Best Affordable Handheld Vacuum
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
Ryobi
18V One+ Performance Hand Vacuum
For a cheaper handheld vacuum, the Ryobi 10V One+ is a powerful small hand vacuum that WIRED reviewer Molly Higgins says is the best one she has tried that’s under $100. This handheld is lightweight and powerful, and it comes with two attachments that work well on pet hair and car debris. It has a fine battery life of around 25 minutes, at least in Molly’s testing.
| Capacity | 0.7 liters |
| Attachments | Crevice tool and dust brush |
| Suction power | Up to 37″ sealed suction IOW (inches of water) |
| Run time | Not specified (when Molly tested, it was around 25 minutes) |
| Filter | HEPA and standard filters |
| Warranty | Three-year manufacturer’s warranty |
Comparing Our Favorite Vacuum Cleaners
Honorable Mentions
Bissell PowerClean FurFinder for $200: This was our previous top pick for the best cordless vacuum, and it’s still a great affordable stick vacuum. But the regular Bissell PowerClean ($150) is a touch cheaper since it doesn’t come with the FurFinder upholstery attachment, while Dyson and Ryobi’s vacuums have more powerful suction for pet hair.
Black and Decker Dustbuster Flex for $110: This is another cool handheld vacuum that’s great for cars or even indoor areas like staircases. It has a 4-foot hose, longer than most compact vacuums, and a handy little charging mount that the accessories clip into. And thank goodness for the charging mount, since the battery only lasts 15 minutes.
Dyson Gen5 Detect Cordless Vacuum for $800: This is Dyson’s current top-of-the-line stick vacuum, and it’s fantastic, especially for homes with a lot of pet hair. But it’s expensive and rarely on sale, making it a hard upgrade when you’ll still get a great experience with the Dyson V15 Detect. This vacuum does have a HEPA filter, while the V15 Detect does not.
Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones for $450: This is a unique take on a stick vacuum. It’s an impressive feat with the motor and dustbin built into the slender handle. There’s both a Fluffycones version, which I tested, that has four fluffy cone-shaped rollers in the head, and a cheaper Fluffy version. I was impressed with the maneuverability of the PencilVac Fluffycones and often find myself grabbing it between runs of my robot vacuum to keep debris and cat litter under control. It’s also lightweight and easy to push, and it has a freestanding charging mount. But it’s a little pricey for being meant only for hard floors.
Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone for $999: If you want a newer robot vacuum, the Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone has a unique design with no dust bag. Instead, it has a rounded canister like a Dyson or stick vacuum, circling the debris to keep it from tangling. It’s a good design, and this is overall a great robot vacuum, especially if you don’t want to buy dust bags over and over.
Eufy X10 Pro Omni for $480: This was our previous top pick for a robot vacuum. It’s still a great choice and well-priced for a robot vac that can vacuum and mop, and has a solid 8,000 Pa of suction power. But Eufy does have a newer model that you can pick up for just a little more if you want a self-cleaning roller mop instead of roller pads, with almost double the suction power.
Roborock Saros 20 for $1,600: Roborock’s latest robot vacuum is overall pretty good, but WIRED reviewer Adrienne So noticed it left debris behind on her hard floors, specifically on the divider when it moved from her carpet onto hard flooring. This could be a fault of the super-high suction, which hits 36,000 Pa. There are a few other features she hoped would work better, too, including the AdaptiLift and beta stain-detection feature. We’re in touch with Roborock about these issues, but overall it’s a solid robot vacuum.
Tineco Pure One Station 5 for $459: If you want a cordless stick vacuum but don’t want to deal with emptying it all the time, this Tineco vacuum comes with a self-emptying docking station. You’ll eventually have to empty the station, but it’s a great bonus feature and keeps the vacuum from falling over around your home since it’s stored safely in the docking station.
FAQs
Which Style Vacuum Is Right for You?
To help you choose which one to buy, here’s what makes each vacuum style great.
- Cordless Vacuums or Stick Vacuums: These vacuums look like the latter name suggests, with a long, sticklike arm that connects the vacuum head to the canister and controls. You’ll need to hold this up in a way you wouldn’t have to with an upright vacuum, but these are powerful and super mobile. They make for a great main vacuum, and are especially great if you have multiple floors to vacuum since it’s easy to carry these up and down stairs.
- Robot Vacuums: Robot vacuums are great for cleaning for you and are controlled with an app. There are several models that double as a mop, too. You’ll have to spend time moving furniture for the best clean possible, and you usually still want a regular vacuum of some kind. But these are great for frequent cleans in homes with kids and pets.
- Handheld Vacuums: Handheld vacuums are great for targeted cleans or for cleaning specific places like stairs and cars. Most stick vacuums can transform into a handheld vacuum, but true handhelds are much lighter and have a more compact design (but also sacrifice battery power and dustbin capacity).
What About Upright Vacuums?
An upright vacuum is the classic, original vacuum style that sits straight up on its own, is much heavier than a cordless stick vacuum, and requires an outlet connection to operate. We don’t have an upright vacuum we recommend, since cordless stick vacuums have become the main focus for most shoppers (and as frequent vacuumers ourselves, we usually reach for cordless and robot vacuums anyway). We’re considering upright vacuums to test in the future, however, so feel free to comment on this guide with models we should consider.
Do You Need a Stick Vacuum and a Handheld Vacuum?
Do you need a handheld vacuum if you already have a cordless vacuum? Likely not, because most stick vacuums can transform into a handheld vacuum. Stick or cordless vacuums usually allow you to remove the stick part from between the vacuum head and canister base and instead connect those two pieces directly, making it into a handheld vacuum. It’ll be much heavier than a handheld-only vacuum and might be irritating for some use cases, but you don’t need both unless there’s a specific reason. A handheld is a good add-on if you already have an upright vacuum you love that doesn’t need replacing.
How Often Should You Replace Your Vacuum?
Vacuums last about five years, depending on the use frequency and build quality. Some cheaper stick vacuums might last only a year or two, though, so it’s worth investing in a better vacuum rather than a cheap dupe. If you’re curious what signs might indicate your vacuum needs replacing, check out our guide to how long vacuums can last.
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