We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Vacuums The 9 Best Handheld Vacuums and Dustbusters of 2024, After 6 Months of Testing Dirt and pet hair didn’t stand a chance next to our top picks from Shark, Bissell, Black+Decker, and more By Alyssa Brascia Alyssa Brascia Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer for PEOPLE with two years of experience in the digital media industry. Her expertise lies in the realm of fashion and beauty, where she covers the best products that your wardrobe and makeup vanity need like the best lip oils, boyfriend jeans, workout sets, ballet flats, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 26, 2024 04:21PM EST In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Verdict Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Dera Burreson The name “dustbuster” may be synonymous with a handheld vacuum in your mind, but there’s a difference between these two household must-haves. Dustbuster is trademarked by Black+Decker, and it is a small vacuum you carry in one hand. It's made to clean those hard-to-reach areas (think the crack between car seats, tight corners, etc.). Today’s Top Deals Shark WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum is 31% off Black+Decker dustbuster Cordless Pet Handheld Vacuum is 21% off Dustbusters can be called handheld vacuums, but not all handheld vacuums are dustbusters: Some handheld vacs have a small hose attached to the cleaning head (separate from the motor and dustbin), so they require two hands to operate, similar to full-sized canister vacuums. While these two compact vacuums are different, they both accomplish the same thing: quick, convenient cleaning. To ensure we were testing a broad scope of handheld vacuums and dustbusters of all shapes and sizes, we hit the floors with 30 small vacuums to determine the best for vacuuming up dirt, debris, and much more. We tossed all-purpose flour, hair, Cheerios, and popcorn kernels on four different flooring surfaces (hardwood and also low-, medium- and high-pile carpeting) — evaluating the cleaning power of each vac to see which models are worthy of the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval. After testing these vacuums for 11 hours in our lab, we took them home for long-term testing. Six months later, these are the best handheld vacuums and dustbusters we recommend. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $79 Jump to Review Best Cordless: SALE Nicebay Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $90 $66 Jump to Review Best Value: Black+Decker Gen11 AdvancedClean+ Dustbuster at Target $70 Jump to Review Best for Pet Hair: SALE Black+Decker Dustbuster Furbuster Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $100 $79 Jump to Review Best Investment: Black + Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Hand Vacuum at Amazon $90 Jump to Review Best for Home Office: Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $42 Jump to Review Best for Car: Black + Decker Flex Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $125 Jump to Review Best Design: SALE Shark Wandvac Cordless Handheld Vacuum at Amazon $130 $90 Jump to Review Best for Big Messes: Worx Power Share Cube Vac at Amazon $99 Jump to Review Best Overall Shark UltraCyclone Pro Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $79 at Amazon $79 at Walmart $80 at Wayfair Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 3/5 Pros It has double the suction power due to two internal air streams. The dustbin was able to hold a lot more debris than we thought it would. Its performance versus its price makes this vac a total bargain. Cons There’s no indicator of how much battery life is left after use. After 11 hours of testing in the lab and two months at home, the Shark UltraCyclone Pro emerged as the clear winner. This lithium battery-powered vacuum was a powerhouse when it came to suction, removing crushed-up cereal and tangled strands of hair from carpets and car seats alike with just one pass. The cordless device includes a dual cyclonic air stream system for double the amount of suction that you can get from a normal vacuum, resulting in faster and more efficient cleans. We were impressed with how quickly (and powerfully) this vacuum worked on all of the surfaces we tested, from fluffy carpets to high chairs and upholstery, sucking up hair fibers and raisins like they were nothing. We also appreciated the attachment heads that came with it — a crevice tool and scrubbing brush — which were incredibly helpful in accessing hard to reach areas, like the cracks of cushions and inside cup holders. Another perk was the spacious dustbin, which held so much debris that we were able to complete several tests before needing to empty it for the first time. But even though its suction is superb, we did notice a few larger morsels fall out of the machine after we’d shut it off, which was a slight drawback (but nothing we couldn’t clean up again right after). We also wished that it had a digital indicator of how much battery was left after using it, which most of the models we tested had (but this one didn’t). However, we never ran into the issue of this one losing power before our many tests were complete because of how quickly this strong vac worked its magic. Its dual-strength suction was just one of the many great qualities that this handheld vacuum possessed, making it one we’d be willing to spend even more money on than what it actually costs. Battery Life: 15 minutes | Weight: 2.2 lbs. | Bin Capacity: 17.28 oz. | Attachments: Crevice tool, scrubbing brush | HEPA Filter: No How It's