Compare our choices
Others we tested
Photography: Molly Higgins
Tineco Go Mini Cordless Hand Vacuum for $130: This lightweight vacuum cleaner is quite simple and charges via the handle end which plugs directly into the wall. Before the first use, you should charge it for five to six hours, giving you 10 to 20 minutes of use. The main things I wanted to focus on cleaning in my daily life were cat litter and pet hair. This vacuum spit out about 80 percent of the litter I tried to vacuum up, and pet hair simply rolled onto the carpet instead of being sucked into the vacuum. (I’m not sure if it was the angle or shape of the mouth that contributed to both of these issues.) The suction wasn’t as powerful as others tested, and it tended to work better on hard surfaces. This vacuum wasn’t bad per se, but others on this list at similar prices worked much more effectively on much more diverse surfaces (with multiple head attachments) than it was apparently capable of.
Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum for $45: This sleek, lightweight (1.37 pounds) handheld vacuum isn’t the most powerful I’ve tested, but it’s lightweight and very easy to maneuver. It comes with a multi-accessory tool that combines a long, thin crevice tool with a moving brush (the brush moves up and down on the tool as needed), but you can also just use the vacuum without the slim attachment for more general surface cleaning. The vacuum’s small 0.1 liter front deforms to empty, and a small dual filter can also be removed for cleaning/replacement. In testing, I failed to pick up larger objects like wood splinters or trash, and I only picked up a fraction of pet hair like some of the more powerful models with a rotating brush, but I wasn’t expecting that – that’s not this cutie’s job. It’s lightweight, simple, and easy to use, making it a great portable and lightweight option (just don’t expect it to handle larger messes).
Photography: Molly Higgins
Hoto AutoCare Dust Collector and Vacuum for $63: This ultra-light (0.78 pounds) vacuum can also blow debris/dust, inflate and deflate, and vacuum seal. It has tons of accessories: a pointed crevice tool, a dusting brush, a dust nozzle, an air nozzle, and a floating ring nozzle. It holds just over 3 ounces, has 20,000Pa suction and each attachment twists off and on easily. I found that the head of the grooming brush tended to push around the fur/hair rather than sucking it in. Like many gadgets we test here at WIRED, this one fell into the trap of trying to do a lot of things, rather than doing just one thing really well. It’s a good deal for a device with so many capabilities (if that’s what you need), but if you’re just looking for a really good handheld vacuum, there are others that are more effective.
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $124: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell thought this cordless hand vacuum was great for cars and hard-to-reach places because of its 4-foot hose. It features a crevice tool and pet hair brush for a variety of messes, and runs on a 20-volt lithium-ion battery that delivers high suction power. Additionally, it has a convenient charging stand into which accessories clip. However, we’re not fans of the short 15-minute battery life.
FAQs
I factored charge and actual power time into the overall value and ranking, considering some charge for four hours and last for less than half an hour of battery life – this just won’t be practical for some people. Since most of them come with accessories for specific needs, I made sure to test each one on a myriad of surfaces, like rugs, carpet, hardwood, stairs, countertops, crevices, inside my car, on furniture, and even between air vents and blinds. I also tested different types of messes (no liquids though), focusing particularly on my biggest personal problems: cat litter and pet hair.
Again, pay attention to specifications like charge and usage time, as well as its wattage (like voltage) and included accessories. If you work in construction and need a handheld vacuum for debris, I’d recommend something like a Ryobi, while if you’re looking for a portable, lightweight travel vacuum, the AeroSlim might be better suited for you. It is also important to take into account the charging time and usage time. Some of them are less than 15 minutes long and have very small waste capacities, so if you have a larger project you’ll need to consider this.
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