Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum

Yes, for a hand vac. The WV201 pulls up crumbs, kibble and pet hair from furniture and car seats without trouble, though a few units come across as weak. It's sized for spot cleaning and quick jobs, not for doing whole floors.

Long enough for quick jobs, and that's about it. The most common complaint is that runtime shrinks over time or the battery stops holding a charge altogether, and refurbished units come up most often. If you buy a refurbished WV201, keep track of the return window.

It's small. At 0.1 liters it fills quickly, so a bigger job means several trips to the trash. Emptying is the easy part: one touch opens the cup and the debris drops out without much mess.

Usually a clogged filter. The WV201's filter is easy to rinse, but it clogs fast and suction drops once it does, so rinsing it often, or replacing it, is part of owning one. Check the filter before deciding the motor is weak.

Very. At 1.4 pounds it's light and comfortable in one hand, which makes it easy to use on stairs, upholstery and the car without tiring out your arm. That low weight goes with the small 0.1-liter cup, so it suits short jobs better than long ones.