Top Handheld Vacuums for 2024: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
Spring cleaning is just around the corner, and what better way to upgrade your arsenal of cleaning supplies than by adding a lightweight, handheld vacuum? Whether you’re a parent dealing with a messy toddler or a pet owner constantly battling with pet hair, a compact portable vacuum is perfect for quick and easy cleaning. These handheld vacuums are great for reaching hard-to-access areas around the home, such as kitchen cabinets, couch cushions, and stairs. Various attachments make refreshing window sills, door frames, and moldings a breeze. They can even be a helpful tool for giving your car’s interior a much-needed scrub or working wonders in a cluttered garage. While handheld vacuums aren’t designed for deep cleaning, our top picks excel at handling small messes and dry spills that inevitably occur throughout the week.
Best Handheld Vacuums for 2024:
1. BLACK+DECKER 20V Max Pivot Handheld Vacuum
2. Shark WS633 3-in-1 WANDVAC (Best for stairs)
3. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser (Best for pet hair)
4. KitchenAid Go Cordless Kitchen Vacuum (Best for kitchen)
5. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum (Best for cars)
6. Koblenz Corded 120-Volt Hand Vac (Best corded)
7. Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (Best budget)
How We Selected the Best Handheld Vacuums
To bring you the best handheld vacuums for 2024, we considered the types of messes encountered daily and the best ways to eliminate them. Cat owners may need a different model than someone with kids who need to clean the family minivan. A large apartment that requires small but frequent cleanings will benefit from a cordless model, while a home that needs significant capacity at a more affordable price will thrive with a corded vacuum. We combined personal experience, peer suggestions, critical consensus, and user impressions to narrow down our options. In addition to situational needs, we examined technical specifications such as power, weight, filter type, and more to select our top picks for the best handheld vacuums.
The Best Handheld Vacuums: Reviews & Recommendations
We all know the frustration of lugging upright vacuums around the house, especially when all you need is to clean up a handful of spilled Cheerios or clear a couple of dust bunnies. A handheld vacuum may not seem like a device where you need to sweat the details, but there are many nuances to consider. From power and capacity to attachments and battery life, it’s essential to pick the right handheld vacuum for the job. Our top picks for the best handheld vacuums have different strengths and weaknesses but are perfect for the right person.
Best Cordless: Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum
Why It Made the Cut: This cordless model from Black+Decker offers incredible suction, a versatile nozzle for hard-to-reach places, and is suitable for any surface—it can even pick up pet hair without additional tools.
Specs:
– Battery Life: Up to 17 minutes
– Dirt bin size: 15 oz.
– Weight: 3 lbs.
Pros:
– Powerful suction
– Rotating nozzle
– Completely washable filter
– Easy storage
Cons:
– Battery life isn’t great
The Black+Decker Pivot Vacuum is often compared to the pricey and elusive Dyson Humdinger, but it provides premium quality cleaning at less than one-third of the cost. This lithium-ion-powered handheld vac features two cleaning speeds, including a PowerBoost mode to tackle tough spills. With some of the strongest suction power in its class, the 200-degree pivoting nozzle allows you to easily reach dirt in hard-to-access places like underneath furniture, crevices in the car, and overhead shelving. The vac also comes with a crevice tool for refreshing inconspicuous areas in your home, such as under the couch or on top of the fridge, as well as a brush for tough messes.
An extra-large 75-milliliter dustbin can contain all your mess, even when dealing with sizable particles like small rocks or food scraps. Both the filter and dirt receptacle are removable and washable, providing convenience for maintaining your vacuum over time. The dirt bowl has a side door for hands-free disposal, eliminating the need to get your hands dirty after cleaning. While the battery life is a bit lacking, you won’t need more than a minute or two to clean up a substantial amount of dust and dirt. Keep in mind that even the most powerful handheld model isn’t meant to replace a full-size vacuum entirely but to quickly tackle small, hard-to-reach messes. Recharging is well worth it for the super-powered suction the Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum provides.
Best for Stairs: Shark WS633 3-in-1 WANDVAC System
Why It Made the Cut: This handheld model doubles as a stick vacuum and features a 3-in-1 system with everything you need to clean stairs, furniture, floors, and more.
Specs:
– Battery Life: Up to 25 minutes
– Dirt bin size: 15 oz.
– Weight: Stick Mode: 5.8 lbs. Hand vac: approx 2 lbs.
Pros:
– Battery life
– Lightweight
– Super-versatile
Cons:
– Expensive
– Filter is not washable
This 3-in-1 set from Shark offers lightweight, thorough vacuuming with the Wandvac. Available in six colors, this Wandvac starts as a cordless stick vacuum with flexible silicon Powerfins on the high-speed motor suitable for use on carpets, hardwood floors, and tile. With the touch of a button, this stick vacuum converts to a handheld vacuum for quick cleanups. Weighing under 2.1 pounds, your wrist won’t tire from carrying this model around, even as it fills with dirt and dust. Attach the wand extender to clean hard-to-reach areas, including cabinets, shelving, or underneath low-profile furniture. Trigger Boost Mode for extra bursts of suction to pick up larger debris. With 25 minutes of battery life, this vacuum is better than most models, and the one-touch dirt cup makes emptying easy. The vacuum also includes an attachable pet multitool, a mini motorized hand tool, and a side-by-side charging dock. The Shark WS633 3-in-1 WANDVAC is the best small handheld vacuum for tackling tricky spots like stairs and other tight spaces.
