Best Handheld Vacuums in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 22, 2024
A handheld vacuum cleaner is a truly must-have appliance for any household. This small appliance makes cleaning easy and trouble-free. We have chosen 5 best handheld vacuum cleaners so you can see how they compare and choose the one that fits you most. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Operation
Power
Attachments
Extras
Warranty
 
PROS

Thanks to the extended crevice tool, cleaning corners and hard-to-reach places is simple as never before.

CONS

Battery charge is slow-ish.

OUR VERDICT

The Dustbuster is a powerful handheld vacuum cleaner designed with the SmartTech system that informs you about the condition of the battery and filter, making this model so pleasant in use.

detailed parameters
Operation

1.1 kg, cordless

Power

35 W

Attachments

Integrated long crevice tool, Flip-out brush

Extras

Filter sensor, Battery sensor, Floor sensor, LED light to illuminate the cleaning area, Base charger

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The battery lasts 8 minutes. The one-touch easy-empty dust cup enables quick and easy emptying. The vac weighs less than 600 grams. 

CONS

The handle is relatively fat and can be awkward in small hands. 

OUR VERDICT

The Shark WV200UK is where form meets function. This unit is more elegant and streamlined than any handheld vac within this price range. It is also more compact and lightweight but no less capable.

detailed parameters
Operation

0.6 kg, cordless

Power

115 W 

Attachments

Crevice tool, Multi-surface pet tool

Extras

Accessory storage (attaches to the charging base), Battery indicator, One-touch easy-empty dust cup, Complete with filtration technology

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The appliance can work for up to 15 minutes on a 10.8V battery. The Gator Mouth technology ensures quick dust bowl emptying. The crevice tool is built into the appliance, so you won't need to store it elsewhere.

CONS

Cleaning the filter is a little awkward. 

OUR VERDICT

Vax Gator portable vac is a compact cordless appliance that is best suited for daily clean-ups of small dirty surfaces (such as stairs or car interior).

detailed parameters
Operation
1.3 kg, cordless
Power

100 W

Attachments

Main nozzle, Built-in crevice tool

Extras

Removable transparent dust bowl that you can empty with the push of a single button, Removable washable filter, Charger

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The device is very easy to clean after use thanks to the One-click emptying system. Numerous attachments that it includes make it suitable for cleaning all sorts of surfaces. Two operation modes (17 Kpa and 11 Kpa) contribute to the unit's performance.

CONS

The sofa brush's bristles may wear out rather quickly with frequent use.

OUR VERDICT

The Laresar 11.1 V is a small elegant-looking vacuum cleaner that's perfect for day-to-day cleaning tasks. It has a long-lasting 3300 lithium battery and a Type-C cable, meaning you can charge it from a cigarette plug or USB port and use it anywhere.

detailed parameters
Operation

1.95 kg, cordless

Power

170 W

Attachments

Flat nozzle, Sofa brush, Extension tube and 2-in-1 flat nozzle, Charging station, Type-C cable

Extras

HEPA washable filter, Two cleaning modes, Front-in LED light, LED battery indicator, Quick charge, Quiet operation, One-click emptying

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The see-through dust bowl takes the guesswork out of the emptying equation. The nozzle pivots 200 degrees, letting you reach inaccessible corners and tight spaces, cleaning underneath and between various furniture pieces. 

CONS

The markings on the buttons do not last. 

OUR VERDICT

The BLACK+DECKER 18 V Lithium-Ion Compact Pivot Vacuum is modern, elegant, and ergonomic. The model's also easy to use, easy to empty and fast to recharge. Using this vacuum, you can keep the entire place clean, including every corner.

detailed parameters
Operation

1.38 kg, cordless

Power

980 W

Attachments

Charging base, Integrated soft brush, Integrated crevice tool

Extras

Triple-action filtration, Folds in half for compact charging and storage, Easy empty feature, Charge indicator, Eco smart charge

Warranty

2 years limited

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Black & Decker DVJ325BF-AMGB

Smart Technology

The Black & Decker Dustbuster is a real finding for those who value high suction power and a user-friendly design united in a handheld vacuum cleaner; this model does have something to offer.

The first feature that many cordless vacs miss is high suction power. With some models, cleaning even the slightest mess becomes frustrating. But this one proves that using a battery-operating compact handheld cleaner can be effective and pleasant. The Dustbuster can remove almost any spill from hard floors, carpets, furniture, and textile surfaces even in its default mode. And when you double press the on/off button, the Intelligent Boost mode turns on. It offers some extra suction power and helps you clean very fine dust from carpets and textiles with ease. Also, the suction power is so high due to the cyclonic suction that spins dust away from the filter, thus improving the cleaning process.

