Whether you’re a student, parent, or someone with a perpetually messy car, you've likely reached for a handheld vacuum. While traditional upright vacuums might be great for floors, handheld vacuums are lighter, portable, and ideal for hard-to-reach areas.
Shopping for cleaning supplies can be tricky, so we crafted a list of the top ten best handheld vacuums to buy online to make your decision easier! BLACK+DECKER's Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum was our favorite, as it offers great suction power to help you clean dry messes with ease. Keep reading our list of favorites for more options. There's also a buying guide at the end to help you find your perfect handheld vacuum.
Handheld vacuums come with different tools, cords, and bowl capacities. Think about what you'll be cleaning and what functionalities are important to you to help you choose!
BDH2000L
$79.87
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 20.6 oz. |
Voltage | 20 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Washable filter, charging base, onboard crevice and brush tools |
Weight | 5 lbs. |
WV201
$119.99
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 2.56 oz. |
Voltage | 120 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Charging dock, pet and crevice tools |
Weight | 1.4 lbs. |
$31.98
Wet and dry capacity | Wet and dry |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 33.8 oz. |
Voltage | 7.4 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Connected tool dusting brush, charger, filter, extension crevice tool, extension hose, bag |
Weight | 18.6 oz. |
SD20005RED
$39.10
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 15.2 oz. |
Voltage | 120 V |
Cord | 192 in. |
Accessories | Built-in quick flip crevice tool, attachable hose |
Weight | 3 lbs. |
HV292
$100.99
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 15 oz. |
Voltage | 120 V |
Cord | 180 in. |
Accessories | Dusting brush, true pet motorized brush, crevice brush, hose |
Weight | 3.7 lbs. |
HHVI315JO42
$43.99
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 31.8 oz. |
Voltage | 10.8 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Brush and crevice tools |
Weight | 1.99 lbs. |
$49.99
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | Not provided |
Voltage | 13.5 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Dust brush tool, crevice tool, rubber jar tool, extension hose |
Weight | Not provided |
$52.99
Wet and dry capacity | Wet and dry |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 20.5 oz. |
Voltage | 14.8 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Crevice tool, brush tool, rubber jar attachment |
Weight | 3.4 lbs. |
CH951
$89.99
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 14.4 oz |
Voltage | 10.8 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Motorized pet brush, crevice tool |
Weight | 2.8 lbs. |
$25.99
Wet and dry capacity | Wet and dry |
---|---|
Dustbowl capacity | 20.2 oz. dry |
Voltage | 14.8 V |
Cord | Cordless |
Accessories | Brush tool, crevice tool, rubber nozzle tool |
Weight | 1.6 lbs. |
Image | 1 ![]() BLACK+DECKER | 2 ![]() Shark | 3 ![]() Bluegala | 4 ![]() Dirt Devil | 5 ![]() Shark | 6 ![]() BLACK+DECKER | 7 ![]() VacLife | 8 ![]() Homasy | 9 ![]() Shark | 10 ![]() Songtai |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Cordless Dustbuster | WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum | Handheld Vacuum | Scorpion Handheld Vacuum | Rocket Ultra-Light Hand Vacuum | Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum | Handheld Vacuum | Cordless Handheld Vacuum | Ultra Cyclone Pet Pro Plus | Lightweight Mini Hand Vacuum |
Features | Triple-Layer Filtration to Filter Out Dirt Effectively | A Stylish and Functional Handheld Vacuum | Tidy Wet or Dry Messes Quickly | A Long Cord Allows for Easy Cleaning | Great Alternative to a Traditional Upright Vacuum | Declutter Your Home With This Lightweight Vacuum | Built-in LED Light For Vacuuming in Dark Areas | Ideal for People Who Dislike Loud Noises | A Vacuum Ideal for Pet Owners | Lightweight and Ideal for Small Spaces |
Price | $79.87 | $119.99 | $31.98 | $39.10 | $100.99 | $43.99 | $49.99 | $52.99 | $89.99 | $25.99 |
Wet and dry capacity | Dry only | Dry only | Wet and dry | Dry only | Dry only | Dry only | Dry only | Wet and dry | Dry only | Wet and dry |
Dustbowl capacity | 20.6 oz. | 2.56 oz. | 33.8 oz. | 15.2 oz. | 15 oz. | 31.8 oz. | Not provided | 20.5 oz. | 14.4 oz | 20.2 oz. dry |
Voltage | 20 V | 120 V | 7.4 V | 120 V | 120 V | 10.8 V | 13.5 V | 14.8 V | 10.8 V | 14.8 V |
Cord | Cordless | Cordless | Cordless | 192 in. | 180 in. | Cordless | Cordless | Cordless | Cordless | Cordless |
Accessories | Washable filter, charging base, onboard crevice and brush tools | Charging dock, pet and crevice tools | Connected tool dusting brush, charger, filter, extension crevice tool, extension hose, bag | Built-in quick flip crevice tool, attachable hose | Dusting brush, true pet motorized brush, crevice brush, hose | Brush and crevice tools | Dust brush tool, crevice tool, rubber jar tool, extension hose | Crevice tool, brush tool, rubber jar attachment | Motorized pet brush, crevice tool | Brush tool, crevice tool, rubber nozzle tool |
Weight | 5 lbs. | 1.4 lbs. | 18.6 oz. | 3 lbs. | 3.7 lbs. | 1.99 lbs. | Not provided | 3.4 lbs. | 2.8 lbs. | 1.6 lbs. |
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In this buying guide, we will discuss all the important factors, including the useful features of a handheld vacuum to help you pick out the best product for yourself!
