Best Handheld Vacuums: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Proscenic S1
3. Best for pet owners: Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+
4. Best for small homes: Eufy HomeVac H30 Mate
5. Best affordable pick: Dirt Devil Scorpion
6. Best for large homes: Hoover ONEPWR
7. Best for your car: Shark Wandvac Power Pet
8. Comparison
9. FAQs
10. What to consider
11. How we test
In case you didn't already know: you need a handheld vacuum in your life. Because why should you lug your heavy cordless vacuum out of your closet every time there's a mess to clean? Having a smaller lightweight vacuum on hand for these accidents will save you time and effort, and it will ensure your home looks cleaner than ever. Sold? You can thank us later for making your life easier.
These vacuums are especially handy if you live with pets or kids (aka mess makers). Even if your space rarely sees spills take place, a handheld vacuum is great for quick clean-ups, getting into corners, and cleaning your stairs and car interiors. This especially true if your main vacuum cleaner is heavy.
These six vacuums that we've tested as a team are specifically designed for those little jobs, from removing crumbs on your coffee table to getting pet hair off your couch or car seats.
Annie has tested a range of vacuums, stick and handheld, for Real Homes and recently updated this guide.
March 24, 2023 — Answered questions and added the top three sections, plus jump links for reader friendliness. Double-checked all six products to ensure they are in stock and our opinion still stands.
September 11, 2023 — Added a quick list of vacuum cleaners and comparison, as well as the Shark Wandvac Pet Pro.
How do I choose a handheld vacuum cleaner?
Before you start looking for your next handheld vacuum, it would be smart to set a budget for what you're willing to spend and also consider the run time of your vacuum. If your home is large, go for something that either has a longer battery life or a model that comes with extra batteries. If your home is small, don't pay a premium for either of these features as you won't need them. Another feature you'll want to focus on is dust cup capacity. If you don't want to make frequent trips to your trash can, and if you have a pet, go for something large. For apartments or small homes, a tiny dust cup is ample if you don't mind emptying it after every use.
The quick list
Here's a glance at the best handheld vacuum cleaners you can buy this year.
An easy-to-use handheld vacuum that ticks all our boxes, and it's under $100. It has two modes and comes with different tools. With a battery life of up to 30 minutes, it offers strong suction.
This handheld vacuum is perfect for pet owners as it excels at picking up hair. It's also so easy to use. While it does have a shorter battery life, its large dust cup is perfect for collecting all that dander and makes it worth the purchase.
Compact and lightweight, this tiny buy is easy to store and is best for apartment dwellers or for anyone living in a dorm or bedroom who wants something to stay on top of daily messes. It has a sizeable dust cup and a healthy battery life of up to 20 minutes, though it costs $179.99.
A corded option, the Dirt Devil Scorpion can take on all kinds of messes, and it's specifically great for cleaning your staircase. Its large bin can hold a huge amount of dust, debris, and pet hair, but it remains lightweight at 3 pounds. It's also pretty affordable at $44.99.
If you live in a larger home, then this vacuum should be the one you go for. Mostly because it has a huge 4-liter dust cup that you won't constantly need to empty. Its battery life only lasts 14 minutes, but you'll be able to move quick thanks to its light 3-pound weight.
This is an ideal handheld vac for cleaning your car because it has strong suction, two handy tools, and up to 35 minutes of battery life. In boost mode, it will only last 8 minutes and the dust cup is fairly tiny. The compact pick comes with a charging dock, which makes it look neat on your countertop.
The best handheld vacuum cleaners you can buy in 2023
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The best handheld vacuum you can buy
Buy it if
💕 You're on a budget: This vacuum is only $99.
💕 You want something small: This is a compact model that comes with a charging dock for easy storage.
💕 You want something easy to use: It couldn't be easier as it only has two modes and two tools.
Don't buy it if
❌ You need a main vacuum: This vacuum doesn't have the battery life to clean an entire home, and it would take a very long time. This serves as a secondary vacuum.
