5 Best Cordless HandHeld Vacuums: Great Tools for Small Messes

Handheld vacuums are great tools to have to clean up small messes.

If you have children, this is a must have to clean up that messy trail of chips or cheerios.

So let’s have a close look 5 of the best handheld vacuums.

The list I have here will be for both cordless and corded variants.

The Black & Decker BDH2000FL still tops the list because of its relatively low price point and versatility thanks to the flexible 4-foot hose that can be stretched out to up to five feet!

It also has interchangeable tools similar to a Dyson that enables it to clean not just dust but also pet hair on upholstery and tight spots around your home.

Next handheld on the list is the Bissell Multi which is another option with a hose. The main difference between this and the Black & Decker would be the motorized attachment that the Bissell has that you can attach directly on the hose.

This feature allows this handheld to clean more efficiently on fabric upholstery and carpet stairs.

It’s a bit more expensive than the Black & Decker, and there are some quality issues with the hose according to reviews, so it isn’t ranked as high.

The Dyson DC59 MotorHead is very close behind at third and easily the most expensive of the bunch. It’s got the most power and the only one capable of cleaning floors.

If power is a top priority for you, then go with the Dyson V7 Trigger. It’s easily the most powerful handheld available right now. This variant comes with a mini-turbo brush, crevice and a combo tool that can clean virtually any part of your home.

A short history on handheld vacuums and why you need a handheld

Handheld vacuums have come a long way since Carol Gantz introduced the first cordless dustbuster in 1979.

The idea was good.

But the execution was lacking as early generation handhelds had weak suction and poor run time.

However, technology is improving which makes these the latest batch of handhelds worth looking. Newer variants come with more extended running batteries, better tools and cleaning performance.

Some models like the Dyson DC59 are good enough to be standalone cleaners inside homes with hard floors.

These tools are must-haves for quick clean up tasks were lugging a heavy upright vacuum isn’t practical. It’s the perfect tandem to a larger, deep cleaning upright or canister vacuum.

Here are 5 of the best options right now.

Spec comparison

$ = below $50, $$ = $51 – $100, $$$ = $101 to $200, $$$$ = $201 and up

How to choose a handheld vacuum?

Here are the seven things you need to look for in a good handheld vacuum.

1. The first thing you need to check is the weight.

Ideally, an excellent cordless should weigh 5 pounds or less. If it weighs more than 5 pounds, it can be too straining on the wrist when moving it around.

2. Tools

Any good handheld should have (at least) both a crevice and brush tool. These tools will clean most of your home from upholstery to appliance.

Pet owners should look for something with mini turbo brush. However, vacuums with this tool are more expensive.

If you want more reach and maneuverability, then get something with a hose. A hose will help you clean tightest crevices between furniture, inside your vehicle and much more.

3. Lithium-ion battery

Avoid buying products with a NiCad battery because this type of battery is notorious to power fading and takes too long to recharge. It also will not run as long as a Li-Ion battery.

4. Power

Getting something with good power is also essential. Having a powerful handheld will improve the efficiency of the machine and allow you to clean up faster. The baseline that I use would be the power produced by Dyson handhelds.

Their V7 Trigger, for example, produces around 24 air watts in normal mode and 100 air watts in max mode. Get something at least close to the 24 air watt figure from a Dyson.

To give you an idea of how this compares to an upright, consider that a Dyson upright will top out at 295 air watts.

5. Run time

Get a handheld that will run at least 15 minutes. It’s a benchmark I like to use in all cordless vacuums. Most spot cleaning tasks will take around 10 to 15 minutes. If you rely on your handheld to clean inside a vehicle, get something that will run at least 20 minutes.

6. Price

You can get a good handheld for around $60. High-end options will cost between $200 and $300 but will have better quality and cleaning performance.

7. Warranty

Having a standard 1-year warranty is nice but if you can get something with more that would be a deal maker for me.

The Black & Decker BDH2000FL isn’t the best per se. But it combines compact design, reach, and versatility.

It has enough attachments that can clean a lot of areas other than floors.

Plus it isn’t too expensive at just below $100.

This handheld only weighs 3.8 pounds. So it’s light enough to move around.

Why is it number 1?

One feature I like is the 4-foot flexible hose that extends the reach. Black & Decker lists it as four feet, but you can extend it up to 5 feet which will provide you a lot of coverage.

It would be a great tool to have cleaning your vehicle because you don’t have to carry the whole vacuum all the time.

The hose allows you to put more pressure on the surface to clean stuff like pet hair.

If you’d try this on vacuums with pull out attachments, there is a risk of pushing the tool back in if the lock isn’t sturdy enough.

What makes this a great buy is the attachments. It has 3 of them.

There are the crevice and brush tool for crevices and cleaning up dust. And there’s the pet hair attachment.

Pet owners will love this vacuum.

It comes with an oddly designed pet hair attachment that according to reviews is effective in removing pet hair off upholstery.

Combine this with the flexible hose you have a useful combo for removing pet hair.

The 20-volt lithium ion battery takes roughly 5 hours to charge fully. It’ll runs for 16 minutes based on a test done by Tools in Action.

