The 8 Best Handheld Vacuums for Cleaning Small Messes

ProsAmple power without a lot of weightStraightforward designTwo speed settingsConsOnly comes with the adjustable nozzleLightweight, user-friendly, and full of power, the Dustbuster HHVK515J is an excellent vacuum to take on an array of tasks across the home, the shop, and even inside your car.The nozzle at the end of the vacuum stretches an additional 7.5 inches—all you have to do is pull it forward to get into all the hidden nooks and crannies. It has two cleaning speeds, one of which is a power boost in case you need to maximize suction for a bigger mess.The Dustbuster uses a foam filter and a pre-filter to trap debris and other common allergens, both of which you can wash from time to time. This vacuum doesn't come with any additional attachments besides the adjustable nozzle, so it might be best used for immediate messes that you need to clean up right away.Key SpecsRuntimeUp to 10 minDustbin Capacity75 mLAttachmentsNozzle slides out, but no additional accessoriesFiltration SystemFoamWeight2.6 lbProsBuilt-in flip-up brush and crevice toolLightweight and compactConsFilter may not fully trap all airborne particlesThe Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean is reasonably priced, lightweight, compact, and has a good amount of suction power. The battery only lasts for about 15 minutes off of a single charge, but that's more than enough time to clean up a workspace, countertop messes, and other light debris.Even with its smaller build, the Dustbuster comes with a built-in flip-up dusting brush and crevice tool, so you don’t have to deal with storing any attachments. It uses a washable pleated filter, but it’s not HEPA, so some dust and allergen particles may not be trapped completely.The dustbin holds about half a liter of debris at a time, and it empties with a quick press of a button. The Dustbuster comes with a wall mount for quick and convenient storage.Key SpecsRuntimeUp to 15 minDustbin Capacity0.5 LAttachmentsBuilt-in flip-up brush and crevice toolFilration SystemWashable pleated filterWeight2.74 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsEject button for emptying the dust binTwo air streams for better suctionMotorized attachment for picking up pet hairWhat we appreciate about this handheld vacuum is that Shark has packed in similar features to some of the pet hair vacuums we love, like a paddled roller brush for scooping up deeply embedded hair and making continuous contact with surfaces. Alongside these features, you also get a self-cleaning brush roll.This handheld vacuum uses two cyclonic air streams, one for powerful suction and one to separate debris away from the motor to protect its lifespan. When it's time to empty the dustbin, just hit the eject latch and the chamber door falls open, discharging dust and hair. You don’t have to touch any of the gunk.We also like how the design uses a two-stage filter, and you can wash and use it again. The vacuum runs for up to 10 minutes off of its rechargeable lithium-ion battery.Key SpecsRun TimeUp to 10 minDustbin Capacity0.45 qtAttachmentsScrubbing brush, crevice tool, detachable self-cleaning Pet Power brushFiltration SystemWashable fabric filterWeight3.09 lbProsWhole-machine filtration systemIncludes tools to remove pet hairLong runtimeConsTrigger-button operationThe Dyson Car+Boat is a handheld vacuum that can easily alternate between detailing the interior of your car and cleaning small messes from bare floors, carpet, and furniture. Plus, it offers up to 50 minutes of fade-free suction in standard mode, which is more than any other handheld vacuum on this list (besides the corded option, that is).Similar to Dyson cordless stick models, the Car+Boat uses a fully sealed filtration system to pick up and trap almost 100 percent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.It also comes with a mini motorized brush, a crevice tool, and a combination tool for messes both big and small. The main caveat is that you have to keep a trigger button depressed for the duration of your cleaning session in order for the vacuum to stay powered on.Key SpecsRun TimeUp to 50 minDustbin Capacity0.05 galAttachmentsCombination tool, crevice tool, motorized brush toolFiltration SystemWhole-machine filtrationWeight2.2 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSolid battery powerGood suction powerQuality HEPA filterConsHeavier than other models on this listThe DeWalt DCV517B stands up to tough chores, tackling anything like a bowl of