The 17 Best Cordless Vacuums of 2024, Tested by Real People
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There are even options for under $100
People / Dera Burreson
There are many different styles of vacuums available today — from upright and canister vacuums to autonomous robot vacuums — but none are more handy to have around the house than a good cordless stick vacuum. Because they aren’t limited by a cord, these convenient cleaning gadgets can be used anywhere and on virtually any surface, and thanks to their slim design, they are a breeze to carry around and store.
Today's Top Deals
The Dyson v8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is 26% off (now $349 ) at Amazon.
The Samsung Jet 75 Cordless Vacuum is 38% off (now $250 ) at Amazon.
The Homeika Cordless Vacuum is 27% off (now $72) at Amazon.
The Iwoly Cordless Vacuum is 47% off (now $80 ) at Amazon.
"Cordless stick vacuums are perfect for getting those hard-to-reach spots, such as under couches, tables, beds, or really any kind of furniture," says cleaning expert Hailey Becnel. "The possibilities are endless." Becnel recommends getting a lightweight cordless stick vac with excellent suction power and a long battery life — extra points if it has a HEPA filter to capture indoor allergens.
We tested hundreds of vacuum cleaners, including 79 cordless vacuums. We logged more than 200 hours of testing both in the lab and at home for this specific type of vacuum. We ran a total of eight tests on each vacuum, putting them through obstacle courses, measuring their noise output, and watching as they picked up coffee grounds, pet hair, cereal, and more. We took the top-performing models (ranging from under $100 to $1000) home and tested them in our spaces, too.
What We Learned
LED lighting on the brush head really helps illuminate dusty spots as you clean.
Cheaper vacuums will likely get hair wrapped around the brush head and don't always come with built-in HEPA filters.
The more expensive vacuums passed the glow-in-the-dark powder test in one pass, but it took a few passes for most of the others to clean the spot.
Most of our vacuums worked well on carpet, but picking up larger items (like cereal) on hardwood flooring often required switching to the handheld vacuum.
All of our recommended vacuums can transfer into a handheld vacuum and come with crevice and upholstery attachments unless otherwise noted.
If you’re ready to start cleaning more efficiently, these are the best cordless vacuums PEOPLE Tested.
Related: LIVE: Apple, Dyson, Lego, and More Are Up to 82% Off During Amazon’s Spring Sale
Best Cordless Vacuum Under $100: Black + Decker Powerseries+ 16V MAX Cordless Stick Vacuum
Pros
This affordable vacuum boasts powerful suction, especially on its high setting.
Bright headlights help illuminate debris on hard floors.
It's able to stand up on its own.
Cons
This one is noisier than other vacuums, making it hard to have a conversation while vacuuming.
It has a short battery life compared to other vacuums on our list.
If you’re looking for a super budget-friendly cleaning tool, we think you’ll be impressed with the Black and Decker PowerSeries Cordless Stick Vacuum — we certainly were! Despite its under-$100 price point, this vacuum delivered powerful suction in our testing. It had no problem picking up dirt, dust, tracked-in grass, hair, and miscellaneous crumbs, but it did perform better on carpeting than hard floors. While it is slightly bulky, it was still a breeze to navigate the vacuum around the floor.
In terms of features, the Black and Decker cordless vac has a bright line of LED headlights that help illuminate dirt and debris on hard floors, and it can even stand up on its own — a common pain point for many cordless vacuums, even ones that are two to threes times the price.
However, this vacuum isn’t without its flaws. It’s louder than other cordless vacuums we tested, only comes with a crevice tool attachment, and it’s a bit top-heavy. The battery also doesn’t last for very long: In lab testing, it died after 18 minutes on low power and 13 minutes on high. Still, for the price, you’ll have a hard time finding a vacuum that offers a better cleaning performance.
Dimensions: 9.84 x 6.77 x 43.5 inches | Weight: 8.3 pounds | Canister Size: Not listed | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool
Best Cordless Vacuum Under $200: Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum with XL Dust Cup
Pros
This Shark cordless vacuum is effective at picking up dirt and debris, even without max power.
Its slim design helps it maneuver into tight areas easily.
The dust bin holds more than other vacuums we tested.
It's comfortable to operate for long periods of time.
