Handheld Vacuums: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentDozens of models of handheld vacuums are reviewed here, and many have enough posts to provide a useful picture of how the products stand up in real-world use. Black & Decker hand vacuums do well, but the top score goes to the Eureka Easy Clean Hand Vac 71B (formerly named the Quick-Up), which has been reviewed more than 1,300 times. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Hand Vacuum gets a good average rating from more than 400 owners who say this vacuum's power is impressive. The top-rated cordless hand vac is the Black & Decker 18V Pivot Vac PHV1810, which has nearly 300 reviews. The Black & Decker 15.6V Cordless Hand Vac, Dirt Devil Extreme Power Hand Vac, Dirt Devil Purpose for Pets Hand Vac and Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Hand Vac also receive solid reviews from 100 or more owners.

Our AssessmentEditors of this New Zealand publication test three models in the Black & Decker Dustbuster line and four other models. Some models are now discontinued or not sold in the U.S. The reviewers conducted testing at Choice magazine's lab, which may explain the similar model selection as that publication's review of handheld vacuums. Editors recommend Black & Decker 18V and 12V models that have been replaced with newer versions. The 18V hand vac performed the best, with excellent results on both carpet and hard floor. Testers like how the nozzle adjusts to different angles and the tools store with the docking station. A few downsides noted are its heavy weight and noisiness.

Our AssessmentWe give this older review a lower ranking because the favorites are now discontinued. The Shark Cordless Hand Vac SV736 is the top performer at picking up a "holiday dirt mix" of potato chip crumbs, wrapping paper bits and other debris. The Black & Decker 18V Cordless Pivoting Hand Vac PHV1800 also does relatively well here, but its heavy backend made it difficult to grip. (The newer PHV1810 is lighter weight than its predecessor.) Testers also don't recommend the stylish Dirt Devil Kurv, which is now discontinued.

Our AssessmentWhich? magazine is a consumer-advocacy magazine based in the U.K. Editors have compared 11 models of handheld vacuums, but not all simultaneously. The latest review of the Black & Decker Dustbuster Pivot models occurred in May 2010. Although some models aren't sold in the U.S., they may be comparable to models that are.

Our AssessmentOnly three vacuums have accumulated owner reviews atTarget.com. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Corded Hand Vacuum has mostly positive reviews from 40 owners who say it has good suction and removes pet hair from upholstery better than other hand vacuums.