Has the coronavirus outbreak made you obsessed with sanitation? You are definitely not alone if you feel compelled to clean everything excessively nowadays. Or maybe you have always known the importance of good hygiene. Whatever the case might be, you’ll agree that a portable vacuum cleaner is one of the most essential tools for a quick yet thorough cleanup.
Lightweight and compact, portable vacuum cleaners can help with various chores around the house. From picking pet dander and cleaning dusty corners to tackling dry spills and tracked-in dirt, these small appliances can handle almost all common messes. They don’t use up much of your storage space and allow you to get the job done without any heavy lifting. In most cases, a mini vacuum cleaner for household use also doubles as a portable vacuum cleaner for car. This can save you from spending extra money on car maintenance.
If you are looking for the best portable vacuum cleaner for car or home, use this buying guide for reference. We discuss the main features and review some hot-selling products in the market to help you make the right pick.
What to Look for in a Portable Vacuum Cleaner
To purchase a vacuum cleaner that fits within your budget and meets all your cleaning needs, weigh these key features in every product:
Corded vs. Cordless
Corded vacuum cleaners have limited mobility but provide consistent suction power. Cordless vacuum cleaners, on the other hand, allow you the freedom of using them virtually wherever you want. However, they rely on rechargeable batteries for power. You may not be able to use a cordless vacuum cleaner on the spur of the moment if you do not keep it charged at all times. If you wish to avoid this hassle, it’s best to go for a corded mini vacuum cleaner instead.
Type
There are three main types of portable vacuum cleaners:
- Upright vacuums – These are the most popular among users as they are suitable for a wide range of cleaning chores. You can use them for cleaning carpeted floors and sofas and even smaller areas like car seats. An upright cleaner has a motorized, belt-driven brush with a removeable dirt receptacle. Most use a power cord, but you can find cordless models too.
- Handled vacuums – A vacuum cleaner featuring a handled design is the most portable vacuum cleaner of all. These models are usually powered by a battery and are specially made to suck dirt and dust from otherwise hard-to-clean spots.
- Canister vacuums – These vacuum cleaners are known for their versatility, maneuverability, and overall ease of use. Unlike canister vacuums, they house the motor and dirt receptacle in a separate unit from the hose. This reduces the arm power required for sweeping the surface. Thus, canister vacuums are the ideal machine for bigger jobs like cleaning the whole house.
Power Rating
The power rating indicates the motor speed and hence, the suction strength of the vacuum cleaner. So, for example, an 18 volts vacuum cleaner will provide a more powerful cleaning action than the one rated 12 volts.
Battery Runtime and Charging Capacity
If you are opting for a cordless vacuum cleaner, pay attention to the battery specs. Quality models usually operate for at least 10 minutes before you notice a decrease in their suction power. Ideally, you should ensure that your appliance uses a Lithium-ion battery. These batteries take an average of 4 to 6 hours to charge fully and provide relatively consistent performance even in long cleaning sessions.
Weight
Whether it’s handheld or not, a vacuum cleaner should be light enough to easily lift and carry. Heavyweight models have limited portability and can put a lot of strain on your wrist. When choosing a portable vacuum cleaner for car, don’t go for any model above 5 lbs.
Dirt Receptacle
Some vacuum cleaners collect the muck in dirt canisters while others use bags for the purpose. Bag models are generally less popular as they are a bit difficult to remove and dump. Vacuum cleaners with larger dirt receptables tend to take up more space. But they need to be emptied less frequently.
Additional Features
A mini vacuum cleaner that comes with special accessories will no doubt offer the most bang for your buck. This may include attachments for picking up pet hair or broken glass. Or unique hoses designed to reach behind furniture items, clean car upholstery, and so on. For cordless cleaners, look for models that have a battery level indicator.
Best Portable Vacuum Cleaners
Now that you know what makes a vacuum cleaner truly functional, take a look at some of the best options available on the market right now:
1) Dyson Cyclone V10 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson is highly popular for manufacturing world-class household cleaning appliances for almost three decades. It has a line of quality vacs, but the Dyson Cyclone V10 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner particularly stands out for various reasons.
Based on the Cyclone technology, this vacuum cleaner has an advanced suction and filtration system. It can remove anything from dust, dirt, and pet hair to even allergens and bacteria from the air. The stick vac has a convertible design. It easily transforms into a handheld vacuum cleaner, allowing you to use it in your car as well.
Lithium polymer batteries power this mechanized cleaning tool. It takes 3.5 to 4 hours to charge completely and, depending on the settings, can run for up to an hour straight!
It’s a reliable vacuum cleaner that can help you maintain cleanliness all around.
Our Choice As the Best Portable Vacuum Cleaner Overall.
Dimensions: 9.84 x 10.08 x 49.17 inches
- High-quality stick vacuum cleaner
- Transforms to a handheld vac
- Cordless
- Has the same power of a corded cleaner
- Up to 60 minutes of continuous run time
- Advanced filtration system
- Engineered to pick up both large debris and fine dust
- Nylon brush helps capture deep-down dirt from carpets
- All-rounded cleaning action
- Suitable for car and home
- Comes with a hefty price tag
- Turbo power mode consumes batter very fast
Our rating: 
4.6 / 5
2) Shark WV201 WANDVAC Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Powerful, compact, and convenient; the Shark WV201 WANDVAC vacuum cleaner is a pro at handling all kinds of messes. It not only tackles pet dander with aplomb but also does an amazing job at cleaning bare as well as carpeted floors. Its special attachments allow you to get into all hard-to-reach places without straining your wrists.
