The Best Handheld Vacuum - 2021
We looked at the top 10 Handheld Vacuums and dug through the reviews from 56 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Handheld Vacuums.
Why Trust The DWYM Score?
DWYM is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to.Learn more.
Our Picks For The Top Handheld Vacuums
- The Best Handheld Vacuum
- 1. ThisWorx Corded Handheld Vacuum
- 2. Bissell Corded Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum
- 3. BLACK+DECKER Flex With Stick Vacuum
- 4. BLACK+DECKER Flex Vac Pet Hair Cordless Vacuum
- 5. Dyson V7 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
- 6. BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum
- 7. Shark ION W1 Handheld Vacuum
- 8. BLACK+DECKER Pivot Vacuum
- 9. Dirt Devil Scorpion Corded Hand Vacuum
- 10. Eureka EasyClean Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Complimentary AttachmentsWith this handheld vacuum, you'll receive a complimentary carry case that allows you to store the vacuum in the car or nearby garage.
Best for Cat and Dog OwnersSince this handheld vacuum is lightweight, you won't have any trouble moving about from room to room.
Cleans with EaseThis handheld vacuum is great for picking up pet hair and household spills, with a battery that lasts 20 minutes.
Useful Crevice ToolWith a handy crevice tool and a battery that last 16 minutes, this vacuum can easily tackle any job.
Why we recommend these handheld vacuums?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 10 Handheld Vacuums and also dug through the reviews from 56 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Handheld Vacuums.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
ThisWorx Corded Handheld Vacuum
Our Take
This handheld vacuum is specifically designed for detailing an automobile, however, you can also use it inside your home. The unit includes a 16-foot cable, so you can easily move from your front seats to your back seats. The set includes three nozzles, a special filter cleaning brush and a spare HEPA filter.
Our Handheld Vacuum Findings
ThisWorx Corded Handheld Vacuum
What We Liked: This handheld vacuum is specifically designed for detailing an automobile, however, you can also use it inside your home. The unit includes a 16-foot cable, so you can easily move from your front seats to your back seats. The set includes three nozzles, a special filter cleaning brush and a spare HEPA filter.
Bissell Corded Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum
What We Liked: This handheld vacuum is constructed with a specialized rubber nozzle that works wonders when cleaning up pet hair. The unit works just as well on stairs as it does on your upholstery and even comes with a second nozzle attachment. The 16-foot cord is an added bonus, as it allows you to clean an entire room without having to move to another outlet.
BLACK+DECKER Flex With Stick Vacuum
What We Liked: If you have pets, you’ll love this handheld vacuum. It comes with a brush designed for getting pet hair. It also runs for a full 20 minutes without losing power after a full charge, which should be enough time to pick up household spills or clean up your car interior. In our testing, we found this vacuum to be easy to hold and transport while using. We also liked all the different attachments.
BLACK+DECKER Flex Vac Pet Hair Cordless Vacuum
What We Liked: You’ll be able to get into tight spaces, thanks to this handheld vacuum’s crevice tool. This model also runs a full 16 minutes without losing power on a full charge. That’s likely all you’ll need for basic household cleanup tasks.
Dyson V7 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
What We Liked: You’ll get higher suction with this handheld vacuum than with most other models. That means less work in minimal time. It also runs for 30 full minutes on a full charge, putting its battery power above many other handheld vacuums. In our testing, this vacuum sucked up all the crumbs on our test rug. We were also impressed by its nice aesthetic design.
Our Handheld Vacuum Buying Guide
If you’re tired of running to the car wash every time you need the inside of your vehicle cleaned out, a handheld vacuum can be a handy tool to have around. However, it can also help you clean up those occasional household messes. Instead of pulling out the vacuum cleaner or grabbing a broom and dustpan, you could use a handheld vacuum to quickly clean up that pool of food under your baby’s high chair or suck up some spilled pet food from the floor.
Handheld vacuums have come a long way in recent years. At one time, you’d get started only to find your battery died in a matter of minutes. The only other option was a corded handheld vacuum cleaner, which limited your reach. Today’s handheld vacuums can last up to 30 minutes without the gradual decline in use seen with previous models. Just keep it on the charging base until you need it, and you’ll be all set.
