Smoture VAC01 Review

One of the unique features of this model is the adjustable wand length. It's great for couples or roommates with contrasting heights.

Carpet Performance

This vacuum snapped to attention as soon as I turned it on, the brush roller movement latching onto the carpet surface. This vacuum didn't have any issue rolling over all the different sizes of debris it encountered, managing not to plow any rice or Cheerios as it moved, an improvement compared to other budget models that tend to push larger material around.

When the time limit was up, the Smoture had captured all the larger pieces of debris, but left some sand remaining behind in the carpet weave. Able to capture an average of 87% of the material, overall, we were impressed with the showing from this budget model. With more passes and time, this vacuum can get more of the sand out from the carpet weave, but it is better suited for surface-level and maintenance cleanups.

In our experience, to adequately clean high-pile carpet, you need to pull out your biggest and baddest vacuum. Enticing for its lightweight feel and small stature, the Smoture doesn't quite fit that bill. Despite the David versus Goliath-style matchup, it was able to make a dent in the mess, extracting an average of 42% of debris, performing about average among the group.

We experienced varying success with this model here. During one of our three test trials, the intake valve clogged with Cheerios, which suggests it may also clog with other large debris, such as dog kibble or mulch tracked in from outside. At this price point, we are willing to deal with the occasional clog, but it's something to be aware of.

Hardwood Performance

The Smoture proved to be a bit hit or miss when cleaning hardwood. During one of our three tests, the intake clogged with Cheerios, forcing us to stop and restart.

However, the incident didn't repeat during our other two trials, where the vacuum collected 98% and 92%, averaging out to 85% across the full test. When working at full capacity, this vacuum wowed us with its ability to lift debris big and small, and in such a short amount of time.

There's nothing more frustrating than finishing a full clean only to spot stubborn crumbs clinging to the trim. So it's nice to know that when attacking the mess head-on, the Smoture cleaned up all the coffee grounds in our test. This means stairs and corners will be easy to clean.

However, when moving parallel to the wall, it left about a 1/4" of coffee grounds behind. This means you may find yourself slowing down when cleaning the edges in long hallways or empty walls, or needing to maneuver the vacuum to strategically touch up the edges.

Pet Hair

Keeping your house free from pet hair is an almost Sisyphian challenge, whether you have only one fluffy friend or a few. Having managed to capture 68% of the pet hair on a low pile, the carpet was left mostly clean, with only a few stray tufts dotting the carpet.

It also struggled with pulling the hair from the shag carpet, capturing only 40%, a below-average performance. If you're a pet owner, you may want to consider a different vacuum model as your main cleaner, but it can still be effective for quick surface-level clean-ups.

Filtration

The Smoture averaged 129 small particles in the air during testing, which falls into the very good range on the Dylos air quality chart we use for reference, and should be suitable for most people. This is adequate for general use, but if you have a family member who is highly allergic or sensitive, there are better vacuums out there with stronger filtration.

While most vacuums have good filtration, the problem products and outliers tend to be budget options. The Smoture is very good, but if you want excellence, look to the Levoit LVAC-200 as a better budget alternative.

Ease of Use

The measured weight of the motor head is 3.5 lbs, and although it's not the lightest vacuum in our lineup, I found it to be plenty light to cart around the house. While navigating the obstacle course, the VAC01 flowed effortlessly from hardwood to carpet and was able to swivel around coffee table legs with ease.

One of our favorite features is its standalone capability, so if you need to walk away from a cleaning project, the vacuum stands waiting and ready to pick up where you left off, and can be easily stored in any room.

The dusting brush picked up most of the coffee grounds in our upholstery test, and extending the bristles helped finish the job, but it's not as effective as a separate motorized brush.

Battery

While this vacuum doesn't have an automatic dirt detection and suction adjustment like the more premium vacuums, it does have three power settings. We measured the battery life on the low setting to be 43 minutes, and 14 minutes on its highest setting.

At this price point, these numbers are very practical. If you want to extend the power and battery life, you will need to allocate a bit more budget.

Should You Buy the Smoture VAC01?

The Smoture VAC01 outperforms other budget models in key areas, including cleaning, battery life, and overall ease of use. While its pickup power isn't quite on par with premium models, it's effective enough for regular maintenance. However, if you're looking for a vacuum to tackle pet hair messes or have lots of shag carpets, a vacuum with more power may be a better choice. For those who want the convenience of a stick vacuum but can't afford the high sticker price of many other models, this is a great entry-level vacuum. It's not flashy, but it's functional—and sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

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