When you don’t want to drag your upright vacuum out of the closet, a handheld is the perfect alternative. The best handheld vacuums in Canada are powerful, include long-lasting batteries, and can help with smaller messes in just a few minutes. We’ve included options here that suit any household, from those with pets to those who need to get into tight spaces for a deeper clean.
What We Looked For
We wanted to recommend handheld vacuums that combined powerful suction and battery life. There are a lot of great options on our list from well-known companies, and all of them provide great cleaning power without dying the second you turn them on. Any of these options would be great for your home, with suction that can get crumbs and spills off your floors and attachments to make your life a little easier. The best handheld vacuums in Canada are easy to reach for and get the job done with ease.
Best Handheld Vacuums in Canada: Our Best Gift Picks
1. Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum
2. Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum
3. Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vac
4. Bissell PowerClean Pet Hand Vacuum
5. Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum
Best overall handheld vacuum in Canada: Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum
Pros:
- Includes a wall mount
- Strong suction
- Built-in crevice tool
Cons:
- Does not include any additional attachments
The Details:
- Type: Handheld
- Filter Type: HEPA
- Surfaces: Carpet, Furniture, Hardwood Floors
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 0.6 kg
The Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum is the perfect handheld dustbuster for spotcleaning. When you need to clean up crumbs and dirt in your car or your furniture, you can’t do much better than this vacuum at the price point. It’s affordable enough for a starter option, especially as you work towards getting a larger vacuum or a more powerful handheld.
Despite what you might think, this dustbuster has strong suction and delivers more power than 4-volt vacuums. The battery power affects how powerful the handheld vacuum is, but the battery lasts for a while when cleaning small messes. You can’t forget to charge it if you use the wall-mounted charger, either. This charging mount allows you to hand the vacuum on the wall to charge between uses.
The filter and dirt bowl are washable and can be cleaned and rinsed right in the sink. The filter is reusable as long as it stays clean and effective, so you don’t have to worry about replacing the filter anytime soon. It’s lightweight as well, at just 0.6 kg, so it isn’t difficult to move around when you’re cleaning. The built-in crevice tool extends to get into harder-to-reach spaces and is conveniently nestled right into the handheld vacuum.
You also won’t have to deal with bags, as the dirt bowl is translucent. Your collected debris is visible, so you can tell when it’s full and needs to be emptied. It may need to be emptied often if you are using it to clean up large messes, but it’s simple to empty and doesn’t require you to touch any of the dirt.
Our Expert Opinion: “The Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum is an affordable option for spot cleaning, especially when it comes to smaller particles like dust, hair, and dirt. The wall mount and charger are our favorite parts, as it’s so easy to store and keep charged when it’s not in use.”
Customers Are Saying: “This is a simple dustbuster, but don’t let the simplicity fool you. It’s done a great job in my small apartment, especially with hair and crumbs. When I don’t want to bust out my upright vacuum, I got for this handheld vacuum instead.”
Who is the Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum for?
- Those who want to clean multiple surfaces. This vacuum is great for use on carpets, hard floors, furniture, and in your car.
- Canadians who want to go full cordless. This is a battery-operated handheld vacuum, so you don’t have to mess with a cord.
- People who prefer a wall mount for storage. This handheld vacuum comes with a wall mount and charger, so you can put it into the mount to charge when not in use.
Who should avoid the Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum?
- Those who want an attached stick vacuum. This is a purely handheld vacuum, and it does not include an attached stick or additional attachments beyond the built-in crevice tool.
Instead, choose… the Bissell PowerClean Pet Hand Vacuum.
The Bissell PowerClean Pet Hand Vacuum comes with multiple attachment tools and features a powerful 12 volt battery. One of the attachments is a motorized brush roll, which is going to be much more effective at cleaning dense carpets than one without a brush roll.
Features Breakdown
- Type: Handheld
- Filter Type: HEPA
- Surfaces: Carpet, Furniture, Hardwood Floors
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 0.6 kg
- Capacity: 0.09 gallons
- Voltage: 8 Volts
- Included Attachments: Wall mount, built-in crevice tool
Best powerful handheld vacuum in Canada: Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum
Pros:
- Powerful for professional and residential use
- Six accessories included
- Features an extendable cleaning wand to make it a stick vacuum
Cons:
- Battery not included
The Details:
- Type: Extendable canister handheld
- Filter Type: HEPA
- Surfaces: Carpet, Hard Floors
- Power Source: Battery
- Weight: 3.1 kg
The Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum is a powerful professional-grade handheld vacuum. The company is well-known for making great tools and other appliances, and this cordless vacuum is no different. One important thing to note before reading too far is that this vacuum does not come with a battery. It is battery-powered, but you must use one of Dewalt’s tool batteries for it. This must be purchased separately. While this is great news if you already use Dewalt tools, it can be a major drawback for those who just want a more powerful vacuum cleaner.
