We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Home Cleaning Cleaning Products The 9 Best Handheld Vacuums, Tested and Reviewed Dust bunnies and pet hair are no match for these lightweight yet powerful hand vacs. By Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, NY with more than 18 years of experience covering home and lifestyle topics for a variety of publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer is a commerce writer for Real Simple. She has experience writing content for various digital publications including Parents, and is passionate about home, lifestyle, and beauty products. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 11, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Real Simple / Dera Burreson 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. Our Top Picks Best Overall Handheld Vacuum: Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Best Budget Handheld Vacuum: Sun Joe Auto Joe Handheld Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon ($25) Jump to Review Best Splurge Handheld Vacuum: Nicebay Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best Lightweight Handheld Vacuum: Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($42) Jump to Review Best Handheld Vacuum With HEPA Filter: Dewalt 20-Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($148) Jump to Review Best Handheld Vacuum for Carpet: Black+Decker 20V Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($77) Jump to Review Best Handheld Vacuum for Hard Floors: Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon ($99) Jump to Review Best Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair: Black+Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum for Pets at Amazon ($72) Jump to Review Best Handheld Vacuum for Cars: Black+Decker Flex Handheld Vacuum at Amazon ($115) Jump to Review Best Overall Handheld Vacuum Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $80 View On Wayfair $80 View On Walmart $79 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 3/5 Setup 5/5 What Stands Out This lightweight model has impressive suction power for its size. What Could Be Improved 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 Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Budget Handheld Vacuum Sun Joe Auto Joe Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Walmart View On Amazon $25 View On Wayfair $39 View On Walmart $14 Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 1/5 Maneuverability 3/5 Ease of Emptying 3.5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out Emptying the dustbin is easy and intuitive, plus you can store the attachment on the nozzle while it's charging. What Could Be Improved Air comes out of the back, which may spread debris around. In our testing, this budget-friendly handheld vacuum from Sun Joe took on Cheerios with ease, both on hard floors and on the carpet. Hair removal proved to be no problem at all, regardless of the surface, but it struggled to pick up popcorn kernels on the hard floor. It’s not an issue with suction power, however—in fact, this pick might be a bit too strong at times, as evidenced by it getting stuck on the carpet a couple of times. You may have to experiment using this on various surfaces to get the hang of it. Emptying the dustbin was easy and intuitive, and we loved that you could store the attachment on the nozzle while charging, too. It's super portable, though it is loud for its size. Keep in mind that the air that comes out of the back could cause a problem with spreading things around at times. Still, once we got accustomed to using this handheld vacuum on various surfaces, we found it was quite effective and an excellent value for the money. Even if you’re on the fence about whether you need a handheld vacuum at home, you can’t go wrong with spending this little on such a convenient device. Weight: 1.4 pounds | Runtime: 12 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 0.1 liters | Attachments: Universal USB charger, 2-in-1 brush and crevice tool, HEPA filter Real Simple / Tamara Staples Best Splurge Handheld Vacuum Nicebay Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $60 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Ease of Emptying 3.8/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 4.5/5 Setup 5/5 What Stands Out Its impressive suction power can effectively tackle small debris, and the design of the angled nozzle makes it easy to use on various surfaces. What Could Be Improved The dustbin is small and a bit more challenging to empty. If you want to splurge on a high-quality handheld vacuum, this cordless pick from Nicebay is an excellent choice. This vacuum features a three-stage HEPA filtration system and a stainless steel filter that removes 99% of dust and particles. It takes on small debris (like crumbs) very well and is compact enough for easy maneuverability. We also liked the angle of the nozzle, which makes it easy to use on various surfaces. According to the manufacturer, this model has a battery runtime of only 11 minutes on the high setting, though we found it to last a couple of minutes longer in our tests. We loved the sleek look of this model, but the dustbin is small, and we had to empty it a few times during testing. It's not as easy to empty as we would have liked, especially when hair gets wrapped around the filter. In our testing, we had to take it apart to achieve a thorough cleaning, which is more of a hassle than we'd like. However, the suction power is impressive, so it’s worth the additional effort needed for the dustbin. This model was also less noisy than other models we tested. Weight: 2.68 pounds | Runtime: 11 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: Not listed | Attachments: Crevice nozzle and brush Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $42 View On Bissell.com View On Best Buy $42 Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 3/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out This lightweight, compact design makes it easy to take on the go. What Could