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Best handheld vacuum cleaners 2025: tried and tested by experts
The best handheld vacuum cleaners are perfect for a quick clean when you don't want the hassle of dragging out your main vacuum cleaner.
We've tested the most popular handheld vacuum cleaners, including Black and Decker, Vax and Shark .
Our expert tests go further than other reviews. They discover the best vacuum by sucking up everything from small debris to fine dust and pet hair on both hard floors and carpets.
We also put each to the test in a car, to find the best car vacuum cleaner from all the handheld vacuums we've tested.
The best handheld vacuum cleaners
Only logged-in Which? members can view the handheld vacuum cleaners test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Compare our results and prices at a glance in our table below, or read on for our full reviews.
| Handheld vacuum | Price | Score | Hard floor cleaning | Carpet cleaning* | Car cleaning | Ease of emptying |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableFull Access first month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? Log in | 82% | |||||
| 80% | ||||||
| 76% | ||||||
| 75% | ||||||
| 72% | ||||||
| 71% | ||||||
| 70% | ||||||
| 63% | ||||||
| 63% | ||||||
| 60% |
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Date tested: September 2024. Page last checked July 2025. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
*Carpet cleaning rating includes how well each model did when we tested it at vacuuming up pet hair, too.
Beldray Wet & Dry
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Recharge time 4 hours 30 minutes
Tools Crevice tool, squeegee tool
Need to know 0.5 litres, weighs 0.85kg, 11 x 12 x 41cm (H x W x L), three-year guarantee
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flexi PD1020LP-GB
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Recharge time 4 hours
Tools Two-in-one nozzle, crevice tool, pet brush tool
Need to know 0.5 litres, weighs 1.35kg, 23 x 13 x 14cm (H x W x L), two-year guarantee
Black and Decker Wet and Dry
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Recharge time 10 hours
Tools Brush tool, crevice tool, squeegee tool
Need to know 0.38 litres, weighs 0.65kg, 12 x 12 x 43cm (H x W x L), two-year guarantee
Gtech Multi Platinum Cordless Handheld Vacuum
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Recharge time 3 hours
Tools Dust brush nozzle, power brush, crevice tool, extension tube, hair removal tool
Neet to know 0.4kg capacity, 1.55kg weight, 25 x 13.6 x 38.6cm (H x W x L), two-year warranty
Gtech Prolite cordless handheld bagged vacuum
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Recharge time 2 hours
Tools Crevice tool, dusting brush
Need to know 0.5 litres, 0.95kg weight, 16 x 10 x 36cm (H x W x L), 14.4 volts, two-year warranty
For more tried-and-tested dust-busting models, see our reviews of the best vacuum cleaners, best cordless vacuum cleaners and best robot vacuum cleaners
Shark Classic Handheld Pet Vacuum CH950UKT
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Recharge time 4 hours
Tools Crevice tool, motorised pet tool, brush tool
Need to know 0.45 litres, weighs 1kg, 11 x 9.5 x 52cm (H x W x L), two-year guarantee
Shark Premium Handheld Vacuum WV270UK
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Recharge time 3 hours 30 minutes
Tools Duster crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool
Need to know 0.1 litres, weighs 0.65kg, 6.5 x 7 x 39cm (H x W x L), two-year guarantee
Shark WV200UK
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Recharge time 2 hours 30 minutes
Tools Crevice tool, dust tool, multi-surface pet tool
Need to know 0.1 litres, weighs 0.55kg, 6 x 6 x 42cm (H x W x L), two-year guarantee
Tower Cordless Handheld Vacuum
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Recharge time 4 hours
Tools Brush tool, crevice tool
Need to know 0.2 litres, weighs 0.7kg, 8 x 9 x 40cm (H x W x L), three-year guarantee
Vax Gator Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
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Recharge time 12 hours
Tools Crevice tool (built-in)
Need to know 0.3 litres, 1.2kg weight, 15 x 10.5 x 35cm (H x W x L), one-year guarantee
How we test handheld vacuum cleaners
Every handheld vacuum is put through the same series of rigorous tests that not only help us find out the best overall model but also the best handheld vacuum for pet hair and the inside of your car.
We regularly revisit the handheld vacuum cleaners on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing – and when we find them, we do.
Cleaning performance
Each vacuum is put through the same cleaning tasks:
- On hard floors, every model tries to pick up small debris (rice) and fine dust
- On carpets, they attempt to pick up the same, plus pet hair
- In the car, the vacuums are assessed on how well they clean small debris and pet hair from a car seat
Ease of use
A panel of users tests each model for the following:
- The attachments are assessed on how easy they are to attach and remove
- The comfort of the grip design is considered
- Every control, switch and indicator is checked to see if they function well
- Every model is used in tight spaces to see how easy it is to get into crevices
- Each handheld vacuum is used at above head height to check how easy it is to vacuum above head level.
- The bin and filter of every handheld vacuum are emptied, then assessed for ease of process and how clean they then are to use.
Battery runtime
- Every handheld vacuum is left to charge until full and then run until empty
- We also check how long each handheld vacuum will run from a 30-minute charge
Noise
- Each model has its noise recorded three times with a decibel meter and an average is given
Is a handheld vacuum enough?
A handheld vacuum is ideal for light cleaning tasks around the house or quick touch-ups in the car. They’re convenient for tackling small messes, crumbs and pet hair without the hassle of pulling out a full-sized vacuum.
However, these compact models come with limitations — they don’t have the battery life or suction power needed for deep cleaning and aren’t built for handling larger, more demanding tasks.
While they’re perfect for spot-cleaning and quick jobs, relying on them for bigger cleanups will likely leave you recharging often and potentially frustrated with limited capacity.
If regular, heavy-duty cleaning is a priority, a handheld vacuum should be considered a supplemental tool rather than the main solution.
What is good suction power for a handheld vacuum cleaner?
Our tests reveal no direct link between a vacuum's voltage and cleaning performance, nor did the claimed suction power consistently translate to better results.
However, one thing that did make a noticeable difference was the cleanliness of the filter. Keeping the filter clean can significantly impact a vacuum's performance, ensuring stronger suction and more effective pick-up of debris.
Is there a Dyson handheld vacuum?
Dyson handheld vacuums are now history, replaced by powerful cordless models. We tested one of Dyson’s top cordless vacuums to see how it measures up against traditional handheld vacuum cleaners.
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Cordless vacuum cleaners vs handheld vacuum cleaners
- Cordless stick vacuums offer the flexibility to handle both larger floor spaces and smaller tasks, making them a versatile choice for home cleaning. Plus, they typically come with a longer battery life, allowing for extended cleaning sessions without frequent recharges. However, this convenience usually comes with a higher price tag.
- Handheld vacuums, on the other hand, are perfect for quick touch-ups. Compact and easy to store, they’re ideal for keeping in the car or tucked away at home, ready to grab for immediate, hassle-free clean-ups.
See all our cordless vacuum cleaner reviews