The bottom line
✨ Proscenic S1 The best handheld vacuum out there, it's easy to use and boasts an impressive battery life of up to 30 minutes. It has two models and two different tools, and it comes with a charging dock. All for less than $100.
For those who expect a lot from their handhelds, you'll want to consider the Proscenic S1 Mini Handheld Vacuum Cleaner. It promises up to 30 minutes of power to remove tracked-in dirt in the car or crumbs deep in your couch cushions.
In use
The S1 did a great job in our tests of picking up particles big and small. Our reviewer Millie found the two suction modes were plenty for dealing with an array of messes, though choosing the lower power setting definitely helped the vacuum run for much longer.
Tools
When it comes to attachments, the Brush Nozzle was excellent for working on upholstery, while the Crevice Nozzle was unrivaled for reaching corners in Millie's high-ceiling home.
Features
This handheld vac is a great all-rounder, boasting a decent battery life, a great-sized dust cup, and an average charge time, all at a great price. It has two modes to choose from, one normal and the other boost. Press the power button twice to activate boost mode. The Proscenic S1 claims to have a running range of 15–30 minutes. While that doesn't seem too long, it's the longest of the handheld vacs that we've seen and tried. In practice, our reviewer confirmed it lasted 26 minutes on the lower setting, which is pretty good.
Things to note
When it comes time to charge, the S1 can be housed on its charging dock or via its USB-C cable.
Read our full Proscenic S1 handheld vacuum review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Small, lightweight, easy to use. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Under $100. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Great for small jobs, only has a 30-minute max battery life. | ★★★★ |
| Features | Two modes, two tools included as well as a charging dock. | ★★★★★ |
The best handheld vacuum for pet owners
Buy it if
💕 You're a pet owner: This vacuum has a special head that's designed to prevent pet hair tangles.
💕 You want a large dust cup: Its dust cup is 2.7 liters, which means it can hold a lot of pet hair and dust. No frequent trips to the trash can.
💕 You're on a budget: This vacuum is only $99.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want something that charges fast: This vacuum takes six hours to charge, which is the longest charging time on our list.
The bottom line
✨ Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ A great option for pet owners, with a specially designed head that won't get clogged with hair. It has a 15-minute runtime but it does take six hours to charge. It costs only $99.99, though.
We do like a Shark vacuum cleaner, especially when it's reasonably priced, cordless, and handheld. These features are ideal for tackling pet hair (since it's designed to rival some of the best vacuums for pet hair) and keeping snack crumbs under control. While many spot cleaners have simple attachments, this one is built for animals as its self-cleaning pet power brush makes cleaning pet beds and upholstery so easy.
In use
As with Shark’s larger cleaners, the self-cleaning brush is the star of the show with this vacuum, promising to prevent hair from getting wrapped around the roller. Our reviewer Jen found the perks of this design met her expectations, though she warns users to be careful when using this smaller tool on large clumps of hair. She also liked how simple it was to operate the vacuum with the straightforward on/off switch. She felt that the 10.8-volt battery provided similar cleaning power to a regular vacuum, although this vac only offers 15 minutes of cleaning per charge.
Tools
This vacuum comes with two extra tools — a Crevice Tool and a Scrubbing Brush. It doesn't come with a storage charging dock, so you'll need to find somewhere to store it.
Features
This vacuum has a runtime of 15 minutes in total and is relatively lightweight at less than 3 pounds. It has a decent-sized dust cup, bigger than our top pick from Proscenic. It only has one cleaning mode.
Things to note
It has a really long charge time of six hours. Once removed, you can rinse the bin and filter in the sink to keep it all clean.
Read our full Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, easy to use, no charging dock. | ★★★★ |
| Price | Under $100. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Great for pet hair, two extra tools. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Specially-designed head that can suck up pet hair. Only one mode. | ★★★★ |
The best handheld vacuum for small homes
Buy it if
💕 You live in a small home: With a compact design, this tiny handheld vac is lightweight and small. It also comes with a charging dock for convenience.
