Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO: a powerful handheld vacuum cleaner with a full set of attachments

The Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ handheld vacuum cleaner is positioned by the company as one of the most powerful in the line. The current price at the time of writing is $240. This is a hefty price tag for upright vacuum cleaners, and there are truly powerful and high-quality models for this price. Now we'll find out whether this Polaris is one of those vacuum cleaners by testing it under various conditions. So, let's get started!

Equipment

The Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ is packaged in a branded, bright box that displays the vacuum cleaner's main features and application options.

The delivery set includes:

1. Main block.
2. Extension tube.
3. Basic motorized floor brush.
4. Mini electric brush for cleaning furniture.
5. Wall-mounted holder for vacuum cleaner.
6. Documentation from the manufacturer.
7. Power adapter for charging the battery.
8. 2 in 1 combination nozzle.
9. Brush attachment for delicate surfaces.
10. Crevice tool.
11. Angled adapter for cleaning high and hard to reach places.
12. Fasteners for wall holder.

Overall, the package is complete, including all the necessary accessories for cleaning a house or apartment. The only thing missing is a replacement brush for the main nozzle. It has a bristle roller for cleaning carpets, but it would be nice to be able to replace it with a fluffy roller for laminate and parquet floors.

Appearance

Let's take a look at the main unit. It's gray-blue.

At the top, we see the Polaris logo, along with a sticker mentioning that the Swiss company oversees production quality. Let's hope that's true. The bottom of the vacuum cleaner is secured with a latch; when pressed, debris falls out. Next to the handle, on the side, we see a power adapter connector and a battery status indicator. The vacuum cleaner's on/off button is shaped like a trigger.

The first press turns the vacuum cleaner on, and the second press turns it off, so you don't have to hold it down while using it, which is a plus. The suction power control button is conveniently located on the end of the vacuum cleaner, allowing you to use just one hand when cleaning. This model has 3 power modes.

The battery in this model is removable, which is a plus.

A HEPA-10 exhaust filter is installed on top. By pressing the red button on top and simultaneously rotating the flask clockwise, the dust container can be completely removed for a thorough cleaning of the flask and filtration system. Inside the container, there is an additional mesh filter and cyclone filter. This creates a three-stage air filtration system.

Now let's look at the included attachments. Let's start with the main floor nozzle. It has a locking tab on the bottom, which allows you to remove the central brush for cleaning. Removing it isn't very convenient; you have to force it out of its socket. The pile isn't very dense; we'll test how effective this nozzle is for cleaning later.

Regarding the nozzle design, there's a transparent plastic insert on top for inspecting the brush status. There's no front light, but the nozzle does have a swivel joint, which improves maneuverability. The main nozzle is attached to the extension tube with a locking button. The bottom has pins for powering the electric brush motor.

The mini electric toothbrush is, in my opinion, better designed. It also has a locking button and motor power pins. However, to remove the toothbrush from the housing, you need to twist the locking button and pull it out with the toothbrush. This option is more convenient. The toothbrush itself is also better designed; it's a combination of bristles and petals. The color combination is the same as the Dyson V8 Absolute, which we tested earlier.

The only criticism I have about the mini electric toothbrush is the quality of the plastic. There are visible traces of paint drips, which doesn't leave the best impression.

It's important to note that only two of the attachments reviewed are equipped with locking clips. The others are secured by pushing the insert until it stops. Another point: the adapter is only compatible with the combination, crevice, and brush attachments. It is not compatible with the main or mini power brush attachments.

In short, the Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ is a 5-in-1 handheld cordless vacuum cleaner. It's versatile and suitable for cleaning a variety of surfaces. We'll test the effectiveness of its attachments below.

By the way, the wall holder allows you to store up to two additional attachments. This is very convenient, as it prevents them from getting lost and keeps them always at hand.

Technical specifications

Let's look at the main characteristics of the vacuum cleaner:

• Engine power 450 W.
• Suction power up to 160 AW (according to the manufacturer).
• Li-Ion battery 2500 mAh, 25.2 V.
• Dust collector capacity is 600 ml.
• Charging time up to 4 hours.
• Operating time up to 60 minutes in minimum power mode.
• Noise level 71 dB (according to the manufacturer).

The Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ has very good specifications, especially its power consumption and suction power. It's on par with Xiaomi's flagship models and various sub-brands (Dreame, Roidmi, etc.). We'll be testing some of these claims further during our tests.

It's also worth noting that the main unit weighs 1,463 grams, the main floor brush weighs 474 grams, and the extension tube weighs 222 grams. Accordingly, the fully assembled vacuum cleaner weighs 2,159 grams, while the vast majority of similar vacuum cleaners weigh up to 2.5 kg. Furthermore, the minimum configuration with the crevice tool and no extension tube weighs only 1,505 grams.

Testing

We recommend watching our video for a detailed review and all tests:

Opening hours

First, we tested the vacuum cleaner's runtime in maximum mode with a fully charged battery. The main unit is equipped with a mini electric brush, which draws additional power.

The vacuum lasted almost 10 minutes and 30 seconds. This is a good result, considering its high power and the results of testing other handheld vacuums. It's worth noting that the motor's speed doesn't fluctuate; it runs smoothly.

Noise level

At minimum power, the Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ reaches 74.8 dB, in standard mode it reaches 80.4 dB, and at maximum power, the peak noise level does not exceed 83 dB. The manufacturer's claim of 71 dB was not confirmed. The noise level is higher than similar products we've previously tested, but the motor is also more powerful.

It is also important to note that after several minutes of continuous operation at maximum mode, an unpleasant whistling sound is emitted, which is not very good.

Suction power

Now let's check from what depth of cracks the Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ can suck out dust.

It's good at vacuuming up to 6 mm deep, but it struggled a bit with 8 and 10 mm deep cracks. It sucked up most of the dust, but some remained. So, its suction power isn't the best among competitors in this price range, although it's still quite powerful.

Quality of cleaning

And most importantly, we'll test how well this handheld vacuum cleaner cleans hard and carpeted floors. First, we'll scatter various debris on the laminate flooring. This includes hair, fur, and grains.

The Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ performed brilliantly. It had no trouble cleaning corners or along baseboards, leaving no debris behind, and the stand was clean. The test was passed successfully.

As for cleaning the carpet, the vacuum also did a perfect job. The carpet was thoroughly cleaned, no complaints.

Overall, the vacuum cleaner boasts high-quality debris collection. There are no particular complaints in this regard. Even at medium power, it cleans surfaces well, including the grout between tiles.

Here's how to clean a trash container:

A simple option is to empty the dust container through the bottom, but this can cause debris to spill past the bin, so I recommend unscrewing the flask itself and emptying the debris through the top.

Let's sum it up

The Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+ has been thoroughly tested, and I'll summarize the review based on the price of this handheld vacuum cleaner.

I'll start with what I liked. It offers excellent cleaning performance on all surfaces, a wide range of attachments, and a removable battery that can be swapped for a charged spare when discharged. As a result, it's suitable not only for cleaning houses and apartments, but even for cleaning car interiors. So, it's a versatile model. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner is easy to use and comes with a warranty and service support. This is important. And in Turbo mode, the runtime is 1-2 minutes longer than cheaper models.

As for the downsides, I didn't like the motor's whistling sound at maximum power, the central brush on the main nozzle is awkward to remove, there's no replaceable roller for parquet, there's some paint smudges on the body, and the suction depth isn't the best among the handheld vacuums I tested. It's worth noting that the similar products I tested also cost around $200-$250. I also didn't like the position of the exhaust vents on the main unit. They're positioned toward the user, so when the vacuum is running at maximum power, warm air blows directly into their face, which isn't ideal, in my opinion. I don't have any critical complaints about the vacuum; these are just comments I'd like to share. Although, they might be important to some.

Overall, I had a mostly positive opinion of this vacuum cleaner, weighing its pros and cons, so I couldn't find any compelling reasons not to buy it. However, I do think the price is a bit high. If it were priced in the $150-$180 range, I'd definitely recommend it. However, as it is, I'd consider other similar options, especially those in the $250 range.

That concludes our review of the Polaris PVCS 1102 HandStickPRO+. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments. Happy shopping, everyone!