Hand vacuums, also known as handheld vacuums, are compact, lightweight vacuum cleaners designed for quick, convenient cleaning of small areas and spills. Unlike regular upright or canister vacuums, hand vacuums are extremely portable and easy to use for tasks like cleaning up crumbs from your car‘s floor mats or getting pet hair off furniture.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about buying the best hand vacuum for your needs and review the top 5 models on the market today.
A Brief History of Handheld Vacuums
While upright and canister vacuums have been around since the late 19th century, cordless handheld vacuums are a surprisingly recent innovation. The first battery-powered hand vacuums were introduced in the 1990s, but were bulky, heavy, lacked power and had very short run times.
It wasn‘t until lithium-ion batteries matured in the 2000s that hand vacs truly became convenient portable cleaning tools. Brands like Black+Decker, Hoover, Bissell and others began releasing compact yet powerful handhelds that could run for 10-15 minutes on a charge.
Today‘s hand vacuums represent the pinnacle of convenience and versatility when it comes to quickly tackling small spills and messes around your home. Read on to discover this year‘s top models.
How to Choose the Best Hand Vacuum
Here are the most important factors to consider when selecting a hand vacuum:
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Battery Life – Since hand vacs are cordless, battery life is critical. Look for at least 10-15 minutes of runtime. Quick-charging batteries are also useful.
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Power – Hand vacuums may be small, but the best ones pack some serious suction power, especially on MAX mode. Prioritize strong suction for pet hair.
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Dust Bin Size – Look for a dust bin that can hold at least 0.5 liters before needing to be emptied. Bigger is better for fewer interruptions.
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Weight – You‘ll be carrying and holding your hand vac a lot, so pick a lighter model (under 5 lbs) to prevent fatigue.
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Accessories – Crevice tools, small brushes, extender tubes etc allow you to clean more areas and surfaces.
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Filtration – HEPA filtration is ideal for trapping allergens and fine particles when vacuuming.
The 5 Best Hand Vacuums You Can Buy Today
Based on the above criteria and extensive hands-on testing and reviews analysis, we‘ve selected 2023‘s top 5 best handheld vacuums across a range of budgets and features.
1. Anker HomeVac Duo Rechargeable Cordless Vacuum
The Anker HomeVac Duo tops our list for the best combination of power, portability and value. Despite being so compact and lightweight, it delivers very impressive 90 air watts of suction power – making light work of cereal, chips and other dry debris on your floors or furniture.
We also love the removable battery, which can be swapped out for a fresh spare to double your cleaning time. Together with the translucent, easy to empty 0.65 liter dust canister, user-replaceable HEPA filter and various attachments, the HomeVac Duo is an incredibly versatile hand vac at a very reasonable price.
Battery Life: Up to 40 mins (2x batteries)
Suction Power: 8.5KPA
Dust Bin: 0.65 L
Weight: 2.65 lbs
Click here to buy the Anker HomeVac Duo Rechargeable Cordless Vacuum.
2. Dyson V15 Detect Handheld Vacuum
If you want raw power and the latest technology in a hand vacuum, Dyson‘s offering takes top honors. The V15 Detect packs a best-in-class laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head to reveal hidden microscopic dust plus an OLED screen to countdown runtime.
Combined with Dyson‘s signature 110,000 RPM Hyperdymium motor, the suction power of the V15 is staggering – especially on carpets. The fully-sealed HEPA filtration ensures no dust, pollen or dander escapes too.
Of course all that tech doesn‘t come cheap, but for the ultimate deep cleaning handheld experience, the Dyson V15 Detect is unequaled. It will literally change how you view dirt and debris in your home!
Battery Life: Up to 60 mins
Suction Power: 28 air watts
Dust Bin: 0.54 L
Weight: 3.08 lbs
Click here to buy the Dyson V15 Detect Handheld Vacuum.
3. Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
The Shark Wandvac stands out for its flexibility – easily converting between a hand vacuum and wand vacuum to suit your cleaning needs. It ships with a powered floor nozzle and key accessories, making it an affordable 2-in-1 solution.
For handheld duties, the wand detaches quickly and the Wandvac weighs under 2 pounds for fatigue-free extended cleaning sessions. Expect strong suction power and Shark‘s signature anti-hair wrap technology in the brush roll.
Battery life is decent at around 12 minutes too. If you need an adaptable hand vac, put the Shark Wandvac high on your list.
Battery Life: Up to 12 mins
Suction Power: 400 air watts
Dust Bin: Not stated
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Click here to buy the Shark Wandvac Handheld Vacuum Cleaner.
4. BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean Handheld Vacuum
Black+Decker‘s Dustbuster range needs no introduction – they pioneered handheld vacuums! The Dustbuster AdvancedClean brings classic design into 2023 with a lithium battery for long 15 minute runtime, translucent XL bowl and a special rotating narrow suction inlet ideal for scooping up dust and debris.
For under $50 you‘d struggle to find better hand vacuum value with the trusted Dustbuster name. This model still nails the basics like washable bowl filters, 16V input for strong consistent airflow and a crevice tool for accessing hard to reach spots behind appliances or furniture.
Battery Life: Up to 15 mins
Suction Power: Not stated
Dust Bin: 0.55 L
Weight: 1.95 lbs
Click here to buy the BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean Handheld Vacuum.
5. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser rounds out our top 5 as a specialty hand vacuum tuned for – you guessed it – eliminating stubborn pet hair. Equipped with a motorized brush roll and specialized rubber nozzle, this hand vac easily lifts matted fur and hair off any surface – your sofa, dog bed, car seats etc.
For hassle-free pet hair cleanup, the Eraser is a must thanks to strong cyclonic suction power plus useful triple level filtration. An LED crevice tool also assists with buried hair in tight gaps. If you‘re tired of lint rollers and sticky tape, Bissell‘s impressive hand vac has you covered!
Battery Life: Up to 15 mins
Suction Power: 14V
Dust Bin: Not stated
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Click here to buy the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum.
Takeaways: Which Hand Vacuum is Right For You?
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Overall Best Hand Vacuum: Anker HomeVac Duo
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Best for Deep Cleaning: Dyson V15 Detect
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Most Versatile: Shark Wandvac
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Best Budget Option: Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean
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Specialized for Pet Hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser
No matter your home cleaning challenges, this list equips you with the perfect handheld vacuum cleaner match. Check out all the key details above to select your new cordless cleaning companion today!
