Smoture VAC01 Review

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

Carpet Performance

We rigorously test all the vacuum cleaners under the same conditions to ensure fair and reliable results. Each vacuum is challenged with a large mess comprised of a ½ cup each of sand, rice, and Cheerios. After a 24-second window, we weigh the amount of debris captured to measure how effective each vacuum actually is at cleaning different-sized material.

Low Pile

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 I could see 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.

High Pile

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 on the high-pile carpet. 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

Rising in popularity, hardwood flooring is lauded for its easy maintenance and aesthetic appeal. But just like any other flooring, we still have to keep it clean. With a design skewed towards ease of use and versatility, many cordless stick vacuums are well-suited for hard surface cleaning. In our series of tests we challenge the vacuums to suck up the same immense variety of debris as we use during our carpet tests. We also assess how well the vacuums clean up along the edges of the walls.

Cleaning 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.

Edges

There's nothing more frustrating than finishing a full clean only to spot stubborn crumbs clinging to the trim. We dust the baseboards with coffee grounds and test the vacuums moving head-on and parallel to the wall to test whether the vacuum is capable of finishing the job, or if you'll need to break out the broom.

When attacking the mess head-on the Smoture cleaned up all the grounds, sucking everything up from within the crevice. 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 touch up the edges strategically.

Pet Hair

Keeping your house free from pet hair is an almost Sisyphian challenge, whether you have only one fluffy friend or a few. A vacuum that helps you stay on top of the matter is key. We hand-spread 1 gram of long hair extensions and 4 grams of real pet hair into carpets, low pile and high pile, to emulate intense pet hair accumulation. By the time we're through, the carpet is furrier than my childhood rugs, layered with hair thanks to a mastiff, golden lab, maine coon, and tabby.

The Smoture performed a little worse in pet hair testing compared to its performance against other debris types. 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

Keeping our homes free of dust and allergens helps keep us and our loved ones in tip-top shape. That's why a vacuum with an effective filtration system is important, and why it's especially important if you or someone in your home has allergies. To ensure that your vacuum isn't spitting out what it's sucking up, we measured the average particle peak count across the three trials.

The Smoture averaged 129 particles suspended in the air, testing within the very good range of the air quality chart that Dylos provides, which is suitable for most people.

Ease of Use

Whether it's driving the cordless stick vacuums through our tightly spaced obstacle course or taking notes throughout our daily use, we put these vacuums through the wringer. Throughout our rigorous testing, we see if these vacuums can keep up with you through your daily chores, how manageable they are to carry up the stairs, and if the included attachments actually make your life better.

Manueverability

When it comes to maneuverability, the Smoture VAC01 lived up to all the featherweight hype. The measured weight of the motor head is 3.5 lbs, and while not the lightest vacuum in our lineup, I found it 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.

Upholstery

The lightweight nature of the Smoture makes it more ideal for accomplishing other tasks like cleaning couch crevices and car consoles. Unfortunately, this vacuum lacks a motorized attachment, so it won't be as ideal for cleaning car mats and other tight carpeted surfaces. To test its dusting abilities, we poured a 1/8th cup of coffee grounds onto a pillow and then used the provided dusting brush to clean up the mess. The dusting brush got about 80% of the coffee grounds, but converts into a mini-cleaning tool which easily sucked up the rest. We found the multi-use tool to be helpful for this task, and the vacuum comes with a standard crevice tool for hitting those tight spaces as well.

Battery

The most limiting factor for stick vacuums is arguably their battery life. We test each vacuum on its highest and lowest settings so you know the limits of your vacuum before you buy it. 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?

If you're looking for a cordless vacuum that won't wreck your budget—but still delivers where it counts—the Smoture VAC01 is a standout pick. It outperforms other budget models in key areas, including portability, 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.

What Other Stick Vacuums Should You Consider?