Best Handheld Vacuums, According to Months of Testing

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Tackle car floorboards, pet hair on the sofa, spills in the kitchen, and more with these powerful, pint-sized vacuums.

Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

Not every big mess requires a big vacuum. A powerful handheld might make you rethink your full-sized unit if you’re short on storage. Handheld vacuums can suck up cracker crumbs in a car seat, pet hair embedded into the sofa, and kitchen spills—sometimes even faster than a traditional vacuum.

Some handheld vacuums have four times the suction of traditional vacuums. Gary McCoy, a Lowe's store manager, says, “If you’re using your handheld vacuum for places that are carpeted or have upholstery, you may want to opt for one that offers extra power and suction."

Accessories are what give these mini tools super power. "Many portable vacuums come with attachments like crevice tools, which allow you to clean tight corners and small spaces with ease like baseboards and the edges of your appliances. Features like a rotating slim nozzle also allow for a variety of applications," McCoy says.

We carefully selected the best handheld vacuums for every cleaning need, evaluating them based on effectiveness, ease of emptying, and portability. For more on how we tested handheld vacuums, see our testing process below.

The dirt eject feature makes emptying the dustbin a breeze.

The lithium-ion battery can take hours to fully charge.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum CH901 is by far our top pick for the best handheld vacuum. During the testing process, this vacuum immediately earned brownie points for coming fully assembled and ready to go. It includes two attachments and a charger.

After two months, we found that the battery life held up incredibly well. We used the vacuum almost daily to clean up day-to-day messes—think crumbs, pet hair, and dust bunnies—and the battery still ran for a good 18 to 20 minutes before needing to be recharged.

Despite its small size, the vacuum offers impressive suction and makes it easy to quickly tackle everyday debris. It’s also compact enough to store in small spaces, like under a sink or in a kitchen pantry. We love how easy it is to empty with the dirt eject feature.

The main downside we noticed is that the lithium ion battery takes quite a while to charge. This isn’t a huge deal, as we found the battery life better than advertised, but if you do run short on juice, it might be a few hours before you’re able to go back to cleaning.

Product Details: Weight: 2.06 pounds | Battery Life: 12 minutes and 22 seconds | Dust Bin Size: 14.4 ounces | Accessories: Scrubbing brush and crevice tool

Lightweight and easy to maneuver, the vacuum fits into small spaces thanks to detailing attachments.

It doesn’t have the best suction power.

Looking for a reliable handheld vacuum that won’t break the bank? The ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner is a great option, not just for cleaning the car, but for anywhere you need to quickly pick up day-to-day dust and debris.

We appreciate how lightweight and ergonomic the vacuum is; it’s easy to maneuver and fit it into smaller spaces thanks to the detailing attachments. And it’s whisper-quiet compared to other options we tested.

The vacuum has a very long power cord, which helps you move around without much limitation compared to other corded vacuums. Keep in mind that it plugs into your car’s 12-volt power supply, so you’ll need an adapter to use it inside with a normal outlet.

We did find that the performance somewhat reflected the budget-friendly price point; the vacuum has fairly weak suction and struggled to pick up fine debris like sand. We think it’s a nice choice for quick pick-ups, but it’s not the most heavy-duty option.

Product Details: Weight: 2.4 pounds | Battery Life: NA | Dust Bin Size: Not listed | Accessories: Three attachments for detailing (flathead, extendable, or brush nozzle), carry bag, filter brush, and additional HEPA filter

This handheld vacuum works well on all types of surfaces, from carpet to tile flooring.

There’s only one power mode.

Finding a vacuum for pet hair that lives up to its promises is no easy feat, but the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Handheld Vacuum impressed us over and over again during six months of testing it at home.

We found that this vacuum eliminated both cat hair and chunkier debris on multiple floor types including carpet and tile, and did a nice job cleaning upholstery. It was even able to remove hair from the cat tree, where fur regularly gets embedded in the material.

The vacuum held up in terms of battery life and suction power; we left it in a cabinet for several weeks and it actually held its charge. It’s comfortable and lightweight to use, while the attachments are helpful for removing fur and dust bunnies from hard-to-reach places.

One thing we didn’t love about the Bissell vacuum is that it only has one power mode. The suction is very powerful considering the size and price, but it would be great to have a lower power mode option in order to extend the battery life.

Product Details: Weight: 3 pounds | Battery Life: 12 minutes | Dustbin Size: 23.67 ounces | Accessories: Upholstery brush and crevice tool

A washable and reusable filter saves you money over time.

The long nozzle requires two hands to operate.

