We have recently got some kittens, and as you would expect they don’t really love the hoover, unfortunately I still need to keep my kitchen floor clean. My boyfriend suggested we get a small handheld hoover, which we use to pick up cat litter, etc.
While we were in Argos with some vouchers we looked for a handheld hoover and found the Argos Value range item for £12.49, bargain. I didn’t need to read any further, decision made.
IN THE BOX
We got the product home and as per usual my boyfriend enthusiastically opened the box and emptied the contents all over the kitchen worktop. The box contained the hoover itself in two parts, the charging cable, some small attachments, a wall mountable bracket, which included “wall anchors” and screws, and the instruction manual.
STORAGE
The bracket was on the wall within minutes. The charging cable fits into the wall bracket so that when you put your hoover into it, it will also charge. I think this is a simple but really effective idea. Just makes life a little simpler, but you do have to put the hoover back at just the right angle to ensure it the charger slots in. The charging cord is 1.8m long; this isn’t particularly useful for me, but maybe this would be of use to someone.
APPEARANCE
The UDI-806 is not the most attractive item. The handle area is white with air vents and two large red buttons, one for power and one for unlocking the dust container. The container itself is clear so you can see what you have picked up. The filter is white, it is easy to remove and it is apparently washable. The complete unit looks rather cheap, but then again, it is and compared to other handheld vacuum cleaners, I wouldn’t say that this one would stand out as looking the cheapest; they tend to look fairly similar.
USE
The suction on this hoover isn’t great; it has only 2.8 air watts. To put this into context, an upright vacuum cleaner is considered to be very effective. Dyson’s new handheld has 65 air watts and there are many alternatives in between. However this one does want I want, it picks up cat litter that the kittens have managed to kick out of the tray and small bits like that. I wouldn’t expect it to do my whole house. The suction is improved if one of the crevice attachments is used. There is also a squeegee attachment so that you can hoover up liquids. When vacuuming liquids there is a maximum level on the dust container, which should not be exceeded as suction may be lost. Unfortunately the maximum level is pitiful. The instruction manual states that the filter should be changed every 6 months to “ensure the performance of unit”.
I expected this unit to be very noisy, but it isn’t. The kittens don’t mind it at all. I would say that the noise this product generates is comparable to a kettle or a microwave, nothing excessive.
DUST CAPACITY
This product has a capacity of 0.8 litres, which is sufficient for a product which is going to be used on small areas and spills.
BATTERY LIFE
The maximum running time (when fully charged) is 10 minutes.
The product should not be used while plugged into the mains. The unit should be charged for 12 hours before first use, obviously we didn’t follow this guideline. Apparently the batteries should be fully discharged and recharged for a full 12 hours once a month; I don’t think this will be happening either and if it does it will be pure coincidence.
WEIGHT
This product weighs 690g which can easily be held in one hand without any issues.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
The instruction manual contains safety guidelines, instructions of putting the vacuum cleaner together, mounting your wall bracket, using the device in wet and dry conditions, cleaning, troubleshooting and a one year manufacturer guarantee. The Argos website states this product is accompanied by a two year guarantee.
IMPROVEMENTS
When using this product you have to keep the power button pressed or the suction will stop. I think that this product would be better if you could lock the power on.
My boyfriend also noticed that although the wall bracket makes the UDI-806 very easy to store there is no storage solution for the attachments. This small addition would improve this product a lot.
MORE INFO
More information on this product can be found on the Argos website at http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4064815/Trail/searchtext%3EHEND+HELD.htm, you will notice that many of the reviews of this product call it useless or mediocre.
MY OPINION
I would recommend this hoover to anyone for small spills or areas that regularly get grubby as a budget option. I have used mine to clean up the kitchen floor, the car and the doormats. Each time I have used it, it has produced good results. I have never needed to use it for more than 10 minutes. It is never going to do a job to the same standard as a full size vacuum cleaner. Even the instruction manual refers to it as a “Super Spot cleaning Master”. If you have product or intend on purchasing one I would thoroughly recommend reading the instruction book, it is full of mistakes, which amused me greatly.
If you choose to buy this product don’t expect miracles, it is never going to make your tea or change the bed, it is a basic product but used sensibly it is effective. If it breaks in a few months I wouldn’t have lost anything, I wouldn’t mind, I can just get another one.
Hope to have helped
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If there is any additional information you would like or think would improve this review, please let me know.
Super Spot cleaning Master 
