Ryobi 18V ONE+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit vs Worx 20V Power Share Cordless Cube Vac

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.