For houses with kids or pets, a handheld vacuum is a near-necessity for crumbs or pet-hair pickup.
“This is what you’re going to reach for when your kids spill cereal in the morning or you spill coffee grounds,” says Allison Bean, editorial director of the home website The Spruce. For smaller houses, studios or condos, a handheld model can even serve as a primary vacuum.
What qualities make a good one? Experts say you want a cordless option with strong suction, a dirt collector that can be bagless, and a battery that charges quickly and has long life. Ease of operation earns extra points.
“Just the other day I was reading an article that was saying that people clean on average around one to two hours per day,” says Jason Roberts, the expert behind vacuumsguide.com. “Considering this, I believe every household should be equipped with a device that enhances this activity. A great vacuum cleaner makes boring activities, such as housecleaning, if not pleasant at least bearable.”