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The best handheld vacuums available – we were lucky enough to be able to test them all! Some are great all-rounders, some specialize in car cleaning or pet hair removal, corded or cordless, there is something to meet your needs. If you have any questions then please contact us directly via email, or in the comment section below, to ask our team’s advice.The Best Handheld Vacuum (Corded or Cordless) – Top 8 Cleanest Review for January, 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!”
| IMAGE |
PRODUCT |
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| - Long Nozzle with Crevice Tool
- Versatile & Easy to Clean
- Powerful & Long Run Time
- Peak power: 16V, 15 Air Watts, no loss of suction
- Battery: Lithium-ion, rechargeable
- Run/charge time: 15 minutes/3-4 hours
| #1 CHOICE FOR MOST HOMES VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
| - Flexible & Long Nozzle
- Versatile & Easy to Clean
- Powerful & Long Run Time
- Peak power: 20V, 25 Air Watts, no loss of suction
- Battery: Lithium-ion, rechargeable
- Run/charge time: 15 minutes/four hours
| #1 CHOICE FOR MOST HOMES & CAR VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
| - Premium Design & Price
- Extremely Powerful & Long Run Time
- High Quality & Washable Filter
- Peak power: 100 Air Watts on Max, 28 Air Watts on standard, no loss of suction
- Battery: Lithium-ion, rechargeable
- Run/charge time: 20 minutes/3½ hours
| BEST PREMIUM CHOICE VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
| - Perfect for Pet Hair
- Corded & Powerful
- Easy to Maneuver
- Peak power: 12V
- Battery: None – corded model with 16’ cord
- Run/charge time: N/A
| BEST CHOICE FOR PET OWNERS VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
– if you are curious about our choices from previous years then continue reading.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Depending on the day, you’ll find Rebecca in a well thought-out ensemble that she handcrafted herself, or in hiking and rock climbing gear. An avid outdoorswoman, cyclist, and cat lover, Rebecca reminds us all on the Groom+Style team just how much we need to get outdoors. She’s worked in spas and salons off and on before going full-time with the G+S team. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-moses-3158b914b/
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