The best handheld vacuum cleaner 2020

The best handheld vacuum cleaners on our list are a godsend for anyone who has to regularly clean in awkward corners, staircases in hallways, inside cars... Basically, a handheld vacuum will come in handy for just about everyone. 

They're compact and lightweight, making them practical for those little jobs that a standard vacuum is just too big for. These are the best handheld vacuums to buy right now.

To see our round up of the best buys, check out our best vacuum cleaners.

What is the best handheld vacuum cleaner?

If you’re looking for the best of the best right now, then the Dyson V7 Trigger is still leading the way when it comes to powerful vacuums, and has brought out several handheld models to cater to different needs, particularly those of pet owners.

No time to browse through this buyer's guide? Here are all the best handheld vacuums at a glance:

• The best handheld vacuum: Dyson V7 Trigger
• Best handheld cylinder vacuum cleaner: Black & Decker PD1820LGB
• Best handheld vacuum cleaner for windows: Karcher WV5
• Best handheld vacuum cleaner for pet hair: Dyson DC58 Animal
• Best corded handheld vacuum cleaner: AEG AG71A
• Best budget handheld vacuum cleaner: Vax Gator 

The best handheld vacuum cleaners

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 vacuum cleaner 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.

See our best cordless vacuum cleaners if that's the way you want to go...

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 cleaner 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.

Not what you’d think of when you think of vacuums, but for those who want to obtain gleaming windows, this window vacuum cleaner 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. 

If you’ve got pets, then you’ll know the frustration of having just hoovered the house and then having the dog come and jump all over the bed. However, the Dyson DC58 Animal is designed to help you keep your home a hair free zone. This is one of  the best handheld vacuum cleaners for pets.

The Dyson DC58 Animal super quiet and powerful so it’s easy to pick up and get rid of hairs instantly with no fuss. The battery life isn’t all that long, but it’s not designed for cleaning the whole house, therefore it doesn’t really need to be.  

Cordless vacs seem to be leading the way right now, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that the battery life does limit its uses. However, if you want something that won’t die out on you so quickly, then this mains powered handheld vacuum will allow you to take your time with your cleaning.  As such this is the best handheld vacuum for larger areas.

This is particularly handy for cleaning cars or stairs, and the extra-long cord means you also don’t have the worry about having to change plug sockets during cleaning.  

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 vacuum cleaners 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.

How to buy the best handheld vacuum cleaner

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. 

More cleaning know how:

• 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