11 Best Cordless Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

If it's time to cut the cord on your outdated vacuum or add a supplemental vacuum for quick pickups to your cleaning closet, upgrade to one of these versatile cordless vacuums that we've tried and loved.

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Updated on February 14, 2024

Our Top Picks for Cordless Vacuums

Vacuuming is a never-ending chore made more cumbersome by not-so-great equipment like a cord that’s always getting caught, a heavy machine that weighs as much as a toddler or annoying bags you constantly have to change. Do yourself a favor and make the chore of vacuuming a little easier with a cordless stick vacuum.

Cordless vacuums can be a great option for someone who can't (or doesn't want to) maneuver a heavy upright vacuum or for households with many sets of stairs. Cordless vacuums come in stick models and handheld. Pet owners can find a great benefit using a cordless vacuum since it's lightweight and something they'll want to reach for on a regular basis. Plus, unlike robot vacuums, cordless stick vacuums probably won't scare your pets off. When choosing a cordless vacuum, you'll want to look for features like a solid battery life, good suction power, useful attachments and a good warranty. A HEPA filter can also be nice to have.

We tested more than 20 cordless vacuums to find the best ones for any home.

How We Tested

After researching top-rated vacuums with positive customer reviews from reputable brands, we had nine HGTV editors test dozens of cordless vacuums to land on our top 10 picks. Each editor evaluated two to three cordless vacuums with similar specs, including existing vacuums they already owned or have tested for other vacuum reviews. Each editor tested the vacuums in their homes, ranging from small apartments to homes over 2,000 square feet with varying floor types, family sizes and number of pets, over a minimum of several weeks up to several years.

Each editor then provided extensive testing feedback covering battery life, dust bin, suction power, charging dock, attachment tools, storage, maneuverability, surface capabilities, hair detangling performance, additional features and vacuuming habits/preferences. In testing, we ran the vacuums from a full charge down to the battery dying on all of the various modes like eco, auto and boost to evaluate how long the battery lasted in each mode. We noted what we liked best about certain vacuums (like LED lights!) and what we found annoying (like a short battery life). We considered all of the pros and cons of each model to make our final selections for a variety of price points and needs.

What We Like
  1. Included laser light
  2. Easy point-and-shoot emptying process
  3. Hair screw tool
What We Don't Like
  1. No trigger lock
  2. On the more expensive side

From small to large homes with pets, kids, carpet, hard floors and everything in between, Dyson's V15 Detect model is a solid overall cordless vacuum that will satisfy the needs of most households. Plus, the suction power, battery life and bin size are sufficient for this model to serve as your primary vacuum for both quick pickups and whole-house cleans. With suction power up to 230 AW, the V15 Detect is the second most powerful cordless vacuum Dyson offers (just barely behind the V15 Detect Absolute model, our Best Splurge pick). Our tester concluded this is the best vacuum she's ever used. She said, "In the past, I’ve needed an upright vacuum with my stick vacuum at times to get a truly deep clean, and that isn’t the case with this one."

The V15 Detect comes with seven attachments, a charger, docking station and wand clip for attaching to the stick canister that can hold more tools for storage. The Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head is one that sets this model apart from older Dyson models — this cleaner features a green laser that allows you to see microscopic dust on hard floors you might have otherwise missed. All of the cleaner heads work extremely well on human and pet hair on both carpeted and hard floors, meaning hairs don't get wrapped around the roller brushes. This vacuum features eco, auto and boost modes that allow for efficient battery use, especially in auto mode when the vacuum can increase power automatically when it detects heavier dust and debris. While the vacuum performed well on all surfaces, our tester did notice that the auto and boost modes were too powerful on her Ruggable rugs, but switching to eco mode worked well on those thinner rugs. In testing, we found that the battery life lasted for 79 minutes on eco, 40 minutes on auto and 15 on continuous boost mode. At .2 gallons, the dust bin does need emptying frequently, but since the point-and-shoot emptying process is so easy and mess-free, it only takes a couple of seconds and doesn't require touching any of the dust.

