Handheld vacuum cleaners can come in handy when large floor vacuums tend to take up storage space and can be a little unwieldy to use. You can use them in tight corners, underneath furniture if your floor vacuum won’t fit, and can pick up dust and debris on other surfaces like car dashboards and seats, mattresses, desks and even ceilings (goodbye, cobwebs). But if they’re so compact, how can they be as powerful? The key is making sure you pick the right one.To make your choice easier, we’ve rounded up a selection of handheld vacuums that reviewers say do the job of handling daily messes and keeping their homes clean. Below, find some handheld vacs that really work, before you spend hundreds on a non-convertible floor vacuum cleaner.AmazonA super-slim 4-in-1 vacuum that barely takes up spaceWeighing only 1 pound, this slim, lightweight vacuum is cordless and comes with 10 accessories. These include multiple brushes, a nozzle and hose. You can use these accessories to switch between four uses: vacuuming, air dusting, inflating and blowing. The battery can last up to 40 minutes on a single charge, and charging is easy with a USB-C cable. The vacuum also has one-touch emptying for convenience.Promising review: "I’m really impressed with this little vacuum—it’s stronger than it looks. The suction power is solid, easily picking up dust, crumbs, and even pet hair from tight spots in the car. The 4-in-1 design is genuinely useful — I’ve used it to blow out dust from my keyboard and even inflate small pool toys. Battery life is decent and the cordless design makes it super convenient to grab and go without messing with wires. It feels well-built and lightweight, so cleaning doesn’t feel like a chore. Definitely worth it for anyone who wants a reliable mini vacuum for both car and home use." — Goutham RAmazonDewalt's "absolute game-changer" handheld vacuumDewalt's tools are trusted by many shoppers, and this handheld vacuum is no exception, with reviews calling it an "absolute game-changer" for sucking up dirt and debris. It's definitely on the pricier side among the vacuums we've featured here, but you can enjoy perks like six cleaning accessories (with an included drawstring bag to store them all), an LED light so you can see in dark areas as you're cleaning, an easy-empty dust bin and even a belt hook to free up your hands. This is convertible between a floor vacuum and handheld as well with some of the accessories, making it a truly versatile buy.AmazonThe Black + Decker Dustbuster that HuffPost readers know and loveThis more traditional-looking handheld by Black + Decker has an average of 4.3 stars across over 17,000 ratings, and has been a staple in multiple Prime Day stories of ours over the years because we know HuffPost readers approve. It features a rotating nozzle, pull-out crevice tool and flip-up brush to get into tight corners and clean debris from all the nooks and crannies. The cyclonic action keeps the suction power strong, and you can see all the action thanks to the translucent dust bowl that's washable and easy-empty.AmazonThe handheld vacuum that has the power of a full-sized Bissell, according to one reviewerEnjoy two different speeds with this slim vacuum, along with multiple nozzles and brushes to suck up different types of mess with ease. The cordless vacuum weighs only 1.2 pounds and can run for up to 30 minutes on a single USB charge. The one-touch dust cup is easy to empty, and the included HEPA filter is washable.Promising review: "This vacuum far exceeded my expectations. It pretty much matches my Bissell full size vacuum in terms of its ability to pick up small crumbs / dust (on full speed). The range of attachments that it comes with makes it great around the house and for cleaning the inside of your car. It is entirely made out of plastic, but its quite sturdy and feels well made. The battery lasts pretty long, I can't say that I have tested for 30min straight, but over the span of about a month of just needing it here and there to suck up crumbs on the couch or small spiders I only needed to charged it once. It won't replace your full size floor vacuum but it is definitely on par with the other tool battery powered brands. The only critique I would give it is that it is a bit unconventional to turn on as you press and hold the power button for 3 seconds to turn it on, then the subsequent press puts it into full speed, then the last press is off. Odd, but definitely not a deal breaker!" — MeganAmazonDyson's pricier but powerful take on the hand vacuumWould a list of vacuums be complete without mentioning Dyson, a longtime favorite of HuffPost readers? We think not. The brand's Car+Boat handheld vacuum is definitely the most expensive of the bunch, but you're getting the Dyson quality you expect: It can run for up to 50 minutes on one charge, has two power modes, comes with three cleaning tools and boasts whole-machine filtration.Promising Amazon review: "Love Dyson products. Use this handheld for