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BY CAROLYN FORTÉUPDATED: JUL 19, 2023
TESTED BY LYNN REDMILE CONTRIBUTING PRODUCT ANALYST
Even if you already own a great full-size vacuum, a powerful and portable handheld vacuum is a must-have for quickly nabbing small messes and getting into tight spaces.
While they can't replace a full-size vacuum for deep cleaning, handheld vacs are, well, handy for sucking up dry spills, tracked-in dirt and pet hair. Many people even have more than one handheld vacuum for convenience: Stash one in the house and one in your car to keep it clean and neat too.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab has a long history and lots of experience testing all types of vacuum cleaners, from canister vacuums to robot vacuums to the best vacuums for hardwood floors. In our latest test of handheld vacuums, we tested 19 models for how well they picked up lightweight and heavy debris on bare floors and low-pile carpets. We also tested pet hair pickup and rated them for ease of use, cleaning, maneuverability, battery life and noise level. Since then, we’ve done additional testing, including evaluations for our annual Cleaning and Organizing Awards.
Below our picks, you can find information on how we test, what to keep in mind when you're shopping for a new vacuum and more information on handheld vacuums. If you’re looking to upgrade your full-size vacuum, check out our guides to the best vacuums from Bissell, the best stick vacuums and the best budget-friendly vacuums you can shop on Amazon and Walmart.
This portable vacuum from Worx doesn't look like any we've tested before and eked out a win over the Black & Decker by a fraction of a point to snag the highest overall score in our handheld vacuum category test. It easily picked up all the debris and most of the pet hair we put down in our Lab tests, even without using the max power setting.
Though some pet hair clung to the brush tool during use, its pick-up still impressively rivaled that of vacs with rotating brush attachments. Its 4-foot hose made it easy to reach into tight spaces, especially in the car, and it ran for 23 minutes at standard power on one charge. Our tester called this hand vac "very comfortable to use," giving it perfect scores in six of the seven ease-of-use evaluations, including for handle comfort and for the thoroughness of the owner’s manual.
Although it's a little heavier than other handheld vacuums, you don't need to hold the entire vacuum while you are using it, as its boxy shape allows it to stand on its own. All you do is use the hose to reach where you need to. The dust cup is large and empties from the bottom, but isn't removable, so cleaning it can be a bit cumbersome.
Other notable features on the Worx include a removable battery that fits into other Worx tools, a washable HEPA filter and a top handle that also holds the hose for easy toting. Its crevice and brush tools store right on board and Quiet Mark gave it a top score of three stars, meaning it's among the quietest vacuums in our test.
| Weight | 3 lbs |
|---|---|
| Run Time | 23 minutes |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.18 L |
| Filter | Washable HEPA filter |
| Attachements | Crevice nozzle, brush attachment |
The compact and lightweight AeroSlim is ideal for quick pick-ups on hard surfaces and comes with a two-in-one brush and crevice tool that takes care of crumbs on your laptop, in your car's cup holders or in between the sofa cushions. This isn’t a model we’ve tested in our Lab yet, but we’ve tested many vacuums from Bissell and trust the brand's performance. Almost 10,000 of the 15,000+ ratings it has on Amazon are five-star reviews so we think that it's a bargain at this price.
Its filter is washable and reviewers were impressed with its suction, especially given its small size, but many noted that with a three-and-a-half-hour charge time, they wished it could run for longer than just 12 minutes. You likely won't be able to clean very much on one charge given its short runtime and very small dust cup, but it can be charged on the go from your laptop or in your car thanks to its USB charger.
This extra-compact handheld vacuum has a storage stand that holds the vacuum upright — and it stores the accessory tool, too, so it’s always where you need it. Its slim design means it's easier than bulky models to tuck into your car's cargo or trunk area to more quickly attack messes when they happen for a cleaner ride.
| Weight | 1.4 lbs |
|---|---|
| Run Time | 12 minutes |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.1 L |
| Filter | Dual-level filtration system |
| Attachments | Two-in-one crevice tool and dusting brush |
In our category test of handheld vacuums, this Black + Decker AdvancedClean+ virtually tied for first place with our pick from Worx. And true to its Furbuster name, this model aced our pet-hair-pickup test, earning it a spot on our list of the best vacuums for pet hair. It did well with other messes too – even without using the Power Boost setting. Thanks to its motorized pet brush attachment with rubber bristles, it lifts pet hair off upholstered furniture and stairs quickly and easily
Two standout features on this model that we didn't see on many others are an extra-long pullout crevice tool — attached to the vacuum so you'll never lose it — and an extra-large bottom-emptying dust bin that makes cleaning up after pets even easier. The filter is washable, and we like that the vacuum stands upright on its own for charging or storage. Plus, like the Worx and Eufy, it got a three-star rating from Quiet Mark meaning it's quiet compared to others we tested.
