The Best Handheld Vacuums According To Experts

The best handheld vacuums are ideal for quick cleanups, whether it’s pet hair on the stairs, crumbs in the car, or piled-up dirt by the front door. While they’re not meant to replace your full-size vacuum, the right one can save time and effort when you’re dealing with everyday messes. Our top pick overall, the Ryobi 18V One+ Powered Brush Hand Vacuum Kit, delivers the kind of performance you usually only get from a much larger machine. The motorized brush head makes it easy to lift grime from upholstery and rugs, and it’s still easier to handle than most models with similar power.

Most good handheld vacuums get the basics right: They’re comfortable to grip, easy to maneuver, and powerful enough to clean without needing multiple passes. “A handheld vacuum should be strong enough to pick up crumbs, pet hair, and dust without struggling,” says Karina Toner, professional cleaner and operations manager at Spekless Cleaning. “Weight and design are also important. A handheld vacuum should ideally be lightweight and comfortable to hold, especially for longer cleaning sessions.” From there, the right choice depends on your specific needs. The Dyson Car+Boat works well for allergy-prone households thanks to its built-in HEPA system, while the Black + Decker Furbuster includes a motorized brush that makes lifting pet hair from upholstery much less of a chore. Ahead, you’ll find our favorite handheld vacuums across various categories, with expert-backed picks and thoroughly vetted features.

• Best Handheld Vacuum Overall: Ryobi 18V One+ Powered Brush Hand Vacuum Kit
• Best Value Handheld Vacuum: Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum
• Best Handheld Vacuum For Pets: Black + Decker Furbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet Handheld Vacuum
• Best Handheld Vacuum For Allergies: Dyson Car + Boat Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
• Best Handheld Vacuum For Cars: Worx 20V Cordless Cube Vac

Best Handheld Vacuum Overall

A Compact Vacuum That Works Like A Full-Size Machine

Max runtime: 40 minutes | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Number of attachments: 3 | Capacity: 2.7 cups | Filter type: HEPA

What you’ll love:

• Motorized brush head deep-cleans soft surfaces
• Pivoting design helps maintain contact at different angles
• Quick 45-minute recharge time
• Washable HEPA filter traps fine dust and allergens

Keep in mind:

• Bulkier handle than most handheld models
• The battery isn’t included unless you buy the kit

The Ryobi Powered Brush Hand Vacuum doesn’t look like a typical handheld, and that’s part of the appeal. It’s a little larger, a little heavier, and a lot more effective on surfaces like stairs, upholstery, and floor mats. (It still comes in under 3 pounds, which is the upper limit our experts recommend for comfort.) The motorized brush head behaves more like a scaled-down upright vacuum, as it rotates to dislodge stuck debris rather than just skim the surface. Unlike many handhelds, this one maintains steady contact at different angles, thanks to the pivoting head.

You get three attachments, including a crevice tool and soft brush, plus LED lights that help spot dust in dark corners or under furniture. And the HEPA filter, which is rare at this price point, helps if you’re dealing with a lot of dust. The battery charges in under an hour and runs for up to 40 minutes, which should be more than enough for touchups or cleaning one or two rooms. It’s not the smallest or sleekest option, but the added size makes sense once you see how much more it can pick up.

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Best Value Handheld Vacuum

A Straightforward Option That Handles Small Messes Well

Max runtime: 9 minutes | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Number of attachments: 1 (built-in) | Capacity: 1.4 cups | Filter Type: Cloth

What you’ll love:

• Incredibly lightweight and easy to carry
• Built-in crevice tool helps reach tight spots
• The wall mount doubles as storage and a charger
• Washable filter and dirt bin

Keep in mind:

• Shorter runtime may be limiting
• A smaller bin needs to be emptied often

This model doesn’t have multiple power settings or a long list of accessories, but it covers the basics better than most vacuums in its price range. It weighs just over a pound, so it’s easy to grab with one hand, and the built-in crevice tool works well for corners, baseboards, and other hard-to-reach areas. The suction is strong enough to handle dry spills on hard floors or quick cleanups on furniture.

The dirt bin is small, but it’s clear and easy to empty; you can also rinse both the filter and bin between uses. Charging is just as simple: The vacuum clicks into a wall-mounted base that keeps it stored and charged without taking up counter or floor space. It’s a compact system that’s easy to live with, especially if you’re using it for small jobs around the house.