breakfast cereal dumped on the floor (milk and all), or a handful of metal shavings on top of your garage workbench.The HEPA filter traps debris of varying sizes effectively, and the vacuum has two cleaning modes so you can alternate between the nozzle head and extendable hose. This model also has a half-gallon tank that easily detaches for emptying.The DCV517B uses DeWalt-brand batteries, which may add some considerable heft to the body itself (it weighs 4.5 pounds to start). But, a high-capacity battery gives superior vacuuming strength and provides the suction needed to clean both wet and dry messes.Key SpecsRun TimeUp to 45 minutes (depending on battery used)Dustbin Capacity0.5 galAttachmentsExtendable rubber hoseFiltration SystemWashable wet/dry HEPA filterWeight4.5 lbProsSlim build fits in tight spacesMultiple attachments allow for specialized cleaningConsYou have to frequently empty the small dustbinThe Shark Wandvac is the sleek, modern hand vacuum that could just as easily serve as an accent piece in your living room as it does for cleaning up spills. While the exterior might be flashy, the bones of the machine are solid as well.The large mouth is great for big messes, and the powerful suction means even serious dirt or food spills will be pulled up without much issue. Beyond this, the Wandvac has multiple attachments including the Multi-Surface Pet Tool and Duster Crevice Tool.During our testing, the Duster Crevice Tool was quite effective for hard to reach corners, ceilings and otherwise ignored spaces like under the fridge, but we were most impressed by the Surface Pet Tool. In combination with a bit of elbow grease, it lifted tons of hair and dander out of carpets, furniture, and other upholstery. Just note that the dustbin is a little small, which means frequent emptying.Read Full Shark Wandvac ReviewKey SpecsRun TimeUp to 10 minDustbin Capacity1.4 lbAttachmentsCrevice tool and pet multi-toolFiltration SystemWashable fabric filterWeight0.08 qtAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsWorks well on furnitureMotorized brush pulls stubborn hair and debris from upholsteryConsTakes several hours to fully rechargeThe Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is the only thing that worked to remove embedded pet hair, litter paw prints, and dander from my black polyester couches (and I tried plenty of other methods). Suction is consistent and strong, and the motorized pet tool provided the power I needed to get rid of wiry hairs that had found themselves looped in the fabric.The Pet Hair Eraser has a pleated post-motor filter, a washable inner foam filter, and a mesh pre-filter for trapping dust and allergens. The dustbin is easy to empty once you remove the filter, and you can give it a quick rinse if you want to remove any lingering debris. The vacuum lasts for up to 17 minutes, but it takes a long time to fully recharge.Key SpecsRun TimeUp to 17 minDustbin Capacity0.18 gal AttachmentsCrevice tool, motorized brush tool, upholstery toolFiltration SystemTriple-stage filtrationWeight3 lbProsCorded design means you don't have to wait for a battery to rechargeConsistent suctionLong power cord and detachable hoseDon’t want to deal with rechargeable batteries? A corded handheld vacuum is a great option if you prefer to have continuous power for your cleaning tools. The Dirt Devil Scorpion has a 15-foot power cable so you don’t have to always be within range of an outlet, along with a 2.5-foot detachable hose and built-in crevice tool for picking up dirt and debris in hard-to-reach areas.The dustbin holds a little less than half a liter, which is right around the capacity we recommend to cut down on trips to the trash can. This model also uses a washable filter to reduce the amount of maintenance and replacements needed.Use this alongside your corded upright, and you’ll have the suction power you need to tackle tough household messes. We just wish it came with some more attachments to really take it to the next level.Key SpecsRuntimeN/ADustbin Capacity0.45 LAttachmentsBuilt-in crevice toolFiltration SystemWashable filterWeight3 lbAmber is a Reviews Editor with bylines on Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Best Products sites. Specializing in kitchen gadgets, small appliances, lifestyle, and consumer tech, she brings hands-on testing and a detail-oriented approach to every review. In her free time you can likely find her trading trinkets at an EDM festival, searching for hidden gems at thrift stores, or cuddling with her two cats.