Cons
It got stuck on the edge of carpeting when transitioning from carpet to hardwood flooring.
In the under-$200 category, our top recommendation is the Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum. We were impressed by its ability to pick up dirt, dust, and hair, leaving the floors feeling nicely clean under bare feet, and we never needed to put it on max power to capture debris. It was even able to vacuum washable rugs like a Ruggable — which can be tricky — picking up dirt and pet hair without messing up the top layer of the two-piece design. However, the floor head did get bogged down on the edge of the rug, forcing us to turn it off and remove the fabric it had sucked up.
The vacuum maneuvered around obstacles easily, fitting underneath dining chair legs and into corners. We found it was comfortable to carry around and operate, even during the long battery life test, where it was able to clean for 25 minutes on low and 11 minutes on high. Plus, the dust bin was able to hold quite a bit of debris, saving us from having to empty it mid-cleaning session. Overall, the performance was impressive, especially considering the price, and this would make a great cleaning tool for smaller homes with pets.
Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 46.1 inches | Weight: 6.9 pounds | Canister Size: 0.38 liters | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, pet multi-tool
""I've tested the Shark PET cordless vacuum multiple times, and it continues to be one of my favorites. It's powerful, super easy to maneuver, great at picking up pet hair, and the Shark PET Plus version even folds in half for easy storage. When friends and family ask for affordable vacuum recommendations, if this one is in stock, it's my first on my list." — ERIN JOHNSON, PEOPLE SENIOR SHOPPING EDITOR"
Best for Pet Hair: Samsung Jet 75 Cordless Stick Vacuum
Pros
This Samsung cordless vacuum has excellent suction power; it picked up all messes in one or two passes.
It captures pet dander with HEPA filter.
It's super easy to maneuver around obstacles, making vacuuming feel like less of a chore.
Cons
The initial setup is a bit complex.
If you have fur babies at home, then you need an effective pet hair vacuum with extremely strong suction power, like the Samsung Jet 75. Not only will it pick up pet fur and dirt, but it also has a built-in HEPA filter that promises to trap over 99.9 percent of pet dander and other allergens. This powerful stick vacuum did a great job picking up other debris, too. Plus, it's really beautiful, so we wouldn't mind leaving it on display in our kitchen or living room.
The Jet 75 has low, medium, and high settings. It runs for 27 minutes on the lowest suction power and about 10 minutes on high. It maneuvers well on different flooring surfaces and around corners. Aside from the higher price, one of the only drawbacks is that the setup process was a little confusing — it took us 23 minutes to put it together.
Dimensions: 44.5 x 10 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Canister Size: 0.8 liters | Battery Life: 27 minutes | Attachments: Dust brush, pet hair tool, crevice tool
Best Value: Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum
Pros
This affordable vacuum was so easy to set up; it would make a great starter vacuum.
It has a long battery life compared to other cordless vacs we tested.
It has a large, easy-to-empty dust bin.
Cons
It's heavier than other cordless vacuums on this list.
It's not ideal for high-pile carpet.
The Eureka Innova was a stand-out performer, and it costs under $150. Rather than a high and low power mode, the settings are based on floor type, allowing you to choose from hard surfaces or carpet. It picked up all the debris on both surfaces, though we did notice it wasn't as efficient on high-pile carpet without using the crevice tool.
The Innova ran for about 24 minutes before needing to be recharged, and the power held strong the entire time. At just over 8 pounds, it's a little heavier than most stick vacs, but it wasn't overly cumbersome. The dust bin was not only generously sized but also easy to empty, and in the end, we think the price is right on point for a high-quality cordless stick vacuum.
Dimensions: 45.5 x 11 x 10 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds | Canister Size: 1 liter | Battery Life: 24 minutes | Attachments: Pet tool, crevice tool, upholstery brush
Best Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuum: Dyson Gen5detect Cordless HEPA Vacuum
Pros
Dyson's laser dirt detection works amazingly on hard floors.
It picks up all kinds of debris, including large items like pet food.
It's equipped with a whole-machine HEPA filtration system.
Cons
It's somewhat bulky when you switch it to a handheld vacuum.
