Full sized vacuums are great for general household cleaning. But sometimes you need something truly compact — a vacuum that can be used in tight spaces. Whether you need to vacuum your car that looks like it’s been lived in, or you want to vacuum on your desktop, a good handheld vacuum can make tidying up small spaces significantly easier.
1. Dyson V7 Trigger Cord Free Handheld Vacuum (Top Pick)
Perfect for Dust Control
You can’t go wrong with a Dyson vacuum which is virtually the brand standard when it comes to vacuum technology. Their handheld vacuum offers up to 30 minutes of runtime on a single charge. You’ll like that this handheld vacuum is also cordless and is perfect at trapping dust and preventing it from re-entering the air through its vents. This pick comes with three attachments and multiple suction modes.
2. VacLife Handheld Vacuum
(Best for the Car)
Keep Your Car Looking Brand New
Your car doesn’t have to look like it’s the extra bedroom you wish your flat had. This simple little handheld vacuum is perfect for quickly snapping up crumbs and other random debris that make your car look worn. You’ll like that this handheld vacuum comes with a removable HEPA filter that’s easy to clean and two attachments. Better still, it comes with an LED light so you can use it both at night and in the daytime.
3. Ozoy Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (Most Economical)
Powerful and Wallet-friendly
You don’t have to break the bank to get a good handheld vacuum. This pick from Ozoy comes with four attachments, is USB rechargeable and is a carrying bag. Best of all, it works for wet and dry cleaning projects. We like that this handheld vacuum comes with two removable and washable HEPA filters. You’ll get up to 30 minutes of continuous use between charges. And you can fully recharge the lithium-ion battery in just three hours.
4. Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (Best Slim Design)
A Truly Compact Vacuum 
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home to store a bulky handheld vacuum, you’ll love this slim style from Shark. The true stick vacuum is perfect for upholstery, cleaning blinds and more. And it only weighs 600 grams. You’ll get up to eight minutes of run time on a single charge with this handheld vacuum. You also get a crevice tool and a pet tool. And the dust cup can be easily emptied with just one touch. It comes with a charging base for storage too.
5. Dofly Handheld Cordless Vacuum
(Best Wet/Dry Vacuum)
Great for Any Mess
Wet or dry, it doesn’t matter this sturdy little vacuum can tackle it all. This powerful tool comes with three attachments, a charging cable, two removable and washable HEPA filters, and a carrying bag for easy storage. You’ll get up to five years of use from this handheld vacuum and a total run time of 30 to 40 minutes on a full charge. Recharge this vacuum in just two and a half to three hours. And you’ll love the quiet 70-decibel noise output.
6. Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (Best for Furniture)
Banish Crumbs Forever
If you need to deep clean your furniture, this smart handheld vacuum is the right tool for the job. It’s cordless and bagless, and also comes with multiple attachments to tackle a wide array of cleaning projects. Best of all, this lightweight handheld vacuum is just 1.5 kilograms, making it an easy item to take to your car for a quick clean. You’ll get four attachments and 20 minutes of runtime on a single charge.
7. Vax Gator Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (Most Lightweight)
Only Weighs 1.3 Kilograms
If you’re concerned about dealing with heavy vacuums, this lightweight 1.3-kilogram handheld vacuum is the perfect solution for your needs. It’s a cordless, bagless pick that comes with a built-in crevice tool. We also like that this handheld vacuum has a wider mouth which makes it easier to empty between uses. It’s perfect for everyday cleaning but only provides 15 minutes of run time between charges.
8. Black + Decker Dustbuster Hand Vacuum with Smart Tech Sensors
(Most Intuitive)
Notifications for Filter Cleaning
Who really knows when it’s time to clean the filter on your handheld vacuum? Thankfully, this Black + Decker Dustbuster comes with Smart Tech sensor that lets you know when it’s time for some maintenance TLC. This lightweight handheld vacuum gives you up to 16 minutes of run time on a single charge but can take up to six hours to recharge if the battery is at zero percent. You’ll also get two built-in attachments for targeted cleaning.
Benefits of Handheld Vacuums
Portability
A primary reason why many people opt for a handheld vacuum is its portability. The smaller structure of these vacuums makes it a portable, travel-friendly option. Due to the handheld design, it also means the vacuum will usually have lighter weight and be easier to move around in your home. These vacuums make it easier to clean areas like couches and other pieces of furniture, particularly due to the fact that they are easy to pick up.
Spot cleaning
With a regular vacuum, you may sometimes find yourself limited when it comes to cleaning specific spots – especially in corners or in small spaces. Handheld vacuums help you break free from these limitations. The small size of the vacuum allows you to get into those tiny spaces, edges of the room, and even corners with less effort. This also makes these vacuums ideal for cases where you need to spot clean.
Easy to clean
The design of handheld vacuums also makes these devices easier to clean. In most cases, you’ll only flip open a compartment and then remove dust and other particles that the device has sucked up. This means you’ll have to exert less effort every time the canister in the vacuum needs to be emptied. Additionally, this particular factor also means maintenance of the vacuum will be easier – allowing you to easily extend the expected lifespan of the device.
Powerful suction
Just because a vacuum cleaner has a smaller, handheld design does not necessarily mean it is weak. In fact, many people find that a handheld vacuum cleaner can provide similar functionality and suction power when compared to a more traditional option.
Less noise
With traditional vacuums, noise is often a concern for many people. The loud noise produced by the vacuum can become a problem for the individual using the device, as well as those around them. In the majority of cases, you’ll find that handheld vacuums produce a lower noise level, which further adds to the overall convenience they offer.
Considerations
Size
When looking at handheld vacuums, one of your primary goals is likely to find something that is portable. With this in mind, make sure you take the dimensions of the vacuum in mind. This tells you how portable the device really is. You’ll also be able to determine how much storage space the vacuum will take up when you take a closer look at its size.
Power
While there are some portable vacuums that provide similar power as those that are considered to follow a more traditional approach in their design, this is not always the case. You do need to consider the power provided by the vacuum cleaner, which is often presented as watts. If the motor installed in the vacuum is very weak, then it will not be able to effectively suck up particles while you are cleaning up. With this said, you do not need the most powerful suction on the market when cleaning items like carpets and sofas.
Canister size
Handheld vacuums generally suck particles into a canister, which then needs to be emptied once in a while. Apart from considering the size of the actual vacuum cleaner itself, take note of the capacity provided by the canister too. This helps you determine how much dirt and other particles the vacuum can hold before you will need to empty the tank. A larger canister means you’ll be able to clean for longer periods before having to empty the vacuum cleaner.
