Best 2-in-1 Vacuum Cleaners: Upright Models with Detachable Handheld Units

A vertical vacuum cleaner with a portable unit from the Chinese brand Deerma is popular among buyers for good reason: it has a low cost but still provides decent cleaning quality. Also, the model, visually, does not appear cheap or unpresentable. Many skeptically call the device an electric broom, but in fact, its capabilities are much higher. The vacuum cleaner is intended for dry cleaning only and can confidently compete with more expensive vertical devices. Its 600 W motor creates a suction power of 15000 Pa, more than sufficient for cleaning hard floors, upholstered furniture, and short-pile carpets. For example, during operation, the vacuum cleaner easily lifts small rugs in the bathroom or hallway. It effectively collects fine dust, crumbs, and even pet hair. However, unfortunately, it lacks a power adjustment feature and operates only in one mode.

Debris is collected in an 800 ml dustbin that easily detaches from the body and empties out. The cyclone system provides constant suction power without loss even when the tank is full. The 3-stage filtration includes a HEPA filter and prevents re-contamination of the air. For more comprehensive cleaning, the package includes three attachments: a combination for floors and carpets (without bristles), a small dust brush for cleaning upholstered furniture, curtains, computer keyboard, etc., and a crevice nozzle for hard-to-reach places.

Without a doubt, the low price couldn't come without certain nuances. In the case of Deerma DX700, this is the absence of a battery and, consequently, autonomous operation. The vacuum cleaner is powered only by the mains and has a cord length of 4.5 m. While this isn't critical for a home with plenty of sockets, cleaning a car interior or an outdoor terrace without an extension cord with a good cord reserve becomes almost impossible or at least inconvenient. However, there are advantages: being connected to the mains provides stable power and virtually unlimited operating time, unlike batteries that need recharging every 30 – 60 minutes.

Despite this nuance, the vacuum cleaner can still confidently be called one of the best options for value for money.

A vacuum cleaner from the well-known Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi belongs to the budget segment, but in its capabilities, it is no inferior to more expensive competitors. Firstly, this is a wireless model. The built-in battery with a capacity of 2200 mAh provides up to 45 minutes of autonomous operation. However, in turbo mode, this time reduces to 15 minutes, which is still enough to clean difficult local pollution. An indication on the housing shows the battery's charge level, and full recovery of energy takes about 5 hours.

The lack of wires and the presence of a portable unit, which allows the vertical vacuum cleaner to transform into a compact handheld one, gives the ability to clean anywhere: in cabinets, on work surfaces, on the summer terrace, and in the car salon. And the wall mount included with the kit allows you to conveniently charge and store the vacuum cleaner in a compact vertical position.

With a fairly high suction power of 18000 Pa, the device easily copes with hard floors, carpets, and upholstery of soft furniture. The main turbo brush is supplemented by LED lighting, helping to see barely noticeable debris and not to leave skipped areas. For cleaning hard-to-reach places, the set includes a two-in-one combination nozzle — a narrow crevice and a dust brush.

A 5-stage filtration system traps particles as small as 0.3 microns, purifying the outgoing air and preventing re-contamination. The collected waste settles in a 550 ml dustbin, which easily opens at the push of a button.

The Dreame V11 vertical vacuum cleaner stands out for its advanced capabilities and build quality. It is equipped with a high-speed motor and a full control system over operating modes. The color OLED display shows current settings, charging process, and service messages. The digital block fully controls the motor, allowing you to set one of three power modes (Eco, Medium, Turbo) and, in case of air duct blockage, stops work to prevent overheating and breakdowns. The motor is packed in a separate cylinder, so even at maximum load, it remains quiet (73 dB).

The Dreame V11 is equipped with a multi-stage filtration system that traps large debris, dust, and micro-particles as small as 0.3 microns due to the use of a fine-filtered HEPA12. The vacuum cleaner helps eliminate allergens, mites, and other pests. The cleaning process is backed by an extended package. In addition to the standard dust and crevice nozzles, the manufacturer provided an additional mini turbo brush and a flexible hose. They ensure not only surface cleaning but also cleaning of hard-to-reach places (under car seats and furniture, behind cabinets, in niches). The vacuum cleaner demonstrates high suction power (25000 Pa), which, in combination with a full-sized motorized turbo brush, is especially good for high-pile carpet coverings. The vertical design quickly transforms into a portable unit with increased maneuverability and minimal weight.

