Living in a multi-story flat presents a unique set of cleaning challenges. I recall the sheer dread of wrestling our old, bulky canister vacuum up and down the stairs. It was a clumsy, heavy beast that would inevitably bang against the walls, scuff the paintwork, and require a strategic plan just to navigate tight corners. Cleaning became a full-body workout I hadn’t signed up for. This daily struggle is what sends so many of us on a quest for something different: a cleaner that is lightweight, easy to store, and potent enough for daily messes without the colossal footprint and price tag of a traditional machine. The goal is simple—to make cleaning less of a chore and more of a quick, satisfying task. The Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner promises to be that exact solution, but does it deliver on its promise of lightweight convenience and powerful performance?
- [2-in-1 Dust Removal]: The cordless hoover can be easily switched between upright and hand-held vacuum cleaners. Nooks and crannies from floor to ceiling, furniture to outdoor car interiors, the...
- [Noise Reduction Cleaning]: The handheld vacuum cleaner can effectively clean dust, paper scraps, small stones and liquids, and other garbage stains. At the same time, it has a good noise reduction...
What to Consider Before Buying an Upright Vacuum Cleaner
An Upright Vacuum is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining a clean and healthy home environment. Unlike cumbersome traditional vacuums, their slim, vertical design makes them ideal for homes with limited storage space. They excel at quick clean-ups, transitioning effortlessly from a spilled box of cereal on the kitchen floor to dust bunnies under the sofa. Their primary benefit lies in combining the power of an upright with the agility of a stick vacuum, offering a versatile tool that can often handle whole-home cleaning without the strain associated with heavier models. For allergy sufferers, models equipped with HEPA filtration, like the Youyijia, are particularly beneficial, as they trap fine dust particles and allergens, improving indoor air quality.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenges of limited space, such as a student in a dorm, a couple in their first flat, or anyone living in a compact urban apartment. It’s also perfect for those who need a secondary, “grab-and-go” vacuum for daily messes, supplementing a larger, more powerful machine for deep cleaning. However, it might not be suitable for those who live in large homes with extensive, deep-pile carpeting. These environments often require vacuums with motorised brush heads and larger dust capacities. For those users, a more robust, full-sized upright or a high-end cordless model might be a more practical, albeit more expensive, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider the vacuum’s footprint. A key advantage of a stick vacuum is its ability to be stored in a narrow cupboard or hung on a wall. The Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is exceptionally compact at just 51cm high (in its stored configuration), making it a brilliant choice for those who are critically short on space. Always measure your intended storage area before purchasing.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance is a balance of suction power (wattage) and dustbin capacity. A 1000W motor, as found in this model, is surprisingly potent for this category. However, a smaller 1.5-litre capacity means more frequent emptying, especially in high-traffic homes or those with pets. For quick, daily cleans, this is perfectly adequate, but for weekly deep cleans, you may find yourself pausing to empty the bin.
- Materials & Durability: Budget-friendly vacuums often use lightweight plastics to keep costs and weight down. While this makes them incredibly easy to handle, it can raise concerns about long-term durability. Look for user feedback on potential weak points, like connection joints and nozzles, to gauge how the material holds up over time. It’s a trade-off between premium feel and affordable, lightweight convenience.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good vacuum should be simple to operate and maintain. Look for features like washable filters, which save money and reduce waste over the product’s lifespan. The Youyijia’s washable HEPA filter is a significant plus in this regard. Also, consider the ergonomics—how comfortable is the handle, and how easy is it to convert from stick to handheld mode?
Thinking through these factors will ensure you select a vacuum that perfectly matches your home, lifestyle, and cleaning habits. The Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner certainly ticks many boxes for a specific user profile, but it’s important to know what you’re prioritizing.
While the Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is an excellent choice for its niche, 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:
- HIGH PERFORMANCE, PORTABLE CORDED UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER - Multi-cyclonic performance with lightweight design to easily clean around the home
- 【600W/60Kpa Powerful Suction】This corded vacuum cleaner features a 600W motor, delivering strong suction power up to 60Kpa. It effectively removes dust, dirt, and debris from various surfaces,...
