If you want a lightweight tool that can clean up sudden, albeit small, messes, you might not be concerned about what else comes with your dustbuster. However, if you’re hoping to clean tight crevices, furniture, or overhead areas with your vacuum, make sure you choose one with the proper attachments. Upholstery brushes and crevice tools are common attachments that will make your machine much more versatile. Some of the best handheld vacuums feature hoses for more maneuvrability.
This is why everyone needs a cordless, lightweight handheld vacuum in addition to a larger multi-surface vacuum. These handheld cleaners aren’t meant to tackle entire-home messes (although they may claim to); they’re designed for spot cleaning. Plus, they’re particularly handy for cleaning upholstery, shark robotic vacuums stairs and hard surfaces because of how easy they are to carry. We also noted that hair tangled on the brush head as we used it, but it was easy to remove. We recommend regularly checking the brush head and cleaning it after each use so the vacuum performs at its best and lasts longer.
They are similarly priced and have long, flexible hoses that you can use with one hand while setting the vacuum’s body on the ground. Whereas a Black+Decker spokesperson told us that the vacuum has a decibel level of 81 dB, we recorded it at 86 dB. Finally, because this model has no hose or pivoting nozzle, using it to clean at odd angles—the kinds that our main picks excel at—is a hassle. In our testing, the CHV1410L had no trouble sucking up crumbs and dirt off bare surfaces like countertops and windowsills.
Here is a breakdown of the Shark features you’ll see on vacuums included in this list. When researching and testing, we’ve considered all of these factors, as well as customer reviews, and we’ve found options for every budget and need. The best at lifting crumbs and debris, turn to this vac when cleaning small spillages in the kitchen or on the sofa. Its larger, bagged design makes it ideal for bigger households, while emptying is also mess-free. That said, the price of the replacement battery is much higher than anticipated. The cost to buy the vacuum is low, but the replacement battery is sold for $48 on Shark’s website.
We also tested the Shark Wandvac Cordless Handheld Vacuum and the Shark Wandvac Power Pet. Though they look snazzy and have decent suction for such light, little machines, we found their tiny bins frustrating. Adding to that frustration was the positioning of each model’s power button right below the bin-emptying button, which led to more than one instance of our testers accidentally emptying the bin.
Furniture may take up to 8 weeks to deliver as most products are made specifically for your order. Some Customer Direct products are shipped from overseas and may take longer to arrive. Some goods may take longer to deliver if a product is currently not in stock.
After our in-studio testing, we sent the vacuums home with editors, where they used them to clean up real pet hair and recorded their findings. One thing to consider with any handheld you choose is that they each have a filter. Occasionally, you’ll need to clean this filter, and some handhelds don’t come with alerts to let you know when it’s time. This means you may find that you lose power gradually as the filter becomes dirty, and you may not immediately notice that loss of suction. Surprisingly, this device isn’t that much quieter than some of the other larger products in the competition, and it has a higher-pitched whine that can be irritating. The different tools also aren’t integrated, so you must exercise caution not to lose them.
Next, we continued our evaluation of the Wandvac by seeing how it did with some tougher messes, as well as the amount of air its motor can move. This vacuum could suck up Mini-Wheats cereal without any tools attached, which is about the biggest particle type it can handle, but that’s average for this vacuum category. If possible, opt for a model that has a running time of at least 20 minutes, as this should give you enough charge to clean a car. On top of this, we run an interior car cleaning test to gauge how effective each vacuum is, with a particular focus on how it tackles crevices and removes dirt from awkward spaces.
If you regularly clean up after fur-shedding pets, the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ HHVK515JP07 is uniquely designed to help you fight that battle. In our tests, it picked up fur better than any model we tried, especially on upholstery, thanks in part to its motorized brush, which is equipped with fur-grabbing bristles. At 75 dB, it is also quieter than the majority of the vacuums we assessed. The Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit comes with a crevice tool and a brush tool; both do a decent job of picking up fur on rugs and home upholstery.
The CH951 also features cyclonic suction for powerful cleaning and its filter is washable. Most dustbusters are relatively lightweight (around 1 to 3 pounds), but some may be a little heftier and uncomfortable to hold, so you’ll want to consider that when searching for your perfect vacuum. A heavier model will be less maneuverable and difficult to operate for extended periods. It might not be the best option if you’re planning to complete a deep clean of your house and suction up messes in overhead areas or often-neglected corners. Attachments and battery packs are often sources of added weight, so keep that in mind if you’re interested in a dustbuster with these features. If you need a quick way to clean up small messes around your home, keeping a dustbuster on hand is a smart move.