3 of the Best Handheld Vacuums in 2024

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Evan Shephard
Updated Jun 26, 2024 12:16 PM
best handheld vacuum guide that shows the top best vacuum cleaner model

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Standup vacuums just don’t clean tight spaces. You need a versatile and powerful handheld vacuum. Look for one that excels in portability, suction power, battery life, and ease of use. Handheld vacuums are ideal for quick cleanups, reaching tight spaces, and cleaning upholstery or car interiors. In our latest evaluation, 100 handheld vacuums were rigorously analyzed, with 3 models earning a place on our buying guide.

We scrutinized 152,328 customer reviews, filtering out fake and low-quality ones with our data-driven True Score. Our approach certifies products as tested and ensures reliability. These top-performing models were selected for their outstanding capabilities, durability, and customer satisfaction, ensuring you find the best vacuum cleaner for your home.

How Did We Rank the Best Handheld Vacuum?

After analyzing more than 200 sources, we’ve crafted a definitive buying guide for handheld vacuums. By evaluating diverse testing methods and interpreting expert and customer reviews, we identified the key factors that truly matter. Our criteria include 2 required test results and 1 must-have specification, all filtered through our true score system. This approach guarantees you receive a top-tier recommendation grounded in extensive research and consumer needs.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low-quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must be a handheld vacuum

? Test Criteria

Latest Updates

  • 06/26/2024: Republished the list to include the best handheld vacuum cleaners based on our True Score system.

Top Handheld Vacuum For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dyson V15 Detect

    • Best Cordless

    This is an excellent handheld vacuum with outstanding performance on all surfaces. It’s pricey but worth it for its versatility and strong cleaning abilities.

    Dyson V15 Detect Review →

    True Score

    92
    91
    19

    Experts

    93
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $200
    $799.99
    $599.99

    DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

    For tackling various cleaning tasks, handheld steam vacuums provide the convenience of portability and the power of steam cleaning. For pet owners, a solid vacuum for pet hair is essential to effectively remove fur and dander. Our Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away review highlights its versatility and strong suction, making it a top contender.

    If you’re looking for the top-rated canister vacuums, consider models that offer robust performance and easy maneuverability. For tech enthusiasts, highly-rated computer vacuums ensure your devices stay dust-free. Check out our guide on the best Dyson vacs and the best cordless stick vacuum for premium cleaning solutions.

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dyson Omni-Glide

    A lightweight, dual-purpose vacuum great for pet hair and bare floors. It’s flexible and affordable, though its small bin may require frequent emptying.

    Dyson Omni-Glide Review →

    True Score

    85
    85
    17

    Experts

    86
    845

    Customers

    SAVE $72
    $349.99
    $278.00

    Category Snapshot

    Vacuum Cleaners

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      31 Brands, 100 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      Dyson, Miele

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $50-$400+

    • Average True Score

      75.70

    • Important Test Criteria

      Bare Floor Performance (%)

      Carpet Performance (%)

    • Most Trusted Testers

      vacuum top trusted testers

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – Amazon, Best Buy

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+

    • Best Lightweight

    A lightweight, handheld vacuum ideal for pet owners. While noisy, it’s affordable, effective, and perfect for quick clean-ups on various surfaces.

    Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+ Review →

    True Score

    81
    80
    6

    Experts

    83
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $20
    $89.99
    $69.99

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Handheld Vacuum?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these vacuum cleaners and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a vacuum cleaner that will meet your needs.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Bare Floor Performance> 85%YesHow much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Pet Hair Performance> 85%YesHow much pet hair the vacuum sucks up from any surface.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 120+ vacuum cleaner reviewers and found that 27 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for vacuum cleaner.

  1. Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
  2. Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
  3. Sabine Heinlein – Wirecutter, LinkedIn

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every vacuum cleaner review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Vacuum Cleaner Test Data & Results

1. Bare Floor Performance Test Results

As the name suggests, bare floor performance references how well a vacuum does when it’s cleaning up tiles, vinyl planks, or hardwood flooring. Debris comes in a variety of sizes of course, and much of the testing revolves around picking up debris that ranges in size from cereal to bits of dirt to sand to a mix of everything above and more.

We recommend that a vacuum be able to pick up at least 85% of debris from a bare floor to ensure you end up with clean floors. Hitting a perfect score is obviously ideal, but the worse a vacuum performs here, the more work you need to do sweeping up or re-vacuuming. Missing debris is frustrating, and can invite pests if you miss bits of food, or annoyance if you step on something barefoot and hurt yourself.

Bare Floor Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

2. Pet Hair Performance Test Results

If you own pets, the ability of a vacuum to suck up pet hair, be it with attachments or the brush itself is extremely important. Pet hair can stick to furniture, dig itself into the carpet, and clump together under beds and in corners. If you have allergies and need to keep pet hair out of your home as best as you can, you’ll need a vacuum that gets rid of as much pet hair a possible when cleaning.

We recommend that a vacuum has a pet hair cleaning performance of at least 85%. Higher is always better, but if you can get rid of most of the pet hair, you’ll have an easier time breathing and less dander flying away and sticking to clothes and furniture. Poor pet hair cleaning performance can invite repeated vacuuming and more annoyance for anyone who suffers from allergies.

Pet Hair Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

Best Handheld Vacuum: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring Suction Power: Choosing a handheld vacuum with insufficient suction power can lead to ineffective cleaning. It’s crucial to select a vacuum with strong suction, suitable for various cleaning tasks. Check the motor power and read user reviews to ensure it performs well. For those with extensive carpeted areas, a great vacuum for carpets with strong suction and specialized attachments is essential for thorough cleaning. Additionally, investing in a quality carpet cleaner can help maintain your carpets’ appearance and longevity. For a more comprehensive cleaning solution, consider the best steam mop vacuum, which can handle both vacuuming and steam cleaning in one device.

  2. Overlooking Battery Life: Underestimating battery life can cause interruptions during cleaning. Choose a handheld vacuum with adequate battery life to complete your tasks without frequent recharges. Look for models with at least 20-30 minutes of runtime and consider quick-charging options. Our Bissell Aeroslim review showcases its compact design and effectiveness for quick cleanups, however, it has a short battery life of around 13 minutes.

  3. Disregarding Filtration Systems: Selecting a vacuum without a proper filtration system can impact indoor air quality, especially for allergy sufferers. Opt for a vacuum with a HEPA filter or an equivalent system to trap allergens and fine particles, ensuring cleaner air in your home.

  4. Ignoring Maintenance Requirements: Not considering the ease of maintenance can lead to frustration. Ensure the vacuum is easy to empty, clean, and maintain. Handheld vacuums should have user-friendly features that make maintenance straightforward to ensure consistent performance. One important aspect of maintenance is knowing how to remove hair from a vacuum roller, as accumulated hair can reduce suction power and overall efficiency.

The Best Handheld Vacuum Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Bare Floor Performance
Carpet Performance
Pet Hair Performance
Noise Level

Dyson V15 Detect

  • Best for Cordless

92
  • 98.59%

  • 91.77%

  • 100%

  • 72.54 dB

$599.99
$800
$200
85
  • 86.12%

  • 0

  • 85%

  • 74.1 dB

$278.00
$350
$72

Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+

  • Best for Lightweight

81
  • 95.25%

  • 84.5%

  • 99.17%

  • 77.2 dB

$69.99
$90
$20

Handheld Vacuum Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in the best handheld vacuum?

When choosing the best handheld vacuum, look for features such as strong suction power, lightweight design, long battery life, and easy-to-clean dustbins. Additionally, consider models with HEPA filters for better air quality and attachments for versatile cleaning tasks.

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