Your browser does not support the video tagHandheld vacuum cleaner prices range from around £15 for a small basic one and range all the way up to £250 for fancier models, such as the Dyson DC58 Animal. But our independent lab tests have revealed that you don't always get what you pay for and that price isn't always a good indicator of quality. Our exclusive list of Best Buy handheld vacuums reveals which models did have what it takes to excel in our cleaning, usability and battery life tests.Cordless vacuum or handheld vacuum?Most handheld vacuums are cordless, but there is more than one type of cordless vacuum cleaner available. As well as small dustbuster-style handheld vacuums, you'll also see cordless or 'stick' vacuum cleaners in the shops. These cordless stick cleaners look like skinnier versions of a conventional push-along vacuum. They don't have a cord but are pushed around the floor in the same way. As they're battery powered they have a limited running time, so are better for smaller cleaning jobs.

Handheld vacuum cleaners are even smaller and lighter, and have an even shorter battery life. best pet formula carpet cleanerUnlike cordless stick vacuum cleaners they don't claim to replace all of the functions of a conventional corded model, and they are difficult to clean large floor areas with due to their short handles. best vacuum cleaner india 2012We've tested both types of cordless vacuums - find out which are the best models in our handheld vacuum reviews and cordless vacuum reviews.best cleaner tile floor groutHandheld vacuum cleaner featuresThe cheaper models tend to have a more traditional ‘dust-buster’ design and fewer specialist tools and attachments, but that doesn’t always mean that they suck up less dirt and grime or that they are more difficult to use. carpet cleaning courses essex

Try to find a model that at least has a crevice tool for really tight spaces.carpet cleaning in queens new yorkSome handheld vacuums have turbo brushes that can make sucking up pet hair quicker, although this isn't always the case. carpet cleaning coupons printableUpholstery brushes can help with cleaning chairs and curtains, and some models even come with a mini extendable flexi hose.30 minutesthe longest running handhelds can clean for half an hourHandheld vacuum battery lifeBattery life typically varies from a blink-and-you'll-miss it five minutes, all the way up to a more respectable 30 minutes. You should also consider how long it takes each model of handheld vacuum to fully recharge, as you won't want to be waiting a full day before you can use it again.Some models have a light indicator to let you know when it's running low, which is a helpful feature to look out for. 

Some handheld vacuums come with a charging docking station (which can be fixed to the wall for easy storage), while more basic versions simply charge through a plug-in cord. Handheld vacuum cleaner weightThe main point of a handheld vacuum cleaner is convenience, so weight and size are of paramount importance. Handheld vacuum cleaners vary in weight, from 0.7kg to 2.3kg - although most are around 1.5kg.If you can, it's worth holding and lifting the handheld vacuum you're thinking of buying to get a feel for whether it's comfortable to hold and use.Cleaning and attachmentsYou can also get handheld vacuum cleaners that clean up wet spills as well as dirt, such as the Hoover Jovis Wet and Dry handheld vacuum cleaner.Attachments such as soft brushes and crevice tools, as well as bendable hoses, are useful as they make the cleaner even more flexible for different cleaning jobs.Dust capacityThe amount of dust handheld vacuum cleaners can hold varies, so it's worth looking out for the highest capacity if this is an important consideration for you.

The higher the dust capacity, the longer you'll be able to clean for without having to empty your vacuum.Handheld vacuum cleaners have a smaller dust capacity than other vacuum cleaners - around 0.5 litres compared with up to 5 litres for a conventional vacuum cleaner. Handheld vacuum cleaner reviewsWe have sent handheld vacuums from all of the major brands to our lab for testing and can tell you if models from Dyson, Hoover, Black & Decker and Vax live up to their claims and whether they're worth spending your money on. Before you buy a handheld vacuum, make sure you take a look at our in depth handheld vacuum cleaner reviews.The top performers in our reviews are the Ridgid WD1450, the Gold Award winner; the Vacmaster VBV1210, the Silver Award winner; and the Craftsman 12004, the Bronze Award winner. Here's more on choosing a shop vacuum to meet your needs, along with detail on how we arrived at our ranking of 10 shop vacuums. Shop vacuums are multipurpose tools that can clean up the toughest messes around your house.

Most are wet-dry vacuums with large tanks for both debris and liquids, meaning you can use them after wood projects in the garage or to dry a flooded basement. Wheels make them portable for spills in the kitchen or vacuuming your car. Beyond suction, the best shop vacuums have a blowing feature, perfect for clearing leaves from the sidewalk. Some convert into a blower you can carry around by detaching the motor, while others still require you to move around the tank alongside you on the ground. The two most important components of a shop vacuum are its capacity and power. That is, how quickly it sucks up debris and how much it can store before you need to empty it. We took into account that portability is also important, though not at the expense of power. Beyond this, we considered the overall design and how easy each vacuum is to move around. For our tests, we vacuumed up typical materials you'd run into in your own home or garage. We spread out 2 ounces of mulch and sawdust mixed with six small screws.

We then measured how much of the debris the shop vacuums picked up after one pass. We included bigger pieces of mulch to see how well the shop vacs handled heavier projects. For suction, we sucked up 2 gallons of water and measured how long it took for the vacuum to complete the task. We found the best vacuums were up to three times faster than those on the lower end of the lineup. After the work was done, we measured how clean the filters were and performed general movement tests, such as moving the vacuums around by the hose or over an obstacle. Top Ten Reviews seeks, whenever possible, to evaluate products in hands-on tests that simulate as closely as possible the experience of the typical consumer. We obtained all the shop vacuums for this review from the companies. The companies had no input or influence over our test methodology, nor was the methodology provided to any of them in more detail than is available through reading our reviews. While our tested attributes should be leading considerations in buying the right shop vacuum, other features and capabilities should figure into your choice.

Here's a rundown of the most important, with a key question for each. Design: Is the Overall Size Important to You? Shop vacuums all have a similar design. The tank usually sits on the floor on wheels and can be maneuvered around while you vacuum. The debris or water is sucked up through a long, extendable hose. Most vacuums include a top handle for picking up the appliance and racks for the attachments. You should look for shop vacs that have long hoses, multiple extension tools and power cords that lock in place. The best cords are up to 20 feet in length. Our highest-rated vacuums have tanks as large as 14 gallons, but that might be too large if you have a small shop or limited storage space. For small jobs like vacuuming your car or keeping a vacuum in your hall closet, there are vacuums with tanks as small as 2 gallons. Filters: Will You Be Working with Fine Materials? Several different filters are available on shop vacuums. Some are cloth bags that need to replaced, while others are cartridges that you can clean out and reuse.

Most models come with a pleated cartridge filter, which is easier to change and less likely to leak than a foam or cloth filter. You should pay close attention to how compatible the filter is as well. Some are hard to find and can only be purchased through the manufacturer's website. If you are vacuuming fine materials like ash or sawdust, you should look for a dust filter that better traps particles. These tend to get into the motor and lower the life of the vacuum if it doesn't have this filter. Attachments: What Jobs Do You Need Your Vacuum to Do? Attachments can really help your wet-dry vacuum stand out. Most have extension wands for hard-to-reach areas, but some come with multiple wands for added reach. Brush nozzles work best for bulky debris, and crevice tools are good for corners or cracks. For the blower, some vacuums come with a special wide tool for covering a larger area. For wet cleanup, look for squeegees and concentration nozzles. Three shop vacuums – the Ridgid WD1450, the Vacmaster VBV1210 and the Craftsman 12004 – stood out compared to the other wet-dry vacuums we tested.