Handheld vacuum cleaners are the perfect cleaning tool for tackling small cleaning jobs around the home. The best handheld vacuums get into small crevices, under furniture, and the hardest-to-reach places.
You can also use portable vacuum cleaners for cleaning cars, difficult pet hair, stairs, and other areas where upright vacuums can’t go.
It would seem that choosing a suitable hand vacuum cleaner should be straightforward. However, there are many types of cordless handheld cleaners on the market. Some come with a variety of attachments for almost any kind of vacuuming task. Others are simple, budget handheld vacuum cleaners for occasional work.
Best Hand Vacuum Cleaners — Overview
| Image | Product Name | Star Rating | Weight (lbs.) | Battery Time (min.) | Best feature | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum | 4.6 | 4.4 | 17 | Ideal for small spaces and pet hair |  |
  | Makita XLC02R1B Cordless Handheld Vacuum | 4.6 | 2.7 | 15 | Complete with floor attachment | |
  | Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum | 4.6 | 1.5 | 10 | Lightweight and powerful | |
  | BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum | 4.5 | 4.1 | 30 | Best all-round vacuum for home cleaning | |
  | Shark CH951 UltraCyclone Cordless Handheld Vacuum | 4.5 | 2.8 | 15 | Excellent for large, heavy-duty jobs | |
  | Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | 4.4 | 3.0 | n/a | Best budget handheld vacuum | |
  | BLACK+DECKER Flex Handheld Vacuum | 4.2 | 3.2 | 20 | The most versatile handheld vacuum | |
  | Metro Vacuum VM6SB500 Professional | 4.0 | 2.7 | n/a | Ideal for prevent airborne allergens | |
Before buying a handheld vacuum, it’s worth considering your needs. For example, a small handheld vacuum with a good filtration system is vital if you’ve got pets at home. But it’s also good to consider size and weight, the dust cup capacity, runtime, and attachments.
This article is a review of the best and affordable handheld vacuum cleaners currently for sale online. This guide will help you make an informed choice on which portable vacuum cleaner to buy.
The 8 Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaners
1. BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum Dustbuster
The Black+Decker vacuum comes with a range of tools for all jobs. There is an extra-long crevice attachment, motorized brush cleaning head, and excellent air filters. You can expect the portable vacuum to run between 15 and 30 minutes.
Pros:
- Powerful suction motor
- Anti-tangle motorized brush attachment
- Washable filter
- Large capacity dust bin
- Excellent for cleaning pet hair
Cons:
- No HEPA filter—but it’s rare for handheld vacuums to have one
- Not ideal on deep pile carpets
- The attachments have a plasticky feel
2. Shark Handheld Vacuum CH951 UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus
The Shark UltraCyclone has three essential attachments—a power brush, crevice tool, and an upholstery scrubbing brush. Another helpful feature is the one-touch dust cup emptying to cut down on mess. This model has a runtime of 10 to 15 minutes.
Pros:
- Excellent for removing fine dust and debris
- Self-cleaning brush roll that doesn’t clog up with pet hair
- Lightweight design—only 2.8 lbs.
- Powerful cyclonic air motor
Cons:
- Small dust bin
- The battery charge is mediocre
- High price point
3. Dirt Devil Hand Vac Scorpion
The corded handheld vacuum comes with a crevice tool and short hose for cleaning dirt, dust, and pet hair. The long 16-foot power cord gives most of the portability you need from a quality handheld vac.
Pros:
- Low cost
- Only weighs 3 lbs.
- Simple design and easy to use
- No issue with batteries losing power
Cons:
- The cord length limits its range of use
- Noisy
- No power brush attachment
4. Metro Handheld Vacuum VM6SB500 Professional
The vintage look of the Metro vacuum appeals to many people. This is a corded vacuum, and it comes with various attachments, including a flexible hose, crevice tool, and nozzle brush.
Pros:
- Sturdy design
- Effectively traps allergens and doesn’t release any dust particles
- Lightweight
- Powerful 500-watt motor
- Easily handles carpets, hard floors, and stairs
Cons:
- Corded vacuum and limited mobility
- High price
5. BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
The three attachments with the Bissell handheld vacuum—motorized brush, upholstery tool, and crevice tool—are perfect for removing pet hair and dander. The lightweight design means that cleaning the car, stairs, or soft furnishings is easier.
Pros:
- A good range of upholstery and pet tools
- Bagless design and easy canister emptying
- Reasonable price
- Ideal if you have pets in the house
Cons:
- Not designed for heavy-duty cleaning
6. Makita XLC02R1B Cordless Handheld Vacuum Floor Attachment
One of the advantages of the Makita handheld vacuum is that it uses standard replaceable Makita rechargeable batteries. If you have other Makita power tools, you can interchange the batteries. With the floor nozzle, the handheld doubles up as a stick vacuum cleaner.