💕 You're a pet owner: This vacuum comes with a special tool for pet hair — a mini motorized pet brush.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: This vacuum is pretty expensive at $179.99.
❌ You want something quiet: Our reviewer noted that although it's small, this vacuum is noisy.
The bottom line
✨ Eufy HomeVac H30 Mate If you have the money, this Eufy handheld vacuum is perfect for smaller spaces. It sucks up pet hair well, too, and it comes with two handy tools. For $179.99.
The super lightweight and slim Eufy HomeVac H30 Mate by Anker handheld is about the size of a bottle of wine, meaning it can easily fit in a desk drawer or beneath a car seat for quick clean-ups.
In use
For such a small vacuum, it's powerful. During our tests, our reviewer Jen found that dust, crumbs, and even compost from a toppled-over indoor plant were tackled in a single pass.
Tools
This vacuum comes with two tools, a Mini-Motorized Pet Brush and a 2-in-1 Crevice Tool. The 2-in-1 crevice tool was Jen's favorite accessory for getting into tight, awkward spaces and was best used in her car to clean the trunk. She found the mini motorized pet brush was good for handling stray hairs on the upholstery that she couldn't even see were there.
Features
It has a runtime of 20 minutes, which is expected from the size of this handheld vac. Jen said it was almost enough to clean her whole car. This is also longer than its predecessor, the HomeVac H11. It comes with a charging dock where the vacuum can live, along with its tools. It has two-speed modes and it comes in white or black.
Things to note
It does have a tiny dust bin that affects the suction as it fills up. It has a charge time of 3.5 hours.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, compact, easy to use, comes with charging dock. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Quite expensive at $179.99. | ★★★★ |
| Suction | Great for pet hair with a dedicated tool. | ★★★★★ |
| Features | Specially-designed head that can suck up pet hair. Only one mode. | ★★★★ |
The best affordable handheld vacuum
Buy it if
💕 You need something lightweight: It's only 3 pounds.
💕 You're on a budget: This vacuum is the cheapest on our list at $39.99.
💕 You want something with a large dust cup: Its dust cup is 4.5 liters, which means infrequent trips to the trash can.
Don't buy it if
❌ You want to use it to clean your car: It's corded so you won't be able to clean your car with this vac, unless you have an extension cord.
❌ You want something cordless: This vacuum is corded, which might be a problem for some, but it does mean you're not working on a time limit.
❌ You live with pets: This vacuum isn't the best pick for pet owners as hair accumulates inside the brush roll.
The bottom line
✨ Dirt Devil Scorpion If you're on a budget, then this $39.99 vac is a cheap and useful pick. Yes, it's corded but that doesn't mean you have to sweat a short battery life. It has a huge bin, and it's lightweight. Its suction is really impressive, but pet hair will clog it!
If you don’t want to spend as much on a handheld vacuum as you would on a full-sized one, then you can expect the affordable Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner to get the little jobs done well. You'll never have to remember to keep it charged either, just plug it in and clean!
In use
The Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum Cleaner is small, light, and easy to handle — it proved to be an ideal purchase for sucking up crumbs from car seats, vacuuming underneath furniture, and dealing with other small clean-ups during our tests. Our reviewer Alex felt a noticeable difference in power, noting that it had more suction than any other handheld she had tried.
Tools
This vacuum comes with just one tool, a Crevice Tool which is great for reaching into corners. You can also use its hose to clean, which she recommends for banishing dust and dirt on not just stairs but on upholstered furniture and rugs, too.
Features
Unlike cordless models, you have the benefit of extended cleaning time. It also has a long, 16-foot cord. This also means you won't have to wait for it to charge, and the space a battery might take up has been used for the dust cup that holds a hefty 4.5 liters.
