The Best Handheld Vacuum We’ve Ever Tested Is This Shark Model—and It’s on Sale

There are some cleaning tasks so tricky that not even the best upright or stick vacuum can tackle. When it comes to small spaces, crevices, and upholstery, you need the right cleaning tool to really get in there. Luckily, the handheld vacuum we named “Best Overall” is finally on rare sale. You can snag the Better Homes & Gardens-tested and -approved vac for $20 off ahead of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.

Out of the hundreds of vacuum cleaners we’ve tested over the years, the Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum stood out from the rest from the second it came out of the box. Not only does this impressive vacuum come completely assembled, it’s also very compact, has extremely powerful suction, and has a dirt-eject feature that releases the dust bin with the click of a button.

Shark UltraCyclone Pro Cordless Handheld Vacuum

The Shark UltraCyclone Pro features two cyclonic air streams that results in powerful suction that’s ideal for day-to-day cleanups. It easily sucks up debris like crumbs, pet hair, and dust bunnies, and it’s even small enough to store in small spaces like a closet or under the sink. 

This handheld vacuum cleaner includes a scrubber brush and crevice tool, which come in handy for getting into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, like a child’s high chair, car seat, or even the car upholstery. It also has an extra-large dust cup that doesn’t fill up too quickly and saves you from taking multiple trips to dump it out. In fact, one of this vac’s greatest assets is that it dumps itself out—kind of. It has a no-mess CleanTouch dirt ejector that opens the canister with the touch of a button, allowing you to dump debris without handling the actual bin. It also comes with a washable and reusable filter.

The handheld vacuum has a lithium ion battery that can run up to 20 minutes on a full charge. And with its lightweight design—just 2 pounds—you won’t experience any straining as you clean. And we’re not the only ones who love it—it’s a favorite among shoppers, too.

One five-star reviewer said they’re “obsessed” with this vacuum for making their life easier—especially when it comes to emptying the dirt canister. “It is so easy to use, easy to charge, and easy to clean,” they shared. Despite its small size, they were also impressed with the “amazing” suction. “Easy to hold and maneuver, works well on stairs, corners, and [crevices]. It isn’t loud either, which is a big plus for me,” they added. 

Another shopper said it’s perfect for “the couch cushions, kids’ car seats, high chairs, small messes in the kitchen—you name it.” They added that they “use this thing all the time” since “it’s so lightweight” and “really easy to change [the] attachments.” Someone else raved, “This hand vacuum is amazing, the suction power is great, [and] the battery life is astonishing.” They frequently use it to clean “good-size areas,” like their 6-x-8-foot rug, 5-foot circular rug, and couch. It even “has power to pick up cereal and string beans under my baby’s high chair,” they added.

Our pick for “Best Overall” in handheld vacuum cleaners is very compact and lightweight, lasts up to 20 minutes on a full charge, and has an impressive ability to pick up debris. Grab the Shark UltraCyclone Pro while it’s on sale at Amazon for $70, and continue shopping for more portable cleaners, below.

Black+Decker DustBuster Portable Vacuum Cleaner

Shark WandVac Cordless Hand Vac

ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson Car+Boat Handheld Cordless Vacuum

Promomo Handheld Cordless Vacuum