The 12 Best Cordless Vacuums, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum

$300 at Amazon $350 at Walmart

We think this Tineco pick is the best cordless vacuum for most people. We were impressed with its performance in every part of our evaluations, from the simple setup to the ease of emptying the dustbin. It was extremely effective at picking up all kinds of debris, even on high-pile carpets and grouted tile floors. This vacuum was able to clean up at least 90% of the debris from the ground in our testing, only struggling with Cheerios.

This pick stood out not only for its lightweight and easy-to-maneuver design but also for its ability to transition easily from hardwood to carpet. We appreciate its strong suction power, which remained consistent throughout testing. Plus, this cordless vacuum also offers useful high-tech features. The smart sensor detects dust, dander, and hair, adjusting the suction power as needed, while the handy ring changes colors to indicate when a surface is completely clean. The vacuum can even connect to WiFi and sync with the brand's app to provide maintenance reminders and monitor battery levels (but it still works without WiFi).

The manufacturer claims that this cordless vacuum has a battery life of up to 40 minutes, but since it automatically adjusts suction power based on the floor type and mess, it lasted only 31 minutes in our tests. The battery is also removable, so those with large spaces to clean should consider keeping an additional battery on hand.

Weight: 5.73 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.6 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes

Best Budget

Wowgo S108 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Orig. $100 $89 at Amazon

Despite being the most reasonably priced option on our list, the Wowgo S108 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner rivals pricier vacuums with its performance. The vacuum cut through messes in just 30 to 60 seconds, taking at most a few passes to clean up hair, coffee grounds, and other debris.

It proved to be fast acting on hardwoods and carpets, and when its head was too bulky to target cracks and corners, one of its four attachments always did the trick. The mini cleaning brush is perfect for stair corners, the crevice nozzle is great for upholstered furniture, and the telescopic tube is ideal for hard-to-reach shelves. We found it genuinely easy to switch attachments as we cleaned, and since the vacuum is so lightweight, it’s easy to tote around. 

It lost points, however, for maneuverability: Its low-profile head easily slides under furniture, but it swivels so loosely that it’s hard to control. And while the vacuum’s 1-liter dustbin is generally easy to empty, it got tangled up when we tested it on hair. (We later discovered that the dustbin breaks into smaller pieces, which admittedly made it easier to empty.)

We also appreciated the vacuum’s quiet operation and long-lasting battery. We measured its noise reading at just 75 decibels, meaning you can comfortably watch TV while using it. This model even lasted 44 minutes in low-power mode—four minutes longer than advertised. Its high-power mode runtime fell short of expectations, but that was true of most vacuums we tested, and there wasn't a significant performance difference when switching between low and high power modes. The device has retained it's battery life throughout six months of use, though we did notice a lull in suction power at the five-month mark. That said, this vacuum isn't the most durable choice, especially for those tackling large quantities of pet hair. But if you're willing to put in some necessary maintenance, we think the lower price tag makes up for it.

Weight: 4.62 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 1 liter | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes

Best Splurge

Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum

Orig. $950 $776 at Amazon $950 at Target $950 at Dyson.com

The Dyson Gen5detect earned high marks in every category, impressing us with its performance, battery life, and easy-to-use design. The vacuum is so quiet you can talk on the phone while using it, but it’s also incredibly powerful. It cleaned our hard floors in 47 to 70 seconds and worked even faster on rugs and carpets, removing debris in 23 to 39 seconds. Thanks to its laser light, this vacuum allows you to see otherwise invisible debris, resulting in a more thorough clean. Unlike many other vacuums, this one never blew dust in the air. And when we caught it pushing around debris, specifically Cheerios, we simply tilted the vacuum’s head, and it sucked the mess right up. 

The vacuum’s attachments are handy; The Fluffy Optic cleaner is great on hard surfaces, the crevice tool is perfect for shelves and carpeted stairs, and the hair screw tool works like a dream on carpets, sucking up 99% of debris with just one swipe. Changing the attachments can be a hassle, but the vacuum is so nimble that you’ll rarely need to. The swiveling head turns with a flick of the wrist, effortlessly sliding under cabinets, into stair corners, and around furniture legs without leaving debris behind. This model also boasts a long-lasting battery: While its 51-minute runtime fell short of the 70 minutes advertised, the vacuum still got through our tests without recharging. Even after three months of use, the vacuum is still exceeding our expectations.

At 7.72 pounds, this vacuum is one of the heaviest on our list, and the longer we cleaned, the more we felt that weight. This pick is also expensive, and we would sacrifice some of its features to save money. Still, this vacuum’s powerful performance and user-friendly design make it one of the best we tested, and we ultimately think it’s worth the splurge.

