Top 10 Best Small Vacuum Cleaners Reviews 2020 (Recommended)

Small size places get so easily dirty, this is why you might have to clean them more often than a large house. While for some roomy apartments and houses you can use a full-sized vacuum, for a small one, I would rather recommend the handheld vacuum cleaners or some tiny ones.

The difference stays in the fact that you can easily store them in all kinds of corners from the house, and also get to clean some spots you couldn’t reach with the big vacuums.

So, in all those times, the small size vacuum cleaners will be your ace in the sleeve. But let’s be honest, not all the compact vacuum cleaners can perform as well as their bigger siblings or the robotic vacuums.

This is because they are not that powerful as the full-sized ones. But there are some models that are strong enough to clean all types of dirt. The only hard part is finding the one that matches your expectations and fulfill the needs.

Don’t worry, this is why I am here. In this article, you will find the best small vacuum cleaner models, with their pros and cons and a sincere review. This way I hope you will make a decision on purchasing the small vacuum cleaner to suit your expectations.

Let’s start the periplus through the most performant small size vacuum cleaners on the 2020 market.

The Product List of Recommended Gas Leak Detectors

So, you have read the comparison chart, the reviews and everything there is to know about how to choose the best small vacuum cleaner. However, I do not want to close this subject without telling you once again about the best models from this article:

• Best Overall - Dyson Cyclone V10 Vacuum Cleaner
• Runner Up - Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352
• Best Budget - Hoover Linx Cordless BH50010
• Best Commercial Small Vacuum Cleaner - Oreck Commercial U2000RB-1
• Best Canister Small Vacuum Cleaner - Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G

Best Small Vacuum Cleaners 2020 - The Comparison Chart

Before moving further with the reviews, let’s take a minute and check out this comparison chart to make an initial idea of all the products that will be presented in this article.

Top 10 Best Small Vacuum Cleaners Reviews

So, here it is. The most important part of the article. I promise you that I tried to keep it short for each product and at the same time present all their pluses and minuses worth knowing. Read all the reviews or just the ones for the products you are interested in.

1. Dyson Cyclone V10 Vacuum Cleaner

(Best Overall)

Produced by Dyson, the V10 vacuum cleaner is such a success that after its production the company decided not to go back to old-fashioned vacuum cleaners.

This product is cordless and works on batteries. Even though it is not plugged in, it has great power (125,000 rpm) and offers great results.

If you know anything about this producer, then you know that this is not the first V model that they presented on the market. However, what makes V10 stand out from its kins is the rubber pad located on the bottom of the cleaner.

With its help, you can vacuum vertically without worrying that you will spill the dirt back on the floor.

This model needs about 3.5 hours to fully charge and you know when the process is finished due to its blue LED lights. There is also an indicator that notifies you regarding any blockages or dirty filters.

Personal experience:

I must confess that the first thing that caught my eyes is its design. Yes, it looks like an alien pistol. However, this is not the only quality.

I appreciate that it has a 525 Watts stored power and that it works great even on carpets. The only thing that you should keep in mind is that the Max mode produces noise, so if you want to use it when someone is sleeping you will have a problem.

For more information read its manual and watch the video below:

2. Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352

(Runner Up)

The second best product that I want to discuss today is the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 vacuum cleaner. It is an amazing concept from Shark that permits you to literally lift away the body of the vacuum and use it for areas that require lifting such as the upholstery.

It has both a HEPA and a washable foam filter and uses a high-tech cyclonic technology that doesn't permit to lose suction.

Other features worth mentioning are its 750 Watts motor and its 25 food power cord. With a weight of 13 pounds, it can hold up to 1.2 dry quarts of dust.

Personal opinion:

I think that this model from Shark is amazing, especially if you are on a budget but still want to receive many features. Also, I like that it comes with accessories such as 2 crevice tools, a brush tool and a power brush for pet hair.

The maintenance of this vacuum cleaner is very easy to do. You need to wash the washable filters every 2,3 months depending on how often you are using your product. For a tutorial on how to handle this check out the following video:

3. Hoover Linx Cordless BH50010

(Best Budget)

The next product that I want to talk about is from Hoover and is the best small vacuum cleaner you can buy if you are on a budget. This model looks like an upright vacuum, but it is actually a stick vacuum cleaner.