What are the downsides?

The dirt container is rather small. And can be messy to empty static-filled pet hair and dust.

Also in terms of pure suction power, this one falls behind other Black & Decker handhelds like the PHV1810, FHV1200, and BDH2000FL.

But this is made up by the versatility of the stretchable hose and availability of a pet hair attachment.

Another issue would be the battery.

You won’t be able to replace it, so when it fails, you’ll have to send this back for repairs.

Or call them up and see if it’s possible for them to send you a new unit if it’s still under warranty.

Fortunately, this handheld comes with a lithium-ion battery that should last for years if you take the proper measures to care for it.

Bottom line: In terms of maneuverability, power, price, and overall versatility, it is hard to beat the Black & Decker BDH2000FL with its bevy of tools. My favorite is the flexible hose that extends the reach and areas it is capable of cleaning.

A few years back, Gtech came with a product that they felt would challenge Dyson.

They just called it the Gtech Multi. It was not much of a success in the U.S. Fast forward a few years, and we have a product that’s a drop-dead copycat – the Bissell Multi 1985.

Gtech didn’t sue Bissell for copyright infringement, so I guess they’re using their reach in the United States to extend their reach.

One reason I put this at number 2 is the price. This variant is a little bit more expensive than the Black & Decker. However, what you’re paying more is better functionality and usability. Let’s find out below.

Why is the Bissell Multi a good option?

Like the Black & Decker BDH2000FL, this handheld is a unique feature not found in many other variants – a flexible hose.

This feature alone makes this a worthwhile option in any sized home – big or small.

Add to that the interchangeable tools that include a mini-turbo brush, you’ll have something handy not just for cleaning dust but also pet hair.

The Multi comes with a total of 3 attachments – crevice, brush, and mini-turbo brush.

What are the potential issues?

One potential issue would be the pullout hose. The plastic that Bissell uses isn’t of high quality. It’s thin and prone to tearing if you’re not careful.

The hose also lacks length. It’s shorter than the Black & Decker BDH2000FL’s hose of five feet. It means it won’t have as much reach.

Run time isn’t very long at just 14 minutes. Expect it to run less if you use the mini-turbo brush since the brush uses some current.

Though some consumers say that they’ve gotten up to 30 minutes, others got close to 15 minutes.

Bottom line: The Bissell Multi provides more functionality than the Black & Decker BL2000FL, but it’ll cost a little bit more. It is a better option if you need something that can clean pet hair on upholstery.

If you have some $$$ to burn then the Dyson DC59 MotorHead is a great option. Of the vacuums in this list, this is the most versatile.

With a bevy of interchangeable tools, this handheld/stick vacuum will clean every part of your home.

And with the release of the Dyson V8 and now V10, this variant is a bargain.

Note: The Dyson V7 MotorHead is also available that comes with the upgraded dirt bin that’s easier to empty and the slide switch for the max function. It’ll also run a little bit longer than the DC59. However, it does not come with the mini turbo brush that works great at cleaning pet hair on upholstery. It’s the cheaper option and something you might want to look at.

This MotorHead comes with the same bristle brush roll as the V6 Absolute. So it has more agitation and will clean better on the carpet.

Take note that the DC59 is the same as the Dyson V6. Both variants use the same motor and will have the same power and run time.

Why is it number 3?

The main cleaning head has a motor that powers the motorized brush resulting in 75% more agitation compared to the previous generation DC44.

Not only is it more powerful, but the motorized brush also has a larger diameter.

It means that it is possible to deep clean low to medium pile carpet with a cordless vacuum.

You can use this newly designed motorized floor tool on floors as a stick and stairs as a handheld. It is the great thing about this brand – the versatility it gives you but at a premium.

It also includes other attachments like a crevice, mini motorized brush and brush tool to tackle different parts of your home.

What are the downsides?

The biggest one would be the price. This product will cost more than $300 which is the same price as a Dyson upright or canister. Heck, it costs more than a Miele, but this is the price you pay for cordless technology.

Cleaning large debris like cheerios will be a chore because of the low profile opening. So it’ll snowplow through these types of dirt on bare floors.

A better option if your home only has hard floor would be the Dyson V6 Fluffy that comes with the soft roller cleaning head that will inhale large bits of dirt easy.

Other options would include the Shark IONFlex Duo Clean or the Hoover Linx Stick.

But for finer stuff like dust, powder, dust bunnies, cobwebs, and crushed biscuits, this will do a great job.

Do you want to see it in action?

Well here’s a big mess test on hardwood and carpet to demonstrate the suction power. Spoiler: it picks up a lot!

Bottom line: The Dyson DC59 Motorhead is hands down the best performing vacuum of the bunch. But since this article is about handhelds, it would be a disservice to pick this over the two Black & Decker vacuums above. The only reason you’ll choose this is if you want something with the capability of cleaning floors.

The Dyson V7 is a hybrid of the V6 and V8 meaning it combines feature from both variants. One of the biggest complaints from the Dyson V6 would be how messy it can be to empty the bin.

