diff --git a/src/vector/_methods.py b/src/vector/_methods.py
index e6e38cf2..b8e0e4ce 100644
--- a/src/vector/_methods.py
+++ b/src/vector/_methods.py
@@ -4107,11 +4107,46 @@ def _get_handler_index(obj: VectorProtocol) -> int:
 def _check_instance(
     any_or_all: typing.Callable[[typing.Iterable[bool]], bool],
     objects: tuple[VectorProtocol, ...],
-    clas: type[Vector] | type[vector.VectorAwkward],
+    clas: type[VectorProtocol],
 ) -> bool:
     return any_or_all(isinstance(v, clas) for v in objects)
 
 
+def _demote_handler_vector(
+    handler: VectorProtocol,
+    objects: tuple[VectorProtocol, ...],
+    vector_class: type[VectorProtocol],
+    new_vector: VectorProtocol,
+) -> VectorProtocol:
+    """
+    Demotes the handler vector to the lowest possible dimension while respecting
+    the priority of backends.
+    """
+    # if all the objects are not from the same backend
+    # choose the {X}D object of the backend with highest priority (if it exists)
+    # or demote the first encountered object of the backend with highest priority to {X}D
+    if len({_handler_priority.index(obj.__module__) for obj in objects}) != 1:
+        new_type = type(new_vector)
+        flag = 0
+        # if there is a {X}D object of the backend with highest priority
+        # make it the new handler
+        for obj in objects:
+            if type(obj) == new_type:
+                handler = obj
+                flag = 1
+        # else, demote the dimension of the object of the backend with highest priority
+        if flag == 0:
+            handler = new_vector
+    # if all objects are from the same backend
+    # use the {X}D one as the handler
+    else:
+        for obj in objects:
+            if isinstance(obj, vector_class):
+                handler = obj
+
+    return handler
+
+
 def _handler_of(*objects: VectorProtocol) -> VectorProtocol:
     """
     Determines which vector should wrap the output of a dispatched function.
@@ -4133,50 +4168,14 @@ def _handler_of(*objects: VectorProtocol) -> VectorProtocol:
     if _check_instance(all, objects, Vector):
         # if there is a 2D vector in objects
         if _check_instance(any, objects, Vector2D):
-            # if all the objects are not from the same backend
-            # choose the 2D object of the backend with highest priority if it exists
-            # or demote the first encountered object of the backend with highest priority to 2D
-            if len({_handler_priority.index(obj.__module__) for obj in objects}) != 1:
-                new_type = type(handler.to_Vector2D())
-                flag = 0
-                # if there is a 2D object of the backend with highest priority
-                # make it the new handler
-                for obj in objects:
-                    if type(obj) == new_type:
-                        handler = obj
-                        flag = 1
-                # else, demote the dimension of the object of the backend with highest priority
-                if flag == 0:
-                    handler = handler.to_Vector2D()
-            # if all objects are from the same backend
-            # use the 2D one as the handler
-            else:
-                for obj in objects:
-                    if isinstance(obj, Vector2D):
-                        handler = obj
+            handler = _demote_handler_vector(
+                handler, objects, Vector2D, handler.to_Vector2D()
+            )
         # if there is no 2D vector but a 3D vector in objects
         elif _check_instance(any, objects, Vector3D):
-            # if all the objects are not from the same backend
-            # choose the 3D object of the backend with highest priority if it exists
-            # or demote the first encountered object of the backend with highest priority to 3D
-            if len({_handler_priority.index(obj.__module__) for obj in objects}) != 1:
-                new_type = type(handler.to_Vector3D())
-                flag = 0
-                # if there is a 3D object of the backend with highest priority
-                # make it the new handler
-                for obj in objects:
-                    if type(obj) == new_type:
-                        handler = obj
-                        flag = 1
-                # else, demote the dimension of the object of the backend with highest priority
-                if flag == 0:
-                    handler = handler.to_Vector3D()
-            # if all objects are from the same backend
-            # use the 3D one as the handler
-            else:
-                for obj in objects:
-                    if isinstance(obj, Vector3D):
-                        handler = obj
+            handler = _demote_handler_vector(
+                handler, objects, Vector3D, handler.to_Vector3D()
+            )
 
     return handler