Welcome back! Once again the Appliance Hunter has been out hunting for the very best appliances this time searching for the Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaners
And what a journey it has been!
I’ve found 6 fantastic handheld vacuums perfect for every scenario you could face.
They’re all available on Amazon and I’ve linked through so you can order yours today.
Check out the table below for a summary of the top picks and to click through and order yours today.
Corded Vs Cordless Handheld Vacuums
The main difference you’re going to find between different handheld vacuums is whether it runs from the mains, or charges at a docking station.
I’ve never come across one that’s battery powered but if anyone does let me! I’d be curious as to how good it was.
There are great things about both types of handheld vacuum but they also have there drawbacks so it’s good to know which type you’re looking for.
Cordless handheld Vacuum Cleaners
Pros
- Can Just Be Picked Up And Used Anywhere
- Super Easy For Quick Clean Ups
Cons
- Sometimes Have Very Long Charge Times
- If You Forget To Charge You Could Be Waiting A Few Hours To Use It.
Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaners
Pros
- More Powerful Suction
- More Thorough Cleaning Power
- Often Larger Capacity so less frequent Emptying
Cons
- You have to have a nearby power socket to use.
- Not as mobile
So it’s up to you which one would be better suited for you. If you’re looking for a deeper clean then corded is the way to go. But if you want to use it for super quick jobs (normally in the kitchen) then a cordless handheld vacuum could be the way to go.
Either way I’ve included both types throughout my reviews so you can get exactly what you need.
What If You Have Pets?
Now pet owners often have a hard time. Because dog hair especially can get absolutely everywhere.
But heaving a regular vacuum up on to the furniture or up the stairs is hard work and not at all fun to do so a handheld vacuum is the way to go.
Double but, you just need to make sure you’re getting one that’s powerful enough to deal with pet hair.
Usually corded is the way to go for the extra suction but you do get some cordless handheld vacuums that are good for pet hair.
So just check that it has something about powerful suction in the description, or check out our recommendations further down.
I’ve also written a guide to the best pet hair vacuums for those interested.
Other Features To Consider
I’ve just got a few more features that you might want to think about when you’re buying a handheld vacuum.
Run Time & Charge Time
This is for the cordless handheld vacuums, you want to make sure they have an absolute minimum of 10 minutes of runtime. Ideally, you should be looking for 15 + minutes but if it’s got 10 then that should be enough for most tasks around the house.
As for charge time I’ve seen charge times from flat of up to 12 hours, of course that is very far from ideal but the best you can expect is about 4 hours.
Now that’s completely from flat so it’s slightly different than if you spilt cereal in the kitchen hoovered it up and then put it back on charge. That, of course, won’t take 12 hours but it’s good to know for the sort of time you can expect.
Canister Size
How much dust it can hold is quite useful but the differences between them aren’t huge. What’s probably more important is how easy it is to empty.
Because no matter how big the canister is you’re going to have to empty it eventually and when you do you want it to be as quick and painless as possible.
Are There Any Attachments
It’s not always necessary but some handheld vacuums come with different attachments for different types of cleaning.
You get long crevice tools that help you get into hard to reach places and others have hose pipes that extend the reach even further.
Again, not everyone needs them but if there’s a certain job you have in mind for your handheld vacuum consider getting the right attachments for it.
6 Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaners In The UK
You’ve made it!
Thanks for sticking with me because we’ve gotten to the really exciting part. The actual reviews of the best handheld vacuum cleaners here in the UK!
I’ve linked each one through to Amazon so you have to just click the “Price & Reviews” button and you’ll get
taken to Amazon where you can see the price, read some other reviews and order yours today.
1. Vac Gator
Brand: Vax
Type: Cordless
Pros
- 15 Minute Run Time
- Easy Empty
Cons
- 12 Hour Charge Time
The Vax Gator Handheld Vac is just simple straightforward and easy to use. It’s got reasonable suction but is really easy to empty. You just open its mouth (like an alligator’s no less!) and all the contents slide out into the big.
The big downside is that it takes a huge 12 hours to fully charge from flat. So it’s definitely not one you can use in a hurry if you forget to charge it but apart from that it’s good.
And that’s the charge time from flat not from short use.
I also liked that it has an extendable nose so you can get just a little deeper into where you need to get.
Overall, it’s the budget model so you’re never going to get the best but for less than £50 it gets the job done!
2. Black+Decker Lithium-Ion Pet Hand Vacuum
Brand:Black+Decker
Pros
- Lightweight 1.8 kg
- 10V battery
- Motorised pet brush
- Triple filter action
- Filter indicator light
- Battery life indicator light
Cons
- Loud at 80 dB
- Hard to change attachments
Having the Black and Decker Pet hand vacuum in your cleaning arsenal will help keep your home clean without needing to get your big old hoover out of storage.
It cleans as well as any vacuum since it has a powerful motor and a motorised rotating brush. It picks up pet hair and other large debris easily. The wide mouth of the nozzle makes quick work with fewer double passes over an area to clean it totally.
Three level filtration catches most of the dust and dander that comes with having pets and stops it going back into the air. That helps keep your entire environment cleaner which is all the more important when you own pets.
