The 8 Best Cordless Stick Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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The Eufy HomeVac H30 Infinity is just as powerful as any corded upright vacuum
People / Henry Wortock
If you want to make your life easier, a cordless stick vacuum is where it's at. While corded upright vacuums are powerful and robot vacuums are convenient, cordless stick vacuums are the best of both worlds. These cord-free cleaning gadgets can be used anywhere in the home, on virtually every surface, and thanks to the slim design, they are a breeze to carry around.
"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've tested over 100 vacuums of all types, but we honed in on 15 top-rated cordless stick vacuums to test for this piece. We put them through obstacle courses, measured their noise output, and watched as they picked up coffee grounds, pet hair, cereal, and more. After that, we took the 8 winning vacuums home and tested them in our spaces for three months. Discover which ones were powerful, easy to use, and a breeze to maneuver. We promise: Once you feel how easy using a cordless stick vacuum is, you'll never want to touch an upright again.
These are the best cordless stick vacuums PEOPLE Tested.
Best Overall: eufy by Anker HomeVac H30 Infinity Cordless Vacuum
Pros
Incredible suction power
Transitioned seamlessly from hardwood floor to carpet
At only two pounds, it's the lightest cordless vac we tested
Excellent value; it's nearly half the price of similar top-performing stick vacuums
Transitions into a handheld vac with ease
Cons
Loud compared to other vacuums on the list
Small dust bin, so you may need to empty it several times if you're cleaning a large area
The Eufy HomeVac H30 Infinity stood out from the moment we saw it. We don't think it's possible to underestimate how fantastic this vacuum is compared to its relatively low price tag. Just unboxing this cordless vacuum was a pleasurable experience, not unlike opening a brand-new computer. Not only that, but connecting the parts was a fun and easy process.
During testing, this cordless stick vacuum did an excellent job sucking up hair, coffee grounds, and popcorn kernels. Though it struggled a bit to pick up Cheerios from carpet, there was no issue on hard floors. Other than the Cheerios, the compact design worked incredibly well cleaning up messes on both medium- and high-pile carpet, and there's virtually no user effort in transitioning it from one surface to another.
The HomeVac H30 lasts for about 20 minutes on medium power and roughly nine minutes on high. The suction is really strong, considering the compact, lightweight design. (It weighs less than 2 pounds.) However, we found it extremely loud, so it might disrupt others while you're using it.
Another thing to note is that the dust bin is pretty small, so we had to empty it multiple times to get through our tests. While the debris slid out without creating a mess, releasing the lid should have been easier. All things considered, we think the price is more than fair and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this product to just about anyone in the market for a stick vacuum.
How it's held up:
We've been testing this Eufy cordless vacuum at home for three months and are still so impressed by this lightweight power machine. Thanks to its thin design, it's so easy to use; it can get into crevices and corners so much easier than other vacuums we've tested. We've also been impressed with the battery life. It holds a charge well and hasn't lost suction power over the past three months.
Price at time of publish: $199.99
Dimensions: 16.5 x 3.5 x 3 inches | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Canister Size: 0.25 liters | Battery Life: 21 minutes | Attachments: Pet brush, crevice tool, pipe, mop head
Best Budget: Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
Effective on hard floors, grout, and medium- and high-pile carpet
Battery lasted almost an hour during testing
HEPA filter helps trap small particles
Cons
Insufficient brush attachment
On a budget? Go with the Belife BVC12. This vacuum took just five minutes to set up, thanks to the straightforward instructions and pre-assembled design. 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 pieces, like stuck-together Cheerios. 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 noise wasn't particularly disruptive, either — you can definitely hold a conversation while it's running. 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.
How it's held up:
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 felt we needed to use it on its highest setting for maximum effectiveness, so the battery didn't last quite as long as it did when lab testing. However, it's still super easy to maneuver and a great value for an under-$200 vacuum.
