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The Best Handheld Vacuum (Corded or Cordless) – Top 8 Cleanest Review for November, 2024
Moving into a new home or apartment usually requires buying the major appliances you’ll need for daily life and maintenance. And a powerful vacuum cleaner is certainly one of the tools you’ll want to have in your home on day one.
A smaller, handheld vacuum doesn’t immediately make it onto most peoples’ list, though. You’re more likely to realize that you need a smaller unit only when you’re wrestling with your shiny new, monstrous Dyson or Hoover, simply trying to clean some spilled cereal or tracked-in dirt.
Please find our detailed analysis, buying guide and test results of all the best handheld vacuums that you can try in the living room.
Also, don’t forget to check out our list of models to avoid – in the section called “Products the Groom+Style Team Did Not Fancy!”
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Hoover Platinum LINX BH50030 Handheld Vacuum
The Hoover Platinum LINX BH50030 is a compact, lightweight, cordless handheld vacuum that excels at cleaning up pet hair around all areas of the home. It features a Pet Upholstery Tool that offers a three blade design for pet hair pick-up. The Platinum LINX vacuum offers a Lithium-Ion interchangeable battery that provides fade free power, with a 25-degree pivot design nozzle for easy maneuverability. Hoover also boasts of its Deluxe Dusting Brush with dual rows of gentle bristles that quickly allow you to dust delicate surfaces.
Pro & Cons
Several customers praised the vacuum’s Lithium-ion battery, which is both powerful and long-lasting. In terms of pet hair, the unit’s power brush attachment was also a big selling point, as the attachment itself is motorized which works great on removing pet hair from furniture; this feature was pointed out by a lot of customers and appears to be the single biggest selling point. Several reviewers also remarked on the vacuum’s versatility, making it easy to get into tough-to-reach areas, and noting how well it works on stairs and in cars as well. Other pros of the Platinum LINX vacuum include it being very easy to empty and clean, its compact design, and that the battery is removable for when its time to charge.
There were some things that customers did not like about the Platinum LINX vacuum. The Platinum LINX is a bit pricey for a handheld vacuum. Some reviewers noted that the vacuum sometimes struggled on carpeting, and the crevice tool needs to be handled carefully.
Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Handheld Vacuum
Replaced by the Dirt Devil BD30025B Quick Flip Plus Cordless Handheld Vacuum.
The Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip is powered by a 7 amp motor that is able to pick up pebbles, sand, dirt, and other debris that many other vacuums leave behind. It comes with a quick flip crevice tool that cleans tight spaces between couch cushions and car seats. All dirt and debris that are suctioned by its flexible hose, dusting brush, or crevice tool is transported into a bag-less dirt disposal that is easy to remove, dump and use once more. The Quick Flip comes with a 16-foot power cord as well.
Pro & Cons
Several reviewers noted that what makes the suction successful and clean is that the vacuum is equipped with an F5 filter that can either be washed in the washer or sink. The Quick Flip comes with a sixteen-foot power cord for when you do not want to charge it, which was a big selling point for many customers. The power cord is easy to wrap around and use inside the home. The vacuum is powered by a motor that runs on seven amps and weighs only three pounds, so it’s easy to carry for a quick clean up, which is essential when shopping for a handheld vacuum
A few other users wrote that for its minuscule size, the Quick Flip can become quite noisy when it’s in use. Another customer noted that the accessory bag that comes with the vacuum is too small to hold it.
Dyson DC34 Handheld Vacuum Review
Replaced by the Dyson V6/V7 Trigger Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner.
The Dyson DC34 has a powerful digital motor that is designed so that there is no suction loss anywhere in the vacuuming process. The motors, unlike other vacuums, do not rely on carbon brushes, so there are no carbon dust emissions. The DC34 is a lightweight vacuum that only weighs three pounds. For messes that are difficult to clean with an ordinary vacuum, the DC34 has a dual power mode between fifteen minutes (28 air watts) of high suction, or six minutes (65 air watts) of higher suction if needed.
