But the answer to this question depends on how much debris you wish to pick up. If you need something for small jobs, a handheld Shark vac may be perfect. But if you intend to vacuum whole rooms with your new appliance, choose an upright bagless vacuum instead; the capacity is far greater. Shark handheld portable canister models run anywhere from $75 to $100. They typically come with an upholstery tool and, at 15 feet, some of the longest power cords among the handheld models. The lithium-ion batteries used in Shark’s handheld vacuums eventually begin to wear down, which shortens their run times after a while.
Easily access the no-mess CleanTouch™ dirt ejector, to empty the XL dust cup. “Mini” handheld vacuums that weigh 2 pounds or less have recently emerged as a new category. Such models are smaller and lighter than all of our current picks and not as powerful. They’re good as desk or snack vacs for midsize debris such as cookie crumbs, and they’re easy to store on countertops or desks.
This model’s built-in, extendable crevice tool sucked up baking soda, glitter, birdseed, Cheerios, and cat litter from both carpets and bare floors with ease. The Wyze Handheld Vacuum is better than the Shark WANDVAC. The Wyze delivers better performance on bare floors and high-pile carpet, comes with a broader assortment of tools, lasts longer on a single charge, and has a larger dirt compartment. Meanwhile, the Shark has virtually no recurring costs and does a better job sucking up fine debris, like baking soda, from low-pile carpet. The Shark WANDVAC and iRobot H1 each have their own advantages.
It’s compact and has a low-profile standup charging station that holds the vacuum upright and has space for the included tools and accessories. If you’d like something even smaller, look at the eufy HomeVac H11, though it doesn’t have a charging station or an accessory rack. So this year when I moved into a new condo and gave up my garage, I needed one to clean my car interior without busting out the big Craftsman Shop-Vac. I chose a Shark Wandvac, mainly because I trust the Shark name and had just purchased an upright Shark for my home. Here’s my experience after several months of happy ownership.
The Dyson V7 and Shark WANDVAC have different strengths and weaknesses, which is normal for vacuums with different intended uses. The Shark is a dedicated handheld vacuum for spot cleaning that feels sturdier and lighter, is easier to maintain and store, and clears more debris on bare floors. The upright/handheld Dyson is better for clearing large sections of the floor due to its larger dirt compartment, longer continuous runtime, and broader selection of tools and brushes. Spills are unpredictable, but you can make sure you’re ready for them with this dustbuster® 12V MAX AdvancedClean™ Cordless Hand Vacuum. Its high-performance motor was built to provide 3X more suction power. While messes are not usually enjoyable, they can be made easy to clean up with this vacuum’s extra-wide nozzle that was designed to accelerate the tidy-up process.
A powerful stick-handheld vacuum that is easy to maneuver and easily converts into a handheld vacuum. The CHV1410L can’t clean upholstery all that thoroughly, as debris, especially hair, tends to cling to fabric, and this model has neither the suction nor the right tools to offset that clinginess. And because this model has no hose or pivoting nozzle, and its crevice tool is comparably large, using it to clean at odd angles is a hassle. To test pet-hair pickup, we spread a handful of fur (from a local groomer) into a rug and then try to pick it up with each vacuum. If a model comes with an attachment that may improve pet-hair pickup, such as rubber nubs—or better yet, a motorized brush—we use it.
If you regularly clean up after fur-shedding pets, the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ HHVK515JP07 is uniquely designed to help you fight that battle. Staff writer Sabine Heinlein has been a journalist for over two decades. With a menagerie of rabbits and cats, she obsesses over how different types of fur adhere to shark pet vacuum upholstery and how best to remove hairballs from heirloom rugs. How long, rounded to the nearest half-minute, the vacuum can run on one battery charge in its highest-power mode. Clean hard-to-reach areas and slim spaces with the included nozzles. Some shoppers say they’d hoped for a longer run time from this little vac.
The Shark clears more debris on bare floors and low-pile carpet, has a larger dirt compartment and an additional upholstery tool, and does a better job of filtering away allergens. It also charges much faster, though the BISSELL has longer battery life. The BISSELL is also a little more compact and a bit lighter. A cordless handheld vacuum can be used around the house, in the workshop or in the garage. Major suction power ensures that you can clean up any mess with just the touch of a button.
It lasts up to 15 minutes on a single charge, which is a lot when you’re only doing spot cleaning and shorter chores. And its washable HEPA filter cleans the air as you vacuum, instead of kicking the debris back outside. The included 20V 2.0 Ah Max Lithium battery and charger gives you freedom from the cord and can be used on any other Worx 20V tool in the PowerShare family. The Ryobi 18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum Kit offers powerful suction, long battery life, and a larger bin than almost any other cordless handheld vacuum we’ve tested. It easily picks up dust, cereal, and other common household messes.