Handheld vacuum cleaners are handy when you need to clean inside tight and awkward spaces, such as car interiors, cupboards and sofa crevices. Whether it's removing pet hair from carpets or hoovering up after the kids, this article will help you find the right one for your home!
With a ranking of the 10 best handheld vacuum cleaners in the UK, we compare runtime, tool attachments, HEPA filters and much more. Featuring reviews of both big brand like Shark and Vax, and affordable models from Amazon and Argos, read on for our tips and advice!
Quick List - Top Handheld Vacuum Cleaners
VacLife
Fast Charging With 20 Minute Runtime Perfect for Carpets and Hard to Reach Areas
Gtech
Excellent Quality Build With Great Performance and Features
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To determine how long you can use the handheld vacuum cleaner once it's fully charged, check the runtime. If it's 30 minutes or above, you'll likely be able to clean your entire home with one charging session. If you live in a smaller house or flat, this type of handheld vacuum cleaner may even serve as a replacement for a mains-powered device.
If you already have a mains-powered vacuum and are looking for a handheld model as an additional tool to tackle hard to reach spaces, such as furniture crevices and cars, a handheld vacuum with 20 minutes runtime should be sufficient. Do note that the runtime may vary depending on the setting you use. However, for higher spec models, the standard setting is usually more than enough to handle essential daily tasks.
For bigger cleaning tasks, check out our go-to cordless vacuum cleaners!
Handheld vacuum cleaner batteries can take up to 4 and a half hours to be fully charged. So knowing the amount of time it takes for your device to charge can help you to better plan out your cleaning session.
If you're planning to use your handheld vacuum cleaner regularly, a shorter charge time will be more convenient. Opting for a model with a charging time between 2 - 3 hours is ideal as you won't have to wait around every time you want to use it.
Most handheld vacuum cleaners are bagless, which means the dust compartment is emptied by shaking the collected waste directly into the bin. Of course the bigger the capacity, the more ground you can cover before needing to empty it. So, if you choose a cleaner with limited bin capacity, you will find yourself having to emptying it over and over again, disrupting your cleaning session.
Handheld vacuum cleaners have dustbin capacities ranging from 100 - 900 ml and everything in between. As a rule of thumb, anything below 500 ml is on the smaller end and will require frequent emptying.
Just be aware that a large capacity bin will also affect the total weight of the device and how easy it is to empty. To get the right capacity, it's crucial to think about how much cleaning you usually do and buy accordingly.
If you're looking for large capacity bagless vacuum cleaners, check out our top 10!
When compared to more traditional models, handheld vacuum cleaners have the benefit of being lighter for easy carrying and use. However, if your handheld cleaner is excessively heavy, this advantage may somewhat be diminished. Therefore, weight is a crucial consideration!
Handheld vacuum cleaners typically range from 0.5 to 2.0 kg, but anything below 1 kg should be lightweight enough to carry with ease. Of course, heavier models shouldn't be dismissed entirely as it may still be worth considering whether they have features that could benefit your cleaning needs.
While regular vacuum cleaners are unable to filter allergens, high-efficiency ( HEPA ) air filter vacuums can filter fine particles including dust, mites, pollen and pet dander that are circulating in the air. By capturing allergens, this prevents them from recirculating, releasing clean air back into the room.
HEPA filters are required meet specific performance criteria to earn their designation. For example, they must be tested to ensure they can capture at least 99.7% of particles around the size of 0.3 microns.
If anyone in your household suffers from allergies or conditions that cause breathing difficulties such as asthma, opting for a HEPA handheld cleaner may help to reduce the chance of irritation. Even if you don't have allergies, a HEPA filter vacuum can still improve your home's overall air quality.
Handheld models typically come with tools and attachments to help you clean better. That's why you should consider the areas you will be cleaning when deciding which accessories you'll need. For instance, will you be cleaning carpeted areas, ceiling corners with mazes of cobwebs, or a car that's always covered in pet fur and crumbs?
A crevice tool is a great attachment if you're primarily using your handheld vacuum cleaner for cars as it can help you to pick up hidden debris. Upholstery or dusting brushes are also useful for keeping seats and carpets fresh and free of pet hair.
Aside from attachments, you may want to look for a model with an LED light function. This will help illuminate areas where light is limited to avoid missing any dust. A removable and washable filter is another beneficial extra to extend the life and quality of your device. Certain vacuums can even be used to clean up wet messes and spills, tackling the dirt before it has a chance to set!
Browse more car vacuum cleaners here!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | VacLife Handheld Vacuum | ![]() | Fast Charging With 20 Minute Runtime Perfect for Carpets and Hard to Reach Areas | |
2 | Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | ![]() | Sleek and Lightweight Mini Vacuum for Fast Cleanups | |
3 | Gtech Multi Handheld Vacuum Cleaner|MK2 K9 | ![]() | Excellent Quality Build With Great Performance and Features | |
4 | eufy HomeVac|H11 | ![]() | Ultra Lightweight and Easy to Hold Vacuum for Spot Cleaning | |
5 | Bagotte Portable Cordless Handheld Vacuum | ![]() | Fast Charging and up to 35 Minutes Runtime | |
6 | Beldray Revo Digital Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | ![]() | Twice the Suction Power With Amazing Runtime and HEPA Filter | |
7 | Shark HandVac Cordless Hand Vacuum Cleaner | ![]() | Tailor-Made for Cleaning Homes With Pets | |
8 | Oraimo Fast-Charge Portable Handheld Hoover | ![]() | A Reliable Handheld Vacuum for an Affordable Price | |
9 | Vax Gator Handheld 10.8V Cordless Vacuum Cleaner | ![]() | Practical Device With Built-in Crevice Tool for Everyday Messes | |
10 | Bush Stick to Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | ![]() | 2-In-1 Functionality With Large 700 ml Capacity |
There are plenty reasons to love this handheld vacuum. But don't just take it from us - this model has over 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon, with users raving about its practicality! It only requires 2.5 to 3 hours of charging for 20 minutes of power, which is more than sufficient to spot clean certain areas, or even hoover the entire car.