Our tester did note a few downsides when using this vacuum. This vacuum does not have a trigger lock or on/off button for continuous vacuuming, so you have to hold down the trigger manually for the entire cleaning session. For a higher-end vacuum, this seems like a feature that should be included, but you can find off-brand accessories on Amazon like this clamp to hack a trigger lock function. At 6.8 lbs, this vacuum is heavier than most of our other recommendations, too, which our tester found a bit more cumbersome to maneuver than the Dyson V8 she previously used. If you have arthritis or mobility issues, one of the lighter models on this list might be a better choice for you. While this vacuum comes with seven attachment tools that all work really well, the docking station and wand clip can only accommodate four storage spots other than the one on the vacuum, so you'll need a box or somewhere to store extra attachments.

  1. Weight 6.8 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.2 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 60 minutes
What We Like
  1. Included laser light
  2. Easy point-and-shoot emptying process
  3. Trigger lock for continuous cleaning
What We Don't Like
  1. Dust bin needs frequent emptying

With a lot of similar features to Dyson's V15 Detect, but usually about $100 cheaper, the V12 Detect Slim is a great value and would still make a great overall vacuum, especially for smaller homes and apartments and those with less carpet or fewer pets. As the name suggests, it's lighter at 5.2 lbs, and its dust bin is only .1 gallon. Its max power suction is 150 AW, which is still on the stronger side but much less powerful than the V15 Detect's 230 AW.

Dyson's V12 Detect Slim comes with five of the same attachment tools as the V15: a motorbar cleaner head, hair screw tool, Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, crevice tool and combination tool. All of the cleaners work well, especially on long human hair. The three main cleaner heads don't get hair stuck around the roller brush, which is a major upgrade from other vacuums we've tried. Our tester has tried robot vacuums and other stick vacuums that require frequent hair removal from the cleaner head. The Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head is also great for hard floors because it's soft and doesn't leave scuffs behind. This vacuum also comes with a docking station, charger and wand clip for storing two tools. If you store the hair screw tool on the vacuum itself, you can technically fit all of the attachments on the docking station and wand clip, but it's a bit of a challenge to get them all in place. While the V15 Detect lacks this feature, the V12 Detect Slim does have an on/off button for continuous vacuuming. It also features an up to 60-minute battery life and eco, auto and boost modes. In testing, we found that the V12 Detect lasted about 76 minutes in eco, 34 minutes in auto and eight minutes in continuous boost mode.

Our tester, whose home is mostly hardwood floors, especially appreciated the laser lights for making sure she didn't miss any areas of dust that otherwise wouldn't be as visible in normal lighting. She also loved how lightweight and easy it is to maneuver for things like cobwebs in ceiling corners, too. While the dust bin is smaller and needs frequent emptying, our tester also didn't mind that fact since the point-and-shoot mechanism makes it so easy to empty.

  1. Weight 5.22 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.09 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 60 minutes
What We Like
  1. Corresponding Tineco app
  2. Charging dock station mounts to the wall
  3. Automatically increases or decreases power suction
What We Don't Like
  1. Hair easily gets tangled on cleaner heads
  2. Requires tech-skills

If you're on a tighter budget but still want a vacuum that can handle whole-house cleaning, we were pleasantly surprised by the Tineco Pure ONE S11 smart cordless vacuum. While Tineco doesn't have the same brand recognition as Dyson, the features of this smart vacuum are on par with Dyson's older V8 Animal model plus a few above-and-beyond features. The battery takes about three to four hours to charge and, like the Dyson V8 Animal, lasts up to 40 minutes on auto mode but only about 10 minutes on continuous max mode.

