Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission but this never affects our product choices.
The best handheld vacuum cleaners to buy in 2024
Life is messy with kids, but if you want to make it that little bit neater, a handheld vacuum cleaner can be a quick and easy way to clean up. Here's our pick of the best.
By Anna Cook | Last updated Jul 10, 2024
Has your child ever caused an epic cereal spillage right before you dash out the door? Or has your dog managed to shed enough hair to make a particularly large blanket? Yep, we’ve been there too.
When it’s just too much hassle to dig out your best vacuum cleaner, and setting up a robot vacuum cleaner is just too much of a faff, handheld vacuum cleaners can suck up mess in seconds. They also do a mighty fine job of keeping the car crumb-free too.
But which comes out on top? From Dyson to Shark, Here are the best handheld vacuum cleaners to buy right now, as recommended by parents.
If you're looking to get things looking shipshape at home, we also have handy guides to the best carpet cleaners, the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the best steam cleaners and the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair.
Best handheld vacuum cleaners at a glance
Best overall: Dyson V7 Trigger Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | Buy now, £200
Best budget: Bush Handheld Cordless Vacuum Cleaner | Buy now, £15
Best for pet hair: Shark HandVac CH950UKT | Buy now, £80
Best for stairs: Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | Buy now, £170
Best for allergies: VonHaus Bagless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | Buy now, £75
Best for cars: Black & Decker 12V Pivot Auto Dustbuster | Buy now, £50
Best compact: WORX WX030 CUBEVAC Vacuum Cleaner | Buy now, £110
Long run time
Burst function for tricky mess
Filtration system is great if you have asthma or allergies
It's a bit on the pricey side
Price: £200 | Weight: 1.38kg | Run time: 30 minutes | Capacity: 0.54l
Small in stature but powerful in functionality, this handheld vacuum cleaner is ideal for those who need an efficient, compact vacuum. It’s powered by the innovative Dyson V7 digital motor which means it's lighter and faster than ever before.Its state-of-the-art filtration system retains the highest levels of allergy-causing particles, so ideal if anyone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies. It specialises in sucking up ground-in dirt and animal hair, and has a useful low battery warning light.
Taking just over three hours to fully charge, you get 30 minutes of run time with the Dyson – much longer than most handhelds. If you're struggling with particularly ground-in mess, the burst function is also a great bonus.
Read next: The best budget vacuum cleaners - our favourite products under £200
Great value
Comes with a crevice tool
Suction not as powerful as some
Price: £15 | Weight: 1.4kg | Run time: 15 minutes | Capacity: 0.5l
For just £15, you can get a bargain with this Bush Handheld Cordless Vacuum. It even comes with a handy crevice tool included.
When you’ve filled it up, you can remove and empty the washable dust cup. The single cyclone filtration technology will stop debris from clogging the filter, which means you won't need to change it as often. It has a great run time at 15 minutes, and is nice and lightweight at only 1.4kg. The battery can’t be replaced though, which means once it doesn’t charge you have to throw it away.
Related: The best lightweight vacuums, tried and tested
Shark HandVac Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner
Shark’s technology for a bargain price
Great for pet hair
Only offers a 10-minute run time
Price: £79 | Weight: 1.39kg | Run time: 10 minutes | Capacity: 0.46l
Mumsnet users rave about full-size cordless Sharks, so it’s no surprise that they also love this handheld.
The HandVac is ideal if you have a pet as it comes with three handy accessories, including a Motorised Pet Tool to remove embedded pet hair from upholstery. It’s great value when you consider the cost of full-size Sharks and you still get Shark’s two-year warranty if you register your vacuum cleaner. The only downside is the run time – it lasts just 10 minutes before it needs to be recharged.
Read next: Get sparkling clean floors with our pick of the best floor cleaning products
Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Long run time
Powerful at picking up debris
Expensive if bought brand-new
Price: £159 | Weight: 1.5kg | Run time: 20 minutes | Capacity: 0.4l
Gtech, along with Dyson, is one of the brand names that comes up again and again on the Mumsnet forums. The Gtech comes in slightly cheaper than the Dyson, but it also has 10 minutes less run time (at just 20 minutes) and a slightly smaller capacity at 0.4 litres instead of 0.5.
But Gtech fans rave about its power and say that, when it comes to small spaces, pokey corners and grit-gathering cracks, the Gtech can take them all. Users also say it’s really good for stairs and upholstery.
