Updated: 18 Mar 2009

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Introduction

We tested seven hand-held vacuum cleaners on a range of everyday spills and found two to recommend.

A hand-held vacuum cleaner makes cleaning up spills a breeze - and the best one we tested did a great job of cleaning the inside of the car. Some were also successful at sucking up pet hair.

Models we tested

Checklist

If you're considering buying a hand-held vacuum cleaner, here are some features to look for:

Docking

A wall-mounted docking station keeps the cleaner readily available yet out of the way - but you need to have wall space that's close to a power outlet. The alternative is to leave it sitting on a flat surface (again with a power outlet nearby).

Battery voltage

Higher voltage is usually better because there's more suction and a longer running time. But there's also more weight to carry around.

Balance and comfort

Try the cleaner in the store. Choose a model with a weight you can manage easily. Make sure it feels comfortable and that its weight doesn't put too much strain on your wrist. See how easy it is to take out from its docking station - and put back.

Accessories

An upholstery brush and crevice nozzle can be handy for cleaning furniture and car seats. It's even handier if the tools are clipped to the cleaner (rather than the docking station).

Switch

An On/Off switch is easier for continuous operation than a trigger that needs to be held down.

Filter

This should be easy to remove and clean or replace.

Fallout flap

This prevents dirt falling back out of the vacuum when you carry it with the nozzle facing downwards, such as when moving between cleaning tasks.

Charging time

The shorter the charging time, the sooner you can reuse the cleaner.