Top 10 Portable Vacuums for Pets, Cars, Multi-surface & More

Having to manually clean your floors, stairs, or car can be tedious, not to forget time-consuming. Portable vacuum cleaners are lightweight, energy-efficient, and they work on different surfaces and address various messes with their suction.

Read on to learn more about how to choose a portable vacuum and some of the best picks based on our research.

Best Portable Vacuums  Source: thewirecutter.com

Portable Vacuums Buying Guide

Below are critical factors to consider when shopping for a vacuum cleaner.

  • Weight and Size: Although most portable vacuums are light, that can vary depending on specific brands.
  • Location of the Power button: Look for a vacuum that has a locking mechanism, which allows you to use the vacuum continuously without forcing your finger to stay at the power button.
  • The Dust Bin and Filter Positioning: Vacuum cleaners come with a filter to clean the air. Check to see if the vacuum uses paper cartridge filters or fiber, washable filters.
  • Charge Time and Battery Life: Consider how long it takes the cleaner to recharge when purchasing a portable vacuum cleaner. You should look for an indicator that lets you know when the battery is running low.

Buying Recommendations

BLACK+DECKER dustbuster FLEX Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Home, Pet and Car Vacuum (BDH2020FL)
Eureka EasyClean Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Hand Vac Corded, 71B, EasyClean-Yellow
Bissell, 1782 Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand and Car Vacuum
Dirt Devil Handheld Cleaner Quick Flip 8 Volt Lithium Cordless Red Hand Vacuum BD30010
Battery Life
15 minutes
20 minutes
1 hour
13 minutes
Weight
3.2 pounds
4.85 pound
3 pounds
2.2 pounds
Additional Tools
Pet hairbrush
Motorized brush
Crevice, upholstery
Turbo tool
Best for Cars
Recommendations
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster FLEX Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Home, Pet and Car Vacuum (BDH2020FL)
Battery Life
15 minutes
Weight
3.2 pounds
Additional Tools
Pet hairbrush
Best for Stairs
Eureka EasyClean Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Hand Vac Corded, 71B, EasyClean-Yellow
Battery Life
20 minutes
Weight
4.85 pound
Additional Tools
Motorized brush
Best for Pet Hair
Bissell, 1782 Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand and Car Vacuum
Battery Life
1 hour
Weight
3 pounds
Additional Tools
Crevice, upholstery
Best Multi-Surface
Dirt Devil Handheld Cleaner Quick Flip 8 Volt Lithium Cordless Red Hand Vacuum BD30010
Battery Life
13 minutes
Weight
2.2 pounds
Additional Tools
Turbo tool

Best Portable Vacuums for Cars

Our best picks for best portable vacuums for cars include:

1. Black+ Decker BDH2020FL – Editor’s Pick

Specs
Battery Life: 15 minutes
Product Weight: 3.2 pounds
Additional Tools: Pet hairbrush
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster FLEX Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Home, Pet and Car Vacuum (BDH2020FL)
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster FLEX Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Home, Pet and Car Vacuum (BDH2020FL)
The Black & Decker BDH2020FL boasts of a three-stage filtration system that can handle various particles on the interior of your car. Find a flexible hose that allows you to get to tight spots in your vehicle’s interior. The vacuum can run for 15 minutes on a single charge, which is enough time to clean.

The portable vacuum takes six hours to charge fully, but some users reported a four hour charge time. You’ll love how easy it is to empty the dirt canister and clean it up. Black & Decker add cyclonic filtration to ensure that the dirt canister doesn’t clog quickly. Get a two-year warranty with this vacuum.