Best for Pet Hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
Why It Made the Cut: The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is our favorite tool for getting rid of clingy pet hairs; the motorized brush makes picking up what Muffin left behind a breeze.
Specs:
– Battery Life: Up to 17 minutes
– Dirt bin size: Approximately 23 oz.
– Weight: 3 lbs.
Pros:
– Large dirt bin
– Motorized brush tool
– Upholstery tool
Cons:
– The crevice tool is just okay
This powerful machine weighs a little over 4 pounds and expertly removes dirt from your home using a motorized brush tool designed to release pet hair’s stronghold on various surfaces. A miracle worker for any surface, this brush is particularly useful for high-pile rugs and furniture, gently pulling hair up and off surfaces before suctioning it away. The Pet Hair Eraser also comes with a flat upholstery tool that suctions right onto surfaces and maintains a steady fabric grip. The crevice tool is useful for hard-to-reach areas. With a lithium-ion battery, you’ll get 17 minutes of consecutive use before needing to recharge. Triple filtration keeps suction power strong, and the easy-empty dirt cup is simple to use. The dirt cup capacity is an impressive 0.7 liters, fairly large for a small handheld vacuum, allowing you to eliminate stubborn hair from multiple rooms before needing to empty the bin. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is the best handheld vacuum for combating pet hair.
Best for Kitchen: KitchenAid Go Cordless Kitchen Vacuum
Why It Made the Cut: KitchenAid’s Go Cordless Kitchen Vacuum is the perfect tool for picking up flour, sugar, and anything else that ends up on the counter.
Specs:
– Battery Life: Up to 20 minutes
– Dirt bin size: N/A
– Weight: 2.14 lbs.
Pros:
– Comfortable handle
– Long-lasting battery
– Comes with attachments
Cons:
– No bag
If you’re an active home cook, KitchenAid’s Go Cordless Kitchen Vacuum is an essential accessory. In our tests, this vacuum is comfortable to hold, and its lightweight design makes it easy to carry around to different parts of your kitchen. The cordless vacuum had no problem sucking up an assortment of powdered ingredients and crumbs of all sizes. While KitchenAid states the rechargeable battery lasts up to 20 minutes, we’ve managed to get a bit more use from this vacuum before needing to recharge. When it’s time to recharge, the battery charges via a USB-C cable and power adapter, both included with the vacuum. KitchenAid includes two attachments with this vacuum: a wide-angle tool and a crevice tool. While we mostly used the wide-angle tool, the crevice tool was helpful for cleaning corners. This cordless handheld vacuum’s overall design is appealing, but whatever it sucks up ends up in its dirt cup rather than a bag, occasionally leaving dust particles on hands when emptying it over a trash can. Overall, KitchenAid’s Go Cordless Kitchen Vacuum has helped us keep our kitchen tidier without much effort.
Best for Cars: BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum
Why It Made the Cut: The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum is a handheld vacuum that delivers professional-quality cleaning for your car, equipped with both wet and dry capabilities.
Specs:
– Battery Life: N/A
– Dirt bin size: 18.9 oz.
– Weight: 3.2 lbs.
Pros:
– Professional clean
– 30-40 minute run time
– Can also be used in your home
Cons:
– No power fade on battery
While there are other smaller handheld vacuums designed for pet pick-up, the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum is specifically designed to help you thoroughly clean your vehicle. This lightweight suction machine is essentially a handheld stick vacuum with a 4-foot extendable hose, 3-stage filtration, and a washable filter. It also comes with a crevice tool and utility nozzle for cleaning your car’s hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. You’ll be able to clean for 30-40 minutes straight once acquired.
Best Corded: Koblenz Corded 120-Volt Hand Vac
Why It Made the Cut: This lightweight, corded handheld vacuum has an 18-foot cord and an easy-to-empty dust cup, so you don’t have to worry about snags or sneezes while vacuuming.
Specs:
– Battery Life: N/A
– Dirt bin size: 11.6 oz.
– Weight: 2 lbs.
Pros:
– Lightweight
– Large dirt bin
– Easy-to-empty dust cup
Cons:
– No flexibility in neck
This handheld vacuum has a generous 18-foot cord to help you clean larger areas or tricky spots that aren’t right next to an outlet, with a short nozzle to remove debris from upholstery in your home and car with ease. It also comes with a crevice tool, so you can quickly suck up stubborn crumbs. Bagless and easy to empty, all you need to do when you’re done cleaning is empty the vacuum directly into the trash.
Best Budget: Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Why It Made the Cut: A handheld vacuum with impressive suction, a 2.5-foot hose attachment, and constant power for under $40.