It offers a great suction due to its wider cleaning path. However, it is a little hard to maneuver due to its bulky design.

It is cordless and works on lithium-ion batteries. You can change the brush roll on or off to aid you to clean rugs or hardwood floors easier. Also, it has a power gauge that allows you to know the status of the battery life.

Since it doesn't have a bag, it is very easy to empty. Speaking of the collected debris, it also collects more than most competitors. This means that you don't have empty it very often.

Personal opinion:

I really like that it works continuously for 20 minutes after 3 hours of charging. You might say that 20 minutes is not enough to clean a single room, but keep in mind that this vacuum cleaner is not for the heavy-duty cleaning purpose.

Another important thing that I appreciated about it is that it comes with a hand vac integrated. For me this more than a great deal. So consider that not only you pay a very decent price for a small vacuum cleaner, but you actually receive two. However, it doesn't offer other features.

Check out the next tutorial and learn how to change the filters of your cordless vacuum cleaner:

4. Miele Compact C2

(Premium Small Vacuum Cleaner)

If you are looking for a premium small canister vacuum cleaner, then you should not look further than the Miele Compact C2.

It is a plug-in, corded model that needs a 110-120V power outlet. The motor will consume 1200 Watts power. It might feel like a great amount, but since it is a very strong vacuum cleaner it is actually more than fair.

It is a bagged vacuum cleaner and it offers a large dust capacity (up to 3.5 liters of dirt).

A great plus is that this Miele model will alert you when the bag is almost full and the suction is decreased.

Another aspect that increases the capabilities of this vacuum cleaner is given by its AirClean technology. This means the product uses uniquely produced filters and also a completely sealed part that guarantees that no air leaves unfiltered.

Personal experience:

The Miele Compact C2 is a powerful and adaptable vacuum cleaner that cleans practically any surface. I like that it has 6 different motor speeds, permitting you to clean dirt from any surface in an efficient way. To understand how does its head works so amazingly well, watch the video presentation from below:

If I were to say something bad about this product, other than its price, which is not for every budget, I can only say that I think its hose is a little stiff, but other than that, it is an amazing product.

5. Hoover BH50020PC Vacuum Cleaner

(Most Lightweight)

Another product that I want to present from Hoover is the BH50020PC model. Other than the handheld models, this vacuum cleaner is probably the most lightweight item that you should consider. Not only it feels very "feathery" like in your hand, but this Hoover vacuum cleaner also has an 18-volt lithium-ion battery that will let you use it for a long time before it needs charging.

Another aspect that you are going to appreciate about it, it's the multi-dimensions electronic brush roll that it is equipped with. This will make the vacuum cleaner to work great on different surfaces with so much ease.

When it comes to depositing debris, its dust cup is large, therefore you won't need to clean it very often.

Personal opinion:

There isn't much else I can say about this product. It is a very high-quality vacuum cleaner with great features. It has great suction power, but unfortunately, it also gets stuck from time to time.
For more information, please click on the link below:

6. Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G

(Best Canister Small Vacuum Cleaner)

If you are looking for a small but good canister vacuum cleaner than the Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G is exactly what you need. It has a 12-amp motor and a big power cord (20 feet).

Even though it is a canister vacuum cleaner, it is very lightweight and easy to carry around the house. To ease your work, this model comes with a deluxe floor brush, an extension want, a fingertip control panel on the handle and a bare floor nozzle.

Personal opinion:

I can't say that the Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G is my favorite model out there, but it is a great pick for someone who wants both a canister and a small vacuum cleaner.

Both the dust bag and the motor filter have a very significant part in the performance of the vacuum cleaner. So if the bag or the filter turns out clogged, no air will pass within the cleaner. This means that no cleansing can take place regardless of how powerful the unit is.

Watch the presentation below to understand more about this product:

7. iRobot Roomba i7+

(Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner)

This next product is in a different league than all the other vacuum cleaners I've presented so far. You might wonder why am I saying that, so let's start by saying that this little fellow is a robot that works all alone without any interference from you.

It has a 13.3-inch diameter, making it larger than its competitors but that doesn't mean that this vacuum cleaner won't be able to sneak and clean around the table and chair legs

Underneath it, you will find one small roller wheel and two rubber wheels. The rollers have deep chevon fins that are great for reaching smaller debris.

