eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner review

 Eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home.
Eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home.

When it comes to cleaning, sometimes a handheld vacuum can mean the difference between getting it done and not. Often, with spills, a bit of cat hair on the carpet, or just some debris from the yard blowing in, you just need to complete the job at hand rather than do a full clean, and these smaller appliances are perfect for that.

The eufy HomeVac H11 is a lightweight and compact cordless vacuum cleaner that weighs in at just 1.2lbs and, according to the product description, is roughly the size of a wine bottle. It comes with a suction of 5500Pa and features a 2-in-1 crevice tool that can reach into the corners of your sofa (or any other tricky spots). Charging the device is made easy with a micro USB lead included, though runtime comes in at only 13 minutes at full power.

I bought the HomeVac H11 18 months ago and have been using it ever since. But with months of cleaning under its belt, you might wonder whether it's held up to its promise. Keep to find out, and head to our best handheld vacuum guide for more.

eufy HomeVac H11: Key specs

eufy HomeVac H11: First impressions

The Eufy HomeVac H11 handheld vacuum arrived alongside instructions for use and maintenance, a 2-in-1 brush/crevice tool, and a protective lid. The vacuum is pretty much ready to use out of the box, with a filter that slots into the head (which can be removed with a short twist. All in all, the handheld model looked stylish, simple, and easy to use, even for those who don't have the patience for a multi-part device.

eufy HomeVac H11: Price & availability

The eufy HomeVac H11 can be purchased from the manufacturer's site for $59.99, and though you can buy two or three at once, you won't save money by buying in bulk. A lovely mint and white version exists alongside the standard black.

You can also get the model from Amazon for the same price, as well as from Walmart for $88.30.

Note: eufy also has the HomeVac H11 Pure, which adds in an air purification feature.

Score: 4/5

eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home
eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home

eufy HomeVac H11: Design

The design of the eufy HomeVac H11 is a far cry from the bulky - and let's face it, ugly - handheld vacs of old. This is sleek and stylish, with a thin body and a lovely purple ring around the top and base. The bottom of the unit is slimmer to fit easily into your hand, and there's a lid to keep everything tidy when the vacuum isn't being used.

The H11 also comes with a 2-in-1 brush and crevice tool to get in between those sofa cushions or along the baseboards, and this slots into and out of the nozzle with no trouble at all.

The compact nature of the vacuum makes it easy to store in a drawer, basket, or even a mounted cubby. Mine lives in a cleaning drawer, ready for those quick jobs around the house. You're also alerted to when it needs charging by the three lights on the front of the vacuum - 3 for full, 1 for almost empty.

The 'tank' consists of the lid, allowing space for the filter (90ml according to the manufacturer), so you will need to empty your debris after every use. The parts are easy to remove, clean, and replace, though occasionally, the rubber opening would trap things, requiring me to manually get in there with my fingers.

Score: 4/5

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eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home
eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home

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eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home
eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home

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eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home
eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home

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eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home
eufy HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner being tested in writer's home

eufy HomeVac H11: Performance

To test the H11's performance, I put it up against the dreaded (unused) cat litter. Spreading a small pile on a sofa cushion, I got to work with the vacuum.

Results were mixed on the test, as the vacuum managed to clean up around 80% of the mess on the first go. It would suck up what it could before spitting a little out in a different area, which is less than ideal. After some perseverance, I managed to remove all the grains, but cleaning up larger debris like cereal probably isn't advised.

For dust and general cleanups, however, it has been a great tool. The crevice tool is great for in-between cushions, keyboards, and inside drawers, and it has greater precision on things like baseboards. It also works well on pet hair.

That said, the 13-minute battery life is a real limitation, as it means you can't really do a substantial cleaning and put the vacuum away for next time. There have been too many instances where I've reached for the H11, and it's been on its last gasp of battery life, meaning I need to recharge. This takes up to 3.5 hours, by which time you're undoubtedly in the thick of doing something else.

I recorded a noise level reading of 35dB when in use. This is equivalent to the sound of rainfall.

Score: 3/5

Should you buy the eufy HomeVac H11?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How does the eufy HomeVac H11 compare?

Comparing the Eufy HomeVac H11 to the Black & Decker Dustbuster HHV1320JR02 and Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, the Eufy vacuum is the most lightweight and portable option, while the Black & Decker Dustbuster may be good for pet owners, and the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is powerful but not as portable.

The Eufy HomeVac H11 is a very small and light model compared to competing vacuums, weighing in at 1.2 lbs, while the Black & Decker Dustbuster is slightly larger at 2.6 lbs. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is even larger, weighing 3 lbs.

The Eufy HomeVac H11 has a suction power of 5500Pa, while the Black & Decker Dustbuster has a suction power of 16AW. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser has a powerful motor and cyclonic cleaning system. All three vacuums come with various accessories, with the Black & Decker Dustbuster coming with a pet hairbrush, also making it a good option for pet owners.

The Eufy HomeVac H11 has a battery life of up to 13 minutes, while the Black & Decker Dustbuster has a battery life of up to 20 minutes. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser can run up to 17 minutes.

How I tested the eufy HomeVac H11

I have owned the eufy HomeVac H11 for around 18 months, using it on a weekly basis to clean up places where my trusty robot vacuum can't easily reach. This includes baseboards, under my desk, and in the crevices at the base of the bookshelves. For the purposes of this review, I combined this experience with a one-off test of vacuuming cat litter from a fabric sofa.

For more information, head to our page on how we test.