Pro & Cons
Customers enjoyed many features of the DC34. The product comes with accessories for effective cleaning such as the combination brush, crevice tool, and wide debris nozzle that is able to remove dirt no matter the location. Reviewers were also impressed with the powerful 22.2-volt Lithium-ion battery that easily charges for reuse. The DC34 stands out from its competitors in that it does not require a bag as debris and dirt move into a bin – press the button to release the dirt, and simply reuse.
What did customers not like about the DC34? Well, to begin with, it is on the expensive side for a handheld vacuum. Other than price, a few reviewers noted that the DC34 cannot operate while being charged.
Dyson DC44 Animal Digital Slim MK2 Handheld Vacuum Review
The Dyson DC44 stands at twenty-eight inches and weighs only ten pounds. The product features a digital motor that is three times more powerful than conventional motors. The vacuum contains a nickel manganese cobalt battery that allows for a quick recharge, so it’s ready for use and operates long enough for the job’s completion. Dyson boasts of the DC44’s motorized floor tool with carbon fiber brushes, which work great on hard floors.
Pro & Cons
Customers raved about the carbon fiber brushes and brush cleaners, which are meant to enhance the cleaning process. The DC44’s “Root Cyclone” technology also drew praise, as it spins air at an incredibly high speed into a bin, as being a bag-less unit means having no loss of suction or mess. Other pros include a detachable long-reach wand that allows for cleaning those hard-to-reach places and a “boost mode” that gives an option either twenty minutes of constant suction or eight minutes of higher suction.
Reviewers generally noted two common complaints with the DC44. The first is that the dump cup is small and fills up quickly, requiring users to chronically empty and clean. The second is that for the price it’s one of the most expensive handheld vacuums on the market.
Black and Decker FHV1200 Handheld Vacuum Review
Replaced by the Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Handheld Vacuum.
The FHV1200 comes with a four-foot flexible hose that can easily extend to reach those hard-to-reach places, whether on top of cabinets, under the couch cushions, or under a car mat. It features a three-stage filtration system with cyclonic action that spins dirt away and into an empty dirt canister. The cyclonic action also prevents dust and debris from escaping, so the only air exhaust is clean. Other equipment that comes with the product to assist cleaning is a long crevice tool, a brushing tool, and pet hair cleaning tool.
Pro & Cons
Some customers were impressed by the FHV1200’s high-performance motor, which produces a strong suction. Three words seemed to sum up how most felt about the FHV1200 — small, light, and powerful. Other reviewers loved that the filter is easily washable and dishwasher-safe. After you are done with the vacuum it can be stored in its handy storage caddy, along with its accessories, which several users found to be quite useful
There are, however, a few cons that a few other customers pointed out with the product. The first is that the brush wears out quickly. The second is that replacement filters are costly at $10. And the third is that it has a relatively long recharge time compared to its competitors.
Dirt Devil Accucharge Handheld Vacuum Review
Replaced by the Dirt Devil BD30025B Quick Flip Plus Cordless Handheld Vacuum.
The Dirt Devil Accucharge features an energy star qualified battery charger that results in a longer battery life, always an important factor in a handheld vacuum. The vacuum’s charger replenishes energy two times faster than its competitors, the reason being that it contains AccuCharge technology. The AccuCharge technology of the product uses seventy percent less energy, despite using fifteen volts of suction power to suck up dirt and debris.
Pro & Cons
Users noted that dirt and debris that is sucked through the mouth of the vacuum cyclones away from the F4 filter and into a transparent bag-less bin that dumps directly into the trash for easy and quick reuse. At three pounds, the vacuum is easy to carry from room to room while holding to complete cleaning jobs on stairs. The Dirt Devil comes with a quick flip crevice tool that reaches intricate spaces on both the floor and above-ground – air vents, baseboards, and small spaces.