On the other hand, this vacuum is perfect for getting your home, garage, and workshop clean. While it is most often used in workshops and around indoor spaces like the garage, it can work wonderfully in your home as well. The 20 volts of power create extremely powerful suction, so your floors, stairs, cars, and hardwood areas can be spotless with little effort.
This cordless vacuum comes with a few different accessories, which put it above some of the other options on this list. While the battery is sold separately, you won’t have to buy any additional accessories in order to get your spaces looking clean and perfect. Included accessories include an extension wand that can help you clean your floors without bending down, so it converts to a type of stick vacuum with attachments usable on either end.
Other accessories include a floor nozzle, flexible hose for less rigid use, a gulper brush, a crevice nozzle, a round brush, and an accessory holder bag to keep it all together. This vacuum provides 65 air watts, making it one of the most powerful handheld vacuums on our list. It’s also the heaviest, coming in at 3.1 kg. However, the 0.7 litre capacity is more than sufficient for most messes.
Our Expert Opinion: “If you are on the fence about handheld vacuums because they aren’t as powerful as upright or canister vacuums, this is the perfect solution. This Dewalt cordless vacuum has an extremely powerful voltage rating, so it provides more suction than just about any other option on our list.”
Customers Are Saying: “this is one of the most powerful handheld vacuums I’ve ever tried. It’s got great suction, but the battery life is a bit lacking. Plus, I had to source a battery myself as it didn’t come with one. Regardless, this is a durable, powerful handheld vacuum that is perfect for my needs.”
Who is the Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum for?
- Those who want to clean their workshops and garages. This is a heavy-duty handheld vacuum that works perfectly for workshops, garages, and other more rugged interior spaces.
- Canadians who need additional accessories. This cordless vacuum comes with a lot of different attachments and accessories to help you clean the way you need to.
- People who want an extension wand. This cordless vacuum extends to the floor, so you don’t have to bend over to clean your floors.
Who should avoid the Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum?
- Those who want a simple home vacuum. The Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum can be used at home, but its most common application is in workshops or professional settings, as the additional power is a bit overkill for residential use.
Instead, choose… the Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Vacuum.
The Dewalt is a heavy-duty handheld vacuum that can clean any mess you throw at it, but it’s a lot more complicated and expensive than an option like the Black+Decker. This QuickClean model is perfect for those who only want to clean up small messes around the house and deal with smaller, less intense spills on furniture and in the car.
Features Breakdown
- Type: Extendable canister handheld
- Filter Type: HEPA
- Surfaces: Carpet, Hard Floors
- Power Source: Battery
- Weight: 3.1 kg
- Capacity: 0.7 litres
- Voltage: 20 Volts
- Included Attachments: Extension tubes, floor nozzle, flexible hose, gulper brush, crevice nozzle, round brush, belt hook, accessory holder
Best smart handheld vacuum in Canada: Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vac
Pros:
- Powerful suction in a lightweight, handheld design
- Uses 50% less energy than other options
- Long-lasting battery
Cons:
- May need additional attachments
The Details:
- Type: Handheld
- Filter Type: Cartridge
- Surfaces: Upholstery, Carpets
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 1.18 kg
The Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vac is a much different model than the other Black+Decker model we’ve already seen. It has a more powerful motor, with better battery life and a higher price tag as a result. The battery on this handheld vacuum is a lithium-ion battery that can hold charge for up to 18 months between uses, and won’t overcharge to ruin the battery life.
This dustbuster includes a slimmer, more extended nozzle, which can be further extended with the extending crevice tool attachment. There’s also a flip-up brush you can use at the front of the nozzle to clean up furniture messes and further brush through carpets and upholstered surfaces. This entire nozzle swivels completely around, which can make it easier to reach those crevices you wouldn’t be able to get into otherwise.
It comes with a washable filter and pre-filter, as it uses a cartridge filter rather than a washable HEPA. The 16-volt power creates powerful enough suction to clean up crumbs, cereal, hair, and dust, even when you have to get behind and around furniture. It’s a bit more expensive than either dustbusters from this company, but the quality-of-life features (and the power-saving design, which uses 50% less energy) make it perfect for those who need to quickly clean up spills and messes.