As for usability, the manufacturer has equipped the DVJ325BF-AMGB model with SmartTech sensors that detect and then inform you about the condition of your vacuum cleaner. There is a sensor that monitors the level of the battery charge and a filter sensor that informs you when the filter is clogged and needs replacement or a cleanup. All this information is arranged on the LED screen right next to the on/off button.

Review of Black & Decker DVJ325BF-AMGB 10.8 V Lithium-Ion Dustbuster Hand Vacuum

Handy Extensions

High efficiency and better control of the vacuum are not the only clever touches of the Black & Decker design. It also has quite a long integrated crevice tool that can be extended out twice its length when you need to clean up hard-to-reach places. It is not easily retracted, not until you press the release button, of course. There is also a flip brush that you can use to clean spills on your carpet more effectively with the crevice tool in its original position.

The filtration system is well-thought-out as well. The dust container is translucent and easy to clean: when you notice that the bowl is full, just press the blue lever on the right side of the unit to remove and empty it. The filter is inside the bin. It is water washable and quite durable, so it will take a long time until you need a replacement.

The Dustbuster vacuum cleaner comes with a charging base, manual, and several screws to wall mount the charging unit. The battery is already charged, so you can give your new vac the first try right from the box. The battery needs about 6 hours to fully charge but some users claim it sometimes takes only 4 hours. The runtime of the full battery could be longer though. But considering how powerful this vac is, more likely than not, you will need less time to clean small messes here and there. All in all, this Black & Decker rechargeable handheld vacuum can become a reliable assistant in every house where quick and effective cleaning is welcome.

Black & Decker DVJ325BF-AMGB 10.8 V Lithium-Ion Dustbuster Hand Vacuum in the use

Additional Info

User Manual

Last updated price £69.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01GRCGC42

 

Shark WV200UK

Sleek and Streamlined

The Shark WV200UK has performance and utility going its way but, before anything else, this vac is as sleek and streamlined as they come.

More often than not, handheld vacuum cleaners look cheap and uninspired, sometimes even bulky and inconvenient. That's not the case here.

As you can probably tell, this thing looks smooth and elegant. The unit's silver housing adds massive aesthetics points and the concealed profile makes this vac look less cluttered than most high-tech devices.

You can put the charging base anywhere you want without worrying about this unit ruining the space's flow/aesthetic.

Some believe that the handle is pretty fat though, so people with small hands might find this vac relatively impractical.

On the upside, the unit (without the base) measures 22 x 9.5 x 38.5 centimetres and 0.6 kilograms, which is ridiculously compact and lightweight even by handheld vacuum standards.

The charging base is pretty streamlined too, so you can place this thing even onto most countertops without sacrificing that precious 'top space that you usually want to converse.

The vac takes very little time to recharge. Also, the fully recharged battery will provide around 8-minute runtime, so you'll have enough time to quickly clean up various spots and places.

Review of Shark WV200UK Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Single Battery

One-Touch Easy-Empty Cup

The utility remark that we've made earlier refers to the model's one-touch easy-empty dust cup first and foremost. Coupled with the company's filtration tech, the vac captures dust and the tiniest particles and lets you quickly open the cup using that one single touch to enable easy and accessible emptying.

In addition to that, the unit comes equipped with this battery indicator that will tell you when it's time to move the vac to the charging base and let the base do its job.

Generally speaking, handheld vacs are not that powerful. With its high-efficiency motor, this unit is powerful enough though. Producing respectable suction action, this vacuum cleaner effortlessly deals with dust, crumbs, pet hair, and various unexpected messes.

Using the multi-surface pet tool, you'll be able to pick up pet hairs from throughout the entire house. Meanwhile, the crevice attachment will let you easily access hard-to-reach areas and remove crumbs from cars, refresh upholstery, clean between the sofa cushions, and more.

Long story short, the Shark WV200UK puts most handheld vacuums to shame. This unit is more aesthetically pleasing, capable, and accessible than anything we've looked at recently.

Shark WV200UK Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Single Battery in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £99.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07H5XMVGD

 

Vax Gator Cordless

User-friendly and Affordable

Right off the bat, the Vax Gator Cordless H85-GA-B10 works off a 0.8V electric motor which despite a seemingly modest rating generates plenty of power to let the device cope with most typical cleaning jobs, including collecting fine dust, scattered breadcrumbs, pet hair and other small debris which you would otherwise have to pick by hand. The main nozzle is positioned at the optimal angle to easily edge through upholstered cushions and clean dirt from carpets and around the stairs. This nozzle has a rather wide opening which allows the vac to catch more debris per one go, setting it aside from many other models within its price range.

