
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

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.
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
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

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 handheld vacuum cleaner attachments
In the overview below I have listed all hand vacuum cleaner attachments.
Handheld vacuum attachment | Definition |
---|---|
Motorized mini brush | Motorized mini turbo brush |
Cone-shaped tangle-free brush | Motorized mini turbo brush with anti-tangling brush |
Combination accessory | Nozzle with extendable dusting brush |
Soft dusting brush | Small suction brush with soft bristles |
Brush for stubborn dirt | Small brush for stiff hairs |
Wide mouthpiece | Flat nozzle for mattresses or stairs |
Crevice tool | Elongated nozzle for crevices |
Combi crevice tool | Crevice tool with extendable dusting brush |
Crevice tool with LED | Crevice tool with LED lighting |
Flexible crevice tool | Flexible 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.

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.
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.