The whole device must be plugged in for 4 hours as the battery is not removable, but in our Lab tests, we found that it had one of the longest run times of all the models we reviewed, clocking in at up to 32 minutes. Our testing expert noted that air coming out of the side vents on the main body of the vacuum did cause some debris to be blown away instead of being picked up, which can be a bit annoying.
| Weight | 4.2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Run Time | 32 minutes |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.75 L |
| Filter | Washable filter and pre-filter |
| Attachments | Motorized pet brush |
Eufy’s HomeVac H30 Infinity is an ultra-lightweight choice for cleaning up furniture, carpeted stairs and car seats. With its bevy of attachments, it is really a whole home cleaning tool. In combination with its mini motorized pet hair brush, a rubber seal around the filter removes pet hair from the device as you remove the dust bin, so no hair is left behind after cleaning.
Vacuuming the floor with a handheld vac isn't very practical, but Eufy took care of that too. Pop on the extension wands and it turns into a lightweight stick vac or — with the mopping pads attached — a handy tool for removing sticky messes from the floor. Our Cleaning Lab Reviews Analyst was a big fan of this vacuum's lightweight stick vac abilities saying, "This hand vacuum has attachments to clean floors, like a stick vac, without the weight of a full-size model," though she did find it a little difficult to detach all of the pieces after using it as a stick vac.
Like many of the other vacuum models we’ve tested from eufy, the H30 Infinity has great suction, swallowing up our heavy screws and bolts without a hiccup. But the dust cup is on the smaller end of the spectrum of the models we tested. It has a runtime of up to 20 minutes on eco mode and has a replaceable filter that can be washed between cleanings. In Lab tests, we found this model easy to use and especially liked that the charging dock has space to hold the attachments (though not the wands).
| Weight | 1.8 lbs |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 20 minutes |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.25 L |
| Filter | Washable filter |
| Attachments | Mini motorized pet brush, hard floor attachment and two-in-one crevice tool |
In our last test of handheld vacuums, the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tested 19 models from 14 different brands.
We test all handheld vacuums on bare floors and low-pile carpets for how well they pick up fine, gritty debris like sand and baking soda and light and medium-weight particles, like dry oatmeal and orzo pasta and even fluffy pet hair. We also test pick-up ability with heavy items, like screws and nuts (pictured).
In addition to performance, we record the weight and judge how easy the filter is to access, change and clean, how easy the dust cup is to empty and how comfortable the vacuum is to hold and use. Any special features or attachments are also assessed.
For cordless models, we monitor the run time and for models being considered for our Cleaning Awards, we ask real consumers to use and rate each vacuum before we determine our award winners. After completing 246 tests and amassing almost 1,000 data points, we chose the top-scoring hand vacuums.
✔️ Corded vs. cordless: Corded and cordless vacuums each have their pros and cons. With corded handheld vacuums, you’ll never have to worry about the battery running out no matter how long you are using it. However, you'll be limited in your range of motion. Cordless handheld vacuums give you the freedom to take the vacuum wherever it's needed, but you run the risk of the battery running out.
✔️ Size and weight: Consider the size and weight of the handheld vacuum and, if possible, try it out to make sure it feels comfortable to hold. You want to make sure the vacuum is well-balanced and does not strain your hand or wrists. If you can't try it out before buying it, make sure it is returnable if you aren't satisfied.
✔️ Attachments: If you’ll be using the handheld vacuum for more than just a quick pass over hard surfaces, you may want to consider attachments such as a crevice tool to get into corners or brushes to help vacuum upholstery or pick up pet hair. Those with brushes make it easy to remove dust from draperies, window sills, door frames, mattresses and other out-of-the-way spots that may be awkward for a larger vacuum to reach.
✔️ Storage: Of course, you'll need to consider how much space you have. Slim vacuums with attachments onboard or housed in the charging base are the easiest to store neatly, especially if your space is limited. Models with removable batteries mean you can keep only the battery plugged in and store the body and attachments out of sight.
✔️ Features: Other innovations across both cordless and corded models include comfortable grips, easy-to-empty dust cups, washable filters, multiple speeds and more. Some pick up wet messes and remove stains too.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