Read Full Review: Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum Review
If budget isn’t an issue, the Dyson Gen5Detect is the latest cordless vacuum from the brand, and it’s even powerful enough to serve as your home’s primary vacuum. It has an impressively long runtime of around 50 minutes on its normal setting and just under 15 minutes on high, and it was able to pick up every type of debris during testing, including large pieces of pet food. We also love that the vacuum comes with a special floor head for hard surfaces, and its green laser illuminates every speck of dust and pet hair for a more thorough clean.
Thanks to its swiveling head, the Gen5Detect has no problem driving around obstacles, and one of the upgrades from previous Dyson models is a built-in crevice/dusting tool that you can access by removing the main stick portion of the vacuum. The dust bin is easy to empty, and it’s also the only cordless Dyson with a true HEPA filtration system, making it a top choice for anyone with allergies or households with pets. Along with your mop and cleaning solutions, it's a great add to your home cleaning arsenal.
Dimensions: 10.87 x 9.8 x 50.2 inches | Weight: 7.72 pounds | Canister Size: 0.78 liters | Battery Life: 70 minutes | Attachments: Fluffy Optic cleaner head, digital motorbar cleaner head, hair screw tool, combination tool
"“Dyson has a lot in regards to technology and their innovation. As a person who creates content relevant to people maintaining their homes, I do appreciate when a brand can share its innovation and technology. What got me was that they came out with laser technology — I've been kind of hooked ever since.” — LORI WILLIAMSON, CREATOR OF NOWITSCLEAN ON TIKTOK"
Best Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuum — but for Less: Dyson V8
Pros
Its powerful suction picks up all types of debris easily.
Brushroll is particularly effective for cleaning carpeting.
The dust bin is easy to empty.
Cons
The runtime decreases significantly on max mode.
It sometimes gets bogged down when moving from hard floors to carpet.
The Dyson V8 is one of the brand’s most affordable cordless vacuum models, yet it still delivered the performance you’d expect from the brand. During testing, its powerful suction picked up all types of debris from both hard floors and carpeting, including dirt that we couldn’t even see. Its floorhead is particularly effective on rugs, as the stiff bristles do a great job getting deep into the fibers to pull out dirt, dust, and hair, and the vacuum also comes with a motorized hair removal tool that works well on upholstery.
This vacuum can run for up to 25 minutes on its normal setting, but if you switch to “Max” mode, the runtime drops significantly — often to under 10 minutes. We also noticed that the vacuum occasionally gets bogged down when driving from hard floors onto carpeting, as the brush roll gets jammed. However, if you're looking to invest in a Dyson, this is a quality pick that's about half the price of the brand's newest Gen5 series.
Dimensions: 9.84 x 8.7 x 49.45 inches | Weight: 5.58 pounds | Canister Size: 0.53 liters | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, hair screw tool, combination tool
Best Dyson Alternative: Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
This affordable cordelss vacuum is effective on hard floors, grout, and medium- and high-pile carpet.
The battery lasted almost an hour during testing; this is very impressive for such a cheap vacuum.
The HEPA filter helps trap small particles.
Cons
The brush attachment didn't perform very well for us during testing.
Look for a cordless vacuum that's a great alternative to a Dyson? The Belife BVC12 is a budget-friendly option for your home, retailing for less than $150 at its common sale price. It did an excellent job picking up messes on hard floors, grout, and medium- and high-pile carpet, though it seemed to perform a little better on carpets when sucking up larger debris. Plus, with a built-in HEPA filter, it also helps remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from your indoor air.
This vacuum moved around tight corners and reached small areas like a champ. It ran for a whopping 53 minutes on regular suction power and 13 minutes on high before needing to be recharged. The only real downside is that the brush attachment wasn't very useful — hair kept getting stuck in the bristles — but it's hard to beat the affordable price.
After testing this vacuum for three months at home, we see why it's a budget pick, but we'd still recommend it for a starter vacuum. At home, we needed to use it on its highest setting for maximum effectiveness, so the battery didn't last as long as it did when lab testing.
Dimensions: 43.5 x 9.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 5.3 pounds | Canister Size: 0.7 liters | Battery Life: 53 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery brush
Best Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum: Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins Cordless Stick Vacuum
Pros
This Shark cordless vacuum performs well on all surfaces, making it a great option for those who vacuum daily.
It's lightweight and can be assembled in under five minutes
It has extremely powerful suction for a stick vacuum; we would say it has the suction power of a great upright vacuum.