To control the Roomba i7+ you will need to install its iRobot Home app which is available for both Android and iOS. Speaking of connectivity, this product also is very easy to connect to the Wi-Fi.

Personal experience:

I must admit that I love any gadget and because of this, I am crazy about the Roomba i7+. I actually sometimes look at it while it works and it terrifies me how smart it is and how it knows where to go and what to do.

I can't find any other minus to talk about other than the price. However, you should check the next video presentation to see it in action.

8. Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2

(Best for Multiple Surfaces)

When needing a small vacuum cleaner for multiple surfaces this product from Dyson is the perfect pick. Yes, it is not the cheapest one on the market, but it is indeed very good.

So, the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 is very easy to maneuver due to the fact that is lightweight. Also, it has the Unrivaled Dyson suction with a power of 250AW. Other features worth mentioning are its capability to self-adjust its cleaner head.

This model offers a radial root cyclone technology that is able to capture more microscopic dirt than its competitors. Its cord length is of 31 feet, but it can actually reach a maximum of 40 feet.

Personal opinion:

What I like most about this vacuum cleaner is its instant release wand that allows me to clean under the furniture.

Also, I appreciate that it has a hygienic bin emptying, meaning that I don't have to get my hands dirty. All there is to do is to press a button.

Last but not least, this Dyson model has HEPA filters (which is very important for me) and offers a 5 years warranty.

So, click on the next video to see all there is to love about this vacuum cleaner:

9. Oreck Commercial U2000RB-1

(Best Commercial Small Vacuum Cleaner)

Sometimes, even when doing commercial cleaning you still need a small vacuum cleaner. Because of this, I decided to add a small commercial model that works incredibly well and also comes at a more than decent price.

So, the U2000R1 model from Oreck is lightweight, it only weighs 8 pounds and it covers a very wide area (12'') that will make cleaning very fast and easy. Because it is a commercial vacuum cleaner and it needs a larger deposit space for debris than the ones for home use, it comes with a 630 cubic inch bag.

The last thing I want to mention here is that it has the on/off button on the handle and the amazing thing about this switch is that it received the Ease-Of-Use Commendation award from the Arthritis Foundation.

Personal opinion:

I am not a fan of commercial vacuum cleaners because they are very big and hard to handle. However, this Oreck model is amazing and the only thing that I find difficult to manage is its cord that because it is so long (40 feet) tends to get in your way.

Other than that, it is a great vacuum cleaner and I recommend that you watch it work by clicking the following video:

10. BLACK&DECKER 18 V Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

(Best Handheld Vacuum Cleaner)

So, here we are, at our last product of this article. And let me tell you that I didn't leave it at the end because it is not as good as its predecessors. I left it last because it is a little different.

This model from BLACK&DECKER is actually a handheld vacuum cleaner that offers great power and adaptability to clean any part or surface of your house. Especially the ones that are hard to reach with a normal vacuum cleaner.

It has a nozzle that rotates up to 200 degrees, making it the perfect pick when you need to clean on high shelves, car interiors or lampshades.

It has a great runtime for a handheld model - 10 minutes. This is possible due to its powerful 18 V lithium-ion battery.

Personal experience:

I must confess that at this moment, I cannot see my life without a handheld vacuum cleaner in my house. And this one by BLACK&DECKER is one of the best models out there.

The last thing I want to say about it is that I truly love that its charging station can be mounted on the wall. You don't have to take my word about how magnificent this vacuum cleaner is. Look at the next presentation and see for yourself:

How I Tested the Small Vacuum Cleaners

Now that you have seen the reviews with lots of pros, maybe you are curious about the way I have reviewed and analyzed all these products. First of all, let me tell you that I have started with the idea of investing in a vacuum that will get its job done, that I am sure it is compact, light and space saver.

That being said, I knew that there are a lot of vacuums available on the market, and the prices are really diverse. So I started to dig in and see which small vacuum cleaner picks up the dirt best, how much of the debris it can store and retain, and also how easy it is to maneuver this little device.

Also, I tried to look for some vacuums that do little noise and can pick up different kinds of mess. So, what I did was to try to vacuum from pet hair to dust, sand, embed talc, from all different kinds of floors.

For the tests to be fair, I used them on bare floors, so I could observe which vacuum does its best and picks up any kind of dirt. Everybody wants an easy to maneuver vacuum cleaner.

