Similar to the technological progression of printers, drills, and phones, the cordless revolution has come for vacuums to offer users grab-and-go accessibility and more storage space in the closet. Those that have a large home may want to consider a cordless vacuum as supplementary to a corded model that won’t run out of power to do a thorough house cleaning. For speedy carpet and floor cleanups, however, a cordless vacuum is a timesaving investment.
The best cordless vacuum will depend on every user’s lifestyle, the type of flooring in the home, and whether there are pets sharing the space. And buying a quality product is paramount, as there are few things more frustrating than using a vacuum that doesn’t do its job well. Ahead, learn what factors to consider when shopping for a cordless vacuum and find out why the following cordless vacuums are top choices.
- BEST OVERALL: Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Cordless Vacuum
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: INSE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 23K Pa 250W 10-in-1
- UPGRADE PICK: Dyson Cyclone V10 Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Eureka Stylus Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- BEST HANDHELD: Onson Cordless Vacuum, 4 in 1 Lightweight Handheld
- BEST FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS: Whall Cordless Vacuum Cleaner 4 in 1
- BEST FOR PET HAIR: Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- BEST FOR STAIRS: Black+Decker Furbuster Handheld Vacuum
How We Chose the Best Cordless Vacuums
We researched the most sought-after cordless vacuums in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their type, weight and maneuverability, dust and debris capacity, included accessories, and other special features included by top brands.
After extensive product research, we included options in our list of top picks that were upright, stick, and handheld in design to suit multiple consumer preferences. We also included cordless vacuum cleaners with lightweight constructions for easy maneuvering and large dust, debris, and pet hair capacities to make light and heavy cleaning jobs a cinch.
As for ease of use and convenience, we selected cordless vacuum cleaners that could tackle any vacuuming job from cleaning floors, furniture and upholstery, draperies, tight spaces, and more with the help of floorheads, crevice tools, brush heads, dusting brushes, and more. Plus, many of these cordless vacuum cleaners come with wall-mounted chargers, swivel heads, and LED lights for added convenience.
Our Top Picks
To qualify as a top pick, a cordless vacuum should have enough suction to clean up everyday floor messes, and both it and its attachments should be easy to use. It should also come with a battery that’s powerful enough to keep the vacuum running as long as users need to complete a cleaning chore. The following cordless vacuums are well-suited to various types of floors and lifestyle situations—one is sure to be an asset in any cleaning arsenal.
Photo: amazon.com
Get the handiness of a cordless vacuum without spending a fortune. The Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Cordless Vacuum offers battery-powered convenience in a classic upright style. The vacuum comes with a larger than average dustbin, so users won’t need to dump it as often, and it features swivel steering for maneuvering around chair and table legs. The Navigator has three LED lights along the front of the powerhead so users can see where they’re vacuuming, and it’s suitable for use on both carpets and hard floors.
Unlike other cordless vacuums, this option comes with a rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery that will power the upright vacuum for around 20 minutes. This is strictly a floor vacuum as it doesn’t come with any accessories, but it offers cordless convenience at an attractive price point.
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Suction power: 125 watts
- Battery life: 20 minutes
- Accessories: N/A
Pros
- Large dustbin with a .64-quart capacity for heavy-duty cleaning
- Swivel steering head for easy maneuvering
- 3 LED lights make it suitable for night cleaning and seeing dust and debris under furniture
Cons
- No accessories or attachments
- Not suitable for cleaning anything except flooring
Get the Shark cordless vacuum at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Photo: walmart.com
For a good cordless vacuum that cleans floors, windowsills, sofa cushions, and more, look no further than the INSE 250W 10-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. Weighing in at just 5.38 pounds, the INSE is easy to carry and maneuver. Its powerful, rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides powerful suction for up to 45 minutes on a single charge. The battery is removable for convenient charging.
This stick vacuum features a swivel powerhead and a jointed stick that allows the user to vacuum around chair legs and under furniture with ease. Unlike other cordless vacuums, the vacuum comes with several accessories, including a mini powerhead for use as a handheld option, a crevice attachment for ferreting crumbs from behind chair cushions, and a 2-in-1 brush. The INSE cordless vacuum is suitable for use on carpet or hard flooring.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Suction power: 23,000 Pa
- Battery life: 45 minutes
- Accessories: Mini powerhead, crevice tool, 2-in-1 brush, and flexible hose
Pros
- Suitable for use on multiple surfaces: floors, windowsills, upholstery, etc.
- Lightweight design; maneuverable and easy to carry
- Removable battery for easy charging between uses
- Swivel powerhead and jointed stick allow for maneuvering in tight spaces
Cons
- Hose is not electric; cannot be connected to a motorized attachment
- Filter should be washed once a month
Get the INSE cordless stick vacuum cleaner at Walmart.
Photo: amazon.com
With the ability to clean crumbs and debris from virtually any surface in a home, the Dyson V10 Lightweight Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is the ticket to a cleaner and healthier home. It comes with a powerful built-in lithium-ion battery and features a charging station/holder that can be mounted on a wall for recharging and storing. The Dyson V10 features a powerhead for picking up pet hair and crumbs from the carpet and converts to a handheld model for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and even car seats. The V10 comes with point-and-shoot bin dumping for reduced messes.