What we like about it
  • Lasting lithium-ion battery
  • Energy-efficient vacuum cleaner
  • Easy to maintain and simple to use
Drawbacks
  • Expensive compared to other models
  • Less impressive switch design
Sale
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster FLEX Cordless Handheld Vacuum, Home, Pet and Car Vacuum (BDH2020FL)
  • 1 BRAND IN HAND VACS
  • OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE - 20V MAX lithium-ion battery provides high suction power and performance
  • CORDLESS CONVENIENCE - Portable, rechargeable, + lightweight for use around your home and in your vehicle

2. Dirt Devil DRTSD20005

Specs
Battery Life: 15 minutes
Product Weight: 4.5 pounds
Additional Tools: Upholstery tool, sliding brush, dusting brush
Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Lightweight, SD20005RED, Red
Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Lightweight, SD20005RED, Red
Dirt Devil DRTSD200005 is not only affordable, but it’s lightweight. Featuring a long power cord, the vacuum cleaner is superior and allows you to maneuver easily when cleaning inside your car. The powerful motor makes it easy to get rid of particles, while the crevice tool allows you to handle narrow spots without difficulty. That allows you to reach confined areas like the spots in between the car seats.

Find a complimentary dusting brush with the bagless vacuum, an upholstery tool, and a sliding brush. The best part of the bag-less design is that it’s simple to clean when the bowl is full. All you need is to detach the bowl and clean it. Previous users love how this vacuum cleaner doesn’t lose its suction capacity with time.

Moreover, most found it easy to maintain and user-friendly compared to other brands. The only downside is that it can be loud during use, but this doesn’t interfere with its functionality.

What we like about it
  • Affordable
  • Long attachment hose for easy cleaning
  • Comes with a bag-less design
  • User-friendly and easy to maintain
Drawbacks
  • Produces a loud noise during operation
  • The clipping mechanism requires improvements
Sale
Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Lightweight, SD20005RED, Red
  • CONTINUOUS CORDED POWER: Gives you long-lasting suction power so you never have to worry about re-charging in the middle of your clean
  • GRAB & GO: The lightweight and portable vacuum design is packed with power and easily accessible for you to clean anytime, anywhere
  • DAY-TO-DAY MESSES: Great for cleaning those unexpected messes from pets, kids, or just life in general

Best Portable Vacuums for Stairs

Some of the best portable vacuum cleaners for stairs include:

1. Eureka EasyClean Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Cleaner – Editor’s Pick

Specs
Battery Life: 20 minutes
Product Weight: 4.85 pound
Additional Tools: Motorized brush
Eureka EasyClean Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Hand Vac Corded, 71B, EasyClean-Yellow
Eureka EasyClean Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Hand Vac Corded, 71B, EasyClean-Yellow
The Eureka EasyClean Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Cleaner weighs less than five pounds and has an ergonomic design, which allows you to clean the stairways without any challenge. Its motorized brush ensures deep cleaning. Find two motors on this vacuum cleaner, one for suction, while the other for the brush.

What we like about it
  • Lightweight and ergonomic design design
  • Comes with two motors
  • Easy to empty filter
Drawbacks
  • Has a loud exhaust fan
Eureka EasyClean Lightweight Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, Hand Vac Corded, 71B, EasyClean-Yellow
  • Portable, lightweight handheld vacuum for home, car or garage; Weighs less than 5 pounds
  • Motorized brush with on/off switch for thorough cleaning of carpets, Integrated filter with easy to empty dust canister. Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H) 20.00 x 12.00 x 10.00 Inches
  • 20-foot cord gives extended reach to clean an entire room, set of stairs or a vehicle in the driveway

2. Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Handheld Vacuum 47R51

Specs
Battery Life: 20 minutes
Product Weight: 4 pounds
Additional Tools: Hose adapter tool, crevice tool, wide mouth tool
Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Corded Handheld Vacuum, 47R51
Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Corded Handheld Vacuum, 47R51
Featuring an 18ft cord, the compact vacuum cleaner allows you to clean your stairs without interruption. Get ample suction with the 4 amp motor. Clean all the crevices of your stairs with the crevice tool and wide-mouth tool. The Multi-Level filtration traps allergens and the dust cup is easy to empty and clean.

Find the combs that extend out of the front to help pick up dust and other particles in the stairs. You’ll love the hose that ensures you don’t have to carry the portable vacuum around. Simply set the vacuum down and go through the stairs with the hose.