One thing to consider with any handheld you choose is that they each have a filter. Occasionally, you’ll need to clean this filter, and some handhelds don’t come with alerts to let you know when it’s time. This means you may find that you lose power gradually as the filter becomes dirty, and you may not immediately notice that loss of suction.
Weight is also an important factor when you’re choosing a handheld. You’ll often find that you need to operate it with only one hand, particularly if you’re getting into tight crevices or cleaning your car. Check the weight of any handheld you choose. Also, make sure the handle is designed in a way that will make it easy to hold with only one hand.
Finally, you’ll need to consider the price factor. You’ll likely easily find a handheld vacuum for less than $200, but some are much less expensive than others. Decide if the more expensive handheld has enough features to make it worth the higher price before committing.
DWYM Fun Fact
Vacuum cleaners have come a long way from the 1800s. In the 1860s, an inventor named Daniel Hess came up with a manually-operated machine that could draw in dirt by using air. It was a rudimentary design and not really functional, which is why it was easily replaced by a patented upright model called the Whirlwind in 1869.
But vacuum cleaners didn’t really begin to take off until the early 1900s when a janitor came up with a device that used a broom, pillowcase and electric motor. Eventually, he sold the patent for his device to William Hoover, who initially had misgivings about taking on the project. However, marketing and door-to-door salesmen soon put Hoover vacuum cleaners in the homes of people across the country and, eventually, the world.
The Handheld Vacuum Tips and Advice
- Before you start shopping for a handheld vacuum, make a list of all of the things you’ll encounter on a weekly basis. If you have pets, you’ll likely occasionally want to grab your handheld to clean up hair on surfaces like your sofa. If you plan to regularly use it on your car’s interior, you may find it important that your handheld be able to easily grab debris, such as pebbles and leaves.
- Strong suction is necessary if you deal with fine particles, like pet hair and crumbs. Some models have the highest suction at 100 air watts, followed by the BLACK+DECKER Flex With Stick Vacuum, with 24 AW.
- One thing that might help your handheld along when it comes to picking up fine debris is a motorized brush. The BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum and BLACK+DECKER Flex With Stick Vacuum both come with a brush, and the Flex’s is specifically designed to pick up pet hair.
- As with any device powered by a battery, run time is a concern. Top models run for up to 30 minutes on a full charge when used in standard mode. However, if you’re picking up larger debris, you’ll need turbo mode, which can only run for 10 minutes before going back on the charging dock. BLACK+DECKER Flex With Stick Vacuum can run for a full 20 minutes without losing power. With the BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum, you’ll only get nine minutes of use from three hours of charging.
- Size and weight are both important with handheld vacuums, which need to be able to get into the deepest crevices. The BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum is only four pounds and has a curved handle that makes it easy to get into those tight places without needing a separate accessory.
- In some cases, the attachments and accessories are the biggest draws. You may wish to look for a mini motorized tool that can tackle even tough stains.
- Before you make a purchase, consider where you’ll set the charging stand. When not in use, you’ll need to be able to store your handheld in a place that’s out of the way yet still close to an A/C adapter. The BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum has a charging stand that can’t be mounted on the wall, for instance, so you’ll need to come up with a shelf or rack for resting it.
- Any vacuum has a filter to catch all of those dirt particles. The BLACK+DECKER Flex With Stick Vacuum also has no filter sensor, which means you’ll have to monitor when things slow down. You may find that you have to clean the filter after every two or three uses.
- Whether you’re cleaning the interior of your car or getting into those tight places, one-handed operation is a valuable asset in a handheld. The BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum is so lightweight, one-handed operation is a piece of cake. The BLACK+DECKER Flex With Stick Vacuum has a wraparound flexible hose to help with one-handed use.
- Whether you’re operating your handheld inside or in your driveway, noise can be an important factor. The BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum can be a bit noisy, so you may want to plan your vacuuming around times when others will be sleeping.
- Overall, handheld vacuums are relatively inexpensive, so you’re sure to find one that fits your budget.
About The Author
Stephanie Faris is a novelist and professional writer. She lives in a beautiful one-acre home in the suburbs on the outskirts of Nashville. Her home and garden work has appeared on popular home sites. She's a true homebody and loves looking at new houses for sale for inspiration on her own home remodeling projects.