8 Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaners To Buy In 2023
Not only is this vacuum affordable but users say it is a “very convenient and lightweight” unit ideal for picking up pet hair and crumbs.
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Who said size doesn’t matter? When it comes to everyday spills and messes, sometimes the faithful old dustpan and brush just can’t cut it and lugging a full-sized vacuum cleaner for minor spot cleaning tasks feels like overkill.
That’s where the handheld vacuum comes in to solve your cleaning woes, according to Colin Jones, Category Expert at Appliances Online.
“A handheld vacuum is great for those easy, quick clean-ups as they are lighter and less bulky than a large barrel vacuum which is most of the time restricted by a power cord,” he said.
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With their lightweight and compact design, handheld vacuum cleaners are easy to whip out and make spot cleaning a breeze. Check out our top picks below (including this budget favourite from Black+Decker), plus Colin’s tips on how to choose the best handheld vac for your home.
BEST HANDHELD VACUUMS
- Best overall handheld vacuum cleaner
- Best extendible handheld vacuum cleaner
- Best budget handheld vacuum cleaners
- Best premium handheld vacuum cleaner
BEST OVERALL HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER
Shark ION Cordless Handheld Vacuum (WV203ANZ), The Good Guys, $199 (down from $249.99)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Packing incredible suction power into a super compact design, this handheld vacuum from cult favourite brand Shark weighs less than 1kg and is ideal for everyday messes. It comes with a multi-surface pet vacuum tool and a duster crevice tool ideal for tight spaces and car seats. One-touch debris emptying and a washable dustbin and filter are great for easy maintenance, and you can get 10 minutes of runtime on each charge.
“Best handheld vacuum I’ve owned, great suction. So handy for those little spills. The only downside is the dust compartment is a bit small. Even so I love this little vac. Totally recommend it,” an impressed customer posted.
PROS:
+ Can store the vacuum and accessories on the charging dock.
+ Includes a duster crevice tool and multi-surface pet tool.
+ One-touch bin emptying system.
+ Uses a HEPA filtration system.
+ Has a 2.5 hour charging time.
CONS:
– Not easy to clean tight corners.
– Small dustbin capacity.
BEST HANDHELD VACUUM FOR PET HAIR
BLACK+DECKER Lithium Pivot Dustbuster (PV1820L-XE), Amazon Australia, $119 (down from $129.99)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Lightweight and comfortable to hold, the BLACK+DECKER Lithium Pivot Dust has a 200-degree pivoting nozzle that allows you to reach under furniture and onto high shelves with ease. It also has a double filtration system to provide high performance for longer, along with a space-saving design that lets you fold the vacuum in half for easy storage.
Reviewers love the powerful suction and convenience, with many saying it’s perfect for vacuuming the car and small jobs.
“I got this to clean up my workspaces when crafting and it’s absolutely perfect. Charges quickly and well, super easy to clean, gets into hard spots and so convenient,” praised a customer, rating the appliance five stars.
“It is so clever, robust, powerful, easy to use, easy to store and amazing value for money. Yes it is probably a bit noisier than some, but the power is worth it,” another posted.
PROS:
+ Lithium battery.
+ Vacuum can fold in half and stand upright on its base when charging.
+ Easy to empty dustbin.
CONS:
– Can be a little loud.
– Can be very difficult to find replacement filters and batteries.
BEST EXTENDIBLE HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER
BLACK+DECKER Flexi Hand Dustbuster Vacuum Cleaner (PD1820L-XE), The Good Guys, $129
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
This dustbuster features a flexible 1.5m integrated hose that can unwind to reach into all sorts of tricky areas, taking it a step up above its counterparts. There are also 18 volts of suction power stored in the compact and lightweight design, plus cyclonic technology and triple-action filtration for a powerful performance.
For convenience, you can use the charging docking station to charge the handheld vacuum as well as store the accessories when they’re not in use.
“I have three of these in my home and bought my first many years ago. (It’s) one of my favourite appliances and would not be without it. (I have) one in my kitchen, one in laundry and one in the garage,” wrote a happy shopper.