What we like about it
  • Easy to use and maintain
  • Ideal for those with allergies
  • Has several attachments
Drawbacks
  • Only works for tightest areas and not broader stairways
Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Corded Handheld Vacuum, 47R51
  • Dirt cup capacity - 0.78 liters. A powerful and convenient way to clean your home and car
  • Flexible rubber nozzle great for removing dirt and hair on upholstery, stairs, and in cars
  • Specialty cleaning attachments—includes hose, crevice tool, and wide mouth tool

Best Portable Vacuums for Pet Hair

Some of the best portable vacuums for pet hair include:

1. Bissel, Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum – Editor’s Pick

Specs
Battery Life: 1 hour
Product Weight: 3 pounds
Additional Tools: Crevice, upholstery
Bissell, 1782 Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand and Car Vacuum
Bissell, 1782 Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand and Car Vacuum
Specially designed for those with pets, Bissell, 1782 Pet Hair Eraser cleans every pet hair left around the house. Its motorized foot delivers powerful suction that ensures deep cleaning. The dual-action filtration system gets rid of any door left by the hairs. Clean hard to reach areas with the crevice tool.

What we like about it
  • Has longer battery life
  • Comes with a motorized head brush for deep cleaning
  • Cordless nature for easy and quick cleaning
  • Powerful suction for lifting pet hair
  • Has a dual-action filtration system
Drawbacks
  • The power button may malfunction with several uses
  • Takes a while before charging
  • The suction may fade out after some time
Sale
Bissell, 1782 Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand and Car Vacuum
  • BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser hand vacuum is cordless, to clean wherever your pet goes.Specific uses:Carpet,Car Interiors,Furnitures
  • Motorized foot provides powerful suction for a deeper clean. Power Rating : 14.4 Volts
  • Crevice tool helps clean hard-to-reach areas and tight spaces. Telescoping Extension Wand

2. Black +Decker HLVA325JPO7 Lithium Pet Hand Vacuum

Specs
Battery Life: 15 minutes
Product Weight: 3.1 pounds
Additional Tools: Crevice tool, push-in brush, wall mount
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster furbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Pet Handheld Vacuum, Home and Car Vacuum (HLVA325JP07)
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster furbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Pet Handheld Vacuum, Home and Car Vacuum (HLVA325JP07)
The Black + Decker Lithium Pet Hand Vacuum comes with anti-tangle rubber bristles to get rid of stubborn hair that gets caught within furniture and carpets. Its dual-speed mode allows you to handle delicate materials and other items that need a power boost. With a charging time of five hours, the vacuum provides you with a run time of 10-15 minutes.

What we like about it
  • Has a dual-speed mode for delicate cleaning
  • Comes with a battery sense feature
Drawbacks
  • Air may blow out of the sides
Sale
BLACK+DECKER dustbuster furbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Pet Handheld Vacuum, Home and Car Vacuum (HLVA325JP07)
  • #1 BRAND IN HAND VACS**
  • OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE - 12V MAX* lithium-ion battery provides high suction power and performance
  • CORDLESS CONVENIENCE - Portable, rechargeable, + lightweight for use around your home and in your vehicle

Best Portable Vacuums for Multi-Surface

Some of the best handheld vacuum cleaners for multi-surface include:

1. Dirt Devil Plus 16V Handheld Vacuum Cleaner – Editor’s Pick

Specs
Battery Life: 13 minutes
Product Weight: 2.2 pounds
Additional Tools: Turbo tool
Dirt Devil Handheld Cleaner Quick Flip 8 Volt Lithium Cordless Red Hand Vacuum BD30010
Dirt Devil Handheld Cleaner Quick Flip 8 Volt Lithium Cordless Red Hand Vacuum BD30010
With a 16V Lithium-ion battery, the Dirt Devil Plus 16V Handheld Vacuum Cleaner provides long-running power. The best part is that you can clean stairs, different floors, and upholstery with the attached powered turbo tool. Find a power indicator that lets you know when it’s time to recharge the vacuum cleaner. Its cordless convenience lets you move from one room to another to clean.

