The Best Inexpensive Cordless Handheld Vac

The 2017 Black and Decker Dustbuster (CHV1410L) continues to be this author's pick for Best Inexpensive Handheld Vacuum. blackanddecker.com

To say that I had a love/hate relationship with handheld vacuums for many years would be putting it mildly. I love the idea of a cordless handheld vacuum that is charged up and always ready to make a quick pickup; in fact, it is on my list of household must-haves.

But I hate when the thing runs for only a few minutes before it needs to be recharged, is heavy and awkward to use, and has such weak suction it doesn’t do a very good job of picking up anything.

Backstory

It’s been more than 30 years since I got my first handheld Dustbuster. It would hold a charge for maybe two minutes, if all the stars were properly aligned and I held it in just the right position. And the thing completely failed after only a few months—refusing to hold any charge at all. Rubbish!