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Best Handheld Vacuum For Pets

Designed To Pick Up Fur On Upholstery, Stairs And Soft Surfaces

Max runtime: 20 minutes | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Number of attachments: 2 | Capacity: 2.9 cups | Filter type: Washable (non-HEPA)

attachments: 2 | Capacity: 2.9 cups | Filter type: Washable (non-HEPA)

What you’ll love:

• Motorized brush with rubber bristles helps loosen fur
• Extendable crevice tool reaches under furniture
• Powerboost button adds extra suction when needed
• One-touch dustbin release

Keep in mind:

• No HEPA filtration
• Hair can still get stuck in the bin and needs to be pulled out.

Pet hair has a way of ending up where your main vacuum doesn’t reach—in couch cushions, across the stairs, and along baseboards you’ve already cleaned twice. This cordless handheld is made to deal with exactly that kind of mess. The motorized pet brush attachment uses rubberized bristles to pull up clingy fur from soft surfaces without getting wrapped and tangled the way it does in standard brush rolls. It also comes with an extendable crevice tool for corners, car interiors, or anywhere fur tends to collect.

The vacuum weighs about 2.6 pounds and runs up to 20 minutes, which should be plenty for touchups between deeper cleanings. When you need more suction, like for embedded fur in rugs or fabric, there’s a Powerboost button you can press to crank it up temporarily. The dustbin empties with a single button press, though like most handhelds, it may take a shake or two to get everything out cleanly. The battery takes about four hours to fully recharge, so it’s worth docking after each use if you plan to grab it regularly.

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Best Handheld Vacuum For Allergies

A HEPA-Equipped Dyson With More Power Than Most Handhelds

Max runtime: 40 minutes | Weight: 4.2 pounds | Number of attachments: 3 | Capacity: 2.2 cups | Filter type: HEPA

What you’ll love:

• Fully sealed HEPA system captures fine dust, dander, and allergens
• More suction power than most handheld models
• Includes motorized brush, crevice tool, and combo tool
• Up to 40 minutes of battery life

Keep in mind:

• Heavier than most handheld vacuums
• The most expensive pick on this list

Handheld vacuums aren’t typically designed for people with allergies, but this one is. The Dyson Car+Boat has a fully sealed HEPA system that traps 99.99% of particles down to 0.3 microns, which includes everything from pollen and pet dander to the fine dust that usually gets pushed back into the air. It’s essentially a scaled-down version of the best Dyson vacuums, with the same level of filtration and a surprising amount of suction power for its size.

This handheld weighs just over 4 pounds, which makes it the heaviest vacuum on this list, but that tradeoff comes with better deep-cleaning ability in places you wouldn’t normally be able to reach: under couch cushions, in the car, and around vents or window sills. You also get a motorized brush for soft surfaces, a crevice tool for narrow gaps, and a combo attachment for general dusting. The battery lasts up to 40 minutes, depending on the setting, and recharges fully in about five hours.

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Best Handheld Vacuum For Cars

A Compact, Hose-Based Design That’s Easier To Use In Tight Spaces

Max runtime: 25 minutes (low), 10 minutes (high) | Weight: 3.0 pounds | Number of attachments: 2 | Capacity: 1 cup | Filter type: Washable HEPA

What you’ll love:

• Flexible hose helps reach around seats and into tight corners
• The cube body sits flat while you clean, so you’re not holding the weight
• Lightweight and easy to move between spaces
• The battery is compatible with other Worx Power Share tools

Keep in mind:

• A small dustbin needs frequent emptying
• Suction is limited on heavier debris

Most handheld vacuums are designed to be used like a wand, which works fine on stairs or upholstery, but inside a car, it can be difficult to maneuver. The Cube Vac uses a flexible hose instead, which gives you more freedom to reach between seats, under the dash, or along the floorboards without twisting your wrist or dragging the whole vacuum with you.

The body of this vacuum is compact and cube-shaped, so it stays put while you clean. And the entire thing weighs just 3 pounds, so it’s easy to carry from the garage or stash in the trunk when you’re done. Keep in mind that suction is strongest on dry, lightweight debris—things like sand, leaves, or crumbs—so the Cube Vac might struggle compared to other models when dealing with embedded pet hair or heavier dirt. But for quick cleanups between car washes, especially if you’re dealing with tight angles and hard plastics, it feels easier to use than many handhelds.