What we like about it
  • Has a power indicator that lets you know when to recharge
  • Long-lasting battery power
  • Cordless convenience
Drawbacks
  • The attachments are challenging to clean
Sale
Dirt Devil Handheld Cleaner Quick Flip 8 Volt Lithium Cordless Red Hand Vacuum BD30010
  • FASTER CHARGING: 8 Volt Lithium Batter for faster charging, longer runtime, and fade-free power.Voltage:8 volts_of_direct_current
  • QUICK FLIP: The versatile Quick Flip crevice tool is stored right on the unit—just flip out the tool and click it into place to easily reach debris in crevices and tough corners
  • LIGHTWEIGHT: Weighing under 2 pounds, you can easily carry this hand vac from one mess to the next

2. Shark Rocket HV292 Ultra-Light Hand Vacuum

Specs
Battery Life: 15 minutes
Product Weight: 3.7 pounds
Additional Tools: Motorized brush, dusting brush, crevice tool
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light with TruePet Mini Motorized Brush and 15-Foot Power Cord Hand Vacuum (HV292), Maroon
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light with TruePet Mini Motorized Brush and 15-Foot Power Cord Hand Vacuum (HV292), Maroon
The Shark Rocket HV292 Hand Vacuum cleaner is excellent when you need to clean above-floor surfaces, car interiors, and stairways. you don’t have to worry about the batteries running out when cleaning as the vacuum never loses power or suction. Find an easy to empty dust cup. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about maintenance costs as the device comes with washable filters that are reusable.

What we like about it
  • Powerful and compact design
  • Multiple tools and attachments
  • Easy to use dust cup
Drawbacks
  • The cord doesn’t retract
  • Doesn’t have a storage case
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light with TruePet Mini Motorized Brush and 15-Foot Power Cord Hand Vacuum (HV292), Maroon
  • Portable and ultra-lightweight. Less than 4 pounds in total
  • True Pet Motorized Brush for handheld deep cleaning
  • Easy-to-empty dust cup. No bag needed and empties with the touch of a button.

Best Affordable Portable Vacuum

If you’re looking for a handheld vacuum cleaner on a budget, here are some options to consider.

1. Holife 6KPA – Editor’s Pick

Specs
Battery Life: 30 minutes
Product Weight: 3.3 pounds
Additional Tools: Crevice tool, dusting brush, liquid nozzle
No products found.
No products found.
A powerful, yet affordable vacuum cleaner, the Holife 6KPA boasts of an ergonomic design. Weighing less than four pounds, the portable cleaner gives you a hassle-free experience when cleaning around the house. The silent motor increases your cleaning experience without being distracting. Find two removable and washable filters on this cleaner. One outstanding aspect is that the vacuum cleaner comes with a 30-minute runtime, something you won’t find in most models.

The non-toxic lithium battery doesn’t have a memory effect. You’ll love the unit’s power and its versatility when cleaning. The three attachments allow you to get into tight spots and handle delicate surfaces. Get the best cleaning results with the high-performance motor that provides a 6KPA cyclonic suction.

What we like about it
  • Has a long battery run time
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Affordable
Drawbacks
  • The design could use some improvements

No products found.

2. Sweager Handheld Vacuum, Handheld Vacuums Cleaner Wireless, handheld Vacuum

Specs
Battery Life: 30 minutes
Product Weight: 3.77 pounds
Additional Tools: Crevice nozzle, soft pipe
No products found.
No products found.
Featuring a powerful motor, the Sweager Handheld Vacuum Cleaner allows you to clean food debris, pet hairs, and scraps. It’s also easy to empty and comes with an LED light that lets you find dirt in hidden places.

What we like about it
  • Has long battery life
  • Provides three-in-one versatility
  • Lightweight design
Drawbacks
  • Weak suction power

No products found.

Final Thoughts

The above handheld vacuum cleaners are effective at cleaning your house, car, and even pet hairs.  Decide whether you want a corded or a cordless vacuum cleaner and don’t forget to check the suction power and battery life to find a vacuum cleaner that works for you.

Last update on 2024-11-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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