Cons
It has a smaller dust bin, which means more frequent emptying.
If you’re willing to spend a little more on a powerful cordless vacuum, the Shark Vertex DuoClean offers a comprehensive set of features that take all the work out of vacuuming. On hardwood floors, the vacuum picked up everything instantly, capturing every popcorn kernel and piece of cereal, and it effectively picked up debris off different carpeting heights, as well. We also appreciated how little effort it takes to use and move the machine. For all these reasons, when ranking Shark vacuums, we named it the brand's best cordless stick vacuum.
This vacuum is easy to bend and maneuver under furniture, and its LED headlights illuminate all the dust and hair you may have missed. It's also surprisingly quiet for a powerful device, and we were able to operate the vacuum for up to 60 minutes at a time. However, it’s worth noting that the vacuum doesn't have a big dust bin, so we had to empty it much more often than competing devices. The vacuum also does not have any place to house its attachments on its slim body, so you'll need to store them elsewhere.
Dimensions: 27.6 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | Weight: 12.52 pounds | Canister Size: Not listed | Battery Life: 120 minutes | Included Accessories: Crevice and nozzle tool
Best Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum, Less Expensive: Shark Wandvac System Ultra-Light Stick Vacuum
Pros
It's slim design is easy to maneuver and store, so it's great for small-space living.
It stands up on its own and is quieter than other vacuums.
It comes in fun colors like rose gold and mint green.
Cons
It only runs for around 10 minutes per charge, which, if you have a small space, is fine, but bigger cleaning jobs will need to charge mid-clean.
The dust bin is much smaller than most.
The Shark Wandvac has a super-slim design that doubles as a compact handheld vacuum. We love that it can stand up on its own, making it easy to store, and it comes in more fun colors than standard vacuums (like rose gold and mint green). The vacuum was able to pick up dirt, crumbs, and hair in our testing, though we did sometimes need to go over the debris several times to pick it all up. However, the Wandvac did capture the majority of the glow-in-the-dark powder off the hardwood floors in just one pass. It's also worth noting that the handheld version of this cordless vacuum is not an afterthought; it's a well-designed powerful handheld vacuum, and its slim design makes it easy to carry around and zap different messes around the house.
We tested the Shark Wandvac head-to-head with the Dyson V8 cordless vacuum in our lab, and the Shark Wandvac performed just as well, if not better, than the Dyson (and it's about half the price).
This model is quieter than many other vacuums we tested — you can hold a conversation over it if needed. It was able to clean for over 10 minutes per charge, and because its dustbin is smaller than most and there’s only one suction level, we think it’s best suited for small spaces or quick pickups, like sucking up debris buried in the crevices of a couch, rather than whole-home cleaning.
Dimensions: 11.6 x 11.2 x 44 inches | Weight: 5.9 pounds | Canister Size: .013 quarts | Battery Life: Not listed | Attachments: Duster crevice tool, pet multi-tool
Most Powerful Suction: Bissell ReadyClean Cordless XRT 14.4V Stick Vacuum
Pros
Its powerful suction captures all types of debris on all flooring types.
The folding handle helps clean under furniture with ease.
This Bissell cordless vacuum can stand up on its own.
Cons
It's one of the louder vacuums we tested.
For powerful suction at a reasonable price, the Bissell ReadyClean is another solid choice. We were blown away by its suction, which was able to pick up dirt, dust, crumbs, cat litter, and hair in just one pass. In fact, it was actually too powerful to vacuum a small bathroom mat, displacing the rug when we tried to drive over it. The vacuum performed particularly well on carpeting but got the job done on hard floors, too, and the battery lasted for around 25 minutes on the low setting and 20 minutes on high.
We also like that this vacuum can fold partway down the handle, which makes it easier to vacuum underneath furniture, such as coffee tables and bed frames. It’s also able to stand up on its own for easy storage. Our only complaint is that the vacuum is quite loud — you can definitely hear it from the next room, and its noise level can be disruptive to any conversations or TV-binging.
Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 44 inches | Weight: 5.8 pounds | Canister Size: 0.45 liters | Battery Life: 25 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool
Best Smart: Tineco Pure One S11 Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum
Pros
This smart Tineco vac offers powerful suction with quiet operation.
