Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum Review: The Ultra-Budget Cleaner with a Major Catch

In our home, the daily battle against dust, crumbs, and stray pet hair is a familiar one. It’s the little messes that often prove the most frustrating: the spilled cereal under the breakfast table, the dust bunnies congregating in the hallway, the trail of dirt from the garden boots. Dragging out the heavy, cumbersome family vacuum for these minor incidents feels like a chore in itself. It’s a classic case of the solution feeling more troublesome than the problem. This is the precise scenario where the promise of a lightweight, grab-and-go stick vacuum shines brightest—a tool designed to make daily upkeep effortless rather than an exhausting, planned-out event. The ideal solution is a machine that’s always ready, powerful enough for the task, and light enough not to make you think twice about using it. Neglecting these small messes allows them to accumulate, turning a two-minute job into a thirty-minute deep clean. Finding a reliable, affordable stick vacuum isn’t just about cleanliness; it’s about reclaiming time and reducing daily friction in our lives.

What to Consider Before Buying a Budget Stick Vacuum

A stick vacuum is more than just an appliance; it’s a key solution for modern, fast-paced living, offering a nimble and convenient alternative to traditional canister or upright vacuums. Its primary benefit lies in its accessibility and ease of use for quick clean-ups on a variety of surfaces, from hardwood floors to low-pile carpets and upholstery. The slender design allows it to be stored easily in a cupboard or corner, ready for immediate deployment. This makes it perfect for tackling sudden spills, daily dirt in high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways, and even for quick cleans of car interiors or stairs, thanks to convertible handheld designs.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone living in a smaller space, such as an apartment, flat, or dorm room, where storage is at a premium and a full-sized vacuum is overkill. It’s also an excellent secondary device for larger homes, perfect for those who want a dedicated tool for the kitchen or upstairs floors to avoid carrying a heavy machine around. However, it might not be suitable for those who have large, deeply carpeted homes as their primary cleaning device. The suction power and smaller dustbin capacity of budget stick vacuums often can’t compete with larger, more powerful models for deep-cleaning thick carpets. For those users, a robust upright vacuum would be a more practical primary choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Power & Corded vs. Cordless: This is the most significant decision. Corded models, like the one we are reviewing today, offer consistent, fade-free power directly from the mains but limit your range. Cordless models offer ultimate freedom but are constrained by battery life and can be significantly more expensive. For budget models, a corded design often provides more powerful suction for the price.
• Weight & Ergonomics: The main appeal of a stick vacuum is its lightweight nature. A model weighing under 2.5kg is typically considered easy to handle for most users, reducing strain when cleaning floors or reaching up high. Check the balance and grip of the handle to ensure it feels comfortable to manoeuvre.
• Filtration System: A good filtration system is essential for trapping dust and allergens, improving the air quality in your home. Look for models with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which are capable of capturing very small particles. A washable filter is a huge bonus, as it saves you money on replacements over the life of the vacuum.
• Materials & Durability: At the budget end of the market, build quality can be a major concern. Vacuums in this category are almost exclusively made of plastic. Pay close attention to the feel of the plastic, the security of the clips and attachments, and the sturdiness of the handle and floorhead. User feedback is often invaluable for identifying potential weak points that might not be apparent at first glance.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum presents an interesting case with its corded power and extremely low weight. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.

While the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum is an intriguing choice for a specific user, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Belaco 700W: A First Look at This Ultra-Lightweight Cleaner

Upon unboxing the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum, the first thing that struck us was its almost unbelievable lightness. At a mere 1.8kg, it feels less like a serious cleaning appliance and more like a toy, a sentiment that, as we discovered, is echoed by a number of users. The assembly process was intended to be straightforward—simply clicking the handle, wand, and floorhead into place. However, this is where we encountered our first red flag. The plastic clips and connection points felt noticeably brittle and required a degree of careful force to engage, leaving us concerned about their long-term resilience. We immediately understood the user complaints about broken clips and handles that don’t fit securely; the quality control on these crucial components seems inconsistent at best.

The solid black finish is simple and functional, but the overall feel of the materials does not inspire confidence. It’s a tangible reminder of its position at the absolute entry-level of the market. Included in the box were the main unit, handle, floorhead, and a crevice tool. Despite the product description mentioning “11 total accessories,” we only received the essentials, which seems to be the standard experience. Once assembled, its slim profile is undeniable, making it easy to see how it would fit into a small apartment cupboard without fuss.