You have the option of choosing between a cordless or corded vacuum. Each type comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so consider them before making a purchase!
As they aren't hampered by the need for a cord or plug, cordless handheld vacuums can be used on the go. This makes them ideal for cleaning out your car or for tidying a mess when you're out on a trip. The downside is that they need to be charged, and due to their power consumption only have a maximum battery life of around 30 minutes.
To keep track of how much juice you've got left, we recommend going for a cordless vacuum cleaner that has a battery life gauge or power level indicator. This will help you recognize when your handheld vacuum needs to be recharged so you won't have to worry about it stopping mid-cleaning session.
While their need for a wall socket makes corded handheld vacuums less portable, they have limitless run time as they have no need for charging. Their suction power will be more consistent, and the added reliability of their run-time can make them an excellent choice when you need to vacuum larger areas like your entire house.
One thing to be aware of when purchasing a corded handheld vacuum is how long its cord is. We recommend going for a cord length of at least 30 feet for full mobility as you vacuum and clean your home.
There are certain features that make or break a handheld vacuum cleaner. We've listed some of the more helpful functions below.
If you have pets that tend to shed, you know the struggle of getting their hair off your furniture, clothes, or carpet. It’s best to invest in a vacuum that specializes in pet hair with special brushes and nozzles included for sucking up fur from multiple surface types.
Be on the lookout for a multi-layer filtration system on your vacuum as well! It will help prevent any fine hair from escaping.
Most handheld vacuum cleaners weigh in at around three to four pounds. This can quickly become tiresome for your wrists, especially if the make of your vacuum cleaner is bulky. We recommend going for as lightweight a handheld vacuum as possible. Some models have been designed with ease of use in mind, weighing as little as two pounds.
It may also help to choose a more streamlined and compact vacuum. Not only will this be easier on your wrists, but it will also enable you to reach all the nooks and crannies of your home and furniture as you clean.
When it comes to spills, cleaning with a cloth can be messy. Although many handheld vacuums can only clean dry messes, there are models that can work on wet surfaces. So, if you want to be able to clean wet or dry messes easily, consider a wet and dry vacuum.
To maximize the ease of use in your handheld vacuum cleaner, you should aim for a model that has a generous dust bin. Most commercial handheld vacuums can hold up to 0.5 liters of debris and dust in their bins. This is usually enough for a couple of rooms. A few brands offer large dust bins of 0.7 liters or more, so if you need to clean large areas that may be a good option.
It's also a good idea to buy a vacuum that has a transparent dust bin. This helps you keep track of when your vacuum needs to be emptied. If you accidentally suck up a piece of jewelry or something else you don't want to lose, you may even be able to spot it early if your dust bin is made of a clear material.
You'll obviously want enough suction power in your handheld vacuum to clean dust, hair, and debris from any type of surface. Wirecutter's hands-on research shows that your vacuum should have at least 16 air watts of suction to be considered powerful.
It's good to bear in mind, however, that in the case of a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner, more suction power generally means a shorter battery life. A good cordless handheld vacuum cleaner will offer two or more power modes to counter this issue. You can use the normal power mode for moderate suction and a high power mode for more stubborn messes.
Most vacuums come with their own set of tools and accessories. Common nozzle attachments are crevice tools, brush tools, and motorized pet brushes.
Crevice tools are ideal for cleaning small spaces, like under furniture or the small corners behind your fridge. Brush tools are better for textured, bigger areas like couches and carpets. Motorized pet brushes pick up all the fine hair left behind by your furry friends.
Vacuums that can clean wet messes will likely come with an attachment to be used specifically for liquids. These shallow, flat tools are sometimes called "rubber jar" nozzles.
Whatever your preference, make sure you know what tools you would like to be included with your vacuum. Keep in mind that while having many attachments gives you more cleaning options, you will also have to find a space to store them.
Cleaning isn't everyone's favorite chore, so why not make it a little easier? Check out these highly-rated products that will help you tackle dirt and grime with minimal elbow grease!
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