Compare our selections Others we tried Photography: Molly Higgins Riccar Gem Handheld Vacuum Cleaner with Tools for $70: This model is very similar to the Simplicity corded model above and although it is portable and portable, this big boy needs to be plugged in to receive power. I like how basic it is: there’s just
Compare our selections
Others we tried
Photography: Molly Higgins
Riccar Gem Handheld Vacuum Cleaner with Tools for $70: This model is very similar to the Simplicity corded model above and although it is portable and portable, this big boy needs to be plugged in to receive power. I like how basic it is: there’s just a top switch for on/off and a button on top to release the dust bin, which is on the front of this model rather than the back. Once disconnected, you only need to lift the hemispherical cloth mesh filter and throw away the waste. Unfortunately, a lot of hair and dust sticks to the filter, so you’ll want to be sure to clean it with a semi-damp cloth. It comes with several accessories, including a flexible hose, a long crevice tool with detachable brush, an upholstery brush, and a dusting brush. Instead of twisting or breaking, each accessory fits perfectly into the opening, making it easier for those with fine motor issues. I liked that the long, flexible hose easily reached tight spaces, like between the counter and refrigerator and behind my automatic litter box. The corded machine makes noise and heats up quickly due to its high power. While I don’t think this is the best portable vacuum for everyone, it is a solid option with plenty of power.
Photography: Molly Higgins
Tineco Go Mini Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for $200: The Tineco Go, a lightweight vacuum cleaner that is fairly simple and charges via the end of the handle, needs to be charged for five to six hours before use, giving you 10 to 20 minutes of use time. 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 debris I tried to vacuum, and the pet hair simply rolled onto the carpet instead of being sucked back into the vacuum. (I’m not sure if it was the angle or the shape of the mouth that helped in both problems.) The suction was not as powerful as others tested and 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 many more different surfaces (with multiple head attachments) than this one was apparently capable of.
Photography: Molly Higgins
Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum for $45: It’s not the most powerful I’ve tried, but it’s light and very easy to maneuver. It comes with a multi-attachment tool that combines a long, slim crevice tool with a moving brush (the brush moves up and down on the tool as needed), but you can also use the vacuum without the slim attachment for more general surface cleaning. The small 0.1 liter front of the vacuum rotates to empty and a small double filter can also be removed for cleaning or replacement. During testing, I couldn’t successfully pick up larger objects like wood fragments or trash, and I only picked up a fraction of pet hair like some of the more powerful models with a brush roll, but I didn’t expect it to; That’s not this beauty’s job. It’s lightweight, simple, and easy to use, making it a great portable and lightweight option (but don’t expect it to take care of bigger problems).
Photography: Molly Higgins
Hoto AutoCare Vacuum and Air Duster for $60: Looking for a lightweight vacuum cleaner (0.78 lbs.) that can also blow out debris/dust, inflate and deflate, and vacuum seal? Hoto may be suitable. It has tons of accessories: a pointed crevice nozzle, a dusting brush, a dust cup nozzle, an air nozzle, and a swim ring nozzle. It can hold just over 3 ounces, has 20,000 Pa suction, and each attachment snaps on and off easily. I found that the grooming brush head tended to push the hair rather than suck it. Like many devices we test here at WIRED, this one fell into the trap of trying to do too many things, instead of doing one thing really well. This is a great deal for a device with so many capabilities (if that’s what you need), but if you’re just looking for a really great handheld vacuum, there are others that are more effective.
Photography: Nena Farrell
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $74: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell thought this cordless handheld vacuum was great for cars and hard-to-reach places because of its 4-foot hose. It has a crevice tool and pet hair brush attachments for a variety of dirt, and is powered by a 20-volt lithium-ion battery that provides high suction power. In addition, it has a practical charging stand to which accessories are attached. However, we’re not fans of the short 15-minute battery life.
Frequently asked questions
I factored actual charge and power time into the overall value and rating, considering a four-hour charge and less than half an hour of run time; that just won’t be practical for certain people. Since most of these come with attachments for specific needs, I made sure to test each one on a wide variety of surfaces, including carpets, rugs, hardwood, stairs, countertops, crevices, inside my car, furniture, and even between vents and blinds. I also tried various types of dirt (although not liquids), focusing especially on my main personal problems: cat litter and pet hair.
Definitely pay attention to specifications such as charging and usage time, as well as power (such as voltage) and accessories provided. If you work in construction and need a handheld vacuum for debris, I would recommend something like a Ryobi, while if you’re looking for a lightweight, portable travel vacuum, the AeroSlim might be better suited for you. It is also important to consider charging versus usage time. Some of these are less than 15 minutes and have very small waste capacities, so if you have a larger project you’ll need to take that into account.
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