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Best handheld vacuums, according to cleaning experts

Pet hair, stairs and car messes are no match for these hand vacs

best handheld vacuums
amazon
best handheld vacuums
SOURCE: amazon
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Best handheld vacuums, according to cleaning experts

Pet hair, stairs and car messes are no match for these hand vacs

For smaller messes, a good handheld vacuum provides quick cleaning without a lot of heavy lifting and without hogging precious storage space. These mini vacs won't replace a full-size canister vacuum when it comes to deep cleaning, but they are handy for instantly tackling dry spills, tracked-in dirt and pet hair stuck to just about everything. With handheld vacuums, you might even consider more than one as they don't just tackle messes inside your home: stash one in the garage to keep a workshop, garden bench and your car clean, too.

Today's newest cordless models have more powerful batteries to pick up more debris and run longer than the wimpy models of years ago. Some even pick up wet messes and remove stains, and whether they come corded or cordless, those with brushes and other attachments make it easy to remove dust from out-of-the-way spots that may be awkward for a larger vacuum to reach.

How we test handheld vacuums

The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tests handheld vacuums on bare floors and low pile carpets for how well they pick up light debris like sand, baking soda, dry oatmeal, orzo pasta and pet hair. We also test their suction with heavy items, like screws and nuts. We record the run time and weight and judge how easy the filter is to change or clean, how easy the dust cup is to empty, and how comfortable the vacuum is to hold and use. Any special features or attachments are also assessed. We then ask real consumers to use and rate each vacuum before we determine our test winners.

The handheld vacuum cleaners below are ones that have done well in our tests. Whether you are replacing a vacuum that has bitten the dust or are adding one to your cleaning arsenal, here are the ones we recommend:

Can't see the vacuums below? Click here for the best viewing experience.

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    WORX
    Best Overall Handheld Vacuum

    Power Share Portable Vacuum Cleaner

    amazon.com
    $99.00

    Not your typical handheld vac, the WORX model has a unique compact, boxy shape; a removable battery that fits into other WORX tools; and a top handle. Its crevice and brush tools store right on it, and a built-in flexible hose reaches four feet.

    A top performer in our cleaning tests, this model easily picked up all the debris and pet hair we put down, even without using the max power setting. The hose makes it easy to reach into tight spaces, and it ran for 23 minutes at standard power on one charge. Although it's a little heavier than other handheld vacuums, you don't need to hold it up to use it.

    Bissell
    Best Value Handheld Vacuum

    AeroSlim Lithium Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum

    amazon.com
    $41.19

    Ideal for quick pick-ups on hard surfaces, the compact and lightweight Aeroslim with its combo crevice tool and soft brush accessory is great for taking care of crumbs on your laptop, in your car, or in between the sofa cushions. The storage stand with its built-in cap holds the vacuum upright, and holds the accessory tool too, so it’s always where you need it. It has a washable filter and charges via a USB port.

    Bissell
    Best Corded Handheld Vacuum for Pet Hair

    Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vacuum

    amazon.com
    $42.00

    The nubby rubber nozzle of this well-priced little (less than 4-pound) vacuum was made for those annoying pet hairs. It flexes and contours around chair arms and stair treads to get every last piece. For dry spills on bare floors (like kitty litter), remove the rubber tip and extend the wide, built-in crevice tool for quick pick-up. Even though it's not cordless, the power cord is 16-feet long for great reach.

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    eufy
    Best Lightweight Handheld Vacuum

    HomeVac H11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum

    amazon.com
    $59.99

    Don’t let the Eufy’s slim shape fool you. About the size of a wine bottle (but lightweight, at just over 1 pound), this sleek handheld vacuum is full-featured. It includes a crevice/brush tool, a washable filter and a cap that lets it stand upright for storage or charging – standing on a bookshelf, you’d never know it was a vacuum.

    Small but mighty, the Eufy rivaled bigger models for cleaning ability. A soft grip makes it comfortable to hold. It runs quietly for up to 13 minutes, and lights alert you when the battery needs charging.

