If there is one appliance that each and every home should have, it is a hand held vacuum cleaner. It will help you clean up small messes and bigger messes, under couches and beds, and even out in your car. However, if there is one problem with buying a hand vacuum cleaner, it is that there are simply so many different brands and models that choosing the right one for your needs is very difficult.

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What Is a Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner?

If you have never seen one of these or used one, then you may be unclear as to exactly what they are, what they are used for, and how they work. The first thing to keep in mind is that not all hand held models are cordless. Although you may think that they would all be powered by battery, there are some that are plugged right into your wall or even into the cigarette lighter of your vehicle.

Hand held vacuum cleaners vary in the type of debris they are able to pick up, where they can work and where they won’t work. In other words, they are for very specific purposes and you should evaluate your needs before buying one.

What Type Of Hand Held Vacuum Do You Need?

Many people buy a hand held vacuum cleaner for their vehicle. In this case, you might want one that has small attachments so that you can get underneath car seats and in small crevices. These vacuums don’t usually have a lot of power – they are meant more for convenience than anything else.

On the other hand, you will find that there are some very powerful and small hand held vacuum cleaners that do not run on battery power. Because they are plugged into the wall, they are able to generate more cleaning power and will pick up more debris. Many people choose to use these to vacuum carpeted stairs in their home or to get pet hair off of furniture.

Finally, some people use their hand held vacuum cleaner in their home as a quick alternative to sweeping or vacuuming. If you have kids or pets, then having a small battery-powered hand held ready at all times can save you a lot of time and energy.

The History of the Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner

The first commercially produced hand held vacuum cleaner was the Black & Decker “DustBuster,” which was introduced in 1979. A few years later, Dirt Devil started producing its own models. Before too long, there were more than a dozen manufacturers with hundreds of models on the market.

What Will a Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner Cost?

Believe it or not, you could find one hand held vacuum being sold at around $500, while you could spend as little as around $20 for a cheap one. Of course, you don’t have to buy the highest priced one to get what you are looking for, but sometimes paying a little more will give you a hand held vacuum cleaner with more power and a lot more reliability.

What Should You Look For In Hand Held Vacuums?

The first thing you will need to determine on your own is whether you want a product that runs on a Lithium battery which is plugged in or whether you want one that is truly electric and remains plugged into the outlet when you are using it. Additionally, you may also want to plug your hand held vacuum cleaner into your car’s cigarette lighter, which will allow you to use it on long trips or to always have it at the ready in your vehicle.

There are some hand held vacuums that have an assortment of attachments while others only have a small opening whereby debris is sucked in. You may also want to look at hand held vacuums that have a rotating brush, which is better for removing pet hair and larger pieces of debris.

What Are the Benefits of a Hand Vacuum Cleaner?

Having on of the hand held vacuums in your home or car means that you can immediately pick up items that have spilled or do a quick clean when you don’t have time to use your regular vacuum cleaner. They are particularly good for small food spills, kitty litter, pet hair, dirt, sand, or whatever your family brings in on their shoes.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of one of these products is that you don’t have to bring out the big vacuum cleaner, set it up, and drag it around the house. Using a hand held is simple, easy on the back, and much quicker overall.

But What Are the Drawbacks?

There are a few drawbacks, at least to some hand held models. The most dramatic drawback that most people quickly realize is that if you are using a battery-powered model, they just aren’t nearly as powerful as a model that is plugged into an outlet. There are definite limitations to the power of the motor in a battery-operated model that often make them unusable in certain situations.

You will also find that battery-operated models only work for a few minutes at a time. They certainly aren’t something that you would use to vacuum a large area of your home.

How Should You Choose Your Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner?

If you are like most people, you are doing everything that you can to watch your budget, so choosing a model that is affordable is a necessity. However, you will also want to make sure that you spend enough so that you get a hand held device that will stand up to the test of time and provide you with an adequate amount of cleaning.

So once you have determined your price range, you should then consider how you will be using the vacuum and whether you want one that is powered by battery or not. If you are looking for a lot of power and reliability and don’t mind being tied to a wall outlet, then choose one that is electrically powered. However, if you are looking for something more convenient and something that you can use in your vehicle, then a battery-operated model will be what you are looking for.

