Skip to main content
DEAL WATCH: Keurig K-Express | 22% off $69.99

Keurig has changed the face of coffee, and snagging one of these for less than $70 is a solid deal. Read Review

BUY NOW
  • Introduction

  • Overview

  • Front

  • Side

  • Handle

  • Underside

  • Hose

  • Controls

  • Dirt Container

  • Overall Cleaning

  • Long Carpet

  • Short Carpet

  • Wood Floor

  • Pet Hair

  • Debris Pickup

  • Dirt Holder Capacity

  • Handling

  • Cleaner Controls

  • Cleaning Tools Use

  • Power Cord

  • Hose Use

  • Dirt Holder

  • Filter

  • Weight

  • Noise

  • Energy Use

  • Eureka Optima 431F Comparison

  • Dyson DC35 Multi Floor Comparison

  • Bissell 18Z6 Lift-Off Comparison

  • Overall Verdict

  • Performance

  • Usability

  • Noise

  • Introduction
  • Overview
  • Front
  • Side
  • Handle
  • Underside
  • Hose
  • Controls
  • Dirt Container
  • Overall Cleaning
  • Long Carpet
  • Short Carpet
  • Wood Floor
  • Pet Hair
  • Debris Pickup
  • Dirt Holder Capacity
  • Handling
  • Cleaner Controls
  • Cleaning Tools Use
  • Power Cord
  • Hose Use
  • Dirt Holder
  • Filter
  • Weight
  • Noise
  • Energy Use
  • Eureka Optima 431F Comparison
  • Dyson DC35 Multi Floor Comparison
  • Bissell 18Z6 Lift-Off Comparison
  • Overall Verdict
  • Performance
  • Usability
  • Noise

Introduction

Overview

The Dirt Devil UD20005 Easy Lite Quick looks like a full-size upright that someone left in the dryer a little too long. The sole control is an on/off foot pedal. There’s nothing at all groundbreaking about the design.

Front

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Side

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Handle

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Underside

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Hose

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Dirt Container

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Overall Cleaning

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

From wood floors to carpet, the {{product.name}}'s cleaning performance was inadequate, leaving behind almost as much dirt as we put down to test.

Long Carpet

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The more we cleaned with the {{product.name}}, the more trouble it had vacuuming up dirt. On our first few passes, it picked up around 11 percent of the test dirt, but after two more it decreased to 8.3 percent. After cleaning out the filter, the vacuum once again picked up 12 percent of the dirt we put down.

Short Carpet

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

As dirt can't hide amidst long carpet fibers, vacuums tend to do better in the short carpet test. Not so with the {{product.name}}, which only managed to lift 16.1 percent of the test dirt we put down.

Wood Floor

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

On wood floors, the little Devil exhibited a curious behavior. Because the powered brushroll can't be turned off, it kicked up dirt like a storm in the desert. Only 41.2 percent of the test dirt made it into the dust cup.

Pet Hair

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Pet hair was a tall order for the {{product.name}}. Our test cat and dog fur got caught in the Dirt Devil's brush roll, bogging it down until we turned off the vacuum and pulled each clump of furn out by hand.

Debris Pickup

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} did a good job picking up small debris, such as rice, but had a hard time with larger pieces of pasta and heavier coins.

Dirt Holder Capacity

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}}'s capacity is 0.31 gallons, about average for a bagless vacuum this size.

Handling

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

One would expect such a lightweight vacuum to be easy to push. Unfortunately, that's not the case, as the {{product.name}}'s tiny wheels get mired in carpet like it's mud. The fact that the carpet height can't be adjusted only makes it worse.

Cleaner Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

There's but a single control on this vacuum: A giant foot pedal that turns it on and off. To move the vacuum from the upright stored position, you wrench the handle while holding down the floor brush with your foot.

Cleaning Tools Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} comes with two tools: a crevice tool and an upholstery brush.

Power Cord

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The 20 foot power cord is short and doesn't automatically retract. You'll have to wind it up on the tabs protruding from the back of the cleaner. At least there's a clip that keeps the cord out of the way of getting run over by the brushroll.