The only complaint that we have with this vacuum cleaner is that it doesn't have a motorised brush tool, meaning the device won't be able to increase the suction power and as a result, might struggle to pick up all dander and hair from carpets.

When it comes to the run time, the device provides the average 15 minutes of operation. Though it needs about 12 hours to recharge, so it is best to leave it to recharge overnight.

Review of Vax Gator Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Never Lose Never Misplace

As for usability, the VAX hoover boasts of a few design features that shouldn’t go amiss. First things first, it comes with a rather wide edged nozzle - this makes it easier to sweep dust between upholstered furniture, cushions, under sofas, and in the cracks. Secondly, this nozzle is fixed, meaning you won't need to remove it nor will there be any risk of losing it. Thirdly, the vac has a hassle-free dust emptying system - there are two release buttons on each side of the cleaner that you need to press together. The filter built into the device is washable and can be used for up to 6-7 months without replacement. In order to clean it, it's enough to wash it with some warm soapy water and leave to dry. The maintenance of the vac is intuitive and straightforward.

Wrapping things up, the VAX vacuum is a sound choice for those who're looking for a budget-friendly cleaner offering efficient performance and requiring minimum maintenance.

Vax Gator Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £39.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B015QZH2EU

VIDEO
VAX Gator 10.8v H85-GA-B10 Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner (unboxing and noob tutorial)
 

Laresar 11.1 V

Versatile and Powerful

There are a lot of things we love about the Laresar 11.1V handheld vacuum cordless cleaner. First things first, it's the humanised front LED light design. Equipped with a bright LED light, it makes it easier to clean in the darkness, ensuring you see every corner of your space and never miss a spot.

Another thing we love about this vacuum cleaner is its packaging. Not a lot of devices from its class come with so many accessories right out of the box and give you so many cleaning options. Thus, along with the hoover itself, the box contains four accessories, such as a flat nozzle, a sofa brush, an extension tube, and a 2-in-1 flat nozzle. Thanks to this, the Laresar 11.1 V does a great job of cleaning virtually any surfaces, delivering amazing performance on hardwood and carpeted floors, ceilings, upholstery, soft furniture, and car seats, and cleaning all nooks and crannies of your living space.

Obviously, accessories alone wouldn't be enough of a reason to give it a leg up on other similar hoovers. It's also the motor with its effective power suction output of 17000pa and two levels of suction power that makes its performance outstanding. Consequently, you can customise the unit depending on what you need to do and achieve brilliant results on all types of floors and surfaces without having to bend down. Moreover, the device stands out for its ultra-quiet operation, producing no more than 69dB. This makes it twice less noisy than a traditional vacuum cleaner (check how loud it is here).

Review of Laresar 11.1 V Handheld Vacuum Cordless

Fast Charging

In addition to being powerful, efficient, and versatile, the Laresar 11.1 V also has one of the fastest charging times, allowing the machine to achieve full charging within just around 3-4 hours. On top of that, when fully charged, it offers you around half an hour of no-fade time in a Standard mode and 20 minutes at max settings, which should be plenty to pick up the common debris found in any average household. Besides that, the unit is supplied with a charging stand and a Type-C cable, making it especially convenient for car use.

What's not as convenient is that the unit has a comparatively big weight. It weighs around 1.95 kg, so lifting it up and cleaning ceilings and curtains might be rather taxing if done for a prolonged time. That being said, most users have no problems with its weight and find manoeuvring it in tight spots pretty easy and convenient.

In all, the shortcomings of the Laresar 11.1 V are really minor and are easily overweighted with the advantages of the machine. So, if you're looking for a portable hoover that is powerful, effective, and has a fast-charging time, look no further.

Laresar 11.1 V Handheld Vacuum Cordless in the use
Last updated price £49.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B08GCFN1NR

 

Black & Decker 18 V Lithium-Ion

Packing More

Whereas most handheld cleaners are not that capable, designed to complement standard vacuums but not replace them, the BLACK+DECKER 18 V Lithium-Ion Compact Pivot Vacuum is a different story. This portable appliance is huge, allegedly outputting 980 watts to capture anything from the tiniest dust particles to sizable debris.

Despite that, the model's almost as compact and lightweight as most handheld vacuums, measuring 17.8 x 15.5 x 29.2 centimetres and 1.38 kilogrammes. This is not the sleekest package we've looked at but easily the sleekest package at its output level.

Where the unit's size proves too much, you can use the integrated extendable nose to access awkward places, easily cleaning between car seats, sofa cushions, beneath the couch, and more. The on-board cleaning brush will let you capture dirt and debris from soft furnishings without breaking any sweat.

