The 3 Best Handheld Vacuums of 2023 Reviews by Wirecutter

Several handheld vacuums also come with warranties, which helps extend the lifespan of your purchase. And rather than replacing an entire machine, you also have the option to replace things like blocked filters, jammed brush rolls, frayed hoses and broken accessories yourself. On an average, a well maintained handheld vacuum from a quality brand should last you a minimum of 6 years.

This handheld vacuum is designed to “clean wherever your pet goes,” whether it’s on the sofa, in the bathroom, or even in the car. Bissell’s AeroSlim is marked down to just $30 at Walmart, saving you $26 on the usual list price. We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later. Carolyn Forté has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops and other major (and minor) home appliances as executive director of the Home Care Lab. She oversees all testing done in the Cleaning Lab and recently tested all of the handheld, stick, upright and canister vacuums that were submitted for consideration in the most recent Cleaning and Organizing Awards. She is an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.

Alongside a dependable pet odor remover like Angry Orange, it’s an easy way to quickly clean pet messes. Even if you don’t have pets, this vacuum would be a good choice as a car vacuum or to clean up after kids. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a good handheld vacuum, as evidenced by this Black+Decker Dustbuster.

Tackle dust, dirt and debris anytime, anywhere with this cordless handheld vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming the floor with a handheld vac isn’t very practical, but Eufy took care of that, too. Pop on the extension wands and it turns into a lightweight stick vac or — with the mopping pads attached — a handy tool for removing sticky messes from the floor. Some handheld vacuums contain additional tools like brush rolls and extensions to help you get into hard-to-reach places. If you plan to use your handheld vacuum to get between couch cushions and tackle upholstery or carpet, these are must-haves. But if you want the option of cleaning up wet spills as well as dry (we’re looking at you, parents), the Dirt Devil QuickFlip Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum is an excellent choice.

Using an anemometer (a tool that measures wind speed), we calculate the raw airflow of each vacuum. Suction is what allows a vacuum cleaner to lift debris off the ground, while airflow helps ferry the debris to the dustbin. The Black+Decker 20V Max Flex Handheld Vacuum amazed us with its suction power, clever design, and versatility.

I’ve been cleaning my home with the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser for a year now, and it’s still the tool I reach for on a weekly basis. The battery power remains consistent, and though the motorized brush attachment has accumulated some hair buildup, I haven’t noticed any weakening in the suction power. My cat is almost 10 years old, which means I have been buying pet hair removers for close to a decade.

It had no problem picking up stray debris from my hardwood floors in high-traffic spots like the litter box and food/water bowl areas. The suction wasn’t quite strong enough to get all the litter out of the mat I keep outside the litter box, but it did a respectable job sucking up the litter that wasn’t trapped in the deeper layers. A small dust bin (one that can only hold a handful of ounces) should be just fine. But if you know you’ll use your vacuum on bigger messes, you’ll probably want a larger dust bin—one that can hold around 15 ounces—so you won’t have to empty it as often. We were also disappointed at how pet hair gets stuck on the bottom of the pet tool and doesn’t get sucked up. From brands like Bissell, Dyson, and Shark, these are some of the best—and worst—cordless handheld vacs you can buy today.

bissell handheld vacuum

Here’s what we—plus our cat and puppy sidekicks—thought of the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Vacuum. Its filter is washable and reviewers were impressed with its suction, especially given its small size, but many noted that with a three-and-a-half-hour charge time, they wished it could run for longer than just 12 minutes. You likely won’t be able bissell vacuum cleaner to clean very much on one charge given its short runtime and very small dust cup, but it can be charged on the go from your laptop or in your car thanks to its USB charger. When you’re cleaning your car, you don’t want the vacuum to die on you. So, to test out the battery life of the Bissell 1985 Vacuum, I cleaned my Prius and a friend’s minivan.

The vacuum stands up on its own and is compact enough to tuck away between furniture. While the battery unfortunately isn’t replaceable, the filters, the belt, beater bar, and charger are. (The filters are also both washable.) Black+Decker’s customer service is excellent, often requiring zero minutes wait time, and you can order parts via eReplacementParts.com.

We think it’s safe to say you could use it a few rooms away without waking up your family members—however, the puppy, who’s afraid of vacuums, could hear it start up and was instantly on alert. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Vacuum delivers on its promise to clean up pet-specific messes, but it can’t replace your full-size vacuum. This warranty applies to a product used for personal purposes, and not commercial or rental service. BISSELL recommends that the original packaging is kept for the duration of the warranty period in case such need arises within the warranty period that the item needs re-packing and transportation. The Bissell vacuum runs on a strong 22V lithium-ion battery that is designed to maintain a steady suction as long as it’s running.