This vacuum comes with advanced filtration that captures particles as small as 0.3 microns so the air in any given home stays cleaner. Runtime is up to 60 minutes on a single charge. Users will also receive a mini powerhead for handheld use, a crevice tool, two brush attachments, and a combination tool.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Suction power: 151 air watts
- Battery life: 60 minutes
- Accessories: Mini motorized tool, crevice tool, 2 brush attachments, and a combination tool
Pros
- Charging station/holder included; convenient charger and storage solution
- Powerhead converts into handheld unit, plus a mini tool for cleaning multiple small surfaces
- Point-and-shoot bin for waste disposal
- Advanced filtration system captures debris as small as 0.3 microns
Cons
- Pricey compared to similar options
- Limited number of accessories compared to similar options
Get the Dyson Cyclone cordless vacuum at Amazon, Best Buy, or Dyson.
Photo: amazon.com
Weighing in at just over 5 pounds, the Eureka Stylus Deep Clean stick vacuum is easy to carry from room to room and a breeze to use. The stick handle lowers to a flat position for cleaning under sofas. With the Stylus’ powerful built-in lithium-ion battery, users can vacuum for up to 40 minutes on a single charge. The vacuum adjusts to clean both carpet and hard flooring and features LED lights on the front of the powerhead so users can see where they’re vacuuming.
For those that have had a stick vacuum in the past, users should already know it doesn’t stand up by itself when things need to be moved out of the way. The Eureka Stylus solves that problem by including an Easy Rest notch on the handle that allows users to balance the vacuum against a counter or a table.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Suction power: 350 watts
- Battery life: 40 minutes
- Accessories: Crevice tool, 2-in-1 brush tool, and wall mount
Pros
- Lightweight construction; easy to carry and maneuver
- Suitable for use on carpet, hardwood, upholstery, draperies, and more
- LED lights built-in; suitable for cleaning at night or spotting stray debris
- Easy Rest notch for taking breaks while cleaning
Cons
- Loud operating volume compared to similar options
Get the Eureka cordless stick vacuum cleaner on Amazon.
Photo: walmart.com
Just remove the tube extension on this cordless vacuum and connect the powerhead to the handle for a powerful handheld vacuum that will make quick work of cleaning upholstered furniture and stairs. The Onson 4-in-1 stick and handheld vacuum features an integrated lithium-ion battery that runs up to 25 minutes on a single charge. The Onson comes with a swivel head for vacuuming around furniture and LED lights for searching out hard-to-see dust.
Weighing in at just over 3 pounds, the vacuum is easy to carry and use. It comes with a wall-mount docking station for charging and storage. Unlike other cordless vacuums ,this pick’s accessories include a sofa brush, crevice tool, and hair-cleaning tool.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Suction power: 12,000 Pa
- Battery life: 25 minutes
- Accessories: Crevice tool and brush tool
Pros
- Works as a stick and handheld vacuum cleaner
- Swivel head for maneuvering in tight spaces
- LED lights built-in; suitable for cleaning at night or spotting stray debris
- 3-pound weight; easy to maneuver and carry
- Affordable price point compared to similar options
Cons
- Some users have reported poor-quality construction
Get the Onson cordless vacuum at Walmart.
Photo: amazon.com
Hardwood flooring is beautiful, but strong powerhead bristles may scratch the finish. For users that have hardwood flooring, check out the Whall 5-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, featuring an interchangeable fluff roller brush that won’t scratch wood floors. It also comes with a V-shaped brush roller for cleaning the carpet. The vacuum’s powerful lithium-ion battery provides up to 50 minutes of runtime, and users can adjust suction modes—use full suction on floors and delicate suction for cleaning dust from draperies or crumbs from tablecloths.
In addition to a standard filter, the Whall vacuum comes with a second high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to keep dust, pollen, and tobacco smoke from recirculating back into a home’s air. The powerhead features LED lights for illuminating dust and crumbs, and the vacuum comes with a detachable battery that can be charged in or out of the vacuum. Users will also receive a wall-mount bracket, a 2-in-1 brush, and a cleaning brush.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Suction power: 22,000 Pa
- Battery life: 50 minutes
- Accessories: Brush tool, fluff roller brush, V-shaped brush roller, and wall-mount bracket
Pros
- Strong powerhead bristles for heavy-duty cleaning
- Multiple suction modes for different cleaning types
- HEPA filter to filter dust, allergens, pollen, and odors
- Built-in LED lights for night cleaning and spotting unwanted dust and debris
Cons
- Internal filters need to be washed periodically to prevent malfunction
Get the Whall cordless vacuum on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
If users share their home with furry friends, they’ll likely enjoy the Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. Stiff nylon bristles on the powerhead brush roller coax hair and fur from even thick carpet fibers so visitors will never know they have a pet-friendly home, unless pets come out to greet them.