Price at time of publish: $149.99 (orig. $179.99)
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
Related: The 6 Best Dustbusters of 2023
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum
Pros
Easy setup; would make a great starter vacuum
Long battery life compared to other stick vacs we tested
Large, easy-to-empty dust bin
Cons
Heavier than other cordless vacuums on this list
Not ideal for high-pile carpet
The Eureka Innova was a close second to the HomeVac H30. Once we had all the pieces unwrapped, this vacuum was super easy to set up. Rather than a high and low power mode, the settings are based on floor type (hard surfaces or carpet). Though it picked up all the debris on both surfaces, 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. The noise level wasn't particularly quiet but not disruptive either. At just over 8 pounds, it's a little heavier than most stick vacs, though it wasn't overly cumbersome. The dirt canister was not only generously sized but also easy to empty. In the end, we think the price is right on point for a high-quality stick vacuum.
Price at time of publish: $149 (orig. $229)
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 for Pet Owners: Samsung Jet 75 Cordless Stick Vacuum
Pros
Excellent suction power; picked up all messes with ease
Captures pet dander with HEPA filter
Easy-to-empty dirt cup
Super easy to maneuver around obstacles
Cons
Complex setup
If you have fur babies at home, you need a pet hair vacuum with extremely strong suction power to pick up all of those tiny hairs. "I am a pet owner, so I must have a vacuum that can get all that hair up," she says. Not only will the Samsung Jet 75 pick up pet fur and dirt, but it also has a built-in HEPA filter that promises to trap over 99.9% of pet dander and other allergens. This powerful stick vacuum did a great job picking up all the other debris, too, though we needed to use the crevice tool to suck up the popcorn kernels.
The Jet 75 has a low, medium, and high setting. It runs for 27 minutes on the lowest suction power and about 10 minutes on high. This vacuum is pretty loud on high but otherwise not too disruptive. It maneuvers well on different flooring surfaces and around corners. The dust bin is also easy to empty — everything came out with one shake — and it's conveniently washable. Aside from the steep price, one of the only drawbacks is that the setup process was a little confusing — it took us 23 minutes to put it together.
Price at time of publish: $299.99 (orig. $399.99)
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 Investment: Tineco Pure One S11 Tango Smart Stick/Handheld Vacuum
Pros
Powerful suction with quiet operation
Lightweight and easy to maneuver
One-handed dust bin emptying
Smart screen lets you know when the floor is clean
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. Aside from unwrapping all the attachments, it was really easy to set up. 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 canister 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 price is steeper than other cordless vacuums on our list, but considering the reliable, efficient design, we think it's well worth the investment.
Price at time of publish: $349.99 (orig. $399.99)
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 for Carpet: Bissell 1984 Air Ram Cordless Vacuum
Pros
Incredibly easy to set up (took about 6 minutes)
Works well on low- and high-pile carpet and transitions easily between all surfaces
Very long battery life for a cordless vacuum
Cons
No attachments, but it worked effectively without them
For carpeted floors, we recommend the Bissell AirRam. The setup was straightforward and only took about six minutes. This cordless stick vacuum does excellent work on various flooring surfaces, including medium-pile carpet and even high-pile rugs. We didn't have to pick it up when transitioning between surfaces; it rolled flat to reach under furniture, and it even glided 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, especially if you can find it on sale.
Price at time of publish: $267.79
Dimensions: 44 x 12 x 10 inches | Weight: 7.2 pounds | Canister Size: 0.6 liters | Battery Life: 42 minutes | Attachments: None
Best for Hard Floors: Dyson Omni-Glide+ Cordless Vacuum
Pros
Ultra-lightweight at only 2.5 pounds
Of all the vacuums we tested, this is the easiest one to maneuver
Great for small messes
Cons
One of the most expensive vacuums on our list, but also one of the best
Small dust bin needs emptying often
If you have hard floors at home, like tile or wood flooring, the Dyson Omni-Glide+ is your best bet. This hardwood floor vacuum was relatively easy to set up, though it doesn't have any worded instructions, only pictures. It sucked up most of the debris during our tests, including coffee grounds, Cheerios, and even cotton balls, but it struggled a bit on the popcorn kernels.
