5 Best Bissell Handheld Vacuums of 2023

Initially, we looked at how well the Pet Hair Eraser did at cleaning up flour from a section of automotive-style carpet. We spread out a tablespoon of flour onto the carpet, then attempted to clean it up. We used its motorized brush tool, and it easily collected the most flour from the carpet on the first pass and compared to others, it got the carpet the cleanest after multiple passes. It did similarly well at collecting oats, easily getting 99%+ of all the oats we spread out on a couch cushion and a section of carpet, only leaving trace amounts of dust behind. This vacuum also did fine at collecting Mini-Wheats with the motorized attachment, but it became clogged if we used any of the other tools.

We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later. This robot vacuum and mop combo puts automated cleaning at your fingertips. Aside from switching out the tanks, you can just sit back and relax while it hustles around your room doing all the work for you.

She’s a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism. Jodhaira (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tests and writes about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH in 2021, she graduated from Hofstra University with bissell cordless vacuum a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).

We were definitely impressed, and the vacuum was off to a good start. For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on a wide variety of cleaning products, from self-emptying robot vacuums to stain removers. When it comes to vacuums, they’ve tested everything in almost every category, including many Bissell vacuums. Sometimes big messes are unavoidable, and when you need a serious machine for larger-than-average areas, this vacuum cleaner will do the trick. With a 40-foot cleaning radius and a 2-liter dust cup, the SmartClean Canister Vacuum is made for big jobs.

This guide builds on hundreds of hours of research and testing conducted by Wirecutter staff since 2013, including by Wirecutter’s Sarah Bogdan. Over the years, we’ve interviewed dozens of vacuum experts, including service technicians, air-quality specialists, product engineers, and brand representatives. From brands like Bissell, Dyson, and Shark, these are some of the best—and worst—cordless handheld vacs you can buy today.

The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Slim HLVC320J01 seemed promising at first because of its decent suction, but it had an especially slow charge time of 10 hours and an extremely narrow crevice tool. We also had difficulties opening the dustbin during our testing and ended up showered with glitter. The Worx WX030L is beautifully designed and compact, with onboard tool storage. (The battery is replaceable and can work in other Worx tools, as well.) Though it excelled in picking up dust in eco mode, it struggled with larger debris and was ineffective on pet fur. Handheld vacuums are battery powered and convenient for quick cleanups around the house because they’re compact enough to sit on a shelf or countertop between uses.

It comes with a two-year warranty, which exceeds the coverage of many other handheld vacuum cleaners. In fact, guide author Sabine Heinlein has used her own AdvancedClean+ HHVK515JP07 daily for almost four years to clean cat and rabbit fur from her furniture and cat beds. The suction hasn’t diminished over time, and the vacuum has withstood being dropped and knocked over. Our editors are constantly swapping in and out of cars they’re evaluating, and sometimes, like most car owners, they leave messes behind. We’re on the hunt for the best way to clean up those messes, so we gathered up seven cordless handheld vacuums from popular brands to see which one we’re signing up for duty to get the job done.