Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner Review: The Ultimate Companion for Small Spaces?

There’s a universal moment of dread that many of us share: the small, everyday mess. A tumble of breakfast cereal from a toddler’s highchair, a trail of cat litter from the entryway, or the sudden realisation that dust bunnies have colonised the space under the sofa. In these moments, the thought of wrestling a heavy, corded vacuum from its cupboard, finding a free socket, and navigating its unwieldy hose feels like a disproportionate response. It’s the friction, the setup time, that often leads us to say, “I’ll get it later.” This is a battle I’ve fought for years in my own home. My main vacuum is a powerhouse, but it’s an event to use it. I needed a ‘grab-and-go’ solution—something light, immediate, and effective for the daily skirmishes against dust and debris. The search for this perfect cleaning sidekick is what led us to investigate tools like the Vacmaster Joey, a machine that promises to eliminate that friction and make cleaning a simple, thoughtless task rather than a scheduled chore.

What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Stick Vacuum

A cordless stick vacuum is more than just a cleaning appliance; it’s a key solution for maintaining a constant state of cleanliness with minimal effort. Its primary benefit is freedom—freedom from cords, from weight, and from the hassle of complex setup. These devices are engineered for speed and convenience, transforming daily tidying from a burdensome task into a quick, satisfying routine. They excel at tackling surface-level dirt on hard floors, low-pile carpets, and area rugs, and their versatile designs often include handheld modes for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and cars. By making cleaning so accessible, they help prevent small messes from accumulating into overwhelming cleaning projects, contributing to a consistently tidier and more pleasant living environment.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenges of modern living. This includes apartment or small-home dwellers where storage space is at a premium and a large, bulky vacuum is impractical. It’s perfect for families with children or pets who need a tool for frequent, spontaneous clean-ups. Likewise, elderly individuals or those with mobility issues will find the lightweight design a significant advantage. However, a cordless stick vacuum might not be suitable for those who live in large homes with extensive, deep-pile carpeting that requires immense suction power for a thorough clean. If your primary need is deep-cleaning vast carpeted areas, a powerful, corded upright or canister vacuum might be a more appropriate primary tool, with a stick vacuum serving as an excellent secondary cleaner.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Think about where you’ll store your vacuum. The beauty of many stick vacuums is their slim profile. Models like the Vacmaster Joey Compact go a step further with features like a folding handle, reducing their vertical height significantly. Measure your intended storage space—be it a utility cupboard or a small nook—to ensure a perfect fit.
• Capacity/Performance: This is a balancing act between power and runtime. A higher voltage (V) and wattage (W) generally indicate stronger suction, but this often comes at the cost of battery life. Check the stated runtime for both standard and turbo modes and consider if it’s sufficient for your home’s size. Dustbin capacity (measured in litres) is also important; a larger bin means fewer trips to empty it, but may add to the overall weight.
• Materials & Durability: Most stick vacuums are constructed from a combination of durable plastics (like ABS) for the body and lightweight metals (like aluminium) for the wand. Pay attention to the feel of the connections and buttons. While lightweight is a key feature, the device should still feel sturdy and well-constructed, not flimsy or cheap.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great vacuum shouldn’t create more work. Look for features like an easy-to-empty dustbin, washable filters, and a brush roll that can be easily removed to clear tangled hair. The inclusion of a spare filter is a thoughtful bonus, as it allows you to continue cleaning while the other filter is drying after being washed.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is an excellent choice, 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 Joey: First Impressions and Standout Features

The Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner arrived in a surprisingly compact, branded box. Upon opening it, we found the components neatly nested in protective cardboard inserts—a sustainable choice over excessive plastic. The initial impression is one of thoughtful, minimalist design. The clean white and grey colour scheme gives it a modern, almost Scandinavian aesthetic that looks far more premium than its price point might suggest. Assembly was incredibly intuitive, a matter of simply clicking three main parts together: the floor head slots into the main body, and the handheld vacuum unit snaps securely into its cradle. The charging base also clips together in seconds. There was no need to even glance at the instructions; the design language is clear and user-friendly. In hand, the first thing we noticed was its weight, or rather, the lack of it. At just 2 kg, it feels almost toy-like, but the solid plastic construction and satisfying clicks of the components reassure you of its quality. It’s a stark contrast to the heavier, more cumbersome stick vacuums from premium brands, immediately signalling that its core philosophy is accessibility and ease of use.

Putting the Vacmaster Joey to the Test: A Performance Breakdown

A vacuum’s worth is proven not on the spec sheet, but on the floors of a real home. We put the Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner through a series of daily challenges, from dusty hardwood floors to crumb-littered kitchen tiles and the perpetually fur-covered living room rug. Our goal was to understand where it excels and where it meets its limits, moving beyond first impressions to a true performance analysis.

