What is the Vorwerk Kobold VC100?
Most hand vacuums are meant to address your entire home, but the smaller Vorwerk Kobold VC100 is a bit different. This model is for cleaning small spills quickly, making it a useful alternative to a dustpan and brush.
This practical kitchen assistant has simple controls and a modern design, but the small container and the lack of accessories can embarrass some people.
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Vorwerk Kobold VC100 – Design and construction
With its cylindrical white body with green accents, the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 looks like a more futuristic ray gun than a hand vacuum cleaner.
Wisely, Kobold has made the bottom of the VC100 flat, so that the vacuum can be placed on a countertop or table without fear of rolling on the sides. Even so, I discovered that I had to be careful to leave it, since it is easy to place it outside the center and make it roll.
With a weight of 650 g, with the center of gravity displaced towards the end of the cleaner, the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 is light and easy to maneuver. It is also one of the smallest hand vacuums I have seen, measuring only 83 x 83 x 425 mm.
However, this compact size has its disadvantages. Most notable is the capacity of the container. With only 0.2 liters, the cleaner is limited to dealing with minor spills.
Emptying the cleaner is quite easy. Simply touch the button, separate the two halves, remove the filter and empty the tray. Given the small capacity, emptying the vacuum without messing is simple.
The cleaner works with a single button. Touch it once to turn on the vacuum cleaner; touch it again to turn it off. If you press and hold the power button while the VC100 is operating, the higher power boost mode will be activated. However, you will need a strong thumb to use the impulse for a prolonged period of time.
A series of LEDs on the front of the cleaner shows status information, which includes blinking to indicate that the vacuum needs a charge. An additional £ 10 will buy the crack and brush tools – it is a pity that these are not included in the box.
Vorwerk Kobold VC100 – Charge and runtime
You can charge the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 through the integrated charging port on the handle of the vacuum cleaner. Connect the supplied power cord to the vacuum cleaner or place it in the charging cradle. The support can be mounted on the wall or placed on a counter.
It makes sense to use the stand, therefore, place the cleaner vertically, so that it is ready when you need it. With a full charge, the VC100 can operate with standard power for 20 minutes and full power for 13 minutes.
Vorwerk Kobold VC100: How noisy is it?
The VC100 is comparatively silent. I tested it with full arm stretch at both power levels. At the default level, I measured the VC100 at 73dB, jumping to 76.1dB at full power. The vacuum cleaner does not produce a particularly annoying sound, so it is pleasant to use.
Vorwerk Kobold VC100: How well do you clean it?
It is unlikely that the cleaning performance of a small vacuum cleaner matches that of a larger model, and the VC100 is really designed to pick up spills and quick crumbs.
When testing on a hard surface with a granola spill, the VC100 collected all debris with the lowest configuration. This was much faster and resulted in a cleaner work surface than if you had used a damp cloth.
On a carpeted floor, a spill of granola and cornflower turned out to be a harder job for the cleaner. A single pass managed to absorb most of the muesli, but the cornflower remained stubbornly on the carpet. Using the high power settings and some sweeps, I managed to collect all the mess. Given the size of the vacuum, it offers impressive suction.
It is harder to remove the toughest dirt on the carpet, and as such, you will want to use a more powerful vacuum, possibly with a motorized brush – for such cases. Trying to remove debris to the edge of a wall was a bit complicated, too, since the vacuum cleaner's nozzle is quite wide. Again, it is a pity that the cracked accessory is not included in the box.
Ultimately, the VC100 does the job for which it was designed. If you want something quick and easy to pick up lighter spills, then the Kobold VC100 is the tool for the job.
Why buy the Vorwerk Kobold VC100?
For large areas and deep cleaning, you'll be better off with a larger cordless vacuum cleaner like the excellent Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute. But if you want a ready-to-use, easy-to-use cleaner and suitable for quick cleanup jobs, then the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 will not disappoint. It's like a Dustbuster for the modern era.
The cleaning performance, for the size of the vacuum cleaner, is impressive. However, the price is relatively high, especially since additional tools are not provided in the box.
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Verdict
A quick and convenient way to clean small spills, if you're happy to pay for the privilege.