Some customers felt that the wall mount could be improved on this unit — the wall mount stays put on the wall, but there is no click that proves that it is secure to the mount. Another drawback noted by reviewers is that the product is quite a bit noisy for such a small sized vacuum.
If all this seems a little too much like hard work then you might want to consider the best robot vacuum – as reviewed by Groom+Style.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a handheld vacuum compare to a traditional upright vacuum?
A handheld vacuum is smaller, more portable, and typically less powerful than an upright vacuum. Handheld vacuums are best for quick cleanups, spot cleaning, and getting into tight spaces, while upright vacuums are more suitable for larger areas and deep cleaning.
Can a handheld vacuum effectively clean carpets and upholstery?
Handheld vacuums are not as effective as upright vacuums at cleaning carpets and upholstery, but they can still do a decent job. Look for a handheld vacuum that has attachments specifically designed for carpets and upholstery or models with powerful motors that can handle those surfaces.
How long does the battery last on a handheld vacuum?
The battery life of a handheld vacuum can vary depending on the model and the power settings used. Some handheld vacuums have a battery life of up to 30 minutes, while others can last for over an hour.
Can I use a handheld vacuum for wet spills and messes?
Some handheld vacuums are equipped with a wet/dry functionality, which allows you to use them on wet spills and messes, while others are only suitable for dry cleaning. Be sure to check the product description before buying to ensure it can handle wet spills if that is something you are looking for.
Conclusion
. Handheld vacuums are best for quick cleanups, spot cleaning, and getting into tight spaces, while upright vacuums are more suitable for larger areas and deep cleaning. Handheld vacuums can be effective in cleaning carpets and upholstery but it is best to look for models that have attachments specifically designed for those surfaces. Lastly, it’s important to check if the handheld vacuum is suitable for wet spills and messes before making a purchase.
Thank you for the excellent reviews! I’m looking for a handheld vacuum for quick, daily clean ups for my patio & small patch of artificial grass. I don’t like lugging out the blower/vacuum/mulcher. Do you think any of theses would work well outside for debris/leaves? Suggestions?
Hi Lauren,
Aaaah, the age old question, can I use my indoor vacuum outside…
I took our Dyson and Black & Decker Flex (the flexible hose one, not the fixed end) outside to see how they would behave. After cleaning up a small section of artificial grass, on which I had dumped a whole lot of leaves, dried grass and small flowers, my learnings were the following:
– the vacuums picked up most debris easily (dirt, small flowers etc) except for the leaves which I had to sometimes “feed” into the end.
– the Dyson fixed and shorter hose/end was better than the flexible hose
– you do not want a vacuum with a replaceable filter (it would just get clogged too easily)
– you would have to be careful about wet debris as over time it would definitely start to clog/damage your machine
– any indoor vacuum used outside will need to be emptied more than when used indoors as the leaves will fill it faster
– the more power the better
So in summary, I think it can be done under the following conditions:
– you get the right vacuum (more below)
– you have realistic expectations about emptying it out regularly etc
– you are not expecting to pick up a lot of big leaves
– you start slow to learn the vacuums limits and don’t push things if you hear the vacuum struggling
– you are aware it might void any warranty (worth further investigation)
As for which vacuum we would recommend, it would have to be very powerful with no changeable filters. This would mean something like the Dyson V10 Motorhead… you can read more reviews by following this link to Amazon -> https://geni.us/dysonv10
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
great article . lots of very helpful info. i am also happy with much of the questions and answers.
thanks for all your research. great site and i really like your logo. good luck!
Thanks for the kind words Alex,
Kind Regards,
Lisa and the Groom+Style Team
You’ve covered almost all the popular handheld vacuum cleaners in depth and accurate!
I’m looking for the best option for a specific application – vacuuming air out of compression bags so I can make space in my car for my camping trip. Looking for a circular nozzle with as high suction as possible … from the article above it appears the #2 Black & Decker option is my best option on a budget and the Eureka is better if I want to spend a bit more. Would you agree with that assessment?
