Best Handheld Vacuums in Canada

We have a simple mission at Made in CA – to help Canadians get their hands on the top appliances available in Canada. We want to help you improve your quality of life while saving you time and money when you’re searching for ways to keep your house clean.

Our recommendations are formed on the back of in-depth evaluations, extensive research, and our product comparisons. We take several factors into account when choosing the best handheld vacuums in Canada, with build power, suction, and overall performance being chief among them. Once we have enough information about the product we research, we’re ready to hand our recommendations to Canadian consumers.

When creating our list of the best handheld vacuums in Canada, we took several key indicators into account.

• Suction Power. A handheld vacuum with no suction isn’t going to be of much use. We also don’t want to see suction fading quickly due to the battery or a poor filter.
• Handling. Portability is one of the main benefits of using a handheld vacuum. If a vacuum isn’t easy to handle, it’s not as useful for getting into hard-to-reach spaces. Design and weight come into play here.
• Functionality. Some handheld vacuums come with a single fixed nozzle. Others have extensions, accessories, and even clever pivoting features. We want to see as much functionality as possible out of a handheld vacuum before we recommend it.
• Design Quality. Canadians want their handheld vacuums to look the part as well as being able to perform well. We’re not saying looks are the most important thing in the world. But we do give some consideration to vacuums that take style into account.

Why Use a Handheld Vacuum in Canada?

Most Canadians have used traditional vacuum cleaners at some point during their lives. These machines are powerful and great at tackling large patches of carpet. But if you need to get underneath furniture or into tight corners, they tend to prove too bulky.

Handheld vacuums allow you to get into the hard-to-reach spots that traditional vacuums can’t reach. This makes them great for keeping corners clean, reaching high surfaces, and taking care of the upholstery in cars.

Handheld vacuums are great for those quick clean-up jobs that we all have to deal with on occasion. If you notice some pet hair embedded in your furniture, a handheld vacuum lets you deal with it in seconds.

Finally, the light weight of these vacuums makes them portable. That portability means they can handle uneven terrain better than standard vacuums. Plus, it makes them easier to store in your office or home.

How to Choose a Handheld Vacuum for Canadians

If ditching your unwieldy traditional vacuum is on your mind, or you just want more cleaning options around the house, you need to know what to look for in a handheld vacuum. Having decent suction alone doesn’t mean a unit is one of the best handheld vacuums in Canada. Understanding what to look for ensures you don’t waste money on a vacuum that isn’t fit for your purposes.

Corded vs. Cordless

When people think about handheld vacuums, they naturally assume they’re cordless. After all, the devices are designed for portability. Having an unwieldy cord trailing behind your vacuum creates a tripping hazard and limits manoeuvrability. It’s for this reason that most of the vacuums on our list are of the cordless variety.

However, we’d urge you not to completely disregard corded handheld vacuums. Connecting directly to a power supply means you never have to worry about running out of juice midway through cleaning. Plus, corded vacuums tend to offer more suction, making them better at dealing with embedded dirt.

Consider how you’ll use the vacuum when making your choice. If you’re looking to get into tough and high spaces, cordless is the way to go. But for Canadians who want suction, such as those who need a portable vacuum for cleaning a car, corded may be a good option.

The Battery

Building on the previous point, battery life is a key consideration. Handheld vacuums tend to run for about 15 minutes before they need recharging. If a vacuum offers considerably less than that, you must think about whether it gives you enough juice to clean everything you need to clean. Of course, corded models won’t have any issues with batteries.

The type of battery is as important as the battery’s life. The best handheld vacuums in Canada tend to use lithium-ion batteries. Not only do these batteries hold a decent charge, but they’re not subject to as much battery fade as alternatives, like nicad batteries.

Finally, think about charging time. Most handheld vacuums take two to three hours to fully charge. Check the vacuum’s user manual if you need more details about its battery.

Tools and Attachments

Some handheld vacuums come with crevice tools, brushes, and extender attachments. Others offer no frills and come as you see them. Either type can be a good option, assuming the vacuum fulfills your needs.