How Can You Get the Best Buy?

If you go into your local large discount store or department store, you might only find one or two hand held models, and usually only those that are made by the major manufacturers. Much like almost everything else these days, you will get a better price by going online. Not only will you find more choices, but you will also find that some retail outlets are giving substantial discounts over what you would pay in a traditional store.

When you buy online, you will still get the same warranty and guarantee on the product that you would if you had bought it offline, and you will also get a better price on consumables such as attachments or filters.

How Should You Care for Your Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner?

Most hand held vacuums are very easy to care for, but if you are buying one that is battery-operated, you should pay close attention to the manner in which you charge it. Many people fail to charge their battery in the correct manner and don’t get the vacuuming results that they are looking for. Each manufacturer and model has their own particular instructions on how to charge the unit, and they should be adhered to as closely as possible.

If you are choosing a wet/dry vacuum, then it goes without saying that you need to clean it out after each use or else odors and mold may start to appear. With a normal dry vacuum, you should empty it out often and make sure that the filter is clean at all times.

When you are struggling with the machine or find that it is not working as well as you had hoped, the first place you should go to is the manufacturer. They may be able to help you with the problems you are having or even provide you with a new machine. Most locally owned vacuum repair companies will also have no problem repairing your machine if it is made by one of the major manufacturers.

Should You Choose a Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner or a Traditional Vacuum?

Deciding which vacuum cleaner you should buy can be a difficult choice. If you have a large home, then you will definitely need a traditional vacuum cleaner, with a hand held as an optional purchase. However, if you already have a traditional upright or canister vacuum cleaner, then a hand held product can really save you a lot of time and energy around the home.

As long as you buy one that is designed for your needs (i.e. for use in your car, on your carpet, or on your furniture) and within your budget, then you will be making a wise decision. Once you buy your hand held vacuum cleaner, you might be surprised at how much you end up using it.

Which Are the Most Popular Hand Held Models?

The Eureka 71B Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner is one of the best selling electric models. It is strong enough to vacuum carpet and has a built-in Riser Visor for carpeted stairs. There is also an onboard crevice tool and a 20-foot cord that makes it convenient for large areas. It has a bagless filter and a clear dust cup so you can see when you need to empty it.

One of the most popular cordless models is the Black & Decker CHV1510 Dustbuster. This has a slim nozzle that will let you get into tiny areas and has a reach that is 50 percent further than previous designs. There is an attached brush and crevice tool that will make cleaning your car seats a breeze, and the wide mouth will allow you to pick up large amounts of debris in seconds. For a cordless model, this is one is extremely powerful.

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner is designed for homes with pets and is remarkably powerful at getting dog and cat hair off of the carpet, furniture, or even your pet! This model comes with a one-year limited warranty and is designed specifically for pet hair pick-up. It has an interchangeable hard nozzle and a rubber contour nozzle that will make cleaning almost anything very simple. It is small (10” x 5” x 8”) and has a built-in HEPA filter and filter screen.

The Dyson DC31 Hand Held Animal Vacuum Cleaner is specifically designed for homes with a lot of animal hair. It uses its patented root cyclone technology to get constant suction and amazingly powerful hair removal. It weighs in at less than three pounds and comes with a two-year warranty. Its HEPA filter will help keep your air cleaner and ensure that no allergens are released.

Which Hand Held Vacuum Cleaner Should You Choose?

The hand held device that you choose for your home or your vehicle will likely depend on how much you want to pay for it and what features are the most important to you. If you are looking for the one vacuum cleaner that does it all, you just might not find it, but you will find something that meets at least most of your needs at a fair price.

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It is important to pay close attention to the size and weight of the model because you will be holding it in your hands, often in awkward positions, while you are vacuuming. In addition, you should not overlook the importance of how the machine will be powered. If you are looking for a lot of suction and the ability to vacuum up a large area or for a long period of time, then you should definitely buy one that is plugged in. However, if you are looking for a vacuum cleaner to pick up the occasional spill or just to keep in your vehicle, then a battery-operated model will do just fine.