Be Improved The small dustbin may require frequent emptying. Handheld vacuums are significantly more portable than their upright and canister counterparts, but if you want something even more light, we recommend this model from Bissell, which weighs just over 1 pound. During testing, the thin nozzle easily picked up crumbs and small debris. However, the suction didn’t seem strong enough to pick up large items like hairs. The battery lasted well throughout six months of consistent use, and we got three to four uses out of each charge. It also comes with a USB port charger, which can be connected to a car charger, making it easy to charge on the go. In addition to being lightweight, this handheld vacuum is compact and easy to fit into small spaces, allowing it to navigate nooks and crannies. The model fit nicely in our hand during testing, and our arm didn’t tire from holding or using it. The tradeoff for this convenient size is the small canister, which can hold 0.10 liters. While this low capacity forced us to empty the dustbin frequently, detaching and reattaching the bin was a breeze. Overall, we think this pick is ideal for smaller messes, and its size makes it especially handy to keep in the car. Weight: 1.37 pounds | Runtime: 12 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 0.10 liters | Attachments: Dusting brush and crevice tool Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Handheld Vacuum With HEPA Filter Dewalt 20-Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $148 View On Home Depot $149 View On Lowe's $149 Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 4.5/5 Maneuverability 4.5/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out The vacuum has six attachments, making it suitable for small crevices and large spaces. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t work as well on softer surfaces. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a HEPA filter can remove around 99.7% of dust, bacteria, pollen, mold, and other airborne particles. So, for those concerned about trapping allergens while cleaning, it makes sense to choose a handheld vacuum with a HEPA filter, like this Dewalt model. In addition to its allergen-reducing capabilities, this handheld vacuum exceeded our expectations for its impressive power. It required only one pass to clean up Cheerios and clumps of hair on hard surfaces, though it encountered some difficulty picking up debris on softer ones. Besides the HEPA filter, this pick comes with six additional attachments: an extension tube, floor nozzle, flexible hose, crevice nozzle, gulper brush, and round brush. We found the crevice nozzle helpful in removing dirt from nooks and crannies, while the extension tube was ideal for tackling large areas. The emptying process was relatively simple, though some Cheerios did get caught in the filter, making us question the model’s longevity. While we found it a bit heavy in our testing, it was still relatively easy to maneuver. Plus, the built-in LED light makes it easy to conquer darker spaces and hidden crumbs. Weight: 2.3 pounds | Runtime: 21 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 0.69 liters | Attachments: Extension tube, floor nozzle, flexible hose, crevice nozzle, gulper brush, round brush Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Handheld Vacuum for Carpet Black+Decker 20V Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $77 View On Wayfair $77 View On Walmart $89 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.5/5 Portability 4.5/5 What Stands Out You can rotate the nose to get a better angle, and the attachments are built into the vacuum design. What Could Be Improved Hair may get caught in the brush attachment. In our testing, everything from Cheerios to popcorn got picked up in a single pass—even on carpets—with this Black+Decker handheld vacuum. Hair was gone in a flash, and while spilled flour did take a couple of extra swipes to clean up, there was no residue left behind. Unlike with other models, you can rotate the nose of this vacuum to get a better angle. We were impressed with how easy it was to maneuver, even in between couch cushions. We also liked that there’s no need to worry about storing or misplacing attachments—they’re all permanently attached. All you have to do is pull one out, like the narrow nozzle that reaches easily into cupholders. Some might say the attachments make it bulky, but the power of this hand vacuum is what won us over. Even when we accidentally opened the container and dust flew out, it was no problem—we took one pass with the vac and everything was sucked up as if it never even happened. However, we found that hair got caught in the brush attachment, so that might cause a little bit of a hiccup between uses. The charger was the other tricky part of this Black+Decker handheld vacuum. (It goes in sideways, which is not very intuitive.) We got over both issues, though, as soon as we saw how quickly it sucked up dust and debris. Weight: 3 pounds | Runtime: 10–15 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 0.4 liters | Attachments: Built-in crevice tool and brush Real Simple / Tamara Staples Best Handheld Vacuum for Hard Floors Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $99 View On Walmart $142 View On Ace Hardware $100 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.5/5 Noise Level 4/5 What Stands Out It has a long-lasting battery, a handy tapered nozzle for cleaning hard-to-reach places, and an easy-to-empty, large-capacity dustbin. What Could Be Improved It’s on the heavy side. Vacuuming a hard floor is typically easier than vacuuming a carpet, but that’s of little consolation when you’re staring at a pile of Cheerios or pet hair on your kitchen floor. That’s why we’re so pleased with this handheld model from Hoover. This little battery-powered hand vacuum kept going and going—we even zoomed in with it as a backup for a few other models during testing. It sucked up hair in an instant, and it left no residue behind when we attempted to clean up spilled flour, so home bakers and pet owners alike will appreciate its effectiveness. This handheld vacuum also worked well on the carpet—it picked up Cheerios like a pro, though popcorn kernels made it do extra work. It’s not as bulky as other handheld vacs, which definitely helps with maneuverability (like getting underneath couches). However, the battery pack does make it a bit heavy, though considering the effectiveness of this vacuum, we didn’t mind the arm workout. We loved the tapered nozzle attachment, which made it even easier to clean in hard-to-reach places. The dustbin is large and easy to empty, and the filter was also a cinch to remove and clean. In fact, everything about this handheld vacuum made cleaning easy and—dare we say it?