Make cleaning easier with these top handheld vacuums

A handheld vacuum is a handy tool for everyday cleaning. Apart from being easy to carry, it’s often small enough to clean areas that big vacuums can’t reach, such as in between cabinets and your car seats.

If you’re planning on investing in one but are still contemplating the plethora of options available in the market, stress no more. From cordless vacuum cleaners to a powerful dustbuster, we’ve curated the best handheld vacuums that will help you get the job done in no time!

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Best overall

Dyson - Humdinger Handheld Cordless Vacuum

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$299.99 at Best Buy

Best cordless handheld vacuum

Shark Wandvac Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum, WV200

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$85 at Walmart

Best handheld vacuum for pet hair

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 Cordless Hand Vac

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$89.99 at Best Buy

Best handheld vacuum for car

Fanttik Selective Portable Car Vacuum V9.0

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$119.99 at Target

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Best overall

Dyson - Humdinger Handheld Cordless Vacuum

$299.99

$299.99 at Best Buy

Specifications:

Weight: 2.2 lbs.

Power type: Charging cable

Cleaning path: 3.39 in.

Warranty: Two years

Pros & Cons

• Traps tiny particles

• Comes with four accessories

• Washable filter

• Takes a long time to charge

This cordless vacuum from Dyson is without a doubt the most powerful handheld vacuum on our list. With a 25-minute runtime on a single charge, cleaning those hard-to-reach areas has never been easier. 

What makes the Dyson one of the best handheld vacuums to buy is its advanced whole-machine filtration system that traps 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, expelling clean air as it sucks in dirt. It also boasts an anti-tangle conical brush bar that takes everything from human to pet hair. When it’s time for a recharge, it charges fully in 210 minutes.

Best cordless handheld vacuum

Shark Wandvac Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum, WV200

You save $44.99 (34.61%)

$85$129.99

$85 at Walmart

Specifications:

Weight: 1.4 lbs.

Power type: Battery, charging dock

Cleaning path: 3.35 in.

Warranty: Two years limited warranty

Pros & Cons

• Lightweight

• LED display of remaining battery

• Multi-surface compatibility

• Reports of issues with charging

This Shark Handheld Vacuum is a top choice for good reasons. With a powerful suction power, this cordless handheld vacuum is suitable for different surfaces from upholstery to cleaning pet hairs.

Once you’re done cleaning, simply empty the debris with a single touch and place it on the charging dock. Combined with crevice tools that help you reach tight spaces, it’s a worthy investment for your home.

Best handheld vacuum for pet hair

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 Cordless Hand Vac

$89.99

$89.99 at Best Buy

Specifications:

Weight: 2.8 lbs.

Power type: Lithium-ion battery

Cleaning path: 2.55 in.

Warranty: Two years limited warranty

Pros & Cons

• Washable filter

• Extra-large dust cup

• Only runs for 10 minutes on a single charge

If you’re looking for a cordless hand vacuum to clean pet hairs, this Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 Cordless Hand Vac is the one for you. This self-cleaning pet power brush has powerful suction to clean pet hairs from upholstery, carpets and hard-tile floors. 

Thanks to its extra-large dust cup, it can handle bigger jobs. You’ll even love the crevice tool and scrubbing brush that will help you remove sticky dirt lurking in the corners of your home.

Best handheld vacuum for car

Fanttik Selective Portable Car Vacuum V9.0

$119.99

$119.99 at Target

Specifications:

Weight: 2.2 lbs.

Power type: USB charging cable

Cleaning path: 4 ft. flexible hose provided

Warranty: One-year limited warranty

Pros & Cons

• Two suction settings

• Washable HEPA filter

• LED work light

• Not compatible with cleaning wet surfaces

For a thorough cleaning of your car, choose the Fanttik Selective Portable Car Vacuum V9.0. With a 600ml large dust cup and washable HEPA filter, this vacuum gives you up to 30 minutes of cleaning time on a low suction setting.

Equipped with an LED work light and an additional 4-foot flexible hose, you’ll be able to see all the dark corners and clean all the sand and debris in your car. We also love that it has two suction settings for bigger spills.

Best corded handheld vacuum

Dirt Devil Scorpion Boost Bundle Corded Hand Vacuum

$73.97

$73.97 at Walmart

Specifications:

Weight: 3 lbs.

Power type: Electric

Cleaning path: 6 in.

Warranty: Not available

Pros & Cons

• Long 15-feet cable

• Extra large dirt cup

• Plenty accessories included

• Reports of accessories missing upon delivery

If you prefer to clean without worrying about running out of battery, a corded handheld vacuum like this Dirt Devil Scorpion Boost Bundle Corded Hand Vacuum is one of the best handheld vacuums out there. It has a 15-feet cable length so you won’t have to worry about unplugging as much to reach all areas of your house.

This bagless vacuum bundle comes with a crevice tool, dusting brush, pivoting upholstery tool and hose. With its XL easy-empty dirt cup, you’ll be able to clear dust and debris without taking as many trips to the trash can.

Best value

BLACK+DECKER 12V MAX* Handheld Vacuum Cordless

$49.99

$49.99 at Black+Decker

Specifications:

Weight: 3 lbs.

Power type: Charging dock

Cleaning path: Not available on-site

Warranty: Two-year limited warranty

Pros & Cons

• Slim design

• Available in two colors

• Easy-to-remove dustbin

• Filter may be hard to replace

This award-winning BLACK+DECKER dustbuster is everything you need to make cleaning easier. With a slim design and three times more suction power, you’ll always be ready to clean up messes.

The front-load dustbin makes emptying easier while the extra-wide front nozzle is equipped to clean big spills. When you’re done, simply place it on the charging dock so you’ll be ready for the next mess to clean.

Is a handheld vacuum enough?

Because it’s essentially a small vacuum, it might not be enough to clean an entire house. Having a handheld vacuum is useful especially if you need to clean hard-to-reach areas and small spills. 

Because handheld vacuums are typically cordless, it’s easier to maneuver. 

What is a good suction power for a handheld vacuum cleaner?

Because handheld vacuum cleaners are typically more lightweight and used to clean less waste, the general rule of thumb is to look for a suction power that is around the 15kPa mark. That said, suction power alone does not make for how effective a vacuum can be. The efficiency of the motor also contributes to how well a vacuum can clean.

Which are the best handheld vacuums on our list?

All the handheld vacuum cleaners on our list are great for sucking up dirt in tough areas. However, if you’re looking for a small vacuum that can do it all, these two stand out from the rest:

• Dyson - Humdinger Handheld Cordless Vacuum: With its ability to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns and a 25-minute runtime, we crown this the best handheld cordless vacuum on our list. 

• BLACK+DECKER 12V MAX* Handheld Vacuum Cordless: Out of all the cordless vacuums, this is one of the best handheld vacuums due to its strong suction and easy-to-empty dustbin. 

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Prices updated on 02/23/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.