And the V7 solves this by adapting the bin found in the V8.

What makes the V7 Trigger a good handheld vacuum?

One of the best qualities of a Dyson cordless is the quality.

The tools you’ll get are all interchangeable. If you’re planning on using this inside your vehicle, then get the optional hose package.

Removing and attaching the three tools isn’t hard at all thanks to the locking mechanism that holds it in place.

It’s these little things that allow a product like this to last a lot longer than a cheap Chinese knockoff.

So let’s say you save $100 buying a cheap vacuum, but you have to replace it as often. It will all add up, and you’ll end up spending as much if not more because you’ll need to replace it more often.

Some potential issues

The biggest downside to any Dyson product would be the price. This handheld will cost over $170. If you want the same variant with HEPA filtration, it’ll cost around $180.

Out of the box, this machine does not come with the hose attachment. You’ll have to spend an extra $30 for the tool kit. It’s an additional expense, but it will extend the reach of this handheld.

Bottom line: The Dyson V7 Trigger is a great but expensive handheld option that will clean up dirt on upholstery, stairs, and even your mattress. If you don’t mind spending $170++ for it, this is a great high-quality option that will help keep your home clean.

Finding a handheld vacuum with a brush roll is pretty rare. And finding one that performs decently is even harder. So when I saw this Bissell, I had to check it out.

It is the second “Pet Hair Eraser” that Bissell is selling.

The first one came in with a cord, but it did not have any motorized brush.

It used a ribbed mechanism made from flexible rubber that agitates dirt when scrubbing the surface.

While this design works pretty well, it isn’t as efficient as a motorized brush because you’ll have to push down to agitate.

Another downside is the cord which pretty much limits you to areas with an outlet nearby.

No more cords

Not having a wire makes it possible to use this vacuum inside a vehicle.

That is a cordless handheld like this comes into play, and it comes with all the tools you need for spot cleaning a lot of nooks and crannies.

Some issues

The biggest downside would be the battery, instead of using a lithium-ion battery it uses a NiCad battery that adds to the weight and prone to power fade.

And it does not have any hose that would allow it to reach hard to reach spots such as your car’s interior or areas around your sofa’s cushions.

You are entirely dependent on the crevice tool for such areas.

Other than that, this is a pretty good product for cleaning dust and grime off upholstery thanks to the motorized brush.

Bottom line: This new and improved version of the Pet Hair Eraser is a great budget option if you don’t want to spend over $60 for any of the options above. It still comes with a motorized brush to help pick up pet hair and other embedded dirt on upholstery. But it comes with a NiCad battery so expect power fade and a more substantial product because of it.

Corded handheld vacuum options

All of the options above feature cordless vacuums that in my opinion would be best suited for spot cleanup tasks.

But just in case you need more power for specific tasks here are some options with a cord.

The Eureka EasyClean 71B is one of the best handhelds out there regardless of whether it is corded or not.

It has stiff bristles makes it handy for cleaning pet hair on stairs and upholstery.

Combine that with the “Riser Visor” feature; you’ll have the flexibility of cleaning horizontal and vertical areas of carpeted stairs, neat right?

It also comes with a detachable hose for cleaning hard to reach areas like edges of sofas or chairs and the spaces between sofa cushions.

The corded feature plus the motorized brush gives this vacuum decent cleaning power for cleaning sofas and mattresses.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for an upholstery cleaner that is lightweight and versatile then the EasyClean will be a great option. It also works excellent cleaning stairs.

One reason I vacuum with a hose is that it gives you better control of what you’re cleaning.

Having this feature allows you to go to areas a vacuum without it can’t.

This handheld from Shark is one of only a handful of vacuums that has a hose. You can attach any of the tools (crevice and brush) on it and clean away dirt from vents, chair, sofas and much more.

Unfortunately, you can’t attach the mini turbo brush on it.

It comes with a 15-foot power cord which isn’t long should be sufficient enough for most tasks.

One advantage that a cord has over something cordless would be the constant power. You don’t have to worry about it shutting down when power runs out in the battery.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a cheap alternative to an expensive Dyson handheld, this is a great option. It comes with a versatile enough toolset to clean most areas in your home. The best part is it costs just around $90. However, it has a cord, so you’re limited by the length of it.

The verdict

Even if it isn’t the most powerful vacuum in this list, the Black & Decker BDH2000FL is about as versatile as they come thanks to the flexible hose and unique pet hair tool.

It has just enough suction to clean small spills and runs long enough to spot clean, even for a quick clean up inside the car.

The lithium ion battery ensures minimal power fade plus it will last longer than any NiCad powered handheld.

Bissell also provides similar versatility as the Black & Decker but at a higher cost.

The Dyson DC59 MotorHead is hands down option if you want something capable of cleaning floors. It’s a bit more expensive but worth the cost since it comes with useful tools capable of cleaning most parts of your home.

It is pricey for a handheld but easily the best performing option in the group.

You can opt for any of the handheld options in their V6 product line depending on your need, but even the cheapest variant will still be much more expensive than any of the Black & Decker handhelds in this list.