The 7 Best Handheld Vacuums and Dustbusters of 2024, Tested by Real People

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Dirt and pet hair didn’t stand a chance next to our top picks from Shark, Bissell, and Black and Decker

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People / Dera Burreson

Although the name “dustbuster” is often associated with handheld vacuums, it's actually a name trademarked by Black and Decker. It refers to a small vacuum you carry in one hand that's designed to clean those tiny, hard-to-reach areas. Some handheld models have a small hose attached to the cleaning head, so they require two hands to operate, similar to full-sized canister vacuums. While these two compact vacuums are different, they both accomplish the same thing: quick, convenient cleaning.

To find the best handheld vacuums and dustbusters, we tested 30 models in a range of sizes to discover the best for vacuuming up dirt, crumbs, hair, and much more. We tested these vacuums for 11 hours in our lab, then took them home to try in real-life scenarios. Each vacuum was evaluated for setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, and noise level.

Two internal air streams offer double the suction

Dustbin held a lot of debris

High performance for the price

No battery-life indicator

This lithium battery-powered vacuum was a powerhouse when it came to suction, removing crushed-up cereal and tangled strands of hair from carpets and car seats alike with just one pass. The cordless device includes a dual cyclonic air stream system for double the amount of suction compared to a normal vacuum, resulting in faster and more efficient cleans. We were impressed with how quickly this vacuum worked on all the surfaces we tested.

We also appreciated the attachment heads that came with it — a crevice tool and scrubbing brush — which were incredibly helpful in accessing hard-to-reach areas. Another perk was the spacious dustbin, which held so much debris that we were able to complete several tests before needing to empty it.

But even though its suction is superb, we did notice a few larger morsels fall out of the machine after we’d shut it off. We also wished it had a digital indicator of how much battery was left after use. However, we never ran into the issue of losing power before our tests were complete because of how quickly this strong vacuum worked its magic.

This handheld continues to be reliable for cleaning up our day-to-day messes after months of use. We love how little we have to charge it (we can go days with several uses without needing to plug it in), and how easy it is to store because of its small size.

Battery Life: 15 minutes | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 17.28 ounces | Attachments: Crevice tool, scrubbing brush | HEPA Filter: No

Easy-empty dustbin

Crevice tool effectively cleans small openings

High suction may stick to some surfaces

Everyone knows Shark vacuums for their savvy and sleek designs, which is why it was no surprise that we loved the super lightweight and luxe Shark Wandvac. It was easy for this vacuum to pass over all of our surfaces and suck up our messes, though the suction was so strong that it sometimes stuck to the fabric of our high chairs and upholstery. We liked how easy (and clean) emptying the dustbin was — just the click of a button triggered the bin to release the debris we had accumulated during our tests.

While it performed well, we do think it is a little overpriced. If you want a more affordable option, the IonVac we also tested has very similar functions to this more high-end one. However, no one can deny the power of the Shark name, so if you’re itching for the Wandvac, you should go with ol' reliable.

Though our cleaning spurts have been short, we’ve found ourselves reaching for the Wandvac about four times per week over six months and never had issues with battery life. The suction continued to impress us, though it was hard to get in between cushions and pull up cat hair from fabric surfaces. We liked that it was small enough to get behind a chair but also that its design was attractive enough to have out.

Battery Life: 10-15 minutes | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Bin Capacity: 0.08 quarts | Attachments: Duster crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool | HEPA Filter: No

Great at sucking up kibble

Quieter than others we've tried

Super light and portable

Not the best at removing larger debris from carpeting

If you have a furry friend, you understand the challenge of cleaning up pet hair. When testing pet hair vacuums, we found the best handheld option to be the Black and Decker Furbuster AdvancedClean+, a powerful tool with an extra-long crevice attachment to easily get into nooks and crannies. This high-suction vacuum has 20 volts of power and effectively removed all the fine hairs from our hard floors, carpets, and upholstery. It could even suck up bits of kibble that we’d littered around, making this an even better option for people with particularly messy pets.