“Great vacuum works like a dream, battery is fantastic and gets into all the small spaces. Easy to clean and use,” another commented.
PROS:
+ Includes long crevice tool, short crevice tool and a short brush.
+ Removable dust bowl.
+ Easy to clean.
CONS:
– Lasts up to 10 minutes on a single charge.
– Noisy.
BEST BUDGET HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER
Xiaomi Mi Portable Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Amazon Australia, $76.99
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
If you’re looking to switch out the feather duster for a handheld vacuum that’s just as portable and easy use, this mini option might be the one. It even lasts for up to 30 minutes on a single charge, which is longer than many other alternatives on the market.
This gadget also weighs just 0.5kg, making it super lightweight and convenient for whenever you need to clean your computer keyboard, car seats, shelves and any other small messes.
PROS:
+ Offers regular mode and high power mode.
+ Includes one suction head and one brush tip.
+ Easy to empty.
+ Uses a USB-C cable, allowing you to plug it into a computer or power outlet to recharge.
CONS:
– Cannot clean large debris.
– Will overheat if you use the high power setting for the maximum time (nine minutes).
Devanti Corded Handheld Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, Myer, $83.99
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
If you don’t want to be limited by a short runtime try a corded vacuum like this one from Devanti. It’s still lightweight at 1kg and comes with a 4m cable and an extendible handle, making it useful for cleaning entire rooms and tall furniture. You can alternatively turn it into a stick vac to get even more reach or give the floors a quick clean.
But keep in mind that its suction power makes it ideal as a handheld vacuum, rather than a regular stick vacuum.
“Great stick vacuum, gets under couches, vanities plus does picture rails all of which my barrel vacuum cleaner can’t do. Particularly wanted it to have a cord so that I don’t run out of battery life,” one reviewer wrote.
PROS:
+ Can be used to clean carpets, curtains, shelves and ceiling corners.
+ Comes with a two-in-one nozzle, floor brush, and aluminium tube.
+ Has a 0.5-litre dustbin capacity.
+ Quick-release dustbin emptying system.
+ Washable and reusable filter.
CONS:
– Can’t stand on its own.
– Might not work well with pet hair.
BLACK+DECKER 10.8Wh Lithium-ion Dustbuster Cordless Hand Vacuum (NVC215W-XE), The Good Guys, $54
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
For an affordable dustbuster, this one from Black+Decker has a wallet-friendly price tag and includes a wide mouth to easily scoop up large debris as well as a crevice tool for reaching into tight spaces. The short runtime makes it better suited for little tasks, such as giving your car seats or furniture a general clean.
Reviewers have described this budget handheld vacuum as a “very convenient and lightweight” unit, and a “great powerful little sucker”.
PROS:
+ Dirt bowl and filters can be removed and washed for a hygienic clean.
+ Quick-release bowl minimises contact between you and the dirt.
+ Charging base can be mounted to the wall or placed on a bench.
+ Two-year warranty.
CONS:
– Need to hold down power button while you clean.
– Short 10-minute battery and long 10-hour charge time.
– Not super powerful.
BLACK+DECKER 21.6Wh Lithium-ion Dustbuster Cyclone, The Good Guys, $119
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Armed with a lithium battery and 15-minute runtime, this handheld vacuum from BLACK+DECKER features cyclonic technology for powerful suction. The extendible crevice tool is perfect for reaching between cushions on your couch or into corners, plus the dustbin is removable and washable for good hygiene.
“This dustbuster packs a punch. It has two settings and is perfect for everyday cleaning. Great for spot clean ups on carpets in between vacuums as well,” a reviewer posted.
PROS:
+ Compact design.
+ Suitable for carpets and hard floors.
+ Has a wide mouth to pick up large debris.
+ Includes an on-board crevice tool.
CONS:
– Doesn’t have a charging station – only uses a Jack Plug charger.
