The Best Handheld Vacuums

Buying Guide for Handheld Vacuums

Why buy a handheld vacuum?

Handheld vacuums are genius gadgets that make cleaning messes when they happen a cinch. They’re lightweight and compact, making them convenient to grab from the closet or under the kitchen sink. Handheld vacuums with attachments transform into wall cleaners, couch crumbs suckers, or broad surface area cleaners, as they often come with various attachments. They’re handy, inexpensive household cleaning tools that simplify spot cleaning.

What should you look for in a handheld vacuum?

• Design: By nature, handheld vacuums are lightweight, compact, and more portable than upright vacuum cleaners. Still, these features vary depending on the vacuum’s design. Some can have a long, slim build that can be packed in a suitcase or large tote bag for travel. Suction power should be taken into consideration too. Others have relatively low suction power, but a wider suction surface, making them better for sucking up pet hair. Typically, though, the greater the power, the better-performing vacuum.
• Dust Container: Ideally, a handheld vacuum will have a large capacity, easy-to-empty dust container. The largest ones can hold up to 450 milliliters and empty with the press of a button. And yet, what’s best depends on what features interest you most. The lightest, most compact model has excellent suction power but a small dust container. Its selling point is its powerful ability to spot clean with speed.
• Attachments: Don’t bother with handheld vacuums with no crevice attachments. One of the reasons to buy a handheld model in the first place is to reach the depths between couch cushions, a dark place most upright vacuums cannot. Also important is a brush attachment for upholstery or carpet surfaces—any soft surface that gathers hair and dust.

What should you know about cordless vs. corded handheld vacuums?

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Any battery-operated device provides greater freedom of transport, weighs less, and uses less energy if it accepts rechargeable batteries. Some handheld vacuum models feature long-run time batteries, and others, less. Even the highest-quality cordless models require two or more hours to recharge, which can be annoying. Corded handheld vacuums run forever as long as your electricity holds out. Their limitations are weight and a bulky cord.

Our Picks for the Best Handheld Vacuums

Pros: This lightweight and versatile vacuum makes a splash as a competitor for its multiple attachments and cyclonic air suction cleaning system. Its attachments include a 180-degree rotating nozzle for reaching tight spaces at different angles and a pull-out crevices tool for cleaning areas you don’t use weekly, like high shelves and couch crevices. Use the flip-up brush for dusting any surface. The Dustbuster’s cyclonic air suction system spins dust and dirt away from the washable filter. Recharge the 16V max lithium battery by setting it on the included charging base.

Cons: Even when fully charged, the battery doesn’t last very long, maybe 20 to 30 minutes max. Also, it requires more physical effort as you’ll have to bend down to clean the floor, then reach up to dust shelves, for example.

Bottom Line: BLACK+DECKER is a reliable brand, and its famous Dustbuster is a household name. If you haven’t yet experienced the handheld vacuum’s genius, we encourage you to try it.

 

Pros: If you have pets, keeping the house and furniture hair-free is a constant struggle, but the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser can help you manage it. The vacuum can run for up to 17 minutes which should be more than enough for small jobs like cleaning furniture or animal beds. The vacuum has a motorized brush, an upholstery, and a crevice tool designed to clean pet hair. The dust bin has a capacity of 0.7 liters and is easy to remove and clean.

Cons: According to some, the battery doesn’t charge for long. Feedback on its efficiency at reaching tight places is mixed; many reports that the size and shape of the attachment as the main obstacles.

Bottom Line: The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser makes easier what is a stressful task—removing pet hair. It’s also an affordable handheld vacuum cleaner, outshining other brands in its price range with its success at removing all tough messes and quiet operation.

 

Pros: It probably shouldn’t be our first comment about the eufy, but we have to say, it’s kind of cute. Here’s a comparison: It’s like the bullet blender of standard full-size blenders—slim, lightweight, and easy to store. And the eufy performs excellently, too, with 5500Pa of power and a 2-in-1 crevice tool to reach the areas you don’t see, like deep in between sofa chair cushions and those you see every day, like your computer keyboard.

Cons: It takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours to charge for only 13 minutes of operation.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a straightforward, sleek, high-suction powerful handheld vacuum, this is the one. The eufy has a fan base, not just for its performance, but its three color options and USB charging capability.

 

Pros: It may not be cordless, but the Dirt Devil Scorpion is still a fantastic handheld vacuum cleaner with a strong motor and lightweight design. The power cord is 16 feet long, so even though you can’t carry it everywhere in the house without stopping to unplug it, it’s plenty long for cleaning a single room. The dirt cup holds 0.45 liters of debris, and the vacuum comes with a 2.5-foot detachable hose, making cleaning easier.

Cons: The cord makes it harder to store and less attractive. The vacuum also weighs more than other handheld options because of its cord.

Bottom Line: The Dirt Devil Scorpion is a fantastic handheld vacuum cleaner. Even though it uses a cord, it doesn’t prevent you from carrying the vacuum around the house to clean tough spots easily.

 

Pros: The IMINSO is made to tackle the dark, dirty crevices of your car, SUV, or truck—you get the picture. It handles everything. By far the most powerful suction capability of 9000k Pa, the IMINSO may be the most accommodating too. With a button switch, you can change the suction power to 5000k for dusting and pet hair removal. It features two LED lights to reveal those clumps of dust that would otherwise go unnoticed, which prove especially helpful during car cleaning. Need more convincing? Press a button to empty the 450-milliliter dust bucket when you’re done.

Cons: The vacuum’s design has room for improvement. Some report that the wall between the filter and the motor requires greater security to prevent overheating.

Bottom Line: This handheld vacuum also boasts a superior battery that lasts 30 minutes and storage with the included wall mount. Charge and store simultaneously in the garage for convenience. The IMINSO will be ready to tackle the house in only three hours.

Final Thoughts

Add a handheld vacuum to your household to conveniently remove dirt, dust, and hair from corners of the house and car that don’t see the light of day. They’re great for surfaces, too. We hope you consider one of the products we reviewed for quick clean-up before guests arrive or a more ergonomic vacuuming option.