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Photo: Molly Higgins
Riccar Gem Handheld Vacuum With Tools for $70: This model is very similar to the Easy-wired model above, and although it’s portable and handheld, this big guy needs to be plugged in to get power. I like how basic it is: It just has a top on/off switch, and a button on top to release the dust bowl, which is on the front of this model rather than the back. Once removed, you just need to pull the semi-spherical fabric mesh filter and throw away the trash. Unfortunately, a lot of hair and dust sticks to the filter, so you’ll need to make sure to wipe it down with a rag to clean it. It comes with several attachments, including a curved hose, a long nozzle with a detachable brush, an upholstery brush, and a dust brush. Instead of twisting or breaking, each attachment fits perfectly into the open area, making it easier for those with motor problems. I liked that the long, bendable hose easily reached the tight spots between my counter and refrigerator and behind my automatic litter box. A corded machine is noisy and heats up quickly just because of its power. While I don’t think this is the best handheld vac for everyone, it is a solid option with great power.
Photo: Molly Higgins
Tineco Go Mini Cordless Hand Vacuum for $200: A lightweight vacuum that is fairly upright and charges up to the end of the handle, the Tineco Go should charge five to six hours before use, giving you 10 to 20 minutes of use time. The main things I wanted to focus on cleaning in my daily life were cat litter and pet hair. This vacuum spat out about 80 percent of the trash I tried to vacuum up, and the pet hair just rolled onto the carpet instead of being sucked back into the vacuum. (I’m not sure if it was the angle or the position of the mouthpiece that contributed to both of those problems.) The suction wasn’t as strong as others tested, and it tends to work very well in tight spaces. This vac wasn’t bad, on average, but others on this list at similar price points worked much more effectively in many different areas (with multiple attachment heads) than this one seemed to.
Photo: Molly Higgins
Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum for $45: It’s not the most powerful I’ve tested, but it’s lightweight and very easy to maneuver. It comes with a multi-tool that includes a long, thin crevice tool and a moving brush (the brush moves up and down the tool depending on need), but you can also use a vac without the small attachment to clean the surface. The small front 0.1-liter levac turns empty, and the small double filter can be removed for cleaning/replacement. When I tested, I couldn’t successfully pick up large objects like wooden poles or trash, and I picked up part of the pet hair like some powerful models with a folding brush, but I didn’t expect it—that’s not the job of this cutie. It’s lightweight, compact, and easy to use—making it a very lightweight portable option (just don’t expect it to carry a lot of damage).
Photo: Molly Higgins
Hoto AutoCare Air Duster & Vacuum for $60: Looking for a lightweight (0.78 pounds) vacuum that can vacuum debris/dust, blow and dust, and vacuum-seal? Hoto might fit. It has many attachments: a sharp nozzle, a dust brush, a dust cup nozzle, an air nozzle, and a swimming ring nozzle. It can hold just over 3 ounces, has 20,000 Pa suction, and each attachment easily twists on and off. I have found that the head of a grooming brush tends to push fur/hair rather than absorb it. Like many of the gadgets we review here at WIRED, this one fell into the trap of trying to do too many things, rather than doing one thing very well. This is a great all-around device (if that’s what you need), but if you’re looking for a great handheld vacuum, there are others that work better.
Photo: Nena Farrell
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $74: Phone reviewer Nena Farrell thought this handheld cordless vacuum was perfect for cars and hard-to-reach areas thanks to its 4-foot hose. It has a crevice tool and a pet hair brush attachment of various particles, and it runs on a 20-volt lithium-ion battery that delivers high suction power. Also, it has a convenient charging mount to which accessories can be attached. However, we are not fans of the short 15 minute battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
I measured the power and the actual power time for the total amount and level, assuming a typical charge of four hours and getting less than half an hour of run time—that won’t work for some people. Since many of these come with attachments for specific needs, I made sure to test each one on multiple surfaces, such as rugs, carpet, hardwood, stairs, counters, cracks, inside my car, on furniture, and even between pipes and curtains. I also experimented with different types of dirt (no liquids), mostly focusing on my big personal gripes—cat litter and pet hair.
Pay particular attention to factors such as charging and usage time, as well as power (such as voltage) and attachments provided. If you work in construction and need a handheld vacuum cleaner, I’d recommend something like the Ryobi, while if you’re looking for a lightweight travel vacuum, the AeroSlim might be a better fit. It is also important to look at charging versus usage time. Some of these last less than 15 minutes and are a little wasteful, so if you have a big project, you’ll need to consider that.
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