A handheld suction cleaner, in particular for hard surface such as windows, glass doors and similar, comprises a suction nozzle (8) designed for sucking a mixture of liquid and air from a hard surface, a suction unit (6) in fluid communication with the suction nozzle (8) through an air flow path, a separating chamber (10) provided in the air flow path, a suction duct (9) connected to the suction nozzle (8) and having an outflow opening (9b) placed into the separating chamber (10), and a vacuum duct (11) connected to the suction unit (6) and in fluid communication with the separating chamber (10). The separating chamber (10) communicates with the vacuum duct (11) through a communication opening (12) arranged at least in part above the outflow opening (9b) relative to an upright position of the handheld suction cleaner.