The Ryobi Hand Vacuum That Users Can't Stop Raving About

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you've ever needed to clean up a quick mess and found yourself dragging out a full-size vacuum for crumbs on the counter or dirt tracked into the car, you know it's a cumbersome hassle that can feel like overkill for a small cleanup. Hand vacuums solve that problem, but finding one that actually works well while remaining affordable is harder than it should be. When one comes along that does both, people notice. The Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Multi-Surface Handheld Vacuum, available at Home Depot, has consistently ranked as one of the home improvement store's best sellers, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating from over 2,700 customers. On the Ryobi website, it scores even higher at 4.8 out of 5 based on more than 450 reviews. 

What makes this model stand out from the dozens of other hand vacuums out there? For starters, it's part of Ryobi's ONE+ system. You can grab the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Multi-Surface Handheld Vacuum Kit that comes with a 2.0-Ah battery and charger for about $85 at Home Depot, but the bare tool retails for just $40. If you already own any Ryobi 18V tools, you don't have to add one more battery and charger to the pile. The appeal, however, goes beyond just the price point. The vacuum is lightweight and compact enough to actually use for those quick cleaning projects around the house, and because it's fully cordless, it's convenient to carry around. But before placing an order, you should consider what this hand vacuum does well, where it might disappoint, and whether it's actually the right fit for your common cleaning needs.

This multi-surface hand vac is one of Ryobi's best-rated tools under $50, delivering surprisingly powerful suction for the price. It's not going to replace a full-size vacuum for deep cleaning; that's a given. But it does handle everyday messes, like food debris on the kitchen counter, pet hair on the couch, dust on the table, debris in the car, and even dirt on the floor, pretty well. "Great suction! Lightweight, easy to use ... I use it around the kitchen a lot to get crumbs and dry spills quickly," one customer explained.

The vacuum is easy to clean and maintain, thanks, in part, to the bagless dust cup. The canister is transparent, so you can actually see when it's nearly full and empty it in time before the suction goes off. Even the process of emptying your Ryobi hand vacuum is pretty straightforward. Beyond that, at just over two pounds without a battery, customers agree it's light enough that they don't feel like it's arm workout day if they're doing more than a quick spot clean.

If you want even more versatility, the 1 ¼-inch nozzle accepts numerous standard vacuum attachments, including crevice tools or extension wands. If that's something you're interested in, Ryobi has a sizable collection of accessories to choose from, and you may even be able to use pieces from your previous hand vacuum. The battery recharges in under an hour, quicker than many handheld vacuums in this price range. Since it's on the ONE+ system, you can even borrow 18V batteries from other Ryobi tools to use in your handheld vacuum. Ryobi also backs this vacuum with a three-year warranty.

While there are some Ryobi tools that are a waste of your time and money, this hand vacuum isn't one of them. That said, no tool is perfect, and there are some things you should know about before buying one. A few customers have complained that the vacuum is pretty loud. The noise output is rated at 79 dB, roughly the volume of a standard vacuum cleaner or kitchen blender. Some reviewers also found the nozzle too narrow, but then again, that's exactly what makes it perfect for doing things like cleaning under the bed without having to lift or move anything.

Many customers also find it's difficult to remove the battery, and the run time on a single charge can be hit or miss depending on what you're doing. The 2.0-Ah battery that comes with the kit is not going to power through an extended session, as it typically lasts about 15 to 25 minutes. If you plan to use this for deep cleaning, you may want a 4.0-Ah or 6.0-Ah battery instead. Just keep in mind that bigger batteries mean more weight, so the vacuum won't feel quite as light and maneuverable. 

The attachment situation is also disappointing to many. You can buy more accessories separately if desired, but a few customers agree it would've been nice to have more options out of the box. All that said, most people still think it's a solid deal for $40. If you're already in the Ryobi ONE+ ecosystem, adding this to your collection makes sense. If not, take some time to consider whether the 18V option is what you need before committing.