The only things you need to prepare yourself for when using this handheld vacuum is the noise and it is a little difficult to change the attachments. At 80 dB it is as loud as many traditional vacuums. And if you have arthritis or weak hands, then changing the motorised head for the crevice tool can be a challenge for some.
The price is not exactly budget friendly and can cost almost as much as a low priced hoover. If you don’t mind spending a few pounds extra to make sure your house is as free from pet hair as possible, then the price won’t be an issue.
3. Holfie Wet And Dry Handheld Vacuum
Brand: Holfie
Type: Cordless
Pros
- 25 Minute Run Time
- 4 Hour Charge Time
- Can Handle Wet And Dry Spills
Cons
- Not As Powerful As The AEG Above
The Holfie Wet And Dry Vacuum is a stand-up choice for a handheld vacuum. It’s really lightweight has a great runtime and charges nice and fast.
The 25 minute run time is more than enough for anything you might need it for. Really easy to run around the edges of the kitchen, get quick spills and just generally great for a quick clean up.
It’s not the best on carpet or sofas but it is really good on kitchen surfaces and hard floors. It’s also great for a quick run around the car.
It has a nice charging base so it’s easiest just to leave it plugged in in the kitchen and turn the plug off when it’s fully charged. It does hold it’s charge well so you won’t need to charge it after every use if you just use it for a short while. And it’ll last through about 500 cycles of being charged.
Now it depends on how much you use it but you’ll likely only need to charge it once a week or less so that’s almost 10 years of battery life!
Overall, a really great Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, good suction, fast charging and easy use.
4. BisselPet Hair Eraser
Brand: Bissell
Type:
Pros
- Motorized Head For Deeper Clean
- 15 Minute Battery Life
- Air Filter
- 5 hour Charge Time
Cons
- A Bit Pricey
The special Eraserhead on this Bissell handheld vacuum makes it perfect for pet hair.
It’s a motorized brush head that basically vibrates back and forth which dislodges pet hair from the ground and sucks it up!
Really good if you want to get pet hair off of your furniture or even the stairs or your car.
It’s also got a nice 15 minute run time so plenty of time to do what you need it too.
It’s also got a filter built into that takes any allergens out of the air while you’re vacuuming. So it leaves the air really fresh after you’ve finished.
It also featured in our top picks of the best pet hair vacuums!
Overall, a great handheld vacuum for pet hair, the motorised brush lets you get a really deep clean on furniture and carpet.
5. Dirt Devil HandiMate Small Vacuum
Brand:Dirt Devil
Pros
- Very lightweight under 1 kg
- 6V battery
- .4 litre easy to empty canister
- Very quiet 50 dB
- Cordless
Cons
- Only 10 minute run time
Dirt Devil has been a leader in the market with handheld portable vacuums so it’s no surprise it made the list here. It didn’t take the top spot because frankly, it isn’t as good as its peer. But, when you are on a budget, it fits the bill nicely.
It’s 10-minute keeping handy when a small spill occurs. Yes, the 10-minute runtime is a bit of a downer, but if you are a clean as you go type, then most jobs can be done in much less time than that.
The bin is easy to empty as it pops right open and snaps closed without taking it apart.
This small vacuum is not going to set the world on fire, but it does what it is supposed to do. There are many portable vacuums that are better, but you have to pay a higher price for that.
When you need a cheap option that still works well, then I can recommend the Dirt Devil.
6. Oypla Maxi Vac
Brand:Oypla
Pros
- Lightweight at 1kg
- Powerful 600 watt motor
- Bagless
- Brush and crevice attachment
- Shoulder strap included
Cons
- Not cordless
This is a funny looking small vacuum with an even stranger name. It’s not a household name like you see with many handheld vacuums, but that is the beauty of Amazon.co.uk. There you can find many diamonds in the rough, like this powerful small vacuum.
It functions similarly to a traditional vacuum in some ways. The nozzle can either be a brush, to beat up the dirt below the surface of a small carpet, for instance, or a crevice tool to get into some tough spaces.
I really love the ergonomic pistol grip with trigger button. It is incredibly lightweight so does quick work of any small job.
It has a powerful motor considering how small and light it is. That is mainly due to the fact that it is not battery powered. You will need to be connected to the mains to use this.
However, that means that it can pack a serious punch suction wise. That is the shortcoming of many cordless vacuum varieties that rely on batteries. Some are just not strong enough.
The downside to the cord, is the length. It is only 3 meters long. Which means you are relegated to small jobs near a socket, like in a kitchen or bathroom.
Overall, I think it’s a smart little vacuum that does what it is supposed to do. It can clean little spills or get into the tight crevices of a sofa. As long as you’re near a socket, it makes quick work of cleaning your car. If you are on a limited budget, you have to take the good with the bad, sometimes.
F.A.Q on the Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaners
So why do you say vacuum not hoover?
I personally call all vacuum cleaners hoovers out of habit but Hoover is a brand of vacuum cleaner not the name of the machine itself.
I am quite sure most of you know that but thought I’d clarify anyway!
If you didn’t find what you were looking for check out my other top picks for vacuum cleaners