Handheld: Handheld vacuums are even smaller and lighter than stick vacuums, and they’re mostly used for small tasks or cleaning tight or awkward areas like a car interior. A lot of today’s vacuums convert from an upright or stick vacuum to handheld to save you from purchasing two separate units. The best option for you depends on how you like to clean—do you vacuum your whole house in one go? Brush RollsVacuum brush rolls, or “beater bars,” come in several different styles, and each is made for specific cleaning tasks and flooring. Some of today’s vacuums feature dual brush rolls, or have detachable vacuum heads for adjusting to different situations.