The best handheld vacuums: portable, compact and convenient cleaning

Handheld vacuums are the ultimate cleaning sidekicks. They're compact, convenient, and versatile enough to tackle messes anywhere in your home, car, or even office. Whether it's a spill on your couch, pet hair on your car seats, or crumbs in your keyboard, a handheld vacuum cleaner can handle it all. And, let's be real, who has the time or energy to lug around a bulky vacuum cleaner just to clean a small mess?

From cordless options for easy manoeuvrability to rechargeable models for on-the-go cleaning, the market is overflowing with different handheld vacuums. It can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs, but don't worry - that's where we come in.

We at The Recommended have scoured the internet and researched the best handheld vacuums available to buy online to bring you our list of the best. We've also included stats on how much each model costs to run to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're in the market for a vacuum cleaner for your car, a powerful portable vacuum cleaner, or just a convenient cleaning tool for quick messes, our list has got you covered.

And, to top it all off, we've answered some frequently asked questions about handheld vacuums at the bottom of this page. So, sit back, grab a snack, and get ready to discover the best handheld vacuum cleaners that will revolutionise your cleaning routine. Trust us, you'll never look back!

The best handheld vacuums at-a-glance:

• Best filtering handheld vacuum: VacLife Handheld Vacuum
• Best vacuum for your car: ThisWorx Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
• Best multi-use handheld vacuum: Bolweo Handheld Vacuum
• Best lightweight vacuum: Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
• Best quick-charging vacuum: Lyxll Handheld Vacuum
• Best durable handheld vacuum: Uraqt Handheld Vacuum
• Best stylish handheld vacuum: Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum
• Best vacuum for daily use: Oraimo Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
• Best versatile vacuum: Gtech Multi Handheld Vacuum
• Best compact handheld vacuum: Temola Rechargeable Handheld Vacuum

The best handheld vacuums

Best filtering handheld vacuum: VacLife Handheld Vacuum

Clean anywhere, anytime

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.02p

This handheld vacuum features advanced HEPA filtration, a washable dustbin, and a long-lasting battery. With powerful suction and versatile attachments, it's perfect for cleaning cars and homes.

This vacuum’s HEPA filtration system is designed to trap even the smallest particles, ensuring clean and healthy air in your home. It comes with a crevice tool and brush, allowing you to clean a wide variety of surfaces, including furniture, car interiors, and more. The dustbin is also washable, which makes maintaining the vacuum a breeze.

The VacLife Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 120W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 2p per 30 minutes of use.

Best vacuum for your car: ThisWorx Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Reach all the nooks and crannies

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.02p

Plug this mini handheld vacuum into any 12V aux outlet and keep the dirt, dust and crumbs at bay. Complete with a strong suction and large dust bin capacity, this is a powerful gadget for the car.

Ideal for on-the-go use, this handy vacuum is compact and lightweight to store away and features three interchangeable attachments for the deepest of cleans. Use the flathead hose for hard-to-reach areas, the extension tube to reach under seats, and the brush head for carpentry and upholstery. A travel bag is also included.

ThisWorx Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 106W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 2p per 30 minutes of use.

Best multi-use handheld vacuum: Bolweo Handheld Vacuum

For all surface types

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.02p

With four interchangeable attachments, including a dusting brush, crevice tool, flexible hose and liquid nozzle for unexpected spillages, tackle the toughest of spots with this handheld vacuum.

This versatile vacuum can be used on wet and dry surfaces and operates at a low noise level for limited disturbance. Charge up before using and engage with the powerful suction for spotless results. It features a washable and reusable filter for a durable and long-lasting appliance.

The Bolweo Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 120W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 2p per 30 minutes of use.

Best lightweight vacuum: Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

For indoor and outdoor use

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.03p

This handheld vacuum weighs just 1.3kg, taking the hassle out of cleaning and making it very easy to use. It has a 20-minute run time and a long-lasting filter.