A really unique feature of this vacuum is the iLoop smart dust sensor. The vacuum can sense how much dust is on the surface to clean and, when on auto mode, will increase the power suction or decrease it accordingly, which means the battery is used more efficiently. The circle on the LED screen, typically blue for low to normal dust, turns red when it senses a lot of dust. For even more detailed info, you can connect it to the Tineco app which will tell you exactly how much dirt it picks up in a session. Another bonus feature we didn't realize how much we loved until we used this vacuum is the LED lights on the power brush. It helps you see exactly what you're cleaning, including dust you normally wouldn't notice (grossly satisfying!), so you can easily tell which areas you've already vacuumed and where to cover next. The trigger lock is also handy so the vacuum will clean continuously without causing your finger to cramp. The vacuum features four-stage HEPA filtration, which makes it great for allergy sufferers and pet owners.

Another favorite feature of this vacuum is the charging dock station. It mounts on the wall and has space to not only store and charge the vacuum with the battery attached, but it can also charge an additional backup battery (sold separately) simultaneously and can store all of the attachments — no need for a random cardboard box to hold the extra attachments.

While we like the overall value of this model, one aspect of performance this vacuum is lacking is that long hair does get tangled around the cleaner head pretty easily, requiring you to clean it out regularly. The dust bin also has a single-button release for opening, but it doesn't always work quite as well as the point-and-shoot mechanism on Dyson's models, especially when it's extra full.

  1. Weight 5.73 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.2 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter Yes
  4. Runtime 40 minutes
What We Like
  1. Best for daily spot cleaning
  2. Inexpensive
What We Don't Like
  1. Doesn't fit in small spaces
  2. Not as much suction power

While the Tineco Pure One S11 is closer in performance and features to our best overall Dyson pick, this eufy by Anker stick vacuum is $100-$150 less than the Tineco pick, depending if it's on sale, and a great option for a budget-friendly Dyson dupe.

Our tester compared it to her Dyson stick that's a V7 model for a side-by-side comparison. The eufy's battery life lasts about 40 minutes, the dust bin is on the larger side at .17 gallons and the vacuum is lightweight and relatively easy to maneuver. The larger bin means you don't have to empty it as often, but it also means it doesn't reach as far under furniture as some of our other picks. The brush head also felt a little too nimble and difficult to steer at times. With a max suction power of 120 AW and a battery that can last up to 40 mins on the low suction mode, this vacuum is impressive for the price but isn't the best option to be a primary vacuum for whole-house cleaning in homes over 1,000 square feet. It could be your primary vacuum in a small apartment, though, and it'd also make a great supplemental vacuum if you already have an upright corded vacuum or just want something easier to grab for daily spot cleaning. Though the suction power, especially on medium or max mode, is sufficient to get most daily vacuuming jobs done, our tester could tell the eufy didn't have quite as much pull, even on medium mode, as her Dyson's lowest level.

By far our tester's favorite feature is the LED lights, which her Dyson vacuum doesn't have at all. For the price, this is a no-brainer buy for someone who wants Dyson-like features on a budget.

  1. Weight 3.31 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.17 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 40 minutes in min mode; 25 minutes in default mode; 8 minutes in max mode
What We Like
  1. Hair screw tool
  2. Powerful suction on both carpet and hardwood floors
What We Don't Like
  1. Not suitable for larger homes and apartments

Engineered for homes with pets the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is a great option for pet owners at a reasonable price. While it doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles of the newer models like laser lights and LCD screens, it handles pet (and human) hair extremely well and meets the basic requirements like decent battery life, powerful suction and cleaner heads that detangle hair to make it a great value for pet owners.

With a max output of 150 AW, this vacuum works well on both carpeted and hard floors. Our tester found that this vacuum even worked better than her old upright-style Dyson vacuum. This vacuum comes with five attachments: a Motorbar cleaner head, hair screw tool, crevice tool, combination tool and a mini soft dusting brush. Our tester especially liked the hair screw tool because it worked incredibly well removing stuck-in hair and debris on upholstered furniture.

