Upholstery can become quite a mess with daily use – think pet fur, food, dust, and more. And even though plenty of vacuums are available, not all are suitable for this job.
I have years of experience using a variety of vacuums in my AirBNB rentals. I’ve handpicked a few handheld vacuum options that are effective and easy to use.
In a hurry? Here’s a quick overview:
- Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum – Editor’s Pick
- BISSELL Automate – Best Overall Pick
- Dyson Cyclone V10 – Best Premium Pick
- BLACK+DECKER Furbuster – Best Budget Pick
Each of these vacuums brings something unique to the table, ensuring you can find one that fits your needs and budget perfectly. Stick around till the end to find out why they made it to our list.
1. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum
When it comes to keeping upholstery fur-free, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum really shines. This lightweight yet powerful vacuum makes quick work of removing pet hair from couches, chairs, car seats, and more.
You’ll love how the rotating brush head lifts and pulls out embedded pet fur with ease. Simply glide the vacuum over the fabric and watch as it effortlessly picks up all the pesky hair. The brush tool was specially designed to grab onto those stubborn pet hairs that cling to upholstery.
Another perk is the versatility – it’s so simple to switch between the upholstery tool, crevice tool and hose extension. This allows you to tackle pet hair on all types of surfaces, including stairs and hard-to-reach areas.
Maintaining charge is no problem with this vacuum. The lithium-ion battery holds a charge nicely between uses.
When powered on, it provides a strong 17 minutes of fade-free suction. That’s ample time to tidy up the living room couch, dining chairs, car interior, and more in one session.
You’ll find the Pet Hair Eraser lightweight and easy to carry around the home. Weighing in at just 3 pounds, it won’t cause hand strain during cleaning. The ergonomic soft grip handle also enhances comfort and control.
With its generous 700 ml dirt cup, you get more cleaning time before emptying debris. The low 82-decibel operation isn’t irritatingly loud either.
That said, no product is 100% perfect. The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser does have a few minor drawbacks to consider.
First, the recharge time is slower than some lighter cordless vacuums. Expect a full recharge from empty to take up to 8 hours. This long recharge time is the tradeoff for the stronger suction power.
You’ll also find this Bissell model slightly heavier than some compact cordless vacuums, weighing in at 3 pounds.
The larger lithium-ion battery required to generate the strong suction results in increased weight. However, the soft grip handle prevents hand strain during cleaning.
Storage can be a bit tricky since the Pet Hair Eraser does not come with a wall mount. You’ll need to find a closet shelf or other space to store it neatly when not in use.
Overall though, these small cons are outweighed by the exceptional upholstery cleaning performance. The specialized brush, portable design and fade-free powerful suction make quick work of removing embedded pet fur.
For pet owners struggling with constant upholstery hair, the more thorough clean is well worth the longer recharge time and lack of wall mount.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Lightweight and powerful for pet hair removal | Longer recharge time of up to 8 hours |
| Rotating brush head for effective fur removal | Slightly heavier than some compact vacuums (3 pounds) |
| Versatile with multiple tools and extensions | No wall mount for storage |
| Strong 17 minutes of fade-free suction | |
| Easy to switch between tools for various surfaces | |
| Lithium-ion battery holds charge well | |
| Lightweight at 3 pounds, easy to carry | |
| Ergonomic soft grip handle for comfort | |
| Generous 700 ml dirt cup for less emptying | |
| Low noise operation at 82 decibels |
Check The Latest Price Here (on Amazon)
While we are discussing upholstery cleaning, have you ever found your feets looking dirty because of the floors? Then check out this guide where we explain in detail on how to stop your floors from making your feet black.
2. Bissell Automate
The Bissell Automate’s compact size and agile design allow it to maneuver into tight spaces between cushions and around furniture to suck up dirt, debris, and pet hair.
The Automate’s powerful 14V lithium-ion battery provides strong suction to tackle embedded dirt in fabrics. And its motorized brush tool is specially designed to lift and remove stubborn pet hair from upholstery.
The soft bristles gently brush the surface to dislodge hairs without damaging delicate materials.
Another advantage is the lightweight, under 4-pound design. This makes lifting and using the vacuum on stairs or high surfaces easy and comfortable. You won’t fatigue quickly cleaning those hard-to-reach spots.
