We Tested Handheld Vacuums: Here Are the Top Picks

Our Top Pick

With its well-established reputation in the cleaning industry, it’s no surprise that Shark offers a top-tier handheld vacuum. The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is an enhanced version of the earlier UltraCyclone Pro model, which is still available on Amazon but seems to be discontinued on Shark’s official site. The previous model earned perfect ratings for its performance, maneuverability, and overall value.

The suction power was impressively strong—so much so that it occasionally clung to our upholstery—and the attachments made it effortless to clean hard-to-reach areas. (Included are a detachable pet power brush, a scrubbing brush for dust, and a crevice tool for tight spots.) Despite its lightweight design, the dustbin has a surprisingly large capacity; after two test runs, it was only a quarter full. Although some debris got stuck, it was easy to remove manually.

With an 18-minute runtime, this vacuum easily cleaned an entire car in one go. We also appreciated its quiet operation, which allowed us to carry on a conversation while cleaning. Two months later, we still have no complaints—the vacuum is our go-to for quick cleaning sessions. Just remember that it takes six hours to fully charge from empty, so planning ahead is essential.

Weight: 3 lbs. | Capacity: 0.43 L | Runtime: 18 mins. | Attachments: 3 | Filter: Washable fabric

Best Budget Pick

Don’t be fooled by its affordable price—the Bissell AeroSlim is a powerful little vacuum. It’s compact and lightweight, with a two-in-one brush and crevice tool included. The vacuum also comes with a stand to hold both the vacuum and its attachments, plus two charging options: a regular charger and a USB cable. Its portable design makes it perfect for quick, on-the-go cleanups. While the manufacturer claims a 12-minute runtime, we found it lasted for three 10-minute sessions before needing a recharge.

During testing, we found this vacuum performed best in the car. Though it wasn’t powerful enough to pick up longer hairs, it excelled at collecting smaller debris like Cheerios, sand, and rocks. Its compact size made it perfect for reaching tight spots. It glided smoothly over car seats, and the nozzle fit easily between every crack.

We were particularly impressed with how easy it was to empty—the dustbin is small, so removing and reattaching it was simple. The downside of this user-friendly design is that it needs frequent emptying. After six months of use, the vacuum has kept its impressive battery life. It’s not ideal for deep cleans, but it’s perfect for regular touchups.

Weight: 2 lbs. | Capacity: 0.1 L | Runtime: 30 mins. | Attachments: 2 | Filter: Washable

Best for Carpet Cleaning

Small debris often becomes trapped in carpet fibers, making a complete clean challenging. That’s why we love the Black+Decker Dustbuster Pivot Vac. During our tests, it cleared Cheerios from high-pile carpet effortlessly. It tackled a wide range of debris—from small particles to larger items like hair and flour. Though it’s on the louder side, its powerful suction made up for the noise.

Equipped with built-in brush and crevice tool attachments, everything you need is conveniently within reach. The clear dustbin allows you to visually track what you’ve cleaned, and the pivoting nozzle enhances its ease of movement. We particularly appreciated the upright charger, designed to save space with its foldable structure.

After six months of use, it remains in excellent condition. The only drawback we encountered is the emptying process—it’s hands-free when done correctly, but the filter side occasionally pops open. Nevertheless, we find its exceptional power more than compensates for the minor inconvenience.

Weight: 4 lbs. | Capacity: 0.44 L | Runtime: 10 mins. | Attachments: 2 | Filter: Washable

Ideal for Hard Floors

We were impressed by the Hoover ONEPWR Vacuum’s performance on hard floors, swiftly picking up all debris, even after tackling four different surfaces. The vacuum includes a two-in-one crevice tool and dusting brush, both of which can be conveniently stored on the unit for easy transport. While it sometimes had trouble with larger debris, like popcorn kernels and Cheerios, and struggled with longer hairs, it always managed to clean everything up eventually.

We love the spacious dustbin, allowing uninterrupted cleaning without frequent stops for emptying or recharging. The emptying process is incredibly simple—just press a button to release the debris and remove the filter. Plus, the battery is compatible with any device in Hoover’s ONEPWR range, making it easy to mix and match with other tools.

Weight: 3 lbs. | Capacity: 0.4 L | Runtime: 15 mins. | Attachments: 2 | Filter: Rinseable

Ideal for Pet Hair

True to its name, the Black+Decker Furbuster did an excellent job of removing hair and fur from every surface. The motorized rubber brush worked like a charm, lifting and detangling pet hair, while the crevice tool was invaluable for getting fur out of tight spots in furniture and between cushions. In our testing, it took just one pass to remove large clumps of hair and finer strands from the couch. However, it did take a few extra passes to clear all the kibble from the carpet.

