I wish the dust cup was a little larger, but it does pack a HEPA filter and has a solid battery life with up to 25 minutes on low speed. There are both low- and high-speed settings you can switch between with the power button, but I was able to vacuum up sand easily with the low-power setting. The battery pops out like on a power tool and can be charged on the included charger base. If you have other Worx tools, you can use the battery packs interchangeably.
| Capacity: | 0.8 cups |
| Attachments: | Crevice tool, brush attachment |
| Run time: | Up to 25 minutes (on low speed) |
| Filter: | HEPA filter |
| Warranty: | 3 years limited |
Best for Easy Charging
Video: Nena Farrell
The Black & Decker Dustbuster Flex has a comfortable, portable design with a handle and wraparound hose, similar to the Worx above. It’s larger, with a bigger dust cup and longer 4-foot hose, but in exchange you’ll get a shorter battery life. You might not mind that, though, because it has a charging base I really like. It’s flat, so you just set the vacuum on top of it, and there’s storage on the base for two of the Dustbuster Flex’s attachments.
There are two power levels, and the power button is at the base of the handle, but it does take effort to click on and off. I wish the battery life were longer, but 15 minutes is a solid amount for a small car, and the larger dust cup is nice if you’re usually cleaning large messes in a single area versus spending a long time detail cleaning. There’s also a pet brush, but it’s a flat, textured brush, rather than a motorized bar like you’ll get on my pet-focused recommendations below.
| Capacity: | 2.1 cups |
| Attachments: | Dust brush, crevice tool, and pet brush |
| Run time: | 15 minutes |
| Filter: | Washable filter |
| Warranty: | 2 years limited |
Best for Pet Owners
.jpg)
Photograph: Molly Higgins
If your biggest worry is about pet hair, then you should choose our favorite handheld vacuum for pet hair. WIRED reviewer Molly Higgins has tested all kinds of handheld vacuums and prefers the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser. She says it lives up to its name, with a powerful, motorized brush attachment that easily lifts hair from fabric and carpet.