Held Up After months of continuous testing, our approval of this vacuum only grew stronger. While some other products have seen a decline in performance or stopped working with time (models we since removed from our “best” picks), this handheld continued to be a reliable device when cleaning up our day-to-day messes. We really loved how little we had to charge it (we could go days with several uses without needing to plug it in) and we loved how easy it was to store it away because of its small nature. Basically, we still approve! People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Cordless Nicebay Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $66 at Amazon Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Ease of Emptying 3.8/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 4.5/5 Pros Its LED display panel is super helpful in knowing battery life, vacuum power, and filter fullness. The design is sleek, so it’s not an eyesore if guests spot it. It was easy to maneuver because of its cordless and lightweight body. Cons Hair got a bit wrapped around the filter, so we had to remove it by hand. The dustbin is pretty small, so you’ll have to empty it frequently. In the age of AI and everything high-tech, it only makes sense that your handheld vacuum is up to the modern par that the rest of your devices are. This tech-savvy tool stood out to us because of its cordless design and LED display panel, which not unlike Dyson vacuums, kept us up to date on the level of dust inside, vacuum power, and charge left — painting a full, user-friendly picture of the inner workings of our vac. It passed our crumb tests with flying colors, sucking up all of the messes we made on different surfaces and getting into tight creases with the crevice tool. Plus, it’s a generally attractive device for a vacuum. With its futuristic look and ergonomic cordless function, we were able to get into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies without worrying about pulling a cord out of the wall and didn’t think twice about leaving this out on a countertop when the job was complete. (Not to mention that it’s our lightest option at just 8.8 ounces, making it that much easier to repeatedly reach for). We noticed that when we vacuumed up clumps of hair out of the carpet it tended to get wrapped around the filter, which meant we had to stick our hand inside to extract it. However, this tends to be a commonality among many handheld vacuums, so we didn’t dock too many points for this. We also had to make a few trips to the garbage to empty the dustbin due to its small stature, but this is a sacrifice we were willing to make for the freedom of movement and high-tech functions that we got with this device. Its normal price is a little steep, but if you can score it on sale, we’d advise you to act fast before it’s gone. Battery Life: 11-26 minutes | Weight: 8.8 oz. | Bin capacity: Not listed | Attachments: Crevice tool, brush | HEPA Filter: Yes How It's Held Up Despite months of testing, one thing has rang true — this vacuum is in it for the long haul. We were impressed by the stability of its battery life, staying consistent throughout the testing period while keeping a consistent level of suction despite frequent use. We did find that the silicone parts inside the dustbin were a bit flimsy and required some readjusting after emptying, but this doesn’t change the fact that it still functions well, picking up the smallest of crumbs and standing up to its brand-new performance even after six months. Plus, we really liked this svelte design for those of us with smaller homes and apartments. People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Value Black+Decker Gen11 AdvancedClean+ Dustbuster PHOTO: Target $70 at Target View on Blackanddecker.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.4/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 2.5/5 Pros This dustbuster performed beautifully on medium-to-high-pile carpeting. Due to its lightweight and portability, we never got tired when cleaning with this vacuum. The suction power was significant, even on the lowest setting. Cons It wasn’t the best at reaching deep crevices, like in between cushion cracks. We all know the terror of spilling messy crumbs onto fluffy carpeting, but those fears can be conquered when the Black+Decker Gen11 is in your arsenal. This powerful dustbuster is said to have four times the suction of Black+Decker’s leading dustbuster, which makes this one highly effective on dense surfaces like medium-to-high-pile carpeting or upholstery. Even on its lowest settings, we saw major mess pickup when we passed over everything from hardwood to soft rugs. We had no trouble at all sucking up everything from crushed crackers to raisins in generally one pass (it works best in the “pull” motion rather than “push”). Because cleaning with a dustbuster is often a tedious job, it’s important that our models are lightweight — which is why this one’s 2.4-pound body was ideal. While it stood out from the rest regarding carpeting, this vacuum performed well with hardwood floors, upholstered chairs, car seats, and more, so we deemed it the Best Value pick of the bunch. It was a little challenging to navigate the dustbuster gracefully when we attached the crevice tool to get in those smaller nooks and crannies, but in all, it could suck up stray crumbs in those hard-to-reach areas because of this. We can honestly say this is an incredible dustbuster for the price. Battery Life: 15 minutes | Weight: 2.4 lbs. | Bin Capacity: 25.36 oz. | Attachments: Crevice tool | HEPA Filter: No How It's Held Up We were pleased to discover that over the course of our at-home testing process, the battery life and suction remained perfectly consistent with its performance when it was fresh out of the box — even going at an hour-long cleaning project without dying or faltering. In fact, we’ve yet to experience this device losing a charge. To speak candidly, we weren’t the most careful when we were using or storing this one, so the fact that its facade is completely scratch-free is pretty remarkable. Our appreciation for this vacuum has gone up since taking it home! People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best for Pet Hair Black+Decker Dustbuster Furbuster Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $79 at Amazon $84 at Wayfair View on Blackanddecker.