Consumer Reports tests hand and stick vacuums

For big cleanup jobs, you need to haul out your regular vacuum, but for spilled cereal and other small cleanup jobs around the house, a hand or stick vac may be all you need. Consumer Reports has partnered exclusively with 7 On Your Side for a report on the best hand and stick vacuums.

Consumer Reports finds you can shell out hundreds of dollars for mediocre cleaning, but there are very good cleaners that cost far less. You can give your vacuum cleaner and yourself a break; consider a hand vac or stick vac to clean up everyday messes. A hand vac is a good choice for upholstery, hard-to-reach spots, and, of course, your car. Stick vacs don't require bending and can clean beneath furniture where a hand vac may not fit.

To test, Consumer Reports uses a mixture of sand, rice, and cereal to challenge 21 hand and stick vacs. In a second test, measured amounts of cat fur are pressed into the carpet to size up pet-hair removal. Some vacuums stood out from the rest, but not always in a good way. A Dirt Devil stick vac scored lowest of all the small vacuums.

"This model has a small opening and no brush, so it takes more passes to clean up dirt or pet hair. And it didn't do a good job on carpets, bare floors, or along edges," said John McAloon of Consumer Reports.

A far more impressive cleaner is this top-rated Hoover Flair; the $60 stick vac easily pivots around furniture, and the cord has an easy-release holder. As for hand vacs, the $80 Shark Perfect Pet II did equally well with cleanup. This cordless vac's powered brush and large opening helped it devour dirt on carpets and bare floors. And it inhales pet hair. Either of these small vacs can save you time and the hassle of hauling out your regular vacuum for quick cleanup jobs.

Consumer Reports also rated small vacuums for noise. While they may be smaller, some can be just as noisy as a regular vacuum. Oh well, you can't have everything.

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.

(All Consumer Reports Material Copyright 2011. Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

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consumer reports, 7 on your side, michael finney

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