If you’ve been seeing ads for the Horsepower Duck Vac floating all over your feed like I did, you probably thought of ordering it. Same, friend.
So I went directly on Amazon and ordered the latest (and most expensive) version — the “Gold” Duck Vacuum.
They said it had a better lasting battery. They said it was improved. They said it was powerful.
Well… here’s my honest no-BS review.
About the Duck Vacuum (Gold Edition)
This is a mini cordless handheld vacuum made by Horsepower. It’s cordless, sleek-looking, lightweight, and supposedly meant for quick clean-ups — dog hair, snack crumbs, kitchen messes, and the ever-annoying bathroom hair tumbleweed.
The “Gold” edition is the premium version — priced higher because it includes a larger battery. Mine arrived in decent packaging, already felt light in hand, and came with a proprietary USB-C charging cable.
I was excited. It looked promising.
My experience using Horsepower Duck Vacuum
I plugged it in to charge. The next morning, I was ready to give my keyboard a good clean — and maybe tackle the pantry floor after the cereal explosion from the day before.
Turned it on. Wow! Decent suction. I’ll give it that. Toast crumbs gone, hair strands vanished, dust bunnies? Obliterated. It felt powerful for such a small unit. And it was easy to hold — my toddler could probably operate it (don’t worry, I didn’t test that theory).
But here’s the kicker: it lasted less than 7 minutes.
I thought it was a fluke. Maybe it hadn’t charged properly? Nope. I recharged it again overnight, turned it on the next day, and like a tragic sitcom character with big dreams and low stamina, it ran for about 2–3 minutes, got warm, and then shut down.
This wasn’t a one-time thing. It happened every. single. time.
And cleaning the filter? Yikes. It’s not intuitive. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to use a different vacuum to clean this vacuum.
Also — and I learned this the hard way — you can only use the charging cable it came with. I tried four different USB-C cables I had lying around, and none worked. It’s picky. So don’t lose that original charger, or your Duck is cooked.
Does the Duck Cordless Vacuum Work?
Yes, it works… kind of.
If you need to vacuum a quick spill on the counter, get rid of pet hair on the couch, or suck the crumbs out of your car cupholder in under 6 minutes — the Duck Vacuum will do the job.
But for longer cleaning sessions? Forget it. This is not a replacement for your upright vacuum or even a serious dustbuster.
It’s more like a vacuuming assist. A spot cleaner. A “clean-it-before-your-mother-in-law-sees-it” kind of vacuum.
Is It a Scam?
No, it’s not a full-on scam. But it’s heavily misrepresented. When you pay more for a “Gold” upgraded version, you expect a decent battery life. Not something that gasps for air after 3 minutes of light work and shuts off like it’s taking an unpaid break.
Also, the branding “Horsepower” makes you think you’re getting a workhorse of a vacuum. But this is more of a pony. A cute, helpful pony that gets tired very easily and only responds to one specific feed (aka its own charger).
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Sleek design, looks modern
- Surprisingly strong suction (for the short time it works)
Cons
- Battery dies fast — barely 5–6 minutes on a full charge
- Only works with the included USB-C cable
- Filter is annoying to clean
- Overpriced for what it actually offers
Alternatives That Actually Work
If you’re looking for a reliable mini vacuum that doesn’t give up halfway through a mess, here are a few tried-and-tested options I’ve had much better luck with on Amazon.com:
Powools 8726-Cordless Pet Hair Hand Vacuum w/Electric Brush for Carpet Couch Stair If you want something actually compact and stylish but with better battery life and similar power, this one is great for cars and desktops. USB-C rechargeable, with attachments included — and lasts way longer than 3 minutes.
Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+
This one’s a bit bulkier but it’s a beast. Long battery life, great suction, and it actually works on pet hair without getting clogged. You’ll pay more upfront, but it does what the Duck Vacuum only dreams of.
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean+
A classic for a reason. This one’s got staying power (literally), a washable filter, and a reputation for lasting years. It also charges with standard plugs — no weird proprietary cable nonsense.
Final Thoughts
Do I regret buying Duck Vac? Not exactly, because I use them for very small jobs and I’ve got them scattered where I need them most. But would I recommend it as a one-and-done vacuum purchase? Nope.
Treat the Duck Vacuum as your backup cleanup buddy, not your main cleaner. If you’re okay with the short battery life and can keep it charged and handy, it’ll earn its keep. But if you’re expecting a true powerhouse? You’re gonna be disappointed.
Let me know if you want a head-to-head comparison of these minis — I’ve got the receipts.