BEST PREMIUM HANDHELD VACUUM
Bosch Serie 6 Rechargeable Stick Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (BCS61113AU), Appliances Online, $499
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
The downside of handheld vacuum cleaners is typically suction power, which is why they’re really only worth buying for small and quick tasks. But if you want a powerful appliance that still ticks the boxes as lightweight, relatively affordable and convenient, your best bet is to opt for a mid-range stick vacuum like this Bosch model.
Not only does this weigh 1.4kg when in handheld mode, but it also lets you extend the runtime by switching out battery packs so there’s no need to wait hours for the vacuum to recharge after cleaning for 10 minutes.
PROS:
+ Suitable for carpets, hard floors and tiles.
+ Powerful suction.
+ Still easy to manoeuvre when converted into a stick vacuum (which only weighs 2.3kg).
CONS:
– More expensive than other stand-alone handheld vacuums.
– Need to buy an additional battery pack if you don’t already have one from Bosch’s green product line (Bosch Home & Garden 18V cordless system).
WHICH HANDHELD VACUUM HAS THE LONGEST BATTERY LIFE?
The runtime of the average handheld vacuum is around 10 minutes, with some models offering up to 15 minutes (like the BLACK+DECKER 21.6Wh Lithium-ion Dustbuster Cyclone and the Smith & Nobel Rechargeable Handheld Vacuum Cleaner). That might seem meagre, but for the quick spot cleaning that these vacuums are designed to achieve, you’ll find that 10 to 15 minutes is more than enough.
HOW TO CHOOSE A HANDHELD VACUUM?
When choosing the ideal handheld vacuum for you, Colin recommends “a unit that is easy to use, has a long battery life and is able to be used on different surfaces”. Here are some questions he suggests considering.
• What size area are you looking for?
• How long will the vacuum take to charge?
• Am I able to clean all surfaces?
• Is there an easy way to dispose of the dust that is collected? Or, do I need to replace the dust bags?
We also have a few more factors to think about. These include:
• Size and weight: Choose a model that’s super lightweight and compact to make spot cleaning effortless.
• Battery runtime: The battery life of the average dustbuster is between 10 and 15 minutes – this gives you plenty of time for cleaning up minor messes. But the longer the battery life, the less frequently you need to recharge it. Also, keep in mind that many handheld vacuum cleaners need between two and four hours to recharge.
• Attachments: If you want a handheld vac with added versatility that helps you reach every nook and cranny, choose a model that comes with crevice attachments.
• Dustbin capacity: The larger the dustbin, the less frequently you need to empty it while cleaning.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HANDHELD VACUUM AND A FULL-SIZE VACUUM?
A handheld vacuum isn’t intended to replace your full-sized vacuum. Think of it as a replacement for your dustpan and brush – ideal for minor cleaning tasks you want to deal with quickly.
“Handheld vacuums and larger vacuums have two completely different purposes,” Colin explained.
“If you are not after a unit that cleans your whole home and you just require a quick tidy up, then a handheld vacuum is great as they are easy to use, offer good suction and are easy to clean and maintain. Most models also come with an assortment of accessories included, which are able to clean stairs, furniture, and curtains and are able to reach into tight corners and even the car.”
Otherwise, it’s best stick to using a barrel vacuum with a large dustbin and for whole-house cleaning or a cordless vacuum for any quick cleans.
HOW TO MAINTAIN A HANDHELD VACUUM?
The best way to care for a vacuum and extend its lifespan is by keeping it clean.
“All types of vacuums will require some sort of maintenance, this could be as simple as changing a dust bag, or cleaning and replacing filters regularly,” Colin said.
“I would consider looking at models that have a good filter system, such as models that offer HEPA filtration and are able to remove as much dust as possible. HEPA filters remove up to 99.9 per cent of dust and most of these filters are easy to clean and simple to wash.”
On the hunt for more vacuums? We’ve got you covered. Check out our roundups of the best cordless stick vacuums, the best robot vacuums, the best vacuums for pet hair, and the best Dyson vacuums. Plus, don’t miss our wrap up of the best steam mops.
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