The Top 5 Handheld Vacuums

Think you don't need a handheld vacuum? Think again. Sure, your standard-sized vacuum puts in the work keeping your house clean and free of pet hair, dirt, debris, and other messes. But it's bulky, it's a pain to get out and put away, and for smaller messes, it's totally unnecessary. The handheld vacuum is every tidy person's secret powerhouse. Keeping everything from couches to stairways to vehicles totally spotless, these mini vacuums work on virtually any mess without the pain of hauling out a standard size vac. These 5 handheld vacuums, listed below, are all on this list for their powerful suction, ease-of-use, and functionality (among other things). Never has keeping a clean house been so easy.

Black + Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum

The Dustbuster

This compact, lightweight handheld vacuum is our favorite.

Best Overall

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Black + Decker’s handheld vacuum is first on this list for a few reasons. First, it’s got great suction power. With a cyclonic action that keeps its filter clean and power strong use after use, you’ll know you’re getting your surface sparkling clean. But that’s not all. With a Smart Charge Technology, you’ll be using up to 50 percent less energy…a pretty great bonus. But perhaps our favorite feature is the completely washable bowls and filters. Let’s be honest, vacuums can see some pretty gross messes. The fact that you can fully clean this vacuum is an awesome feature that totally satisfies our tidy-loving hearts.

All of this (and more!), and it comes in at a fraction of the cost of similar products.

Pros:

Lightweight design.
2 year warranty.
Rechargeable battery included.

Cons:

The battery itself is not replaceable, which is a major bummer.

Dyson V7 Trigger Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

A Small Investment

When it comes to vacuums, Dyson routinely comes out on top. Although this is a bit of an investment for a handheld vacuum, it's worth every penny.

Runner-Up

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Dyson has made a name for itself in manufacturing high-quality, durable products. They have a loyal fan base, and for good reason. Although small, this handheld, cord-free vacuum cleaner is a definite runner-up to the one above. The reason why it’s number two? The price. For a handheld vacuum, it’s a bit on the pricier side. However, if you’re wanting to make a bit of an investment, it’s worth it.

Powered by Dyson’s digital motor V7, this truly is a small but mighty vacuum. Although it’s small (.15 gallon volume capacity), you’ll get strong power from start to finish. What’s more, there’s a Hygienic Dirt Ejector, which means you’ll get rid of hard-to-reach dirt and debris swiftly and safely. Tools include a crevice tool, a mini motorized tool, and a combination tool.

Pros:

Extremely easy to empty.
Battery is rechargeable.
Small enough for hard-to-reach places, such as vehicles, stairways, or furniture.

Cons:

In order to work the vacuum, you have to hold the trigger the entire time.

ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner

A Vacuum Just For Your Car

If you love a clean vehicle, you'll love this handheld vacuum. It's designed specifically for cleaning your home-on-wheels.

Best for the Vehicle

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Built specifically with your vehicle in mind, this handheld vacuum will keep your vehicle looking professionally detailed no matter how much wear and tear it sees. Although many handheld vacuums are bulky and a bit heavier, this compact design weighs in at only 2.4 pounds. Its small size doesn’t mean less power, though. With 106W and 8.8amps, this has a fantastic suctioning power for being such a small fry. It does have a power cord–which we happen to like. With a cord, you don’t have to worry about running out of power when you need it most.

Along with the vacuum and cord, you’ll get 3 all-purpose nozzles, a filter brush with a specialized cleaning technique, and a spare HEPA filter. All of this comes in an easy-to-carry storage bag.

Pros:

Cord is 16 feet long and connects to a 12V port.
Can be used on wet and dry messes.
Budget-friendly price point.

Cons:

The small size of this vacuum means you’ll be frequently emptying it.

APOSEN Cordless Wet & Dry Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

No Spilled Milk

This wet and dry vacuum will clean every mess imaginable...yep, even spilled milk.

Best Wet & Dry Option

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Standard vacuums typically need to be kept away from messes that are a bit wet. Not so with the APOSEN Wet & Dry Vacuum. This handheld vacuum is a dream for cleaning up those messy spills. This vacuum works just as well on stinky kitty litter as it does on spilled milk, making it a handy little cleaning tool you’re going to find yourself using more than your standard vac.

With plenty of attachments (including a pet hair nozzle, a mini brush head, and a crevice nozzle), you can clean up virtually any mess with this powerhouse.

Pros:

Fully charges within 5 hours.
2200mAh Lithium Battery.
Surprisingly quiet.

Cons:

The suction could stand to be a bit stronger.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum

Get Excited, Pet Parents

If you love a clean house as much as you love your pets, go with this handheld vacuum by Bissell. It's designed just for us pet parents.

Best for Pet Owners

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Have a pet? Sick of the pet hair? You’ll love this Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum. Although canister or upright vacuums often have attachments specifically for pet hair, this particular vacuum works wonders on hard-to-get pet hair. With a triple level filtration system that really gets down and dirty to move pet hair and mud, you’ll have super clean surfaces without having to haul out your big vacuum. There’s also an attached dirt bin that easily empties for mess-free removal of whatever joys your pet has left behind.

And if you love taking your pooch with you on car rides, you’ll love the ease that this vacuum offers for cleaning your vehicles surfaces. With a motorized brush tool, an upholstery tool, and a crevice tool, you can bring your dog wherever you want without having to worry about ruining your car’s interior.

Pros:

14v lithium ion battery for super-charged, high-powered cleaning (the battery is rechargeable!).
Motorized brush is specifically built for removing embedded dirt and pet hair.
Upholstery tool works on softer surfaces, such as furniture.
Crevice tool works specifically for those hard-to-reach spots such as in between the car seats or the deep crevices of the couch.

Cons:

The battery can take awhile to fully charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I invest in a handheld vacuum?

Simply put, handheld vacuums are incredibly, well, handy. Optimal for hard-to-reach places, stairways, furniture, and vehicles, handheld vacuums are a fine addition to any tidy person’s cleaning closet. And if you’re a parent, here’s the thing: handheld vacuums will save your sanity. Easy to use, they can be a fantastic option for little ones learning to pitch in on household chores. They’re also awesome for cleaning up the floor after a messy meal, and we all know how disgusting a carseat or stroller can get.

Basically, the answer to this question is a resounding yes. Yes, you absolutely should invest in a handheld vacuum. Trust us, you’ll be grateful you did. And with a multitude of options for price points, they don’t have to be a major investment.

Are handheld vacuums as durable full size vacuums?

Handheld vacuums typically last a few years, depending on the brand. The reason? The motor is simply not as powerful as a standard vacuum. They’re designed to be lightweight, and they’re designed for quick and easy clean-ups. If you treat your handheld vacuum well, you’ll get a few good years out of it.