With its straightforward setup, we simply snapped two parts together and were ready to go. Plus, the crevice tool attaches directly to the vacuum, making it easy to use and store. We were pleasantly surprised by the battery life; unlike other handheld models that need to be recharged halfway through, this one lasted long enough to clean all of our cat’s favorite spots in one go. The large dustbin also made uninterrupted cleaning possible, though we did have to reach in to remove fur from the edges.

Six months later, this vacuum is still an essential part of our cleaning routine. It’s the perfect tool for quick cleanups of crumbs and small spills, and the battery life remains as strong as it was on day one. Although the manufacturer claims it runs for 240 minutes, we only managed 20 minutes of runtime per charge. Still, that’s plenty of time to clean a whole car in one go. For pet owners in particular, this vacuum is an absolute must-have.

Weight: 4 lbs. | Capacity: 0.68 L | Runtime: 20 mins. | Attachments: 2 | Filter: Washable

Final Thoughts

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro stands out as our top choice due to its powerful suction, versatility, and lightweight design. We also appreciated its scrubbing brush and crevice tool, which were great for tackling dust and reaching tight spaces. For those on a budget, the Bissell AeroSlim delivers solid performance at a lower price.

Our Evaluation Process

We tested 53 handheld vacuums, assessing them for their cleaning power, ease of movement, and long-term durability. First, we used a decibel meter to measure the noise level on the highest setting. Then, we timed how long each vacuum took to clean a mixture of debris (crushed crackers and raisins) from carpet, an upholstered chair, a high chair, and a car seat.

During our tests, we looked at how easily each vacuum maneuvered across different surfaces and how long the battery lasted before needing a recharge. If there was still charge left after the initial tests, we ran each vacuum until the battery fully depleted to measure its total runtime. We also observed how often the dustbin needed emptying and how easy or difficult that process was.

We brought the top-performing vacuums home for further testing, where we used them to clean up pet kibble, pet hair, and other daily messes. We asked ourselves: Did the battery still hold a full charge? Was the suction as strong as before? Was it too heavy for prolonged use? Were the attachments helpful? Did it store easily? With these questions in mind, we finalized our list of the best handheld vacuums.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you really need attachments for a handheld vacuum?

Some vacuums come with useful accessories, such as filters and attachments, designed to make specific cleaning tasks easier. If you're cleaning hard-to-reach areas like ceiling corners or the gaps between car seat cushions, a crevice tool can help you get into tight spots. Scrubbing brushes are also great for loosening up fine particles like dust and pet hair from smooth surfaces. Every vacuum on our list includes a brush and crevice tool.

A few handheld vacuums also come with LED headlights that illuminate debris, making it easier to see in darker or harder-to-reach areas. While these lights can be handy when cleaning under car seats or in low-light corners, they're less essential for everyday cleaning tasks. Just keep in mind that more features often lead to a higher price, so focus on the features that are most important to you.

What size handheld vacuum should I get?

The dimensions and weight of a vacuum have a significant impact on how easy it is to handle, transport, and store. While handheld models are generally much more compact than traditional upright models, their sizes can still vary. A vacuum that's too heavy may become difficult to hold for extended periods, while a bulky one may not be able to fit into tighter spaces.

For cleaning narrow areas, a lightweight and compact vacuum is preferable. The vacuums we've listed all weigh between 1 and 4 pounds. However, it’s also important to consider the size of the dustbin. A vacuum with a larger capacity will need fewer emptyings, which is ideal for longer cleaning sessions. For example, while the Bissell AeroSlim is the lightest model, it also has the smallest dustbin.

What is the ideal runtime for a handheld vacuum?

The ideal runtime varies depending on the size of the area you're cleaning and the nature of the task. Are you dealing with a large, intense job or just a quick touch-up? Either way, don't expect your handheld vacuum to have the same power or battery life as a full-size model.

If you're cleaning a larger area, you'll need a vacuum with a longer battery life so you won't have to pause and recharge mid-task. For smaller spaces or shorter tasks, a shorter runtime will be sufficient. Most handheld vacuums run between 10 and 20 minutes per charge. For instance, the Bissell AeroSlim, our top budget pick, lasts 30 minutes before requiring a recharge—the longest among the vacuums we reviewed.

Take Our Word for It

Written by Jamie Fischer, a seasoned writer for Mytour with two years of expertise in writing about home and cleaning products. She has hands-on experience testing a variety of vacuums, including upright, cordless, and robot models. For this list, we tested 53 handheld vacuum cleaners both in the lab and at home, focusing on factors such as battery life, suction strength, durability, performance, and overall value for money.