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Tidy Up Your Place With the Best Handheld Vacuums in 2023

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By Old House Journal Review Team
Last updated: 25 Feb 2023

When you think about a vacuum cleaner, what comes to mind? A large machine that you have to pull with your body around the house every single day? This would apply if we were living in the ’90s, but today, people use handheld vacuums. These vacuums are convenient and user-friendly. They don’t require a lot of effort, unlike traditional vacuums with giant motors and whatnot. But here’s where it gets troublesome. Since vacuums are machinery, it can be a tad bit difficult to find the most convenient one out there. But with us by your side, you don’t have to strain yourself. We’ll fill you in on the top-rated handheld vacuums that one can find in 2023. Safe to say, the products we’ve picked for you are the pinnacle of modern technology, and they’re here to make your lives easier.

Best Overall
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Black+Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
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Runner Up
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BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser
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High Quality
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Shark CH901 UltraCyclone Vacuum
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Most Durable
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VacLife Cyclone Handheld Vacuum
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Best for Dust
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Eufy Cordless Vacuum
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Best Design
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Ofuzzi Handheld Vacuum
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Buying Guide for the Best Handheld Vacuums

To tell you the truth, buying a handheld vacuum is an easy job. But, buying a great handheld vacuum is a tough job on its own. But that’s why we’re here. We’ll make your job easy by helping you with a comprehensive buying guide. This guide will enable you to purchase one of the best vacuums available in the market.

Important Factors With Handheld Vacuums

We all know about price. It’s one of the most vital components but is that it? Do you need to think about anything else? Like the suction ability? Or perhaps the charging? Let’s talk about it.

Portability

Since we’re talking about handheld vacuums here, portability is very important. The ideal vac you buy must not weigh a lot. If it does, then cleaning will become a tedious chore for you. You’ll eventually skip cleaning now and then because it takes a lot of effort. That’s why you need to purchase a vac that is lightweight and compact. 

Design

The shape of the vacuum is important as well. What is the front like? What about the back? The design will essentially decide whether it can reach narrow places or not. If it has a smart design, then you’ll conveniently reach places below your furniture without having to twist or bend your body a lot. 

Suction ability

Perhaps the most significant factor here is suction ability. You’ll find multiple products out there with different suction abilities and motors, but what you’re looking for is a motor that can suck up debris and dirt quickly. It shouldn’t take you several tries to get rid of dirt from your sofa or carpet. 

Even dirt that is stiff and difficult to remove should not take a lot of time and effort, that’s a sign of a vacuum powered by a heavy-duty motor.

Charging

Cordless vacuums are common. But what is their charging ability? How many hours does it take to charge the vacuum? And how long does the charging last? These questions are necessary because they will essentially decide how good the vacuum is. Even if it takes a couple of hours to charge, the vacuum should last for a decent amount of time before needing another charge.

Compare Our Favorite Handheld Vacuum In 2023

1

Black+Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum

– Best Overall
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We’ve all heard of Black+Deckers’s products, haven’t we? The first handheld vacuum we have for you features lithium-ion as its battery. This grants it enough opportunity to last for a very long time to provide outstanding performance for you. It holds a charge for up to 18 months, which is a lot in vacuum-cleaner life. This vacuum is also lightweight, so you won’t end up with a sore arm by the end of your cleaning routine.

The suction power of this vacuum is 15.2 AW, and its dustbowl capacity is 20.6 ounces. What makes this cleaner different from others in the market is its unique ability to save power. It consumes around 50% less energy, and its cyclonic action allows the filter to remain clean, which means you won’t have to tinker with the machinery to clean it every once in a while.

Pros
  • Vacuum cleans thoroughly
  • Impressive suction strength
  • Product has a smart design
Cons
  • The battery runs out quickly
2

BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser

– Runner Up
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Buy on Amazon

By any chance, do you happen to have pets in your house? If so, then you understand how troublesome it is to safely dispose of their hair and fur from your house. With Bissell by your side, you don’t need to lose your head over pet hair anymore. It has a 14V lithium-ion battery that allows it to have lithium-powered cleaning, this means you don’t have to worry about its charging for a while. The capacity of the dirt cup is 0.7 liters, and it is very easy to clean. Just what most pet owners look for, the vac features triple-level filtration that improves its cleaning performance. Now you don’t have to apologize to your guests anymore for having pet hair all around the house. 

