Best portable hand vacuum
Photography: Molly Higgins
Photography: Molly Higgins
Photography: Molly Higgins
Tinker
Mini portable vacuum cleaner
This lightweight (1.77 pound) portable handheld vacuum has a luxurious, grippy matte finish and is available in two colors, Emerald Green and Dark Blue. It comes in a convenient zippered carrying case with a handle for easier transport, interior cutouts so each accessory fits snugly, and a stretchy mesh enclosure inside the lid. It uses a 47,000 RPM motor for 6,000 Pa of suction power and comes with a long, narrow nozzle for crevices and a shorter brush for dust and debris.
To use, simply place the washable mini HEPA filter into the dust bin and twist to lock. It works by pressing just one button. I really liked how lightweight this handheld vacuum was and the carrying case made it convenient to transport. Another huge plus is that it uses a USB-C charger instead of a proprietary model, so it would be very convenient to keep the zippered carrying case in your car in case of a spill and be able to charge it with the same charger you use for your phone when you’re in the car. It worked well for its size, although the small dust bin needs to be emptied quite often. It also only runs for 15 minutes on a charge and takes over two hours to recharge after use.
| Ability: | 130 milliliters |
| Attachments: | Narrow hose tip; brush nozzle |
| Battery/power supply: | 7.4 volts |
| Claimed runtime: | 15 minutes |
| Filtration: | Reusable HEPA filter |
| Guarantee: | None |
An air duster and a hand vacuum cleaner for the car
Photography: Molly Higgins
Photography: Molly Higgins
Picture
AutoCare Plus Dust Collector and Vacuum
Many handheld vacuums I test are marketed for the car, and that’s no surprise: This lightweight (less than a pound) vacuum has a convenient carrying case with a handle that can easily fit under a car seat or in the trunk. It has various vacuuming attachments, including a 2-in-1 grooming brush ideal for pet hair and crumbs on soft surfaces (like car seats), a pointed crevice tool for getting into cup holders and between cushions, and a short, angled dust nozzle for flat surfaces like a dashboard or floor. Additionally, it has an air nozzle for blowing dust from air vents and a swim ring nozzle for inflating on the go, ideal for inflating air mattresses or pool floats on a camping journey.
It uses a 10.8 volt lithium battery and only has a power button and a boost mode button. It charges using a USB-C adapter (a universal charger often used with phones, making it ideal for the car) and fully charged for me in just over an hour. The waste bin has two dust bins; the outer one is wire mesh and the inner one is a high density folded paper filter (it also comes with an extra filter). Each part screws on, including the nozzle attachments. I found the dust bin section to be a bit difficult to unscrew at times, and I would often accidentally press the power button while trying to disengage the parts. Overall, though, this is a solid choice if you want a handy multi-tool vacuum that’s great for on the go.
| Ability: | 6.1 fluid ounces |
| Attachments: | 2 in 1 grooming brush; pointed crevice tool; air nozzle; dust nozzle; swimming ring nozzle |
| Battery/power supply: | 10.8 volts |
| Claimed runtime: | Up to 35 minutes in eco mode |
| Filtration: | Double high density filter |
| Guarantee: | 1 year |
Compare our choices
Others we tested
Photography: Molly Higgins
Riccar Gem Handheld Vacuum with Tools for $70: This model is very similar to the Simplicity wireframe model above, and while it’s portable and portable, this big boy needs to be plugged in to get power. I like how basic it is: it just has a top switch for on/off and a button on the top to release the dust bin, which is on the front of this model rather than the back. Once disengaged, simply remove the fabric semi-spherical mesh filter and empty the debris. Unfortunately, a lot of hair and dust gets stuck to the filter, so you’ll need to make sure to wipe it with a semi-damp cloth to clean it. It comes with several accessories, including a flexible hose, a long crevice tool with a removable brush, an upholstery brush, and a dusting brush. Instead of twisting or breaking, each accessory fits snugly into the opening, making it easier for people with fine motor skills issues. I liked that the long flexible hose easily reached tight spaces like between my counter and refrigerator and behind my automatic litter box. The corded machine is noisy and heats up quickly due to its power. While I don’t think this is the best handheld vacuum for everyone, it’s a solid option with plenty of power.
Photography: Molly Higgins
Tineco Go Mini Cordless Hand Vacuum for $200: A lightweight, fairly simple vacuum cleaner that charges through the end of the handle, the Tineco Go should charge for five to six hours before use, 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 the 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.
Photography: Molly Higgins
Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum for $45: Not the most powerful I’ve tested, but it’s light and super 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 $60: Are you looking for a lightweight vacuum (0.78 pounds) that can also blow debris/dust, inflate and deflate, and vacuum? The Hoto might be suitable. 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.
Photography: Nena Farrell
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $74: WIRED Review Nena Farrell I thought this cordless hand vacuum was great for cars and hard-to-reach places thanks to 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.
Definitely pay attention to specifications like charge and usage time, as well as 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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