The 7 Best Handheld Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Cordless handheld vacuums offer the convenience of power on demand, with no need to plug into an outlet. However, battery life is a major consideration, as you don’t want your unit to quit on you in the middle of a cleaning task. Average battery life for cordless vacuums is around 10 minutes, with some models lasting a little longer, and others dying more quickly. Where relevant, we tried to mention if the battery appeared especially reliable in testing, like it did with the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum.

Some stick or canister vacuums also have a handheld configuration, making them even more versatile if you need to clean larger areas. If they’re cordless, they may also have a shorter continuous battery life than non-handheld vacuums. Our top pick for a handheld vacuum is the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum, thanks to its powerful suction, large dust bin, and reliable battery. If you’re looking to spend a little bissell cordless vacuum less, you’ll enjoy the Black+Decker DustBuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum, which is lightweight, powerful, and also boasts a large dust cup. The flexible, 3-foot hose also makes it easy to get into tight spaces like behind cabinets, or in between cushions. This vacuum does require two hands to operate (one to hold the motor, and one to vacuum with the hose), but the portable, cube design makes it easy to carry around.

The Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit offers powerful suction, long battery life, and a larger bin than almost any other cordless handheld vacuum we’ve tested. It runs for a respectable 18 minutes and recharges bissell cordless vacuum in under an hour—faster than any of the other handheld vacs we tried. Many of its parts, including its filters and battery, are easily replaceable, and its battery is compatible with all One+ Ryobi tools.

bissell handheld vacuum

Since then, we’ve done additional testing, including evaluations for our annual Cleaning and Organizing Awards. During our testing of these handheld vacuums, we found that motorized brush tools are the only attachments that can truly pick up deep-seated pet hair, and the Multi Auto comes with one included. We used this vac to clean up debris the other vacs left behind during our tests. It also has an extending hose nozzle—and other helpful included attachments—that helps it maneuver in, under, and around seats to find runaway dirt and debris. It also has a user-friendly handle and flashlight to make it even better for using in the car. High powered cordless cleaning in a lightweight design with a wide variety of tools makes the Multi Cordless Hand Vac one of the best from BISSELL®!

And batteries fade over time, delivering less power after a year than when they’re brand new. That’s why you might want a corded vacuum like the Dirt Devil Scorpion. This traditional handheld bissell cordless vacuum has an especially powerful motor since there’s no risk of the battery running down too quickly. The vacuum holds about 15 ounces in its dirt bin and has a triple-level filter.

Tackle dust, dirt and debris anytime, anywhere with this cordless handheld vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming the floor with a handheld vac isn’t very practical, but Eufy took care of that, too. Pop on the extension wands and it turns into a lightweight stick vac or — with the mopping pads attached — a handy tool for removing sticky messes from the floor. Some handheld vacuums contain additional tools like brush rolls and extensions to help you get into hard-to-reach places. If you plan to use your handheld vacuum to get between couch cushions and tackle upholstery or carpet, these are must-haves. But if you want the option of cleaning up wet spills as well as dry (we’re looking at you, parents), the Dirt Devil QuickFlip Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum is an excellent choice.