    Ridgid
    Best Handheld Vacuum for Big Jobs

    18-Volt Cordless Hand Vacuum

    homedepot.com
    $49.97

    The RIDGID might have been designed for a workshop or a garage, but it’s right at home inside the house. This powerful champ zapped messes and pet hair nearly as well as ones with rotating brushes. It includes a 22-inch extension tube, crevice tool and floor nozzle, but not a battery and charger, which you need to purchase separately. The removable battery is interchangeable with other RIDGID tools — it charges exceptionally quickly, and larger capacity batteries give the vacuum an even longer run time. We like the easy-grip handle, the washable filter and the extra-large twist-off dust cup is a cinch to empty. 

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    Hoover
    Best Handheld Vacuum with a Replaceable Battery

    ONEPWR Cordless Handheld Vacuum

    amazon.com
    $99.00
    $94.15

    The Hoover ONEPWR is a little powerhouse, while the onboard crevice tool makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach places. It easily nabs dirt and debris, and during our tests even pet hair was not a problem. We love how easy it is to empty the dust cup and remove the filter to clean.

    A very handy feature, if you already have other ONEPWR System cleaning products, is the removable rechargeable battery. It's compatible across devices, so if the battery runs out on your hand vacuum, you can borrow the battery from, say, your ONEPWR carpet cleaner. Or you can purchase a spare battery to keep charged and ready for a longer cleaning session

    Shark
    Best Slimline Handheld Vacuum with Pet Hair Tool

    WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum

    amazon.com
    $129.99
    $89.95

    The Shark WANDVAC is compact and super lightweight and ideal for those quick clean-up jobs. The accessory bank attaches to the charging dock, keeping the duster crevice tool and multi-surface pet tool right where you need them. It performed well in our tests and was especially good at picking up pet hair with the multi-surface pet tool, although much of the fluff was caught up on the tool. We like its washable filter and that it recharges faster than other slimline handheld vacuums

    Vapamore
    Best Combo Steamer and Handheld Vacuum

    MR-50 Wet-Dry Steam Cleaner and Vacuum Combo

    amazon.com
    $199.99

    Although it can easily handle dry pickup, the corded MR-50 is a steamer that excels at wet pick-up, especially pet messes, eliminating the need for chemical cleaners. It comes with a squeegee and nylon brush attachments, and a spare washable filter. Little wheels by the nozzle help you perfectly position the vacuum to suction. Then, flip the switch and steam the area, using dry or wet steam. During our tests, no stains or odor remained. We loved how quiet and simple the whole process was, and also how easy it was to empty and clean the machine afterwards.

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    Wagan
    Best Handheld Vacuum for Cars

    EL7207 12V Auto Vacuum

    amazon.com
    $44.95
    $39.97

    This lightweight and inexpensive vacuum plugs into any 12V outlet and has a 10 foot power cord. It performed surprisingly well in our tests – it easily picked up dirt and debris as well as pet hair from vehicle carpeting and seats. It comes with a crevice tool and brush tool, as well as a carrying bag to keep the vacuum and accessories neatly stored together in your trunk or garage.

    DeWalt
    Best Heavy Duty Wet/Dry Handheld Vacuum

    20V Max 1/2 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum Kit

    amazon.com
    $249.00
    $219.00

    More at home in your workshop, the cordless DEWALT is ideal for craft and DIY projects, and even wet spills. Its powerful suction and extra-large tank lets you clean up big messes, and it’s easy to empty and clean too. The attached extendable hose gives an extra two and a half foot reach to get into awkward nooks and crannies, and we love that it has a HEPA filter. This kit includes a charger and removable battery, which is interchangeable with batteries in other DeWalt tools.

    Iris
    Best Mattress and Upholstery Vacuum

    IC-FAC2 Mattress and Upholstery Vacuum

    amazon.com
    $99.99

    Designed for vacuuming upholstery and mattresses, the corded compact IRIS has a very powerful suction and mechanism to shake loose and remove dust, dust mites, and other allergens. Its special sensor and colored lighting system lets you know if the surface is completely clean, and its ergonomic handle and hinged body make it easy to use. During our tests, it performed poorly trying to pick up debris from a hard floor, although it picked up pet hair from carpet and crumbs from a fabric covered chair with ease.

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