Our pick
Black+Decker 20V Max Lithium Pivot BDH2000PL
This cordless handheld vacuum’s distinctive pivoting nozzle and powerful suction make short work of tidying up around the home or in the car.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $79.
The Black+Decker 20V Max Lithium Pivot BDH2000PL has more suction than any other cordless handheld vacuum we tested (apart from the super-expensive Dyson Humdinger, which is not currently available). In our tests it easily picked up cereal, dust, sand, and other common messes quickly, and it’s strong enough to pick up pet hair without special tools. The strong suction makes up for the Pivot’s 10 minutes of no-fade run time, which is below average—with the extra cleaning power, that run time should be just enough for you to tidy up the interior of a three-row minivan or SUV. The pivoting nozzle makes getting into crevices, such as in between car seats, a lot easier than with a traditional Dustbuster. We especially like the all-in-one design, with no attachments to lose.
If you plan to use your hand vacuum only for occasional tidy-ups, the Black+Decker 16V Max Lithium Dustbuster Hand Vacuum CHV1410L is a simpler, slightly cheaper alternative to our main pick. It can’t reach as many awkward spots or get hair off upholstery, but it costs a lot less and still manages to pick up most common debris. The 12-minute, no-fade run time is fine, and the recharging time is faster than that of many similar models.
Also great
Black+Decker 20V Flex BDH2020FL
Decent suction, a 4-foot flexible hose, and clip-on tools help this handheld vacuum reach spots in your car and home that other models at this price can’t touch.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $110.
If you need to clean hard-to-reach spots in your car, the Black+Decker 20V Max Lithium Flex BDH2020FL is a great option because of its extendable hose and useful tools. It’s not the most powerful vacuum we’ve seen, but it has a decent 12-minute runtime and a hose you can use with just one hand. The Flex’s versatility and solid performance make it a good vacuum for its value; it even used to be our top pick.