Our Expert Opinion: “One of the best part of this handheld vacuum is the battery life. It doesn’t have a memory effect, which means that it doesn’t overcharge and tank the battery life. Overall, the Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vac is a surprisingly powerful option that will do wonders for your home.”
Customers Are Saying: “It’s so convenient to use this handheld vacuum for all types of messes around the house. While dirt embedded in the carpets won’t come out, it will clean up hair, crumbs, and mostly anything else you need.”
Who is the Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vac for?
- Those who want a little more power. This handheld vacuum has a powerful 16-volt battery, so it has a a higher suction power rating (15.2 AW).
- Canadians who want the battery to last a long time. The powerful lithium-ion battery will las up to 18 months when used sparingly, so you don’t have to leave it on the charger.
- Users who often need to clean in tighter spaces. The slim nozzle with expandable crevice tool are slim and compact, perfect for getting into tighter spaces.
Who should avoid the Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vac?
- Those on a budget. While this handheld vacuum cleaner isn’t the most expensive on our list, it’s still a little on the expensive side for a handheld option.
Instead, choose… the Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum.
The Shark WandVac is an expensive option, but it has a powerful brushless motor and an extremely lightweight design. This wand-style handheld vacuum is compact, making it easy to get into all of the cracks and crevices that other handheld vacuums can’t reach.
Features Breakdown
- Type: Handheld
- Filter Type: Cartridge
- Surfaces: Upholstery, Carpets
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 1.18 kg
- Capacity: 605 mL
- Voltage: 16 Volts
- Included Attachments: Extendable Crevice Tool and Flip-Up Brush
Best pet handheld vacuum in Canada: Bissell PowerClean Pet Hand Vacuum
Pros:
- Includes motorized brush tool for pet hair
- Large dust bin that is simple to empty
- Fully handheld design that is comfortable to use
Cons:
- Battery may not last long
The Details:
- Type: Handheld
- Filter Type: 3 Stage
- Surfaces: Upholstery
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 1.4 kg
The Bissell PowerClean Pet Hand Vacuum is one of the best options on the Canadian market for homes with pets. If you are tired of finding pet hair on your furniture or in the backseat of your car, this handheld vacuum will be the perfect companion. It comes with attachments specifically made to tackle these issues, such as the motorized brush roll for embedded dirt and hair.
It also includes an upholstery tool, which helps clean softer surfaces and furniture. It attacks pet hair, reducing the need to go over and over certain spaces while you are cleaning. The crevice attachment can be tucked into hard-to-reach places to get deep dirt out of places you wouldn’t be able to clean otherwise.
These attachments are easy to change and keep your cleaning routine versatile. This handheld vacuum is also completely cordless and uses a 12-volt lithium-ion battery for power. It uses triple-level filtration to help improve performance, filtering out dust, dirt, and pet dander before the air goes back into your home. Between the included tools, it’s perfect for upholstery, stairs, and cars. Plus, not having to deal with a cord while cleaning those spaces is honestly such a nice touch.
Our Expert Opinion: “Homes with pets need some type of handheld vacuum to clean up smaller messes, and this is one is perfect. The motorized brush roll and included upholstery tool work well to keep hair, litter, and other debris off of your furniture and stairs.”
Customers Are Saying: “No matter if I need to clean up cat hair or litter, this handheld vacuum handles it all. It doesn’t get blocked when it fills up, so it works continuously until it’s full. This means I can get the entire mess before pausing to empty the cup. That’s priceless to me.”
Who is the Bissell PowerClean Pet Hand Vacuum for?
- Homes with pets. This vacuum is designed for homes with pets, but the included accessories can definitely help you remove pet hair and mess from your upholstered surfaces.
- Canadians who need deep cleaning. Between the power of this vacuum and the included brush roll, this handheld vacuum gets a little deeper than some of the other options on our list.
- People who prefer 3-stage filtration. This handheld vacuum features 3-stage filtration, which helps remove dust, dirt, and other airborne irritants before it reintroduces air to your home.
Who should avoid the Bissell PowerClean Pet Hand Vacuum?
- Those who want to clean floors. While you can use this vacuum on the floor, its main purpose is for furniture, car seats, blankets, and upholstery affected with pet hair and dander.
Instead, choose… the Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum.
