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The Best Handheld Vacuums of 2024: Our Top Picks

Looking for the best handheld cordless vacuum? You’ve come to the right place. Over the past few weeks, we bought and rigorously evaluated more than 20 of the best handheld cordless vacuums on the market. And today, we’ll present the results, highlighting the top picks in three distinct categories.

Choosing the best handheld vacuums

Handheld vacuums are designed for convenience and quick cleanups. They provide a portable solution for everyday messes without to need of a full-sized vacuum cleaner. 

A variety of handheld vacuum models arranged in a circle on a wooden floor.
The best handheld vacuums gathered in one place. © Vacuum Wars

These vacuums are perfect for cleaning kitchen counters, pet hair on furniture, stairs, or dirt in your car’s interior. Operation is straightforward, typically featuring an on/off power button with a single power level, although a few models offer more. Most come with at least one accessory, like a crevice tool, but they can operate without attachments. 

All products evaluated for our round-up of the best handheld vacuums are cordless and roughly similar in size and price range. This year, we also capped the price at $100 on the top end.

Our Top Picks at a Glace

Vacuum Wars Top Pick
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
$79.95 $72.09

We appreciate the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser for its comprehensive features that cater specifically to pet owners. This handheld vacuum stands out with its powerful motorized brush tool, effectively removing embedded dirt and pet hair from various surfaces. Its triple-level filtration system ensures cleaner air, a notable advantage over many competitors. Additionally, the large, easy-to-empty dirt bin simplifies maintenance, and the set of specialized pet tools enhances its versatility, making it an excellent choice for tackling pet hair on stairs, upholstery, and car interiors.

Pros:
  • Motorized brush tool
  • Triple-level filtration
  • Large dirt bin
  • Specialized pet tools
  • Effective on multiple surfaces
Cons:
  • No power level options
  • Limited battery life
  • Noisy on max power
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12/05/2024 03:52 am GMT
Runner Up
Black and Decker Dustbuster Furbuster
$99.99 $67.98

We appreciate the Black & Decker Furbuster for its impressive power and practical design, making it a standout choice for pet owners. Its 20V MAX lithium-ion battery provides strong suction, and the POWERBOOST mode adds extra power at the touch of a button, making cleanup quick and efficient. The Furbuster's anti-tangle motorized pet brush effectively lifts pet hair and stubborn debris, while the built-in XL extendable crevice tool reaches tight spots effortlessly. Additionally, the one-touch easy empty dust bowl and compact design enhance convenience, making it a reliable and user-friendly handheld vacuum.

Pros:
  • Strong suction power
  • POWERBOOST mode
  • Anti-tangle pet brush
  • XL extendable crevice tool
  • One-touch easy empty
Cons:
  • Limited battery life
  • Slightly heavy
  • Noisy at max power
  • Longer recharge time
  • Basic filtration system
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12/05/2024 03:52 am GMT
Budget Choice
Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum
$49.99

We like the Black & Decker HHVI315JO42 for its excellent value and straightforward design, making it an ideal budget-friendly handheld vacuum. This model excels with its efficient 16V MAX lithium-ion battery, delivering reliable suction power for everyday cleanups. Its lightweight build and portability make it easy to maneuver and store. The HHVI315JO42 also features a wide-mouth design for picking up larger debris and a washable bowl and filter for easy maintenance. Though it lacks some advanced features, its performance and affordability make it a solid choice for quick and convenient cleaning tasks. Despite its average performance in our tests, it maintained enough quality to stand out at its price point.

Pros:
  • Affordable price
  • Lightweight design
  • Reliable suction power
  • Wide-mouth design
  • Easy maintenance
Cons:
  • Limited battery life
  • Basic filtration
  • Fewer attachments
  • Average Performance
More:
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12/05/2024 03:52 am GMT

The Best Handheld Cordless Vacuums: How We Chose the Best

Power

We first evaluated airflow and suction power, which are crucial metrics for handheld cordless vacuums. These figures were combined to create an overall power score. Below are the top five scores in each category.

A comparison chart showing suction and airflow scores for five handheld vacuum models, with scores ranging from 21 to 26. The average score for 23 tested models is 19.
Suction and airflow comparison of top handheld vacuums. © Vacuum Wars

Battery life

Another critical factor for handheld vacuums is battery life. We conducted evaluations at maximum power where applicable, revealing an average run time of about 11 minutes. Notably, all of the top five handheld cordless vacuums exceeded this average.

A comparison chart showing battery life in minutes for five handheld vacuum models, with times ranging from 12 to 24 minutes. The average battery life for the tested models is 11 minutes.
Battery life comparison. © Vacuum Wars

Dustbin

Dustbin capacity was assessed by measuring the maximum amount of debris each vacuum could hold in milliliters. 

A comparison chart showing bin capacity in milliliters for five handheld vacuum models, with capacities ranging from 650 to 903 ml. The average bin capacity for the evaluated models is 487 ml.
Bin capacity comparison of top handheld vacuums. © Vacuum Wars

While not scored, the Black+Decker Furbuster and Black+Decker AdvancedClean models stood out. Their dustbins open at the bottom with a button, similar to standard cordless vacuums. This offers a significant advantage over the clunky emptying mechanisms of most other models.