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How We Chose The Best Handheld Vacuums

Our goal was to recommend handheld vacuums that are genuinely useful, whether you’re cleaning up pet hair, crumbs in the car, or dust along the stairs. Our team tested some of the models on this list, and others came recommended by professionals who use them every day.

• We focused on trusted brands like Dyson, Black + Decker, Ryobi, and Worx that have a proven track record with portable vacuums.
• We interviewed three cleaning experts—Forrest Webber, Karina Toner, and Delah Gomasi—who gave us practical advice on suction, filtration, battery life, and which attachments are actually helpful.
• We considered key details like weight, runtime, charging speed, and how each vacuum performs on different surfaces.
• We included a range of models to suit different use cases, from everyday touchups to deeper cleaning.
• We also factored in customer reviews and only included vacuums with at least a 4-star rating and consistently positive feedback.

What To Look For In The Best Handheld Vacuums

Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking about investing in a handheld vacuum.

Power

Suction power is one of the most important things to look at in a handheld vacuum, but it’s also one of the hardest to understand from the specs alone. Many brands list the voltage of the battery, like 18V or 20V, but that number doesn’t actually tell you much about how well the vacuum cleans. “Voltage alone doesn’t determine power,” says Toner. “A well-designed 12V vacuum can outperform a poorly designed 20V one if the airflow and motor are more efficient.”
If a vacuum lists air watts (AW), anything between 15 and 30 is considered strong for everyday use. Suction may also be listed in Pascals (Pa), and Toner notes that 8,000 to 10,000 Pa is enough for light messes. However, since most brands don’t publish those numbers consistently, Webber recommends checking user reviews for performance patterns. “If someone mentions that it has trouble with gravel or pet hair, that is a warning sign,” he says.

Battery Life

For most households, a handheld vacuum with 15 to 25 minutes of runtime is enough to handle everyday messes like crumbs, pet hair, or a quick sweep through the car. Anything less can feel frustrating, especially if the vacuum dies halfway through the job. “A good battery handheld vacuum gives at least fifteen to twenty minutes of consistent power on one charge,” says Webber.
That said, how a brand advertises battery life can be misleading. “Some vacuums claim 30 to 40 minutes of runtime, but that’s usually on the lowest suction setting,” says Toner. “If you use max power mode, the actual runtime might be five to ten minutes.” Look for real-world battery performance, not just best-case numbers.
Recharge time is another factor worth considering. Some vacuums take five hours or more to charge fully, while others can be ready in under an hour. What matters most is how that charge time lines up with the battery life, especially if you plan to use your vacuum daily. A longer recharge might not be a dealbreaker if you’re only using it in short bursts.

Weight

Most handheld vacuums weigh somewhere between 1.5 and 3 pounds, but how that weight feels in your hand can vary a lot depending on the design. “For most people, a lightweight vacuum under three pounds is perfect,” says Webber. “It’s light enough for quick lifts and high-reach areas without putting too much strain on the wrist.”
Toner agrees that comfort comes down to more than just the number. She says a handheld vacuum “should ideally be lightweight and comfortable to hold, especially for longer cleaning sessions.” If the design is too bulky or poorly balanced, even a lighter vacuum can start to feel awkward after a few minutes.
It’s also worth considering where you’ll use it most. If you’re cleaning stairs, car interiors, or shelves overhead, a more compact model like the Worx Cordless Cube Vac may be easier to maneuver. On the other hand, a slightly heavier vacuum with better suction or more attachments, like the Dyson Car+Boat, may be worth the tradeoff, especially if you’re not using it for extended sessions.

Attachments

Attachments can make a handheld vacuum much more versatile—but that doesn’t mean more is always better. “Some vacuums include unnecessary tools to make the package look better, but quality matters more than quantity,” says Toner. She notes that a crevice tool, a soft brush, and a motorized pet tool are usually the most useful.
If you have pets, a motorized brush is especially helpful for pulling fur from upholstery and stairs. The Black + Decker Furbuster, for example, includes an anti-tangle brush that’s designed specifically for pet hair, which is something many standard nozzles struggle with.
Crevice tools help clean between cushions, in car interiors, or along baseboards, while soft brush attachments are good for dusting delicate surfaces. Some models also include a hose or extension wand, which can be helpful for reaching awkward areas, but Webber recommends keeping it simple. “Three attachments are generally plenty,” he says. Look for tools that match how and where you clean, rather than focusing on how many come in the box.