6 Best Handheld Vacuums In 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Handheld vacuums often get a bad reputation. There are plenty of poorly made handheld vacuums that break after just a few weeks and offer no real suction power to muddle the market. But there is a use for handheld vacuums, and there are plenty of models that are affordable, well made, and still offer strong suction. You just have to know what to look for when searching online.

This guide will cover the six best handheld vacuums on the market right now in 2022. It also offers a buyer’s guide that goes over what you should look for when shopping for a new handheld vacuum today. There are vacuums that cover everything from furniture to pet hair and tips that go over how much a handheld vacuum should weigh and what a typical price is. By the end, you will have all of the information you need to confidently select a handheld vacuum that is right for you.

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hoover ONEPWR Handheld Vacuum	Great suction Interchangeable battery system Compact and versatile	CHECK PRICE
Best Budget		Brigii Mini Vacuum, Air Duster and Hand Pump 3 in 1	Three products in one Super affordable Lots of unique uses around the house	CHECK PRICE
Best For Pet Hair		Shark CH951 Pet Pro Plus	Great power Self-cleaning pet brush Washable filter	CHECK PRICE
Best Lightweight		Shark WV201 WANDVAC	Only 1.4lbs, incredible! Looks really good Charges fast	CHECK PRICE
Best For Cars		HOTOR Portable Car Vacuum	Great for cars Lightweight Super portable	CHECK PRICE

The 6 Best Handheld Vacuums

1. Best Overall – Hoover ONEPWR Handheld Vacuum

The Hoover ONEPWR Handheld Vacuum is a best-in-class product. It does everything you want a handheld vacuum to do and nothing that you don’t. It has powerful suction and a crevice tool for hard-to-reach spots. It’s very compact, lightweight and empties easily. It is small enough to be stored in most cabinets and powerful enough for most contained messes such as dirt, broken glass, or persistent dust. It is super versatile and is great for general use around the house. Hoover is a household name with a great reputation. The included ONEPWR battery works with all of Hoover’s ONEPWR battery system products meaning that if you own any additional Hoover cordless machines the batteries are interchangeable.

The biggest issue with this vacuum seems to be in procuring replacement filters. Many people have griped that the filters for this model are very difficult to find and that the filter holder occasionally breaks if you are not careful when emptying the unit or replacing the filters. The filter holder is also hard to come by. If you have any issues with the filter on this unit it can cause a headache. Otherwise, this is a great all-around handheld vacuum that does everything well and doesn’t do anything poorly.

2. Best Budget – Brigii Mini Vacuum, Air Duster and Hand Pump 3 in 1

Buying on a budget does not mean that you have to sacrifice features and functionality. The Brigii Mini Vacuum is very affordable while offering a ton of great extra features that you don’t often see on many handheld vacuums. This product is a vacuum, air duster, and a hand pump all in one. The vacuum is great for using around the house to clean up small messes. The hand pump can be used to inflate things like air mattresses and pool toys. The air duster gives a powerful blast of air to blow dust out of corners where vacuums can’t normally reach. Together, you get a very versatile tool that is more than simply a vacuum, and you get it all at a great price.

Despite the numerous features, this vacuum has a few niggles that need to be addressed. First, it charges via a USB-C cord, meaning you have to plug it into an adapter in the wall or into a computer to charge it. That seems like an odd choice when most batteries today come with a plug that can go straight into an outlet. Second, this vacuum is very loud. It sounds much larger than it is, and the noise can be a nuisance, especially since you aren’t getting the suction power that a noise like that usually warrants. Still, the versatility and functionality of this vacuum are nearly unmatched, especially for the price.

3. Best For Pet Hair – Shark CH951 Pet Pro Plus

The Shark Pet Pro Plus is a powerful handheld vacuum designed specifically to help you pick up after your pet. Pet hair is a notorious source of clogs for larger vacuums, and this handheld vacuum will hit the spots where your pet sheds the most without breaking a sweat. It has a powerful motor that offers enhanced suction power. It also has a special pet brush that is self-cleaning and actively works to prevent tangles and clogs. This special brush also works in tandem with the filtration system which is removable and washable so you can ensure that all of the pet hair and dander is safely removed from your home and your vacuum. This vacuum also looks great which is not super important, but it is a nice touch.

The biggest complaint that this product receives is the suction power noticeably drops off when the battery power starts to dip. After the battery begins to drain from use; the suction power also reportedly starts to drain. This can be frustrating if you run into a tough mess towards the end of your cleaning run because you won’t have the power to deal with it anymore. Otherwise, this is a phenomenal product well worth consideration.

4. Best Lightweight – Shark WV201 WANDVAC

The Shark WANDVAC is one of the lightest handheld vacuums ever made. If you are looking for something sleek and super light, then this is the vacuum for you. This vacuum weighs just 1.4lbs which is light enough that you barely even feel it when you are using it. It is half the weight of other lightweight vacuums that generally clock in around 3lbs. It also has a double filtration system, an easy-to-clean dust cup, and one touch emptying.

All of that sleek, lightweight technology comes at a price. The base model starts at $100, and there are some models of the WANDVAC that are over $120. That makes this one of the most expensive vacuums on the list. Whether the price tag is worth it will depend on how much you value the weight of your handheld vacuum. If you really like the feel of ultra-lightweight vacuums, then you will really enjoy how the Shark WANDVAC looks and feels in your hand.

