I chose this Shark BH102UK Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for its 40-minute runtime - here's what I really think

I'd been looking for a handheld vacuum that could top me from having to get out my upright vacuum cleaner every time there’s a little mess in my house, while also making it much easier for my partner to keep his car clean.

When browsing the various options, the Shark BH102UK immediately stood out because of its advertised 40-minute runtime, which is around double the battery life offered by many handheld vacuums on the market. It also comes with a car cleaning kit, making it seem like an ideal all-rounder for both home and vehicle cleaning.

Costing £229, or £217 if you're an AO member, it certainly isn't cheap, so I wanted to know whether it justified the investment. So, we decided to test it out between us - me by using it around the house, and my other half Callum by using it to clean the car.

So, did it live up to expectations? Keep reading to find out.

What I like about this Shark handheld vacuum

The first thing that impressed me was just how powerful the Shark BH102UK vacuum is. The suction is excellent and makes light work of everything from fine dust to larger crumbs and bits of debris. This is particularly crucial at Callum’s house as he’s a stone mason, so no matter how hard he tries not to, he’s always bringing home lots of dust with him and we’re constantly cleaning up.

Despite that power it possesses, it's surprisingly lightweight at just over a kilogram, making it incredibly easy to carry around the house or manoeuvre around every corner of the car without arms getting tired.

The battery life was one of the main reasons I chose this model and, for the most part, it hasn't disappointed. Compared with many handheld vacuums I've looked at, the runtime is significantly longer, meaning I can clean much more before needing to recharge. For everyday little jobs around the house, one charge easily lasts me several cleaning sessions.

Another feature I've really enjoyed is the adjustable three-speed suction control. Most of the time I use one of the lower settings for lighter cleaning, as it does the job while also helping to preserve the battery, but it's great having the flexibility to increase the power when needed.

The Boost mode is particularly useful for stubborn dirt or when someone spills something unexpectedly and it needs to be gone as soon as possible. More often than not, I now grab this instead of my full-sized upright vacuum for those little life moments because it's simply quicker and far more convenient.

The included hose and attachments have also transformed how Callum cleans the car. Previously, there were always awkward gaps between the centre console and seats that he just simply couldn't reach properly. But, using the flexible hose with the supplied tools he said he could clean areas that had been collecting dust and crumbs for months - and when I got in the passenger seat I did notice the interior looking noticeably fresher than ever before.

It’s worth noting that it’s fair to say the car is also messier than an average car because of Callum’s profession. Again, it quickly gets full of dust and debris that get leave stone yards attached to his clothes and his shoes or his tools. So, the Shark BH102UK vacuum really was put to the test with his car, but it passed.

Plus, we love the LED Smart Display as it shows how much you’ve used into the 40-minute run time. If there’s one thing we can’t stand, it’s rechargable gadgets that just cut out without warning because there’s no way of knowing how much battery power is left, so to know this made a big difference.

The larger dust cup is another welcome improvement. It holds much more than many handheld vacuums, meaning I don't have to stop halfway through cleaning to empty it. When it is time to empty, the one-touch release makes the whole process quick, clean and hassle-free. Charging is equally straightforward, so it's always ready for the next clean without any fuss.

What I don't like about this Shark handheld vacuum

While Shark quotes up to 40 minutes of runtime, it's worth remembering that's under lighter cleaning conditions. If you're using the higher suction settings, the battery drains much faster. I wasn't particularly surprised by this because higher power inevitably uses more battery, but it can become slightly inconvenient if you're tackling a particularly dirty car like ours - though as previously mentioned the performance is great.

If you've kept on top of cleaning your car, it probably won't be an issue. However, if you've let months of dirt and crumbs build up, you may find yourself having to clean one section, recharge the vacuum and then come back later to finish the job. Callum’s had to do this as he tackled the car after months of dirt accumulation, but we’re hoping now he’s got in top of it consistency will be key and he’ll be able to do the whole car on one charge perhaps once a week.

My biggest disappointment with the vacuum is the omission of a slim crevice tool. Considering Shark markets this as coming with a complete car cleaning kit, I think this attachment should really be included. We ended up buying Shark's separate crevice tool for £19.99 because it's much better for reaching into the tight gaps between car seats.

The attachments that do come in the box are useful but this felt like an unnecessary extra expense, especially with an already rather high price tag. I do therefore think calling it a complete car cleaning kit is slightly misleading without that crevice tool.

Finally, I think Shark missed a trick by not including a storage bag or case. With several attachments supplied, it would have been useful to have somewhere to keep everything together rather than storing the accessories separately.

My Verdict

Overall, I've been really impressed with the Shark BH102UK. Its combination of strong suction, lightweight design, generous dust capacity and industry-leading battery life makes it a great handheld vacuum, and one that I have used far more often than I expected.

It has become my first choice for quick jobs around the house, from cleaning up accidental spills to tackling crumbs in the kitchen, and it is still impressive when cleaning the car thanks to the flexible hose and included accessories.

There are a few areas I'd like to see improved. The battery life reduces noticeably when using maximum power, I'd have preferred the car cleaning kit to include a proper crevice tool, and a storage bag would have been a welcome addition. Even so, none of these issues outweigh the convenience and performance the vacuum delivers day to day.

If you're looking for a premium handheld vacuum that's powerful, easy to use and capable of replacing your upright vacuum for many everyday cleaning tasks, the Shark BH102UK is well worth considering.

• Please note, delivery charges may apply.