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Consumer Reports Tests Hand-Vacs

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Sep 11, 2008 5:45 pm US/Eastern

Consumer Reports Tests Hand-Vacs

(KDKA) It can be a real pain pulling out the vacuum just to clean up small messes.

That's where smaller hand-vacs can come in handy.

But a recent test by Consumer Reports found they're not all created equal and in fact the best-selling model has a potentially dangerous glitch.

Consumer Reports tested 10 popular hand-vacs by putting fine, uniform sand on carpets and floors to see how well the vacuums picked up the dirt.

One of those tested was the Dirt Devil Kone, the most popular hand-vac on the market with more than 400,000 sold. While putting the Kone through its paces, testers experienced something called "blow back," where grains of sand blew out the vacuums exhaust port and into tester's faces.

"We also vacuumed up a broken lightbulb, another common cleaning task," reports Consumer Reports tester Bob Markovich, "and again particles flew out the exhaust ports. That can be dangerous."

This happened with two Kone models, the M-0-213 and the similar M-0-212. All have an "L" code on the vacuum as well as on the box.

The manufacturer says the problem is linked to an undersized filter adapter on some L-coded Kones, but says newer vacuums with a J-code have a better sealing adapter.

"We tested Kones with the newer part and they did not spew particles," said Markovich.

The manufacturer told Consumer Reports it hasn't received any reports of injuries with the L-code Kone vacuums and does not believe blow back is an issue.

But Consumer Reports recommends replacing the filter adapter if you own one of the L-code vacuums. You can get a free replacement part by calling toll-free 800-321-1134.

In the meantime, Consumer Reports found plenty of good hand vacs to choose from including, in order of tester preference:

1. Black & Decker Pivot PHV-1800 $50 (recommended)
2. Electrolux Ergorapido EL-1005 $100
3. Black & Decker Retriever HV-9010 $30 (recommended)

The Black & Decker models were preferred for their pet-hair pick up. The Retriever model is a corded vacuum which offers unlimited run time, unlike those run by batteries.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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