Featherlight Agility and Manoeuvrability

The most immediate and enduringly impressive feature of the Vacmaster Joey is its sheer lack of weight. At a mere 2 kilograms, it redefines what “lightweight” means in the vacuum world. This isn’t just a minor convenience; it fundamentally changes how and when you clean. We found ourselves grabbing it for tasks we’d normally ignore. Spilled coffee grounds on the kitchen floor? A 30-second fix. Cobwebs in the top corner of the ceiling? Effortless. One-handed operation is not just possible, it’s the default mode of use. We carried it upstairs with a single hand without a second thought. This incredible lightness, praised by users as making it “very easy to manoeuvre,” is a massive benefit for anyone, but particularly for those who find heavier appliances a strain. The articulating floor head complements this agility perfectly. It pivots and swivels with a gentle twist of the wrist, gliding around chair legs and under tables with a fluidity that larger vacuums can’t match. It doesn’t feel like you’re pushing a machine, but rather guiding an extension of your arm. This nimbleness makes cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a quick, satisfying activity.

Suction Power vs. Battery Life: Finding the Sweet Spot

The Vacmaster Joey operates on a dual-power system, a common feature in cordless vacuums that forces a trade-off between performance and runtime. The standard mode, offering up to 30 minutes of use, is more than adequate for daily maintenance on hard floors. We tested it on dust, pet hair, and scattered oats on laminate flooring, and it picked everything up cleanly in a single pass. The motorised brush bar is key here, actively lifting debris into the suction path rather than relying on airflow alone. However, when we moved to a medium-pile rug with ground-in crumbs, the standard mode struggled. This is where the Turbo mode becomes essential. A simple push of a button unleashes a significant boost in suction, and you can both hear and feel the difference. In this mode, the Joey pulled debris from the rug with surprising tenacity, confirming one user’s experience of “incredible suction for a rechargeable unit.” The catch, of course, is that this power comes at the cost of runtime, which drops to just 15 minutes. While that sounds short, we found you can get a surprising amount done. It’s not for a whole-house deep clean, but it’s perfect for a ‘quick run round’ on the most troublesome spots like entryways and living room rugs. The 5-hour charge time is on the longer side, but the convenience of the drop-in charging dock means it’s always ready for its next mission.

The 2-in-1 Advantage: From Floors to Furniture in a Snap

The true genius of the Vacmaster Joey lies in its 2-in-1 design. The core of the machine is the handheld unit, which detaches from the stick frame with a simple button press. This seamless transition is what makes the vacuum so versatile. We took the handheld unit out to the car and found it invaluable for cleaning between seats and in footwells using the included crevice/brush attachment. It has enough power to pick up stubborn grit and dirt that gets tracked inside. Back in the house, it made cleaning the carpeted stairs—a notoriously awkward job with a corded vacuum—an absolute breeze. As other testers have noted, it’s “very versatile for stairs, skirtings, cobwebs in corners etc.” We used it to freshen up the sofa cushions and clean along the baseboards without having to bend or stretch awkwardly. The handheld unit itself is comfortable to hold and balanced, and at its core, it’s a powerful and effective dust-buster in its own right. The fact that this capability is integrated so flawlessly into a competent stick vacuum elevates the Joey from a simple floor cleaner to a comprehensive home cleaning tool. If you are looking for a device that can truly handle every surface, the versatility of the Vacmaster Joey is hard to beat at this price.

Smart Design for Modern Living: Storage and Maintenance

For those of us not blessed with a sprawling utility room, storage is a constant headache. This is where the Vacmaster Joey reveals its cleverest trick: the folding handle. With a quick press of a latch, the main handle folds forward, reducing the vacuum’s total height to just 64cm. This is a transformative feature. It allows the Joey to be stored in a standard kitchen cupboard, under a desk, or in a small closet, completely out of sight. It’s a design choice that shows a deep understanding of its target audience in smaller, modern homes. Maintenance is equally straightforward and user-centric. The 0.6-litre dustbin is easy to detach and empties directly into the bin with the press of a button, minimising contact with dust. Furthermore, Vacmaster includes a spare HEPA 13 filter. This is an exceptionally thoughtful touch. As one user highlighted, “second HEPA filter thoughtfully provided, so you can wash one, pop in the other.” This means there’s no downtime; you can rinse one filter and let it air dry while the other is in the vacuum, ensuring peak filtration and suction performance at all times. The brush bar also slides out easily for the inevitable task of removing tangled hair, completing a package that is designed for low-fuss, long-term use.