For example, Canadians who want to clear up embedded pet hair and dirt will find brush attachments very useful. If you want to dig into corners and tight spots, a crevice attachment is a must. But if you’re only clearing up loose dust from flat surfaces, you may find you’re wasting money on a bunch of attachments you don’t need.

Storage is also an issue with attachments. Ideally, your handheld vacuum will have clips to hold the attachments when they’re not in use. Otherwise, you have to make space somewhere to store them.

The Dust Pod

There are two factors to consider when looking at dust pods.

1. Size
2. Ease of cleaning

A larger dust pod means fewer trips to empty your handheld vacuum. However, large pods affect the unit’s design. You may find that a vacuum with a large pod feels unwieldy when you’re trying to clean tight spaces. Determine how you’ll use your vacuum. Would you rather vacuum for longer before emptying the dust cup, or have a smaller vacuum for tight spaces?

As for ease of cleaning, the best dust pods open easily and don’t require you to get your hands dirty. Most Canadians don’t want to dig their hands into a dust pod to scrape out dirt and grime.

The Power Switch

All handheld vacuums come with a power switch. However, some power on with the flick of that switch while others require you to hold it down. While this may seem like a small difference, many Canadians find having to hold a switch irritating when they’re trying to clean. If your mind wanders while you work, you may find yourself accidentally stopping and starting your vacuum unintentionally.

Some handheld vacuums also have a feature for boosting suction power. You usually activate this with a switch so you can tackle tough dirt and pet hair. Just note that boosting suction power drains the battery more quickly.

Size and Weight

The whole point of handheld vacuums for Canadians is that you can lift them easily for vacuuming hard-to-reach spots. If your vacuum weighs more than 3 lbs, you’ll likely find that arm fatigue comes into play.

Again, consider how you’ll use the vacuum. If you’re clearing cobwebs from ceilings or cleaning high surfaces, you need a vacuum that’s as light as possible. But if you’re cleaning desks, carpets, and upholstery, you may be able to get away with a heavier device that offers more power.

Filters

Though a handheld vacuum can save you money, you may find yourself replacing filters regularly. The cost can add up, especially if the filters don’t last long. The best handheld vacuums in Canada tend to have filters that alleviate this issue.

Some use special systems to keep dirt away from the filters when in use. Cyclonic motion is a good example of this. Others come with washable filters, allowing you to extend the filter’s life as long as you’re vigilant with cleaning.

Additional Factors

Beyond the main features discussed above, several other factors may influence your decision. The following additional features and considerations can greatly influence which handheld vacuum you choose, so keep these in mind.

• Warranty. A strong warranty can be an attractive perk if you intend to use your hand vacuum for several years. It also displays the manufacturer’s confidence in their product.
• Brand. A brand isn’t everything. But you’ll generally find that some brands excel at creating powerful vacuums while others are better for sleek or lightweight designs.
• Reviews. Other Canadians can tell you as much about a vacuum as you can learn from using it yourself. Don’t be afraid to check out user reviews to discover the overall consensus on the product.

How to Safely Use a Handheld Vacuum in Canada

Handheld vacuums aren’t the most complicated devices in the world, meaning most people should be able to use them safely with little instruction. Still, there are some handy tips to keep in mind to stay as safe as possible.

• Clean or replace your filters regularly. Not only does this extend the filter’s life, but it also prevents dust build-up from causing issues with the vacuum.
• Register your vacuum with the manufacturer if you have the option. This ensures you’re one of the first to know if the product is subject to a recall. Plus, you’ll have somebody to contact if your vacuum requires repairs.
• Try not to leave your vacuum charging for longer than needed. Though most batteries stop charging once they’re full, leaving the vacuum connected to a power source creates a fire risk.
• Don’t use your handheld vacuum to clean wet floors or clear up flammable materials.
• Store your handheld vacuum in a dry and cool area that protects it from extreme temperatures.
• Empty the dust pod regularly to prevent dust build-up on your vacuum’s filter. An empty pod is also a more effective pod when you’re cleaning.

Make sure that you are using the handheld vacuum according to the user manual and manufacturer guidelines. Failure to follow these guidelines can lead to damage to your handheld vacuum. It also may not work as effectively if you don’t use it correctly.