The Black+Decker Flex Car Vacuum is your best bet for a reliable car vacuum that’s relatively affordable. If you’ve used a car vacuum before, you’re probably familiar with the common pain points, but we’re happy to say we had few issues with this one.

It has a surprisingly large dustbin, it’s whisper-quiet, and the suction is powerful for the size. During testing, we found that the vacuum was able to easily handle all the dust and debris that regularly builds up in a car.

We also really liked that the built-in filter is washable and reusable, which saves money over time and is much better for the environment than disposable filters.

In terms of ergonomics, it wasn’t the best option that we tested. We don’t love that the long nozzle requires two hands to operate, which can be tricky in a small space like a car, but it didn’t affect the overall ease of use enough to stop us from recommending it.

Product Details: Weight: 3.2 pounds | Battery Life: 15 minutes | Dustbin Size: 17.6 ounces | Accessories: Floor head and pet brush

The vacuum is one of the most powerful we’ve tested and doesn’t push debris around.

The suction is so strong that it sucks up rugs and couch cushion fabric.

There’s nothing more frustrating than pushing around a vacuum with subpar suction—but that is certainly not an issue with the Shark Wandvac Cordless Hand Vac WV201. The high-powered hand vac is the most powerful option that we tested.

It doesn’t just have strong suction—it’s also efficient at tackling debris and dust bunnies on the first pass, rather than pushing the mess around or sending it swirling into the air thanks to the exhaust vent.

We also like how easy the vacuum is to empty and clean. In fact, we were able to clean the filter with just one hand. The battery life was impressive enough to write home about—and even after months of use, the vacuum held its charge very well.

Although we really like the powerful suction, we don’t love that it only has one power mode. The suction can be too strong for cleaning area rugs or couch cushions, which makes it tricky to vacuum without the vacuum getting stuck or sucking up the fabric.

Product Details: Weight: 1.4 pounds | Battery Life: 17 minutes | Dustbin Size: 0.08 quarts | Accessories: Multisurface pet tool and duster crevice tool

It will replace your big vacuum for couch cleaning.

It doesn’t come with any nifty attachments or cool accessories.

The Black+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Handheld Vacuums was our favorite option for tackling debris on upholstery. The vacuum has great suction power but didn’t overwhelm the upholstery surface while testing.

It was just strong enough to pick up crumbs and dust without pulling at or getting stuck on the fabric material. Six months into testing the vacuum, it held up in terms of suction and battery life. It kept its charge just as well as it had when we first unboxed it.

We find the vacuum to be the most convenient for quick messes, but will always grab it before the full-sized vacuum for tackling upholstery and furniture.

One thing we found underwhelming is that the vacuum doesn’t come with any accessories or attachments. Having some kind of crevice tool would make getting into hard-to-reach places—like between couch cushions—a lot easier.

Product Details: Weight: 2.5 pounds | Battery Life: 15 minutes | Dust Bin Size: 75 milliliters | Accessories: none

When it comes to suction power, battery life, and price, the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum CH901 checks all the boxes. ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner is a great option if you’re on a budget, as it’s ultra lightweight and simple.

To find the best handheld vacuums, we evaluated dozens of models, using a predetermined methodology. We assessed vacuums based on seven factors: weight, noise, battery life, effectiveness, maneuverability, portability, and ease of emptying.

We first weighed each vacuum and used a decibel reader to measure the noise level when turned on. Then we timed each vacuum with a stopwatch to measure the battery life on the highest setting.

Next we performed a series of tests with debris, noting how long it took each vacuum to pick up dirt and remove pet hair from fabric as well as how effective each model was at sucking up different sizes of debris. For wet vacuums, we timed how long it took each model to clean a ½ cup of water.

In addition, we evaluated each vacuum after six months to ensure the suction power, battery life, and dustbin components were still performing consistently with the initial test results. This helped determine an overall value and the long-term quality for each vacuum.

We also tested overall maneuverability and portability, noting how easy it was to hold each vacuum as well as how the attachments and nozzles moved around surfaces and areas of different sizes. We ranked each handheld vacuum in the seven categories and calculated the average scores.

This is an incredibly lightweight, nimble vacuum, and we loved how easy it was to get into the smallest nooks and crannies in a car. However, while it was powerful enough to suck up larger items such as cereal, it was no match for pet hair and other embedded debris.

We gave this vacuum average scores across the board. It’s fairly lightweight, easy to maneuver, and tackles most crumbs and debris in one sweeping pass. But for the price, we wish this model came with extra attachments and nozzles.

While we liked how easy it was to empty the dustbin, this vacuum is just too loud compared to others with similar suction strength and power. During our testing, it drowned out TV and radio audio, and we almost needed to shout in order to be heard over the vacuum noise.

