Kmart vacuums compared: Are the low prices worth it?

Anula Wiwatowska
May 20, 2024
Icon Time To Read4 min read
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Kmart needs no introduction, but its range of vacuum cleaners just might. Known for its cheap appliances the big box store has a substantial bunch of vacuum cleaner options ranging from the old-school ball, through to cordless stick vacuums, and handheld mini vacs.

As you might expect, Kmart vacuum cleaners are good on price but to keep that price down they lack someplace else. Generally speaking these devices will let you down on battery life, accessories, charge time, and will be light on the bonus features. If you're cool with those compromises then read on, we've broken down what to look for in the Kmart vacuum department.

The best Kmart stick vacuum

Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Features
  • Bin size: 1L
  • Weight: 2.8kg
  • Max volume: 78 dB
  • Battery life: 55 mins
  • Charge time: 5 hours
  • Admittedly Kmart isn't great at it's naming protocols because its best and worst stick vacuums are both called the Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. The one you want to look out for is the $149 model, and subsequently avoid the $99 model.

    The $149 stick vacuum has a huge 1 litre capacity, and up to 55 minutes of run time on the lowest setting. That should be more than enough time and space to get your vacuuming done without needing to pop it on charge or clean it out. It has five speeds, controlled by an LED touch screen and comes with a wall mount charger.

    All up the basic specs are good enough for a cheap vacuum cleaner, but it is very loud with an above average charge time. On the highest speed the sound maxes out at 78 dB which would be uncomfortable to your ears for extended periods of time. You'll also need to wait five hours for it to fully recharge which is well above any other vacuum cleaner we have compared.

    Other Kmart stick vacuums worth considering

    Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner - White
    Cordless Stick Cleaner - White
    2.5 out of 5 stars
    2.5
    RRP$129
    • pro
      Bin size: 0.5L
    • pro
      Battery life: 30 mins
    • pro
      Charge time: 5 hours
    Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
    Kmart cordless stick vacuum
    1.8 out of 5 stars
    1.75
    RRP$99
    • pro
      Bin size: 0.6L
    • pro
      Battery life: 20 mins
    • pro
      Charge time: 4 hours

    What to look for in a stick vacuum cleaner

    Price Tag

    Price

    Price is always going to be a consideration, and if you're looking at a Kmart stick vacuum then this box is already ticked off. Consider the ongoing cost of the device as well. Do you need to buy new filters? How much do they cost? What will you pay for warranties and repairs?

    Bullhorn

    Storage & attachments

    Since your stick vacuum is going to need to be on charge most of the time, you want a base station that charges and neatly stores it away. While most of these Kmart vacuums have a charging base station, they all need to be screwed into a wall which isn't great for renters. Consider if this is something you can do in your home.

    Info Box

    Battery life & charging

    On average a cordless vacuum cleaner has a 40-50 minute battery life, and three to four hour recharge time. If the battery life is lower then it may not be enough to do a thorough clean, and if you need to wait too long for it to recharge then you'll likely just end up frustrated.

    Light Bulb

    Cleaning comfort

    Since you'll need to lug this vacuum around, consider the weight and ergonomics of the design. Ideally you want something light, with an adjustable height, that doesn't get too loud. 

    PRO TIP: Anything over 85 decibels is harmful to your hearing.

    Kmart handheld vacuums compared

    Model
    Bin size
    Battery life
    Price
    Retailers
    Wet & Dry Hand Vacuum700ml dry
    120ml wet
    up to 20 mins
    $49
    7.4V Compact Hand Vacuum Cleaner180mlup to 25 mins
    $35

    The best Kmart handheld vacuum

    Wet & Dry Hand Vacuum
    Wet & Dry Hand Vacuum
    RRP$49
    • pro
      Bin size: 700ml dry
    • pro
      Battery life: 20 mins
    • pro
      Charge time: 6 hours
    7.4V Compact Hand Vacuum Cleaner
    7.4V Compact Hand Vacuum Cleaner
    RRP$35
    • pro
      Bin size: 180ml
    • pro
      Battery life: 25 mins
    • pro
      Charge time: 4-5 hours

    Kmart doesn't have a huge selection of handheld vacuums; it is either the dual purpose Wet & Dry Vacuum, or the Compact hand vacuum cleaner. 

    The Wet & Dry Vacuum has a water capacity of 120ml, and a dry bin capacity of up to 700ml, while the Compact Hand Vacuum has a capacity of 180ml max. They have respective battery lives of 20 and 25 minutes, and ridiculously long charging times for the battery capacities. The Wet & Dry requires a 6 hour charge for those 20 minutes, while the Compact Hand Vacuum takes between 4 and 5 hours. Neither have much on the accessory front either, both with just two extra nozzles to get into harder to reach areas.

    Although the prices are low, many buyer reviews mention poor suction power on both models. The Compact has only 4000-5000Pa which is about the same as a cheap robot vacuum. Fine for surface level debris, but not great for getting into the crevaces.

    What to look for in a hand vacuum

    Price Tag

    Price

    Since every handheld vacuum cleaner is going to be a secondary vacuum, it is always worth considering the price point. If you just need something for the car, think about whether it is a better financial decision to buy something cheap or to invest in a larger stick vacuum that can convert to a handheld vacuum instead.

    Info Box

    Bin capacity

    Size does matter, so look at how much the vacuum can actually handle. 

    Bullhorn

    Battery life & charge time

    As these are smaller vacuums they're going to have a smaller battery capacity. Look for a device with over 20 minutes of battery life where possible, and with a fast charging time. Imagine being halfway through a deep clean and needing to wait five hours for your handheld to charge. How annoying!

    Light Bulb

    Accessories

    Hand vacuums are likely for more detailed work so you're going to want accessories that are made for that type of vacuuming. Ideally you'll want something with an extendable crevice tool, and a brush tool, but some vacuums also come with pet hair attachments and corner tools as well.

    Stick vacuum cleaners compared

    Dyson is obviously a big player, but there are a bunch of other stick vacuum cleaner manufacturers available in Australia. We review products across Samsung, Dyson, Hoover, Acerpure, and well anyone else you can stick a vacuum at. Below we compare the main features of the top performers in the cordless vacuum space.
    Anula Wiwatowska
    Written by
    Anula is the Home and Lifestyle Tech Editor within the Reviews.org extended universe. Working in the tech space since 2020, she covers phone and internet plans, gadgets, smart devices, and the intersection of technology and culture. Anula was a finalist for Best Feature Writer at the 2022 Consensus Awards, and an eight time finalist across categories at the IT Journalism Awards. Her work contributed to WhistleOut's Best Consumer Coverage win in 2023.

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