It's lightweight, easy to maneuver, and you can empty the dust bin with one hand.
The smart screen lets you know when the floor is clean.
The battery lasted 30+ minutes during testing.
Cons
Pricey, but we think it's worth it.
If you're willing to spend a bit more in a high-quality vacuum, Tineco's Pure One S11 Tango won't disappoint. With powerful suction and handy attachments, this cordless stick vacuum had no problem quickly picking up most of the debris during our tests, save for the Cheerios, and it ran for over 30 minutes without needing to be recharged.
The Pure One was one of the quieter vacuums we tried — you can barely hear it through a wall. At under 6 pounds, this sleek cleaning companion is lightweight and easy to move around, transitioning smoothly from hard floors to carpet. We also like how the dust bin can be emptied one-handed. While some hair got tangled in the brush roll, it came out without a fuss using the included tool.
The smart screen not only lets you see how clean (or dirty) your floors are, but it's also satisfying to watch it go from red to blue as you vacuum. (It's kind of like getting a gold star on your cleaning task.)
Dimensions: 43.5 x 10.5 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 5.8 pounds | Canister Size: 0.6 liters | Battery Life: 31 minutes | Attachments: Mini brush, dust brush, crevice tool, hair tool
Best Smart — but for Less: Homeika Cordless Vacuum
Pros
This affordable cordless vacuum is chic and comes in several colors.
The telescoping wand allows you to adjust the height (great for petites!)
This vac is ergonomic and comfortable to use for longer cleaning sessions.
Cons
Pet hair gets tangled around brushroll.
The suction power isn’t enough to capture tough dirt and dust on the low setting.
Just by looking at it, you’d never guess that the Homeika Cordless Vacuum costs just over $100. It has a luxe design that comes in several stylish colors, as well as a digital display that makes it look much more expensive than it is. This vacuum also offers several additional high-end features, including a telescoping wand for height adjustment, an oversized 1.5-liter dust bin, and bright LED headlights.
Our tester was shocked at the price after testing in her home for a month. We found this vacuum was comfortable to maneuver and ergonomic to hold, and it didn’t cause fatigue like some other models we tested. It did a decent job picking up debris like dust, pet hair, my hair, crumbs, and soil, but it performed best when in 'Max' mode, so our tester mainly kept it in that mode. When we used it to clean up glow-in-the-dark powder, we had it in the lower mode, and there was a noticeable amount left on the hard floors. It’s also not the best choice for pet owners, as hair gets tangled around the brushroll easily.
However, if you're looking for a chic, affordable vacuum, this is an excellent choice. (You can see from the photos that it's designed to look a lot like a Dyson.)
Dimensions: 17.32 x 12.99 x 7.48 inches | Weight: 7.45 pounds | Canister Size: 1.5 liters | Battery Life: 30 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, 2-in-1 brush
Best for Hardwood Floors: Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum
Pros
This ultra-lightweight Dyson cordless vacuum is only 2.5 pounds.
Of all the vacuums we tested, this is the easiest one to maneuver — it truly glides across hard flooring.
It's great for a quick kitchen cleanup.
Cons
The small dust bin needs emptying often, and it's made for hard flooring, not carpeting.
Dyson vacuum cleaners are known to be some of the best in the industry, and if you have hard floors at home, like tile or wood flooring, the Dyson Omni-Glide+ is a surprisingly affordable option for under $400. This hardwood floor vacuum sucked up most of the debris during our tests, including coffee grounds, Cheerios, and even cotton balls, and it's — dare we say — fun to use because it truly glides across hard flooring.
The Omni-Glide ran for 21 minutes on regular suction power and eight minutes on high, and it's not too loud on either setting. It transitioned smoothly from hardwood to stairs to tile, and at just 2.5 pounds, it's super lightweight and easy to maneuver. The biggest downside of this stick vacuum is the size of the dust bin. It's only 0.2 liters, so you'll have to empty it every time you use it — potentially even multiple times, depending on how much area you’re cleaning. Still, it's an excellent option for quick one-room clean-ups and small messes.
After using this at home for over a year, we love it even more. It glides around floors with ease and gets into tight corners that other vacuums cannot reach. Even though the dust bin is small, it hasn't been an issue for us. We really love everything about this vacuum!