It did struggle a bit at getting bits of food up from the carpet, but it was entirely effective at cleaning our couches and other miscellaneous floor types that collect our pets’ hair. The canister is smaller than some of the others we tested, which means you will need to empty it more frequently.

Battery Life: 13 minutes | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Bin Capacity: 25.3 ounces | Attachments: Crevice tool, motorized pet brush | HEPA Filter: No

Easy to assemble

Mess-free, button-activated debris disposal

Compact and easy to store

Short battery life when used on high setting

When you've got a big mess on your hands, you need a powerful handheld vacuum. This easy-to-assemble model was powerful enough to suck up all of our messes thanks to its two-level power modes and two attachments, plus a hose for more detailed cleaning.

We liked how easy it was to carry this vacuum around. It weighs only 3 pounds but has the horsepower of a much bigger machine. The hose and extra attachments allowed for an added layer of versatility with this vacuum, so we could easily get under and around car seats and behind couches without a problem. Just be sure to keep it on the charger when you’re not using it because it can run out of battery pretty quickly when used on the highest setting.

Battery Life: 10-25 minutes | Weight: 3 pounds | Bin Capacity: 7 ounces | Attachments: Crevice tool, brush tool, charger | HEPA Filter: Yes

People / Lexi Juhl

Small but powerful

Effective on all surfaces

Comes with a hose for hard-to-reach areas

Somewhat loud

Less portable than others

This cordless handheld vacuum from Black and Decker comes complete with a charging stand and three attachments, including one designed specifically for tackling your car seats after a trip with your furry friend (it's marked with a paw print!). During our testing of car vacuums, it earned a perfect score on all surfaces with a variety of debris. We were blown away again and again by its capabilities. The long neck makes it super easy to shove underneath car seats, and it's small enough to combat any tricky angles you throw its way. It's also incredibly easy and mess-free to empty the dustbin using the clip on the side.

The price is undeniably steep, and its two distinct parts make it a bit more of a chore to tote around. It's also fairly loud given its small size. Overall, it's a fantastic vacuum, though, and we think it's perfect for someone who needs a powerful handheld vacuum to deep-clean their car.

Battery Life: 15 minutes | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Bin Capacity: 17 ounces | Attachments: 2-in-1 nozzle brush, pet hair attachment | HEPA Filter: No

Multi-use attachment cleans tiny nooks and crannies

Easy to maneuver

Super lightweight

Tended to spit out some debris while vacuuming

Needs frequent emptying

For those tight corners around your desk and gadgets, this tiny handheld vacuum from Bissell is the way to go. Sleek in appearance, this handheld vacuum has all the capabilities to effectively clean those hard-to-reach areas of your space that larger models can't quite get to. With its slender, cylindrical shape and extra attachments, this lightweight vacuum can get into the smallest corners of your home. While a tiny vacuum is great for small spaces, it also has small parts, meaning you'll have to take more trips to the trash to empty the dustbin as you clean.

Though it’s only charged by a USB cord, this vacuum packs a punch when it comes to suction power. From different spills and messes, like dry cereal and clumps of hair, this small but mighty machine was able to effortlessly suck up the messes made in our testing lab — only struggling a bit with strewn flour, a task that's a challenge for most vacuums, so we're not holding that against it.

Battery Life: 12 minutes | Weight: 1.37 pounds | Bin Capacity: 4 ounces | Attachments: 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush, USB charging cable | HEPA Filter: No

Performed beautifully on medium-to-high-pile carpeting

Lightweight and portable

Strong suction power, even on the lowest setting

Wasn’t the best at reaching deep crevices

No need to worry about spilling messy crumbs onto fluffy carpeting when the Black and Decker Gen11 is in your arsenal. Even on its lowest settings, we saw major mess pickup when we passed over everything from hardwood to soft area rugs. This little vacuum had no trouble at sucking up everything from crushed crackers to raisins in generally one pass (it works best in the “pull” motion rather than “push”). Because cleaning with a dustbuster is often tedious, it’s important to choose a lightweight model, which is why this one’s 2.4-pound body was ideal.