And when you think about one that has small dimensions, it’s crystal clear that you are looking for a light one, and a vacuum with a nice design, easy to grab. When testing the products, I tried to maneuver the vacuum around the surface of the floor, and then on the carpet, so the judge to be easy to operate.

Here is an interesting test I also tried to do:

Now, before you choose the vacuum cleaner, make sure you look for its pros and cons and decide which are your needs and how the vacuum can fulfill them. Are you usually dealing with crumbs, pet hair, liquids or dust?

Buyer’s Guide - How to Choose a Small Vacuum Cleaner?

When you have a small space, you need to adapt everything in the house to the tiny flat you are living in. This means that you will look for small appliances, that can work well, at least as good as the bigger ones.

So, when it comes to the compact vacuum cleaners, some people think that they will not get the same big motors or the same suction power as their full-size siblings.

But these people should know that they have all the chances to find a decent and compact-sized model, that can provide the same amount of cleaning in a tiny space as good as a big vacuum. And the biggest advantage is that they are easy to carry and store away in the closet, shoebox or in any corner of the house.

So far so good, but the only problem is how and where to find the best model. This is where my article comes by and helps you out.

In order for you to navigate through the world of small-sized vacuums, here is a buyer’s guide that shows what features to look at, what you should pay attention to and the principles from where you should start when purchasing this type of vacuum.

Ok, so which is the first thing to look at when you decide to buy a small-sized vacuum cleaner?

Size Matters

The first thing that comes through your mind when looking for this kind of product is surely the size, right? Your will is to have a vacuum cleaner that you can be easily stored away.

At the same time, you need a vacuum that is powerful enough to clean any kind of mess in the apartment and fit any corner. So you want something that is not too small, so you would need to empty the container more than you want, but with enough power, so it can do the messy job.

In a small apartment, the best vacuums are those which are not too bulky. So if you are living in a very small flat, you are surely looking for a compact stick and canister vacuums, which are now so popular.

For an easier maneuver, look for a vacuum cleaner that is handheld. This way you will be able to tuck it in any corner of the house, after every usage. When it comes to the handheld vacuum cleaners, these are good enough in case of on-the-spot or for very quick cleaning.

For instance, if you have some remaining crumbs on the table, you just pick the vacuum and clean all the mess. But, of course, these little machines are not good for deep cleanings, like a thick carpet. So you might also need a bigger vacuum somewhere in the house.

What Will You be Vacuuming?

You might find this question a little bit rhetorical, right? But it is not, and I will explain it to you. Of course, you are cleaning the flat. But what types of floors do you clean? Are you going to clean bare floors, or mostly carpets?

Even though you have only carpets in your home, you need to consider what types of materials are they made of.

You may find this video very helpful in vacuuming the carpet:

For instance, the thick plush carpets need a special type of vacuum head. They are so thick, that the vacuum cleaner should be enough strong to pick up all the dirt from its surface.

And when it comes to a mixture of surfaces in your home, I would recommend you to look for a little vacuum machine, that has written on its characteristics that can perform great on a mix of floors and surfaces.

Another important aspect to consider is WHAT kind of dirt you are going to vacuum. Try to think about this: are you dealing with pet hair? Or your own hair? Do you have little children that tend to throw their food on the floor and also the liquids they are drinking?

You must consider these aspects, as not all the vacuum cleaners are doing a good job on all types of dirt. Some can’t even clean the liquid mess, so pay attention to this aspect.

Corded Model or a Cordless Vacuum Cleaner?

When people are looking for a good cleaning session, the cordless part will help them a lot. Think about it: you don’t have any wires to impede you, nor you need to change the plugs whenever you are moving from a room to another.

Going cordless with your vacuum cleaner will help you in mobility and maneuverability, as well as leaving the vacuum cleaner in any room of the house.

Of course, there are disadvantages, such as a limited time of running. As much as people would like for a battery to have the same power as a corded unit, well, this can’t be possible. So you might have unlimited power if choosing a cordless vacuum cleaner.

Now, let’s say that in the end, you choose a corded unit. If so, you should make sure if the wire is enough length to allow you to clean the entire room, without changing the plugs exactly in the middle of the session.

So you read about both of the corded and cordless types of vacuum cleaners. Now you have to weigh them both and see which of them meets your personal needs, preferences and also storage options.

