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Better Homes & Gardens
Not every big mess requires a big vacuum.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
A powerful handheld might make you rethink your full-sized unit if youre short on storage.
Accessories are what give these mini tools super power.
Features like a rotating slim nozzle also allow for a variety of applications," McCoy says.
Credit: Amazon
For more on how we tested handheld vacuums, seeour testing processbelow.
The lithium-ion battery can take hours to fully charge.
TheShark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum CH901is by far our top pick for the best handheld vacuum.
During the testing process, this vacuum immediately earned brownie points for coming fully assembled and ready to go.
It includes two attachments and a charger.
After two months, we found that the battery life held up incredibly well.
Despite its small size, the vacuum offers impressive suction and makes it easy to quickly tackle everyday debris.
Its also compact enough to store in small spaces, likeunder a sinkorin a kitchen pantry.
We love how easy it is to empty with the dirt eject feature.
The main downside we noticed is that the lithium ion battery takes quite a while to charge.
It doesnt have the best suction power.
Looking for a reliable handheld vacuum that wont break the bank?
And its whisper-quiet compared to other options we tested.
We think its a nice choice for quick pick-ups, but its not the most heavy-duty option.
Theres only one power mode.
One thing we didnt love about the Bissell vacuum is that it only has one power mode.
The long nozzle requires two hands to operate.
TheBlack+Decker Flex Car Vacuumis your best bet for areliable car vacuumthats relatively affordable.
Despite the small size, the Shark UltraCyclone has impressive suction that can handle all types of debris.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
It has a surprisingly large dustbin, its whisper-quiet, and the suction is powerful for the size.
In terms of ergonomics, it wasnt the best option that we tested.
The suction is so strong that it sucks up rugs and couch cushion fabric.
The high-powered hand vac is the most powerful option that we tested.
We also like how easy the vacuum is to empty and clean.
In fact, we were able to clean the filter with just one hand.
Although we really like the powerful suction, we dont love that it only has one power mode.
It doesnt come with any nifty attachments or cool accessories.
TheBlack+Decker dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Cordless Handheld Vacuumswas our favorite option for tackling debris on upholstery.
The vacuum has great suction power but didnt overwhelm the upholstery surface while testing.
Six months into testing the vacuum, it held up in terms of suction and battery life.
It kept its charge just as well as it had when we first unboxed it.
One thing we found underwhelming is that the vacuum doesnt come with any accessories or attachments.
Having some kind of crevice tool would make getting into hard-to-reach placeslike between couch cushionsa lot easier.
We first weighed each vacuum and used a decibel reader to measure the noise level when turned on.
Then we timed each vacuum with a stopwatch to measure the battery life on the highest setting.
Forwet vacuums, we timed how long it took each model to clean a 12 cup of water.
This helped determine an overall value and the long-term quality for each vacuum.
We ranked each handheld vacuum in the seven categories and calculated the average scores.
Its fairly lightweight, easy to maneuver, and tackles most crumbs and debris in one sweeping pass.
But for the price, we wish this model came with extra attachments and nozzles.
Suction strength is also importantmore suction power can help with tough debris such as embedded pet hair.
Some models offer up to four times more suction than other models.
We tested each vacuum on high and timed how long each battery lasted.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum effectively picked up kibble on tile floors although it was a bit loud when using it during our testing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Most fell in the 10- to 15-minute range, while some didnt even last 10 minutes on one charge.
Some vacuums will need to be charged overnight straight out of the package to get to operate.
Weight
Handheld vacuums range in weight, but most are typically between 1 to 5 pounds.
Crevice tools allow you to clean tight corners and small spaces with ease, Shaunfield says.
Brush tools are great for getting at deeply embedded hair and dust.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the most powerful handheld vacuum?
Power can be measured in two ways: battery life and suction strength.
But for others, the best handheld vacuum cleaners will have the most powerful suction.
Heavy-duty handheld vacuums often have an air wattage above 60.
This can be especially frustrating during longer cleaning jobs.
How long does a handheld vacuum battery last?
Handheld vacuums have a range of run times, depending on model and battery size, says Shaunfield.
Most models we tested had a battery life somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes when run continuously on high.
How much is a handheld car vacuum?
According to Shaunfield, handheld vacuums can range in price from $25 to $200.
What is a good weight to look for?
How much should a handheld vacuum cleaner weigh?
Quick clean-ups are one thing, but tackling an entire bathroom can be a lot of lifting.
Handheld vacuums range from a variety of sizes and weights, said McCoy.
Some weigh as little as 1.2 pounds, while heavier-duty options may weigh closer to 3 or 4 pounds.
Who We Are
Deanne Revelis an award-winning journalist and host based in Seattle.
What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
The Black+Decker Flex Cordless has a surprisingly large dustbin for a handheld car vacuum.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