Pros:
- High-capacity rechargeable batteries with a fast charge time
- Replaceable batteries
- Lightweight and comfortable ergonomic design
- Floor nozzle and crevice tool
- Highly efficient cloth vacuum filter
- Three-year warranty
Cons:
- High price
- No motorized brush attachment
7. BLACK+DECKER Flex Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Many people rate the Black+Decker handheld flex vacuum as one of the best on the market. Some people find that this vacuum tackles most of the cleaning jobs in the house.
Pros:
- Flexible 4-foot hose
- Convenient charging station
- Tool and attachments to reach from floor to ceiling
- Combination nozzle and brush saves space
- Excellent pet hair tool with rubber bristles
Cons:
- High cost
- Noisy
8. Shark WV201 WANDVAC Lightweight Handheld Vacuum
The Shark WANDVAC is ideal for cleaning the car or addressing small jobs around the house. The lightweight, efficient handheld vacuum comes with a crevice tool. The multi-surface pet tool tackles most vacuuming jobs around the house.
You may be interested in reading more: Your Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum Review
Pros:
- Compact, lightweight design suitable for quick cleaning jobs
- High-efficiency brushless motor for powerful suction
- Sleek charging station
- Fast charging time
- Single touch empty dust cup
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Not ideal for heavy-duty jobs
- High price tag
The Best Features of a Portable Vacuum
The best thing about handheld vacuum cleaners is that they’re perfect for quick cleaning jobs. It can be a hassle setting up a canister vacuum or getting a large upright out if you’ve only got a small area to clean. Also, nothing can beat handheld vacuums for portability, ease of use, and cleaning in tight spaces.
Here are the three best features to look out for before buying a portable vacuum:
- Turbo brush attachment tool—Ideal for cleaning stairs and upholstery, as well as getting rid of pet hairs and dander.
- Crevice tool—This feature helps to clean between upholstered seats and along edges.
- Attachments—A range of attachments can make it easier to clean under furniture, car seats, or high hard-to-reach places.
What to Consider Before Buying a Hand Vacuum Cleaner
Before buying a handheld vacuum cleaner, it’s worth considering several factors. Your choice of portable vacuum depends on your cleaning needs and how often you plan to use the vacuum. Here are some considerations when choosing a vacuum cleaner:
- Battery life and charge time—Most handheld vacuums are rechargeable, making them very versatile. If you plan to use the vacuum extensively, make sure the battery will last long enough. Fifteen to 30 minutes is standard on the best handheld vacuums. Also, consider charge time if you use the vacuum frequently.
- Size and weight—Because you carry the vacuum, weight and size are vital considerations. The average weight of handheld models is around 3 lbs. (1.5 kg). However, they can weigh up to 5 lbs. (2.3 kg)
- Dust cup capacity—The capacity of the dust canister isn’t always an issue because handheld vacuums are only for small jobs. But if you plan to use it for larger jobs, it’s worth getting one with a large dust cup capacity.
- Attachments—Basic handheld vacuums only have a nozzle. Some of the best portable vacuum cleaners have rotating brushes, hoses, nozzle attachments, and carpet tools.
- Suction power—The more powerful the motor, the faster and easier cleaning jobs become. Make sure the motor is powerful enough to lift pet hair and larger pieces of debris.
FAQs about Handheld vacuum cleaners
Do I need a HEPA filter in a hand vacuum?
Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters prevent microscopic dust particles and allergens from getting into the air. If you have pets or allergies, then a handheld vacuum cleaner with a HEPA is an excellent tool to keep surfaces and household air clean. However, most handheld vacuum cleaners don’t have a HEPA filter, so choose one with the best filtration system.
What are portable vacuum cleaners best for?
Handheld vacuum cleaners are best for small cleaning tasks. Most people use portable vacuums to clean stairs, upholstery, under furniture, and cars. Cordless handheld vacuums give you the best versatility as there is no power cord to limit its range.
How can I optimize battery life on a hand vacuum?
The best way to ensure that a hand vacuum is always ready for use is to keep it on its charger. This way, the cells are always fully charged whenever you need to do some quick, light vacuuming.
Is a bagged or bagless handheld vacuum cleaner best?
For ease of use, bagless handheld vacuums are generally best. However, if you or someone in the house has allergies, bagged portable vacuums tend to emit fewer allergens and dust particles.
Buying a Handheld Vacuum Cleaner — In Conclusion
Handheld vacuum cleaners are ideal for quick cleaning jobs around the home or keeping cars clean. The best handheld vacuums are portable ones that come with a range of attachments. Before buying one, it’s vital to consider battery life, dust bin capacity, and suction power. This ensures that you pick a handheld vacuum cleaner that suits your cleaning needs.