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Sometimes, a full-size vacuum is just too big. They’re difficult to carry up and down stairs, they take up a ton of space in closets and other tighter areas, and they can be impossible to maneuver inside vehicles. Plus, you might be over the hassle of managing a power cord.
Handheld vacuums can make your life a lot easier. They can make vacuuming your stairs a breeze, they can fit into all the tiny places, and you won’t need to find an extension cord to manage outdoor vacuuming chores like outdoor furniture or your vehicle. Plus, they’re very affordable and light enough that anyone can use them.
If you think a handheld vacuum is the next logical addition to your arsenal of cleaning tools, we don’t blame you! They’re great. But you won’t have a great time unless you choose the right one. You should think about the price, weight, included attachments, power source, and more. Every feature matters!
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best handheld vacuums in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision.
Upgrade Pick: Shark Cordless UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus Handheld Vacuum
Compact Pick: Bissell 2986D AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Budget Pick: Black+Decker HNVC215B10 Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Runner-Up: VacLife VL189 Handheld Vacuum
The Black+Decker CHV1410L Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum has a lot going for it. The 0.61 litre dustbin really stands out—it’s twice as large as some others out there, and it really makes a difference. The dustbin and the filter are both washable, too, so upkeep won’t be a challenge at all. We love that the suction is good enough to tackle spilled food, pet hair, and regular dust with ease.
If you’re the type of person who loses your glasses when they’re on top of your head (we all have those moments), you will love the on-board attachments. The crevice tool slides out of the nozzle, and the dusting brush flips up from underneath. You’ll never lose them!
One of the coolest features is the rotating nozzle—it can flip 180 degrees to make it easier to get into tight spaces without twisting your hand. If you’re environmentally conscious, the Smart Charge technology will probably be your favourite thing—it uses 50% less energy to charge compared to other vacuums.
There are a couple of small things we would change about this one if we could. It takes four hours of charging to supply the 15 minutes of battery life, so we highly recommend keeping it plugged in constantly when you aren’t using it. Also, in a few years, it’s quite likely that the battery will only last for 30-90 seconds per charge.
Reviewers have a high opinion of the Black+Decker CHV1410L Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum. The suction strength is great, the battery life is decent, and the onboard attachments are a big hit since they don’t have to worry about losing them. Many people have experienced a failing battery after 3-4 years though, so it isn’t great as a long-term solution.
Dimensions: 17.3” x 5.5” x 7.8”
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Suction Strength: 15.2 AW
Power Type: Cordless
Battery Life: 15 minutes
Dustbin Capacity: 0.61 L
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
Has a flip-up brush attachment and extendable crevice tool
Filter and dustbin are both washable
Slim nozzle can rotate 180 degrees for easier access to tight spaces
Smart Charge technology uses 50% less energy
Cons:
Needs four hours to charge
Battery doesn’t hold up long-term
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, the Black+Decker CHV1410L Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum is a really well-rounded, well-priced option. You might run into some problems with the battery down the road, but for your first few years at least, you’ll love it for its convenience and reliable cleaning efforts.
The Shark Cordless UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus Handheld Vacuum is an amazing tool. If you’re a pet parent, it’s very nearly a must-have. If you have a high-shedding dog (or multiple), you won’t want to ever live without this thing. In addition to the standard crevice tool and dusting/scrubbing brush, this thing has a self-cleaning pet hair attachment, too. It works like magic on all surfaces.
The double cyclonic air streams that power this vacuum offer the perfect amount of suction power for every mess on every surface—you can say goodbye to going over the same spot endlessly with no results. Once the dustbin gets full, you can empty it (without getting your hands dirty!) with the CleanTouch dirt ejector. This might be our favourite feature. The washable fabric filter is another great addition.
Of course, no vacuum can be perfect. This one doesn’t have any obvious issues, though. It’s mostly about personal preference and convenience. You won’t get any onboard storage for your attachments, so you’ll need to set aside a home for them to keep track of them. It’s also missing a wall mount/charger, so you’ll need an out-of-the-way outlet for charging.
