Portable Handheld Vacuum

Handheld vacuums are a great option if you’re looking to clean small spills around the home. They’re lightweight and portable, and due to their small size, they’re handy when tackling more difficult or uneven terrain, like inside your car or on your stairs. Some stick or canister vacuums also have a handheld configuration, making them even more versatile if you need to clean larger areas. Unfortunately, handheld vacuums tend to have small dirt compartments. If they’re cordless, they may also have a shorter continuous battery life than non-handheld vacuums.

We’ve tested over 155 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best portable vacuums with a handheld design you can buy. These picks are selected for their performance on different surfaces, as well as their feature set, battery life, and price. For more options, see our lists of the best lightweight vacuums, the best vacuum for stairs, the best car vacuums, the best Dyson vacuums, and the best cordless vacuums.