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Some messes in life call for a full-sized, heavy-duty vacuum. But others, like the crumbs between your couch cushions or the dirt on the floor of your car, require a more lightweight and portable handheld vacuum. These little appliances have come a long way from the countertop dustbusters of your childhood, and they can range from super high-end models to affordable, reliable pieces of gear to keep nearby for quick cleanups.
What Are the Best Handheld Vacuums?
Whether you’re cleaning car seats or needing to vacuum up a small spill, handheld vacuums make these jobs a little easier. Here are the things we look for in a reliable handheld vacuum for spot cleaning and tidying up around the house and beyond.
Power:We don’t expect a handheld appliance to come with the same cleaning power as a full-sized model, but portable vacuums should still be capable of reliable spot cleaning on both hard surfaces and carpets while still being small and lightweight enough to be easily moved.
Pet Hair: Some of our favorite models come with special attachments and nozzles designed to pick up pet hair, which is one of the main reasons you’d need a handheld vacuum to begin with.
Size: The lighter and slimmer the vacuum the easier it will be to use — and the more likely you’ll be to actually use it. The one thing to consider with these small models is that the smaller it is, the smaller the dustbin may be, so you’ll have to empty the debris out more often.
Versatility: The shape of the nozzle is also important in terms of the vacuum’s versatility, and whether it is capable of reaching awkward corners and out-of-the-way spots like under a carseat.
