Top 5 Handheld Vacuums
Best Filtration: BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum Best Battery Life: BLACK+DECKER DustBuster Handheld Vacuum Most Powerful: BLACK+DECKER FurBuster Handheld Vacuum Most Lightweight: VacLife Handheld Vacuum Best Car Vacuum: ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
Best Filtration: BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
This handheld vacuum from BISSELL features a triple-level filtration system as opposed to the single- or double-layer filtration systems found in other handheld vacuums on the market. This ensures that all of the debris from your home is collected to keep your air clean. It also has a large dustbin of 0.7 liters, allowing you to pick up several messes before it needs to be emptied.
Key Features
Uses a 14-volt battery for power Runs for up to 17 minutes Weighs 4.4 pounds Has a 0.7-liter dustbin Comes with three nozzles Comes with a one-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers praised this handheld vacuum cleaner for being easy to clean and use. Many reviewers noted that it had a sufficient runtime. However, negative reviews criticized this model for not having enough suction to pick up large clumps of pet hair.
Best Battery Life: BLACK+DECKER DustBuster Handheld Vacuum
While other handheld vacuums drain their battery when they’re not in use or not plugged into their charger, this model can hold a charge for up to 18 months. This handheld vacuum cleaner also comes with a dock that can be used for storage and charging.
Key Features
Uses a 16-volt battery for power Charges in four hours Weighs 2.6 pounds Has a 20.6-ounce dustbin Comes with two nozzles and one filter Comes with a two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews praised this product for its excellent design, especially its rotating nozzle and strong suction. Other reviews noted that it had a long battery life. Dissatisfied customers criticized this handheld vacuum cleaner for not giving them the option to replace its battery after it stopped working.
Most Powerful: BLACK+DECKER DustBuster Handheld Vacuum
This handheld vacuum from BLACK+DECKER includes a 20-volt battery that has enough power to suction large pieces of debris, such as chips. Additionally, its long crevice tool makes cleaning around corners and reaching other tight spaces easier.
Key Features
Uses a 20-volt battery for power Weighs 2.6 pounds Has a 750-milliliter dustbin Comes with two nozzles, one prefilter, and one filter Comes with a two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers praised this handheld vacuum cleaner for picking up pet hair, being easy to clean, and being maneuverable. Other reviews noted that the attachments were easy to click into place. Unsatisfied customers said that there wasn’t an easy way to cycle through its modes.
Most Lightweight: VacLife Handheld Vacuum
This handheld vacuum weighs 1.9 pounds and has a compact size, making it easy to carry around your home while you’re cleaning and to store once you’re done. Its LED light also improves your visibility when you’re vacuuming dark corners and crevices.
Key Features
Uses a battery for power Runs for up to 30 minutes Charges in three or four hours Weighs 1.9 pounds Comes with three nozzles, one filter brush, and one filter
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers said that this handheld vacuum cleaner had a solid battery life for long cleaning sessions and a compact size for reaching tight spaces. They also liked the many attachments that came with the vacuum cleaner. Negative reviews pointed out that it doesn’t come with a storage container or bag for the accessories.
Best Car Vacuum: ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
The cord for this ergonomic handheld vacuum plugs into a cigarette lighter, allowing you to keep your car clean. This cord is 16 feet long, giving you plenty of slack for vacuuming the backseat of your car.
Key Features
Uses a 16-foot 12-volt cord for power Weighs 2.4 pounds Comes with three nozzles, one carrying bag, one filter brush, and one filter
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that this car vacuum was small but mighty. Many also said that it was worth the price, especially considering how many attachments it came with. Negative reviews primarily criticized this car vacuum cleaner for having weak suction.
Buyer’s Guide
Read our guide below to learn how to choose a handheld vacuum that is comfortable to use and can pick up a variety of messes.
Power Source
All handheld vacuums are powered by electricity, but some use a cord, while others use a battery.
Corded: Corded models are usually more powerful than their cordless counterparts, having more suction to pick up debris. The one downside to a corded handheld vacuum is that it can only be used near a wall outlet. Cordless: Because cordless vacuums have a battery instead of a cord, you can use them wherever. This makes them especially useful for cleaning vehicles and hard-to-reach spaces in your home. In general, one charge on a cordless vacuum lasts for up to 45 minutes, so you may not be able to get all of your vacuuming done before needing to stop for a recharge.
Cleaning Ability
Cordless vacuums can pick up dry particles or dry particles and liquids.
Dry: This type of vacuum picks up dry messes, such as chip crumbs and dirt. Dry vacuums are quieter and more affordable than wet/dry vacuums. Wet/dry: These vacuums are more versatile because they can pick up both wet and dry messes. However, they are more expensive and have less suction than their dry counterparts. You also have to empty the dustbin between every use so that the liquids don’t seep into the rest of the vacuum and cause electrical issues.
Comfort
Comfort refers to both the weight of the vacuum and how that weight is dispersed. You’ll want a vacuum that’s as lightweight as possible, with the weight being evenly distributed from the handle to the nozzle. This will keep your arms and hands from getting tired during use.
Dust Collection
A vacuum with a large dustbin doesn’t have to be emptied as frequently. However, it will be larger and heavier.
Attachments
Most handheld vacuums come with different nozzles for picking up a variety of messes. Some common nozzles include an extension wand that increases how far the vacuum can reach and a brush head that removes hair or embedded dirt from carpets.
Where should I store my handheld vacuum?
This depends on whether you have a corded or cordless model. Since cordless models have to be plugged into a charger to recharge in between uses, consider storing yours next to an outlet. If you have a corded model, the best place for it is out of the way in a closet or cabinet.
What types of floors will my handheld vacuum work on?
Handheld vacuums don’t have as much power and suction as standard vacuums, so stick to using them on non-plush carpeting, hardwood, or tile.
How loud are handheld vacuums?
Handheld vacuums are quieter than standard vacuum cleaners, with wet/dry models being slightly louder than dry models.
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