The Best Bissell Handheld Vacuums of 2023

The Bissell AeroSlim is a sleek, attractive handheld vacuum cleaner that somehow even looks good charging on a countertop. This compact vacuum holds 12 minutes of cleaning time once charged via its built-in USB port, making it even easier to charge by car, computer, or wall outlet.

Dual level filtration ensures a deep clean, and what we love about the AeroSlim is that it includes a washable filter, which means you’ll get more uses out of each filter. The Bissell AeroSlim handheld vacuum is super lightweight at under 1.5 pounds and measures 2.75 by 12.6 by 3.62 inches.

Users like that the AeroSlim has a battery indicator light so they know when to charge their vacuum, and champion it for its simplicity—it requires no additional attachments for basic vacuuming.

An upgrade from the previous cordless model (the 1782), this Bissell pet-hair eraser has an impressive run time of 17 minutes thanks to its 14.4V lithium battery. The same weight of three pounds, the Lithium Ion from Bissell comes with triple level filtration, motorized brush tool, upholstery tool, and crevice tool—trimming nothing from the previous model. The brush attachment ensures a deeper clean than more standard vacuums and makes owning a pet that much easier.

Fans of this hand vacuum love how much power is held in its small footprint. People seem to actually enjoy the chore of vacuuming, and even self-proclaimed “lazy housekeepers” attribute this Bissell to the newfound cleanliness of their homes.

We’d recommend this as an upgrade to standard models or for people who were interested in previous models but were worried about battery life.

Previously tested by our experts, the 1782 cordless vacuum was designed to make pet parents’ lives easier. A motorized foot provides powerful suction for a deeper clean to get every bit of pet hair out of your home, while a crevice tool helps clean hard-to-reach areas and tight spaces.

The 1782’s telescoping extension wand is an added benefit, especially if you live in a home with hard-to-clean radiators. And a built-in felted upholstery tool cleans soft surfaces and furniture by attracting even more pet hair. At three pounds, the 1782 handheld vacuum is currently more expensive than other handhelds on the market, and when tested by our experts it sat in the middle of the pack, doing fine with fur but not working exceptionally well when it came to picking up dirt.

Overall the 1782 is an okay option, with a battery life of 14 minutes, but we agree that there are better models available through Bissell, including the upgraded Lithium Ion model

A corded handheld vacuum option, the Pet Hair Eraser 33A1 is a Reviewed favorite from the Bissell line. This vacuum’s rubber nozzle attracts hair and is able to pull dirt from stairs and upholstery with ease. A 16-foot power cord gives the user decent range of motion for this five-pound vacuum, but it’s a bit bulkier in size than other handheld vacuums.

Recommended for upholstery, cars, and stairs, the 33A1 is a mighty little machine that won’t cause any worry over its runtime due to the fact that it’s corded. This Bissell model comes with two specialized nozzles—one for picking up dry messes like cat litter, and another with rubber bristles to collect hair from furniture, stairs, and more.

Reviewers say this vacuum packs a powerful punch, helping to loosen up hair from fabric and suck it up for good, but if you’re looking for something to get into tight spaces, this model wouldn’t be the right choice for you.

Previously picked as an editors’ choice “Best Value,” the Black+Decker Pivot is a handheld vacuum worth considering. A pivot joint lets you bend the device 200 degrees, so you can turn it into a hook to get cobwebs off the tops of cabinets, or fold it up for easy storage.

Though we love the pivot feature, we wouldn’t recommend this for cleaning your car, as its big body and lack of a hose makes it hard to maneuver under car seats. Capturing about 70% of dirt during testing, the Black+Decker model has a runtime of 11.5 minutes.

Our experts say that at the end of the day, if you need help cleaning up small messes in tight spaces, but don’t need a top-of-the-line tool, the Pivot is a safe choice.