Stick vacuum cleaners Samsung SS7550 FlexSlim
Samsung claims its cordless £139.99 FlexSlim stick vac has all the flexibility you need to get into tight spaces - and is even perfect for cleaning boats. We gave it a test run in the Which? office to bring you our first impressions.
The FlexSlim's stick-shaped body twists very freely - but the movement isn't all transferred to the floorhead.The swiveling stick is supposed to make cleaning under beds and tables easier, but the FlexSlim doesn't recline far enough to get underneath low furniture, so you'll only be able to clean a narrow strip underneath low sofas or beds. If you try to lie the FlexSlim flat to vacuum horizontally, the front of the floorhead lifts about 8cm off the ground.
Detachable handheld
On the plus side, the FlexSlim has a detachable handheld vacuum cleaner unit that enables you get into harder-to-access spots. The main chamber can be unclipped from the body to double as a small handheld, which has wheels to help you slide it across the floor. We found it easier to move the handheld along hard surfaces than on carpet.
An upholstery brush is provided as an attachment to the separate handheld vac, but it can't be stored anywhere on the FlexSlim and wasn't very useful when we gave it a go. The brush seems to move more dirt around than it manages to pick up, but it's detachable so the accessory doubles as a very precise crevice tool that delivers an effective shot of suction to small areas.
Good pick-up
The main stick vac's pick-up seemed pretty good when we tried it out; it sucked a lot of dust out of the carpet and managed to collect larger debris like cornflakes. Getting up close to walls and corners was no problem and the FlexSlim is very easy to move in straight lines along the skirting board.
While not particularly loud, we found the the noise made by the FlexSlim to be pretty irritating. As well as a constant high-pitched whine, this stick vac emits a whistling noise as you move it around the floor.
Twists too freely
The FlexSlim is lightweight with a comfortable soft-touch handle, making it easy to grip and move around. But while the stick handle twists easily through 180°, the floorhead doesn't swivel as freely, so you an end up investing a lot of effort and wrist action without much in the way of movement. In fact, the stick twists so freely that your arm might ache afterwards; it's not easy to make the vac arc round to the right (or left, if you're left-handed) without twisting your arm quite dramatically.
The stick handle clicks into the floorhead when you push it forward, meaning the FlexSlim will stand upright without the support of its charging base. But it doesn't feel very stable - it wobbles around and could topple over if you if you push it forward too hard. You also need to make sure that the stick is lined up with the floorhead as it won't click in place at an angle.
Twice as long as conventional stick vacs?
Samsung claims that the FlexSlim can operate for twice as long as conventional stick vacs, by lasting on maximum power for 25 minutes. This is nine minutes longer than AEG claims its Ergorapido lasts, and 10 minutes longer than Hoover claims of its Freejet SU120RB2. When the vac's out of power it can be returned to its base for recharging.
The dust bin is easy to remove and empty, though you'll need both hands to unclip the bin from the vac and remove its lid. It's easy to rehouse and clicks firmly in place afterwards.
The FlexSlim is available now from larger high street and online shops, including Currys, for around £139.99.
Pros: Easy to move, good pick-up
Cons: Handle twists too freely, can't get under low furniture