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

When purchasing a vacuum of any kind, look for settings appropriate for the intended use. For example, if you have more hardwood or bare flooring than carpet, you’ll want to check that there’s a setting for that.

“Some handheld vacuums work best on carpet and rugs, while others are better suited for hardwood floors or tile,” says Brian Shaunfield, a Lowe's store manager. “You can use some models on all types of flooring, but you’ll want to ensure this before purchasing a new vacuum.”

Suction strength is also important—more suction power can help with tough debris such as embedded pet hair. Most vacuums feature a high and a low or standard suction setting to toggle between for easy cleanups on tile flooring or harder jobs like pet hair on upholstered furniture.

“Handheld vacuums vary in power, and the best option for you is based on your unique needs,” Shaunfield says. “Some models offer up to four times more suction than other models.”

The average handheld vacuum cleaner has a run time of about 15 to 20 minutes without stopping, but that doesn’t always mean it can run that long at full suction power. We tested each vacuum on high and timed how long each battery lasted. Most fell in the 10- to 15-minute range, while some didn’t even last 10 minutes on one charge.

Battery type is another factor to consider when shopping for handheld vacuum cleaners, as lithium-ion batteries can take hours to fully recharge. Some vacuums will need to be charged overnight straight out of the package in order to operate.

Handheld vacuums range in weight, but most are typically between 1 to 5 pounds. Vacuums that weigh around 1 pound are ideal for those with low mobility or large areas to clean, but these models often don’t have the most powerful batteries—and, therefore, shorter battery life.

You’ll often find stronger suction power and longer battery life in heavier models, but they can be cumbersome if you’re tackling bigger tasks like cleaning a car interior.

A vacuum’s dustbin can tell you how often you’ll have to stop and empty it out between chores. Dustbins can vary in size anywhere between 3 to 30 ounces; more compact models usually have less than 10 ounces of dustbin space and larger vacuums often hold 20 ounces or more of debris.

The most important accessories—the ones that make you feel like you’ve discovered a secret cleaning hack—are the attachments that help with specific jobs. Crevice tools “allow you to clean tight corners and small spaces with ease,” Shaunfield says.

Brush tools are great for getting at deeply embedded hair and dust. And if you’re tight on storage space, Shaunfield recommends looking for a handheld vacuum that comes with wall-mounted storage.

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

Power can be measured in two ways: battery life and suction strength. For some jobs, such as cleaning out an SUV, it’s beneficial to look for a handheld vacuum cleaner with a powerful battery and longer battery life so you can knock out the task without pausing to recharge.

But for others, the best handheld vacuum cleaners will have the most powerful suction. You can tell that by looking at the vacuum’s air wattage; like with full-size vacuums, the higher the wattage, the more powerful the suction. Heavy-duty handheld vacuums often have an air wattage above 60.

Another thing to consider is that, in our experience, some vacuums will lose suction power as the battery drains and/or as the dustbin fills up. This can be especially frustrating during longer cleaning jobs.

“Handheld vacuums have a range of run times, depending on model and battery size,” says Shaunfield. “But you can expect to get between 15 and 20 minutes of runtime on a cordless handheld vacuum.” Most models we tested had a battery life somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes when run continuously on high.

According to Shaunfield, handheld vacuums can range in price from $25 to $200. Most of the vacuums we tested are between $50 and $100, with our top pick, the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum CH901, just over $95.

What is a good weight to look for? “Handheld vacuums come in a range of sizes and weights, so the best option depends on your intended use,” says Shaunfield. “Some handheld vacuums weigh as little as 1.2 pounds, while heavier-duty options may weigh closer to 3 or 4 pounds.”

During testing, we found lighter vacuums around 1 pound often stood up perfectly well to models between 3 and 5 pounds, especially for everyday messes, but usually had a slightly shorter battery life.

When buying a handheld vacuum, it’s just as important to consider the intended use and how long you’ll be holding the appliance for cleaning. Quick clean-ups are one thing, but tackling an entire bathroom can be a lot of lifting.

“Handheld vacuums range from a variety of sizes and weights,” said McCoy. “Some weigh as little as 1.2 pounds, while heavier-duty options may weigh closer to 3 or 4 pounds.”

Deanne Revel is an award-winning journalist and host based in Seattle. She covers home and design shopping, including the best deals and dupes, and did significant research on the best handheld vacuums for this story. She also spoke to Gary McCoy and Brian Shaunfield, both Lowe's store managers. Kaitlyn McInnis is a freelance writer who has been covering house and home products for BHG for three years.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.