The motorized brush is ideal for cleaning pet hair that is stiff and difficult to get rid of from your sofas. Plus, with this purchase, Bissell will donate 5 dollars so you’re essentially hitting two birds with one stone.

Pros
  • Cordless, allows for easy cleaning
  • Works well on sofas
  • Powerful handheld vacuum
Cons
  • The vac does not have an LED light
3

Shark CH901 UltraCyclone Vacuum

– High Quality
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Buy on Amazon

Coming in strong with two ultra-powerful cyclonic air streams, this handheld vacuum will suck almost all the debris and dirt from your valuable sofas and essentials with ease. It has excellent suction power and a filter that is supported by a strong motor. This will make sure that the filter does not die down in a day or two.

Moving on, the vacuum has an XL dust cup that is ready to accumulate tons of dirt, so you won’t have to empty the cup a dozen times during cleaning. This choice is lightweight and easy to carry, making it one of the most convenient handheld vacuums out there. Backed by lithium-ion technology, you don’t need to worry about its performance. Additionally, this vacuum is accompanied by a crevice tool and scrubbing brush that will assist you in reaching difficult spots in your house.

Pros
  • Comes with helpful accessories
  • Easy to empty
  • Portable and easy to carry around
Cons
  • Suction ability is not that strong
4

VacLife Cyclone Handheld Vacuum

– Most Durable
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Buy on Amazon

Judging by the name, this vac sounds like it’s the real deal. This vacuum is ideal for homeowners who are tired of cleaning their house every day. This vac is cordless, has excellent mobility, and cleans up dust that is hiding between narrow areas. 

Powered by cyclone vacuum technology, this product has an extraordinary engine, which makes cleaning easier than ever. It cleans up debris, dirt, and pet hair from your sofas and carpets in no time. With a 2000 mAh lithium battery, you can charge it with a 100c-220v power supply in a few hours. In case you feel like the vacuum isn’t enough, the manufacturers send 2 attachments along with it to diversify your cleaning procedure. And with 2 bright LED lights, you can also clean dark areas with ease.

Pros
  • Reaches crevices easily
  • Accessories help in cleaning
  • Bright LED lights help to see better
Cons
  • Suction power isn’t that strong
5

Eufy Cordless Vacuum

– Best for Dust
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Buy on Amazon

Eufy’s handheld vacuum features three colors: black, soft mint, and white. It has a lightweight and compact build which makes it convenient for the average person to carry it around their house. Since it is cordless, you don’t have to worry about the charging cable or the charging port. For charging, just use a USB charger and charge it anywhere in your house. With this by your side, cleaning is made simple and easy.

With 5,500Pa of power, the vacuum will take in all the debris and dirt from your carpets, rugs, and sofas in seconds. If you’re looking to reach deeper or narrow areas, make use of the 2-in-1 crevice tool. If the vacuum does not meet your expectations, don’t worry because it’s backed by 24-months of warranty.

Pros
  • Compact size and shape
  • Decent car cleaner
  • Excellent customer service
Cons
  • The vacuum’s suction power is a little weak
6

Ofuzzi Handheld Vacuum

– Best Design
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Buy on Amazon

Get this ultra-lightweight handheld vacuum and clean up your apartment or house with ease. Weighing in at only 1.2 pounds, you can easily use one hand to vacuum your carpets and small rugs. The powerful suction will ensure you pick up everything off the floor, from dust and animal hair to chip crumbs and dead bugs. The M1 brushless motor delivers a powerful 30 AW of suction to grab even the most stubborn debris. 

Two power levels give you versatility in how you choose to use this vacuum, and you can use it for up to 30 minutes at a time. That may seem short, but if you need it for any longer, you can quickly charge it up using the USB-C port and use it again after 3-4 hours of charging. Get into narrow spaces with the included crevice nozzle, or use a different attachment that’s perfect for sofas and pet hair. 

Pros
  • Quick charging method
  • Lightweight in your hands
  • Collects stubborn debris
Cons
  • Battery life is short

Handheld Vacuum FAQ

Q: Is it worth getting a handheld vacuum?

A: These vacuums are light. They’re ideal for everyday use, and you can even reach difficult areas with them to suck up dust and dirt.

Q: What can I use a handheld vacuum for?

A: To suck up dirt and debris stuck on sofas, carpets, rugs, to clean pet hair from your floor, cleaning your cars, etc.

Q: How long does an average handheld vacuum last?

A: This largely depends on how you maintain the vac, but generally, they last a couple of years.

Cleaning
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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