This Heavy-Duty Mattress Vacuum Will Make You Question Just How Clean You Really Are

• Value: 17/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Ease of Use: 19/20
• Aesthetics: 16/20
• Deep-Cleaning Capability: 19/20

TOTAL: 90/100

Just like Alton Brown despises single-use kitchen gadgets (sorry, strawberry slicers and meat-shredding claws), I’ve always been hesitant about super-specific home appliances. I don’t like the clutter. But after testing Iris USA’s mattress and furniture vacuum, I’m more than willing to make room in my closet for it. And more than a little embarrassed of how much grime it picked up.

While a normal vacuum will give your mattress a basic clean (something we’re supposed to do twice a year, apparently, to extend its lifespan), mattress vacs tend to have stronger suction, so they can extract finer dust and dirt particles. They can also cost as much—or more than—a regular vacuum. For $100, Iris USA’s design much easier on your wallet. It may not be as sleek-looking as Dyson and some other brands, but it makes up for its no-frills design with its cost, maneuverability and overall effectiveness.

Pretty grimy dust cup, huh?

Its power lies in being able to suck up finer particles that a regular vacuum misses. That’s due to the one-two punch of the agitator, which shakes up the surface you’re vacuuming, releasing dust mites; and the cyclone stream technology, which is a very Tomorrowland-sounding way of saying “super strong suction.”

At less than 4 pounds and roughly 15 inches tall, it’s incredibly portable, making upholstery cleaning less of a dreaded task. (I found it so fascinating that I used the vac on my rug, too, though that was a bit tedious, given its short handle.) My one complaint is that it’s corded—after being spoiled with a cordless vac, I never want to be tethered again. But, in this instance, I suppose I’ll make an exception.

The PureWow100 is a scale our editors use to vet new products and services, so you know what’s worth the spend—and what’s total hype. Learn more about our process here.