every thing from vacuuming stairs to dusting to catching pesky flies/gnats/mosquitos. We'll worth the $$. Have to admit my friend turned me on to how great it is!" — IA CakestressAmazonA 2-in-1 air duster and handheld vacuum with an LED lightThis Jonyj vacuum looks about the size and shape of a standard hair dryer, at roughly 8 inches tall and wide, and weighs less than 1 pound. You can use the included accessories for both suction and blowing — there are six nozzles and a floor brush. Charge the vacuum via a USB-C cable and it can run for 30 minutes. This vacuum has a dual filtration system with a HEPA filter and metal filters to get rid of impurities; you can rinse the filter with water as needed to clean it.AmazonBissell's "pet hair eraser" cordless hand vacuumAnother great option for pet owners, Bissell's Pet Hair Eraser cordless hand vacuum features a brush tool, crevice tool and upholstery tool, and is designed specifically to pick up stubborn pet hair and dirt. The vacuum also boasts a triple filtration system and easy-empty dust bin. With a high average of 4.5 stars across more than 37,000 ratings at Amazon and reviews calling it "worth every penny" and "cat lady approved," this is a no-brainer purchase.AmazonA "pint-sized powerhouse" desktop vacuum for miniature messesThe Igokoti mini desk vacuum cleaner can fit in the palm of your hand, and it makes hoovering up dirt, dust and debris quicker and easier than ever. Reviewers call the suction power “just the right amount” for little everyday messes (keep in mind that this is for paper scraps and small debris, not large objects), and say it’s “pretty quiet,” important if you’re using it in a shared workspace.The vacuum gets to work with just one touch and is portable and cordless, so you can move it around your desk, table, countertop and more as needed. The sky’s the limit here, as reviewers can attest: Use it to get lint off your clothing! Dust off your car dashboard! Free your desk of dirt from potted plants, or your bedsheets from crumbs that your kids leave behind! Grab it in four colors, in either a battery-powered or charging version.Promising review: “I didn’t know that I needed this until I tried it. Now I’m insane about dust and crumbs in my work space. But this cool little thing sucks it all up with no problem. Rechargeable and handy. I have two, one for home and one for my office. Get one (or two)!” — ReaderGuyAmazonA sleek Shark vac that's ideal for pet ownersYou know Shark for thier big floor vacuums, but you might be less familiar with their UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus handheld, which has racked up 4.2 stars across more than 18,000 ratings on Amazon. All you need are the included crevice tool, scrubbing brush and self-cleaning pet brush, a must for pet owners who need something that can really pick up all the hair. The streamlined versatility also cuts down on having to store a ton of accessories if you don't want them. As the product name implies, this vacuum uses two cyclonic air streams to keep the suction strong while also helping to extend the motor and filter life.AmazonThis mattress vacuum with a UV-C light for sanitationAccording to previous HuffPost reporting, a mattress vacuum with a UV sanitation light can kill germs and get rid of disgusting dust mite droppings. This corded mattress vac that we've previously covered features a UV-C light and up to 140-degree dry air to get rid of moisture and keeping your sleeping area or sofa clean and dry. This one is less versatile than a multifunctional vacuum, but the UV light can come in clutch for cleaning beds, cribs, sofas and more if you're worried about germs.Promising review: "I Between my cat, my psoriasis and sand, my sofa was just getting uncomfortable. I would remove the covers and wash them, but that was a chore to get the cushions back in. I saw this and was eager to try it. As soon as it arrived, I put it straight to work. The results were instant. No more sand and to see the amount of cat hair that I had no idea was there, the dander... I would be curious but scared to see what it picked up under a microscope. All that to say; I love this thing." — Sean LambAmazonOr another UV-C mattress vacuum cleaner at a slightly more affordable price pointIf you like the idea of a mattress vacuum with a UV light, we've previously covered this Byhume mattress vac that HuffPost readers gravitated to — and it's affordable. It can get slightly hotter, up to 145 degrees, and offers multi-layer filtration and an anti-static roller brush to eliminate debris. This one also comes in three colors.Promising review: "Amazing little vacuum! Powerful suction, easy to use, and super satisfying to see how much dust it pulls out. My mattress feels fresh and clean — totally worth it!" — Abbey Kirkpatrick
You Don't Need A Big-Ass Vacuum When These Handhelds Will Do The Trick
And unlike floor vacuums, these are great to clean cars, mattresses, ceilings and more.
1,697 words~8 min read






