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Best handheld vacuum cleaners for cars, pet hair and quick clean-ups
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 vacuums, including models from Black and Decker, Gtech, Shark and Vax.
We hoovered up fine dust, small debris and pet hair from hard floors and carpets to find out which handheld vacs could come in handy and which are a faff. We also put each vacuum to the test in a car.
Three handheld vacuum cleaners were good enough to receive our Best Buy recommendation — including one of the cheapest on test.
How our tests find you the best
Cleaning performance
Are Black and Decker, Gtech and Shark better than cheaper options? We hoover up rice and dog hair from carpets, hard floors and a car to find out.
Ease of use
There's nothing handy about a handheld vaccum cleaner that's a hassle to use. We mark down models that are messy to empty or have fiddly attachments.
Battery life
Few things are more frustrating than a vacuum cleaner dying mid-clean. We measure the battery life and recharge time so you're not left in the lurch.
We also test...
Noise — because no one should have to wear ear defenders while vacuuming.
The handheld vacuum cleaners we tested
The biggest brands and the most popular handheld vacuums are listed below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the handheld vacuum test results.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
| 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 tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time. Already a member? Log in | 82% | |||||
| 80% | ||||||
| 76% | ||||||
| 75% | ||||||
| 72% | ||||||
| 71% | ||||||
| 70% | ||||||
| 63% | ||||||
| 63% | ||||||
| 60% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Already a member? Log in
Date tested: September 2024. Page last checked: January 2026. We're not able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
*Carpet cleaning rating includes how well each handheld vacuum cleaner performed in our pet hair test.
All of the handheld vacuum cleaners we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best handheld vacuum cleaners from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Beldray Wet and Dry BEL0676 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Recharge time 4 hours 30 minutes
Tools Crevice tool, squeegee tool
Need to know 0.5L capacity, weighs 0.85kg, 11 x 12 x 41cm (HxWxL), three-year guarantee
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flexi PD1020LP-GB
Recharge time 4 hours
Tools Two-in-one nozzle, crevice tool, pet brush tool
Need to know 0.5L capacity, weighs 1.35kg, 23 x 13 x 14cm (HxWxL), two-year guarantee
Black and Decker Wet and Dry Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Recharge time 10 hours
Tools Brush tool, crevice tool, squeegee tool
Need to know 0.38L capacity, weighs 0.65kg, 12 x 12 x 43cm (HxWxL), two-year guarantee
Gtech Multi Platinum Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Recharge time 3 hours
Tools Dust brush nozzle, power brush, crevice tool, extension tube, hair removal tool
Need to know 0.4kg capacity, weighs 1.55kg, 25 x 13.6 x 38.6cm (HxWxL), two-year warranty
Gtech Prolite Cordless Handheld Bagged Vacuum
Recharge time 2 hours
Tools Crevice tool, dusting brush
Need to know 0.5L capacity, weighs 0.95kg, 16 x 10 x 36cm (HxWxL), 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
Recharge time 4 hours
Tools Crevice tool, motorised pet tool, brush tool
Need to know 0.45L capacity, weighs 1kg, 11 x 9.5 x 52cm (HxWxL), two-year guarantee
Shark Premium Handheld Vacuum WV270UK
Recharge time 3 hours 30 minutes
Tools Duster crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool
Need to know 0.1L capacity, weighs 0.65kg, 6.5 x 7 x 39cm (HxWxL), two-year guarantee
Shark WV200UK
Recharge time 2 hours 30 minutes
Tools Crevice tool, dust tool, multi-surface pet tool
Need to know 0.1L capacity, weighs 0.55kg, 6 x 6 x 42cm (HxWxL), two-year guarantee
Tower Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Recharge time 4 hours
Tools Brush tool, crevice tool
Need to know 0.2L capacity, weighs 0.7kg, 8 x 9 x 40cm (HxWxL), three-year guarantee
Vax Gator Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Tools Crevice tool (built-in)
Need to know 0.3L capacity, weighs 1.2kg, 15 x 10.5 x 35cm (HxWxL), one-year guarantee
How we test handheld vacuums
We buy the bestselling handheld vacuums from popular brands and retailers and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers.
We regularly revisit the handheld vacuum cleaners on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing. 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.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
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 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.
Looking for a vacuum cleaner with longer battery life and more suction power? See our cordless vacuum cleaner reviews
Is there a Dyson handheld vacuum cleaner?
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.
Log in or join Which? to discover what we found.
Considering splashing out on a Dyson? Check out how to choose the best Dyson and our Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner reviews
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 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 clean-ups 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.
Not sure what kind of vacuum cleaner is right for your home? See cordless vs traditional vacuum cleaners