The 8 Best Handheld Vacuums, Tested and Reviewed
Handheld vacuums stand out for their ability to get into tight spots that your everyday vacuum cleaner can’t. And even if your regular vacuum has useful attachments for cleaning corners and upholstery, lugging it around the house is often a chore in itself. That’s why a lightweight handheld vacuum is perfect for quick cleanups, like removing debris from couches, stairs, and even your car.
“Vacuum power is critical and often overlooked,” says Andrew Brown, appliance repair technician and writer at This Fixed House. “You can have as many features as you want, but if the vacuum doesn’t have the suction power, you’re going to be disappointed.”
While wattage measures the power of a vacuum’s motor, Brown says it’s more important to look for air wattage, which measures a vacuum’s suction power. He recommends looking for handheld vacuums with 15 air watts or more for the best cleaning performance.
To find the best handheld vacuums, we tested over a dozen models, evaluating them on effectiveness, ease of emptying, battery runtime, portability, and more. We also considered factors such as attachments, dustbin capacity, and noise level. For expert tips on what to look for in a handheld vacuum, we consulted Brown.
Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon
$142
Black+Decker Dustbuster Furbuster Handheld Vacuum at Amazon
$99
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This lightweight model has impressive suction power for its size.
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Emptying the dustbin is not a one-handed process, so it might take some time to remove debris.
Suction power is key for a handheld vacuum, and this Shark model has plenty of it. There’s just one suction setting, but it proved to be plenty effective in our testing. Even hair that was embedded in the carpet came up nicely, although getting it at the right angle is essential. At just over 2 pounds, the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum is one of the most lightweight models on our list. Its noise level is average for a vacuum, so it’s not overpowering. We would equate the noise level to a stick vacuum, and the suction power is also on par.
This handheld vac is powerful enough to get stuck on some fabrics, but the included attachments make it easier to get into crevices and corners. We found the battery lasted the entire time, though it didn't take very long at all to clean up. The vacuum particularly excelled at picking up crumbs and small debris. It worked very well on both the hard floor and carpet, and the dustbin was only about a quarter full when we were finished testing. It took a minute for us to figure out how to empty the dustbin, but we found it easy once we got the hang of it. (It’s not a one-handed process, though, and you might have to take some time to remove the debris.)
Overall, we think this Shark handheld vacuum is very much worth the price for the convenience of picking up dust and dirt quickly. After two months of daily use, the vacuum was still performing up to our standards. Though lightweight, this pick is a bit larger because of the ample dustbin—but we count that as an advantage, not a disadvantage.
Weight: 2.2 pounds | Runtime: 12 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 0.4 liters | Attachments: Crevice tool and scrubbing brush
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
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![Closeup of hand holding the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
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