Specs:
– Battery Life: N/A
– Dirt bin size: Approximately 15 oz.
– Weight: 3 lbs.
Pros:
– Affordable
– Hose is helpful
– 16-foot power cord
Cons:
– Struggles with few outlets in big spaces
This powerful handheld vacuum weighs under 4 pounds and comes with a 16-foot power cord, making it easy to reach tricky areas without a struggle. It features a built-in crevice tool that flips down to get in between couch cushions and car seats. A removable, rinseable filter provides long-lasting performance, and a large dustbin ensures you won’t have to pause your cleaning before it’s complete. The detachable 2.5-foot hose is helpful for cleaning up high-volume messes like sawdust, sand, and more. If you like all this but the tether to an outlet is a dealbreaker, check out the Dirt Devil Quick Flip Cordless; it’s more expensive than its corded contemporary but still offers affordable vacuuming.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Handheld Vacuums
The best handheld vacuum for you will provide flexibility and reliability when it comes to quickly picking up dirt, hair, and other debris. Many models come with attachments to make cleaning specific areas more manageable, and some are even designed to pick up particular messes—like those left behind by shedding pets. Below are a few of our favorite models and features and key points to consider before purchasing your new appliance.
Would You Prefer a Cordless or Corded Handheld Vacuum?
Cordless handheld vacuums are a convenient choice for supplementary cleaning that will suit most homes, allowing for easy use on stairs and quick cleanups in hard-to-reach areas. They rely on rechargeable batteries to provide power and suction. A full charge typically lasts between 15 and 40 minutes, though a lithium-ion battery could last longer. Recharge time is usually between two and five hours, but for lower-end models, this could be as long as 16 hours. As the battery drains, you may notice a decrease in suction power. Cordless handheld vacuums are also lighter than their corded counterparts, making them ideal for cleaning tricky areas quickly. If going cordless sounds like the best option and you want a full-size unit, consider our list of the best cordless vacuums.
A corded handheld vacuum is heavier than other models and requires an electrical outlet to function, but you’ll never need to worry about running out of battery. Corded models typically have a larger capacity for dander, dirt, and dust than cordless models, reducing trips to the trash can. Plus, they usually come at a more affordable price point.
Do You Want a Handheld Vacuum with Special Features and Attachment Tools?
A thorough clean requires more than just suction power. If you need a handheld vacuum for stairs, shelves, cabinets, and other tough areas, look for a vacuum with special features and attachments. Crevice tools allow you to reach between couch cushions, closer to floor moldings, and behind heavy furniture. Longer hoses and extenders are great for reaching tall bookcases, shelving units, and other items taller than you. Upholstery attachments let you thoroughly clean dust and hair from chairs, couches, and beds. Convertible vacuums offer a lightweight handheld option and a sturdier stick mode for covering larger areas. Get a handheld vacuum for pet hair to tackle shedding animals.
If you’re the proud owner of a cat or dog, chances are you’re battling pet hair everywhere. Many factors determine the amount of hair your furry friend will shed in a week, but one thing is for sure: you’ll find their hair stuck to various surfaces. Handheld vacuums are the perfect tool for expelling unsightly shedding without needing to haul out your upright unit. Pet hair has a strong grip on surfaces, especially carpets and upholstered furniture. A handheld vacuum cleaner with attachments like a motorized brush can lift hair off the surface before suctioning it into the dustbin.
Do You Need a Small Handheld Vacuum to Clean Your Car?
Keeping your car clean can be challenging, maneuvering around seats, steering wheels, gear shifts, and all the tiny cracks and crevices that hoard crumbs and detritus. An upright vacuum isn’t going to cut it when it comes to reaching cup holders and underneath floor mats. A small handheld vacuum is the best way to get your car clean without shelling out for interior detailing. Their size and portability make it easier to reach tricky corners and uncomfortable angles inside your vehicle. Attachments like crevice tools or long hoses can provide an even deeper clean. Look for a model that lasts more than 10 minutes on a single charge to ensure you won’t run out of battery before finishing the job.
Are You Working with a Tight Budget?
Shopping for the best handheld vacuum on a budget can be tricky, but there are plenty of options available if you know what to look for. Cheap cordless vacuums can be hard to come by and usually have shorter battery life or weaker suction. If you want a quality, lightweight handheld vacuum that won’t break the bank, consider trying a corded model first. While this may seem inconvenient, many corded models are long enough to clean large areas and flexible enough to clean cars as long as there’s an available outlet in your garage. You won’t have to worry about a weak battery running out halfway through a cleaning session or facing inconsistencies in suction. Consider our list of the best cheap vacuums if you need something more heavy-duty than a handheld.
Final Thoughts on the Best Handheld Vacuums
A household essential, handheld vacuums are perfect for quick cleanups and hard-to-reach areas like furniture, shelving, and cars. Plus, they’re the perfect way to combat your pet’s constant shedding. The best handheld vacuums will be easy to maneuver, lightweight, and designed with your most common messes in mind. Once equipped with a convenient mini-vacuum, you’ll be surprised you ever went without.