Dimensions: 42.5 x 9 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Canister Size: 0.2 liters | Battery Life: 21 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, pipe tool, mini brush head
Best for Hardwood Floors — but for Less: iWoly Cordless Vacuum
Pros
It is surprisingly quiet, even on its highest setting.
It boasts more than 40 minutes of runtime on its low setting.
It easily sucked up all debris on hard flooring.
Cons
It has a bit of an uncomfortable grip which rubs on your knuckles while cleaning.
The lowest power setting doesn’t pick up debris well.
The iWoly is another low-priced vacuum that’s perfect for supplementary cleaning. It weighs a little over 5 pounds, making it one of the lightest models we tested, and it’s quiet enough during operation that it won’t bother your neighbors if you’re tidying up early in the morning. The vacuum was able to pick up pet hair, crumbs, and stray dirt, but we did notice that the lowest of its three suction settings was a bit underpowered, forcing us to go over the same debris a few times. The vacuum did well on all types of flooring, but it definitely performed the best on hard floors.
This inexpensive cordless vacuum is a breeze to maneuver under furniture and onto area rugs, and while it did run for over 40 minutes on low power — one of the longest runtimes of all the vacuums we tested — the battery depleted much faster on max suction, dying after 22 minutes. We also found that the grip is uncomfortable to hold for longer cleaning sessions, rubbing uncomfortably on your knuckles. However, if you have a smaller space with mostly hard flooring, this could be a great option for you.
Dimensions: 10.63 x 5.51 x 47 inches | Weight: 5.07 pounds | Canister Size: 0.5 liters | Battery Life: 35 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery nozzle, dusting brush
Best for Carpet: Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum
Pros
This Bissell cordless vac was incredibly easy to set up (took about 6 minutes)
It works well on low- and high-pile carpet and transitions easily between all surfaces.
It has a very long battery life for a cordless vacuum.
Cons
There are no included attachments, but it worked effectively without them.
If you have a lot of carpeting in your home, we recommend the Bissell AirRam. This cordless stick vacuum does excellent work on different flooring surfaces, including medium-pile carpet and even high-pile rugs. We didn't have to pick it up when transitioning between surfaces, and we love that it rolls flat to reach under furniture and glides effortlessly along the edges of the carpet.
The AirRam ran for 42 minutes — nearly twice as long as many other models we tested — and the power didn't wane at all before dying. It wasn't too noisy, either, and the dust bin emptied with the push of a button. One thing to note is that this vacuum doesn't come with any attachments, but we thought it worked just as well as a standard upright vacuum and think it's a great value.
Dimensions: 44 x 12 x 10 inches | Weight: 7.2 pounds | Canister Size: 0.6 liters | Battery Life: 42 minutes | Attachments: None
Best Quiet: Tineco A10 Hero Cordless Stick/Handheld Vacuum
Pros
This Tineco cordless vacuum was surprisingly quiet during operation.
It quickly picks up small particles like cat litter.
Cons
It doesn’t provide any indication of battery life.
It's not as effective on carpeting.
For homes with mostly hard floors, the Tineco A10 Hero is a mid-priced option that’s quiet enough to not disturb your household while you clean. It’s able to quickly suck up dirt, dust, and small particles like cat litter, but it did sometimes spit debris back out on hard floors, forcing us to go over the pieces again. It also wasn’t quite as effective on carpeting — it got the job done, but several passes were needed.
We liked that the low-profile design fits easily under furniture and that it comes with a variety of attachments, as well as a wall dock, but unlike most other vacuums we tested, it doesn’t give any indication of how much battery life is left. The vacuum had an average runtime on its low setting, cleaning for around 22 minutes, but the battery life decreased by half on high, dying after just 10 minutes. If you're looking for a Tineco that shows you battery life, opt for the slightly more expensive Tineco Pure One S11 cordless vacuum.
Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.3 x 43.3 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Canister Size: 0.4 liters | Battery Life: 25 minutes | Attachments: Crevice tool, mini power brush, 2-in-1 dusting brush
Best Miele Cordless Stick Vacuum: Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog Vacuum
Pros
It easily picked up any mess in its path, and maneuvered effortlessly across different flooring types.
