Handheld Vacuums Buying Guide

If you've ever owned an upright or canister  vacuum,  then you know the challenge of schlepping one from Point A to Point B. Factor in a staircase, some furniture, or a narrow hallway and there is little convenience left to your so-called easy to use vacuum. Handhelds  are designed to make everyday vacuuming tasks easy. Ideal for small spaces and hard-to-reach, oddly-shaped areas, handhelds get the job done. However, they are smaller than full-sized models and therefore not capable of getting down to the nitty gritty the way larger vacuums can. Does that mean you should steer clear? Not at all. Especially if you feel a hernia in the works from hauling that heavy-duty suction machine up and down your stairs. Check out some points to consider below.

Is It For You?

• It's a great fit if...
• Your children are notorious for dropping their Cheerios  and smashing them under foot. A handheld will help reduce the strain of hauling the full-sized vacuum up and down stairs for individual clean ups.
• You live in a small apartment and thanks to your lack of storage, a full-sized vacuum is simply an eye sore.
• Your multi-leveled home has you trekking up and down stairs and you need something lightweight. Also check out a light-weight upright  that will spare your back the pain of bending over.
• You can't quite reach the crumbs in between the cushions of your couch.
• You want to vacuum your staircase with ease.
• A great way to clean surfaces, countertops and upholstered furniture.

• It's not for you if...
• You have a bad back. It may be lighter, but you still have to bend over.
• You need to vacuum large areas.
• You need a heavy-duty cleaning machine.
• You want a long lasting vacuum. These battery-powered handhelds don't last for extended time periods.

Features To Keep In Mind

• Ranging in price from as low as $35 to as high as $110.
• If you plan to use it on multiple surfaces (upholstery, carpets, hardwood floors), consider one with attachments and brushes.
• Lightweight and fairly quiet.
• Easy to handle and store in small spaces.
• They are also available in wet/dry vac models. 
• Some are bagless  with canisters. Note that canisters tend to release more dust particles in the air than bags during disposal.
• Generally they are cyclonic, but some come with bags or as bagless canister models that simply get emptied and cleaned every so often. You may also want to check out handheld steam vacuums. 
• Check for models that feature a HEPA filter, especially for allergy sufferers.

Recommendations

Hoover S1120 Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum Cleaner  This cordless hand vac lets you pick up all types of stains whether they are dirt or liquid and uses bagless technology to easily dispose of waste.	Dirt Devil Kone 7.2 Volt Cordless Hand Vacuum, Pink  Believe it or not, this is a vacuum. Designed to decorate your home and clean up messes with its 7.2 volt motor, this model comes in several fun colors and can be displayed anywhere in your home.	Shark SV736 Cordless Cyclonic Pet Power  This hand vacuum comes with a detachable motorized brush specifically designed to remove pet hair and deep set stains from your carpet.	Hoover BH50015 Platinum Collection LINX Cordless Hand Vac  This hand vac uses lithium-ion power and a cyclonic filtering system that lets you pick up dirt and debris with less hassle.	Dirt Devil Kwik Hand Vac-USB  The ultimate in sleek, this vacuum is designed to fit right on your desktop and can be recharged via a USB cord. Especially good at cleaning up small areas like computer keyboards  and other electronics.

Related Guides

Vacuums An overview of the supreme clean machine and your options when it comes to getting rid of dust and mess.	Wet/Dry Vacuums Designed to clean both wet and dry spills, these vacuums can come in handy as an all-purpose tool.	Canister Vacuums These models are lightweight and great for small jobs and cleaning tight spaces.	Housewares and Home Maintenance Stocking up on home cleaning products? Well look no further than our guide!