A handheld vacuum handles the jobs that aren't worth getting the full vacuum out for: crumbs on the couch, sand in the car, dust on the stairs. The six here run for 10 to 25 minutes on a charge.
The six here differ mostly in run time, bin size and nozzle. A nozzle that pivots or sits on a hose reaches car footwells and the backs of stair treads more easily than a fixed one.
| Vacuum | Run time | What sets it apart | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black+Decker 18V Pivot Dustbuster | Up to 10 min | Nozzle pivots 200 degrees | 2 years | $100–150 |
| Black+Decker 10.8V Dustbuster | Up to 15 min | 0.9kg, wide mouth | 2 years | $100–150 |
| Shark ION Cordfree | Up to 10 min | 0.64kg, HEPA filter | 1 year | $150–200 |
| Black+Decker 18V Pet Dustbuster | Up to 25 min | Powered pet brush, 0.7L bowl | 2 years | $150–200 |
| Black+Decker 18V Flexi Dustbuster | Up to 15 min | Nozzle on a flexible hose | 2 years | $100–150 |
| Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Hand Vacuum | Up to 19 min on a 4.0Ah battery | 1L tank, runs on Ryobi 18V batteries | 4 years, 6 if registered | $150–200 |
Figures come from The Good Guys' listings, and from Ryobi's own pages for the Ryobi. Prices were checked on 28 September 2026.
1. Best Overall: Black+Decker 18V Pivot Dustbuster
The Pivot Dustbuster's nozzle swings through 200 degrees, so it reaches under car seats and along skirting boards without you twisting your wrist, and the body folds in half to store. It has an extendable crevice tool and a soft brush built in, a 0.44L bin and a two-year warranty.
Owners on Amazon rate it 4.6 from more than 800 reviews. The run time is up to 10 minutes, the shortest here alongside the Shark, and one owner points out that the battery can't be replaced.
What We Like:
- Nozzle pivots 200 degrees
- Folds in half to store
- Two-year warranty
What We Don't Like:
- 10-minute run time
- Battery can't be replaced, says an owner
2. Best Budget: Black+Decker 10.8V Dustbuster
The 10.8V Dustbuster is the cheapest pick here, and it weighs 0.9kg. It runs for up to 15 minutes, uses cyclonic action to keep dust off the filter, and has a wide mouth for larger crumbs plus a built-in crevice tool and flip-out brush. The bowl and filters wash out, so there are no bags to buy.
Owners at The Good Guys rate it 4.4 from more than 750 reviews. One owner found it short of suction for car carpet, and a recharge takes about five hours.
What We Like:
- Cheapest pick here
- 15-minute run time
- Washable bowl and filters
What We Don't Like:
- Five-hour recharge
- Weak on car carpet, says an owner
3. Best Lightweight: Shark ION Cordfree
At 0.64kg, the Shark ION is the lightest pick here, and it charges in 2.5 hours. It has a HEPA filter and a 115W motor, and runs for up to 10 minutes.
Owners at The Good Guys rate it 4.6. The 0.1L bin is the smallest here, and two owners wanted stronger suction. Its warranty is one year, against two for the Black+Decker models.
What We Like:
- Weighs 0.64kg
- HEPA filter
- 2.5-hour charge
What We Don't Like:
- 0.1L bin
- One-year warranty
4. Best for Pet Hair: Black+Decker 18V Pet Dustbuster
This Dustbuster comes with a detachable powered pet brush for hair on rugs, upholstery and curtains, and it has the longest run time and the largest bowl of the Black+Decker models here: up to 25 minutes and 0.7L. An LED panel shows the battery level and warns when the filter needs cleaning. It charges on a wall mount or a bench charger.
Owners at The Good Guys rate it 4.9 from 15 reviews, and it scores 4.4 on Amazon. Its filter is a washable air filter rather than a HEPA filter.
What We Like:
- Powered pet brush
- 25-minute run time
- 0.7L bowl
What We Don't Like:
- Filter isn't HEPA
5. Best for Cars: Black+Decker 18V Flexi Dustbuster
The Flexi's nozzle sits on a flexible hose, which reaches between car seats and into window tracks more easily than a fixed nozzle. It weighs 1.4kg, runs for up to 15 minutes, and comes with a long crevice tool and a 2-in-1 nozzle that store on its dock.
Owners at The Good Guys rate it 4.6. One owner found it loud and slightly awkward to empty, and a full charge takes about four hours.
What We Like:
- Flexible hose
- Tools store on the dock
- 15-minute run time
What We Don't Like:
- Loud, says an owner
- Four-hour charge
6. Best for Ryobi Owners: Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Hand Vacuum
For anyone who already owns Ryobi 18V ONE+ tools, this hand vacuum runs on the same batteries. It has a brushless motor, a HEPA filter and a 1L dust tank, the largest here, plus a flexible hose, floor nozzle, extension wand and crevice tool. Ryobi quotes up to 19 minutes on a 4.0Ah battery and a weight of 1.3kg, and its 18V tools carry a four-year warranty, extended to six if registered within 30 days.
Owners at Bunnings rate it 4.8. It's sold as the tool only, so the price doesn't include a battery or charger.
What We Like:
- Shares Ryobi 18V batteries
- 1L dust tank
- Hose and extension wand
What We Don't Like:
- Battery and charger sold separately
Other options worth a look
- eufy Pure Air. A 0.6kg handheld with a 13-minute run time for desks and car seats, sold by The Good Guys. It charges by micro-USB rather than USB-C.
- Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro. A 0.45L handheld with a HEPA filter and a motorised pet tool, sold by The Good Guys.
- Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hand Vacuum with Powered Brush Bar. Ryobi's hand vacuum with a powered brush for pet hair, up to 28 minutes on a 4.0Ah battery, sold as the tool only by Bunnings.
How to pick a handheld vacuum
Run time. It ranges from 10 minutes for the Pivot and the Shark to 25 for the Pet Dustbuster, and the Ryobi's depends on the battery fitted.
Bin size. Pet hair and sand fill a small bin fast. The Shark's 0.1L bin suits crumbs and dust; the 0.7L and 1L bins suit hair and cars.
Charging. Most charge on a dock or wall mount, and charge times here run from 2.5 hours for the Shark to about five hours for the 10.8V Dustbuster.
For whole-floor cleaning, a stick vacuum makes more sense. The best are covered in the best stick vacuums.
FAQs
Are handheld vacuums good for cars?
Yes. A nozzle that pivots or sits on a hose, like the Pivot's or the Flexi's, reaches under seats and into footwells more easily.
How long does a handheld vacuum run on one charge?
The six here run for 10 to 25 minutes on their makers' figures.
Can a handheld vacuum pick up pet hair?
A plain nozzle picks up loose hair from hard surfaces. For hair worked into fabric, a powered brush, like the one on the Pet Dustbuster, does better.
