With cordless tech making great strides in areas such as audio and smartphones, one could be forgiven for expecting much of the same with vacuum cleaners. However, the reality is that the current range of small, handheld cordless vacuums suffer from chronic underpower.
Models we’ve tested are little more than dust busters. If you want a cordless vacuum with enough power to thoroughly vacuum a car you need to spend hundreds of pounds. At which point, a cheaper and even more powerful corded model is a far better investment.
Bosch’s little UniversalVac 18 looks to be of the same ilk as the other underpowered little cordless vacuums. But to our surprise, it’s an awful lot better.
Build and design
• Finally, a handheld vacuum with power
The UniversalVac 18 is one of dozens of Bosch Home & Garden family of tools that extends from drills to lawnmowers. All are powered by the brand’s 18V POWER FOR ALL batteries. Therefore, investing in the UniversalVac 18 also opens the door to a world of Bosch.
You get the same terms used for the UniversalVac 18 as so many rivals. Versatility, lightweight, car, home, power, for instance. The difference here is that the UniversalVac actually delivers on its claims. Slide on battery, turn it on, and you can go about doing a proper vacuum, not just dust busting.
The UniversalVac 18 weighs 1.3-kilograms with a 0.5-litre catchment container. This makes it lighter and with a bigger bin capacity than the popular Gtech Multi MkII. Yet despite being lighter, it has that reassuring Bosch solidity to it.
It was a surprise to see the extension tubes included in the box. That’s bold, we thought. How can such a small vacuum have enough oomph to suck up debris with an added 70 centimetres of distance? But it can. All the usual suspects – grit, dried clods, small fasteners – will get sucked up by the UniversalVac 18 with its extension tubes fitted.
Therefore, when it comes to the car, and the extension tubes aren’t needed, power is even better. Run time is about 20 minutes from a 2.5Ah battery, which is similar to rivals. Within that time, you can give your car a thorough vacuum with the supplied crevice tool, brush, and floor tool attachments.
The UniversalVac 18 doesn’t come with a battery or charger and these need to be bought separately. Unless you’ve got one already, that is. Not having the option to buy the UniversalVac 18 as a kit including batteries is annoying for newcomers. However, buying into the Bosch POWER FOR ALL RANGE is a good investment. Buying the batteries and charger gives you a base from which you can add myriad tools.
The batteries are available in several capacities, and they’re excellent. They have cell protection against overloading and overheating. POWER FOR ALL batteries don’t suffer from memory effect either, and maintain charge when stored for long periods of time.
Ergonomics and usability
• Great to use and easy to clean the filter
Having a short and stout body, the UniversalVac 18 is great to hold. The motor and battery are right on your hand, so it doesn’t feel wobbly. It’s much better than the more tube-shaped models, such as the Shark Cordless Handheld. We also really liked the rubberised grip around the handle.
The crevice tool just long enough to reach down beside seats. However, the stubby nature of the body means you can reach far underneath seats. The bin capacity is 0.5 litres, which doesn’t sound like much but it’s more than what the Gtech Multi MkII offers, and certainly enough for a car clean.
We also really like the filter setup. There’s a pre-filter protecting the main one to prevent it getting clogged. It works very well and the whole thing is easy to remove and clean. The filter has a flexible rubber frame to aid this.
Any downsides?
What we don’t like is that there is no option to buy the UniversalVac 18 as a kit with a battery and charger. With tool brands, you often can with drills for example. So it would be helpful if the UniversalVac 18 had this option too. Not only is it convenient but these kits give you better value too.
Price and competition
Even with the added cost of a battery and charger set, the Bosch is still better value than rival models from more vacuum-focused brands such as Shark and Gtech.
In addition, we want to reiterate the point about access to the POWER FOR ALL range. With a Shark, Hoover, or Gtech vacuum, you don’t get this. Though, there are other tool brands that have big 18V ranges for the DIY market, such as Worx. But the UnversalVac 18 is better than the Worx Cube Vac.
Verdict
Usually, we have to conclude a lightweight cordless vacuum review with a caveat that it’s not very powerful and can’t give a car a deep vacuum. For the first time, we don’t need it. The Bosch UniversalVac 18 is a superb little machine that can be used for properly vacuuming a car. In addition, thanks to the extension tubes and floor tool, it’s helpful round the house too.
Score: 4.5/5
Bosch UniversalVac 18
Price: £53.00 | VIEW OFFER
Bosch Starter Set 18V
Price: £60.00 | VIEW OFFER
Pros:
• Decent suction power
• Very well made
• Part of Bosch POWER FOR ALL range
• Brush and crevice tool supplied
Cons:
• No kit option
Specs:
Run time: 20 mins from 2.5Ah
Weight (incl battery): 1.3kg
Bin capacity: 0.5 litres
Dimensions: 38.4 x 21.1 x 14.9cm
Attachments included: Brush, floor tool, crevice tool
How we tested it
We vacuumed stuff. Not wanting to sound like an obnoxious schoolkid but really, that’s what we did. Over a few weeks we used this vacuum around the house and for car cleaning.
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