A handheld vacuum is one of the most convenient appliances you can have in your home. Especially if you have a two or three-story house. Few things are as agonizingly annoying as dragging your canister or stick vacuum from the basement and up flights of stairs just to clean up a small spill. Having a small and compact handheld vacuum stored close by for when you need it can be a real blessing.
And don’t think handheld vacuums are only for your house. These helpful cleaning gadgets can be a luxury when cleaning your car. Having one available in a garage or stowed in a compartment in your car, especially if you travel with pets and kids, can be the only thing that helps keep your once-clean vehicle from becoming a total pet hair and crumb-filled war zone.
To Cord or Not To Cord, That is the Question
Handheld vacuums come in two varieties: corded and cordless. Both types of these handheld vacs, however, have their advantages and disadvantages.
Corded vacuums provide non-stop run time, so if you feel like cleaning your entire apartment, or your SUV with a handheld, you can get the job done without having to stop and recharge. Of course, you’re physically bound by wherever there is a power outlet, and you may also need to run extension cords if you run out of slack.
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On the other hand, the best cordless handheld vacuums provide the freedom to clean anywhere. These can be ultra-convenient for spot cleaning jobs, especially if you’re on a road trip and you’re trying to keep your car clean.
Once thought to be a lesser version of a traditional vacuum, cordless vacuums have recently come a long way. Nowadays, the best cordless handheld vacuums are often just as powerful as the best vacuum in any category. However, when using one, you risk running out of juice before your cleaning is done, especially when tending to larger spaces. Of course, we recommend a full cordless vacuum for large cleaning jobs. This will alleviate the issue of running out of power and constantly dumping the dustbin, as you may have to do with a smaller handheld vacuum.
Read More: The 11 Best Robot Vacuums
The Best Handheld Vacuums for Sale in 2022
Wave goodbye to the frustration of spilled coffee grounds, cereal or ground-in pet hair in your car’s carpeted floor. From splurge-worthy Dyson vacuums to affordable Dyson alternatives from cheaper vacuum brands such as Black+Decker and Bissell, we have a handheld vac for you that can run through the task at hand.
Below are our recommendations for the best handheld vacuums available in 2022.
1. Black+Decker 20V Max Handheld
BEST OVERALL
Powerful suction and a pivoting head combine for a versatile handheld vacuum that can handle most jobs. It quickly picks up dust, dirt and larger messes like cereal. And if you’re more concerned about getting pet hair off your upholstery, it can do that, too. The pivoting head gives it the edge over other handhelds when getting into tricky places. Power, price and versatility, this vacuum has it all.
Why We Chose It: SPY has had great experiences with Black+Decker vacuums, which are known for a long shelf life and low price point. This vacuum also has a larger dustbin compared to most small hand vacuums. We aren’t the only ones impressed by this product, which has earned the “Amazon’s Choice” designation after receiving more than 21,000 customer ratings.
Why It’s the Best: You can find more powerful vacuums in this category from Dyson and Shark, but we believe the Black+Decker 20V Max is the best option for most people thanks to its perfect balance of features and affordability.
2. Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
MOST LIGHTWEIGHT
This cordless handheld vacuum packs a lot of punch in a little package. Weighing only 1.4 pounds, it’s one of the most lightweight vacuums you can find and features a high-speed, brushless motor with mighty suction power. It features a detachable dust cup that empties with a button, an easy-to-replace filter, and a sleek charging dock that provides rapid charging.
3. Bissell AeroSlim
BEST VALUE
This is an excellent option for small-mess cleanup. It stands upright and is compact enough that you could keep it in the corner on your kitchen counter, and it wouldn’t be out of place. It quickly picks up dust and spilled coffee grounds and is great for sucking crumbs off your laptop when you have a “working lunch.” The dust cup is small, so it’s best for smaller cleanups.