Weight and ease of use

These are crucial factors when evaluating handheld cordless vacuums. Lighter vacuums earned higher points, but there’s often a trade-off, as the lightest models tend to have shorter battery life and lower power scores. A bigger motor and battery generally mean a bit more weight. When choosing a handheld vacuum, it’s important to balance these aspects based on your needs.

A comparison chart showing the weight in grams for five handheld vacuum models, with weights ranging from 594 to 678 grams. The average weight for the tested models is 1122 grams.
Ranking the top 5 handheld vacuums by weight © Vacuum Wars

Noise level

Each handheld vacuum’s noise level was evaluated at maximum power. However, we didn’t give them many points for this factor one way or the other, and the variation among models was minimal. 

A comparison chart showing noise levels in decibels for five handheld vacuum models, with levels ranging from 72 to 84 dB. The average noise level for the tested models is 86 dB.
Noise level comparison. © Vacuum Wars

Recharge time

Vacuums were also scored for shorter recharge times, with the average being about five hours.

A comparison chart showing recharge time in hours for five handheld vacuum models, with times ranging from 2 to 4 hours. The average recharge time for the tested models is 5 hours.
Handheld vacuums ranked by how fast they recharge. © Vacuum Wars

Debris pickup

Various pickup evaluations were conducted to evaluate how well each vacuum handled debris of all types and sizes. We deducted points if a vacuum got clogged by larger debris, ensuring only the best-performing models reached the top.

A collage of four images showing handheld vacuums picking up different types of debris: cereal on a wooden surface, cereal on a carpet, sand and dirt on a rubber mat, and dirt on a wooden surface.
Capturing debris of all kinds with handheld vacuums. © Vacuum Wars

Attachment set

The attachment set was a key factor in the scoring. Points were awarded for each tool included in the set, with extra points given for a motorized turbo brush attachment. 

A close-up of a purple Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum cleaner with a detachable motorized turbo brush attachment and charging cable, all placed on a white surface.
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser with its motorized turbo brush. © Vacuum Wars

This feature is powered by the battery, which spins the brush tool. It’s especially useful for upholstery vacuuming and generally enhances the machine’s overall utility.

Pet hair

Some finalists were evaluated head-to-head using their power brushes on embedded pet hair, and all performed exceptionally well with no significant differences. 

Two handheld vacuums on a black carpet, demonstrating their effectiveness at picking up pet hair. The vacuum on the left has a motorized pet attachment.
Evaluating handheld vacuums on pet hair. © Vacuum Wars

However, the Powtools model, sold under various brand names, broke when resistance was applied to its power brush. Due to this issue, points were deducted from its score, preventing it from ranking in the top three despite its otherwise strong performance.

Filtration

We evaluated filtration across all models, but only the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser and Shark W1 did very well, displaying superior performance. While most handheld vacuums we evaluated include filters, they are not good at capturing small particles, which isn’t expected in this price range.

Our top picks of the best handheld cordless vacuums

It’s time to reveal the best handheld cordless vacuums based on all the data we found. These top picks excel in various aspects, such as power, battery life, debris pickup, and overall usability. Here are the standout models that offer the best performance and value.

Best Overall: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser

Our number one pick is the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, which is also one of the best-selling handheld cordless vacuums evaluated. It offers solid all-around performance, scoring better than average in most categories without excelling in any one metric.

A side view of the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum, featuring a purple and black design, on a white background.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser. © Vacuum Wars

Runner up: Black+Decker Furbuster

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser almost tied for the top spot with our runner-up pick, the Black+Decker Furbuster. It has more power and a superior bin design at the same price point. It could have been the top pick if not for the Bissell’s better filtration.

A side view of the Black+Decker Furbuster handheld vacuum, featuring a gray and purple design, on a white background.
Black+Decker Furbuster. © Vacuum Wars

Budget pick: Black+Decker HHV1315 JO42

Our third pick, and also the budget pick, is the Black+Decker HHV1315 JO42. Typically half the cost of the other two, this model is a mega best-seller due to its affordability. While it lacks a powered brush and has a shorter battery life, it is significantly lighter and more budget-friendly.

A Black+Decker HHV1315J042 handheld vacuum in gray and white with a blue handle, accompanied by a wall mount and a crevice tool, placed on a white surface.
Black+Decker HHV1315J042 handheld vacuum © Vacuum Wars

The best handheld vacuums: value and final thoughts

When choosing the best handheld cordless vacuum, consider your needs and preferences. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is the best overall, while the Black+Decker Furbuster offers excellent power and bin design. If you’re on a budget, the Black+Decker HHV1315 JO42 provides great value without compromising on essential features.

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Christopher White

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Christopher White CEO
Christopher White is the CEO of Vacuum Wars, the premier YouTube channel dedicated to vacuum cleaner reviews. Over the past eight years, Vacuum Wars has become a trusted resource, meticulously reviewing hundreds of robot vacuums, cordless vacuums, carpet cleaners, and various floor care products. Known for their comprehensive in-house testing, Vacuum Wars has built one of the most extensive databases of vacuum cleaner metrics available. Under Christopher’s leadership, the channel has maintained a strict no-sponsorship policy, ensuring that all reviews remain unbiased and trustworthy. This dedication to integrity has garnered a loyal following of over 300,000 subscribers who rely on their expert advice. Christopher is also a recognized authority on robot vacuums, boasting one of the largest private collections of these devices worldwide. Learn more.

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