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But for a reliable, efficient, and powerful handheld vacuum, we think it's a great all-around choice. Another minor quirk of this machine is that it might spit out some debris if you shake it or turn it upside down, so watch its positioning when you're using it. We also appreciated how helpful the attachments are, and the crevice tool in particular conveniently reached into the nooks and crannies to clean a car seat in our testing. However, we didn't encounter any issues with suction on an upholstered chair. It proved almost too strong for parts of the high chair in our lab testing, since it got stuck on the fabric. This handheld vacuum did well with cleaning all the surfaces we tasked it with (rug, high chair, car seat, and upholstered chair).
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It was a bit larger than some other models we tested, which we attributed to the larger dust bin, but we didn't see this as any kind of deal-breaker. At just over 2 pounds, the vacuum feels lightweight and compact in size.
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Other small details proved to be convenient, too, such as the comfort of the handle. We only emptied it three times when completing our testing, which was on the lower side of all the vacuums we tested, and even then, the dust bin wasn't always full. Plus, the dust bin was more than suitable for the amount of debris we cleaned up. (It comes with a crevice tool and scrubbing brush.) We were pleased to see that we could complete all of the testing with one battery charge. It performed well across all of our key testing categories-including maneuverability, portability, and effectiveness-and it wowed us with its strong suction and effective attachments. This handheld Shark vacuum will take a bite of any messes in its path. High suction too strong for some soft surfaces Some debris spilled when vacuum was inverted While the best model for you will depend on factors such as your cleaning needs and preferred vacuum features, you can choose confidently knowing that all of these dustbusters impressed us in one (or more!) ways. The end of our efforts is the thoroughly vetted list of tried-and-true recommendations you'll find below. We also noted how easy they were to operate, hold, and store. We paid particular attention to their battery life and how well they picked up different debris. In our tests, we maneuvered them around high chair covers, couch cushions, and car seat cupholders to see how they handled hard-to-reach areas. We've put dozens of handheld vacuums to the test in The Lab by using them to suction up cereal, crumbs, raisins, and hair on carpeted surfaces and hard floors. With that in mind, we've tested over 30 dustbusters and handheld vacuums to find the best options for different kinds of everyday messes. Not any dustbuster will do the trick, though. These compact, handheld vacuums can be a game-changer for busy households, allowing you to quickly tackle dust and debris without hauling out a full-sized vacuum or broom and dustpan. If you need a quick way to clean up small messes around your home, keeping a dustbuster on hand is a smart move.
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