Putting the Belaco 700W Through Its Paces: A Comprehensive Performance Analysis

A product’s spec sheet only tells half the story. The true test is how it performs in a real-world home environment, with its mix of surfaces, obstacles, and different types of debris. We spent extensive time with the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum, using it for daily tidying, spot cleaning, and everything in between to determine where it shines and, more importantly, where it falters. Our in-depth analysis focuses on the core aspects of its performance: its raw power on different floor types, its ergonomic design and build quality under stress, its practical versatility, and the ease of its long-term maintenance.

Power and Suction: A Tale of Two Surfaces

The most debated aspect of this vacuum is its suction power, with user experiences ranging from “excellent” to “non-existent.” After rigorous testing, we can confidently say both camps are right, depending entirely on the surface they are cleaning. The 700-watt motor, for a device of this size and price, is actually quite potent. On hard surfaces like laminate, tile, and vinyl flooring, the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum performs admirably. We found it easily picked up common kitchen debris like coffee grounds, cereal, and breadcrumbs. It also made short work of dust bunnies and pet hair, pulling them in with its direct suction path. For a small flat with predominantly hard flooring, its performance in this context is what likely earns it praise for being “small and powerful.”

However, the moment the floorhead moves onto a carpet or even a thick rug, the story changes dramatically. The vacuum lacks a motorized, rotating brush bar—a critical feature for agitating and lifting dirt from carpet fibres. Without it, the floorhead simply glides over the surface, only managing to pick up the most superficial debris. Any embedded dust, pet hair, or dirt remains firmly in place. We tested it on a medium-pile living room rug, and it failed to make any visible impact. This is the source of the “no suction” and “it’s like a toy” complaints. It’s not a fault in the motor per se, but a fundamental design limitation. Furthermore, at 80 dB, it is surprisingly loud for its size, producing a high-pitched whine that can be grating during prolonged use.

Design, Ergonomics, and a Critical Word on Build Quality

The single greatest strength of the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum is its featherlight construction. Weighing just 1.8kg, it is an absolute breeze to carry, manoeuvre around furniture, and lift for cleaning cobwebs from ceiling corners. This is a game-changer for individuals who struggle with heavier vacuums or for quick clean-ups where convenience is paramount. The 2-in-1 handheld conversion is simple, with the main motor unit detaching easily to become a portable dust-buster for sofas, stairs, or car interiors.

Unfortunately, this lightweight design comes at a severe cost: build quality. As noted in our first impressions, the plastic feels thin and brittle. During our testing, we were constantly mindful of the weak points, particularly the clip that secures the handle to the main body. We have no doubt that a single accidental drop or overly aggressive use could easily lead to the breakages reported by numerous users. This isn’t a machine built to withstand the rigors of a busy family home. Another significant ergonomic flaw is the power cord. While the product details mention a “5-meter maximum cleaning range,” the physical cable itself is only 3 meters long. This is exceptionally short and proved to be a constant annoyance, requiring us to switch outlets frequently even within a single medium-sized room. Finally, we can confirm user reports that the motor unit gets uncomfortably hot to the touch after just 10-15 minutes of continuous use, raising concerns about its internal components and long-term motor health.

Versatility and Maintenance: Simple and Cost-Effective

When used within its limitations, the Belaco’s versatility is a key selling point. The quick conversion to handheld mode, combined with the crevice tool, makes it genuinely useful for above-the-floor cleaning tasks. We found it handy for cleaning along skirting boards, in the tight spaces beside the oven, and for vacuuming out kitchen drawers. The bagless design is straightforward, featuring a 1.2-litre dustbin that is generous for a vacuum of this size. It’s easy to detach and empty directly into the bin with the press of a button, though a small cloud of dust is almost inevitable.