The lighted brush roll head makes it easy to see floor debris while cleaning.
HEPA filter traps small particles.
Cons
The small dustbin needs to be emptied often.
If you're a Miele person, then you know who you are, and we recommend the Miele Triflex HX2 for a quality cordless stick vacuum from the brand. This vacuum cleared virtually all of the debris during our tests, including heavier pieces like popcorn kernels and Cheerios. It runs for about 33 minutes on the medium setting and 12 minutes on high, and the headlights make it easy to see what you're doing when vacuuming under ledges and dark corners. It also has a HEPA filter that helps remove allergens from your air.
Unfortunately, the dust bin is on the smaller side — we had to empty it twice during our tests. Additionally, hair got caught within the brush roll, and we had to cut it out with scissors. Still, the Triflex HX2 maneuvers pretty effortlessly and transitions well between different flooring surfaces. At over $900, it's as expensive as the Dyson Gen5 Detect, but they are both excellent vacuums with a loyal brand following.
Dimensions: 51 x 10 x 8 inches | Weight: 5.8 pounds | Canister Size: Not listed | Battery Life: 33 minutes | Attachments: Crevice nozzle, dust brush, upholstery tool, compact brush head
Other Cordless Vacuums We Tried
Black and Decker Powerseries Extreme: This cordless vacuum from Black and Decker proved to be quite powerful in testing, but there were a few design flaws that kept it from our top rankings. The floor head is clunky, making it hard to clean under furniture, and the vacuum is quite loud and easily heard from the next room. Its dust bin is also a bit challenging to empty, but it still might be a worthwhile option to consider if you’re shopping on a budget.
Hoover ONEPWR Emerge: Our biggest issue with the Hoover ONEPWR was its battery life. The brand claims it will last up to 40 minutes, but in testing, the vacuum only ran for around 13 minutes when we alternated between the medium and high settings. The vacuum is lightweight and easy to maneuver, but it’s really only useful if you only have a small area to clean.
People / Henry Wortock
Things to Consider When Buying a Cordless Vacuum
Floor Type
The first thing to consider when buying a cordless stick vacuum is the type of floors you have at home. While many vacuum models work well on various surfaces, some are floor-specific, and may be worth the extra money.
If your home is almost entirely made up of hard flooring, a good vacuum for hardwood flooring, like the Dyson Omni-Glide Vacuum might be a worthwhile investment for you. On the other hand, if you live in a fully carpeted home, the Bissell 1984 AirRam Cordless Vacuum would be a great (and much more affordable) option.
Lori Williamson, the cleaning expert behind Now It's Clean on TikTok, says she uses her vacuum on much more than just her flooring:
Battery Life
Cordless stick vacuums are so convenient to maneuver, thanks to the cord-free design. However, you'll want to make sure you look at the battery life of the vacuum you're eyeing.
"Any cordless vacuum must have a good battery life," says Becnel. "When you're in your cleaning groove, the last thing you want is to be stopped in your tracks to have to charge up." Of the cordless stick vacuums we tested, the Belife BVC12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner had the longest battery life, running for 53 minutes before needing to be recharged.
Weight
Becnel strongly advises looking for a lightweight model. "Why purchase a stick vacuum that is as heavy as a regular vacuum?" she says. "I want a lightweight one I can easily carry from room to room and upstairs if needed." Of all the vacuums we tested, the Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum was the lightest, weighing less than 3 pounds!
HEPA Filter
If you can, get a cordless stick vacuum with a HEPA filter, like the Dyson Gen5Detect or Miele Triflex HX2. HEPA is short for "high-efficiency particulate air." According to the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), these mechanical filters capture over 99.9 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, dander, and other microscopic airborne particles that might cause an allergic reaction or affect your indoor air quality, which is why they are used in air purifiers.
Brandon Pleshek, a third-generation janitor and the creator of Clean That Up!, a TikTok cleaning account with 1.7 million followers, says it’s imperative that you actually clean out the filter, too.
“Vacuums fail the most because their filters aren't cleaned out, so those filters get clogged up over time, and then it gets harder on the motor.” He says you might think your vacuum is breaking down, but really, it might just have pet hair clogging the filter. “Keep your vacuum cleaner maintained and cleaned at regular intervals — that way, it continues to keep doing its job.”