Things to note
Unless you have an outlet close to your car, you'll likely want to skip out on the Dirt Devil Scorpion for consistent auto upkeep. Alex found that one downside of this Dirt Devil model is that the stair tool is tough to clean and hair accumulates inside the brush roll. If pet messes or long hair is your main cleaning concern, you might want a tool that has specialist features to banish tangled strands. Another perk is that you can rinse and clean the filter.
Read our full Dirt Devil Scorpion review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, corded with a 16-foot cord. | ★★★★ |
| Price | Reasonable at $39.99. | ★★★★★ |
| Suction | Not the best for pet hair, but otherwise the suction is strong. | ★★★★ |
| Features | You can use its hose for stairs and upholstery and it comes with only one tool. | ★★★★★ |
The best handheld vacuum for large homes
Buy it if
💕 You need something lightweight: It's only 3 pounds.
💕 You want something to clean a larger home: Its battery life isn't the longest but its bin is big! This cordless pick only takes 3.5 hours to charge, too.
💕 You want something with a large dust cup: Its dust cup holds 4 liters, which means infrequent trips to the trash can.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: This vacuum is one of the most expensive on our list at $169.99.
❌ You live with pets: This vacuum isn't the best pick for pet owners as hair accumulates inside the brush roll.
The bottom line
✨ Hoover ONEPWR Cordless If you have a larger home to clean and you want to get the job done fast, then lean on this cordless vacuum and its 4-liter dust cup. Its suction isn't the best, but it's really convenient to store and charge. It's a little more expensive than most of our picks at $169.99.
The Hoover ONEPWR Cordless offers plenty of power in a lightweight model, with an XL dirt cup if you'd prefer to go a little longer before emptying your handheld, or if you have a large home to keep clean. It doesn't offer the best suction from the vacuums on our list, but it does have the biggest dust cup capacity while still being cordless.
In use
Daily cleaning became easier once our reviewer Alex had the Hoover ONEPWR Cordless in her life. The fact that it took her seconds to insert the battery into the model and get cleaning was game-changing, alongside the fact that it's handy for everything from countertop clean-ups to getting rid of dust on window sills. Alex found that she could go for pretty long stretches without needing to empty the dust bin too, which is a testament to this model's large capacity. While Alex loved the large capacity available to her with this vac, she thought the suction could be a little stronger.
Tools
It only comes with one extra tool, a Crevice Tool. Alex wouldn't recommend using the crevice tool attachment for long periods of time, as she said it reduced suction power even further. It does, however, live on board for your convenience.
Features
The large 4-liter dust cup is a total game-changer, and considering this the vacuum is still nice and lightweight at 3lbs. While it doesn't come with a charging dock, it is easy to store inside a cupboard. Also, rather than plugging in this handheld to a charger or slipping it into a dock, you instead charge up the battery and then place it into the unit before you start cleaning.
Things to note
If you buy this vacuum on Amazon, check if you need to buy the battery separately. It also has a filter that you can clean under your kitchen faucet.
Read our full Hoover ONEPWR review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight, you can charge the battery only, it stands to store. | ★★★★★ |
| Price | One of the most expensive on our list. | ★★★★ |
| Suction | Not the strongest but it does work. The crevice tool makes it a little weaker. | ★★★★ |
| Features | It has a crevice tool on board. It has a huge dust cup and only needs charging for 3.5 hours. | ★★★★★ |
The best handheld vacuum for your car
Buy it if
💕 You need something lightweight: It's only 1.48 pounds.
💕 You want something with a long battery life: It can be used for 8 to 35 minutes, depending on the mode you're in.
💕 You want something to clean your car: It's great for car cleaning thanks to its two tools, and it can pick up pet hair well.
Don't buy it if
❌ You're on a budget: This vacuum is one of the most expensive on our list at $149.99.
❌ You want something to clean a larger home: Its bin is the smallest on our list.
