In our last test of handheld vacuums, the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tested 19 models from 14 different brands. 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 bissell vacuum cleaner 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.
There’s also a storage stand for you to put it on when it’s not in use. Additionally, the vacuum comes with a helpful two-in-one crevice tool and dusting brush to get those hard-to-reach places. Not everyone wants a cordless handheld vacuum—if you’re not diligent about keeping it charged, you’ll inevitably find its battery dead just when you need to clean up an unexpected mess.
However, can the popular pet hair remover really handle the tough task of removing embedded pet hair from upholstery? Is it up to the challenge of picking up strewn litter—without making even more of a mess? We wanted to see if it was as good as it claims, so we put it to the test over the course of a few weeks in a multi-pet home, where there were no shortage of messes.
We’ve tested over 130 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best portable vacuums with a handheld design to buy. These picks are selected based on their performance on different surfaces and their feature set, battery life, and price. For more options, see our lists of the best lightweight vacuums, the best vacuums for stairs, the best car vacuums, the best Dyson vacuums, and the best cordless vacuums. When you need to clean a small mess quickly, the Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum comes in, well, handy. The cordless vacuum, which weighs under 2 pounds, is one of the most lightweight and portable options on this list.
If you need something simple for quick cleanups, this affordable cordless handheld vacuum will get the job done. One thing to note when it comes to handheld vacuums is that they’re often best for tackling bissell handheld vacuum spills and spot cleaning, and not necessarily for removing irritants or allergens from your home. If that’s a priority for you, you may want to consider another type of vacuum better-suited for allergies.
No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free. Dena Ogden, commerce writer at The Spruce, updated this piece and contributed additional research. Ogden been writing professionally since 2016 and with The Spruce since August 2022. She’s yet to give up on the handheld setting of her traditional vacuum, but seeing these test results has her rethinking that life choice.
Marisa Viglione is the senior commerce editor for appliances, cleaning, and organization for The Spruce and has been in The Lab for our vacuum tests. However, you’ll appreciate that it’s lightweight and has a cordless design. It’s easy to carry around your space, even after a full day of doing chores.
I found it worked a lot better than the other attachments when it came to cleaning up just about anything. A couple of messes it handled particularly well were pet hair — we have two cats and a dog — and glitter, which is always a challenge. The two bright LEDs directed ahead of the suction head are also helpful for getting into dark corners and spots where other lighting doesn’t reach. This depends on a few factors, including the brand you invest in, how often you’ll use your vacuum and what kind of messes you’ll mainly need to tackle.
Lithium-ion batteries can also sit for long periods of time without losing their charge. To charge the vac, you simply plug one end of the adapter into your wall and the other into the unit. There are two other versions of the Pet Hair Eraser on the market, the corded model and the alternate cordless version with the same name. Neither of the alternate models have the same functionality or battery life of this version, however, and are not as highly rated. Per the instructions, I used it on soft fabric surfaces such as blankets and bedspreads. The tiny bristles that lined the tool certainly filled with hair, but there was no clear way to get that hair off aside from picking it free with my fingers.
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 on your laptop or in your car thanks to its USB port 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. The weight of a handheld vacuum mainly depends on its size and battery. An average handheld vac weighs around three pounds, but more compact versions weigh as little as one pound. Our best lightweight pick, the Iris USA Handheld Vacuum, weighs just 1.1 pounds but still manages to pack a punch in suction power. The trade-off is that lightweight, handheld vacuums may have small dustbins that require frequent emptying.