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Ease of Emptying 4/5 Portability 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Pros Not only is this vacuum great at sucking up fine pet hairs, but it works effectively on kibble too. Its low-decibel noise level is uncommonly quiet. Its light body makes this dustbuster easily portable. Cons This model is not the best at removing larger debris from carpeting. The smaller dustbin means you may need to empty it more frequently. If you have a furry friend, then you most likely are on your hands and knees with a vacuum or brush far more than you’d like to in order to rid your furniture and car seats of pet hair. When we tested pet hair vacuums, we found the best handheld option to be the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+, a powerful tool with an extra-long crevice attachment to easily get into those nooks and crannies. This high-suction vac has 20 volts of power, effectively removing all of the fine hairs from our hard floors, carpets, and upholstery. Bonus points for being super light (just 2.6 pounds!) so we could move all around our houses with this vac without getting fatigued. It could even suck up bits of kibble that we’d littered around, making this an even better option for people with particularly messy pets — think of all the debris and dust around a cat litter box. It did struggle a bit at getting bits of food up from the carpet, but nonetheless, it was entirely effective at cleaning our couches and other miscellaneous floor types that collect our pets’ hair. The canister is smaller than some of the others we tested, which means you will need to empty it more frequently. Another huge plus was its low noise level, clocking in at only 66 decibels (even at its highest setting). Though we can’t promise your dog won’t still bark at this machine, we admire its ability to stay generally quiet. Battery Life: 13 minutes | Weight: 2.6 lbs. | Bin Capacity: 25.3 oz. | Attachments: Crevice tool, motorized pet brush | HEPA Filter: No People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek People / Rachel Marek The 5 Best Pet Hair Removers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Investment Black + Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ Hand Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $90 at Amazon $73 at Walmart $72 at Wayfair Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Noise Level 2/5 Pros This dustbuster passed our tests on all surfaces and messes with flying colors. The dustbin holds a surprising amount of debris inside, resulting in fewer garbage trips. Its lightweight body makes this vacuum super easy to carry around and maneuver. Cons It doesn’t come with many attachments, which would make us love this machine even more. This dustbuster is at a higher price point than many others on our list. When you’re spending a good chunk of change on a household appliance, like a dustbuster, you’ll want to make sure that it’s great at its job. Well luckily, this Black+Decker handheld vacuum does just that. Cruising through the obstacle courses of messy surfaces that we created for this vac, we watched as it easily picked up each crumb and hair strand with ease. Cushion creases and cupholders were no foes to this vacuum, as its thin, yet useful extra-long crevice tool attachment was able to slip into these small openings to suck up all of the crumbs and random debris that seem to congregate in these areas. We found that even on its lowest setting, this dustbuster was able to swiftly suck up all of the hair that we’d scattered throughout medium-pile carpet fibers and the highest setting was able to easily snatch up sticky crumbs. What’s even better was its deceivingly large dustbin, which can hold a much higher capacity of debris than some of the other compact models we tested, resulting in fewer trips to the garbage while remaining lightweight and easily portable. We really couldn’t find much to not like about this upscale dustbuster. From its sleek look to its handy crevice tool that can fit even into the smallest car and high chair cupholders, there was a lot to love about this machine. Our only wish was that it could have come with more attachments, offering it a few more capabilities than just normal vacuuming, but that’s just us being nitpicky. In all, this one really performs and is worth the higher price. Battery Life: 13 minutes | Weight: 2.4 lbs. | Bin capacity: 2.5 oz. | Attachments: Extra long crevice tool, charging plug, brush | HEPA Filter: No How It's Held Up Throughout the six months that we’ve tested this device, we’ve yet to experience it dying on us in the middle of a clean — though it’s worth mentioning that we only use it for small messes and keep it on the charger when it’s not in use. We love using this one in the