If users are not using a motorized accessory, the Dyson’s powerful lithium-ion battery offers up to 60 minutes of runtime. The high torque cleaner head automatically adjusts to deep clean pet hair out different floor types without having to change cleaner heads. The integrated battery charges when users put the vacuum in the wall-mount docking station.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Suction power: 120 watts
- Battery life: 60 minutes
- Accessories: Wall-mount docking station
Pros
- Stiff nylon bristles for sucking up pet hair and dander
- High torque cleaner head automatically adjusts to different floor types
- Wall-mounted docking station for charging and storage
Cons
- No accessories or attachments included
Get the Dyson V11 cordless vacuum on Amazon or at Dyson.
Photo: amazon.com
For cleaning either carpeted or hardwood stairs, check out the Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean+ cordless vacuum. It comes with a nozzle small enough to remove dust and debris from between balusters and features suction powerful enough to clean away dirt and crumbs embedded at the base of carpeted stair treads. It also comes with a powerhead with anti-tangle rubber bristles for lifting away pet fur from stair carpeting and has an optional extending tube for reaching into nooks and crannies.
Its 20-volt lithium-ion battery is integrated and charges by plugging the vacuum into a charger when not in use. This handheld vacuum will run up to about 30 minutes on a single charge.
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Suction power: 20 watts
- Battery life: 30 minutes
- Accessories: Crevice tool, washable filter, and pre-filter
Pros
- Powerhead with anti-tangle rubber bristles
- Suitable for cleaning in hard-to-reach and small spaces
- Lightweight and maneuverable
- 1-touch easy empty dustbin
Cons
- Small dustbin may need to be emptied frequently
Get the Black+Decker cordless vacuum on Amazon.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cordless Vacuum
In the past few years, cordless vacuums have exploded on the consumer market, turning a few manufacturers into household names. Cordless vacuums are lightweight, with many being stick-type models, although a few are upright vacuums; both types are powered by rechargeable batteries.
Power and Runtime
Cordless stick vacuums are not as powerful as corded vacuums, but they make up for in convenience what they lack in power. These vacuums run on lithium-ion batteries that range in capacity from 12 volts up to 40 volts; however, for decent suction, consider a stick vacuum with a battery that’s at least 18 volts.
Runtime is also associated with power, and batteries with higher voltages tend also to have longer runtimes. Expect a cordless stick vacuum to run anywhere from 15 to 50 minutes on a single charge. Vacuums with adjustable suction speeds will use up battery power more quickly on the higher speeds than on the lower speeds.
Battery Life
Expect a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to hold a full charge for up to three years, after which users may want to replace the battery if the vacuum seems to run out of steam quickly. For the best results, charge the battery after each use and don’t leave the vacuum in a sunny window, which can shorten the battery’s useful life.
Built-in vs. Swappable Batteries
Some cordless vacuums come with removable batteries designed to be charged with a separate charger, which may be more desirable than a vacuum featuring a built-in battery. With a removable battery, the user can buy a second battery to lengthen runtime or replace a worn battery with a new one. If the vacuum has a built-in battery, the whole vacuum must be replaced when the battery is no longer able to hold a good charge.
Maneuverability and Attachments
One of the most significant upsides to cordless stick-type vacuums is their light weight. Still, for the most thorough (and most effortless) vacuuming experience, look for a vacuum with a side-to-side swivel head that allows users to maneuver closely around furniture legs. A vacuum head that flattens out to allow it to slip under chairs and other furniture is another excellent feature.
The various attachments that come with a vacuum can also increase maneuverability. If the vacuum converts from a stick to a handheld vacuum, users will have the added ability to suck up crumbs from behind seat cushions and clean up debris and cobwebs from windowsills and room corners.
Dustbin
Don’t expect to find a large dustbin on a cordless vacuum—they typically come with relatively small collection bins that require frequent dumping. Unless a user’s home generates a lot of dust, pet hair, and debris, they can probably get by with dumping the bin just once or twice in a vacuuming session. The upside is that smaller dustbins are less cumbersome, so users can store the stick vacuum in a narrow spot in most closets.
FAQs
Cordless vacuums are, relatively, the new kids on the block, and while they’re convenient and don’t take up a lot of storage space, they’re not for everyone. If you’re shopping for your first cordless vacuum, you likely have some questions.
Q. Are corded vacuums more powerful than cordless models?
Yes, corded vacuums run on an endless supply of electricity when plugged into household outlets. They have more suction and never need charging.
Q. Are bagless vacuums better than those that use bags?
That all depends on your personal preference. Bagless vacuums don’t require buying replacement bags, so you’ll save some money there. But bagged vacuums trap more dust, so it doesn’t get back in the air; dumping a dustbin can be a pretty dusty affair.
Q. Are expensive vacuums worth it?
Premium vacuums tend to last longer because they contain higher-quality parts, and they may also be more powerful. If you think of a vacuum purchase as an investment in keeping your home clean, a more expensive vacuum might be just the ticket.
Q. How do you clean a cordless vacuum?
Dump the dustbin when it becomes full, and replace (or wash) the vacuum’s filter to keep it clean. The rollers on most vacuum powerheads can be taken out and cleaned to remove threads and string that tend to wind up around the rollers, making them less efficient.
Q. How long do cordless vacuums last?
You can expect to get 3 to 5 years of service from a typical cordless vacuum.
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