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Cordless handheld vacuum cleaners offer a practical solution for addressing minor messes without the need for larger, more cumbersome equipment. These compact tools are especially useful for quick cleanups in tight spaces, including vehicles, stairs, and countertops. Among the models we reviewed, the Bissell AeroSlim Cordless emerged as the most effective for small messes, offering a lightweight design and reliable suction performance.
To assist in your decision-making process, the This Old House Reviews Team evaluated leading cordless handheld vacuums available on Amazon. Below are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Handheld Cordless Vacuums
- Best Filtration System: BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
- Best Nozzles: BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum
- Best Heavy-Duty Vacuum: BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
- Best For Small Messes: Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum
- Most Lightweight: Eufy Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Compare Top Handheld Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
| Product | Voltage | Capacity | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum | 14 volts | 0.7 liters | 16 x 4.5 x 5 inches | 3 pounds |
| BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum | 16 volts | 0.6 liters | 17.3 x 5.5 7.8 inches | 2.6 pounds |
| BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum | 20 volts | 0.75 liters | 15.8 x 7.9 x 6.6 inches | 2.6 pounds |
| Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum | 3.7 volts | Not listed | 2.5 x 12.6 x 3.6 inches | 1.4 pounds |
| Eufy Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | 7.2 volts | 0.7 liters | 13.2 x 2.9 x 2.9 inches | 1.2 pounds |
| Product | Voltage | Capacity | Dimensions | Weight |
Best Filtration System: BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum
- $79.39
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features a large, easy-to-empty dirt bin
✔ Has a 14-volt lithium-ion battery
✔ Features a motorized brush for removing pet hair and embedded dirt
✘ Not efficient for lifting up large debris
✘ LED light does not indicate battery life
Best Nozzles: BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum
BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum
- $48.09
- $59.99
- 20% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features a rotating slim nozzle that can fit into tight spaces
✔ Can fully charge in four hours
✔ Has an on-board extension that ensures you won’t need to bend over as often to clean
✘ Has a louder operation than some other similar models
✘ Some customers had issues with the battery dying after minimal use
Best Heavy-Duty Vacuum: BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
- $90.58
- $99.99
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has an extra-long crevice tool for cleaning hard-to-reach areas
✔ Features a washable filter and pre-filter for easy cleaning
✔ Has anti-tangle rubber bristles
✘ Has a higher price point than other handheld vacuum models
✘ Some customers found the suction power level to be lacking
Best For Small Messes: Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum
- $41.19
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a compact, lightweight design that’s easy to maneuver
✔ Can be charged with a USB charging cable
✔ Provides up to 12 minutes of continuous cleaning on a full charge
✘ Has a short battery life compared to some other models
✘ Not the best choice for tough messes or an excess amount of hair or dust
Most Lightweight: Eufy Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Eufy Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
- $59.99
- $79.99
- 25% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Is lightweight at just 1.2 pounds
✔ Comes in multiple color choices
✔ Uses micro USB connectivity for easy charging
✘ Has less power than some other handheld vacuums
✘ The button to switch between power levels is in an inconvenient location
Buyer’s Guide
Before deciding on the best handheld vacuum for you, it’s important to consider how its design and specifications impact its user experience. Here are four factors to keep in mind as you’re purchasing a model.
Battery Life
Cordless vacuums run on rechargeable batteries. Higher-voltage batteries last longer than lower-voltage batteries. For example, the 7.4-volt Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum runs for up to 12 minutes, while the 14.4-volt BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum runs for up to 17 minutes.
Dustbin Capacity
A handheld vacuum’s dustbin capacity refers to how much dirt and debris it can hold. Larger dustbins don’t have to be emptied as frequently as smaller dustbins. Most cordless handheld vacuums, such as the BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum, hold around 20 ounces of debris.
Attachments
Many cordless handheld vacuum cleaners come with attachments to clean several areas and messes in your home. One of the most popular attachments is a motorized brush tool, which has powerful bristles that lift embedded dirt and pet hair from carpeted areas. Most models also include crevice tools. These are narrow attachments that help users reach dust and debris in tight spaces, such as between couch cushions, under car seats, and behind furniture.
Maintenance
Many cordless handheld vacuums come with thoughtfully designed components that make regular maintenance easy. For example, the BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum comes with a washable filter for easy cleaning between uses.
The Best Uses for a Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Cordless handheld vacuums are versatile devices that you can use anywhere thanks to their light weight and portability. Here are some of the best ways you can use your cordless handheld vacuum to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
- Use your handheld vacuum to clean staircases and railings that normal vacuums may be too big for
- Tidy up windowsills, baseboard, and sliding door tracks
- Remove excess pet hair from couches, carpets and other furniture
- Clean window treatments to keep them clear of dust
- Freshen up upholstery and pillows
- Keep your bedsheets and pillowcases clean without washing them by using a vacuum to remove pet hair and other allergens
- Use your handheld cleaner as a car vacuum to clean up the seats and floors of your vehicle
- Wipe away dust and grime from lamp shades or light fixtures
- Maneuver into hard-to-reach areas under appliances to remove built-up dirt and dust
- Keep your books and bookshelf clean by removing dust from them with a cordless vacuum
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I charge my handheld cordless vacuum?
Some cordless handheld vacuums come with a USB charger, while other models charge by resting on a flat charging dock.
What surfaces can my handheld cordless vacuum clean?
Most cordless handheld vacuum cleaners are made to clean upholstery, hardwood, and carpet, though some models have soft brush tools that can clean delicate surfaces, such as computer keyboards.
How much do handheld cordless vacuum cleaners weigh?
Most cordless handheld vacuums weigh under five pounds for effortless lifting and maneuvering.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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