The best handheld vacuum cleaners are versatile tools that empower you to maintain a clean home. Ours lives in the kitchen, always ready for a quick tidy. Its portability allows it to make regular trips to our bookshelves, window sills, and the inside of our car. Handheld vacuums can reach places that normal vacuum cleaners can't, and some of the best ones are so powerful that they can be your sole cleaner if you're in a reasonably small home or apartment.
The big decision here is whether to go corded or cordless. Corded models tend to be more powerful; there's no battery life to worry about. However, they also depend on power outlets, which can limit their usefulness. On the other hand, cordless cleaners, while typically less powerful, are becoming increasingly efficient. Their ability to go anywhere without the constraint of power outlets offers a liberating cleaning experience.
If your home is also home to some hairy pets, look for a handheld with a pet hair attachment or attachments; they can make a big difference to tasks such as getting shredded hair out of your upholstery. And suppose you have mobility issues or just don't want to get arms like a gorilla from a heavy handheld. In that case, it's crucial to compare the weight of different models. Understanding the weight and mobility features can provide reassurance and confidence in your purchasing decision.
We've tested the best handheld vacuums in kitchens, cars, and all around our homes to see how well they cope with everyday cleaning and unexpected disasters. Please note that our testing conditions may not be identical to your home environment. Keep reading to see our top picks, and make sure you also check out our guides to the best vacuum cleaners and robot vacuums to see if they're a better fit for your home.
The best handheld vacuums we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Our team has thoroughly reviewed the products featured in our buyer's guides. We strive to provide comprehensive and unbiased rankings based on our hands-on testing and expert research. Our evaluations consider top-rated brands and essential features to assist you in making informed purchasing decisions at the best value.
The best handheld vacuum overall
Weighing just 2.3 lbs, the Shark Dual Cyclone Pet Pro has a lot of strings to its bows. To begin with, it’s powerful. Tested by our expert, it excelled at spot cleaning, whether in the house or car, picking up dust, debris, pet hair, and even larger debris such as Cheerios. Being so lightweight, it was easy for our reviewer to swing it around the backseat of a car or the back of the couch without getting a dead arm.
This is a fine choice if you don’t like fiddly tools. It has three accessories: a pet power brush with a regular brush roll, a crevice tool, and a scrubbing brush. It’s easy to use; all our reviewer had to charge the battery, insert an accessory, and power it on. It’s just as easy to clean, too, with the CleanTouch dirt ejector letting you dispose of dust and debris without touching the dustbin (unless you want to wash the washable filter).
Our reviewer found that the Shark Dual Cyclone Pet Pro's main limitation is that it only lasts 10 minutes on a full charge. It was also quite noisy, producing 70 dB (similar to a washing machine). The single LED indicator also made it hard to guess when the vacuum was fully charged.
All of that is considered a good deal at $89.99. The 0.45-qt dustbin is reasonably spacious. With a dual-airstream design, the suction is also satisfyingly powerful - just watch how quickly it sucks up Cheerios.
Read more: Shark Dual Cyclone Pet Pro review
The best budget handheld vacuum
Regarding spot cleaning on a budget, the Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Wet & Dry vacuum can handle both dry and wet spillages. Our expert, Joanne Lewsley, found it compact, powerful, and easily capable of cleaning up sauces, milk, spilled cereal, oats, and flour. It also only costs $39.99, which is a small price to pay for clean surfaces.
The model has 14,000Pa of suction power and a variety of accessories for carpets, hard floors, and kitchen surfaces. Joanne found the design no-nonsense, practical, lightweight, and easy to handle. There’s a plastic wet-dry deflector and foam insert to prevent crumbs and liquid from reaching the electrical parts. The 2-oz dustbin is a transparent blue, so you can see debris accumulating. The crevice tool is handy for reaching into narrow areas.
You must continuously press down the trigger using your thumb to operate the vacuum. This sounds a bit uncomfortable, although Joanne found that the battery only lasted 10 minutes per charge (with each charge taking four hours), so you’ll need to hold it down for short spells. The handle is also comfortable.
That brings us to the model’s limitations (in addition to the limited runtime). Joanne found that the vacuum struggled with viscous liquids such as honey and ketchup and couldn’t effectively clean up pet hair. It was also messy to wash out, so you should be comfortable getting your hands dirty in the sink.
Read more: Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Wet & Dry Vacuum review
The best handheld vacuum for workshops
Tested by our resident expert, the DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum proved powerful yet easy to use. However, this wouldn’t be our top pick for typical home cleaning. The handheld vacuum is best reserved for workshops and commercial settings, as it’s too heavy-duty for carpeting and doesn’t come with a brush roll attachment. It also comes with accessories such as a belt hook and light.
At $149, the model is very inexpensive, considering it’s designed for workshops and comes with a 5AH battery, 20V of power, and six accessories. He found that the battery lasted 18.5 minutes, which is reasonable, although it might cut it short if you’re cleaning a large workshop mess. Overall, the design is bulky but manageable, weighing 3.3 lbs.