car, but we’ve noticed it does have some trouble picking up denser debris, like dirt. However, nothing beats how this vacuum cleans our couch, getting in between our cushions with ease, even though they were non-removable. And so our standing ovation for this device continues! People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best for Home Office Bissell AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $42 at Amazon $28 at QVC View on Bissell.com Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 3/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Pros The included multi-purpose attachment helps clean those nooks and crannies around your computer and on top of your keyboard. Its sleek design makes this tiny handheld vacuum easy to maneuver. Coming in at 1.37 pounds, this model is super lightweight. Cons It tended to spit out some debris while vacuuming. The small dustbin means more frequent emptying. For those tight corners around your work-from-home desk and gadgets that your regular vacuum just can't reach, this tiny handheld vacuum from Bissell is the way to go. Not only is it sleek in appearance, but this handheld vac has all of the capabilities to effectively clean those hard-to-clean areas of your space that larger models can't quite get to. Due to its slender, cylindrical shape and extra attachments, this lightweight vacuum is able to get into small areas of your home office like under-desk corners with ease to leave your workspace sparkling clean. Though it’s only charged by a phone-like USB cord, this tiny vacuum can really pack a punch when it comes to suction power. Due to its small stature, this vacuum is ideal for small spaces like home offices or cars (plus the USB port makes it easy to charge in either of these places). It's also great for anyone who lacks storage space, thanks to its sleek design and features — it simply sits on its charging dock when you’re done. From different spills and messes, like dry cereal and clumps of hair, this small but mighty machine was able to effortlessly suck up the messes made in our testing lab — only struggling a bit with strewn flour, a task that requires a bit more elbow grease for most vacuums, so we're not holding that against it. While a tiny vacuum is great for small spaces, it also has small parts, meaning you'll have to take more trips to the trash to empty the svelte dustbin as you clean. However, this is a small price to pay for the major messes that can be cleaned with this model from Bissell. Battery Life: 12 minutes | Weight: 1.37 lbs. | Bin Capacity: 4 oz. | Attachments: 2-in-1 crevice tool and dusting brush, USB charging cable | HEPA Filter: No People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best for Car Black + Decker Flex Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Amazon $109 at Amazon $119 at Walmart $110 at Lowe's Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Pros This model is relatively small, yet super powerful. We found this handheld vacuum effective on all the surfaces we used it on. It comes with a hose for hard-to-reach areas. Cons There’s no denying that this vacuum is somewhat loud. Due to its built-in hose design, this one is a bit more difficult to tote around than others. Car messes don’t stand a chance against this cordless handheld vacuum from Black+Decker, which comes complete with a charging stand and three attachments — including one with a paw print, designed specifically for tackling your car seats after a trip with your furry friend. During our testing of car vacuums, it scored a whopping 5 out of 5 on all surfaces with all varieties of PEOPLE Tested's manufactured messes. That's a big deal. We were blown away again and again by its capabilities. The long neck makes it super easy to shove underneath car seats, and it's small enough to combat any tricky angles you throw its way. It's also incredibly easy to empty the dust bin using the clip on the side, making it a completely mess-free process. The downsides: The price tag is undeniably steep, and its two distinct parts (hose and base) make it a bit more of a chore to tote around. It's also fairly loud given its small size. Overall, it's a fantastic vacuum, though, and we think the Black+Decker is perfect for someone who needs a machine that can deep clean their car with a powerful handheld vacuum. Battery Life: 15 minutes | Weight: 3.2 lbs. | Bin Capacity: 17 oz. | Attachments: 2-in-1 nozzle brush, pet hair attachment | HEPA Filter: No People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best Design Shark Wandvac Cordless Handheld Vacuum PHOTO: Best Buy $90 at Amazon $130 at Best Buy View on Sharkclean.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.3/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4/5 Noise Level 4.3/5 Pros Its sophisticated structure is one we wouldn’t mind having sitting out in our common spaces. Emptying the dustbin is as simple as a single button click. The crevice tool was very helpful when cleaning small openings. Cons We think it's a smidge overpriced. High suction may stick to surfaces such as upholstery or high chairs. Everyone knows Shark for their savvy vacuums and sleek designs, which is why it was no surprise that we loved the Shark Wandvac the most for its super lightweight and luxe structure (plus its incredible performance, of course). It was easy for this vacuum to pass over all of our surfaces and suck up our messes along the way, though the suction was so strong that it sometimes stuck to the fabric of our high chairs and upholstery. We liked how easy (and clean) emptying the dustbin was — just