Good vacuums should tackle every surface in your home, from wood floors to shag carpet, but their size can make them cumbersome. Handheld vacuums may not be as powerful as your regular Shark or Hoover, but they’re easier to steer through difficult spaces and light enough to grab for a quick job (like when a child spills cereal on the kitchen floor). They can’t replace a full-size vacuum for cleaning your home (unless you want to empty them every five minutes), so it’s important to consider them a bonus.
To find the best handheld vacuums, I considered expert advice from over 30 industry professionals, sifted through countless Amazon reviews to separate the poor models from the good, and listened to the editors at Strategist. Read on for our picks, or go straight to your ideal type of handheld vacuum with the links below.
1. Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld Vacuum
Our top pick for the best handheld vacuum is the efficient and moderately priced Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld Vacuum. It features an outstanding swivel nozzle that makes it easy to reach hard corners and crevices in a compact size. The dust bowl has a 15-ounce capacity for impressive pickup with its high-performance motor. Cyclonic suction moves dust and debris away from the three-stage filter, keeping the suction power up.
“I’ve had this vacuum for five years now,” writes Melissa, a verified buyer on Amazon. “The longevity alone should earn it five stars, but here’s what I really like about it. Unlike other cordless vacuums, the charging stand is revolutionary. The folding brush is great. I can go from sucking up the dirt from the sweep to sucking up the hair from the corners of our couch or an odd corner of the tile floor that somehow collects the hair from our two dogs.”
Pros:
Versatility; works on everything from dust to dog hair.
Lightweight and ergonomic
Great user reviews: over 21,000 reviews on Amazon and an average of 4.5 stars.
Easy wall mounting
15-ounce dust ball capacity.
Cons:
Frequent filter cleanings are required and take two to three minutes each.
Buy: Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld Vacuum
2. Bissell Pet Stain Eraser
Pet stains are no match for the Bissell Pet Stain Remover, a powerful wet and dry vacuum designed for a wide variety of surfaces. It works on most types of floors, upholstery and carpeting, and is even a great way to clean a stain-ridden mattress. It has a large capacity tank that is easy to fill and empty and can be used with tap water or diluted cleaning fluids. Spray, scrub and vacuum to quickly remove pet urine, vomit, wine, gravy, ketchup and all kinds of other stains.
Pros:
Quickly and easily removes pet urine, vomit and other hard-to-remove stains.
Simple to install and use in less than two minutes.
Moderately priced
Powerful suction
Built-in scrubber
Simple tank filling and emptying
Cons:
The built-in brush can be intense on softer materials and upholstery, but works well on microfiber and carpet.
3. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Bissell is at it again with the brand’s best-selling cordless Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum, and reviews rave about the cleanliness it leaves on sofas, carpets and upholstery. It has over 26,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.7 stars, almost perfect. This sleek model is easily the best handheld vacuum for pet hair removal thanks to its smart motorized brush design. Our associate purchasing editor tested the Pet Hair Eraser and was impressed with the suction power of this little vacuum, especially when using the motorized brush. But she’s not the only one impressed.
“Man, this thing is amazing. It’s so worth the price,” exclaims Kenzie, a verified buyer. “I have three cats and a dog, all of whom shed a lot of hair. I didn’t have high hopes for this unit because pet hair is so hard to vacuum. This little baby blew me away! It only takes 10 minutes to vacuum my entire couch, pillows and chair. I love it so much I’m going to buy a second one so I can have one on every floor of my house. Don’t hesitate, buy it!”
Pros:
Motorized brush attachment sucks up all kinds of pet hair without bunching or tangling.
Easy to handle
Powerful lithium-ion battery
Over 26,000 reviews on Amazon, with an average of 4.7 stars
Moderately priced
Also cleans dirt like cat litter and dust.
Cons:
Not designed to handle or treat wet pet stains, you’ll need another tool for that.
Buy: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Handheld Vacuum
4. Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Vacuum
Another ergonomic model from Black+Decker made our list of best handheld vacuums; this time it’s the inexpensive Dustbuster Advanced Clean cordless vacuum. It removes hair, dirt and debris from carpets with ease thanks to a narrow nozzle. Its suction power and ability to get into tight spaces also make it an ideal choice for car interiors and furniture. Best of all, it’s an exceptionally affordable option that has garnered over 77,000 reviews on Amazon and an impressive 4.5-star average.