Read next: Revive and refresh tired looking carpets with the best carpet shampoos
HEPA allergy filter
Vibration feature to help clean bacteria
Heavier than other models at over 3kg
Price: £65 | Weight: 3.19kg | Run time: N/A – it’s corded | Capacity: 1.2 litres
This model by VonHaus is great if you suffer from allergies as it has a HEPA filtration system. Plus, it comes with a whole host of other health benefits.
There’s an 8V UV light and a vibration feature which help to clean 99.95% of bacteria – these could lead to nasties like E. coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus – and it’s great at removing nasties from mattresses, curtains and other upholstery. It’s corded so less flexible than cordless models, but the plus side to this is that you don’t have to worry about running out of charge.
Read next: The best carpet cleaners, whether you want to tackle a tough stain or simply freshen them up, we've got a great selection of our users favourites
Corded so doesn’t run out of battery
Long cord that fits in the cigarette lighter
Only suitable for cars, so limited use
Price: £51 | Weight: 1.5kg | Run time: N/A – it’s corded | Capacity: 0.35l
This corded handheld vacuum is perfect for car cleaning as the charger fits into the 12V cigarette lighter. Its cord is five metres long so capable of reaching all corners of even the biggest cars.
The built-in extendable crevice tool gets crumbs out of the nooks and crannies of toddler car seats, and there are 10 different settings whether you’re removing the dust from delicate buttons or stubborn mud from the floor.
Quick charging time at just over an hour
Flexible hose for hard-to-reach areas
On the heavy side at over 2kg
Price: £110 | Weight: 2.2kg | Run time: 22 minutes | Capacity: 0.4l
The WORX offers a very solid and hardwearing unit for an affordable price. That means it’s heavier than many models at 2.22kg, but the extendable hose – at 48 inches – means you can place the unit on the floor while you access hard-to-reach areas.
It charges in just one hour and eight minutes and then you get 22 minutes of run time. The onboard storage means that the brush and crevice accessories are always with you when you need them. Even better, the crevice tool extends to reach into really tight spots.
Are handheld vacuums worth it?
Handheld vacuum cleaners are worth it if you’re looking for an occasional vacuum that can be used in hard to reach areas or for adhoc spills. Cordless handheld vacuums in particular are great for cleaning the car (if you have one).
How to choose a handheld vacuum cleaner
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a handheld vacuum:
Corded or cordless – with corded handhelds, you never have to think about charging, but cordless are much more convenient as you’re not restricted to being within cord distance of a plug.
Battery run time – if you choose a battery-operated handheld vacuum cleaner, then you need to consider the battery run time. Top-of-the-market models tend to last for 20 minutes (or half an hour if you’re lucky), but others need charging after as little as five minutes. Look out for an indicator to let you know when the battery is running low.
Weight – you’ll need something that’s lightweight so it’s easy to pick up and put down. Most weigh around 1.5kg, although they can weigh anywhere from 0.7 to 2.3kg. You won’t be using it for long, but the lighter it is the less likely it is to end up unused in the cupboard.
Accessories – if you have a pet, then a turbo pet tool for picking up stubborn hairs can help. Crevice tools are great for getting into the corners of stairs and underneath the sofa.
Storage – some handheld vacuums come with a charging dock so you can attach them to the wall. More basic versions just charge by plug.
Capacity – if you want to clean up a lot of mess and fur, then look for handheld vacuums that have a big storage capacity. Most have around 0.5 litres, which is around a quarter of a full-size vacuum cleaner.
How long do handheld vacuums last?
Handheld vacuums can last around two to three years depending on how often you use yours and how you look after it.
To maximise its life expectancy, you should regularly empty the dust bag and clean the filters to stop them from clogging up with dust, pollen, and bacteria particles.
You should also remove long hairs and debris from the motorised brush and try not to vacuum up too much Lego!
What's the best handheld vacuum cleaner?
There's a reason the Dyson V7 Trigger Handheld Vacuum Cleaner comes so highly recommended on the Mumsnet forums and that’s because you get a lot of features – including pet tools, allergy filters – and it’s built to last. We think it’s the best handheld vacuum to buy right now.
A very close second is the Gtech Multi MK2, which has a similar spec and is equally hardwearing.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
First up, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their advice on their favourite handheld vacuum cleaners, including feedback on the vacuums that they rate, recommend and use in their own homes.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnetters highlighted products that they felt did not meet their standards.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by cleaning experts and consumer champions such as Which?.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best handheld vacuum cleaners on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Currys and Argos to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Anna Cook has been a national magazine and newspaper journalist for 15 years, and appears regularly on TV and radio talking about parenting issues. She has two children.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.