There is a time and place for a small handheld vacuum when the pulling out the big vacuum cleaner is overkill. Is it worth spending more than a hundred dollars for an item that is not a full time cleaning appliance. For people that clean homes for a living, a hand vac is an essential tool for cleaning a home. Handvacs can be just what is needed for cleaning the stairs.

Key Features:

Battery Charging Time. Relative to cordless hand vacs, a key thing is the battery. Lithium ion batteries hold a charge longer and contain more energy than regular batteries.The other thing is not to overcharge. Overcharging can deplete the battery, shortening the battery life. It is better to fully charge it and then leave it unplugged. Generally, suction is strongest in the first minutes after recharging, than loses power.

Weight: The lighter the better for carrying around the home. Look for models that weigh four pounds or less.

Volts: power can be measured by volts. Cordless models can range from 7.2 volts to 21.6 volts. The vacuum power will be higher with higher voltage.

Other nice features in a handvac include transparent debris compartments, attachments, and most importantly a nice filter. Filter thickness can affect suction power. Experts recommend a pleated filter rather than a cloth one.

Hoover Wet/Dry Vac Hand Vacuum, Silver Wet-dry pick up – allows you to pick-up liquid spills or dry debris. Cordless and rechargeable – powerful suction with 7.2 volt rechargeable battery that lasts a long time on a single chargeCarpet and bare floor cleaning – all around the house versatility. Lifts liquid spills out of carpet and bare floorsBagless dirt cup – Easy-to-empty, see-through dirt cup with a washable, reusable filterWall mount – wall mounted recharging rack for convenient storage

The Hoover Platinum Linx is a highly rated Hand Vac. Priced at $130 on average at several online retailers, the Hoover Hand Vac features 18 volts, lithium ion battery, and dust brush/crevice tool attachments. Review experts have highlighted The Black & Decker PHV1800 as one of five hand vacuums to get a “Best Buy” rating on various review sites. A good place to buy small appliances is Buy.com.

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