When it comes to nooks and crannies, the Automate shines. The crevice tool and flexible hose provide extended reach into narrow gaps between cushions or under furniture. The LED light brightly illuminates shadowy areas so you can spot debris.
While the 8-hour charge time is longer, the lithium-ion battery enables fade-free power so you can tackle the whole room in one session. And the generous 0.7-liter dirt tank means fewer trips to empty it out.
Although the upholstery brush, crevice tool, and hose come included, some specialized attachments like mini turbo brushes need adapters to connect.
Factor in these additional accessory costs when purchasing. The good news is the vital upholstery brush is ready to go out of the box.
Next, the power button is conveniently located for quick access.
However, its prominent design also makes it prone to accidental bumps and pressing during cleaning. This turns the vacuum off unexpectedly. Be cognizant of your grip to avoid squeezing the button mid-cleaning.
The 8 hour recharge time is lengthy compared to some competing models. But it’s the tradeoff for the strong lithium-ion battery.
You can’t rush a full recharge so factor this downtime into your cleaning schedule. An overnight charge works well so Automate is ready for daily touch-ups.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Compact size and agile for tight spaces | 8 hour charge time is relatively long |
| Powerful 14V lithium-ion battery | Additional costs for some specialized attachments |
| Motorized brush tool for pet hair removal | Power button prone to accidental pressing |
| Soft bristles for gentle cleaning | |
| Lightweight, under 4 pounds | |
| Effective in nooks and crannies | |
| Comes with crevice tool and flexible hose | |
| LED light for better visibility | |
| Fade-free power throughout use | |
| Large 0.7 liter dirt tank for less emptying | |
| Convenient power button placement |
Check The Latest Price Here (on Amazon)
By the way, if your floor remains dirty even after multiple mopping sessions, be sure to check out the guide. It will give you actionable tips and suggestions to deal with the issue.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
The Dyson Cyclone V10 stands out as an exceptional upholstery vacuum cleaner for several reasons.
First and foremost, its lightweight and portable handheld design allows you to quickly tackle stairs, furniture, and hard-to-reach spots with ease.
The V10 effortlessly maneuvers into tight spaces and under low furniture to effectively remove embedded dirt and pet hair.
One of the V10’s biggest advantages is its detachable battery, providing true portability between charging. This allows you to conveniently clean entire rooms of upholstery in one session.
The V10’s fade-free battery life gives you up to 60 minutes of powerful, consistent suction per charge. That’s plenty of time to vacuum all the upholstered furniture in an average home.
When it comes to deep cleaning performance, the Dyson V10 is hard to beat. It offers powerful maximum suction with a direct-drive cleaner head that digs out stubborn dirt from fabrics.
The V10’s specialized upholstery tool works wonders, removing pet hair from furniture in just one quick pass. No more going over the same spot repeatedly. This makes cleaning upholstery faster and more effective.
The V10 has other thoughtful design features that make upholstery cleaning a breeze. It quickly converts to different attachments with a click. The easy-to-empty dirt bin lets you dispose of debris without the mess.
The filter is also washable, so there’s minimal maintenance required. When you need to vacuum upholstery, the Dyson V10 has the versatile portability, specialized tools, and cleaning power to make the job easy.
While the Dyson V10 performs exceptionally well for most upholstery cleaning tasks, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.
First, the V10 operates at a louder noise level of 91 dB on maximum suction. This high-pitch noise could potentially disturb pets or sleeping family members when vacuuming early in the morning or late at night.
It’s best to use the medium suction setting around occupants and pets.
Additionally, max suction drains the battery more quickly, providing only 5-10 minutes of fade-free power per charge. The trade-off for the deepest cleaning is a shortened runtime. This may require charging more frequently when tackling whole-home upholstery cleaning.
The Dyson V10 also carries a higher price tag than some competing handheld models (Check out why some vacuums are so expensive.) The added cost goes towards the V10’s superior design, versatility, and cleaning performance. However, the investment may be difficult for some budgets.
Finally, holding down the switch continuously while vacuuming can cause hand fatigue over longer cleaning sessions. Those with arthritis or other hand issues may find the lack of a lock-on switch uncomfortable.