The brush tool helps to loosen stubborn dirt, so that the strong suction can whisk it away. Meanwhile, the crevice nozzle tool reaches deep into tough spots. It even comes with an LED light to illuminate dark areas so that you will never miss a crumb.
Shark's Cordless Handheld vacuum is so compact that you can simply leave it on the charging dock for display on the kitchen countertop, ready to pick up whenever you need a quick clean. This way, you'll always have it on hand to suction up any mess within seconds!
With a high efficiency motor, the handheld device is designed to pick up every last bit of dust, crumbs, and even pet hair, leaving nothing behind. If you're looking for an additional tool to keep on hand for quick cleanups, this one from Shark is a great pick!
The look of this expertly built vacuum cleaner from Gtech is rather unique, as it more closely resembles a handheld power saw for better manoeuvring. An update of the original Multi model, the MK2 K9 features enhanced components that make it more durable against wear and tear.
We love that it comes with a full set of useful attachments, including a 36 cm floor tube extension with dusting brush, power brush and a crevice tool. All of which can be stored inside the device itself so that you always have it on hand!
At around 500 g, this one of the most lightweight handheld vacuum cleaners in our ranking. Ideal for spot cleaning, it has a unique microphone shape that makes it comfortable and easy to hold, with a reliable suction power to pick up every single particle of debris that it encounters.
Chargeable via micro USB, you can even use it with a power bank or connect it to a USB port for quick and convenient charging. The 2-in-1 crevice tool helps extend your reach, with a washable filter guaranteeing long-lasting peak performance.
If you do a lot of handheld hoovering, or live in a small space, this option from Bagotte could be the perfect pick. It has an advance motor for powerful suction, whilst operating at a low noise level so you won't be left with a headache once you're done cleaning.
With around 3 to 4.5 hours of charging, you'll get up to 15 minutes of power on strong suction mode, or 35 minutes on standard mode - which is typically enough to get most places dust-free. It also comes with a brush tool, flat nozzle and crevice nozzle, to ensure that nothing is left behind.
For those living with allergy sufferers, the Revo Digital Handheld Vacuum Cleaner from Beldray should be among your top considerations. This is because it has a HEPA filter to trap tiny allergen particles, keeping the air clean for easier breathing and less chance of irritation.
Capable of cleaning up both dry and wet messes including spills, and with a runtime of 30 minutes once fully charged, it's a great choice if you're looking to get a handheld vacuum as your main cleaning device. Although, we wish the capacity was larger to avoid frequent emptying.
This is another great pick for households with pets. It comes with three nifty tools made especially for getting rid of that stubborn pet fur that never seems to lift off carpets, beds, or sofas. These include a crevice tool, dusting brush and a special motorised pet hair removal tool.
What's more, you may not even need to empty the bin during your session as it has a decent 450 ml capacity. Our only gripe is that the 10 minute runtime is rather short, so it may require more frequent charging. If you rarely have much cleaning to do, however, this one is worth considering!
This handheld vacuum provides fantastic value-for-money. It has all the essential features you would expect, but without the high price tag. It even uses a HEPA filtration system, which makes this another top choice for those with allergies.
No surface grime will be left behind thanks to the tools that come bundled with it. For example, an ultra-long attachment for reaching deep into crevices and gaps between the sofa, or the brush nozzle for lifting dirt off upholstery and carpets. On the downside, the suction may not be as powerful as a pricier model.
The Vax Gator handheld vacuum is a great tool to have on hand if you're someone who loves to keep your home dust and mess free. Compact and portable, it can be used to quickly clean up any unexpected messes, even if they're hidden in hard to reach places. With 15 minutes of runtime, it's the perfect choice for spot cleanups or for giving the car a deep clean.
There's even a retractable crevice tool that you can use to help get into awkward spots and confined spaces. Unfortunately, it requires 12 hours of charging to run for only 15 minutes.
This vacuum cleaner has an extendable pole attachment, so you can hoover the floor without having to hurt your back. Once you're done, switch it back to handheld mode to help you manoeuvre it into tight spots!
With a 700 ml capacity, you'll be able to complete a few cleaning sessions before having to empty it out, which is great if you use it regularly or have a big area to cover. It's the only corded model on the list, which is less convenient. But on the upside, there's no charge time or runtime limit!
Written and Researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: VacLife|Handheld Vacuum
No. 2: Shark|Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
No. 3: Gtech|Multi Handheld Vacuum Cleaner|MK2 K9
No. 4: eufy|HomeVac|H11
No. 5: Bagotte|Portable Cordless Handheld Vacuum
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