Best Dyson Handheld Vacuum + 3 alternatives

dyson handheld vacuum
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In short: every Dyson stick vacuum can now be used as a handheld vacuum, since you can remove the vacuum cleaner rod. Dyson offers several parts to turn your vacuum cleaner into a handheld vacuum, including a motorized mini brush and a flexible crevice tool. The best Dyson handheld vacuum right now is the Dyson V8. Little fuss and supplied with the interesting accessories.

A handheld vacuum cleaner is very interesting for vacuuming small crumbs. A handheld vacuum cleaner is nice and compact and cordless, so you can quickly grab it. In addition, it is much easier to vacuum in hard-to-reach places or locations where there is no power point. Think about vacuuming the car.

If you want to buy a hand vacuum cleaner from Dyson, you will now end up with a stick vacuum. You can get the vacuum cleaner rod between the dust container and the floor brush to transform it into a compact handheld vacuum cleaner. Provide it with the right brush head and you're good to go!

Best Dyson handheld vacuum at the moment

Let me start with the best Dyson handheld vacuum at the moment: the Dyson V8. This stick vacuum is more compact than most Dyson vacuum cleaners. The dust container is placed transversely, instead of in line with the vacuum cleaner rod. This also makes the V8 very similar to the older Dyson handheld vacuums.

Dyson V8 Absolute

Easy to use as a handheld vacuum cleaner and a lot cheaper compared to other Dyson vacuum cleaners
🇺🇸 Available in the United States at Amazon.com and Dyson.com
best dyson handheld vacuum
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Alternative Dyson handheld vacuums

If you want to vacuum for longer than 25 minutes with a hand-held vacuum cleaner, it's better to choose the Dyson V11. This stick vacuum not only has a longer battery life (about 60 minutes), but also has a much larger dust container. This also means you don't have to empty it as quickly.

Dyson V11

60 minutes of continuous vacuuming and a nice large dust container.
🇺🇸 Available in the United States at Amazon.com and Dyson.com

Do you want a more compact hand vacuum cleaner? Then the Dyson Micro 1.5 kg is the stick vacuum that you must have. With only 1.5 kilograms, you get a lightweight vacuum cleaner at home. I actually see it as a hand-held vacuum cleaner with a handle.

Dyson Micro 1.5kg

A very compact stick vacuum, which you can quickly transform into a lightweight handheld vacuum.
🇺🇸 Available in the United States at Dyson.com

Finally, you can also opt for the Dyson V15 Detect if you want to get the latest of the latest. This stick vacuum comes with the new screw-shaped tangle-free mini brush. In addition, this vacuum cleaner is equipped with a floor brush with a green laser, with which you can see dirt on dark surfaces better.

Dyson V15 Detect

Equipped with the latest technical gadgets: from laser technology to new attachments for animal hair.
🇺🇸 Available in the United States at Amazon.com and Dyson.com
dyson v15 detect pet hair
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If you already have a Dyson stick vacuum

It is of course possible that you already have a Dyson vacuum cleaner at home. Then there is no need to buy a completely new stick vacuum. What you can do better is to upgrade your Dyson with special attachments for vacuuming furniture and other small surfaces.

In my extensive Dyson parts guide I have researched all attachments. At the moment Dyson has 10 different attachments and new ones are constantly being added. Also a super handy crevice tool with LED lighting.

dyson light crevice tool
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Dyson handheld vacuum cleaner attachments

In the overview below I have listed all hand vacuum cleaner attachments.

Handheld vacuum attachmentDefinition
Motorized mini brushMotorized mini turbo brush
Cone-shaped tangle-free brushMotorized mini turbo brush with anti-tangling brush
Combination accessoryNozzle with extendable dusting brush
Soft dusting brushSmall suction brush with soft bristles
Brush for stubborn dirtSmall brush for stiff hairs
Wide mouthpieceFlat nozzle for mattresses or stairs
Crevice toolElongated nozzle for crevices
Combi crevice toolCrevice tool with extendable dusting brush
Crevice tool with LEDCrevice tool with LED lighting
Flexible crevice toolFlexible crevice tool

When you expand your Dyson with extra accessories, I recommend that you only choose accessories from Dyson itself. Universal parts can damage your Dyson and even have a negative impact on the Dyson vacuum battery life.

dyson mini suction brush
© Vacuumtester

Why doesn't Dyson make standalone handheld vacuums anymore?

Let's briefly consider why Dyson has stopped launching handheld vacuum cleaners? The answer to this question is actually quite logical. There is a huge trend visible in the world of vacuum cleaners: the stick vacuum cleaner!

This type of vacuum cleaner is now equipped with an integrated hand vacuum cleaner. The Dyson stick vacuums are also easy to use as a compact handheld vacuum. In fact, the Dyson handheld vacuum from the past is actually a stick vacuum without a handle.

Dyson seems to be aiming for a complete solution for the home with one vacuum cleaner: a stick vacuum that you can easily convert into a handheld vacuum.

Dyson handheld vacuums from the past

As I mentioned in the introduction, Dyson used to have various hand vacuum cleaners in its range. The handheld vacuum cleaner was called a “Dyson Trigger”. This is actually the name for only the top part of the stick vacuum.

Until recently, there were two types of Dyson Triggers for sale: the Dyson V6 Trigger and the V7 Trigger. In addition to these Trigger models, there were also hand-held vacuum cleaners for specific applications:

  • Dyson V6 Top Dog handheld vacuum: with a motorized mini brush for pet hair
  • Dyson V6 Mattress: delivered a mini turbo brush for cleaning mattresses
  • Dyson V6 Baby + Child: supplied with special attachments for vacuuming cots

As you can see, with the above hand vacuum cleaners, the Dyson attachments in particular made the difference.

In summary: if you want a Dyson hand-held vacuum cleaner, you will now end up with a stick vacuum. By removing the vacuum cleaner rod you can use it as a hand vacuum cleaner. It is important to pay close attention to the supplied accessories. The attachments determine how and for what you can use the hand vacuum cleaner. The best choice right now is the Dyson V8.
Robbert Tigchelaar
Robbert Tigchelaar

Robbert Tigchelaar has made testing vacuum cleaners his life's work. He has dedicated himself to conducting fully independent and valuable tests of vacuum cleaners to provide consumers with honest advice. His expertise in vacuum cleaners has been highlighted in The Washington Post and the Daily Express.

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