These are the 4 best handheld vacuums we reviewed in 2023

Sep 26, 2023

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Let’s be real: cleaning can already feel like a chore, and sometimes you don’t want to haul your vacuum cleaner (which is probably just as tall as you) around your home.

Enter handheld vacuums. These powerful, trusty essentials suck up all of the dirt and debris in your home, allow you to target specific areas (like corners near crown molding) and can clean hard-to-reach places such as curtains and underneath your bed frame.

“A handheld vacuum is a smaller version of a traditional vacuum cleaner, and, as the name suggests, is meant to be used by hand,” Brian Shaunfield, store manager at Charlotte area Lowe’s, told the New York Post. “Because it is smaller in size, a handheld can help you clean harder-to-reach areas that a traditional vacuum may not be able to reach” — aka, the selling point for this staple in your cleaning closet.

Sure, you can pick up the cheapest handheld vacuum you can find online. And, you may. However, New York Post Shopping put four top-rated models to the test — so you don’t have to.

Be sure to check out our in-depth FAQ section for more expert-backed shopping tips.

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I’ve been testing vacuum cleaners for a while (trust me, I’m BFFs with probably every vacuum cleaner brand since I started reporting for New York Post Shopping). Below, find the specific testing criteria I kept in mind while testing each one for at least one month:

From the moment it first powered on, the BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum impressed me. It’s the ideal size for a handheld vacuum (though larger than most) but it has essentially the same power and efficiency as my cordless vacuums that cost upwards of $800. I know, total shock factor.

This model is also fairly priced at less than $100 and ideal for any user — whether you’re in college, live in a studio apartment or own a five-bedroom home and want some convenience. This model boasts nearly 32,000 applauding reviews on Amazon alone and helps remove extra dirt and debris. The reason? It’s a pet vacuum, first and foremost, so its ability to pick up pet hair crosses over to the usual bathroom hair, under-bed dust and the like.

I don’t have a pet at home, and the fact that this handheld vacuum has ranked above the pack is telling. Upon purchase, you’ll also receive a motorized brush tool and — one of the best parts — a large, easy-to-empty dirt tank.

Quite literally, I showed everyone in my household this nifty tool and they were impressed. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and does the job greatly. What more can one ask for?

If you’re on the market for a handheld vacuum that you don’t have to think about storing, grab the BISSELL AeroSlim Lithium Ion Cordless Handheld Vacuum. Though it’s not as powerful as the brand’s Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum, it’s one of the most mindless to use. Simply turn it on, hover over dusty areas and empty.

For less than $50, it’s also great to buy if your traditional vacuum doesn’t have a convertible handheld option. This model boasts more than 16,000 gleaming reviews on Amazon alone and comes with a USB charging cable, crevice tool and brush.

If you love to spend hours cleaning, though, this isn’t the model for you. It only provides 12 minutes of cordless cleaning power for quick clean-ups, and if you’re planning on cleaning two stories of your home and a basement like I did, you’ll find that it may die on you, depending on how quickly you clean.

Additionally, I appreciate how it comes with a two-in-one crevice tool and dusting brush docking station to allow them to stay organized right beside your handheld vacuum.

Ah, Dyson. I’ve reviewed plenty of Dyson vacuums for nearly three years now, so I was excited to get my hands on the brand’s Humdinger Handheld Vacuum Cleaner. Essentially, its the handheld counterpart many of its cordless models come with — but is more of a fitting purchase for those who have smaller spaces or wish to give extra love and attention to harder-to-reach areas.

This model is a splurge, but it’s well worth the cost. Despite its heavy duty look, it only weighs 2.2 pounds. Its powerful suction, however, is the real deal. The hair screw tool helps suck up any type of hair and random debris, while its anti-tangle conical brush bar removes stickier dust from car seats, stairs, couch cushions and more.

Its battery life is impressive as well. When I decided to spend hours cleaning my home to see when the battery would die, the suction officially came to a halt after 25 minutes — nearly on the dot. This seemed to be more than enough cleaning time for me, at least.

Oh, and one of the shining features? It doubles as a car cleaner (and after buying an SUV this year, this is one of my favorite tools to ensure my car stays looking good as new).

The Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum was at the top of my mom’s Christmas list last year (and I ended up buying her one). It’s fairly priced at around $100 and comes with an integrated docking station so she can keep it beside her washing machine.

She really wanted it to clean up kitchen messes — namely, hovering over the kitchen table and floors after my nieces eat in their booster chair and high chair — and it does the job very well. While its dust tank isn’t as spacious as most, meaning, you’ll have less runtime to work with before it may become clogged, and you’ll have to empty it sooner than usual, it’s not a dealbreaker.

This model has garnered a positive following among more than 15,000 satisfied Amazon reviewers, too, and comes with a pet hair cleaning tool and duster crevice tool. I love the duster crevice tool for cleaning my stairs and around my floor’s molding, and its filtration technology is pretty efficient for capturing dirt and large debris.

It’s a solid handheld vacuum to pick up if you need one, and it’s especially great for smaller spaces because it’s the tiniest out of all the models I tested. However, don’t let the size fool you; it takes “small but mighty” to new heights.

Shaunfield gave us the 411 on handheld vacuums, including how they differ from other cleaning tools and what to look for when shopping for one.

Of course, handheld vacuums are small, lightweight and highly portable — but what really makes them worth the investment?

“They are best for spot-cleaning jobs like dry spills on a countertop, pet hair on upholstery, dust on blinds or dirt on vehicle floor mats,” Shaunfield told The Post. Not to mention, the price is typically justifiable, given their convenience.

“A handheld vacuum is much more portable than a traditional vacuum and is best for tackling spot-cleaning jobs,” Shaunfield said.

Traditional vacuums often have a higher suction power as well, which can make them ideal when cleaning up larger messes or bigger pieces of debris.

According to Shaunfield, you’ll find that handheld vacuums come with a variety of features dependent on price, brand and other factors.

“One of the most common features is cordless capabilities, meaning you can take your vacuum with you where you need to go without worrying about plugging it in,” he said. “HEPA filters are also found in handheld vacuums and allow for clean and efficient cleanup of fine dust like concrete and drywall.”

Handheld vacuums are most often used to clean small areas and nooks.

“You can use one to clean in between cushions, underneath car seats, and on couches, tables and countertops,” he said.

According to Shaunfield, handheld vacuums vary in weight and size, but the average weight is between one to five pounds.

“Typically, handheld vacuum models that are larger and closer to five pounds will have a longer battery life and stronger suction power,” he said.

“I always like to say that the best product for you depends on your specific wants and needs,” Shaunfield said. “For example, you’ll want to consider the battery life and the charging time needed to fully charge your vacuum. If you’re using it frequently, a longer battery life may be important to you.”

Next, consider suction power and size. “Depending on what you intend to use your handheld vacuum for, it is important to understand how suction power and size will impact your ability to clean quick dust bunnies versus larger pieces of debris,” he said.

Lastly, keep in mind if you’ll want different accessories and attachments, which can help to clean specific areas like seat cushions or in between car seats.

While actively cleaning, the average handheld vacuum will run for 15 to 20 minutes, per Shaunfield.

“I’d recommend a handheld vacuum with 15 air watts or more,” Shaunfield said. However, air watts isn’t the most important factor when shopping for one, per our expert and testing criteria.

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.