Designed to tackle stubborn dirt with its high suction power, this vacuum can be used on a range of surfaces inside and out, whether floors, cars or fabrics. It features different accessories for all types of cleaning, including extension tubes and nozzles to reach the tightest of spots.

The Bosch Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 180W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 3p per 30 minutes of use.

Best wet and dry vacuum: Lyxll Handheld Vacuum

Portable and easy to use

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.02p

Designed for dry and wet use, this flexible handheld vacuum is a super convenient addition to your home, office or car. Featuring a high-power motor, it can run for 20-30 minutes at a time.

This vacuum uses a nano-level multi-layer filter to absorb all sorts of dirt and liquids and has a smart 180° rotatable handle to conquer all difficult-to-reach corners and crevices. It also comes with a brush and flat nozzle for different surfaces and small spaces, and its high-density filter is reusable.

The Lyxll Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 120W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 2p per 30 minutes of use.

Best durable handheld vacuum: Uraqt Handheld Vacuum

With extra cleaning accessories

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.02p

Reach every position with this lightweight, handheld vacuum with powerful suction. It has attachments for all cleaning scenarios, including a crevice nozzle, brush nozzle, and multiple hose connectors.

The dust container has a large capacity to complete a deep clean, and the high-density filter is detachable and easy to maintain for a durable option. Whether you’re targeting flat surfaces, tiny corners or dusty stairs, this vacuum will fully charge in less than four hours and has a run time of 30 minutes.

The Uraqt Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 120W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 2p per 30 minutes of use.

Best stylish handheld vacuum: Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum

Slim and sleek

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.03p

Quickly remove dirt from your home, office or car with this easy-to-operate, compact and lightweight Shark handheld vacuum that’s easy to store away thanks to its slimline upright charging stand.

This vacuum comes with two attachments, a duster crevice tool and a multi-surface pet tool, ideal for busy households with lots of traffic. It will run for up to 15 minutes, has two power modes for impressive suction and features an easy-empty dust cap for mess-free disposal of debris.

The Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 160W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 3p per 30 minutes of use.

Best vacuum for daily use: Oraimo Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

For a universal clean

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.02p

This vacuum will pick up everything from dust and food crumbs to sand and pet hair, making it the perfect everyday appliance for every household.

Ultra small and lightweight, this cordless handheld vacuum is easy to carry and store away. It has a high-speed motor with a strong suction and includes brush and crevice nozzle attachments for deep cleaning in the trickiest of spots to get to. It also features a washable HEPA filter which is reusable and eco-friendly.

The Oraimo Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 100W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 2p per 30 minutes of use.

Best versatile vacuum: Gtech Multi Handheld Vacuum

Slick and sophisticated

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.01p

Clean up small spaces, awkward cracks and tricky crevices with this super flexible and versatile vacuum. Use the crevice tool to get between gaps and the dusting brush for upholstery.

This handheld vacuum is cordless and lightweight for the ultimate convenience. It has a 20-minute run time once fully charged up and features a handy LED display to show its battery status. Flip the latch to easily empty the vacuum and use it over and over again for a reliable clean.

The Gtech Multi Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 44W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 1p per 30 minutes of use.

Best compact handheld vacuum: Temola Rechargeable Handheld Vacuum

Fast-charging and powerful

• Estimated running cost per 30 mins: £0.02p

Access tight spaces with this handheld vacuum that’s easy to manoeuvre for a fast but thorough clean. Its ergonomic design is small and compact, featuring a strong suction to remove all sorts of dirt.

This vacuum is ideal for the home, office or car and comes with a useful drawstring bag for simple and neat storage. It will run for up to 20 minutes at a time, has a high-capacity dustbin, and its HEPA filters are removable and washable. A dust brush tool and crevice nozzle are included.

The Temola Handheld Vacuum has a wattage of 120W. Based on a kilowatt-hour price of 34p, it costs approximately 2p per 30 minutes of use.