The bottom line
✨ Shark WandVac Pet Pro If you want to clean your car with ease, with all of the tools you need to get into tight spaces, then this is the vacuum you need. It does have a tiny dust cup, but its battery life makes up for it at 35 minutes. It's lightweight and convenient to store, too. It costs under $150.
The sleek design of the Shark WandVac Pet Pro means it's very easy to stash in a cabinet, closet, or even a drawer — but at the same time, we'd totally understand if you want to leave it out on the counter for all to see. Definitely the best-looking of all the handheld vacuums we've tested, it blends style and ergonomics for a futuristic look. And, since it comes with handy attachments, we rate it as the best pick for car cleaning, as well as home tidying of course. The only reason it's last on our list is because it has a tiny dust cup.
In use
If you need a handheld vacuum that's easy to use, compact to store, and great for getting into those corners of your car, then this one from Shark should be it. Our reviewer Christina uses it to clean pet hair, mud, and more from her Toyota and it never fails to do the job. She mostly uses the Duster Crevice Tool in her car and because the vacuum is so light at 1.5 pounds, she never had a sore arm. It's super easy to empty at just the push of a button. Its bin is very small, however, which is why we think it's best for car use as you may need to empty it a few times if you're using it around your home.
Tools
This handheld vacuum comes with two tools — a Duster Crevice Tool and a Multi-Surface Pet Tool. Both can be used to clean your home and car, while the charging dock can house both tools for convenience.
Features
This vacuum has a battery life of eight to 35 minutes, depending on the mode you use it on. It has two modes, normal and boost. It displays battery life while in use, which is handy, and a blinking blue light indicates it's about to die. It has a washable filter and you can clean its dust cup, too.
Things to note
The one real drawback is that it only lasts eight minutes on boost mode, which is on the shorter side of average for a handheld vac. But for quick jobs, it does well and looks great while in action and while charging. We've also tested its predecessor, the Shark WV201 but we found that this one boasted better suction and we preferred its accessories.
Read our full Shark Wandvac Power Pet review.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Easy of use | Two buttons make this a simple vac to use. | ★★★★★ |
| Design | A designer-looking vacuum in a midnight navy or black finish | ★★★★★ |
| Price | Expensive. Several models on this list are cheaper. | ★★★★ |
| Maintenance | Removing dirt and debris is relatively easy, though strands of hair can be harder. Washing the dust filter is simple. But charge time could be quicker | ★★★★ |
Compare these handheld vacuums
| Vacuum | Our verdict |
| Proscenic S1 | A great all-rounder for less than $100. |
| Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ | Best for pet owners. |
| Eufy HomeVac H30 Mate | Compact and convenient, for smaller homes. |
| Dirt Devil Scorpion | Affordable at $39.99, super powerful but corded. |
| Hoover ONEPWR | Best for bigger homes and larger budgets. |
| Shark WandVac PowerPet | Best for cleaning your car. |
FAQs
What is the best handheld vacuum?
We really rate the Proscenic S1 handheld vacuum, and in review, it wowed us in more ways than one. This handheld vac sits at a great price, it offers a decent-sized dust cup (1.2 liters) and its battery life will last 15 to 20 minutes before needing to be charged. It's the perfect buy for average-sized homes. You can buy the Proscenic S1 from Amazon.
Do handheld vacuum cleaners work?
Handheld vacuum cleaners definitely work, though they usually have a small capacity and a short battery life, so they might not work for as long as your normal cordless vacuum cleaner in handheld mode would. As long as your handheld vacuum cleaner has strong suction, like the ones we've reviewed, it will definitely do the job.
What is the best affordable handheld vacuum?
If you'd like to buy a handheld vacuum but don't have much to spend, then we can recommend the Dirt Devil Scorpion Handheld Vacuum, which you can buy for around $40 from Amazon.
