Electrolux Spirit 6000 Booster
Price £34.99
Tel 08706 055 055
Website Click Here
Features Medium stiff brush for upholstery, crevice tool
This medium-sized vacuum has an LED that lets you know that charging is in progress. The crevice tool is stored neatly underneath the hand-set, and the brush attachment is ideal for carpet fluff. This unit is one of the easiest to empty, with just light pressure on the release catch and separate halves that are easy to hold when tipping out the contents. However, the narrow, angular handle means the Spirit 6000 sits uncomfortably in the hand. It is also noisy considering suction is only adequate (the packaging promises 'super high power').
Verdict Some handy features, but the claims on the packaging didn't quite deliver.

Black and Decker 12V Dustbuster
Price £54.99
Tel 01753 511 234
Website Click Here
Features Hard brush, crevice tool, pull-out hose and soft dusting brush
The 12V Dustbuster looks quite a simple tool to use. However, in reality it is a little tricky to remove from the base unit – it actually took a fair bit of negotiation to unhitch it. The unit is nose-heavy, and the frantic whirr it emits and the air that is blown back towards the user is rather unpleasant. It also lacks an LED indication of whether it is charging successfully. Suction is impressive, though, and the soft dusting tool picks up even the smallest particles from around your van.
Verdict The industrial-strength suction doesn't compensate for the bluster that is produced.

Dirt Devil Ultimo
Price £29.99
Tel 0870 873 0081
Website Click Here
Features Flexible hose, tubes and floor brush for carpets and hard floors, shoulder strap, dusting brush and crevice tool
This egg-shaped gadget is heavy but easy to hold thanks to the ergonomic handle on top. The Ultimo is the only machine we tested which has a mains lead – so you can use it straight out of the box. A large motor (700W) provides impressive suction but is also as noisy as a standard vacuum cleaner. The soft 'dusting brush' is ideal for removing fine particles from caravan shelves. Emptying the Dirt Devil is simple, with just one button/catch releasing the nozzle, and inside you'll find a reusable filter bag.
Verdict A hybrid of household and hand-held vacuum cleaners. Mains power allows for a larger motor and more suction, while the Dirt Devil's dinky dimensions make it easily portable.

Rowenta Ellipse 3.6V
Price £25
Tel 0845 602 1454
Website www.rowenta.co.uk
Features Wet and dry use, crevice tool, rubberised nozzle
This Rowenta is reasonably light and has a quiet motor. The crevice tool and wet nozzle are conveniently stored in the hand-set. The collection chamber is transparent, so you know when the unit is full. It has a sliding switch rather than the push-button type, so it is less likely to turn on accidentally. It has been attractively designed, although less thought seems to have been put into the Rowenta's functionality: we found it tricky to make an effective connection between unit and charger. Suction, too, is less impressive than in the other units on test.
Verdict Some useful features, but ultimately under-powered.

Electrolux Spirit 3000
Price £24.99
Tel 08706 055 055
Website Click Here
Features Crevice tool
Light in weight and with a sleek, metallic finish, the Spirit 3000 sits comfortably in its charging unit, fixing in place with a satisfying clunk-click. It also has an LED to tell you it's charging. The same slightly angular, hard handle as the Spirit 6000 makes the 3000 equally uncomfortable to hold, which is a shame considering its lightness. It is, however, easy on the ears, without sacrificing too much in the way of suction. It is very easy to empty, with a nozzle/collection chamber that is released at the lightest of touch of its catch. It also has a reusable filter with a rubber seal, which slots back in easily after cleaning. Its crevice tool is a little tricky to use: it's a hinged device that rotates rather than clicks into position, so it merely waggles ineffectively at the nose of the vacuum.
Verdict The Spirit 3000 is a bit of a lightweight both literally and in terms of performance.

Dirt Devil Super Rascal
Price £34.99
Tel 0870 873 0081
Website Click Here
Features Carry case, crevice tool with brush, nozzle adaptor, round brush, long and short crevice tool, rotating brush
This is the only product we tested that has a simple 'mobile phone style' plug-in charger and optional bracket. It looks a little dated due to its angular body, and its transparent green collection chamber, but this is in fact a useful feature as you're able to seen when it's full. It produces a reasonable hairdryer-level of noise and gives moderate suction. Its short, compact form is also relatively light in weight but the hard plastic handle could be a smoother shape. It is easy to empty, with an effective release clip and easily held collection chamber. The carry case is mega sturdy and carries all the gizmos, but it was a bit of a puzzle fitting everything back in after use.
Verdict It looks a little bit dated but does the job fine.