5. Best For Cars – HOTOR Portable Car Vacuum

Some people are looking for a handheld vacuum that they can use in their car to help keep it clean. If that is what you want out of a handheld vacuum, you should consider the HOTOR Portable Car Vacuum. This product is designed specifically to be used in your car, and that is its primary focus.

This vacuum comes with a powerful LED light to look under the seats for spots you might have missed, passable amounts of suction, and a 16ft cord that plugs into your car’s jack. This allows you to vacuum your car anywhere without the hassle of outlets or batteries getting in the way. The 16ft cord is long enough to reach the entire car without getting disconnected. It is super lightweight and comes with a special travel bag that allows you to keep the vacuum close at hand whenever you need to clean up your car.

However, this vacuum will only be good for your car. That is what it was made for, but it won’t do anything else very well. It also is powered by a 12V power source, meaning it does not have very much suction power and will only really be able to get up dirt from your car and nothing more serious than that.

6. Best for Furniture and Upholstery – BLACK+DECKER 20V Max Handheld Vacuum

The BLACK+DECKER 20V Max is a fantastic handheld vacuum that excels at helping you keep your furniture spotless. This vacuum has a nifty pivoting head that allows you to clean at different angles, great power for excellent suction and it fits nicely into the cracks and crevasses of your couches and chairs. This allows you to easily put this vacuum to work, getting the dirt, dust, and hair out from under your couch cushions as well as vacuuming the upholstery itself.

The downsides to this vacuum are cheap plastic hinges that are prone to breaking and a battery that loses its charge after a couple of months. The plastic hinges can easily crack if you bump this vacuum too hard, which can be frustrating. Similarly, the battery does not hold up as long as some competitors which lead to a tough choice: buy a new battery or buy a new vacuum. Neither of which are cheap options. Overall, this is a great choice if you want a simple vacuum with good power for furniture, upholstery, and hard-to-reach cracks around the house.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Handheld Vacuums

Price

Price is an important factor in any purchase. Handheld vacuums generally run between $40 and $150. The least expensive handheld vacuums can be found between $40 and $60, while the average handheld vacuum generally runs right around $100. Anything over $120 is considered expensive. Make a choice based on your budget and based on the features you are looking for in a new handheld vacuum.

Weight

The typical weight of a handheld vacuum runs anywhere from 1lbs to 10lbs. Anything less than 4lbs is generally considered lightweight, while anything over 5lbs is on the heavy side when it comes to handheld vacuums. The ideal weight for you will vary depending on how often you are trying to use your vacuum and what you are using it for. For example, if you need a handheld vacuum to try and clean your stairs better, you might not want a heavy model that you have to carry up and down. On the other hand, if you only want a handheld vacuum to clean your upholstery every few weeks when guests come over, you might not care if the vacuum is on the heavy side.

General Use

What are you going to be using this vacuum for? Will this vacuum be your primary mode of cleaning or are you getting it to help supplement your other cleaning devices? This is an important question. If you are planning on using your handheld vacuum daily, you are going to want to invest in one that will last and has good cleaning power. If you are only getting a handheld vacuum for specific jobs like cars, stairs or furniture, you are going to want to focus on specific features to help you get the job done in the most efficient way possible.

Do You Have Other Vacuums?

Whether or not you have other vacuums in the house can be an important factor in deciding what handheld vacuum is best for you. If your handheld vacuum needs to do the job of the home’s main vacuum, you are going to want to get one that has good reliability, good power, and is lightweight. However, if your handheld vacuum is a supplemental vacuum to a traditional standup vacuum, then you don’t have to worry as much about some features. Some people might only need a small vacuum for a small apartment, while other people are looking for a vacuum to help them clean up pet hair and similar-sized messes.

Ease Of Use

How complicated is the handheld vacuum? Are you comfortable dealing with a complex machine, or would you prefer a simple vacuum? Some vacuums have a bunch of features like specialized brushes, advanced filters, and blowing settings. Other vacuums simply have an on/off switch and a button used to empty it. Vacuums that are easy to use are sometimes simpler than others with fewer features. Vacuums with a lot of features or accessories might be more complicated to use but have more functionality. Deciding which is best for you will depend on what you plan on using the vacuum for on a regular basis.

Power and Cleanliness

Some vacuums are very powerful, while others are multi-functional. Some vacuums make a mess when you try to empty them or change their filters, while others are more contained. Does the vacuum dump in one single motion or does it require two hands? Cleaning power and the emptying mechanism are two important things to consider when choosing a handheld vacuum. Dirt along a car’s floorboards will come up very easily, while pet hair sitting deep inside a carpet might need more power to dislodge.

Conclusion

There are a myriad of different handheld vacuums that all serve various different purposes. There are small light handheld vacuums made for small light messes and heavy-duty handheld vacuums that stretch the budget but might be able to serve as the primary vacuum for a small home. Each and every one of these handheld vacuums is extremely well reviewed and have shown themselves to be reputable products. All of the information is here for you to be able to choose if any of these highly rated handheld vacuums are right for you and your home. Each one of these handheld vacuums is extremely well reviewed and have shown themselves to be reputable products.

Featured Image Credit: Liliana Drew, Pexels