Reviewers are very happy with the Shark Cordless UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus Handheld Vacuum. The pet hair tool works miracles on pet fur whether it’s floating around on hard floors or stuck to furniture. The self-cleaning feature is a big hit too. A couple of people would prefer a charging dock or attachment storage on the vacuum, but the overall performance and quality of this vacuum are perfect in their eyes.
Dimensions: 20.8” x 3.8” x 4.3”
Weight: 2.8 lbs
Power Type: Cordless
Dustbin Capacity: 0.42 L
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
CleanTouch dirt ejector makes dustbin-emptying quick and easy
Comes with three attachments: self-cleaning pet hair attachment, dusting brush, and crevice tool
Two cyclonic air streams improve suction power and motor life
Washable filter is environmentally friendly and easy to care for
Cons:
Attachments cannot be stored on the vacuum
Doesn’t come with a charging dock
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Shark Cordless UltraCyclone Pet Pro Plus Handheld Vacuum is the best-performing handheld vacuum money can buy. It might not have every possible feature you could want, but it won’t make a fuss about any type of mess, and it’s super easy to keep clean.
The Bissell 2986D AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum is one of our favourite options out there. Its sleek appearance jumped out at us right away—it won’t be an eyesore in your home. The compact size also means you can store it anywhere—in a glovebox, kitchen drawer, bedside table, etc.
Two special features make us really happy. First up is the 2-in-1 accessory. It’s got a dusting brush and a crevice tool combined so you can reach all of the messy areas without much hassle. Plus, it has a home on the vacuum so you can’t ever lose it. Number two? This thing can be charged anywhere you can plug in a USB—the car, your laptop, or any outlet (if you have a charging brick handy). It’s great.
As always, we want you to be aware of the low points, too. This compact vacuum has an equally compact dustbin—in other words, you’ll be emptying it all the time if you use it for big messes. Also, the suction strength leaves a little something to be desired, so this shouldn’t be your go-to for pet hair or heavy messes like spilled cereal.
Reviewers are huge fans of the Bissell 2986D AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum. People love that they can leave it out around the house or store it in their car so it’s always within reach when they need it. The battery life and suction strength could be better, but most people understood the limitations when they bought it and found it works great for their needs.
Dimensions: 12.6” x 2.8” x 3.6”
Weight: 2 lbs
Power Type: Cordless
Battery Life: 12 minutes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Can be stored anywhere
Appealing design means it can be left out and accessible
Comes with a 2-in-1 dusting brush and crevice nozzle
USB charger can be used in the car, connected to a laptop, or with a charging brick at any outlet
Cons:
Dustbin is very small
Suction isn’t very high-powered
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Bissell 2986D AeroSlim Cordless Handheld Vacuum is an amazing option for compact spaces with light cleaning demands. It doesn’t offer the same oomph that larger handheld vacuums have, but it can still get the job done in a pinch!
If you need an affordable handheld vacuum, you’ve come to the right place. The Black+Decker HNVC215B10 Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum has the lowest price tag on this list. But it’s got a lot more than that. Our favourite feature? The built-in crevice tool. It sits snug for your main cleaning, but it extends easily to help you reach under furniture or into tight spaces.
Our second favourite feature? The wall mount charger. We love that the charger doubles as an out-of-the-way storage spot—you’ll never trip over the vacuum while it’s charging, and you’ll never have to wonder where you left the cord or how much battery it has left. With a washable filter and translucent dustbin, your vacuum cleanout won’t become another chore.
As we must for all budget-friendly products, it’s time to talk about the low points. This one has a few. A 10-hour charge time is where it starts—for a battery that only lasts 10 mins (downside number two), a 10-hour charge time is just too long.
The suction strength on this one also leaves some room for improvement. You’ll be alright for spot cleans and picking up loose and lightweight debris, but it’s not a good choice for pet hair removal from your car.
