The Best Hand Vacuums to Quickly Clean up Small Messes

Handheld vacuum cleaners can reach areas where bigger vacuums can’t. They make it easier to remove dust from the surface of rugs, ferret out crumbs hidden between couch cushions, or dirt from beneath car seats. These vacs are handy for swift cleaning tasks. In other words, before you are finished with the struggle of digging out your main vacuum cleaner, your Hand Vacuum has cleaned up the coffee grounds you accidentally spilled on the kitchen floor.

Handheld vacuums come in various styles and designs: some models are designed for confronting the awkward angles of a car interior, while others excel at pulling pet hair off carpeted floors or upholstery. Many of these handheld vacuums are more than up to the task of simply cleaning marble floors. With prices ranging from as little as $25 to as much as $300, knowing what features to look out for and how much to spend on a good handheld vacuum isn't easy. In this guide, we explain how to pick the best Hand Vacuum, and what features are worth spending more on.

What to consider when buying a hand vacuum

Modern Hand Vacuums come in a range of cool designs, nice shapes, and eye-catching colors, but what matters most is how well they clean. A type of Hand Vacuum might appeal to you aesthetically, but if its functions do not meet your cleaning needs, it will not get the job done. So what is right for you solely depends on what you want to clean and how.

What features do I need?

Hand vacs powered only by suction do not clean carpets as well as Hand vacs with a motorized brush. It is crucial to understand the features of a Hand vac before you spend your hard-earned money on one. Depending on where you intend on using it, you should get a vac that has features that fit the purpose. Models with a manual carpet pile-height adjustment control combined with suction control are ideal for cleaning draperies and fabrics. If you intend on cleaning bare floors, consider models that have a switch that can deactivate the brush. This will help protect the finish of bare floors and avoid creating more of a mess by scattering debris.

How much dirt am I cleaning?

The amount of dirt a Hand vac can hold is called its dust capacity. The dust capacity of vacuums vary, but most can hold around 2 cups. This is pretty small compared to the 2.5 quarts you get on average or full-sized corded vacuum cleaners, but it should do for small jobs such as cleaning the car. However, it's worth looking out for a higher dust capacity when buying a Hand Vacuum.

Do I need a bagged or bagless vacuum?

Bagless vacuum cleaners save you the cost of purchasing trash bags, but they also require filters that need to be cleaned periodically, and in some cases completely replaced. Also, even though handheld vacs are a safer option for people who have asthma or allergies, emptying the bin of a bagless model can be problematic for them.

What about battery life and charge time?

Battery life is a crucial spec to look out for when buying hand vacuums. It determines how much uninterrupted cleaning time you will get, especially when cleaning your car or items that are outside your home. Some can give you as much as 30+ minutes, while some require recharging after as little as 5 minutes of use. You should also consider how long a vacuum cleaner takes to recharge, as some may take only 30 minutes from a depleted battery while others can a several hours or more. You also want to be aware of when you’re running short on cleaning time, so look out for hand vacs that have an indicator that lets you know when the battery is running low. Some handheld vacuums come with a charging docking station (which can be fixed to the wall for easy storage), while more basic versions simply charge through a plug-in cord.

What accessories are important?

Hand vac accessories make cleaning simpler and tackling tricky corners easier. For example, a crevice tool is good for getting between upholstered seats and edges. Likewise, a dedicated pet hair tool is handy for cleaning dust and fluff off stairs and upholstery. A hose extension is just right for getting into tricky spaces like beneath car seats.

Is weight important when choosing a hand vac?

The major selling point of a hand vacuum cleaner is convenience, so weight and size are of utmost importance. Hand vacuum cleaners usually vary in weight, and you'll typically encounter models that weigh anywhere between 1.5 to 5 pounds. Most models tend to weigh around 2-3 pounds, which is a comfortable weight that makes the vacuum easy to maneuver without feeling cheap or flimsy.

Why should I get a handheld vacuum?

The prime reason to purchase a hand vacuum is the ability for hand vacuums to reach places that bigger vacuums can't or may not conveniently reach. The most common examples are the interior of a car and surfaces around your house that aren't on the floor, such as curtains, shelves, countertops, and windowsills.

FAQ's

Q: What kind of Hand Vacuum is good for Pet owners?

A: As a pet owner, a pet hair removal accessory is a great option for you as they typically work best for picking up pet hair. These tools are handy for pulling stubborn pet hair away from upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses, carpeted stairs, and automobile interiors.

Q: Are hand vacuums bad for asthma and allergies?

A: If you have asthma, a cordless hand vacuum with HEPA air filtration is a great house cleaning solution for you. However, it's important to note that the dust and mess from emptying the bin of a bagless vacuum model can be problematic for people who have asthma or allergies.

Q: Are hand vacuums noisy?

A: Hand vacuums are not so loud that you will need hearing protection, but a vacuum may seem louder in a small enclosure or a room with a lot of echoes. However, extended use may increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, so be sure to take steps to protect your hearing if you'll be tackling a larger job.

Q: Are mini hand vacuums better?

A: A new category of hand vacuums that recently emerged as a new category is the Mini handheld vacuums. They're significantly smaller than regular hand vacuums, but not nearly as powerful - most are about the size of a wine bottle. They're good for midsized debris such as coffee grounds or crumbs, but they can't easily pick up finer particles like flour or dust, and bigger debris like errant pieces of cereal will fill up the small bin too quickly. They're effective only on hard surfaces. The major benefit of these machines is that they're easy to store, especially in places with limited space.