If you’ve ever tried to drag a full size vacuum out of the closet just to clean up a spilled bag of chips or a dusting of cat hair on the couch, you already know why handheld vacuums exist. They live on the counter, charge on their own dock, and are ready the second you need them. No cord to untangle, no bag to swap, no hauling anything up the stairs.
The tricky part is that “handheld vacuum” covers a pretty wide range of machines, from featherweight dust cup styles that barely weigh more than a phone to heavier pet focused models built for stubborn fur in upholstery. We tested and researched four of the more popular options on the market right now to help you figure out which one actually fits your mess. Here’s the breakdown.
Best Vacuum Cleaners:
- Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum
- BLACK+DECKER dustbuster 20V (AdvancedClean+)
- Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum (2390A)
- BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean (CHV1410L)
Shark WV201 WANDVAC
The WANDVAC is Shark’s answer to the “I just want something light that lives in a drawer” crowd. At 1.4 pounds it’s the lightest vacuum on this list by a wide margin, and it’s built around a brushless motor that punches above its weight class for suction given how small the whole unit is. The dust cup is tiny at 0.08 quarts, so this isn’t the vacuum for a big cleanup job, but for crumbs on a counter or dust in a car cupholder it does the job fast.
Where the WANDVAC shines is the charging dock setup. It sits plugged in and topped off at all times, so you’re never digging around for a charging cable when you actually need it. It comes with two small attachments, a pet tool and a crevice tool, which cover most quick jobs. Just know going in that this is a grab and go tool, not something you’d use to deep clean a whole car interior in one sitting.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight at 1.4 lbs, easy for anyone to use one handed
- Always-charged dock means it’s ready the instant you grab it
- Compact size makes it easy to store in a drawer or cabinet
Cons:
- Small 0.08 quart dust cup fills up fast on bigger messes
- Limited runtime compared to bulkier 20V models
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster 20V (AdvancedClean+)
This is the classic dustbuster shape scaled up with a proper 20V MAX lithium-ion battery, and it’s aimed at people who want more staying power than a tiny stick style vacuum can offer. Suction is rated around 35 AW, which is a real step up, and the two speed setting with a Powerboost mode gives you the option to save battery on light jobs and go all in when needed. The 750mL dustbin is genuinely large for a handheld, so you’re not stopping every two minutes to dump it out.
At 3.35 pounds it’s noticeably heavier than the Shark, so it’s less of a one handed quick-grab tool and more of a “sit down and actually clean the car” kind of vacuum. The built in crevice tool extends out of the body itself instead of being a separate attachment you have to keep track of, which is a small thing but genuinely convenient when you’re cleaning seat gaps or vents. This is the pick if you want power and capacity over pure portability.
Pros:
- Strong 35 AW suction rating with a boost mode for tougher messes
- Large 750mL dustbin means fewer stops to empty it
- Built-in extendable crevice tool, nothing extra to lose
Cons:
- Heavier at 3.35 lbs, less comfortable for one handed use
- Bulkier body makes it a bit awkward in tight spaces
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser (2390A)
This one is built specifically around pet hair, and it shows. The motorized brush tool is the star here, it’s designed to dig hair out of upholstery and car seats rather than just skim the surface, which is where a lot of general purpose handhelds fall short. It runs on a 14.4V battery with triple level filtration and a 0.7 liter dirt tank, giving you a solid middle ground on capacity between the tiny Shark and the bigger Black+Decker.
Runtime is rated around 20 minutes, which is enough for a full car interior or a couch cleaning session without needing to stop and recharge midway. It also comes with an upholstery tool and a crevice tool in addition to the motorized brush, so you’ve actually got three attachments covering different surface types. If you’ve got a shedding dog or cat and keep fighting hair that’s worked itself into fabric, this is the one built for that specific problem rather than general dust and crumbs.
Pros:
- Motorized brush tool actually pulls hair out of upholstery, not just surface pickup
- Three included tools cover upholstery, crevices, and embedded hair
- Roughly 20 minute runtime, enough for a full session without recharging
Cons:
- At 3 lbs it’s not the lightest option for quick one handed grabs
- No HEPA filtration, just triple level filtration, so allergy sufferers may want to look elsewhere
BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster AdvancedClean (CHV1410L)
This is a different model from the 20V pick above, running on a 16V MAX battery instead, and it leans more toward the compact and affordable end of the lineup. It’s one of the lighter options here at around 2.6 to 3 pounds depending on the source, and it comes with the classic rotating slim nozzle that swivels 180 degrees, plus a pull out crevice tool and a flip up brush for dusting.
Runtime tends to land around 9 to 10 minutes per charge, which is shorter than the Bissell or the bigger dustbuster, but the tradeoff is a lower price point and a genuinely long track record. This model has been a go-to pick for years because it’s simple, the translucent dirt bowl and filter are both washable so there’s no ongoing cost for replacement filters, and it does a reliably decent job on everyday messes like crumbs, dust, and light pet hair. It’s not going to out-suction the 20V version, but for someone who just wants a dependable backup vacuum without spending much, it holds up well.
Pros:
- Affordable and one of the lighter options on this listÂ
- Washable dirt bowl and filter means no recurring filter costs
- Rotating slim nozzle and flip up brush add real versatility for the price
Cons:
- Shorter runtime at around 9 to 10 minutes per charge
- Less suction power than the 20V dustbuster or the Bissell on tougher messes