“We’ve had a variety of handheld vacuums over the years, most with pretty mediocre battery and suction power,” writes Bruce, a verified buyer. “But we finally found this Black+Decker handheld vacuum, and it’s really great. The suction is really strong, and the battery lasts at least 10 or 15 minutes at full power. Easy to clean, easy to charge on the nice stand. It’s a great handheld vacuum.”
Pros:
An economical model that doesn’t skimp on power or design.
Suitable for many types of surfaces and dirt
Easy to maneuver
Over 77,000 Amazon reviews with an average of 4.5 stars
Long-lasting battery
Cons:
The narrow tip makes it cumbersome for large spills and piles of dirt, but it’s great for corners and small dirt lines that dusters leave behind.
Buy: Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Vacuum
5. ThisWorx Handheld Car Vacuum
Cars and trucks of all types absolutely must have a ThisWorx handheld car vacuum in their trunk for impromptu cleanings. This compact wonder lives up to its name. It “works” on dust, sand, dead leaves and even dried snack pieces that kids may leave on car seats. Plus, it has a smart corded system that works with 12-volt auxiliary outlets, so you’ll never run out of power. The 16-foot cord reaches the corners of even the longest trucks and SUVs.
“This thing is outstanding,” says Sally, a verified Amazon reviewer. “I own three dogs and it’s a nightmare to get my extension cord out to vacuum my truck. Now I can just plug this little guy into my vehicle’s outlet and I’m ready! The power of this vacuum is as good as a car vacuum, so if you want extreme suction, buy an industrial vacuum.”
Pros:
Tiny, shiny design, easy to store in cars.
16-foot cord plugs into 12-volt auxiliary outlets (or cigarette lighters in older cars).
Provides plenty of power
Easy-to-hold packaging, ideal for hands of all sizes.
Over 227,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4-star rating make it the best handheld car vacuum according to Amazon buyers.
Cons:
The motor has average suction power and is best suited for small messes and dry debris.
Buy: ThisWorx Handheld Car Vacuum
6. Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum
The Dirt Devil Scorpion handheld vacuum tops our list of corded handheld vacuums thanks to its powerful motor, continuous power, and extremely affordable price. You’ll never have to worry about charging a battery again thanks to its corded design and 120-volt power. It’s a smaller-than-average model with a simple dust pan emptying mechanism that reviews say never presents a problem. Forgetting to charge portable models is one of the easiest mistakes to make, which is why a corded model is so helpful.
“Do yourself a favor and buy this device,” says Keeks, a verified buyer on Amazon who gave this model five stars. “This little guy gets the job done. I’ve used it to clean my car, which carries two active, dirty kids who can’t seem to get fries in their mouths, and a long-haired northern dog whose only response to anything is ‘shed immediately.’ It did better than any vacuum cleaner in a car wash. The crevice tool even removed all the crumbs from the gear shift location.”
Pros:
Continuous power through cord design
120 volts of powerful suction
Easy-to-empty garbage can
Affordable price
Over 11,000 Amazon reviews with an average of 4.4 stars
Cons:
There is no option to plug into a vehicle’s auxiliary outlet.
The cord is not retractable
Buy: Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum
7. Shark Wandvac handheld vacuum cleaner
You don’t need the strength of a superhero to use the Shark Wandvac handheld vacuum cleaner. It’s one of the best handheld vacuums for people with weak grip strength, thanks to its light 1.4-pound weight and narrow frame. The high-performance cyclonic suction drives debris to a 15-ounce capacity dust garbage can. Given the narrowness and lightweight of this model, it’s one of the best vacuuming capabilities we’ve seen so far. It also fits perfectly in corners, shelves, and compact spaces without taking up too much space.
Pros:
Weighs only 1.4 pounds
Ideal for most handles
Narrow footprint is ideal for small spaces
Large capacity trash can
Versatile and agile handling, ideal for couch cushions and tight corners.
Available in a variety of colors
Cons:
A little more expensive than other models on the market
No HEPA filter, so better for large particles
Buy: Shark Wandvac handheld vacuum cleaner