People / Dera Burreson
How We Tested Cordless Vacuums
We tested a total of 79 top-rated cordless stick vacuums in our lab and then we took the winners home to test them for an additional three months in the real world. Our testing team consisted of over 80 people, and we logged more than 200 testing hours throughout the process. Every model we tested was evaluated on the following factors:
Setup: After opening the vacuum's box, our testers timed precisely how long it took to assemble each vacuum based on the brand's instructions, noting whether the process was intuitive and if it could be completed without the directions.
Battery Life: We used a stopwatch to see how long the batteries lasted on low and high power while continuously moving them back and forth. The battery times listed in this article are the actual battery time from our tests, not necessarily the marketed battery time.
Noise Level: Next, we used a decibel reader to check how noisy they were. We also noted if you could hold a conversation over the noise or if it was too loud to do so.
Cleaning Performance: Each vacuum was tested on multiple surfaces, including hard floors, grout, high- and low-pile carpet, and furniture. We attempted to suck up various types of debris: coffee grounds, hair, Cheerios, popcorn kernels, and cotton balls. We also used each vacuum to clean up glow-in-the-dark powder off hardwood floors, using a black light to evaluate how much of the fine powder was left behind.
Ease of Emptying: We emptied the dust bins to see whether it was convenient or a nuisance. We also recorded whether the dust bins needed to be emptied mid-clean.
The cordless stick vacuums were scored for ease of setup, battery life, noise, effectiveness, maneuverability, portability, ease of emptying, and value. Some vacuums were PR samples, and some were purchased at full price, but testers had no knowledge of either. They only rated the value based on the current retail price. With effectiveness accounting for half the overall score, those with the highest ratings were featured in this roundup.
People / Dera Burreson
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cordless vacuum is the best value for the money?
When it comes to overall value, the best cordless stick vacuum we tested is the Black and Decker PowerSeries+ 16V MAX Cordless Stick Vacuum, which costs less than $100. This reasonably-priced vacuum cleaner performed very well in all our tests, sucking up all kinds of messes on both hard floors and carpet. It has bright headlights so you can see the dirt on your floors and even stands up on its own.
Is a cordless Dyson or Shark better?
According to our tests, Dyson makes superior cordless vacuums, although Shark vacuums get good ratings in other reports. Having said that, it depends on the model and what type of flooring you're working with. For instance, the Dyson Omni-Glide performed exceptionally well on hard floors, but if you have carpets at home, the Bissell 1984 AirRam might be a better choice (and it's half the price).
Is a cordless vacuum less powerful than an upright vacuum?
In general, cordless vacuums are less powerful than upright models. Because they run on battery power, cordless vacuums typically don’t deliver the same level of suction as full-size vacuums, which is why many people use them as supplementary cleaning tools. However, some more expensive cordless vacuums, such as the Shark Vertex DuoClean, are powerful and long-lasting enough to be used as the primary vacuum in your home.
People / Dera Burreson
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Theresa Holland is an experienced commerce writer who specializes in reviewing and writing about the best home products on the market. To bring you this review, she consulted our in-depth testing insights, which rated cordless stick vacuums on attributes like suction power, effectiveness, value, ease of use, and battery life.
Erin Johnson, senior commerce editor at PEOPLE, updated this piece with long-term insights after our team used the winning cordless vacuums at home for three months. Erin has tested over 100 vacuums firsthand and holds the strong opinion that cordless stick vacuums are superior to upright vacuums based on weight and ease of use. Erin uses two cordless stick vacuums at home: the Dyson Omni-Glide on her hardwood floors and the Tineco Pure One S15 on both her hard and carpeted floors.
After additional cordless vacuum testing in December 2023, commerce writer and product tester Camryn Rabideau updated this piece with additional selections and testing insight.
Meet Our Experts
Hailey Becnel is the cleaning expert behind The Cleaning Channel on Instagram. She’s also the author of Keeping It Clean.
Brandon Pleshek is a third-generation janitor and the creator and cleaning expert behind Clean That Up! on TikTok and Instagram.
Lori Williamson is the cleaning queen of TikTok via her account Now It's Clean, and she also offers free cleaning tips and tricks on Instagram.
People / Dera Burreson
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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Read the original article on People.