6 things to consider when choosing a handheld vacuum
When you're looking to buy the best handheld vacuum for your household, there are a few factors to consider to ensure you make the right choice. They are:
1. Weight
Cleaning power aside, we consider the small size and manageable weight to be the most important feature of these small vacuums. If your handheld is too heavy and bulky, you might as well just get an upright vacuum for its greater cleaning power, and use its hose or attachments for spot-cleaning jobs. Most handheld vacuums weigh 2 or 3 pounds.
2. Corded vs cordless
Once upon a time, handheld vacuums came with cords that had to be plugged into an electrical outlet. But that appears to be a thing of the past: We actively tried to find a standout corded model that would merit a place on this list and decided on the Dirt Devil Scorpion.
3. How long do you need to clean?
Handheld vacuums don't have the same battery power as their larger counterparts. A runtime of 10 to 20 minutes is typical, so if you find yourself routinely needing to clean for longer, we recommend looking for a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver upright or stick vacuum cleaner with appropriate accessories.
4. Attachments
Like any vacuum, many of these handheld vacuums come with a variety of accessories for a more precise clean. Most should come with a crevice tool, and other nice-to-have attachments include specialty brushes for carpets and pet hair, dusting brushes, and even hoses for added reach.
5. Level of suction
Handheld vacuums can differ widely in suction capabilities, and sometimes get a bad rap for not being powerful enough. That being said, a 12-volt product should be more than enough for light housework. A good handheld vacuum will have multiple suction settings, though many have just a simple switch.
6. Dust bin capacity
Size matters. While you want a handheld vacuum that is lightweight and easy to use, you'll also want to consider the dust bin size, and how much you will be cleaning. Typically, the lighter the vacuum the smaller the dust bin. A standard dust bin size for a handheld vac seems to be about 10 ounces to 20 ounces. The bins on micro models can be as small as three ounces. Look for designs with transparent containers so you can see how much debris has accumulated as you clean.
How we test handheld vacuums
Shark WV200UK in review
At Real Homes, we think it's important to have hands-on experience with the products we recommend. That's why, as part of our testing protocol, we've tried all of these handheld vacuums out at home for at least two months to give you our honest verdict. These handheld vacuums have been tested either by a member of the team or by one of our trusty freelancers. We've made sure to test them in a range of different environments, too, from large family homes to small apartments with pets.
Not only have these vacs been busy lifting dirt and debris, but we've also performed tests with pantry staples, from oatmeal to cereal, to see how impressive each vacuum's suction is. Alongside evaluating suction power, we analyze the ease of setup and use, versatility, and runtime. Beyond reviewing, we will compare true stats including price and weight, which is how we rank these handheld vacs.
Meet our handheld vacuum testers below:
Jen is now the editor over at Top Ten Reviews. Previously she has written for Ideal Home, Real Homes, and Homes & Gardens as our appliances editor. She has tested the Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus in this guide, which is a great pick for homes with pets. If you have pets, Jen found that purchasing this vac is worth it for the large dust canister and its ability to eradicate hair on sofas and carpets. She also has hands-on experience with the Eufy Homevac H30 Mate, which has an impressive amount of power for a mini vac, making it perfect for compact spaces.
Christina is the ecommerce editor at Real Homes and she tested the Shark Wandvac Power Pet. Her sister's dog, Hugo, an American XL Bully who loves to visit, is forever leaving stray hairs behind, so she wanted to find a way to clean his hair once he leaves. Because who wants to deal with lugging their full-size vacuum out of their closet every day?
Millie is our head of reviews at Real Homes and has also done vacuum testing at home in the past. She loved the Proscenic S1 Handheld Vacuum after testing it out, which is why it earns the top spot on this list. The standout features for her were the superior battery life and the excellent suction, and she loved the neat charging station for storage, too.
Alexandra is a freelance writer and former journalist. She tests products out for Real Homes to see if they're worth your investment, and from this list, she has tried out the classic Dirt Devil Scorpion+ and the Hoover ONEPWR. She was well equipped to try out these two pet-perfect vacs while cleaning up after her cat, Dish, at home in New York City.