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the great question. Price wise I think, brand new on Amazon, the Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH MAX and Eureka EasyClean Corded Handheld Vacuum, 71B see quite similar when I check – but this can certainly change depending on sales etc.
From a performance perspective if you don’t mind the cord I think the Eureka EasyClean, with its mains power, would be better suited to handle the job of vacuuming the air out of compression bags. We have done this sort of task before using upright vacuums (upright corded vs. upright cordless vacuums) and the corded models, for the same suction power, did a better job.
I am not sure of the technical explanation (a mechanical/electrical engineer could probably explain it better) but the “continual power” from the mains vs. the battery just seemed better able to remove that last bit of air from the bags, which you really need to maximize the compression in the bags.
Hope this helps a little bit, and do let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
whoever took the time to research all this and compile everything thanks! this is the best
Many thanks — zoë
Hi — I am looking for a handheld vacuum to use pretty much exclusively for cleaning the interior of my car. Which of the above would you recommend ?
And would the fact that I live in an area with winter snow make a difference in terms of moisture on the the car’s floor carpeting?
— Thanks so much for the helpful information you provide.
Hi Z Werth,
If you were after a handheld vacuum only to use in the car then Black & Decker mades a version of our number 1 choice which is designed exclusively for that purpose. It has great reach (with the hose and the cord), a 12V cigarette lighter socket for the car, great suction and 3 attachments to get to all the hard to reach areas.
You can read more by following this link to amazon -> http://geni.us/handheldcarvacuum
I guess any level of moisture will make it slightly harder to pick up dirt, but as this Black & Decker has quite strong suction that would probably just mean you have to go over the same area a few more times.
Hope this helps a bit.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hi really really useful, I want a vacuum that I can preferably use whilst my kittens are around and not scare them half to death like my big dyson and Henry do – which of the handheld would you say is the quietest?
Hi Jasmin,
What a great question – cats (and pets in general) and young kids can certainly hate the sound of vacuum cleaners (as a total aside I have linked at the end to a brilliant “Dear Kitten” commercial where the kitten hides from the Vacuuuum, I think you will appreciate it!).
We can probably only deal in ranges, and cannot guarantee that your kittens (not sure how sensitive they are etc.) will be okay with any specific vacuum, but hopefully we can point you in the right direction.
So stepping back for a moment, sound levels are measured in decibels (which is a logarithmic scale), with the following levels as examples.
library – 40 dB (One-eighth as loud as 70 dB.)
converstation in an office or background music – 60 dB (Half as loud as 70 dB. Fairly quiet.)
Average upright vacuum cleaner – approximatley 80 dB
Interestingly, the handheld vacuums listed are not overly quiet;
Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Handheld Vacuum – approximatley 84dB
Dyson V6 Trigger Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner – approximately 80 dB (blast model 84dB)
Eureka EasyClean Corded HandHeld Vacuum, 71B – approximately 76 dB
There are a range of specifically designed “silent” vacuums for example:
The Electrolux Ultra Silencer Deep Clean, which does a pretty good job at cleaning, and hums away at approximately 61dB, which is quite phenomenal.
You can read more via the following amazon link
http://geni.us/electroluxsilence
Now, assuming you don’t want to specifically replace your canister (thats your big Dyson?) or upright vacuum (your Henry), then the alternative is to go for a stick vacuum that has the option of being used as a handheld vacuum. Luckily, Dyson have come to the rescue with the V8 Absolute cord-free vacuum. The Dyson V8 is great on pet hair, can be used as an upright stick vacuum, but also converts to a handheld vacuum. Amazingly the noise readings come in around:
Normal Mode – 65 dB (which is a few notches above a background conversation in an office, so your kittens in theory should not find this too threatening)
Blast Mode (for tough patches of dirt) – 72 dB
You can read more via the amazon link below.
http://geni.us/dysonv8quieter
If you want to read more about stick vacuums in general then follow this link.
http://groomwithstyle.com/best-cordless-stick-vacuum-review-top-5-list/
Hopefully, this has given you some idea about how to continue your research. Please let us know if you have any more questions.
