Verdict

Pros

• Quick and easy to use
• Decent suction
• Flexible stand

Cons

• Small bin
• Fiddly to set down
• Hard to clean into corners

What is the Vorwerk Kobold VC100?

Most handheld vacuum cleaners are aimed at tackling your entire home, but the smaller Vorwerk Kobold VC100 is a little different. This model is for cleaning up small spills quickly, making it a useful alternative to a dustpan and brush.

This handy kitchen assistant features simple controls and a funky design, but the small bin and lack of accessories may put some people off.

Related: Best cordless vacuum cleaners

Vorwerk Kobold VC100 – Design and build

• Stylish space-age cylindrical design can make it prone to rolling off surfaces
• Its small size brings advantages (packs away easily) and inconveniences (miniscule bin size)
• Unfortunately, crevice and brush tools are not included in the box

With its cylindrical white body with green accents, the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 looks more futuristic ray-gun than handheld vacuum cleaner.

Sensibly, Kobold has made the bottom of the VC100 flat, so that the vacuum cleaner can be placed on a worktop or table without fear off it rolling of the sides. Even so, I found that I had to be careful putting it down, as it’s easy to place it off-centre and have it roll away.

Weighing 650g, with the centre of gravity shifted to the end of the cleaner, the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 is light and easy to manoeuvre. It’s also one of the smallest handheld vacuum cleaners I’ve seen, measuring just 83 x 83 x 425mm.

This compact size has its downsides, however. Most notably, the bin capacity. At just 0.2-litres, the cleaner is limited to tackling minor spills.

Emptying the cleaner is easy enough. Simply tap the button, pull the two halves apart, remove the filter and empty the bin. Given the small capacity, emptying the vacuum without making a mess is straightforward.

The cleaner is operated via a single button. Tap it once to turn on the vacuum cleaner; tap it again to turn it off. Holding down the power button while the VC100 is running turns on the higher-power boost mode. You’ll need a strong thumb to use the boost for any length of time, though.

An array of LEDs on the front of the cleaner displays status information, including flashing to let you know that the vacuum needs a charge. An additional £10 will buy the crevice and brush tools – it’s a shame these aren’t included in the box.

Vorwerk Kobold VC100 – Charging and run-time

• The charger and stand allow for ease of charging wherever you are in the home
• Fairly short run-time after a full charge, but that’s likely to be sufficient

You can charge the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 via the integrated charging port in the vacuum’s handle. Either plug the supplied power cable into the vacuum or fit it into the charging stand. The stand can be wall-mounted or positioned on a counter.

It makes sense to use the stand, therefore positioning the cleaner vertically, so it’s ready to go when you need it. On a full charge, the VC100 can run on standard power for 20 minutes, and on full power for 13 minutes.

Vorwerk Kobold VC100 – How noisy is it?

• Noisy, but not too irritating

The VC100 is comparatively quiet. I tested it at full arm stretch on both power levels. On the default level, I measured the VC100 at 73dB, jumping to 76.1dB at maximum power. The vacuum cleaner doesn’t make a particularly annoying sound, so it’s pleasant to use.

Vorwerk Kobold VC100 – How well does it clean?

• Impressive suction for a handheld vacuum cleaner

Cleaning performance from a small vacuum cleaner is unlikely to match that of a larger model, and the VC100 is really designed for picking up quick spills and crumbs.

Testing on a hard surface with a granola spill, the VC100 picked up all traces of debris easily on the lowest setting. This was far quicker, and resulted in a cleaner worktop, than if I’d used a damp cloth.

On a carpeted floor, a spill of granola and cornflower proved to be a tougher job for the cleaner. A single pass managed to suck up most of the muesli, but the cornflower remained stubbornly in the carpet. Using the high power setting and a few sweeps, I managed to pick up all of the mess. Given the size of the vacuum, it offers impressive suction.

Tougher dirt ground into the carpet is harder to get out, and as such you’ll want to use a more powerful vacuum cleaner – possibly with a motorised brush – for such instances. Trying to remove debris right up to the edge of a wall proved a little tricky, too, since the cleaner’s nozzle is fairly wide. Again, it’s a shame that the crevice attachment isn’t provided in the box.

Ultimately, the VC100 does the job for which it’s intended. If you want something quick and easy to pick up lighter spills then the Kobold VC100 is the tool for the job.

Why buy the Vorwerk Kobold VC100?

For large areas and a thorough clean, you’ll be better off with a larger cordless vacuum cleaner such as the excellent Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute. But if you want a cleaner that’s ready-to-go, easy to wield and suitable for quick clean-up jobs then the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 won’t disappoint. It’s like a Dustbuster for the modern age.

Cleaning performance, for the size of the vacuum cleaner, is impressive. However, the price is relatively high, especially since the additional tools aren’t provided in the box.

Related: Best vacuum cleaners

Verdict

A quick and convenient way of cleaning up small spills, if you’re happy to pay for the privilege.

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