If cleaning the floors is your goal, the Dewalt 20V Cordless Vacuum is the right option for you. This vacuum includes an extendable tube to help you reach the floors without having to bend over to do it. IT also comes with a host of accessories and extremely powerful suction, so you can clean your way.
Features Breakdown
- Type: Handheld
- Filter Type: 3 Stage
- Surfaces: Upholstery
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 1.4 kg
- Capacity: 0.7 litres
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Included Attachments: Motorized brush roll, upholstery tool, crevice tool
Best compact handheld vacuum in Canada: Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum
Pros:
- Extremely compact design
- Powerful suction from a brushless motor
- Tapered nozzle works for most debris
Cons:
- Needs to be emptied often
The Details:
- Type: Handheld Wand
- Filter Type: Cloth
- Surfaces: Hard Surfaces and Upholstery
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 0.6 kg
The Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum is one of the smallest, most compact vacuums on our list. This wand-style vacuum has a smaller capacity, but boasts powerful suction and deep cleaning power even without the larger capacity. The tapered nozzle makes it easy to get into tighter spaces, and the crevice tool furthers your ability to get where you need to be.
The charging dock is a great feature, too. It allows this vacuum to sit upright on a surface for easy reach, so you can grab it when there’s a spill and slide it back in without any hassle at all. Arguably the worst part about this vacuum is the capacity, which is mostly due to the more compact size of the vacuum.
Still, this vacuum comes with great accessories and a powerful design. It charges quickly and helps pick up larger debris without missing a beat. No matter what type of messes you need to clean up, this vacuum gets the job done for you, so you don’t have to worry about breaking out the upright vacuum for smaller spills.
Our Expert Opinion: “The Shark WandVac comes from people who know vacuums, even when they are smaller in scale. The compact, lightweight design is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of strength, but need to be able to clean messes.
Customers Are Saying: “This handheld vacuum is so incredibly light. It’s also extremely quiet and has a lot of suction. For what it does, I don’t think I’d choose a different model over this one.”
Who is the Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum for?
- Those who want to clean small messes. The lower capacity means that this handheld vacuum is better-suited to small messes.
- Canadians who need a lighter vacuum. This vacuum is one of the lightest on our list, so those who don’t want to heft a larger model may enjoy this one more.
- People who want powerful suction. This vacuum uses a high-speed, brushless motor that allows it to produce extreme suction.
Who should avoid the Shark WandVac Handheld Vacuum?
- Those who need a larger capacity. If you don’t want to be emptying your vacuum every few minutes, you might want a different option.
Instead, choose… the Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vac.
This Dustbuster model by Black+Decker has a larger capacity, but it still uses a relatively slim nozzle to get into tight spaces and keep crevices clean. It’s a little less expensive than the Shark WandVac, too.
Features Breakdown
- Type: Handheld Wand
- Filter Type: Cloth
- Surfaces: Hard Surfaces and Upholstery
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Weight: 0.6 kg
- Capacity: 0.08 Quarts
- Voltage: 10.8 Volts
- Included Attachments: Crevice tool, charging dock, accessory storage
Frequently Asked Questions
When buying a handheld vacuum, you should consider whether or not you want a cord, how the waste is stored (bagged or with a cup), and where you will store the vacuum. Also consider the different attachments you will need to clean your various surfaces.
A good handheld vacuum cleaner has a lower wattage than you might expect. A handheld vacuum cleaner can have a wattage between 50 to 200 watts and still have enough power to adequately clean your carpets and hard surfaces.
Handheld vacuums are considered to be most effective between 20 to 50 AW. When using Pa as a measurement, that’s 160 to 400 Pa. If you need to pick up larger debris or pet hair, you may want to select a vacuum with a higher suction than this to get the best performance.
Handheld vacuums can be handy to have when you don’t want to mess with a cord, but their applications are somewhat limited by battery life (if applicable) and generally lower suction power. A handheld vacuum may not provide the same power as an upright vacuum, especially when it comes to crumbs, dust, and pet dander.
This Post Has 5 Comments
I love how the Shark WandVac looks. It looks like it’ll fit in all types of tight spaces.
My old handheld clogs constantly, but I see that most of these are built a little better.
Correct! Most of the handhelds on this list are made to reduce clogging so you’ll have a smoother cleaning experience.
Totally wasn’t expecting to find Dewalt on here, but I bet it has crazy suction.
Yes! The Dyson pick is definitely a heavy duty option compared to the others, but it was worth mentioning!