Best handheld vacuum 2020: our 5 reviewed, top-rated vacuum cleaners

In need of the best handheld vacuum? We don't blame you. Especially since there's inevitably been an increase in biscuit consumption – around the home and in the car – so you'll be wanting to hide all evidence of taking the last one out of the packet.

We've rounded up the best handheld vacuums on the market to make those every-day cleaning tasks a little easier. Whether you're looking for good suction, or an impressive battery life, we've got plenty of clever options below, – there's even a model which combines detergent with vacuuming for the windows – so take a look at our handheld vacuum cleaner reviews to find your ideal match.  

If you would like to see a wider selection of vacuum cleaners before deciding whether or not a handheld vacuum cleaner is for you, check out our best vacuum cleaners guide for more top vacuums, at the best prices.

The best handheld vacuums for 2020

If you’re someone who likes their home dust-free at all times, then you can expect the Dyson V7 Trigger to be your dust-fighting partner in crime. This is one the best handheld vacuums out there for quick and lightweight cleaning. Its powerful 15 cyclones are designed to catch even the finest of dust particles, making this a good option for those with allergies. It’s super-quiet, so if you’re a bit of a Monica from Friends and find the sudden urge to clean at a ridiculous hour of the morning, then you won’t wake the entire household in the process. 

For a cordless handheld, it also has surprisingly good battery life of up to 30 minutes so you can clean uninterrupted. This is also an all or nothing effort meaning you won't lose suction at all even when nearing the end of the battery life. The combination tools make accesses all areas easy, yup, including stairs, room corners and even the car. There is also a dual mode option which allows you sacrifice battery life for a more intense vacuum for those hard to clear areas. Then when you're done emptying is as easy as pulling one tag when held over the bin, simple.

• Buy the Dyson V7 Trigger Handheld Vacuum

Black & Decker isn’t usually a name you’d associate with vacuums, but this one certainly lends itself to the thought behind the brand - durable, powerful, and handy! It is the best handheld vacuum for reach. 

It comes with a 2-in-1 nozzle, upholstery brush and crevice nozzle which allow you to clean anything from the sofa, to the curtains or window frames. The lengths of the nozzles are also designed to help you reach higher surfaces such as cupboard tops where you wouldn’t normally think to clean. It’s cordless and has an easy-empty bowl to really make vacuuming a hassle-free experience.  

Some might not enjoy the design but then a vacuum of this compact size will be stored away out of sight most of the time anyway.

• Buy the Black & Decker PD1820LGB Flexi Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Not what you’d think of when you think of vacuums, but for those who want to obtain gleaming windows, this window handheld vacuum is a unique tool that will help you get the job done quickly. This is the best handheld vacuum for windows.

It looks like a squeegee and is used in combination with detergent to wipe and then vacuum away the dirt for clean and dry windows quickly and easily. Users are impressed with the battery life and its lightweight feel, which also makes it a useful tool for cleaning car windows, too. 

To provide you with more information we've tested this product to bring you this handheld vacuum cleaner review: read the Kärcher Window Vac review

• Buy the Karcher WV5 Cordless Handheld Vaccum

If you don’t want to spend as much on a handheld vacuum as you would on a full-sized one, then you can expect this affordable option from Vax to get the little jobs done very nicely. This is one of the best handheld vacuums you can buy if you're on a budget.

The Vax is perfect for crumbs and quick clean ups, and is surprisingly powerful, meaning the battery life usually allows for a few uses after every charge.  That said, this battery life isn't as good as the more pricey competition, but for smaller areas it's a great affordable alternative. If you just want a cheap and efficient vacuum to hand for daily spills, this is for you – it is nice and compact, too.

• Buy the Vax Gator Handheld Cordless Vacuum

If you have pets, then you'll definitely want this handheld pet vacuum. It's lightweight and powerful, so it'll easily remove crumbs, dust and best hair from around the home. And it's reasonably priced too, so it gets our vote for the best handheld vacuum for pet hair.

It's sleek design with a quick-charge base is super easy to pick up for a quick clean in focused areas. This Shark handheld vac is suitable for use on stairs, hair floors and deep-pile carpets, even kitchen work surfaces and car seats, so there's really no surface it can't cover. 

The best bit? It comes with a washable HEPA filter which traps small particles and pet dander making it perfect for allergy suffers, too.

• Buy the Shark WV200UK Pet Cordless Handheld Vacuum 

How to choose the best handheld vacuum 

When you're looking to buy the best handheld vacuum for your household, there are a few factors to consider to ensure you make the right choice. They are:

Weight

The top key feature to look for in a handheld vacuum is how weighty it is, as this could just makes it more effort than it’s worth. Most handheld vacuums come in at around 1–2kg. 

Corded vs cordless

Cordless is now a popular feature, too, but consider what you’re likely to be using it for first because you will have to compromise on its power and run time if you go for a battery powered device. 

What is the best handheld vacuum?

Let's recap...if you’re looking for the best of the best handheld vacuum right now, then we recommend  buying the Dyson V7 Trigger which is still leading the way when it comes to power in handheld form. Yes, it is also the most expensive on the list, but if you are looking for guaranteed oomph and know you will get a lot of use out of it, it is a sound investment. It also has twice the battery life of some models on our list, so can give your car a thorough clean before needed a recharge.

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More vacuum cleaner info and advice:

• Fancy a bargain? We've got tons of vacuum cleaner deals.
• Don’t fancy doing the hard work? Let a robot vacuum cleaner take care of things for you 
• Need something a bit bigger but still without wires? Check out the best cordless vacuums