4. Eufy by Anker
ELEGANT DESIGN
If you read the award and thought, “how can a handheld vacuum be elegant?” Just take a look at the Eufy, and you’ll understand. It’s sleek, extra lightweight, comfortable to hold and looks more like a designer piece of tech than a standard home appliance. Beyond looking great, it also has quite a bit of cleaning power. This is a great option you can leave out and be available whenever you need it. Keep in mind that this is a very small vacuum, even by handheld vacuum standards.
5. Black+Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum
BEST FOR PET HAIR
The best vacuums for pet hair come in all shapes and sizes, from robot vacuums with extra suction power to mini hand vacuums like the Black-Decker Furbuster. This tool is a must-have for cleaning upholstery, especially during shedding season. Use it to clean sofas, long chairs, stairs, and more. It features anti-tangle rubber bristles that effectively lift pet hair and a 20-volt motor for suction power. There’s an extra long crevice tool for hard-to-reach spaces, a washable filter for easy maintenance, and one-touch emptying, so you never have to have constant with the dustbin.
6. ThisWorx Handheld Car Vacuum
BEST CAR VACUUM
Looking for the best handheld vacuum for cars? Then order the ThisWorx auto vacuum, which has an extremely affordable price tag and features that make it perfect for cleaning up messy cars. For parents or pet owners whose cars are a little worse for wear, this gadget makes fast work of dust, dirt, crumbs and pet hair. Among the best handheld vacuums, this is the best-reviewed option on our list, and it has more than 225,000 customer ratings on Amazon.
7. Black+Decker Dustbuster
CONTENDER
It’s not as powerful as its 20V counterpart, but it’s about $20 cheaper and has longer battery life. Plus, it can still clean plenty of messes without compromise. Sure, it’s not the best pick for pet hair, but cleaning dust, dirt and debris is all within its wheelhouse. And when this little fella runs out of juice, it recharges quickly.
8. Dyson V7
BEST SPLURGE
This is like having the power of a canister vacuum in a handheld device. It easily traps dust and pet hair thanks to the mini-motorized tool. And when it comes to cleanup, the hygienic dirt ejector gets rid of the mess without you ever having to touch the cup or dirt. Beyond the easy cleanup, it has a lengthy 30-minute runtime without its power fading. This is a mighty handheld vacuum with a great design. It’s also priced like that, too.
9. Work WX030L Power Share
ALSO CONSIDER
It’s a bit boxy and bulky, but the flexible hose plus the attachments ensure that even the hardest-to-reach spots in your car can get cleaned. It’s strong enough to snag even the most crushed-up debris or pet hair stomped into the car’s floor carpet. And if your car needs cleaning, the 23-minute battery life offers plenty of time to complete the whole job on a single charge.
10. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
CORDED PICK
If you got a heavy shedding animal in the home, you might want to opt for this handheld vacuum of the corded variety. You don’t have to worry about running out of battery, and the rubber nozzle on the Bissell works the pet hair out of carpet and rugs as you make your passes. And for messes that aren’t pet hair, remove the nozzle, and you’re set.
11. Vapamore MR-50 Wet-Dry Steam Cleaner
STEAM CLEANER
Anyone who has introduced a new puppy to the family knows that not all messes are dry. For those unfortunate (and frequent) wet accidents, a wet-dry handheld vacuum like the Vapamore comes in handy. It sanitizes without the need for added chemicals, and the wheels make it easy to maneuver back and forth around an area. It can handle wet and dry clean-up jobs and is quiet when in use.
12. Iris USA Mattress and Furniture Cleaner
BEST FOR MATTRESSES
When was the last time you cleaned your mattress? If you don’t remember, it’s probably well overdue. Thankfully, the Iris handheld vacuum cleaner can help. It has a colored lighting system that will let you know when a section is immaculate. The powerful suction traps allergens and removes pesky dust mites that might be stuck in your mattress. It does wonders on furniture but isn’t the best option for other surfaces.
these cordless vacuums give you the freedom to clean wherever you want