A hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment assembly, a pre-motor filter, a motor and fan assembly and a handle. A hand vacuum cleaner axis extends centrally through the hand vacuum cleaner from the front end to the rear end. The handle comprises an upper end that is provided on the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner, a lower end provided on a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner and an arcuate portion positioned between the upper and lower ends of the handle, wherein, in operation, the handle comprises a portion of the air flow path whereby air passes through the handle. When the hand vacuum cleaner is oriented with the hand vacuum cleaner axis extending horizontally and the dirty air inlet at the upper end of the hand vacuum cleaner, the motor and fan assembly is provided at a lower end of the hand vacuum cleaner.