Best handheld vacuum cleaners for 2024

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Whether you’re hoovering up crumbs in the car, muddy footprints in the hall or dust and cobwebs that seem to get everywhere, vacuuming can feel like a right chore. It can be hot, heavy work, too, but the best handheld vacuum cleaners are at, well, hand, to help you make light work of quick clean-ups.

More often than not, handheld vacuum cleaners are designed to be cordless, making them perfect for tackling the stairs, annoying hard-to-reach areas and even the car. Being wire-free can make cleaning quick and easy, and as brands constantly strive to improve their handheld vacuums, the gadgets are getting lighter and more versatile.

Don’t be fooled by their smaller size, either, as handheld models can still pack a punch, holding their own against more comprehensive vacuums. Suction power and functionality – it’s all there. The mini marvels are ideal for sorting out spills and everyday messes, such as the daily post-dinner crumb situation. Being lightweight, they’re super easy to flick about for a quick spruce up.

Some of the best cordless vacuum cleaners on the market come with a detachable handheld unit, meaning you can clean crumbs and mud off the car floor without having to heft the entire vacuum cleaner outside. For this review, we’ve focused on standalone handheld models, which are usually cheaper than two-in-one cordless vacs, but we’ve also paid attention to the best dual-purpose machines.

The battery power and bin capacity on most handheld vacuums mean they’re not capable of taking on a whole house (although some are – more on that later). Some are designed for workshops and sheds especially, and there are even ones for the garden. With all that in mind, keep scrolling to find the best handheld vacuum cleaner to suit your needs.

How we tested the best handheld vacuum cleaners

We spent three weeks testing handheld vacuums in a busy family house where crumbs are a real mainstay, as well as in the car (crumbs there too – thanks, kids), and we tested in the garden where appropriate, too.

Factors we looked at were how much debris the vacuums were sucking up, how long they worked for before running out of juice, the weight and ease of use. Other things we liked to see were handy attachments and a decent docking station. As ever, value for money was a big factor in weighing up the vacuums, too. Here are the best handheld vacuum cleaners that blitzed the competition.

The best handheld vacuum cleaners for 2024 are: