Vacuum and broom in one? The neatnik in me had to try it

Some product promises come across as gimmicky or immediately too good to be true, while others undersell, making promises that the product can far surpass.

When I first read about the Vabroom—which is a two-in-one broom that features a small vacuum on its side—I truly assumed it would fall in the gimmick category. I figured the company was overcommitting—the broom may sweep well or vacuum well, but surely not both.

To satisfy my skepticism over the internet’s next favorite cleaning product, I put the Vabroom to the test, and, spoiler alert, it swept away the competition.

About the Vabroom

The Vabroom is a cordless broom that comes with a built-in vacuum feature. It stands about 48 inches tall and is made of both metal and plastic materials.

The product features a rechargeable lithium battery—users can plug in a micro-USB cord to give the vacuum some juice. I found that the battery can last for a considerable amount of time. (Over the course of a week, I used the device several times without needing to recharge it.)

The broom itself looks futuristic—like something you’d see on Zenon’s spaceship or in the Jetsons’ closet. The motor for the vacuum is located inside the body of the broom’s head. Users can suck up debris through a vacuum tube on the side of the product.

That dirt (and other small items that get swept up) is then stored in a plastic compartment within the broom’s body. The plastic chamber has a clear window — so users can immediately tell when they may need to dump out any dirt.

Interestingly, the Vabroom itself was funded through a Kickstarter campaign, just within the last few years. Now, you can pick up the “smart broom” from Bed Bath & Beyond or direct from Vabroom for just shy of $60.

How to use the Vabroom

The broom is shipped to users in a small box, and assembly is required. Fortunately, the device is organized into four main pieces and the directions are very straightforward. I had my broom built and charging within five minutes of opening the box.

The cord to charge the broom is a USB to Micro-USB cable. It’s several feet long, which helps make for easier charging. While the broom is plugged in, you’ll spot a bright red light—when that light turns green, your broom’s battery is fully charged.

Sweeping with the Vabroom is pretty much the same as sweeping with any broom. The main difference: no dustpan is needed. The company advises that users sweep their dust and debris into a small pile or (preferably) a straight line. Once the dirt is collected, you can use the plastic nozzle on the bottom-left side of the broom to suck everything up.

To run the vacuum, users have to slightly press the nozzle against the floor. Once pressure is applied, the motor kicks on and the Vabroom begins sucking up debris. You’ll need to maintain pressure while vacuuming to keep the suction on. To do so, I recommend carefully dragging the nozzle along the floor. As you move the broom, the device sucks up whatever’s in its path.

I found that many of the more negative Vabroom reviews online were due to users feeling unsure of exactly how the device worked. Admittedly, I needed to adjust to get used to cleaning with this broom. That said, as soon as I got the hang of it—I loved not having to use a dustpan.

What I like about the Vabroom

There’s no dustpan

The star feature on this handy broom is its vacuum. While the nozzle for the vacuum is fairly small, the motor is powerful. It swept everything up—there were no remaining dirt piles. That small strip of dust that always seems to be left behind by dustpans was no match for the broom’s vacuum.

Dirt dumping is easy

This may seem like a silly “pro” to include on the list, but I’ve always hated dumping the debris from vacuums (handheld or full-size). I seem to always make a mess of it.

The Vabroom is easy to empty. There’s a small lever next to the plastic storage container that holds all of the dust and dirt. When that container is full, users can hold the broom over a trash can and press the lever.

While the Vabroom does feel a bit heavier than the average broom—it’s still lightweight enough that lifting it over a trash can isn't difficult.

Assembly is painless

When I saw that the broom required initial assembly, I’ll admit that it made me slightly nervous. Fortunately, the assembly process took only minutes. Every piece was clearly marked and matched the instructions exactly.

It is sized right for a small space

My apartment is about 1,000 square feet total. I live in a city and the constant foot traffic through the apartment leads to tracking dirt and dust into every corner of the small space. The Vabroom is a perfect-sized addition to my cleaning supplies.

I was able to store the device easily by hanging it up at its handle. The broom head isn’t too wide, either, so I could sweep around the toilet, in small spaces, and under cabinets, chairs, and beds smoothly.

What I don’t like about the Vabroom

It can be tough to maneuver

While I do think that the Vabroom can make an excellent addition to smaller-sized homes (you’ll never have to wonder where to store your dustpan), there is one obstacle that people in tiny spaces may find difficult; the Vabroom can be tricky to move around.

To fully sweep up everything, users have to hold the broom at an angle to press the vacuum’s nozzle against the floor. In tight spaces, this may be difficult.

It’s only useful for small piles

The Vabroom is used best in small, indoor settings where there are contained messes. If you work in a large, commercial setting or need a broom for a garage or the outdoors, this may not be the best product for you.

The nozzle for the vacuum is only about an inch wide. Due to the narrow size, the Vabroom sweeps up a thin strip of debris at a time. While cleaning a particularly large dirt pile, it took me several turns with the vacuum to get everything off the floor.

You’ll still need to pick hair off the broom’s bristles

As a person with long hair, I shed, and broom bristles have been a major struggle of mine for years, because they collect my shedded locks. Unfortunately, while the Vabroom does have reliable brush bristles, they still collect hair. Like the vast majority of brooms, you’ll probably need to bend over occasionally and remove the hair from the bristles.

Should you buy a Vabroom?

The Vabroom is pricier than a typical broom and dustpan, but it’s also significantly cheaper than many vacuums and especially robot vacuums.

After testing the Vabroom along hardwood floors, against bathroom tile, and across floorboards, its performance is top-notch, and it makes for an excellent investment.

A quick note, we ordered from the Vabroom website directly, rather than Bed Bath & Beyond. It took several weeks for the product to be delivered, so if you’re looking for a quick sweeping solution, be prepared to wait.

In short, though, I loved using it. I even invited friends over to try the broom. We were all pleasantly surprised by the small-but-mighty, futuristic Vabroom. While there is room for improvement of this product, it’s a great start toward eventually getting rid of dust pans entirely.

Get the Vabroom from Bed Bath & Beyond for $59.99