I bought Lakeland’s mini vacuum cleaner over a year ago – this is why it’s still the best £20 I’ve ever spent

Lakeland’s £19.99 3-in-1 Mini Vacuum Cleaner was released last year and was so popular that it sold out almost instantly. Then, it sold out again and again. But while stock levels are arguably more stable than they were a year ago, this bargain appliance is still one of Lakeland’s bestsellers.

And as Ideal Home’s Vacuums Expert, it’s my job to test vacuums of all shapes and sizes - with most of them hovering around the £300 mark. But while it’s fair to say that Lakeland’s £20 mini vacuum doesn’t offer the same level of power as the best handheld vacuum cleaners, this small-but-mighty appliance has still become one of my most-used appliances at home. Especially for quick spills.

It impressed me when I reviewed it last year, and since then I’ve recommended it to all my family and friends as the bargain buy they need in their homes. But if you’re still weighing up whether to add one to your cleaning line-up, these are three things I’ve learned about Lakeland’s hugely popular mini vacuum over the past year.

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1. It’s ideal for the kitchen

Since buying it, I’ve used Lakeland’s 3-in-1 Mini Vacuum Cleaner in every room of my house and in the car. In fact, I even influenced my sister to buy one specifically for her car so she could suck up the crumbs my messy nephews leave in their wake. Me personally, though? I primarily use mine in the kitchen.

I don’t have any kids in the house, but I am constantly on a mission to be like the people with tidy kitchen worktops, so I’m religiously tidying and cleaning my kitchen sides. And with the 3-in-1 sucking, air dusting and blowing functionalities, the mini vacuum is ideal for larger debris like porridge oats or smaller debris and dust that gets caught in between tiles and appliances. I’ve even used it to blast away cobwebs found in the many nooks and crannies in my kitchen.

I also have the Lakeland Mini Countertop Vacuum, which I tend to use for coffee-machine-related spills, but I find that the larger handheld vacuum’s versatility makes it ideal for quick cleaning on the go. The 0.2L dust canister is also a bit like Mary Poppins’ handbag and holds way more than you’d think, and it’s small enough to fit in a kitchen drawer, which is a major win.

2. The tools are handier than you think

I should note that the power of the Lakeland 3-in-1 vacuum doesn’t compete with bigger handheld models - and certainly not with full-size vacuum cleaners. It won’t tackle floors or upholstery, and it doesn’t offer enough suction or blowing power to tackle trickier, stubborn messes. However, the tools are a major plus point.

When I first bought the £20 vacuum, I did wonder how often I’d use some of the tools, but I’ve actually used them way more than I thought. Especially as there are five to choose from: a crevice nozzle, a crevice nozzle brush, and three blowing/suction nozzles. And all of these can be used by quickly clicking onto the end of the vacuum.

I’ve used these nozzles to blow debris out of my laptop keyboard, dust my plantation shutters, and even had my neighbour borrow the vacuum once to pump up an air bed for her daughter’s sleepover. Because of this, I really do think it’s one of those tools that you can get out when you’re stuck with most dilemmas.

3. Charging can be quite inconsistent

If you couldn’t already tell, I have a lot of love for Lakeland’s 3-in-1 Mini Vacuum and genuinely think that it’s a steal at just £20. But I also have to acknowledge that it is a very cheap appliance, and that often comes with some sacrifices and limitations. For me, this has come in the form of charging inconsistencies.

When I first bought the mini vacuum, I found that the advertised 15-minute run time (which is already very generous for a handheld vacuum) was accurate. The 2.5-hour charge time was also correct. And while I don’t know if it’s due to the USB charging cable or the battery itself, those numbers have started to dwindle as the year has gone by.

This is something reviewers have noted on the Lakeland website, too, as they’ve found that the battery life and charging time have become inconsistent with frequent use. Personally, I don’t find this to be too much of an issue as I’ve simply gotten into the habit of charging immediately after each use, but it does make me wonder how much longer it’ll last. For £20, though, it’s lasted well so far.

Alternatives to consider

I couldn't recommend this mini vacuum more!