What is a handheld vacuum, and how does it work?

A handheld vacuum is a compact and portable cleaning tool that is designed for cleaning small spaces and tackling quick messes. Handheld vacuums work by using a motor to generate suction that pulls dirt and debris into a dustbin. Unlike traditional vacuum cleaners, handheld vacuums are lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and can be used for quick cleaning jobs without having to move heavy equipment around.

How much does it cost to run a handheld vacuum cleaner?

The cost of running a handheld vacuum cleaner depends on several factors, including the wattage of the device and the frequency of use. On average, handheld vacuums consume between 100-300 watts of power. To calculate the cost of running a handheld vacuum cleaner, you need to determine how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) the device uses and multiply this by the cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour.

In the UK, the average cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour is around 34 pence. For example, if you use a handheld vacuum cleaner that consumes 150 watts of power for 30 minutes, it would use 75 watt-hours. Dividing this by 1000 gives us the kilowatt-hour use, which is 0.075kWh. Multiply this by the average cost per kilowatt-hour (35 pence), and the cost of running the device for this period would be around 2.55 pence.

We’ve done this calculation for each of the handheld vacuum cleaners on our list to give an idea of how much it will cost to run each vacuum for 30 minutes.

It's important to keep in mind that these are rough calculations, and the actual cost of running a handheld vacuum cleaner may vary depending on your specific usage and the cost of electricity in your area. Nevertheless, handheld vacuum cleaners are relatively inexpensive to run and can help you save money on your cleaning costs in the long run.

What are the benefits of using a handheld vacuum?

One of the key benefits of using a handheld vacuum is its portability and versatility. You can easily clean upholstery, stairs, cars, or any hard-to-reach areas without having to drag around a heavy and bulky vacuum cleaner. Handheld vacuums are also easy to store and take up minimal space, making them a convenient cleaning solution.

How powerful is a handheld vacuum in terms of suction power?

In terms of suction power, handheld vacuums can vary. Some models have powerful motors that provide strong suction, while others may have weaker suction but are designed for more specific cleaning tasks.

What are the attachments that come with a handheld vacuum, and how do I use them?

Handheld vacuums often come with attachments such as crevice tools, dusting brushes, and upholstery tools. These attachments allow you to clean different surfaces and areas more effectively. To use the attachments, simply attach the tool to the end of the vacuum and adjust the setting to match the surface you're cleaning. With the right attachment, you can clean furniture, car interiors, and tight spaces with ease.

How long does the battery last, and how long does it take to charge?

The battery life of a handheld vacuum can vary depending on the model, but most handheld vacuums last for around 15-30 minutes on a single charge. The charging time can also vary, but most handheld vacuums take approximately 4-6 hours to fully charge.

Is a handheld vacuum easy to use and maintain?

Handheld vacuums are generally easy to use and maintain. They come with simple controls and do not require much assembly. Most handheld vacuums are also easy to clean and maintain. Simply empty the dustbin and wash the filters regularly to keep the vacuum functioning properly.

How does a handheld vacuum compare in terms of cost-effectiveness?

In terms of cost-effectiveness, handheld vacuums can be a more affordable option than traditional vacuum cleaners, especially if you're looking for a secondary cleaning tool. Handheld vacuums are also more convenient to use and store, which can be a factor to consider when evaluating cost-effectiveness.

Can I use a handheld vacuum for quick messes or for deep cleaning?

Handheld vacuums are great for quick messes and for spot cleaning, but they may not be suitable for deep cleaning a large area. For deep cleaning, a traditional vacuum cleaner is likely to be more effective, but for quick clean-ups and spot cleaning, a handheld vacuum can be a lifesaver.

This article was created with the help of the AI tool ChatGPT. The Recommended’s team of human writers and editors fact-check and edit all content to ensure accuracy.

If you want to read more expert-recommended round-ups and product guides, check out our Household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations, including the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the best steam mops, and the best kitchen bins.