Hose Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

A short hose allows for remote cleaning in the immediate vicinity of this Dirt Devil. It might reach between seat cushions or low-hung curtains.

Dirt Holder

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Dirt Devil's dirt holder is an average size for a vacuum this small and empties easily. Unlike many other cyclonic vacuums, there aren't any nooks and crannies where stray clumps of dirt hide. Just open the bottom of the dirt cup and it'll all slide out.

Filter

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} has a washable prefilter and a paper exhaust filter that cannot be washed.

Weight

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

At 10 lbs., this is one of the lightest vacuums we've ever tested.

Noise

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Most vacuums emit a high-pitched whine or, if equipped with a powered brushroll, a throaty growl. This one makes all kinds of noises, imitating everything from buzzsaw to fire alarm, all depending on whether it's having trouble making its way across thick carpet or running a brush across a bare floor. At its worse, we measured its audible output at 79.33 decibels.

Energy Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

With a compact 7 amp motor, we weren't surprised to see the {{product.name}} only consumes a little over 800 watts of electricity while in use.

Eureka Optima 431F Comparison

The Dirt Devil sells for $20 less than its Eureka competitor, but with equally poor performance, both vacuums make the case for a full-size upright.

While neither vacuum picked up a tremendous amount of dirt on carpet, the Eureka did a slightly better job on wood floors. We surmise that's due to a brushroll that turns off while on bare floors, as opposed to the Dirt Devil's always-on setup that blows dirt around instead of sucking it up.

The Eureka is a better designed, better handling vacuum. We prefer its many controls to the Dirt Devil's simple on-off switch.

Though both vacuums are mice that roar, the {{product.name}} used less energy, while we found the Eureka's constant whine preferable to the musical stylings of the Dirt Devil.

Dyson DC35 Multi Floor Comparison

The pricey Dyson ($299 MSRP) excels at quick, cordless cleanups on hardwood floors. Otherwise, it's as useless as the Eureka on carpets and pet hair.

Neither cleaner did an adequate job cleaning debris, pet hair or dirt embedded in a carpet. However, the DC35 had outstanding hardwood floor performance. If you've got money to burn and tend to spill things in the kitchen, the DC35 is the better choice.

The Dirt Devil may be small, but it can't compete with the {{product.name}}'s cordless operation, numerous configurations and six pound weight.

The Dyson DC35 is quieter than the noisy {{product.name}}. It's impossible to compare their power consumption, but the cordless Dyson is preferable for quick cleaning.

Bissell 18Z6 Lift-Off Comparison

Though it costs nearly $140 less than the Bissell, the little Dirt Devil is no match for even a weak full-size upright.

Though the Bissell had far from the best cleaning performance we've seen, it still picked up four times more dirt on short-pile carpet than the Dirt Devil. On wood floors, it doubled the Dirt Devil's cleaning ability.

The Bissell's removable canister vacuum, carpet height adjuster and bigger wheels make up for its larger size. It's a better-handling, easier to maneuver cleaner.

Neither vacuum is particularly quiet, though the Bissell at least provided a consistent stream of noise. As a full-size vacuum with a 12 amp motor, the Bissell used more energy than the smaller, 7 amp Dirt Devil.

Overall Verdict

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} may be cheap, but it's no bargain. It handles poorly and struggles to clean any surface.

Performance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

We tested the {{product.name}} on pet hair, bare floors, two kinds of carpet and debris pickup. Across the board, it failed to clean adequately, leaving behind dirt and large debris.

Usability

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Though it's lightweight, the {{product.name}} can't handle being pushed across thick carpet. Its small wheels and fixed height mean it easily gets stuck. A brushroll that can't be turned off and a single on-board control add to the frustratingly simple design.

Noise

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} is loud, and it gets even louder when the brushroll can't handle thick carpet or stays on while cleaning hardwood floors.

Meet the tester

Keith Barry

Keith Barry

Former Editor in Chief, Reviewed Home

@itskeithbarry

Keith was the Editor in Chief of Reviewed's appliance and automotive sites. His work has appeared in publications such as Wired, Car & Driver, and CityLab.

See all of Keith Barry's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next