A handheld vacuum cleaner (2) comprising a handle (6) by which the vacuum cleaner is supported during use, a cyclonic separating unit (8) comprising a separator (18) having a cyclone chamber (28) which defines a separator axis X and an inlet duct (30, 36) having an inlet duct axis which is substantially parallel with the separator axis X. The cyclonic separating unit (8) extends at least partly around a portion of the inlet duct (30, 36).