6 Best Handheld Vacuums for Quick Cleanups, Lab Tested and Reviewed

In our latest test, experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab evaluated 19 handheld vacuums from 14 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 the pickup ability with heavy items, such as screws and nuts.

✔️ 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 use 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 risk the battery running out. Most handheld vacuums come cordless, and run times of 20 minutes or more are best for the biggest jobs.

✔️ 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, brushes to help clean delicate surfaces, or powered attachments to vacuum upholstery or pick up pet hair. Those with attachments 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. Also consider the dust cup's size. If you typically pick up large messes, a larger dust cup means less frequent emptying. Some pick up wet messes and remove stains, too.

The best handheld vacuum for dusting furniture is one that comes with the right attachments. For removing dust from hard furniture and countertops, look for a model with a soft dusting brush with bristles to help gather and whisk dust and crumbs off hard surfaces without scattering them or damaging them, like our Best Value pick, the Dirt Devil Grab & Go+. To clean upholstered furniture and even curtains and drapes, you'll need either a flat rectangular tool or one with a rotating brush. If pet hair is your issue, a rotating brush, like on our Best for Pet Hair pick, the Black & Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Pet, is a game-changer.

Yes! Sometimes it just isn’t necessary or worth the time to pull out a full-size vacuum to clean up a small dry spill. By the time you lug out and plug in a big vacuum, a handheld vacuum would have finished the job. They are often small, so they take up very little storage space and can be used to clean tight spaces like your car or between stair rails. Many options, like our picks above, offer powerful suction and tools that help you clean a wide range of surfaces. Some, though none we tested here, can even pick up wet spills.

According to our Lab pros, vacuums with good suction power can pick up both fine and heavy debris, have batteries that last a serviceable length of time (about 15 or 20 minutes), and continue to perform and pick up for the entire run time until the battery dies rather than slowly fading and eventually dying.

There are no hard-and-fast rules, but a good handheld vacuum should last four or five years or more if taken care of. Of course, this depends on usage, including how well you maintain the vacuum by regularly emptying the dust bin, washing or replacing filters, and more.

Carolyn Forté tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops, and other major (and minor) home appliances during her tenure as executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab. She oversaw all testing conducted in the Cleaning Lab, including handheld, stick, upright, and canister vacuums. She is also an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.

Lynn Redmile, contributing product analyst, conducted testing for our latest handheld vacuum test and tested dozens of other vacuums across many categories, including robot vacuums and beyond.