The Great Dustbuster Debate
Have you ever had a buying decision that you hemmed and hawed over forever even though it wasn’t a big-ticket item? For me is is a cordless vacuum cleaner. While I often spend $50-$60 without even thinking about it (out to dinner, at the grocery store or on a new pair of shoes), for some reason I am unable to commit half of a Benjamin on a cordless vac for our house. Can you explain this?
Perhaps it’s that every model has mixed reviews. Or that I’m afraid it won’t work up to my expectations. Maybe I just can’t make a decision. Either way, I really want one for the little touch ups like for the stairs, the dog hair that collects daily in the corners and the dust that sits along our trim and baseboard heaters. I’ve convinced myself that I would actually use something if it was quick, convenient and it worked.
So, I need your help. Do you use a cordless vac? Do you have a model you love? Tell it all. Here are some of the models I’ve been considering (for more than a year, no lie):
Black & Decker Pivot
Black & Decker Flex Vac
Dirt Devil Kone
Shark Handheld
I would really feel better if I could just get this purchase done and over with, so please send your advice my way! And, if you’re struggling with a low-ticket purchase like me, please share…
As stylish as the Dirt Devil Kone is, I would NOT recommend it. I had received one as a housewarming gift a few years ago and I was really unhappy with it.
It does have lots of suction, I will give it that. But my problem was that it does not hold very much dirt. It was useless when it came to cat/dog hair tumbleweeds because it would only hold a tiny amount before you’d have to empty it. It would be fine if you were rarly going to use it but if you intend to use it for quick, frequent clean ups then I would recommend something else.
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We have the pivot & the flex vac.
The pivot works fine, charges great, is powerful, easy to empty out, etc.
The flex vac is more powerful than the pivot, but has the same easy to empty contraption that the pivot has. I totally dig the flexible hose on it, too. Because it has more suck power, I use it more than the pivot. (In fact, not sure where my pivot is right now…). I keep mine charging constantly, so it’s ready when I need it (hides neatly behind the couch), so I really can’t comment on how well it keeps But it can clear my steps of dog hair without running the battery down, which is what I use it for usually.
To be honest, I prefer the flex to the pivot. But the pivot does the job nicely, too.
Good luck! It’s sometimes stupid little purchases like these that baffle me the most…
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When we got married we were working on our registry in Macys and saw they had the Dyson version of the dustbuster (http://www.amazon.com/Dyson-Root-Handheld-Vacuum-Cleaner/dp/B000I5Q1IC). We decided to put it on there in thoughts that if someone bought it then great, if not we’d go out and get something else. It doesn’t have a beater brush but it works fantastically for what it is supposed to do.
The last dustbuster i had previously was one from the late 80s and that thing lasted forever.
I think from the ones you listed, the flex vac (just from appearances) looks like what I would have bought had we not actually received the dyson one.
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I’m gonna keep checking back here to see other reviews. We have a big Dyson, which I hate lugging up and down the stairs as I try to vacuum the stairs (I’ve been known to send the whole damn contraption tumbling down the stairs). A handheld would be awesome to suck up all the cat fur tumbleweeds on the steps and living room furniture.
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I’ve been looking for a cordless vac too – can’t wait to see what you pick!
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we have the pivot and LOVE it!
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I hate my Kone. It’s weak and only holds a charge for about 45 seconds before it needs to be put back on the charger. Plus, the reservoir is small and the filter needs to be cleaned/rinsed constantly. Blech.
Definitely let us know what you decide and maybe give a review once you’ve used it for awhile.
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