—fun. Weight: 3 pounds | Runtime: 14 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 1.2 liters | Attachments: On-board crevice tool Real Simple / Tamara Staples Best Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair Black+Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum for Pets Amazon View On Amazon $72 View On Wayfair $83 View On Chewy $80 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 What Stands Out The motorized attachment and extra-long crevice tool make it very efficient at cleaning hard and soft surfaces. What Could Be Improved You might have to reach in to remove any hair stuck in the dustbin. We love our pets, but we’d rather avoid having a couch that’s constantly covered in fur. The Furbuster from Black+Decker solves that problem. This portable vacuum for pet hair comes with one attachment that worked well on both hard and soft surfaces in our testing. We were pleasantly surprised to find that it took just one or two passes to pick up hair on the couch—even the fine strands stuck in the fibers. It did take a few passes to pick up kibble on the carpet, but it was all gone in an instant on the hardwood floor. Once you’ve sucked up all that pet hair, the dustbin is easy to empty—just touch the button to open it. The only problem is you might have to reach in to remove any hair that’s gotten stuck, so it’s not exactly as hands-free as the manufacturer claims. Still, we were pleasantly surprised by the battery’s long runtime. It was able to vacuum several pieces of furniture and two area rugs without dying, lasting much longer than other handheld vacuums we tried. Even after using the Furbuster multiple times a week for six months, it continued to pick up pet hair and dust with ease. This handheld vacuum has a motorized attachment, but it also comes with an extra-long crevice tool for getting into tight spots. We appreciate that you can store this tool on board, so this is truly a compact vacuum to keep on hand for cleaning up after your pets. Weight: 4.2 pounds | Runtime: 20 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 0.75 liters | Attachments: Crevice tool Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Best Handheld Vacuum for Cars Black+Decker Flex Handheld Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $115 View On Walmart $146 View On Home Depot $126 Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out It’s compact enough to effortlessly move around a car’s interior and lightweight enough to hold in one hand. What Could Be Improved It’s a bit loud. If you’re looking for a portable vacuum to clean up car messes, we recommend the Black+Decker 20V Max* Flex Handheld Vacuum. In our testing, we found the hose length fine for getting the vacuum where we needed it in the car. It’s compact enough to move around the car’s interior—not something that’s a given with every car vacuum on the market. It vacuumed up crumbs and debris from the nooks and crannies just as well as it did from the seats and larger surfaces in the car. Not even hair posed a problem for this powerful car vacuum. Plus, the suction power remained consistent the entire time it was on. It is a bit loud, but you likely won’t even have it on long enough for it to be an issue—that’s how powerful this vacuum is. And if you’re normally used to a one-piece handheld vacuum, don’t worry: This model is compact and lightweight enough to hold in one hand while working the hose with the other. The dustbin is rather large, so if you’ve been avoiding cleaning out your car, you won’t have to worry about stopping to dump it out too often. When the dustbin is full, it’s quite easy to empty. It’s also easy to clean the filter and its holder, though you might need to turn up the water to get in those filter crevices. Weight: 3.2 pounds | Runtime: 8 minutes | Dustbin Capacity: 0.5 liters | Attachments: Pet brush Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Tamara Staples Final Verdict The Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum topped our list because of its powerful suction and compact size that made it easy to maneuver while cleaning. For a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the Sun Joe Auto Joe Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, which we found to have powerful suction and ideal portability in our testing. Our Testing Process To find the best handheld vacuums, we tested a variety of models in our Lab and in real-world conditions. We started by evaluating the setup process and timing how long it took to get the handheld vacuum ready to use. We then charged each model overnight so we could begin our tests with a full battery. To measure the weight of each handheld vacuum, we attached a luggage scale to the handle or body. We also looked at the noise level by placing a decibel reader 2 feet away while the vacuum was on its highest setting, if applicable. We took note of how loud it seemed, like whether we could watch TV or comfortably hold a conversation while the vacuum was running. Then, we evaluated the battery runtime by using a stopwatch to record how long the battery lasted while vacuuming an upholstered chair. (We then charged the vacuums overnight again before the rest of our tests.) Next came our effectiveness tests, where we evaluated how well each handheld vacuum could clean debris (a mixture