Looking for a Motorized Brush?

Small vacuum cleaners come also with great attachments to help you clean the small spaces. One of these attachments is the motorized brush.

Maybe you haven’t heard about this type of feature, but the motorized brush helps a lot in terms of picking up the dirt from the floor. This means that the brush comes with a separate motor that will spin the brush with greater force than the motor of the vacuum would do.

Due to this power, the head will be able to clean the thick carpet fibers with a lot more ease. Moreover, some models of motorized brushes have some kind of accessory that helps you to do some deep cleaning on the thicker carpets.

Here is how it works:

Bag or Bagless Small Vacuum Cleaner?

The small vacuum cleaners have the same characteristics in terms of the space where all the dirt goes. So, you can choose to either buy a bag or a bagless small sized vacuum cleaner. The bagged vacuum cleaners are simple in terms of this matter.

So they are using a removable dust bag. And once the bag is full, you can throw the bag in the garbage. If the bag is disposable, you won’t have to deal with allergies anymore.

However, you will need to replace the bag every time, so it might get costly at some point. In my opinion, it pays off all the dust you don’t need to breathe anymore.

On the other hand, when it comes to bagless vacuums, they come with this waste container, so people can empty them every time that it gets full. Because in this case, you are not throwing away the bags, this type of vacuum cleaners is considered to be more eco-friendly.

However, in comparison with the bagless one, this type of small vacuum needs a better filtration system, in order to clean all the dust from the vacuum.

I would recommend you to look for filters that are washable, this way you won’t need to replace the filters every couple of months.

Filtration

The point of having a vacuum cleaner is to get rid of the dust and dirt. You don’t want all this mess to be sucked into the vacuum machine, right? Neither you want for the dust to go back into the air when you have finished cleaning. So in order to prevent dirt and dust to escape in the air, you should invest in some filters that will filtrate the dirt in the best way.

The most popular filters are the HEPA ones, which are proven to filter 99,97% of all the particles, even the very small ones, having 0.3 microns. This information is very important especially for the ones who have lots of allergies.

It doesn’t matter which filter you will use, it’s important to make sure that they are reusable and also very easy to clean. You might consider this topic really important, as nobody would like to replace the filter each month and spend lots of money on this.

Attachments

The accessories are very important when it comes to cleaning to house. These tools will add versatility to the vacuum cleaner and can adapt to multiple areas and surfaces that need to be cleaned.

Since you are sure you want to invest in a small-sized vacuum cleaner, you want this tiny machine to come with enough attachments that can help you in cleaning. As more attachments they vacuum comes with, as most of the purchase they will make.

Look for attachments that will help you with cleaning the high ceiling, the curtains or the upholstery. For instance, you can look for a rotating brush, some extension wands, also for special brushes for different kinds of surfaces.

Price

Last but not least, let’s talk about the prices. You might be surprised, but if the vacuum cleaners are small, it doesn’t mean they are cheap. So you can expect that some big brands, with very quality products, to have high prices or higher than you expected.

The first thing to do is to measure and check all your needs, your expectations and the space you need to clean.

It’s true that high-end brands will have the best technology and the newest features on the market, so they will cost more. The cleaning process will be easier and also the storage part.

While it would be perfect for a small vacuum cleaner to have all the bells and whistles, you should be aware of what you need and what you can afford. Relate your needs to the expectations and the budget, and this way you will find the best vacuum cleaner for you.

Conclusion and Personal Experience

Most of the people are living in small apartments or tiny houses, especially those who are living in the centers of the big cities. So these places have one thing in common: they have limited storage.

Therefore, you need to adapt everything to your small place, as well as the tools that help you clean the house. Let me tell you, I cannot live without a small vacuum cleaner anymore. It is so easy to grab, due to the handheld, it helps me deal with my every day’s pet’s hair, I even use it to clean the table after each meal. I find these machines so helpful, I even cannot express the pleasure I have to use such smart vacuums.

All in all, I would recommend anyone to have one small vacuum cleaner. But please, make sure that the model you are choosing will meet your expectations and your needs.

If you had a nice experience with a small vacuum cleaner or you have a brand that really fulfilled your desire, let me know in the comments below. And if you find all this information helpful to you and your friends, press the share button and spread the word!