The standout feature in terms of maintenance is the washable HEPA filter. This is a significant advantage in the budget category, as it eliminates the recurring cost of buying replacement filters. After several uses, we removed the filter, rinsed it under cold water, and left it to air dry completely for 24 hours before reinserting it. This simple process restored suction performance and is crucial for maintaining the vacuum’s effectiveness and longevity—assuming the rest of the unit holds up. It’s an excellent, cost-saving feature that we wish were standard on all budget vacuums. For those looking for a simple, low-cost cleaning tool for light duties, the easy maintenance of the Belaco 700W is a definite plus.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing the broad spectrum of user feedback provides a very clear picture of the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum. The experiences are sharply divided, almost entirely based on user expectations and the product’s quality control lottery. On the positive side, one user encapsulates the ideal scenario perfectly, stating it’s, “Nice for 1 bedroom flat don’t take much space small and powerful !” Another praises its core function, saying, “Excellent suction power and very easy to use, this is a wonderful product and affordable.” These comments almost certainly come from users with primarily hard floors who received a unit without manufacturing defects.

Conversely, the negative feedback is stark and consistent, focusing heavily on build quality. One frustrated buyer reported, “The clip holding the handle in place is broken into pieces,” while another stated, “There is a piece missing that fits the handle to the hoover.” These comments highlight a significant quality control problem where units arrive broken or incomplete. The most damning indictment comes from a user who warns, “Don’t waste your money. It’s like a child’s toy and the handle doesn’t even fit into the actual vacuum?” This feedback powerfully confirms our own findings: while the motor may have potential, the fragile construction makes purchasing this vacuum a significant gamble.

How the Belaco 700W Compares to the Alternatives

The Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum operates in a fiercely competitive market. While its price is one of the lowest available, stepping up just slightly in budget or opting for a different feature set can yield a vastly different user experience. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless Vacuum Foldable

The Ultenic U16 represents a complete departure from the Belaco’s philosophy. It is a modern, cordless vacuum packed with features like a foldable wand for easy under-furniture cleaning, a tangle-free brush head, and an LED display. Its claimed 50,000Pa suction power is in a different league entirely, and being cordless, it offers total freedom of movement. This is the ideal choice for a user who values technology, convenience, and superior cleaning performance on all floor types, including carpets. The trade-off is a significantly higher price point and a reliance on battery life. Someone who found the Belaco’s cord and poor carpet performance to be major dealbreakers would find the Ultenic U16 to be a worthy upgrade.

2. BOSCH Serie 6 Athlet ProPower Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

The BOSCH Serie 6 is the choice for the buyer who prioritizes brand reputation, reliability, and build quality above all else. Coming from a household name like Bosch, you can expect a higher standard of engineering and more durable materials than the Belaco. It’s a powerful cordless model with an impressive 65-minute runtime, making it suitable as a primary cleaner for small to medium-sized homes. Its ProPower brush is designed for all floor types, offering the carpet performance that the Belaco sorely lacks. A buyer who was burned by the Belaco’s fragility and is willing to invest in a machine that will last for years would be the perfect customer for the BOSCH Serie 6.

3. Oraimo 6-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum

The Oraimo 6-in-1 sits in a middle ground between the ultra-budget Belaco and the premium alternatives. It offers the core benefit of cordless convenience at a more accessible price point. Features like the self-standing design and LED lights on the floorhead add practical value that the Belaco is missing. While its power won’t match the Bosch or Ultenic, it provides a more balanced performance across hard floors and low-pile carpets than the Belaco. This is the perfect alternative for someone who is set on a cordless model but doesn’t have the budget for a premium brand. It offers a significant step up in features and freedom from the Belaco without breaking the bank.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum?

After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our verdict on the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum is conditional and comes with a strong caution. This is a vacuum cleaner built for an extremely specific niche: the user on the tightest of budgets, living in a small space with exclusively hard floors, who needs a tool for nothing more than light, daily tidying. In this context, its low price, featherlight weight, and decent hard-floor suction make it a potentially viable, if risky, option. It could serve as a secondary “dustpan and brush” replacement for the kitchen or a first vacuum for a student dorm.

However, we cannot recommend it to the average household. The abysmal carpet performance, laughably short power cord, and—most critically—the alarming number of reports of poor build quality and broken parts make it a significant gamble. The chances of receiving a faulty unit or having it break after minimal use appear to be unacceptably high. For most people, spending just a little more on a more reputable budget brand or one of the alternatives listed above will provide a far more reliable, effective, and ultimately satisfying cleaning experience.

If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided the Belaco 700W 2-in-1 Bagless Stick Vacuum is the right fit for your specific, limited needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.