Let's be totally honest here. Using a hand-held vacuum cleaner isn't the most difficult task in the world. Climbing Mount Everest while playing I Wish I Was in Dixie on a kazoo is difficult, crossing the Atlantic in a raft made of yoghurt pots is difficult, but using a Black & Decker Dustbuster must qualify as one of life's easier jobs. First of all you plug it in. Then you wait 16 hours for it to charge. And then you pick it up, point at something - and press a button.

That said, I'm not sure how to explain its “cyclonic action”, but it certainly impressed me: this tool is lightweight (only 1.6kg), has good suction, a variable power switch, and is cordless and bagless. There, in our disused fireplace, was muck and the associated grunge that falls down the chimney every time it rains. One quick run round with the Dustbuster and it all vanished.

The machine's “pivot” feature is also useful for cleaning under the sofa or behind radiators. It comes with a host of attachments. These include two extension tubes and a floor-cleaning head that instantly turn it into a “traditional” vacuum cleaner - but one without a power cable that snags on every chair leg in sight.

Finally, I was impressed by its look. There was something almost space age in its sleek lines and robot-like appearance - the sort of thing “Bones” might have used to revive a patient in Star Trek.

Hero's verdict: Four out of five stars

The Black & Decker 12V handheld Dustbuster costs £68.49 at Homebase, www.homebase.co.uk

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