Kmart Vacuum Cleaner: Anko Reviews & Buying Guide

Anyone who’s hunted for a vacuum under $100 knows the pitch: comparable suction, a fraction of the price. Kmart’s Anko range makes exactly that promise — and for many buyers, it delivers just enough to get by. But the fine print in independent lab tests tells a different story than the star ratings on the product page.

CHOICE Expert Rating (Anko 2-in-1): 67% ·
Anko 2-in-1 Price: $79 ·
2400W Bagless Dimensions: 44.3cm (L) x 32cm (H) x 28.4cm (W) ·
Corded Stick Power: 600W motor ·
User Complaint (Reddit): Poor suction on crumbs

Are Anko vacuums good value for money?

The short answer from independent testers is: not particularly. Priced at $79, the Anko 2-in-1 cordless V8260-12A model performed OK overall, earning a CHOICE Expert Rating of 67%. That places Anko stick models in the lower half of stick vacuum rankings, where comparable brands often score 75-85% at only marginally higher prices.

CHOICE test results

CHOICE lab testing covers carpet cleaning, hard floor performance, edges and corners, dust re-emission, ease of use, and durability. The Anko 2-in-1 cordless lost points for lacking a power head, having no dedicated hard floor tool, and producing a messy bin emptying experience. It earned just 1 year warranty — shorter than most competitors offering 2-5 years.

Price vs performance

Consumer NZ took a different angle, recommending the $99 Anko 2-in-1 Cordless Stick over pricier $139 and $189 Anko models — the cheaper option moves more easily on carpet. That suggests the premium Anko models offer diminishing returns, not extra quality. Across the Tasman, Canstar Blue lists Anko’s full Australian range from $32 (2-in-1 Corded Stick) to $79 (2200W Bagless), with prices that sound reasonable until you factor in what you’re giving up.

The pattern is consistent: you get what you pay for with Anko stick vacuums, according to CHOICE testing data. The affordability is real, but so is the performance gap.

Should you buy an Anko vacuum cleaner from Kmart or Target?

This is less a comparison of brands and more a question of trade-offs. Target stocks vacuums from major manufacturers with established service networks; Kmart offers lower entry prices but thinner support infrastructure.

Availability and models

Kmart’s Anko line spans several form factors: the 2-in-1 cordless stick, a corded stick at $32, wet/dry hand vac at $49, 2000W bagless at $49, and 2200W bagless at $79. Target’s vacuum section skews toward established brands — ElectriQ, Miele-adjacent lines, and occasional own-brand offerings. The practical difference: Target vacuums typically come with 2-year warranties backed by local service agents; Anko offers 1 year with support dependent on store returns.

User feedback differences

Real-world reviews tell a split story. ProductReview.com.au users report that some Anko cordless units stopped holding charge after a few months — one noted the vacuum worked only 5 minutes after a 5-hour charge. CHOICE Community members describe Anko vacs as light and easy to maneuver but poor on suction for wood floors and rugs. The contrast with Target’s warranty-backed brands is stark in durability forums.

Is the Anko 2400W bagless vacuum any good?

The 2400W Bagless model sits in the mid-range of Kmart’s lineup, offering barrel-style design with cyclonic filtration at a price point that catches attention. Its $79 sticker price undercuts equivalent Dyson barrel models by $200 or more.

Specs overview

Physical dimensions measure 44.3cm long by 32cm high by 28.4cm wide — compact enough for most Australian cupboards. The 2400W rating refers to input power, not necessarily suction pressure, which is a common marketing distinction that independent tests address directly.

Cleaning performance

The ProductReview.com.au aggregate shows 3.1/5 stars from 168 verified reviews — an alternate listing puts it at 3.3/5 from 160 reviews. That’s below the 3.5+ threshold consumers typically consider acceptable. Common complaints centre on suction power declining after 6-12 months, a pattern consistent across multiple Anko vacuum types according to long-term user reports.

How to empty a Kmart vacuum?

Most Anko vacuums use a bagless design with a removable dust bin. The process varies slightly between stick and barrel models but follows the same logic: release the bin, empty over a bin or outside, check the filter, reassemble.

Step-by-step process

1. Switch off and unplug the vacuum. For cordless models, confirm the motor has stopped before opening the bin.
2. Locate the bin release latch — usually on the front or side of the main body. Press and hold while pulling the bin away from the motor unit.
3. Carry the bin directly to an outdoor bin or well-ventilated area. Tilt the bin opening downward and let debris fall under gravity. Tap the sides to dislodge packed material.
4. For stubborn residue: rinse the bin under lukewarm water. Avoid soap in the first rinse — soap residue affects dust adhesion in cyclonic systems. Dry completely before reassembly.
5. Remove the filter cartridge (mesh pre-filter and HEPA post-filter where fitted). Tap loose dust into a bin. Rinse mesh filter under running water; replace HEPA if visibly collapsed or discoloured.
6. Reassemble in reverse order, ensuring all seals seat properly. A misaligned seal causes suction loss — listen for air leaks on first use.

Maintenance tips

CHOICE testing noted the Anko 2-in-1 cordless has a “messy bin” experience — meaning dust escapes during emptying more than on better-designed competitors. Users report that the mesh filter is finer than some comparable brands, per independent YouTube analysis. Maintaining that filter integrity through regular (not just occasional) cleaning prevents the suction decline owners report at 6-12 months.

Do Anko vacuums have good suction?

Independent lab tests and real-world reports diverge on this question — and the gap matters for anyone considering an Anko as their primary vacuum.

Lab vs user reports

CHOICE lab testing measures suction indirectly through dust pick-up on standard surfaces. For the Anko robot vacuum (36% rating), hard floor cleaning scored 58% — meaning it collected just over half of a 200g sand test load in 25 minutes. Carpet performance dropped to 9%, and pet hair pickup reached 20%. These aren’t comparison outliers; the next-lowest robot scored 55%. The robot also failed on edges and corners (40%) and left water residue when mopping (20%).

Real-world Reddit reports align with CHOICE’s carpet findings: “The suction is shit and it’s barely able to pick up tiny crumbs,” noted one CHOICE Community user describing their Kmart stick vacuum. ProductReview users report the cordless spitting fine debris back onto floors rather than containing it in the bin.

Cyclonic filtration

The Anko corded stick includes a cyclonic filtration system — a design that separates debris from airflow through centrifugal force rather than bag filtration. Cyclonic systems maintain suction as the bin fills, but they require the separation chamber to stay clean. When the cyclonic cone fills with fine dust, performance degrades toward bagless-style suction loss. YouTube teardowns show the Anko’s mesh filter is finer than some competitors, which extends dust separation but requires more frequent cleaning to maintain airflow.

“Unfortunately, the Anko bot’s low price is the only attractive thing about it — it’s one of the worst performing robot vacs we’ve ever tested.”

— Adrian, CHOICE (Australia’s independent consumer advocate)

“So many of the newer models are getting smarter and more sophisticated, but this one is extremely basic and cleans poorly. Essentially, its tech feels similar to robot vacuums from five years ago, maybe even longer.”

— Adrian, CHOICE

“I have a kmart stick vacuum and I hate it. The bin is so small and gets clogged easily. The suction is shit.”

— Reddit user, via CHOICE Community

Related reading: Should you buy a Kmart Anko vacuum cleaner · Should you buy Kmart’s Anko robot vacuum

Kmart Anko vacuums deliver solid budget performance, especially alongside Canstar Blue’s top picks that lead Australia’s consumer ratings for 2025.

Frequently asked questions