All in all, the Dyson V10 delivers exceptional upholstery cleaning capabilities for most users. But the higher noise, shorter max runtime, costly price, and need to hold the trigger are important considerations to factor into your decision.
However, if you want a powerful handheld vacuum from a reputed brand, look no further than this Dyson Cyclone V10.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Lightweight and portable handheld design | Louder noise level at 91 dB on max suction |
| Detachable battery for true portability | Shorter runtime (5-10 minutes) on max setting |
| Up to 60 minutes of fade-free battery life | Higher price compared to some models |
| Powerful suction and deep cleaning performance | Continuous switch holding may cause hand fatigue |
| Specialized upholstery tool for effective cleaning | |
| Easy-to-empty dirt bin and washable filter | |
| Versatile with quick attachment conversion |
Check The Latest Price Here (on Amazon)
4. BLACK+DECKER Furbuster
The BLACK+DECKER Furbuster is an ideal handheld vacuum cleaner for tackling upholstery and tight spaces around the home. Its lightweight and compact size makes it highly portable and easy to maneuver into corners, crevices and around furniture.
At under 3 pounds, you can comfortably carry and use the Furbuster without hand strain or fatigue.
The unit’s small footprint lets you get into narrow areas like underneath seats and behind furniture where dirt and pet hair easily accumulate.
By the way, speaking of cleaning tight spaces, you can also have a look at robot vacuums that go under furniture. It can give you more hands-free cleaning experience.
The flexible 4-foot hose of the Black Decker also extends your reach for accessing hard-to-get spots.
The Furbuster really shines for above-floor cleaning tasks. Its powered brush roll is designed specifically for removing embedded pet hair and lint from upholstery.
Run the rubber nozzle over couch cushions, chairs, curtains, car seats and more to lift up stubborn clinging fur. The brush roll’s agitation makes quick work of pulling up hair and debris from fabrics.
You’ll appreciate the bagless dirt bowl that can be easily emptied out when needed mid-clean. This allows you to vacuum longer without interruptions to change bags. The translucent bowl also lets you see when it’s time to empty it out.
With a 12.5 minute maximum runtime, the Furbuster provides sufficient power for cleaning most furniture pieces or tackling a flight of stairs. It’s a handy portable vacuum to keep on hand for quick daily cleanups. The compact size makes storage simple.
While it excels at small upholstery cleaning jobs, the Furbuster has limitations. It lacks the deep cleaning abilities of a full-size corded vacuum.
The battery-powered motor doesn’t match the suction capabilities of larger models either. So it’s not well suited for whole room carpet cleaning.
But for convenient portable cleaning of upholstery, cars and more, the BLACK+DECKER Furbuster is a top choice.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Lightweight and highly portable | Limited deep cleaning abilities |
| Easy maneuverability in tight spaces | Less suction power than larger models |
| Specialized for pet hair and lint removal | Short maximum runtime (12.5 minutes) |
| Bagless with an easy-to-empty dirt bowl | Not ideal for whole room cleaning |
| Flexible 4-foot hose for extended reach |
Check The Latest Price Here (on Amazon)
Now, speaking of home cleaning, have you ever found your couch smelling even after steam cleaning it? Then check out the guide to learn about 9 effective tips to tackle the issue.
Conclusion: One Last Thing Before You Go!
So, what is the best handheld vacuum for cleaning upholstery?
After reviewing our top picks, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser stands out as the best option for most pet owners. Its specialized brush roll is designed specifically for lifting stubborn pet hair from fabrics.
If you need to reach tight spaces between cushions or under furniture, the compact Bissell Automate is your best option. It excels at maneuvering into nooks and crannies.
Those wanting the deepest clean should consider investing in the Dyson V10. With maximum suction power, it digs out embedded dirt from upholstery in one quick pass.
On a budget? The affordable BLACK+DECKER Furbuster provides solid cleaning performance for the price. It’s ideal for quick daily cleanups.
No matter your needs and budget, one of these handhelds is sure to keep your upholstery fuzz and fur-free.
What’s next? Be sure to check back our blog often as we continue reviewing the latest vacuum cleaners and accessories. Knowing the right model for your cleaning tasks makes all the difference!
