Q. I purchased the mini blower you recommended and cannot believe the blowing power in that tiny device. Even after several months I continue to be amazed every time I turn it on, and it has so many applications. I have a challenge for you. Can you find a powerful mini vacuum, but in a small device?

—J.O., Minneapolis

A. Thanks for the challenge. I am happy to report that I found one! The HOTO AutoCare Air Duster & Vacuum is cordless and as the name states, it works as a duster/blower as well as vacuum, using some very clever design and engineering to accomplish both tasks.

The system's core is a tube with suction on one end and blower exhaust on the other. Multiple attachments are included, and what accessory you attach and where you attach it determines what it will do. Need a blower? Select an attachment that matches your airflow needs and attach it to the exhaust end. Need a cordless, handheld vacuum for car or home? Attach the dust cup to the suction end and a nozzle to the dust cup, and you have an effective mini vacuum that is very useful around the home or in your car. Inflating a pool toy or air mattress? There's an attachment for that, too. Vacuum sealing? I did not try that, but the box says it can do it. There's even a pet grooming attachment.

My Ryobi 18V ONE+ mini vacuum uses a big, heavy battery, and it is not nearly as effective of a vacuum as the HOTO. Where I found it really shines is keeping your kitchen clean. It makes it easy to get dirt from crevices, especially if you use the blower end to loosen and round them up into a corner. The only downside is the dust cup doesn't have a lot of capacity. Fortunately it's very easy to open and clean.

The blower function is effective, though not quite as powerful as your mini blower. A strong argument can be made for owning both the HOTO and the powerful mini blower, and if you don't have the mini blower then the HOTO will get your feet wet with the category and help you determine if you would like to have a more powerful one.

The regular price of the HOTO AutoCare Air Duster & Vacuum is $79.99, but the code FALLDEAL at hototools.com reduces it $15.99 to $64.

Breville coffee sale is almost too good to be true (but it's true!): If you've ever dreamed of having a beautiful espresso/coffee machine to make specialty coffee drinks at home, now may be the time the dream becomes reality. I've been using a Breville Barista Touch Impress the past few weeks and it is one of the most thoroughly impressive products I have ever used. It automates and guides you through creating coffee drinks, from bean grinding and dose adjustment to automatically frothing milk. You can use it to make espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, Americano coffee and much more. The results are phenomenal, the process is fun and easy and the all-in-one functionality keeps your countertop clean. I'll have a full review soon, but I saw that the Breville Barista Touch Impress is currently reduced from $1,499 to only $999, saving a whopping $500. Given the deal and how much I love the machine I wanted everyone to know right away. Other models are on sale as well, but I really recommend the Barista Touch Impress. breville.com

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