Handheld & car vacuums: the downsides, first

Amazon's review summary says durability is concerning, with units stopping within a year, and battery-life feedback is mixed, with some owners reporting short battery life. Wirecutter notes the battery isn't replaceable, though filters, belt, beater bar and charger are.

Good Housekeeping weighed it at 4.2 pounds and says air from the side vents blew light debris out of the cleaning path, which testers found annoying.

Wirecutter says the pull-out crevice tool sometimes slid back in tight spaces and the filters tumbled out too easily when emptying. Amazon's summary says some owners describe it as abnormally loud, though both Wirecutter (75 dB) and Good Housekeeping (three-star Quiet Mark) found it quieter than most.

Good Housekeeping lists 'battery not included' as a con and says to factor it into the price if you don't own DeWalt tools. The Amazon listing is 'Bare Tool Only'.

Good Housekeeping says it's heavier than sleeker models (3.2 lb), making it harder to maneuver. Wirecutter calls it a bulky vacuum that's overkill for most day-to-day tasks.

Car and Driver says its DeWalt 20V handheld handled small debris but struggled with bigger stuff, and the crevice tool clogs. Amazon's summary says battery life, suction and durability get mixed reviews, with some units breaking after minimal use.

Wirecutter says the battery sits right under the handle and could strain hands or wrists, and that a replacement battery costs almost as much as the whole vacuum (third-party batteries void the warranty).

In Wirecutter's reader comments, owners of the top pick say it's very noisy and couldn't pick up cat litter, that it's heavy and its loose attachments get lost, and that one stopped working after two years with attachments that never fit properly. Wirecutter measured about 80 dB, which it calls fairly average.

Wirecutter calls it homely, with a clunky neon body more suited to a workshop, and says it has gone out of stock at Home Depot for weeks at a time. It didn't turn up in our Amazon search; Ryobi's site labels its tools 'Only At The Home Depot'.

Wirecutter calls the 6-ounce dustbin tiny and says it needs frequent emptying. Good Housekeeping says the dust cup isn't removable, so emptying is cumbersome. Car and Driver says the debris release clogs and had to be cleared with fingers, and Amazon owners say the filter clogs frequently.

Wirecutter says it excelled on dust but struggled with larger debris and pet fur. Car and Driver says suction was decent but lacks the serious power of other units. Amazon owners are split, with some finding the suction weak.

Car and Driver got 11 minutes 20 seconds in high-suction mode, enough for small jobs but probably not the whole car, and Amazon owners report mixed battery life. Good Housekeeping says it's heavier than other handhelds; Car and Driver weighed it at 3.96 lb with battery.

Car and Driver says there isn't much room for debris, emptying isn't easy, and the filter clogs and has to be removed to get everything out.

Car and Driver says it lacks a wide nozzle, so it struggles with anything Cheerios-size or larger, regardless of attachment.

Car and Driver measured 14 minutes 26 seconds on max. Amazon's summary says battery feedback is mixed, with some owners saying it lasts under ten minutes.

Car and Driver's unit died in 6 minutes 36 seconds on max power (Dyson claims up to 40 minutes on low). Low-star Walmart owners say it dies within 10 minutes on max, lasts 5 minutes, or runs 15 minutes and then needs a 5-hour charge. Tom's Guide notes the battery isn't removable.

Good Housekeeping lists it as heavy for a handheld (4.2 lb), Wirecutter says it's not comfortable to use, and Tom's Guide says the trigger operation can get tiresome. Low-star Walmart owners call it heavy and awkward to hold.

Wirecutter says it costs three times as much as its top pick; Car and Driver and Tom's Guide also flag the price, and a low-star Walmart owner calls it far too expensive.

Both Good Housekeeping guides flag the small (0.1 L) dust cup that needs frequent emptying on larger jobs.

Car and Driver says it couldn't measure up on its floor-mat test and isn't usable for messes with even slightly large chunks. Amazon's summary says cleaning and suction feedback is mixed, with some owners saying it barely picks up anything.

Good Housekeeping notes it lacks a pet-hair attachment and its battery isn't removable.

Car and Driver says Amazon's best-selling car vacuum doesn't pick up anything heavier than a blade of grass and calls its cleaning power laughable. Amazon's summary says cleaning and suction get mixed reviews, with some owners saying it isn't good for deep cleaning.

Car and Driver lists flimsy materials and cheap construction as cons. Some Amazon owners call it a waste of money.

Car and Driver says the 12V cigarette-lighter cord severely limits mobility and usefulness, and notes that 12V car vacs may only run with the engine on.