It features three suction modes: suction mode 1, suction mode 2 and boost mode. Unlike the Detect models, this vacuum can’t automatically adjust suction when changing surfaces or in areas with more dust, so it’s up to the user to manually switch to boost mode when needed. While this model is rated for an up to 60-minute runtime, the battery usage isn’t quite as efficient and didn’t last quite as long in testing without the auto mode option. With the battery lasting about 30 minutes on the middle suction power mode, this vacuum would be great for spot cleaning and daily maintenance as a supplemental vacuum in a home that already has an upright one. For larger homes with a lot of carpet and pet hair, both of which might require boost mode (and more battery juice) frequently, opting for a V15 Detect or V15 Detect Absolute would be a better choice for a primary vacuum for whole-house cleaning sessions.

One con but not a dealbreaker is that this vacuum doesn’t feature a continuous vacuum mode, but this accessory clamp would also work on this model if you want to hack a trigger lock feature.

  1. Weight 5.71 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.2 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 60 minutes
What We Like
  1. Included laser light
  2. Best for deep cleans
  3. Comes with less loose attachments compared to other models
What We Don't Like
  1. No trigger lock

If you have pets, a larger home and/or more carpet and are willing to spend a little more, Dyson's V15 Detect Absolute is a great upgrade choice, especially if you're looking for a primary vacuum to handle quick daily maintenance sessions as well as deeper cleans covering an entire small to mid-size house or at least one level of your home at a time.

The V15 Detect Absolute is very similar to the V15 Detect, our Best Overall pick, and has the same basic features like a 60-minute runtime, a .2-gallon dust bin, point-and-shoot dust disposal, three suction modes, cleaner heads with hair detangling capabilities and a laser cleaning head ideal for hard floors. Our tester, who has a long-haired dog, found that the hair screw tool worked especially well on upholstered surfaces. While they're both rated for an up-to-60-minute battery, in testing, this V15 Detect Absolute model lasted longer on auto mode — about 50 minutes (which can vary depending on floor type or how dirty the home is since auto mode adjusts output based on those factors). In addition to these primary features also found in the V15 Detect, the V15 Detect Absolute has a few bonus features that make it worth splurging on. It has a slightly more powerful max power output of 240 AW, making it Dyson's most powerful cordless vacuum model. It also comes with a built-in dusting and crevice tool, meaning fewer loose attachments to store, and a HEPA filter, which is ideal for pet owners and allergy sufferers.

The primary con but not a dealbreaker is the same one we have for the V15 Detect: no trigger lock or on/off button for continuous vacuuming, especially at this price point. If you vacuum in longer sessions and are worried about finger cramps, Amazon reviewers say this $10 clamp can hack a trigger lock functionality and is also compatible with this model. At 6.8 lbs, it's also a bit heavier than some of our other models, which might be a con if you're looking for a more lightweight option.

  1. Weight 6.83 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.2 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter Yes
  4. Runtime 60 minutes
What We Like
  1. Laser light included
  2. Large dust bin doesn't need to be emptied often
What We Don't Like
  1. On the heavier side, making it hard to maneuver

If a long-lasting battery is a primary feature you're looking for, consider splurging for the Dyson Outsize+ model. Ideal for larger homes and whole-house cleaning sessions, this vacuum can run for up to 120 minutes, since it comes with two batteries, each lasting up to 60 minutes, that can be charged on or off the machine and used consecutively. In testing, each battery typically lasted for about 45 minutes in auto mode or about 90 minutes in total.

Beyond its impressive battery life, it also features a .5-gallon dust bin, meaning fewer trips to the trash to empty it. It also features a max suction power of 220 AW, more than enough to handle homes with pets and high-pile carpets and rugs. It comes with seven attachments: a Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, a Digital Motorbar XL cleaner head, a hair screw tool, a crevice tool, a combination tool, a stubborn dirt brush and a mini soft dusting brush. It also comes with a charger, docking station, an additional battery and a wand clip for storing two tools on the wand of the vacuum. Like with the other Dyson models that offer these tools, we especially liked the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, the hair screw tool and the Digital Motobar XL cleaner head for how well they work to detangle and suck up human and pet hair, and in the case of the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner, how well it shows microscopic dust.

