Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaners

When it comes to cleaning hard-to-reach spots like the car, the stairs, or the sofa, a full-sized upright can often feel like overkill. That’s why the best handheld vacuum cleaners have become an essential tool in the modern home - offering the power to tackle mess without the bulk.

At Gtech, we’ve packed the high-performance suction of our full-sized uprights into a compact, portable frame. From the best handheld vacuum for pet hair to lightweight car tools and bagged models for mess-free emptying, this guide helps you compare Gtech handheld vacuums to find the perfect match for your home.

The handheld vacuum cleaners in the Gtech range are regularly featured in independent reviews from trusted publications. The Independent, The Telegraph, Ideal Home, Closer and more have highlighted their practicality for everyday vacuuming, cleaning car interiors and tackling pet hair.

Our customers love our products too. The Multi and its K9 counterpart have each received more than 4,000 5-star reviews, while the most recent addition, the Multi Platinum has already received almost 1,000 5-star reviews across Trustpilot. 

It highlights our commitment to engineering handhelds that make everyday cleaning faster, easier and more effective in the home

Choosing the best handheld vacuum for your home depends on the specific challenge you have in mind. Whether you need a longer maximum runtime (for a larger rooms), enhanced pet hair pickup, or a bagged option, comparing the key features side by side makes it easier to find the right Gtech model for you.

Pet hair can quickly build up – on sofas, stairs, carpets, by skirting boards and in cars. So, pet owners need a handheld that can cope with stubborn fur. 

The Gtech Multi K9 is a purpose-built solution for homes with pets, whether they’re canine or feline. Its powered brush bar, strengthened aluminium parts, and replaceable fragrance cartridges make it easier to keep a clean home when you’ve got a four-legged friend.

“When specifically targeting pet hair (the true test of any ‘pet vacuum’), it performed flawlessly, removing deeply embedded fur from a heavily used cat bed that had defeated several other vacuums I’d previously tested.” – Caroline Preece, The Independent (Best handheld vacuum cleaners, tried and tested by an expert – Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Owners)

“It’s the powered brush bar that really makes the difference when picking up dirt, dust and pet hair however, even on trickier surfaces like stairs and sofas.” – Emily Peck, The Telegraph (15 of the best handheld vacuums for cleaning cars, awkward corners and quick spills – Best Handheld Vacuum for a Fresh Scent: Gtech Multi K9 Cordless Handheld Pet Vacuum)

If runtime is your priority, because you’re hoovering larger rooms or like to tackle multiple rooms in a single session, the Gtech Multi Platinum stands out within our handheld range.

Designed for longer cleaning sessions, it provides 30 minutes of cordless runtime per full charge. It also features all of the powerful features of the Multi and Multi K9 – with the powered brush bar making light work of removing embedded pet hair and dirt.

“If you're looking for a handheld vacuum that'll get the job done without holding back, there's no denying that this handheld offers exactly that. With superb suction power, an excellent range of accessories, and long battery life, it's incredibly impressive.” – Lauren Bradbury, Ideal Home (I test vacuums for a living, and these are the only 6 handheld vacuums I’d recommend to family and friends)

“Battery life also gets a big thumbs up from me. I managed to blitz through a bedroom, landing and staircase in one go, and it only lost a single bar of power, which, by the way, is super easy to keep track of thanks to the handy charge indicator.” – Amy Mae-Turner, Closer (Keep your home spotless with the best handheld vacuum for quick clean-ups)

Car interiors present a unique cleaning challenge. Tight footwells, fabric seats, crumbs, pet hair and ingrained dirt all require a handheld vacuum that’s powerful, manoeuvrable and easy to use in confined spaces.

The Gtech Multi is well suited to car cleaning thanks to its compact cordless design and powered brush head, which helps lift dirt and hair from seats, mats and carpets. And you can enhance your cleaning power further with the Car Cleaning Accessory Kit.

“The real test is cleaning out a car. The Gtech is perfectly suited here, light and small enough to carry around the vehicle, armed with the combination of the long attachment and the rolling vacuum part, all of the nooks and crannies of a vehicle were surprisingly easy to clean out.” – Alex Hughes, BBC Science Focus Magazine (Gtech Multi Mk2 review: A mean, lean cleaning machine)

If you’re looking for a solution that’s easy to handle above all else, the Gtech ProLite is the lightest handheld in our range. Its compact with a lightweight design that makes it simple to lift, carry and manoeuvre. This makes it ideal for overhead cleaning, tackling the stairs or even quick, everyday clean-ups.

With its bagged system, it’s also ideal for allergy sufferers, with captured dust, dirt and debris neatly contained, ready to be disposed of after use.

“The Gtech ProLite is a compact, ultra-lightweight handheld vacuum that’s comfortable to use and surprisingly powerful for its size. Turbo mode gives it extra suction for stubborn debris, and the two included attachments cover most everyday cleaning jobs.” – Katie Sims, Ideal Home (I swapped my Dyson handheld vacuum for this budget-friendly Gtech alternative — this is why I love it)

“Incredibly lightweight and easy to use, the Gtech ProLite is one of Mumsnet's best handheld vacuums for short and speedy clean-up tasks.” – Natasha Gregson, Mumsnet (Gtech ProLite Handheld Vacuum review: can this 1kg vac handle everyday mess?)

Having trouble deciding which is the best handheld hoover for your home? Here are some of the key things to consider before you buy.

Runtimes for handheld vacuums vary significantly. If you’re mainly tackling small spills or quick clean-ups, a shorter runtime is likely to be enough. However, for larger jobs, like tackling multiple rooms, cleaning the stairs or hoovering a mucky car interior – a model with a longer-lasting battery, like the Gtech Multi Platinum, is likely to be more practical.

Handheld vacuums should feel comfortable to use. Lightweight models reduce arm strain and make stair cleaning and cobweb sweeping easier, especially if you struggle with mobility. Models like the ProLite excel here.

Homes with pets benefit from powered brush heads and pet-specific tools. The Gtech Multi and Multi K9 both offer enhanced pet-hair pickup, making them strong choices for households with shedding animals.

If allergies are a concern, look for a handheld vacuum with effective filtration and a simple, low-dust emptying system. The Multi Platinum delivers on both counts, while the ProLite’s bagged system prevents dust become airborne while emptying.

Some handheld vacuums are better suited to cars, others to upholstery, stairs or everyday household tasks. Thinking about where you’ll use it most often will help you choose the model with the right balance of power, runtime and accessories.

Whether you’re looking for a lightweight handheld vacuum for quick clean-ups, a pet-focused model or a longer-lasting option for deeper cleaning, there’s a Gtech model designed to suit your needs. Use the comparisons and recommendations above to find the model that fits your home and your cleaning routine.

Explore the full range of Gtech handheld vacuum cleaners and shop today. Want to compare our full cordless upright range – head over to the best cordless vacuum cleaners guide.