Reviewers have mostly good things to say about the Black+Decker HNVC215B10 Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum. The battery life is quite short, so people are only using it as a quick spot-clean vacuum. Some people think the suction strength is okay, others think it isn’t strong enough for their needs. People love the wall mount charger and how easy it is to empty and clean.
Dimensions: 16” x 4” x 4.5”
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Suction Strength: 15 AW
Power Type: Cordless
Battery Life: 10 mins
Dustbin Capacity: 0.325 L
Warranty: 2 years
Pros:
Charger can be mounted to a wall for convenient and hazard-free charging
Comes with a built-in extendable crevice tool
Filter is easily washable—no replacements needed
Translucent dustbin lets you keep an eye on the dirt level
Cons:
Takes 10 hours to fully charge
Battery life is bad
Suction strength could be better
Performance: 3.5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, the Black+Decker HNVC215B10 Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum is a standout in the budget-friendly handheld vacuum arena. It’s got its flaws, of course, but for quick spot-cleans throughout the day, it’s a solid choice. Plus, you can’t beat the price!
We are big fans of the VacLife VL189 Handheld Vacuum. It’s effective on all of the things it needs to be able to remove from your living space—pet hair, crumbs and spilled food, and dust! It doesn’t get caught up in carpets either. Considering how powerful the suction is, this vacuum is pretty quiet. It won’t be too much of a disruption for your pets, children, or you.
The dual-filter system keeps your motor happy, and it’s washable, so you won’t need to worry about the cost or hassle of replacements. An LED light makes your life a lot easier when you’re trying to clean under your car’s seats, under furniture, or in tight spaces like closets. It comes with a brush tool and crevice nozzle, too, so no space will be left unvacuumed!
We’re super happy to tell you that there really isn’t much wrong with this option. The battery life is pretty short at only 30 minutes, so you’ll just need to plan your chores accordingly. It can’t replace a full-size vacuum for full-house cleaning. That’s it! Everything else about this handheld vacuum falls in the pros column.
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the VacLife VL189 Handheld Vacuum. They love that it’s lightweight and easy to clean out after they finish their chores. The LED light and attachments are a great addition for cleaning all of the tricky spots, and the suction has been effective on crumbs, dust, and pet hair. The low runtime is the only concern that pops up, and most people don’t mind it.
Dimensions: 14.4” x 3.9” x 4.6”
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Power Type: Cordless
Battery Life: 30 mins
Dustbin Capacity: 0.45 L
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
The dual-filter system is highly efficient (and washable)
Comes with a brush tool and crevice nozzle
Has an LED light built-in
Suction is strong enough for multiple debris types and surfaces
Cons:
Battery life is limited
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the VacLife VL189 Handheld Vacuum is a solid, well-rounded option that would fit right in with any cleaning demands. Whether you want a companion for occasionally cleaning your car or a tool to help with everyday upkeep, this thing is made of the right stuff.
Handheld vacuums are pretty affordable products all across the board. Most of them will be priced between $70 and $150. In general, more expensive vacuums will have better suction, more attachments, and a longer lifespan.
Suction strength is one of the features you need to pay the most attention to. You’ll need to make sure it can handle your most common messes—spilled food from kids, pet hair, etc.
The whole point of getting a handheld vacuum is to have a more convenient option than a full-size one, but if the handheld you choose is too heavy or difficult to store where you need it to be, you haven’t upgraded as much as you’ve wanted to.
Most handheld vacuums will be cordless, but there are also wired models on the market. If you only need to use it in a specific area, a corded option may work for you, but most people will need the convenience of a cord-free vacuum.
The battery life on a handheld vacuum is generally below 30 minutes. Even 30 minutes is pretty short if you want to use it for a lot of surfaces or stubborn pet hair on furniture/in your car. We recommend looking for at least 15-20 minutes for reliable cleaning.
Most handheld vacuums will come with a dusting brush and a crevice tool. Sometimes they are built into the vacuum’s design, sometimes they are loose, and other vacuums will have on-board storage. The quality and effectiveness of these attachments will vary by brand and model, and you’ll want to make sure they’re up to your standards before you buy.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.