On the downside, this model also lacks a trigger lock or on/off button for continuous vacuuming, which is especially disappointing since its other features make this model ideal for longer vacuuming sessions, during which you'd likely want this feature most. Something else to be aware of is its weight and size. At 7.98 lbs, this is the heaviest cordless vacuum we recommend that gets a little tiresome to maneuver after a while, especially for reaching ceiling corners or other crannies. It wouldn't be ideal for people with limited mobility or anyone looking for a lightweight vacuum primarily for spot cleaning.

  1. Weight 7.98 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.5 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 120 minutes
What We Like
  1. Best for hard-to-reach places
  2. One-touch empty button
What We Don't Like
  1. Low battery life
  2. Dust bin needs frequent emptying

With a max suction of 120 AW and weighing just 5.9 pounds, this cordless vacuum from Shark is one of the lightest and most affordable vacuums we recommend. Its weight and slim design make it incredibly easy to maneuver in every configuration. Our tester found that it's compact enough to get those hard-to-reach places like under a nightstand, bed or TV stand where an upright vacuum is too bulky to fit. For such a compact, lightweight vacuum, it works surprisingly well on pet hair, too. Our tester was skeptical about the “self-cleaning brush roll" feature that the manufacturer claims prevents hair from wrapping around the brush, but she was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked. She has long hair as well as a dog that sheds and constantly has to clean hair out of her upright vacuum’s brush roll, but she doesn't with this vacuum! Some hair does still get stuck in the small wheels on the bottom, but it’s manageable.

The two drawbacks to this vacuum are its small bin size and short battery life. The bin is only .03 gallons and needs to be emptied regularly — though the vacuum features a one-touch empty button that easily empties the contents into the trash without making a mess. The battery life also leaves a bit to be desired as it only lasts about 15 minutes, so it's not ideal for whole-house cleans or bigger jobs. This lightweight vacuum is an excellent pick for small apartments or small houses where you want a versatile and easy-to-maneuver tool for quicker vacuuming sessions and daily spot cleaning.

  1. Weight 5.9 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.3 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter Yes
  4. Runtime 15 to 20 minutes
What We Like
  1. Doesn't require frequent filter cleaning thanks to internal cleaning brush
  2. Includes LED lights
  3. Inexpensive
What We Don't Like
  1. Low battery life

If you're looking for a cordless stick vacuum under $100 that still works well and has some really nice features, the Wyze cordless vacuum may be the right choice for you. At 2.8 pounds, it's lightweight and easy to handle, but the battery life is lacking. The manufacturer claims it lasts 50 minutes, but the runtime depends on the mode you use. The Wyze vacuum has three power modes that can be manually toggled between to select the suction needed for the job at hand. Our tester found the vacuum usually lasted about 20 minutes when using a mixture of the three modes for a typical cleaning session.

For how affordable it is though, this vacuum's features make it a good value. It comes with a crevice tool and brush tool and works well on hard and carpeted surfaces. The charging dock not only conveniently stores the vacuum but holds all of the accessories, too. It even has LED lights to illuminate hard-to-see dust. And a unique feature that our other recommendations don't have: The vacuum has an internal brush that cleans the dust from the HEPA filter. You can take the filter out and wash it, but this feature scrapes the dust off the filter in between washings, meaning you likely won't have to clean it as often.