JCB Car Vacuum
Price £29.99
Tel 0845 602 1381
Website Click Here
Features Carry case,12V spotlight, 15ft lead with plug, brush, washable filter, reading light
This vacuum draws it's power from a 12V point or from a car cigarette lighter. It picked up mud and stones, and dog hairs were effectively removed from the upholstery by way of a sturdy brush. The long lead means you can reach all round the car and the rubberised handle is comfortable to grip. The additional 'reading light' on the accompanying spotlight is an interesting concept… The only downside with this model is that it is a little tricky to empty. The release button was really stiff, and the force that was needed to undo our model could easily send the plastic casing flying.
Verdict Powerful and effective, but you need a 12V point.

Rowenta Ellipse 4.8V
Price £30
Tel 0845 602 1454
Website Click Here
Features Crevice tool, wet nozzle, washable filter, cadmium-free batteries
This liquid-sucking unit was designed with kitchens in mind. The 4.6V Rowenta has a rubbery crevice tool which is stored conveniently at the front of the handset, with the wet nozzle stored to the rear. As with the 3.6V model, the 4.6 comes with a fiddly wall-mounted charger. There doesn't seem to be an option to charge it on a flat surface as the charger has to be fully set up on a vertical wall for effective contact to be made. The 4.6V version provides moderate suction to blitz crumbs and liquids from hard surfaces; however, it doesn't really have the gumption to tackle stubborn fluff on carpets or upholstery.
Verdict Certainly useful in the kitchen area, but tougher household chores would require a more powerful tool.

Black and Decker 3.6V Dustbuster
Price £27.99
Tel 01753 511 234
Website Click Here
Features Crevice tool and hard brush for carpets
The Dustbuster's ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold and its large push-button is easy to operate. It's very light in weight and the gentle whirring of the motor is easy on the ears while still providing a useful amount of suction. This unit is ideal for upholstery and curtains as it has sufficient power to suck up dust – without eating the fabric. The crevice tool and hard brush are cleverly stored within the handset: one gadget slots into another so they are completely tucked away. Opening the Dustbuster can be a little tricky at first as there is a knack to holding the nozzle and pressing the release button at the same time. Also, when emptying, be prepared for loose dirt collected in the nose cone which could fall back onto the carpet. A LED charge indicator would be a useful addition, too.
Verdict This compact and lightweight cleaner packs a heavyweight punch.

Dirt Devil Wet and Dry Rascal
Price £21.99
Tel 0870 873 0081
Website Click Here
Features Rubberised nozzle for picking up liquids and crevice tool
The lightweight Wet and Dry Rascal's charger looks extremely basic, but in fact makes a very secure connection, unlike some of the other hand-helds we tested. The handset's robust looking blue and white transparent casing shows not only the workings of the unit but, more usefully, the contents of the collection chamber. Depressing an energy-saving push-button prompts a moderate and steady whirring, which results in the effective suction of most household dirt. Those with smaller hands might find removing the nose cone a bit tricky. A rubberised nozzle can be attached for sucking up liquids effectively, but this is not stored on the hand-set.
Verdict Good value for a dual-purpose tool.

JCB 12V Rechargeable
Price £44.99
Tel 0845 602 1381
Website Click Here
Features Motorised brush, transparent dust container, power indicators, soft grip handle, extension hose, round brush, long crevice tool (with brush), wide nose, flat crevice tool, tools adaptor, rubber crevice tool (angled)
This sturdy hand-held vacuum from JCB is actually very comfortably to use. This is thanks to a rubberised handle and the fact that most of the weight of the unit is distributed directly beneath it. This arrangement means that this model is not so nose-heavy and helps it to sit comfortably in the hand. Cleverly, it has a torch by the nozzle to help you see into bed boxes and cubbyholes. This can be lit with just an extra push on the main button. The wide, flat nose is ideal for flat surfaces and, despite its effective performance, noise levels are more hairdryer than industrial cleaner. The revolving brush works a treat picking up carpet fluff, too.
Verdict An all-round success showing some really fresh thinking in its handy features.

Moulinex Agilo
Price £30
Tel 0845 602 1454
Website www.moulinex.co.uk
Features Crevice tool and rubberised nozzle for liquids
Held in its egg-cup style charger, the Moulinex is all curves and waves – a nod to its capabilities at sucking up liquids. It's pleasingly light and fits comfortably in the hand. The hold-down button means that power is cut as soon as you remove your finger – a useful energy-saving feature for a rechargeable unit. Moderate suction is created with a low whirr and is sufficient for general kitchen tasks like picking up crumbs. The Agilo drinks a mug's worth of liquid with ease and is a piece of cake to empty, although the dry debris does have a tendency to stick to the damp collection chamber, which then needs to be rinsed.
Verdict A user-friendly, kitchen-orientated vacuum which does its job without fuss.