What Other Users Are Saying

After our extensive testing, we dug into broader user feedback to see how our experience aligned with others. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the vacuum’s core strengths. One user perfectly captured the sentiment, calling it a “clever little – yet powerful – thing. Perfect for my 1-bed flat.” This echoes our findings that it is an ideal solution for smaller living spaces. Its lightweight nature is a constant point of praise, with another owner stating they can “pick this up with one finger.”

However, the feedback isn’t without criticism, providing a balanced perspective. A few users have experienced reliability issues, with one reporting their unit “stopped working” after a few months of light use. This raises valid concerns about long-term durability for some units. Another point of contention is the suction power, which is highly subjective. While many find it “great for the price,” one user with dogs found it was “just isn’t up to the job in a busy household,” confirming our assessment that it’s not designed to be a deep-cleaning workhorse for high-traffic, pet-filled homes. These critiques are important, as they help define the product’s ideal use case: it’s a brilliant, convenient tool for daily, light-to-medium cleaning tasks, but may fall short for those with more demanding cleaning needs.

How Does the Vacmaster Joey Compare to the Competition?

The Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner operates in a crowded market. While it carves out a strong niche with its focus on lightweight design and compact storage, it’s important to see how it measures up against other popular alternatives, each offering a different set of features for different user needs.

1. BISSELL CrossWave HF2 Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner

The BISSELL CrossWave HF2 represents a completely different approach to floor cleaning. Its primary advantage is its ability to vacuum and mop hard floors simultaneously, making it an all-in-one solution for kitchens, bathrooms, and tiled areas. If your home consists mainly of hard surfaces and your biggest challenge is dealing with spills and grime as well as dry debris, the CrossWave HF2 is a compelling alternative. However, it’s a corded unit, so you lose the grab-and-go freedom of the Vacmaster Joey. It’s also specifically for hard floors, lacking the Joey’s versatility for carpets, stairs, or handheld use. The choice comes down to specialization: choose the BISSELL for superior hard floor mopping and vacuuming, but opt for the Joey for all-around, multi-surface cordless convenience.

2. Akitas AKU10 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum

The Akitas AKU10 is a direct competitor to the Vacmaster Joey, offering a similar 2-in-1 cordless stick vacuum form factor at a comparable price point. The key difference lies in the power specifications. The Akitas boasts a slightly higher voltage (22.2V vs. 20V) and wattage (150W vs. 120W), which may translate to a marginal increase in suction power. For users who are on the fence about the Joey’s power and are willing to trade a bit of its design finesse for potentially more grunt, the Akitas is a strong contender. It targets the same user—someone looking for a lightweight, versatile cleaner for a smaller home—but prioritizes raw power over the Joey’s clever storage solutions and ultra-lightweight frame. It’s a solid choice for those who need to tackle pet hair on low-pile carpets more regularly.

3. Amazon Basics 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The Amazon Basics model is the value-oriented alternative. It provides the essential features of a 2-in-1 cordless stick vacuum without any of the extra frills. With a 150W motor and a larger 0.7L dustbin, its on-paper specifications are competitive. However, it lacks the thoughtful design elements of the Vacmaster Joey, such as the folding handle for compact storage, the spare HEPA filter, and the sleeker aesthetic. This is the vacuum for the consumer on the tightest budget who needs a functional tool and is willing to forgo the enhanced convenience and design features that make the Joey a more pleasant user experience. It gets the job done, but the Joey offers a more refined and user-friendly package for a modest increase in investment.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Vacmaster Joey Compact the Right Vacuum for You?

After weeks of testing, it’s clear that the Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is not trying to be a replacement for a heavy-duty, deep-cleaning machine. Instead, it succeeds brilliantly at its intended purpose: to be the most convenient, accessible, and easy-to-use cleaning tool for everyday life. Its triumphs are in its design. The featherlight construction makes cleaning feel effortless, the 2-in-1 versatility allows it to tackle almost any surface, and the ingenious folding handle solves the storage problem that plagues so many households.

It is the perfect primary vacuum for those in apartments, flats, or smaller homes. It’s also an outstanding secondary vacuum for larger households, serving as the go-to device for quick spills, daily touch-ups, and cleaning the car. While its suction on Turbo is impressive, it’s not the ideal choice for homes with extensive deep-pile carpeting or multiple shedding pets. For its target user, however, the Vacmaster Joey is a resounding success, offering an exceptional blend of performance, design, and value that is hard to fault.

If you’ve decided the Vacmaster Joey Compact Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.