- Lightweight & Compact Design: Designed for effortless maneuverability, this upright vacuum cleaner makes cleaning stairs and navigating tight or large spaces a breeze. Its compact, upright build...
First Impressions: Unboxing the Featherlight Contender
Upon unboxing the Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, the first thing that struck us was its almost unbelievable lightness. At just 1.5kg, it feels more like a toy than a serious cleaning appliance, a sentiment echoed by some users. Assembly was straightforward and intuitive, essentially a matter of clicking the handle and floor head into place. One user noted the importance of ensuring the handle clicks in firmly, and we can confirm that a solid push is needed to secure it properly. The glossy grey (or blue, depending on the model) plastic finish is sleek, but it doesn’t hide the budget-friendly nature of its construction. It feels functional rather than premium, which is entirely expected at this price point. In hand, it feels balanced and incredibly easy to manoeuvre. Compared to market leaders from brands like Shark or Dyson, the difference in material quality is immediately apparent, but so is the dramatic difference in weight and, of course, cost. This vacuum isn’t trying to compete with them on build quality; it’s competing on sheer convenience and accessibility, and its initial impression is one of purpose-built simplicity.
Advantages
- Incredibly lightweight at only 1.5 kg, making it easy to carry and use anywhere.
- Surprisingly powerful 1000W motor provides strong suction for its size.
- Versatile 2-in-1 design easily converts between stick and handheld modes.
- Washable HEPA filtration system saves money on replacement filters.
Drawbacks
- Build quality feels like cheap plastic, raising durability concerns.
- Prone to overheating during prolonged use (best for short bursts).
A Deep Dive into the Youyijia 2-in-1’s Real-World Performance
A vacuum’s worth is measured not by its spec sheet, but by how it performs when faced with the daily chaos of a real home. We put the Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner through its paces on various surfaces, from hardwood floors to low-pile rugs and upholstery, to see if its performance could match its promise of convenience. We focused on the core aspects that matter most: raw cleaning power, its design and usability, and the long-term realities of maintenance and durability.
Feature Analysis: Deceptive Power in a Tiny Package
The headline feature of this vacuum is its 1000-watt motor, a number that seems almost out of place in such a small and light chassis. The immediate question is: does it translate to real suction? The answer is a resounding yes, with some important caveats. On hard surfaces like laminate, tile, and hardwood, the Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is fantastic. It effortlessly picked up everything we threw at it—cereal, coffee grounds, pet hair, and fine dust. The cyclonic separation technology works effectively, spinning debris away from the filter and maintaining suction as the bin fills. Several users noted they were amazed by its power, with one stating it “vacuums strong so can definitely clean the room thoroughly.”
However, this raw power comes at a cost. We quickly confirmed a common user complaint: the unit gets hot. After about 10-15 minutes of continuous use, the motor housing becomes noticeably warm to the touch. This isn’t a machine designed for cleaning an entire house in one go. As one insightful user review pointed out, “I wouldn’t buy it if I had to clean large surfaces or if I had to keep it on for more than a few minutes. However, it is perfect for small rooms or small surfaces.” This perfectly encapsulates its ideal use case. It’s a sprinter, not a marathon runner. The power is there for intense, targeted cleaning, but it needs a cool-down period. This powerful performance in short bursts is its greatest strength and defines its role as a specialist tool for smaller homes or quick clean-ups.
Design and Usability: The Freedom of Featherlight Cleaning
At 1.5 kilograms, using this vacuum is a fundamentally different experience from a traditional cleaner. There is no effort involved. We could easily lift it with one hand to catch cobwebs on the ceiling, carry it up and down stairs without a second thought, and manoeuvre it into tight spaces with precision. This is where the Youyijia truly shines and earns its place. For individuals who find heavier vacuums cumbersome or physically challenging, this design is a game-changer. One user who dislikes “big, heavy vacuum cleaners” was attracted to this model specifically for its compact and lightweight nature, finding it easy to move and handle.
