on their objective comparisons to judge the best values for themselves.
Stick Vacs are good for cleaning small areas without stooping, mostly with pure suction power, but some are equipped with a revolving brush. They are obviously better at cleaning bare floors than carpet, and some cost as much as regular upright vacs. Prices range from $20 to $120.
The $100 Dirt Devil Kruz stick vac didn’t clean bare floors or edges well.
The $60 Shark Transformer Stick Vac had a removable handle, which transformed it into a handheld mode that cleaned carpeting better than some other competitors. With the handle attached, it was only fair on carpeting and poor at controlling dust emissions.
Handheld Vacs are fine for small spills and can perform well on light carpets, bare floors and do edge cleaning. Cordless vacs won’t run for long and have long recharge times. You will need to stoop to get close to the dirt. Prices range from $15 to $200.
Sweepers/Brooms are fine for light surface cleaning and you needn’t stoop to use them. “A suctionless revolving brush makes some relatively quiet.” Brooms require effort. Sticks work better on floors; handhelds work better on carpets and edges. But these only cost $10 to $100 so maybe you’ll want one around.
Robotic Vacs are meant to be used in-between regular vacuum cleanings in “uncluttered” rooms. These can be time-consuming to set up and are not good for edges and corners. They are also pricey, ranging from $130 to $1,800.
The $350 robotic Roomba 560 roamed around for 35 to 45 minutes before going back to its charger, but it rated poorly at cleaning edges and corners, and it sometimes went outside its electronic borders.
Guide to Ratings. The “overall scores” mainly reflect “surface and edge cleaning, ease of use, emissions, noise, and run and charge times.” All are rated on a 100-point scale.
“Carpet” refers to surface cleaning medium-pile carpet.
“Charge time” is given for full charge, for cordless, according to manufacturer.
“Price” is approximate retail.
Ratings range from “excellent” to “very good” to “good” to “fair” to “poor.”
Stick Vacs – corded and cordless – recommended for short-pile carpets and bare floors.
Seven Sticks were rated and only two earned CR’s “Recommended” list. Most rated poorly for carpet cleaning and doing edges.
1. Hoover Flair S2200 cost $40; scored 68; (wt. 7 lb.); rated “excellent” for bare floors and pet hair; rated “very good” for edges and ease of use; rated “good” for carpet and noise; rated “poor” for emissions.
2. Dirt Devil Power Stick M084100 cost $40; scored 67; (wt.7 lb.); rated “excellent” for bare floors and pet hair; rated “very good” for carpet, ease of use, and emissions, rated poor for edges and noise.
3. Shark Transformer EP602 cost $60; scored 56; (wt. 8 lb.); rated “excellent” for bare floors; “very good” for edges; “good” for pet hair; “fair for carpet and noise; “poor” for ease of use and emissions.
No. 4, the Dirt Devil Kruz, was mentioned earlier as mediocre with a score of 48, and the others rated even lower, including the $40 Eureka Quick-Up, the $100 Electrolux Ergorapido, and the $100 Electrolux Pronto.
Numbers 1 and 2 are “Recommended.” Look for one that does what you expect it to.
Hand Vacs are best for spot-cleaning small areas.
CR rated 10 and only 3 earned “Recommended.” These include “run times” in minutes and “charge times” in hours.
1. Black and Decker Pivot PHV1800 cost $60; scored 82; (wt. 4 lb.); run time = 10 min.; charge time = 16 hours; rated “excellent” for carpet, bare floors, edges, emissions, and pet hair; “good” for ease of use and noise.
2. Electrolux Ergorapido EL1005 (comes as part of tested stick vac) cost $100; (3 lb.); scored 81; run time = 12 min.; charge time = 15 hours; rated “excellent” for carpet, bare floor, edges, and emissions; “good” for ease of use and noise; “fair” for pet hair.
3. Black and Decker Pet series Retriever HV9010P cost $30; (4 lb.); run time and charge not applicable; scored 81; rated “excellent” for carpet, bare floors, and edges; “very good” for ease of use; “fair” for noise and pet hair; “poor” for emissions.
6. One Dyson rated good for pet hair, but it’s pricier so it didn’t earn a “Recommended” marking. Dyson Root 6 DC16 All Floors cost $150; scored 76; (wt. 3 lb.); run time 12 min.; charge time 12 hours; rated “excellent” for carpet, bare floors, edges, emissions, and pet hair; “good” for ease of use; “fair” for noise.
Note: Out of 10 rated hand vacs, the only other lower-rated one that CR “recommends” is the Dirt Devil, Number 7, below.
7. Dirt Devil Kurv M0216 cost $50; (2 lb.); scored 74; run time = 15 min.; charge time = 16 hours; rated “excellent” for carpet, edges, and emissions; “very good” for bare floors and pet hair; and “good” for edges and noise.
CR “Recommends” numbers 1, 3 and 7. Number 1, the Black and Decker, is good for pet hair pickup; # 7, the Dirt Devil, performed well and was light weight. Number 3 was cheapest and corded so had endless run time. Number 6 cost more but did well for pet hair.
Warning: Not Acceptable. CR found that the Handheld Dirt Devil Kone M0213 (L-code only) and the similar M0212 threw particles from their exhausts, posing a safety risk to eyes.
Ratings for Sweepers/Brooms which are best at quieter cleaning without a cord.
1. Dirt Devil Broom Vac MBV cost $50; scored 67; (wt. 4 lb.); run time = 17 min.; charge time = 16 hours; rated “excellent” for carpet, emissions, and pet hair; rated “very good” for bare floors and edges; rated “fair” for ease of use and noise.
2. Swivel Sweeper cost $35; scored 67; run time = 28 min.; charge time = 6 hours; rated “very good” for bare floors, edges, ease of use, and noise; “good” for carpet and pet hair; emissions N/A.
Others included: The Bissell Perfect Sweep Turbo 2880 cost $40 and was poor on edges; the Shark Cordless VX3 cost $80 and was also poor on edges and only “fair” for pet hair.
Numbers 1 and 2 are “Recommended.” The Dirt Devil performed well for cleaning and pet hair, although it was a bit hard to use; Number 2 was easier to use, but performed less well.
Source:
Consumer Reports magazine October 2008. Small Vacuums.” CR is published by Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit organization that accepts no paid advertising, tests thousands of products a year and publishes the results for consumers. They are based in Yonkers, NY.