  1. Weight 2.8 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.18 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter Yes
  4. Runtime 40 minutes in ECO mode; 20 minutes in medium mode; 10 minutes in Turbo mode
What We Like
  1. Can stand upright on its own
  2. Best for hard-to-reach places
  3. Comes with specific tool for cleaning pet hair off upholstery
What We Don't Like
  1. Most valuable for homes who have other Black + Deck products

Another under-$200 option, this Black + Decker vacuum designed for pet hair is a great buy, especially if your home already has other Black + Deck products like electric tools that use 20V batteries. The 20V battery on this vacuum is removable and compatible with other Black + Decker products, so if you have multiple batteries, you can easily swap them in as backup batteries to extend the time of a vacuuming session. The manufacturer claims a fully charged battery can get you up to 55 minutes, but our tester found that she typically could get 40-50 minutes out of it. There are three power modes you can manually toggle between, so the mode you use most will determine how long the battery lasts.

You can also toggle the roller head on and off, depending on what surface you're cleaning. This vacuum is very easy to maneuver on both hard and carpeted surfaces, especially when compared to our tester's corded upright vacuum and other budget stick vacuums she's tried. The head pivots smoothly and stays flush with the floor, and because of the slim silhouette, it’s ideal for getting under cabinets, sofas, chairs, tables and other low spaces. With a .19-gallon bin, this vacuum is also great for pet hair. It has a brush bar with rubber bristles to grab hair and fur as well as a specific attachment tool for cleaning pet hair off upholstery.

Another unique feature that our tester really appreciated was that, unlike most cordless stick vacuums, this one can stand upright on its own when not mounted on its charging dock. So if you need to stop to move something out of the way or pause your vacuuming session, you don't have to lay the vacuum on the floor.

  1. Weight 10.75 lbs
  2. Dustbin Capacity 0.19 gallons
  3. HEPA Filter No
  4. Runtime 40 to 50 minutes

What to Look for When Buying a Cordless Vacuum

Battery Life: Battery life is arguably the most important feature of a cordless vacuum. There's nothing more annoying than the battery dying halfway through cleaning your mattress or vacuuming your living room and then having to wait 3-4 hours for it to recharge. The more powerful the suction of the vacuum, the more strain on the battery, so when manufacturers claim a vacuum can run "up to 40 mins", you may only realistically get 20-30 minutes, depending on what mode you're using, how dirty the space is and the floor type you're cleaning. The size of your house or apartment, whether you vacuum all at once or in smaller sessions and how often you plan to use the stick vacuum all contribute to what kind of battery life you'll want. In our testing, we found batteries rated as lasting "up to 60 minutes" to be a good sweet spot for tackling most vacuuming jobs.

Suction Power: Battery life and suction power go hand in hand. A more powerful vacuum will suck up dirt and debris faster, requiring fewer passes over an area to get it clean. But the more powerful the suction, the faster the battery will die. Most manufacturers provide suction power capabilities in air watts (AW), which refers to the number of watts used by the vacuum to carry a unit of air through the opening or nozzle. Most of our recommendations have a max suction power of 130-150 AW, which will be sufficient for some homes, but the most powerful vacuum we tested has a max power of 240 AW, which might be worth splurging for if your home has a lot of carpet and/or pet hair and you want a cordless stick vacuum to be your only vacuum. Many vacuums have three modes like eco, auto and boost mode that allow you to use the strongest suction power only when you need it, which helps make the most of the battery life.

Bin Size: The larger the bin, the more area you can cover in one session and the less often you will have to empty it. Most of the vacuums we recommend have a dust bin between .1 or .2 gallons, which will usually require emptying after every whole-house cleaning session. If you have a larger home over 2,000 square feet or don't want to empty the dust bin as often, consider splurging for a dust bin closer to .4 or .5 gallons. A bin with a single-button release is a good feature to look for because it means mess-free disposal, so even if you need to empty it after every cleaning session, it will only take two seconds.

Configurations and Surface Capabilities: Any good cordless stick vacuum will also convert to a handheld vacuum and come with attachments for upholstery and tight crevices. You also want a vacuum that's powerful enough to work on hard floors, carpets, mattresses, cars and any upholstered surfaces as well. Some smarter vacuums can sense when you're cleaning hard floors versus carpet and can automatically adjust the suction power.

