A thorough list of vetted choices to help you clean the tightest and dirtiest corners of your home. “Mini” handheld vacuums that weigh 2 pounds or less have recently emerged as a new category. Such models are smaller and lighter than all of our current picks and not as powerful.
Its 4-foot hose made it easy to reach into tight spaces, especially in the car, and it ran for 23 minutes at standard power on one charge. Our tester called this hand vac “very comfortable to use,” giving it perfect scores in six of the seven ease-of-use evaluations, including for handle comfort and for the thoroughness of the owner’s manual. At just 1.4 pounds, this Shark vacuum is one of the lightest cordless handheld models money can buy, and it looks pretty distinctive, as well. Despite its narrow silhouette, it does a surprisingly good job cleaning difficult debris like pet hair and is easy to empty with the press of a button. Plus, it won’t pose an eyesore if you’re limited on space and have to store it on your counter; the base holds the Wandvac’s accessories, as well. Despite the low price, this model brings a lot to the table, including a pull out crevice tool and flip-up brush for all-purpose dusting and upholstery cleaning.
It was quick to pick up the materials we laid in its path, only struggling a bit when picking up flour and hair on a high-pile carpet. As far as suction and power, it was competitive in those areas too, although not quite a standout. Like some of the other vacuums we tested, the sticky raisins were a challenge, but we’re willing to forgive that since it wasn’t a unique issue to this vacuum. Lastly, we wanted to note that the list price for this handheld vacuum is high at $200—though we see it discounted regularly (often in the $60-$80 range) so we definitely recommend watching for a sale. Once we got the hang of it, though, it really excelled, and picked up various debris quickly and easily.
Eufy’s HomeVac H30 Infinity is an ultra-lightweight choice for cleaning up furniture, carpeted stairs and car seats. In combination with its mini motorized pet hair brush, a rubber seal around the filter removes pet hair from the device as you remove the dust bin, so no hair is left behind after cleaning. Like many of the other vacuum models we’ve tested from Eufy, the H30 Infinity has great suction and easily tackles small messes, but has a dust cup on the smaller end of the spectrum of the models we’ve tested.
It’s a perennial best seller with strong reviews from owners, and in our testing we’ve found it comfortable and effective. We’ve recommended the CHV1410L since 2017, and in our most recent round of testing, in 2023, it proved once again to be one of the best basic handheld vacuums available. But it has a shorter run time than our top picks, and it isn’t great at cleaning upholstery.
And speaking of maneuvering, we did notice that some of the debris we picked up shifted and spilled out when the machine was tipped over, so buyers would just want to be sure to not invert it after using it. The one other hiccup with this machine is that the suction is so strong, it pulled at the high chair fabric cover, so users would want to be careful around loose or unsecured items. Not only did we find it easy to use, but extra features like a steady battery and helpful attachments (a crevice tool and scrubbing brush) add to its overall effectiveness. If you’re looking for an appliance for quick and efficient cleanup, this is an excellent choice for you, especially with its powerful suction that performed well on various surfaces.
Attachments or extensions can focus the vacuum’s suction for better cleaning or to help get debris off clingy surfaces. Sometimes it just isn’t necessary or worth the time to pull out a full-size vacuum to clean up a small dry spill. By the time you lug out and plug in a big vacuum, a handheld vacuum would have finished the job. They bissell cordless vacuum are often small so they take up very little storage space and can be used to clean tight spaces like your car or between stair rails. Many options, like our picks above, offer powerful suction and tools that help you clean across many different surfaces. We also test pick-up ability with heavy items, like screws and nuts (pictured).
Now, it is noisy, as you might expect a super-powerful vacuum to be, so we don’t recommend cleaning while trying to have a conversation. However, if you’re looking for a versatile vacuum to spot clean around your home, your car, and your garage, it’s a great pick. The flexible, 4-foot hose also allows you to vacuum upholstery, stairs, and vehicle floor mats with ease. The hose wraps around the motor when not in use, which we described as a “little hug,” making this pick easy to store and space-saving.
Because it’s designed for use in a workshop or garage, not a home with lots of different applications, it only has one power option. Although it’s a little heavier than other handheld vacuums, you don’t need to hold the vacuum while you are using it, as its shape allows it to stand on its own. Other notable features include a removable battery that fits into other Worx tools, a washable filter and a top handle.