the click of a button triggered the waste bin to release the debris we had accumulated during our tests. (Just be sure to hold this one right over the trash can to ensure you don’t make more of a mess than you originally had.) While we think it performed well, we do think it is a little overpriced — so if you wanted to secure this featherweight vacuum, then we’d suggest you keep an eye out for a sale. If you wanted a more affordable option, we thought the IonVac that we also tested was a similar (and definitely cheaper) option that had very similar functions to this more high-end one. However, no one can deny the power of the Shark name — so if you’re itching for the Wandvac, we think you should go with ole’ reliable for this one. Battery Life: 10-15 minutes | Weight: 1.4 lbs. | Bin Capacity: oz. | Attachments: Duster crevice tool, multi-surface pet tool | HEPA Filter: No How It's Held Up Though our cleaning spurts have been short, we’ve found ourselves reaching for the Wandvac about four times per week over the course of six months and never had issues with battery life (though we do keep it on the charger). The suction continued to impress us, though it was hard to get in between cushions and pull up cat hair from fabric surfaces. We liked that it was small enough to get behind a chair but also that its design was attractive enough to have out, if we so chose. People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson People / Dera Burreson Best for Big Messes Worx Power Share Cube Vac PHOTO: Amazon $99 at Amazon $120 at Target $120 at QVC Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 5/5 Pros This super powerful vacuum picked up messes with ease. The compact design made this model easy to store away. The button-activated debris disposal makes emptying the dustbin a simple (and mess-free) job. Cons There’s a pretty short battery life when used on the high setting. It has a loud noise level due to its high-powered suction. When you've got a big mess on your hands, you need a powerful handheld vacuum. This easy-to-assemble model was powerful enough to suck up all of our messes thanks to its two-level power modes and two attachments, plus a hose for more detailed cleaning. We liked how easy it was to carry this vacuum around, coming in at only three pounds but having the horsepower of a machine with much more strength. The hose and extra attachments allowed for an added layer of versatility with this vacuum, so we could easily get under and around car seats and behind couches without a problem. Just be sure to keep it on the charger when you’re not using it because it can run out of battery pretty quickly when used on the highest setting. However, if you plan on cleaning with others in the house or in the early hours of the morning, it would be wise to note that this model is a bit loud. But outside of the noise (and its somewhat higher price tag), it's worth the investment due to its strength, versatility, and added features. Battery Life: 10-25 minutes, depending on setting | Weight: 3 lbs. | Bin Capacity: 7 oz. | Attachments: Crevice tool, brush tool, charger | HEPA Filter: Yes People / Lexi Juhl The 9 Best Wet-Dry Vacuums of 2024, Tested by PEOPLE Our Verdict After six months of testing, we still stand by our Best Overall pick, the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum. Unlike some other vacuums we tested (some of which we have since removed from this list), this one hasn't seen a decline of performance after using it consistently in the long term — making this handheld an even greater value than we initially expected. Things to Consider Before Buying a Handheld Vacuum or Dustbuster Attachments: You'll need to decide your desired level of extra bells and whistles, such as pet hair attachments. "Choose a quality branded tool that has a variety of attachments to serve all of your cleaning needs — a pet hair brush for upholstery, a crevice tool for in-between cushions and corners, and a flathead for baseboards and tight spaces," advises Jessika James-Goern, an IICRC-approved instructor and restoration expert. Knowing the surfaces you'll need to treat with a handheld vacuum or dustbuster — like car seats, cup holders, or furniture with pet hair — simplifies the search process. If you lack storage space for extra attachments, we loved the Bissell Aeroslim Cordless vac for its handy 2-in-1 attachment and compact size. Power Source: You should also consider whether you prefer cordless models (like the Shark UltraCyclone Pro) or corded. If you want to be closely connected to your machine, a cord may not bother you, and sometimes a corded vacuum translates into more power than a battery-operated one. However, the cordless handheld vacuums on this list are all powerful and effective, so if you want the ability to get to those hard-to-reach places without having to switch outlets, consider opting for a cordless model. Price and Weight: A corded machine may be slightly more affordable, though this isn’t always the case. While cordless vacuums may be convenient, it's important to note that battery-powered machines can be heavier in some cases and also require time to charge. (However, the airy Nicebay Handheld Vacuum is our lightest vac out of all of the winners, so this is an exception). You'll also want to read the fine print regarding warranties. Dustbin and Filters: Let's face it: No one wants to spend a lot of time emptying the inside of a vacuum. Look for a dustbuster with an easy-open dustbin (see: Black+Decker Gen 2 Flex 20V Max) or with a filter compartment that's easy to access, remove, and subsequently