While it stood out on carpeting, this vacuum also performed well on hardwood floors, upholstered chairs, car seats, and more. It was a little challenging to navigate the dustbuster gracefully when we attached the crevice tool to get in those smaller nooks and crannies, but in all, it was able to suck up stray crumbs in those hard-to-reach areas.

The battery life and suction remained perfectly consistent with its performance when it was fresh out of the box — even going at an hour-long cleaning project without dying or faltering. In fact, we’ve yet to experience this device losing a charge. Our appreciation for this vacuum has gone up since taking it home!

Battery Life: 15 minutes | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Bin Capacity: 25.36 ounces | Attachments: Crevice tool | HEPA Filter: No

You'll need to decide your desired level of extra bells and whistles when choosing a handheld vacuum. "Choose a quality branded tool that has a variety of attachments to serve all of your cleaning needs — a pet hair brush for upholstery, a crevice tool for between cushions and corners, and a flathead for baseboards and tight spaces," advises Jessika James-Goern, an IICRC-approved instructor and restoration expert. Knowing the surfaces you'll need to treat with a handheld vacuum or dustbuster simplifies the search process. If you lack storage space for extra attachments, we loved the Bissell AeroSlim Cordless Vacuum for its handy two-in-one attachment and compact size.

Consider whether you prefer cordless models or corded ones. If you want to be closely connected to your machine, a cord may not bother you, and sometimes a corded vacuum translates into more power than a battery-operated one. However, the cordless handheld vacuums on this list are all powerful and effective, so if you want the ability to get to those hard-to-reach places without having to switch outlets, consider opting for a cordless model, like our best cordless pick, the Shark Wandvac.

For a handheld vacuum with strong suction power, look for cordless models with a 16-volt (or higher) battery and at least 15 air watts. Corded vacuums are inherently more powerful; just make sure the handheld vacuum you select has at least 4 to 5 amps for adequate suction.

Look for a vacuum with an easy-open dustbin or a filter compartment that's easy to access, remove, and subsequently clean. If you have allergies, look for a handheld vacuum with a HEPA filter, such as the Worx Power Share Cordless Cube Vac. Also, note the shape of the machine you're eyeing: A dustbuster with a large bin means you'll be cleaning it less often, but it might not be able to tackle those tiny, awkward spaces.

While cordless vacuums may be convenient, it's important to note that battery-powered machines can be heavier in some cases and also require time to charge. However, the airy Bissell AeroSlim is our lightest vacuum out of all the winners, so this is an exception.

People / Dera Burreson

To bring you the best and most up-to-date results on handheld vacuums and dustbusters, we did extensive research on the most popular devices to test and retest in our lab. We tested 30 handheld vacuums and rated each model on a scale of one to five regarding setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, and noise level.

From there, we gathered our data to compare and contrast which handheld vacuums and dustbusters are worth your hard-earned cash. We put together this list to bring you top-notch recommendations with the help of a home expert and real-life testing, so you don't have to spend too much money (or time) trying to figure it out yourself.

People / Dera Burreson

Alyssa Brascia is a shopping writer for PEOPLE with a background in lifestyle writing. For this piece, she analyzed the lab and long-term insights provided by our testers as they tried several handheld vacuums and dustbusters, using their feedback to come to a consensus on the best tools that PEOPLE tested. She later updated this story with the information received after six months of continually testing these winners to see if each product stood the test of time and raised or lowered their initial ratings. To get an expert’s insight into how handheld vacuums should work, she spoke with a home pro about what shoppers should look for as they scour the market for the next cleaning device.

Jessika James-Goern is an IICRC-approved instructor and restoration expert with more than 30 years of experience in the cleaning and restoration industry.

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