Maneuverability and Size: A major benefit of cordless stick vacuums is that they're lightweight and easier to steer and lift, in both the stick and handheld configurations, making them ideal vacuums for reaching cobwebs in high corners and cleaning awkward spaces like stairs, cars, underneath furniture and more. A good cordless stick vacuum should be comfortable to hold in all configurations, turn easily and adjust sideways when reaching under furniture. The more powerful the suction, the more you may have to push the vacuum to keep it moving, but a good one should glide over your floors, especially hard floors, without too much finagling.

Storage: A major perk of cordless stick vacuums is how easy they are to store. Unlike an upright corded vacuum, a cordless stick vacuum is light enough and slim enough to be mounted to a wall or tucked in the corner of a hall closet when not in use. Most cordless vacuums come with a wall-mountable charging dock that charges and stores the vacuum and battery (sometimes additional backup batteries, too!). Another feature of a docking station that some of our top recommendations offer is the ability to store all of the attachments on the docking station, too. Otherwise, attachments often get thrown in a random cardboard box that takes up a lot of room and may get misplaced easily.

Additional Features: Some other nice-to-have features include quiet operation, LED lights, smart dust-sensing technology and continuous vacuuming. Stick vacuums are typically quieter than old-school corded vacuums but louder than robot vacuums. A newer feature of some of our top recommendations is LED lights, which allow you to better see dark areas like under a bed and also just harder-to-see dust you may miss with the naked eye. Smart stick vacuums can sense when certain areas are dirtier than others, and when in auto mode, can adjust the suction power accordingly to more efficiently clean and make the most of the battery life. Another helpful feature to look for to save your hand from cramping is continuous vacuuming, whether from a trigger lock or an on/off button.

Beyond these features, other important features to consider include charge time, price, filter type, attachments, maintenance, brand reliability and customer reviews.

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FAQs

What are the benefits of a cordless vacuum?

Compared to other types of vacuums, cordless stick vacuums offer a unique set of features that make them one of the most popular and versatile types of vacuums to own. While corded upright vacuums with large bins (or bags) are usually the most powerful and capable of cleaning an entire house in one session, those vacuums can be heavy, difficult to maneuver and store and annoying to empty and maintain.

Corded canister vacuums that feature longer hoses and multiple attachments are a bit smaller and easier to lift but can still be difficult to maneuver, store and maintain, too. Cordless handheld vacuums are extremely lightweight and easy to use for quick pickups and on upholstery and elevated surfaces, but the configuration, battery life and bin size are usually nowhere near enough to tackle an entire home or to serve as your primary vacuum. Robot vacuums are genius time-savers for day-to-day maintenance and ideal for daily pickups in the main areas of your home, but they can only vacuum floors and have small bins that need to be emptied often, meaning a robot vacuum also won't be sufficient as your only vacuum.

Are cordless vacuums heavy?

Cordless vacuums are easy to maneuver and can be used upright as well as converted to handheld vacuums. They're easy to lift to reach elevated surfaces and corners, too.

Can a cordless vacuum replace your primary vacuum?

With the right criteria, some cordless vacuums can even serve as your primary vacuum, but in some homes, a cordless stick vacuum can come in handy as a secondary vacuum for quick pickups in high-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways when you might not want to lug a heavy upright vacuum out of storage for spot cleaning.

Are Dyson cordless vacuums worth it?

We have Dyson to thank for popularizing cordless stick vacuums. The brand is synonymous with cordless stick vacuums for good reason, and several HGTV editors have used and loved Dyson vacuums for years. Because of the popularity of Dyson products, they can be difficult to find in stock and come at premium prices, especially the latest models that the brand continuously rolls out. But don't worry — several competitor brands like Tineco, Shark, eufy and more have come out with cordless stick vacuums in recent years. Now there are plenty of high-quality stick vacuums available on the market at every price point.

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