Looking to get a handheld vacuum for my new house without paying an arm an a leg. I know Dyson are considered the best but what are some good options under $500? I want it to have a carpet head attachment as I'll have a lot of carpeted rooms. Thanks.
They have the largest marketing budget and they definitely did a lot to push forward mass market appeal of cordless handheld vacs, but I wouldn't consider them the best anymore. Haven't been for a long time.
For $500, I'd say that the Dreame T20 is likely your best bet. Good versatility and power. I have the original Dreame V9 which is still going strong.
Worth noting that handheld vacs still aren't as powerful as a proper good quality corded one. They don't generate the same amount of flow and static pressure and make up for it by using agitation (the rolling head) to loosen dust. If you have really thick carpet, have pets that shed hair…etc. you might find that these aren't quite enough.
Also, I can never get a full house (4BR) of vacuuming out of my V9. But that's no issue - do the bedrooms before work and the shared areas in the evening and it's fine.