best cheap handheld vacuum

Chasing the best cheap handheld vacuum to wrestle crumbs from the seats and the dog’s legacy from the boot? Aim for 60–100 air watts of suction and an 18–22 V lithium battery—those 12 V plug-in jobbies are about as fierce as a sleepy possum.

Look for 15–30 minutes of runtime, weight under 1.5 kg, and a HEPA filter with a crevice tool and pet-hair brush.

New units land around AUD $50–$150; used bargains pop up for $20–$80 (Tradingpost is a good trawl if you like saving coins for pies).

Bonus points for a 1–2 year warranty and washable filters; keep expectations realistic—quiet, powerful, and cheap is a two-out-of-three situation at best.