The manufacturer has provided a truly capacious battery (3000 mAh), which will last up to 90 minutes in standard mode. This is enough for daily cleanliness maintenance throughout the week. At maximum load, autonomy is 10 minutes, while combined usage will provide an average of about 40 minutes of vitality.

The Philips XC 5141 wireless vacuum cleaner belongs to the middle price segment and is a versatile model thanks to the presence of a portable unit, which allows transforming a long vertical vacuum cleaner into a small handheld one, and the ability to perform both dry and wet cleaning simultaneously. Numerous attachments included in the supply package are responsible for this. The main TriActive Multi LED turbo brush easily copes with any floor coverings, picks up dirt close to baseboards and in room corners, and is also supplemented with LED backlighting to reveal the tiniest and invisible dirt. Additionally, a block for wet cleaning is attached to the turbo brush, which includes a water tank and a regular microfiber cloth. However, counting on the removal of stubborn, dried stains is not advised—the vacuum cleaner helps maintain cleanliness in the house but does not exclude the need for periodic comprehensive wet cleaning.

Additionally, the set includes a mini turbo brush Pet, which effectively removes fur and hair from textile surfaces, a long crevice, a two-in-one combined attachment (a brush for delicate surfaces and a wide crevice nozzle for cleaning in corners), and a wall station, where you can charge and store the vacuum along with the attachments.

The engine PowerBlade installed inside and the technology PowerCyclone 10 provide powerful airflow and thorough removal of almost any debris—from fine dust to hair and fur. Depending on the surface type and pollution complexity, you can choose one of three modes: eco, standard, and turbo.

However, autonomy depends on this: while at minimum power, a single charge will last up to 60 minutes, in turbo mode—only 15 minutes. According to the manufacturer, this is enough to clean from 70 to 195 square meters, without interruption for recharging. The display located near the handle indicates the battery charge level. The battery here is removable, so if desired, you can purchase a spare battery.

The vacuum cleaner from the Samsung Jet 75 series is not cheap but represents an advanced universal assistant for cleaning the entire house and beyond. Moreover, due to the good configuration, it is intended for both dry and wet cleaning. The main electric turbo brush rotates at a speed of about 3750 revolutions per minute and copes with any surface, whether laminate or carpet. The Pet mini turbo brush, combining bristles and rubber inserts, is convenient for use with a portable unit: this pair will help clean upholstery from fur and dust, a work table, kitchen surfaces, and car interior. The long crevice nozzle will reach debris in hard-to-reach places, and the combined dust nozzle is designed for a wide range of surfaces—from furniture to tables and equipment. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner plays the role of an electric mop and is supplied with an attachment for wet cleaning, which consists of two round parts and cloths attached to them. During the operation of the device, they rotate and effectively scrub dust, dirt, and dried stains. It is worth noting that the polisher is not fully automatic—it lacks a water tank, so microfiber attachments need to be dampened manually or use disposable pads with wet wipes, which are also included in the supply package.

At the heart of the appliance is a digital inverter motor, providing sufficiently high suction power at 200 W. It is designed not only for effective operation but also for long service life—Samsung promises a 10-year warranty on the motor. The dustbin with a Jet Cyclone system and multi-level filtration traps large debris and the smallest particles, releasing purified air outside. The reservoir volume is 800 ml, so there is no need to worry about frequent cleaning. For different surfaces and contaminants, several power modes are provided, the choice of which affects not only the suction power but also the autonomy time. For convenient management, the manufacturer added indications displaying information about the selected mode.

The vacuum cleaner operates wirelessly thanks to the battery, which provides up to 60 minutes of autonomy. But it all depends on the selected mode and connected attachment: for example, at maximum power with an electric brush, a single charge lasts only 5 – 6 minutes. However, the battery is fully removable. This means you can purchase a spare battery to increase autonomy and charge the battery separately from the vacuum cleaner.

Additionally, attention should be given to the wall charging station. It performs several functions: it charges the battery, has a place for small attachments, so they won't get lost, and allows convenient storage of the vacuum cleaner in a vertical position.