of Cheerios, raisins, and crushed crackers) and hair off a rug. We timed the cleaning process to see how long it took to clean the rug, and we used a spare vacuum to clean the rug up between each test. Because maneuverability and portability are important in a handheld vacuum, we also tested each model by cleaning a car seat and an upholstered chair. We made sure to note if any tools or attachments were needed to get into tight crevices. For handheld vacuums designed to clean up wet messes, we tested their ability to vacuum 1/2 cup of water spilled on the floor. Throughout the entire testing process, we took note of how many times we had to empty the dustbin and how easy or complicated it was to remove debris. For models with washable filters, we even removed and cleaned the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To gather long term insights, we evaluated the majority of vacuums after three months and six months of continued use. How to Shop for Handheld Vacuums Like a Pro Corded vs. Cordless The first thing to consider when shopping for a handheld vacuum is whether you want a corded or a cordless model. Corded handheld vacuums provide continuous power while you’re cleaning, but they do keep you tethered to an outlet. If you need more freedom as you clean—and especially if you plan to use one in your car—a cordless model is key. Just be sure to keep it charged and ready to go. (All of the models that made our list are cordless.) Runtime If you opt for a cordless vacuum, then runtime is another important factor to consider. “The storage capacity of the battery and the efficiency of the vacuum design both contribute to the overall runtime,” says Brown. Before purchasing, make sure the vacuum’s runtime is long enough to get through the cleaning task at hand. The approximate runtime given by the manufacturer is based on a fully charged battery, and remember that you’ll deplete the battery much faster by using high settings. Based on our testing, we think that a battery life of 10–15 minutes on high is expected for a handheld vacuum. The median runtime of the models we tested was just under 13 minutes. Dustbin Capacity Handheld vacuums generally have much smaller dustbins than full-size models, so you’ll need to empty the debris more often anyway. But if you’re just using it for quick cleanups, a handheld vacuum with a small dustbin shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. “If you’re the type of person who vacuums regularly, you will never fill the tank in one go, so I recommend prioritizing other features,” adds Brown. If you want to empty the dustbin less often, opt for a model with a spacious dustbin—the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Hand Vacuum has a generous capacity of 1.2 liters. Attachments By nature, handheld vacuums are compact enough to fit into smaller spaces. But many also come with attachments that make cleaning even easier, like pet and upholstery brushes and corner/crevice tools. If these are important to your household, get them, but Brown says a more powerful vac usually beats one with lots of extras. Our top pick for carpets, the Black+Decker 20V Max* Handheld Vacuum, has a built-in crevice tool and brush so you don’t have to worry about misplacing the attachments. Real Simple / Dera Burreson More Handheld Vacuums to Consider Black+Decker 20V Max* Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Hand Vacuum: We were impressed by this vacuum’s strong battery life and like that it works well no matter which direction you maneuver. It only has one attachment, though, and doesn’t come with a wall-mounted charging base. Tzumi 7.4-Volt Ion Vac Wireless Handheld Rechargeable Vacuum Cleaner: This affordable vacuum features a long attachment, allowing it to reach debris in tight corners and crevices. However, it took several passes to pick up Cheerios in our testing, and the charging process was a bit confusing. Real Simple / Dera Burreson Questions You Might Ask Is a handheld vacuum worth buying? Unless you prefer an old-school dustpan and broom or you really like dragging out your regular upright vac every time you have a small mess to clean up, a handheld vacuum is both convenient and effective. It’s great for cleaning in places where a larger vacuum can’t fit easily, like stairs and upholstery. While some might argue that their regular vacuums have plenty of attachments to take care of any size mess, others—especially parents of small humans and/or pets—will agree that nothing beats a lightweight, easy-to-use hand vac for quick cleanups. How much should you expect to spend on a hand vacuum? While a high-quality upright or canister vacuum might cost you several hundred dollars, you can get a great handheld vacuum for well under $100. There are plenty of effective options to choose from no matter what your budget is. What are the best handheld vacuum brands? You might have noticed that Black+Decker takes up three out of nine spots on our best handheld vacuums list, and for good reason. Black+Decker is a brand that’s long been synonymous with portable vacuum cleaners, dating back to the 1979 introduction of the original Dustbuster. After decades of innovations and improvements, today’s Dustbusters—and other Black+Decker handheld vacs—are still powerful, compact cleaning products. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Barbara Bellesi Zito, a freelance lifestyle writer based in Staten Island, N.Y., and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile this list of best handheld vacuums, we tested a variety of handheld vacuums and considered factors like performance, features and attachments, dustbin capacity, and battery runtimes. For expert advice on what consumers should know when purchasing the best handheld vacuums, Barbara consulted Andrew Brown, appliance repair technician and writer at This Fixed House. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. We Tested 44 of the Best Robot Vacuums, and These 8 Models Are Actually Worth Buying Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit