The Best Cordless Vacuums for Effortless Cleaning on All Types of Floors
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If you're tired of big, bulky vacuums and constantly wrestling with unwieldy cords, a cordless vacuum might be a better option for you. While they are typically more of a splurge than traditional options, cordless vacuums are convenient enough to make the investment worth it.
To help you on your search, we tapped home improvement and lifestyle expert Kathryn Emery to share her best advice on buying a cordless vacuum. "First decide what you are going to use it for," says Emery. "Will you be bringing it up and down stairs? Then you'll want something lightweight. Do you have small corners and tight spaces? Prioritize maneuverability and attachments. Do you have a pet that sheds hair? Consider a pet-rated model. Or do you have a large space to cover? Then you'll want something with a long lithium-ion battery life."
Thanks to technological advancements in this category, even within the past few years, there are top-of-the-line options out there that cover all of the above. "Cordless vacuums are much more compact and can get into tighter spaces without giving up too much power," Emory says. "Lithium-ion technology is solid these days." And while cordless machines have many benefits, you'll need to remember to charge the battery, and they can be more expensive than corded versions, she says.
Bottom line? We spend so much time in our homes, and things get messy fast, which is exactly why finding a quality product that cuts down on cleaning time is a game changer. See our picks for the best cordless vacuums on the market.
Shop the Best Cordless Vacuums
Best Overall: Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum
Best Rated: Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Cordless Vacuum
Most Versatile: Miele Triflex HX1 Vacuum
Best for Pet Hair: Bissell Icon Pet Stick Vacuum
Best for Carpets: Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum
Best for Hard Floors: Tineco A11 Hero Cordless Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Best Budget: Aposen Cordless 4-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner
Best Handheld: Black + Decker Dustbuster Handheld Cordless Vacuum
Best Lightweight: Eufy by Anker HomeVac S11 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Best Upright Vacuum: Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet Cordless Upright Vacuum
Related: The 9 Best Canister Vacuum Cleaners for Spotless Floors
Best Overall: Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum
Dyson is the pioneer in the cordless vacuum industry," says Emery. Yes, this machine is an investment, but it boasts twice the suction power of any cordless vacuum, comes with a 60-minute run time, and captures particles as small as allergens and bacteria. It automatically adjusts the motor speed between carpets and hard floors, and it can transform into a handheld vacuum for upholstery and tight corners. It even comes with several attachments, including a mini motorized tool, a crevice tool, a dirt brush, and a combination tool.
Unsurprisingly, reviewers love this Dyson for its long-lasting battery, powerful suctioning, and versatile attachments. One shopper even commented that guests are shocked to find out they have pets because their floors are so clean.
Best Rated: Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Cordless Vacuum
This bagless option with high suction power is ideal for smaller homes, and it's reasonably priced to boot. The cordless vacuum has over 19,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and it's designed for pet owners to successfully eradicate hair from both hard floors and carpets.
"This is a small but powerful vacuum," a reviewer wrote. "Very convenient to store and charge, and it's excellent for pet hair pick-up on short pile carpets and wood floors."
Most Versatile: Miele Triflex HX1 Vacuum
This stick vacuum has a moveable power unit and dirt cup, making it an excellent choice if versatility is a priority for you. Simply place the power unit just below the handle to reach tighter spaces or closer to the floor for larger areas. Or you can detach it entirely for a handheld iteration that's perfect for cleaning the car. Along with the multiple configurations, the three-in-one vacuum comes with three attachments to help with dusting and cleaning pet hair.
Best for Pet Hair: Bissell Icon Pet Stick Vacuum
Bissell's cordless stick vacuum is specifically made for pet hair and features a tangle-free brush roll that picks up everything in its wake. It has three speeds and a 30-minute run time. Plus, when it converts into a handheld vacuum, you can easily clean upholstery and stairs. It does an "excellent job with cat hair, litter tracks, and food messes," according to one shopper. Other reviewers appreciate the LED lights for hard-to-see messes.
Best for Carpets: Shark Anti-Allergen Pet Power Cordless Stick Vacuum
If you're always cleaning up dog or cat hair from your carpets, consider this pet-specific HEPA model from Shark. It transforms from a stick to a handheld vacuum, so it's easy to clean pet hair in couch crevices and other hard-to-reach nooks. The best part? The brushroll is made with fins instead of bristles to prevent tangling hair as you vacuum. Plus, over 5,000 Amazon shoppers give it five stars with many praising the lightweight vacuum for picking up "tons of pet hair."
Best for Hard Floors: Tineco A11 Hero Cordless Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Tineco's stick vacuum features a washable HEPA filter, four brush attachments, and a long-lasting battery that runs for up to 40 minutes. It has LED lights for easy visibility and three power modes to remove dirt from hard floors. And it seamlessly converts into a handheld vacuum.
"I am thrilled with this vacuum cleaner," this shopper said. "Goodbye to the old corded vacuums. This is so easy to use and comes with a number of attachments. The lighting at the front of the long wand is amazing—it shows the smallest bits of dirt."
Best Budget: Aposen Cordless 4-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner
Searching for an affordable and lightweight model? This cordless vacuum from Aposen is for you. It has a 30-minute run time, which isn't as long as say, a Dyson—but it weighs just over 5 pounds, which means even kids can get in on the chores. It also comes with a HEPA filter that picks up 99.9 percent of particles and a variety of dust-busting attachments.
Best Handheld: Black + Decker Dustbuster Handheld Cordless Vacuum
If you're in the market for a handheld vacuum instead of a stick, consider this Black + Decker Dustbuster that maneuvers easily and won't take up precious storage space. It has a 180-degree rotating nozzle with a crevice tool and flip brush to effectively remove dirt and hair from your car, upholstery, and banisters.
"Having three dogs who all shed, it seems I can never find a spot around me that doesn't have dog hair or food, but as soon as I got this it all changed," wrote one five-star review. "This little vacuum packs a punch with the suction. The battery life typically lasts around 20-30 minutes, but if used intermittently the life will last much longer. Definitely a well spent item, and very convenient for my family."
Best Lightweight: Eufy by Anker HomeVac S11 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
If you want a versatile cordless vacuum that's less expensive than a Dyson and don't mind sacrificing some run time, this is the model for you. Eufy's cordless stick vacuum weighs only 2 pounds, so you can effortlessly navigate through your home for 10 to 40 minutes at a time depending on the power mode. It comes with a variety of attachments and converts into a handheld vacuum. Reviewers specifically love how it cleans their hard floors and low pile carpets; some even said that it's thin enough to wiggle underneath furniture.
Best Upright Vacuum: Hoover Onepwr Evolve Pet Cordless Upright Vacuum
This cordless vacuum from Hoover is another pet-specific model. It's a bit bulkier than Shark's iteration—but it's a little more versatile. With an antimicrobial brush-roll, a pet odor filter, and three speed settings, the machine makes it simple to clean up after the furrier members of your family. Shoppers love the vacuum for removing pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from all types of flooring.