Our reviewer found the crevice tool, round brush, floor nozzle, and gulper brush the most handy of the six accessories. He also liked the vacuum’s wide-mouthed design and 46 CFM of suction, which, paired together, were extremely handy for sucking up a huge variety of debris, including pet hair, coffee grounds, turf grass, leaves, and cobwebs. The attached extension tube can also be used like a stick vacuum.
This is a handy tool for a workshop, although you should expect the model to be as noisy as a passing car (around 77 dB).
Read more: DeWalt 20V Cordless Dry Hand Vacuum review
The best handheld vacuum attachment
The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is one of the best cordless vacuums on the market and a top handheld vacuum, thanks to its advanced suction power, HEPA filtration, and dust detection features. With powerful technology, the Gen5detect Absolute can easily pick up dirt, dust, and debris from all surfaces, including carpets, hard floors, and upholstery.
The vacuum cleaner has various accessories, and the 70-minute runtime stands out. This means you can clean your entire house without worrying about the battery running out, and the vacuum's extra-large dustbin capacity means you can clean more without having to empty it as frequently.
Read more: Dyson Gen5detect review
The best handheld vacuum for small homes
If you live in a small home or apartment, the Eufy HomeVac H11 handheld vacuum might just be the perfect tool for you. With its small and compact design, this vacuum is easy to store in a drawer or basket, making it ideal for those with limited storage space. The vacuum's sleek and stylish design also means it won't look out of place in your home.
The HomeVac H11 is also very easy to use, even for those who don't have the patience for a multi-part device. The vacuum comes with a 2-in-1 brush and crevice tool, which is great for getting in between sofa cushions or along baseboards. The crevice tool is also particularly useful for cleaning up pet hair, which can be a real problem for those with furry friends.
While the vacuum struggles with larger debris, it works well for dust and pet hair. The 13-minute battery life may be a limitation for some, but for quick clean-ups, it's more than enough. Plus, with a noise level reading of just 35dB when in use, the vacuum won't disturb your neighbors.
Read more: eufy HomeVac H11 review
Handheld vacuum FAQs
How much does a handheld vacuum cost?
You don’t have to compromise on cleanliness if you’re on a budget. You can expect to find a decent model for under $100. Our guide includes various price points, offering various options to suit different needs and budgets. With handheld vacuum cleaners, you don’t necessarily need to spend big for results. Our top pick was almost the least expensive one. As handheld vacuum cleaners are designed for smaller messes, you don’t need the same level of suction as a regular vac. There are plenty of models to get the job done at an affordable price, empowering you to make the best decision for your home.
Which is better - cordless or corded handheld vacuums?
While cordless models are more portable, they are also generally less powerful. One of the main reasons for buying a handheld vacuum is to get to the messes you can't easily reach with your full-size vacuum cleaner. However, having less suction once you get to those messes is also a major drawback. David Stern, part-owner of Metrovac, highly recommends a corded model because of the increased suction.
"If you've got electricity, your best bet is to go with one of our 110-volt units," said Stern. Indeed, the unit with the best score in our suction tests plugs into the wall. It is also the heaviest model we tested, though. The extra weight and being tethered to a wall limits portability.
The best way to decide between a corded and a cordless handheld vacuum is to determine what you need more: portability or power.
What is a good wattage for a handheld vacuum cleaner?
It is difficult to quantify suction power in a vacuum. The numbers on the box do not help. Wattage is good to know regarding energy conservation because it lets you know how much electricity the vacuum cleaner consumes. Higher wattage does not mean more suction, though. Amps can seem like a good indicator, but they represent the power it takes to push the voltage. More amperage can lead to higher rotations per minute, but that does not necessarily lead to cleaning power on a poorly constructed machine. More amps also generate more heat, which can wear down a motor.
Air wattage (AW) is one number that can give you an idea. It is the wattage it takes to move a unit of air through the vacuum cleaner's nozzle or cleaning head. The AW can be pretty hard to find, though.
Manufacturers will sometimes list motor wattage but not air wattage. However, suction claims can also give you an idea because they are generally based on air wattage. These claims are not just marketing jargon-they are reliable indicators of a vacuum's cleaning power. We use hands-on testing to update our vacuum cleaner comparisons regularly, so you can trust our reviews to find the products with the best cleaning power.
How we tested the best handheld vacuums for this guide
Our team has thoroughly reviewed the products featured in our buyer's guides. We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased rankings based on our hands-on testing and expert research. Our evaluations consider top-rated brands and essential features to assist you in making informed purchasing decisions at the best value.
Here is how we test the best handheld vacuums featured in this guide:
Key specs: We evaluate each vacuum's suction power, filtration, bin capacity, battery life, and weight.
Cost and Value: We carefully weigh the price of each handheld vacuum against its features, performance, and durability to determine its overall value to consumers.
First Impressions & Setup: We evaluate the unboxing experience, packaging, and initial presentation, as well as the clarity and simplicity of the setup process.
Design: We consider the type of vacuum, controls and settings, construction, aesthetics, and additional features that enhance functionality.
Performance: We test cleaning efficiency, suction power, battery life, versatility, and noise level during operation.
Care & Maintenance: We assess the ease of cleaning, durability, and the manufacturer's care guidelines and maintenance recommendations.