The Omni-Glide runs 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 and a half 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 between uses — potentially multiple times, depending on how long you use it. Still, it's an excellent option for quick clean-ups and small messes. If you can swing the price, we say go for it.
How it's held up:
After using this at home for three months, we love it even more. It glides around our 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!
Price at time of publish: $399 (orig. $499)
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
Related: The 8 Best Mops of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Design: Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog Vacuum
Pros
Easily picked up any mess in its path
Lighted brush roll head makes it easy to see floor debris while cleaning
HEPA filter traps small particles
Cons
Undoubtedly expensive
Small dust bin needs to be emptied often
We also liked the Miele Triflex HX2. With clear instructions and photo guidelines, it was very easy to set up. This high-end German 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 light on the head makes it easy to see what you're doing when vacuuming under ledges and dark corners. This stick vacuum is pretty loud on the high setting but not too bad on the regular suction mode.
Unfortunately, the canister is on the smaller side. We had to empty it twice during our tests, which wasn't very convenient. Also, 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. It also has a HEPA filter that helps remove allergens from your air. This is one of the most expensive vacuums we tried. Although it might not be worth buying full-price, it's a stellar choice if you can find it on sale.
Price at time of publish: $744.44 (orig. $929)
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
Things to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Stick 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 models work well on various surfaces, some are floor-specific, and may be worth the extra money. For example, if your home is almost entirely made up of hard flooring, 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.
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." Our top pick, the Eufy by HomeVac 30, weighs less than two pounds, so you can clean your entire home without having to place a heating pad on your back when you're finished.
HEPA Filter
Lastly, Becnel recommends getting a cordless stick vacuum with a HEPA filter, like the Miele Triflex HX2. "HEPA filters suck up so many harmful particles in your home," she explains.
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.
How We Tested Cordless Stick Vacuums
We tested 15 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. We recorded everything from unboxing thoughts to suction power. After opening the vacuum's box, our testers timed precisely how long it took to assemble each vacuum based on the brand's instructions. After weighing the assembled vacuums, we used a stopwatch to see how long the batteries lasted on low and high power while continuously moving them back and forth. 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.
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. Lastly, 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.
When to Buy
The best time to buy a cordless stick vacuum is during the spring. Many manufacturers run sales when shoppers are in the "spring cleaning" spirit, plus they need to clear their current inventory to make room for new releases in June.
Beyond that, you'll often see discounts during the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year's Day), especially on or around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many brands run sales on other bank holidays, too, like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
Related: 100 Best Amazon Memorial Day Deals to Shop This Weekend
People / Henry Wortock
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cordless vacuum is the best value for the money?
When it comes to overall value, the best cordless stick vacuum is the Eufy by Anker HomeVac H30 Infinity. This reasonably-priced vacuum cleaner performed very well in all our tests, sucking up all kinds of messes on both hard floors and carpet. But if you have a slightly higher budget, the Tineco Pure One S11 Tango is also a wise investment.
Is a cordless Dyson or Shark better?
According to our tests, Dyson makes superior cordless vacuums. Having said that, it depends on the model and what type of flooring you're working with. For instance, the Dyson Omni-Glide+ Vacuum 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).
What is the highest-rated cordless stick vacuum cleaner?
The highest-rated cordless stick vacuum cleaner on Amazon is the Fabuletta 24 Kpa Cordless Vacuum (Amazon's choice) or the Shark IX141 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum, which has slightly more reviews. But based on our tests, the best option is the Eufy by Anker HomeVac H30 Infinity Cordless Vacuum.
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. While researching cordless stick vacuums, we spoke with cleaning expert Hailey Becnel on what to look for when shopping for the right vacuum.
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.
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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