The conversion to handheld mode is simple, requiring just the press of a button to detach the long handle and floor head. In this configuration, it’s perfect for cleaning car interiors (if you have an extension cord), upholstery, and stairs. However, the praise for its design must be tempered by a realistic assessment of its materials. The plastic construction, while key to its low weight, feels brittle. We share the concern of the user who said, “Plastic feels a bit cheap, let’s see how long it lasts.” Another user reported that theirs “Broke near Nozzle” after only a week. This suggests the connection points are potential weak spots that require careful handling. Furthermore, its performance on carpets is a significant limitation. The floor head lacks a motorised brush roll, relying purely on suction. While it can handle very low-pile rugs, we found it incredibly difficult to push on medium-pile carpet, confirming one user’s experience: “It’s so difficult to push an maneuver on carpet.” It’s best to consider this a hard-floor specialist that can handle incidental rugs.
Maintenance and Durability: The Long-Term Equation
Long-term value isn’t just about the initial purchase price; it’s also about ongoing maintenance costs and how long the product lasts. The Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner scores a major win with its filtration system. It features a stainless steel mesh pre-filter and a sponge HEPA filter. The entire dustbin assembly, including both filters, can be easily removed, emptied, and washed under a tap. This is a huge advantage over vacuums that require expensive, disposable bags or proprietary filter cartridges. Allowing the filters to dry completely before reinserting them is crucial for maintaining suction and preventing mould. This reusable system is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly.
The 1.5-litre dustbin is generous for a vacuum of this size and is transparent, so you can see when it needs emptying. Detaching and emptying it is a clean and simple process. The included wall-mounted base is another thoughtful touch, providing a neat and space-saving storage solution that keeps the vacuum out of the way. However, the elephant in the room is durability. The reports of breakages, while not universal, are concerning. The plastic components, particularly the clips and the neck where the floor tool attaches, are the most likely points of failure. Our assessment is that this vacuum will last if treated with care—not thrown around, not used to ram into furniture, and not forced across unsuitable surfaces like deep carpet. For the price, the cost-saving feature of the washable filter is a compelling argument, but potential buyers must be aware of the trade-off in build quality.
What Other Users Are Saying
User feedback provides a clear and consistent picture of the Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner. The sentiment is overwhelmingly centered on its surprising power-to-weight ratio. Many, like the user who bought it for their daughter’s university studio, found it “VERY powerful for being so small” and perfect for its intended purpose. Another simply stated, “Small but very powerful,” capturing the product’s core appeal. The lightweight design is frequently praised, with comments like “not heavy, easy for cleaning” and “light weight so can carry around the house easily.”
However, the criticisms are just as consistent. The most significant issue reported is overheating, with one reviewer deducting half a star specifically for the fact that “it gets hot.” The second major concern is the build quality. Multiple reviews mention the “cheap plastic design,” with one user’s unit breaking near the nozzle after a short time, and another receiving a broken unit described as a “kid’s toy.” Its performance on carpet is another point of contention, with a user stating it was “not a good purchase for that.” This feedback is invaluable, as it confirms our findings: this is a powerful, lightweight specialist for hard floors and small spaces, but it comes with tangible compromises in durability and thermal management.
How Does the Youyijia 2-in-1 Compare to the Alternatives?
The Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner operates in the ultra-budget category, but it’s helpful to see what you get when you step up in price and features. The alternatives here represent significant upgrades, targeting users with different needs and larger budgets. While the Youyijia offers incredible value for a specific niche, it’s important to understand what a larger investment provides.
1. Shark NZ801UKT Corded Upright Vacuum Anti Hair Wrap DuoClean
- ANTI HAIR WRAP TECHNOLOGY: Removes hair from the brush-roll as you clean. Perfect for long, short & pet hair.
