Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2016
If you've ever tried to clean out your PC using compressed air canisters, you know how expensive they can be, and how annoying to use. Whether it's holding them perfectly upright so you don't get any liquid coming out, or losing the straw and not being able to reach the crevices you need to clean, they always seem to cause problems. This electric duster, while expensive for a one time purchase, will quickly reveal itself to be a money-saving and extremely useful device to have around the house, particularly if you have a decent computer that you want to treat properly.
Here is a breakdown of the pros and few cons of the MetrovAC 500 Watt Electric Duster:
Pros
- Powerful and effective: This device has a strong little motor that blows a lot of clean, dry air with a surprising amount of force. Compared to a compressed air canister, which starts out strong and then weakens as you use it, the Electric Duster is an air moving powerhouse that doesn't let up. Just point it at the dust and crumbs you want to eliminate, turn it on, and watch them fly. It takes about 20 seconds to thoroughly clean out the interior of a dusty computer tower, compared to the couple of minutes it sometimes takes with canned air.
- Multiple uses: In addition to cleaning out my computer, I've also found it to be useful for cleaning the air filters in my car and the air purifier I have in my home, greatly extending the life of filters that cost quite a lot of money to replace. Any other sort of gizmo or household object that collects dust but is difficult to clean is also fair game for the duster. For example, I've used it to clean camera components, window screens, the interior of my subwoofer, the handle frames of my folding knives, and blowing dust off a fake Christmas tree that was stored under the stairs.
- Useful attachments: The Duster comes with several attachments that can be useful depending on your task at hand. For me, I've found that the nozzle that narrows to the tip is perfectly adequate for most jobs, though the crevice tool and small cleaning heads are good for cleaning out my mechanical keyboard.
- Ergonomics and design: Although it may not be the coolest looking device on the market, its design is simple and effective. The handle is large and firm, giving you excellent control over where the duster is pointed. It also has a very long cord, about 10 feet by my estimate, which is long enough to reach many outlets but not too long that it becomes cumbersome when using or storing. The base of the unit also has 3 solid plastic feet which keep it upright and level on flat surfaces, as well as providing airflow into the bottom of the unit through the air filter. When you set the duster down, you know it will stay there.
Cons and caveats
- Hot hot heat: Okay, this shouldn't be surprising, based on the power this duster has, but the unit itself gets quite hot after prolonged use. Admittedly, most jobs shouldn't take that long, but if you've got a particularly tough dusting job, you'll need to be careful not to touch the metal sides of the duster. Thankfully, the handle is large enough that it shouldn't be a problem, and you won't get serious burns even if you do touch the metal, but you should still be cautious, and definitely don't let children use it as a toy.
- Ow, my freaking ears: Speaking of this duster's power, it's motor gets surprisingly loud. Using it in a small indoor area for a significant length of time is not recommended unless you have earplugs or are like my dad and don't care about your hearing. It's not quite as bad as standing beside a central vacuum unit on full blast, but because you're generally holding it closer to your head you need to be careful. Using it outside is not quite as much of a concern. Which brings me to my final point.
- USE IT OUTSIDE: Okay, this bad boy gets the job done, but unless you want to spend more time cleaning up the dirt you've blown out, you need to use this outside on a deck or porch, or in a workshop that it is already dirty. It may take a little extra work tracking down an extension cord or lugging your massive gaming PC onto the deck, but you really need to do so in order to fully utilize the power of this device. Because it is so powerful, you also need to be careful with delicate components, so always hold it far away at first and bring it closer if required. You properly won't blast components off your motherboard, but use good judgment when dealing with expensive or fragile devices. In a perfect world, the duster would have two settings, one high and one low for more delicate jobs, but as it is you should have no trouble adjusting distance and power as needed.
Ultimately, I feel that these few concerns are easily outweighed by the positive aspects of the Electric Duster. Whether you're looking to clean out your brand new PC or blast the dust out of every crevice and cranny in your home, car, or office, the MetrovAC 500 watt Electric Duster will get the job done. Just remember to handle it with care, and protect your ears, and you'll be good to go.
