The Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaners

This powerful machine consistently did an outstanding job and was often faster than any other model. Even though it doesn’t have a pet hair attachment, it quickly and effectively detached dog hair from sofas and car floorboards. Its uniquely designed pivoting nozzle opened like a book from its main body and allowed us to select many different cleaning angles. There was a learning curve, but soon we were using this model to access otherwise impenetrable nooks under car seats and in the depths of kitchen corners and cabinets. It has a built-in brush and crevice tool that swings or slides, respectively, for use. Its large collection bin opened two different ways for easy access and cleaning, which was initially slightly confusing for some testers. Though it wasn’t the heaviest model we tested, a few users found it tiring during extended use and preferred lighter-weight models.

This vacuum, which is powerful and feels lightweight for its size, has a large filter and a spacious collection bin that can conveniently be opened on either end. Though its long, narrow nozzle occasionally made it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, it reached under cabinets and furniture remarkably well. Its nozzle also spun 360 degrees, allowing us to position it instead of awkwardly straining our hands to reach into tight spaces. We do wish it were easier to reassemble the vacuum after emptying the collection bin. It was always a bit difficult to tell if the three latches were properly aligned for a secure connection. One latch started to stick slightly over time, though it didn’t prevent secure closure.

This model was powerful and efficient, quickly picking up crumbs, pasta, dirt, baby powder, and all sorts of grime without breaking a sweat. We were impressed by its detachable battery, which charged in 1.5 hours using a small charging dock and allowed us to store the machine separately out of sight. Its crevice tool stowed conveniently on a notch on its underside. Despite its prowess with most messes, this machine struggled to pick up pet hair during our upholstery tests. Some testers also found it too heavy for long cleaning stints.

This model shone especially when picking up pet hair; its pet/upholstery attachment made it the fastest by far in our sofa-cleaning test. It powered through every other cleaning test as well, impressing us with its speed and suction. We also liked that it was relatively lightweight and that its attachments can be conveniently stored on the charging base. Two reservations: Its thick, bulky handle often made it awkward to maneuver. We also had issues removing the collection bin and cleaning the vacuum; it was difficult to detach the various parts and its metal filter housing even got a little bent after weeks of having to wrench it apart.

This svelte and lightweight model was pleasant to carry and use, and we loved its straightforward controls and easily detachable collection bin. It withstood weeks of testing without damage and shone in tight spaces like car floorboards and behind bathroom fixtures. Unfortunately, its suction power didn’t always match its convenience, and it was hamstrung by its small capacity. The combination of these two factors makes it suitable only for small, quick cleanups. It’s ideal for touching up the car or tackling a small spill inside, but it can’t handle anything bigger.

This powerful model performed quite well in most tests, cleaning up rice, soil, pasta, cereal, and more without issue. It suctioned itself to the carpet every so often, which sometimes slowed it down, but it was impressive at clearing up pet hair with its dedicated pet tool. We also liked its comfortable, soft handle. But this machine faltered when it came to ease of use and handling. We found it overly long and awkward to maneuver, especially in tight spaces such as car floorboards. Its exhaust ports occasionally blew hair and other messes around, and some testers found its collection bin difficult to empty. Its collection bin eject button became increasingly sticky over time.

As its name suggests, this model excelled most when we used its upholstery attachment to clean a dog hair–covered sofa, dislodging and sucking up hair efficiently. It was less stellar in other tests, however. It was sluggish while collecting rice and soil from carpet and hardwood floors, and we found its boxy construction unwieldy at times, especially in tight corners. Its attachments were also difficult to install, and we had to wrench them apart when detaching them.

This lightweight, compact model was delightfully nimble and fit into any corner or crevice with ease. It was especially useful when cleaning small messes in cars or cabinet corners where other models felt hulking. Unfortunately, its tiny collection bin filled quickly and blocked suction when it was full, forcing us to empty it several times during any cleaning job. It especially struggled to pick up pet hair from upholstery, and its intake valve broke off after a few days of testing. We were able to reattach the valve but were worried about the model’s durability long-term.

We liked that this model was relatively compact and lightweight, which made it easy to carry around and navigate in tight spaces. We also liked the convenience of its crevice tool, which was mounted on top of the unit and flipped down to attach to the nozzle. Unfortunately, this vacuum performed poorly in several tests. It clogged easily and lacked the suction power of other models, which was especially evident when cleaning pet hair from upholstery. We also didn’t like having to remove its filter to empty the collection bin.