But even where the extendable nose cannot reach, this unit does not retreat. Instead, the vacuum offers its biggest standout feature - the patented nozzle that pivots 200 degrees so that even the most awkward, hard-to-reach spaces become easily accessible from any angle, letting you clean underneath different furniture pieces and reach high shelves without any support structures.

Review of Black & Decker 18 V Lithium-Ion Handheld Compact Pivot Vacuum

Elegant and Ergonomic

The pivoting nozzle is what separates this product from its peers before everything else but its strengths do not end there. To start with, there's the large translucent dust bowl that tells you when you ought to empty the bowl without opening anything, whilst the sizable door latch and the removable bowl allow you to do that within seconds.

Thanks, in part, to this translucent bowl but also to the model's entire form that's both sleek and elegant, the unit complements most modern environments. Setting its elegance aside though, the form is also ergonomic and balanced evenly, facilitating long use with little hand fatigue. Plus, you can fold this vacuum in half, enabling compact charging and convenient storage. The blue light below the handle will flash so that you know it is charging and stop flashing when the vacuum is fully charged.

Construction-wise, things only get somewhat hairy with the markings on the buttons since they do not necessarily last. Besides that, the BLACK+DECKER 18 V Lithium-Ion Compact Pivot Vacuum easily lands among the best handheld models, with the flip-out soft brush cleaning delicate surfaces without damaging them and the Eco Smart charger taking no more than 4 hours to make the unit's battery go from 0 to 100%.

Black & Decker 18 V Lithium-Ion Handheld Compact Pivot Vacuum in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £73.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00IUK800O

 

Infographics

Comparison of Handheld Vacuums

What Is a Handheld Vacuum?

Everybody knows what a vacuum cleaner is - they are used in every home. However, when it comes to cleaning furniture, tight spots, corners, shelves, and stairs, using a conventional vac can be quite tricky due to its bulky size. That's where a handheld vacuum will come to your help. As it follows from its name, it is a small vacuum cleaner for handheld use, which has a lightweight construction, making it ideal for quick fix cleaning around your house. Despite the smaller weight, though, most handheld models do not fall behind full-size vacs in terms of suction power and can be used for cleaning even some serious messes. Another advantage to having handheld vacuum cleaners is that they can be used for cleaning cars, handy if you don't have a dedicated car vac cleaner.

If you have carpeted floors, go ahead and take a look at our pick of wet-dry vacuums. These devices are high-performing and can tackle even very old stains without breaking a sweat. Or you may want to read about robotic vacs, automated appliances that can slip under low-profile furniture and clean on demand.

What Features to Compare

There are many handheld vacuum cleaners offered on the market yet picking a decent one may still be quite a challenging task. To help you out, we've compiled this review along with the important features that need to be considered when making your choice. Let's take a closer look at these features.

Operation

First of all, you should decide which operation mode you're going to use most often.

In general, handheld vacuum cleaners can be divided into two types - cordless that have a battery and corded requiring direct connection to a power outlet. No need to say that if you want to be fully autonomous and use your dustbuster anywhere - at home and in your car - a cordless model will be a better choice. It offers mobility and can be used for picking debris in all of the trickiest spaces without a hassle.

When it comes to corded models, the advantage of those is that they are more powerful (usually) and can operate at any time without a need for recharging. The downside is, they somewhat restrict the cleaning area, but you can solve this issue by using an extension lead.

Power

It goes without saying that for a vac to be able to pick all sorts of debris from all types of surfaces, it has to be equipped with a powerful motor. Therefore, make sure to consider its power yield. Naturally, the higher this number will be, the more suction power it will generate and the more efficient it will be at collecting spills and messes. In general, though, as we've mentioned earlier, corded handheld vacuum cleaners are usually more powerful than cordless models.

Attachments

Anyone who appreciates versatility and is looking for a handheld to tackle a variety of cleaning tasks should pay attention to the supplied kit of attachments. More often than not, these cleaners come including such attachments as a brush, a hose, etc. Some models will also have a special pet hair brush which will be especially useful for households with four-legged friends. With some vacs, you'll also get a rubber contour nozzle for cleaning smooth surfaces like glass.

Extras

Finally, pay attention to the extras the chosen handheld vacuum cleaner has. For example, most modern handheld vacuums will include special filters to capture dust and bacteria so you won't breathe it. This feature will be important both for allergic people and for families with kids.

Sources:

1. How to Choose a Handheld Vacuum, eBay, March 10, 2016.

2. Christina Peterson Choosing a Handheld Vacuum, GoodHousekeeping. June 12, 2014.

3. Vacuum Cleaner, Wikipedia. November 24, 2016.

4. Invention and History of Vacuum Cleaners, About.

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