- FOR ALL FLOORS: DuoClean floorhead glides from carpets to hard floors, with 2 motorised brush-rolls in 1 floorhead. LED headlights illuminate hidden dust & pet hair.
The Shark NZ801UKT is in a different league entirely. This is a full-featured, whole-home cleaning system. Its standout features are the DuoClean floorhead, with two brush rolls for seamlessly cleaning carpets and hard floors, and Anti Hair Wrap technology, which actively removes hair from the brush roll as you clean—a lifesaver for pet owners. It also features Powered Lift-Away, allowing the main unit to detach for portable cleaning of stairs and high places. Compared to the Youyijia, it’s heavier, more expensive, and far more powerful and versatile. If you have a larger home, carpets, and pets, and your budget allows, the Shark is undeniably the superior machine for all-around cleaning.
2. Shark AZ3900UKTBK PowerDetect Upright Vacuum
- THE BEST OVERALL CLEANING OF ANY CORDED UPRIGHT VACUUM (*Based on average performance, across IEC 62885-2, Clauses 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, and 5.3, 5.5 in forward and backward starting directions. Comparison...
- DUOCLEAN DETECT: two brush-rolls and multiple sensors that react and adapt for optimal performance.
This Shark model builds on the strengths of the previous one with even more advanced technology. It introduces PowerDetect, which senses the floor type and automatically adjusts suction power for optimal cleaning. It also features Reverse Clean for enhanced self-cleaning of the brush roll and an even larger 1.3L dust cup. This is a high-performance machine designed for users who want the latest cleaning technology and maximum efficiency. It’s a significant investment compared to the Youyijia. This model is for the user who wants a top-tier corded upright that takes the guesswork out of cleaning different surfaces and offers the best possible performance on carpets and hard floors alike.
3. AEG CX7-2-45MÖ Battery Vacuum Cleaner Black Ecological
- 2-in-1 function: cordless vacuum cleaner with removable handheld vacuum cleaner for maximum flexibility even in hard-to-reach areas
- Extra long running time: up to 45 minutes. or 135 m² running time in the ECO level (16 min. or 48 m² in the power level) - powerful 18 V lithium high-density battery
The AEG CX7-2-45MÖ offers a different kind of freedom: the freedom from cords. As a battery-powered vacuum, it provides ultimate portability, allowing you to clean anywhere without being tethered to an outlet. It features a 180° EasySteer nozzle for excellent manoeuvrability and a 2-in-1 design with a detachable handheld unit. While its suction may not match the raw 1000W power of the corded Youyijia in short bursts, its convenience is unmatched. This alternative is for someone who prioritizes the convenience of cordless cleaning above all else and is willing to manage battery life. It’s a direct competitor in the stick vacuum space but at a higher price point and with the trade-offs of battery power versus corded power.
Final Verdict: A Niche Champion with Clear Compromises
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is clear: it is a highly effective tool for a very specific job. This is not a replacement for a heavy-duty, whole-house vacuum, especially if you have carpets. To view it as such is to miss its point entirely. Instead, this is the perfect cleaning solution for students, studio apartment dwellers, or as a secondary “upstairs” or “kitchen” vacuum for quick, daily messes on hard floors. Its incredible lightness is its superpower, making cleaning less of a chore and more of an effortless task.
Its powerful 1000W motor delivers suction that belies its tiny frame, but this power must be used in short, targeted bursts to avoid overheating. The compromises are real—the plastic build requires careful handling, and it is largely ineffective on anything but the lowest-pile carpets. However, for the price, you are getting a remarkably convenient and potent little machine with the added bonus of a washable, money-saving filter. If you understand its limitations and your cleaning needs fit within its niche, it offers phenomenal value. For those seeking an affordable, featherlight solution for hard floors and small spaces, we can confidently recommend it.
If the Youyijia 2-in-1 Upright Handheld Vacuum Cleaner sounds like the perfect fit for your home, you can check its current price and read more user reviews right here.
Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API