What users love about this vac is the integrated mini storage compartment that handily keeps all its extra components in the charging base.
Simply put, if you need a versatile tool for dusting and cleaning everyday messes like dry food spills, the Shark WANDVAC will definitely be worth your while.
Our Choice As the Best Portable Vacuum Cleaner for Cars.
Dimensions: 16.5 x 2.5 x 2.4 inches
- High-quality mini duster crevice tool
- Brushless motor provides incredibly strong suction
- Ultra-lightweight
- One-touch debris emptying
- A bit pricey
- Small dust bin
Our rating: 4.6 / 5
3) Black + Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
If are looking for the best handheld vacuum cleaner, look no further than the Black + Decker Dustbuster. With its Smart Charge Technology, this cordless vac is incredibly powerful for a mini vacuum cleaner.
The lithium ion battery not only delivers an outstanding performance for large-scale cleaning, but also holds the charge for up to 18 months. In other words, you can let the vac sit in the cupboard for months, and rest assured it will be ready to use whenever you need it.
It’s 16 V motor has a cyclonic action and picks up all dust and debris in one swift sweep. The rotating slim nozzle makes it suitable for a range of applications, including vacuuming car interiors, kitchen counters, carpets, and more.
Dimensions: 17.25 x 5.5 x 7.75 inches
- Lightweight + cordless vacuum cleaner
- Strong suction power of 15.2 W
- Translucent dirt bowl makes it easy to see when it needs to be emptied
- Washable, removable dust filter
- 180-degree rotating nozzle fits into tight spaces
- Extendable crevice tool
- Smart Charge battery uses about 50% less energy
- Comes at a highly affordable price
- Can be used as a stick vac too
- Not the best buy for sweeping floors
- May not properly clean long-pile carpets
Our rating: 
4.5 / 5
4) Eufy Ultra-Lightweight HomeVac
The Eufy Ultra-Lightweight HomeVac packs great value in a compact size. It’s incredibly on your pocket and even lighter light to hold.
This dual action handled mini vacuum cleaner conveniently converts into a duster brush, allowing you to nab dust in nooks and crannies. You can use it to clean car seats, reach behind furniture, sweep the staircase, and so on.
Given its sleek and stylish design, you wouldn’t even need to stow it away after use. It’s elegant enough to sit on a shelf in plain sight.
Dimensions: 15 x 6 x 3.6 inches
- 2-in-1 crevice tool
- Incredibly lightweight
- Highly budget-friendly
- Clean every corner
- 5500 Pa Suction power
- Perfect for tackling common household messes
- Features a USB port for convenient charging
- Washable high-efficiency filter
- 2-year warranty
- Small dust cup
- Comes in only black color
- Quite poorly positioned power button
Our rating: 
4.4 / 5
5) Bissell Cordless Green Air Ram
The Bissell Cordless Air Ram vac is almost as good as any high-quality upright vacuum cleaner. Featuring a wide brush roll and large back wheels, this vac makes floor cleanup easier than you may have imagined.
It has a compact, stick-style assembly with the added convenience of a cordless motor. The rechargeable battery reaches its maximum capacity in a couple of hours and can provide up to 40 minutes of fade-free power. You will have no difficulty vacuuming around furniture given the appliance’s swivel steering design.
Bissell Air Ram’s removable dirt bin with a built-in slider makes for a no-hassle, mess-free receptacle cleanup. It is one of the best vacuums for cleaning hard floors. However, it’s important to note that this model does not really fit under the category of portable vacuum cleaners for cars.
Dimensions: 11.75 x 9.9 x 44 inches
- Portable stick vacuum with a cordless powerhouse
- Innovative foot design reduces strain on your arms and legs
- Collapsible handle for easy storage
- Multi-surface brush rolls
- Maximized maneuverability
- Easy empty dirt bin with slider to push out dust, hair, and debris
- Built-in LED headlights illuminate fine dust and debris for a more effective cleanup
- A bit heavy for a portable vacuum cleaner
- Not suitable for use in cars
- The included filter takes more than 24 hours to dry after cleaning
Our rating: 
4.3 / 5
6) HOTOR Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner
The HOTOR Corded Car Vacuum may not offer the same convenience as its cordless counterparts. But it’s still a superior portable vacuum cleaner for car for all the right reasons.
To begin with, it offers a fast and easy cleaning experience with a consistently strong suction power. You need not worry about the continuation issue because the appliance has a 16.4 ft long cord. It’s longer than the length of most cars.
The 12 Volts motor can be easily powered by the built-in port in vehicles. Spotting dust and dirt in hidden corners is also not an issue as this vacuum cleaner has a bright LED at the front.
Moreover, the product is equipped with extra accessories to meet all your car cleaning needs.
Dimensions: 14.9 x 3.7 x 5.3 inches
- Deep cleaning action
- Removes rubbish at lightning speed
- Stainless steel HEPA filter
- Super bright LED light helps you clean dark corners easily
- Extra long cord reaches every spot even in big cars
- Detachable dustcup head
- Includes 3 different nozzles
- Comes with a carrying bag
- Corded vacuum cleaner
- Needs emptying quite often
- It gets hot if used continuously for longer periods of time
Our rating: 
4.2 / 5
End Note
Mini vacuum cleaners offer almost the same functionality as full-size canister or upright vacuums. But they are a lot more user-friendly and usually available at a fraction of the cost of their bulky alternatives. We hope that in the appliances reviewed above, you found a portable vac that fits the bill for your cleaning chores. In the end, you need to consider the suction power, maneuverability, weight, and battery run time of a portable vacuum cleaner to decide whether it can help keep your place dust and dirt free.