clean. If you have allergies, you should look for a handheld vacuum with a HEPA filter, such as the Worx Power Share Cordless Cube Vac Compact Vacuum. Also, note the shape of the machine you're eyeing because a dustbuster with a large bin means you'll be cleaning it less often, but it might not be able to tackle those tiny, awkward spaces. People / Dera Burreson How We Tested Handheld Vacuums and Dustbusters In order to bring you the best and most up-to-date results on handheld vacuums and dustbusters, we did extensive research on the most popular (and newest on the scene) devices to test and retest in our lab-built “living room,” a.k.a. a photo set with medium-pile rugs, upholstered chairs, a children’s high chair, and a car seat. We tested 30 dustbusters in our mock living room setting and car console. We rated each model on a scale of one to five (one being the poorest performing and five being phenomenal) regarding setup, effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, and noise level. We left no stone unturned to zero in on the best handheld vacuums and dustbusters for different households. The scene was set — all that was left to do was interview restoration expert and IICRC-approved instructor Jessika James-Goern, for her expert insight as to what a good handheld vacuum (and dustbuster) should actually do. Now, it was time to get testing. Suction: We pulled together 0.1-oz. bags of wig hair for our testers to embed into the carpet to simulate pet and human hair shedding. Here, we tested each vacuum’s ability to clean up crushed-up crackers, popcorn kernels, flour, Cheerios, sticky raisins, and clumps of wig hair once we scattered them across the four different types of surfaces we were testing them against — medium-pile rugs, high chairs, upholstered chairs, and car seats. During each test, we observed how well the vacuum removed our messy concoctions and counted how many passes each device took to clean the mess.Maneuverability and Battery Life: We even set up faux consoles and shelving units to see how easily we could maneuver each tool around common household obstacle courses, as well as took note of how long the battery lasted in cordless models.Dustbin Capacity: For each test, we wrote down how many times we had to empty the dustbin. We also made sure we had a sink to test out the handheld vacuums with washable filters.Noise: We also took note of how loud each vacuum was, measuring the decibel level and determining if we could hold a conversation while vacuuming.Value: From there, we gathered all of our data to compare and contrast which handheld vacs and dustbusters are worth your hard-earned cash. We put together this list to bring you top-notch recommendations with the help of a home expert and real-life testing, so you don't have to spend too much money (or time) trying to figure it out yourself. Frequently Asked Questions What is considered good vacuum suction power for a handheld vacuum? For a handheld vacuum with strong suction power, look for cordless models with a 16-volt (or higher) battery and at least 15 air watts. Corded vacuums are inherently more powerful, just make sure the handheld vacuum you select has at least 4 to 5 amps for adequate suction. Can you use a handheld vacuum on carpet? Yes, you can use any handheld vacuum on carpets and area rugs. If you have particularly deep carpeting, a handheld vacuum with a motorized brush head will be most effective at removing dirt. The Black+Decker Gen11 AdvancedClean+ Handheld Vacuum bested the other vacuums in this test on the carpet, which could be a great option for you if your floors are medium-to-high-pile. What are the advantages of a cordless handheld vacuum? The greatest advantage of cordless handheld vacuums is convenience. As long as the vacuum is charged, you can take care of any mess quickly without being concerned about finding a plug or the length of the cord. This makes cordless vacuums easy to use and ideal for cleanups in hard-to-reach areas of your home as well as your vehicle. Do handheld vacuums pick up dust? Yes, all handheld vacuums can tackle dust. But if dust is a big issue in your home, the best models for fighting dust are handheld vacuums that contain HEPA filters. The Nicebay Handheld Vacuum is the only winner on our list that will let you know how much dust is built up in your filter, which can be a helpful tool when figuring out when to clean your filter. Why Trust PEOPLE? Alyssa Brascia is commerce writer for PEOPLE with a background in lifestyle writing — spanning everything from beauty to home. She has previously contributed to Real Simple, where she researched and wrote home content, and she currently covers household items for PEOPLE over a wide variety of products. For this piece, Brascia analyzed the lab and long-term insights given by our testers as they tried several handheld vacuums and dustbusters, using their feedback to come to a consensus on the best tools that PEOPLE Tested. She later updated this story with the information received after six months of continually testing these winners to see if each products stood the test of time and raised or lowered their initial ratings. To get an expert’s insight into how handheld vacuums should work, she spoke with a home expert about what shoppers should be looking for as they scour the market for the next device for their house chores. Meet Our Expert Jessika James-Goern is an IICRC-approved instructor and restoration expert, with more than 30 years of experience in the cleaning and restoration industry. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.