Dear Kitten Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Sn91t1V4g
Kind Regards,
Lisa
I have arthritis in my hands so I need a cordless handheld vacuum that is lightweight with good suction. I also need it to pickup cat hair. Can you provide a recommendation?
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for the question. I think you have a few good options available (we’ll take you through 3 of them below) depending on your price sensitivity etc.
Firstly, you could choose our top choice handheld vacuum on our top 5 list above, the Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex Handheld Vacuum. The key reason I think this might work for you (other than the fact that it will work well on pet hair) is that you use this handheld vacuum by using 2 hands.
This way you could roughly distribute the 3.2 pounds weight between your two hands, as you vacuum i.e. one hand holds onto the main handle on the vacuum while the second hand directs the vacuum head. I am not sure how bad your arthritis is or whether this option would work for you.
Maybe you prefer to have all the weight in one hand, and then once that hand gets tired swap the vacuum into the other (and so forth) – if you prefer a handheld vacuum that you operate with one hand (and price is not a key factor) then you could go for the The Dyson V6 Trigger (Groom+Style’s second option above). At 3.4 pounds the Dyson V6 Trigger is very light weight and has incredible performance.
The other product we wanted to point out was the Bissell Bolt XRT Pet 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum. You can read more about the Bissell, and other cordless stick vacuum options via this link
http://groomwithstyle.com/best-cordless-stick-vacuum-review-top-5-list/
The Bissell Bolt does a great job on pet hair thanks to its special pet hair brush roller and nozzle. The Bissell Bolt as a whole unit weighs 5.8 pounds, BUT is unique in that the stick detaches letting you turn it into a handheld vacuum. This might be a great option for you as you can have a lightweight, mobile vacuum that you can push around, with the flexibility of using it as a handheld vacuum when you need it.
I hope this gives you some useful options – good luck with your choice.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
I am big fan of your blog and I used to read your blog. First of all thank you so much for researching features of different product and sharing only useful information. I am confuse between BLACK + DECKER CHV1410L Cordless Dustbuster Hand Vac and Black & Decker PHV1810 Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac. I just want to know which is best for regular use?? I want to use it everyday. So please let me know which one should I buy.
Hi Amir,
Thanks for your kind words.
The GroomNStyle team would suggest that you go for the Black and Decker CHV1410L. The battery is long lasting, durable (with no performance loss) and quick to charge. It has great suction power and is very easy to clean/maintain. For everyday use the team feels that the CHV1410L has an edge on the PHV1810 (which might actually also be difficult to find at the moment).
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Is Black and Decker FHV1200 Vacuum cleaner item easy to use? Some vacuum products look small but this maintain was so hard.
Hi Jhony,
Yes, the testers found the Black and Decker FHV1200 Vacuum cleaner very easy to use. It is lightweight, compact and the 4 foot hose provided amazing versatility.
As mentioned in the review the filter can be washed in the dishwasher which makes for easy maintenance.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
You’re all info is definitely helpful. But i have allergy problem. So which one do you think the best that will be helpful for allergy or even for asthma …?
Do you think, its possible by handheld vacuum cleaner…?
Thank you for this article. Bit I have one question in my mind for a long time, Which is the best vacuum to use handle vacuums or stick of full vacuums? because I haven’t seen any comparison of this two type of vacuums, if you have any idea about it then please share.
Dora-
I realise you havent mentioned the usage requirement of the vacuum. Stick Vacuums will always outperform the hand held ones due to sheer motor power manufacturers tend to fuse into them as there is no weight constraint on them unlike in hand-held motors.
Hand-held vacuums have come a long way since their foray into mainstream but will need some way to replace the traditional vacuums. For heavy duty home use, i suggest sticks and light weight frequent usage, stick to hand-helds!
-Lisa