Weight: 7.72 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.76 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 70 minutes

Best Lightweight

Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum

$349 at Amazon $350 at Target $350 at Dyson.com

If the floors in your home are primarily hardwood, laminate, or tile, then we recommend the Dyson Omni-Glide+. This slim vacuum is specially designed with two soft rollers that are gentle on hard surfaces. It’s extremely easy to maneuver, too: It goes wherever you want it to go (even side to side!) without you having to pick it up and reposition it, and it can lie flat on the ground for cleaning under furniture. This vacuum is also very lightweight, requiring zero effort for us to lift it to the highest shelf on a bookcase or the top of stairs. 

Since it’s only meant to be used on hard floors, we tested this Dyson vacuum only on grouted tile and hardwood (not carpets) and we found that it effectively picked up almost all of the debris and hair within a minute. But its compact design also means that the dustbin fills up quickly. So if you frequently have big messes to clean up, this vacuum likely won’t be able to replace your full-size model.

Dyson claims this vacuum has a runtime of 20 minutes, which we found to be surprisingly accurate: In our tests, it ran for 21 minutes on low power (8.5 minutes on high) before the battery died. After three months of consistent use, this model maintained its superb performance. Although we found the upright handle a bit awkward to grip, we think the vacuum’s effective performance makes up for any discomfort. 

The regular Dyson Omni-Glide used to be our top pick for hard floors, but we’ve replaced it with the Omni-Glide+ because it comes with additional tools that you’ll probably find useful, such as a mini motorized tool (great for stairs and mattresses) and a crevice tool with LED lights (for cleaning tight, dark areas). But if you aren’t big on vacuum attachments anyway, then you can save some money by opting for the regular Omni-Glide, which still comes with one combination/crevice tool for getting in narrow spaces.

Weight: 4.2 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.2 liters | HEPA Filter: No | Runtime: Up to 20 minutes

Best Self-Emptying

Shark WS642AE Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum

Orig. $330 $250 at Amazon $330 at Wayfair View on Sharkclean.com

The Shark Wandvac is much smaller than many of the other cordless vacuums we tested, which makes it great for maneuvering around and underneath furniture. The tradeoff for its compact size, however, is a smaller dustbin, which requires more frequent emptying. That’s where this vacuum’s star feature comes into play. Unlike other models on our list, this vacuum has a self-emptying base—a feature typically only seen in robot vacuums. This means that the dustbin will automatically empty itself when docked to the base, so you don’t have to stand over a garbage can or use your hands. Plus, the base has HEPA filtration to prevent dust from recirculating in the air.

Even though this vacuum ended up earning a pretty good rating from our tests, it’s worth noting that it didn’t work as expected the first time we tried to use it. Despite the initial difficulty, the vacuum performed well on its second go, picking up both food and hair debris with just a few passes. After six months of use, the vacuum held up impressively well. Just keep in mind that this pick has the shortest battery life of the models on our list—just 15 minutes—so it's best for quick touchups and cleaning small spaces.

Weight: 13.85 pounds (including base) | Dustbin Capacity: 0.12 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 15 minutes

Best for Pet Hair

Tineco Pure One S15 Pro

$400 at Amazon

Anyone with a pet knows the struggle of finding fur on nearly every surface in the home, which is why it’s important to have a powerful vacuum to combat all the hair. While the Tineco Pure One S15 Pro wasn't overly powerful on auto mode, once on max mode, it picked up all of the kibble and pet hair with just a couple of passes. We were especially impressed by the tangle-free brush—even after vacuuming up our dog's long pet hair, we observed hardly any tangles.

Thanks to its lightweight design, we found this vacuum fairly easy to maneuver, and it transitioned well between surfaces. The handheld is a bit heavy, though. We appreciate that this vacuum activates with a single-push button rather than a continuous trigger, and it adjusts the level of suction power depending on how dirty the floor is. It also features LED lights to help you identify hidden debris. However, we found the suction a bit too powerful for certain rugs, even on manual mode.

All of the attachments fit easily on the charging stand, allowing for tidy storage. It comes with an app to track cleaning history and remind you when to change the filters. Plus, it's very easy to empty—it comes with a handy lever to empty the dust cup, minimizing the mess and hassle. It's worth noting that this unit is on the louder side, consistently running between 75 and 80 decibels. We also don't love that it talks to you when you place it on the charger or when the battery is low.

Overall, this model is any pet parent's paradise. Plus, it's durable. It maintained its performance throughout six months of use, even remaining unscathed after a heavy fall. We think this is a powerful, long-lasting choice.

Weight: 6.8 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.3 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes

Best for Hard Floors

Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum

$230 at Amazon $291 at Wayfair Orig. $400 $300 at Target

The Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum cleaned hardwood floors in 34 seconds and worked even faster on carpets, making it an ideal pick for carpeted spaces. In our testing, this vacuum removed hair, food, and coffee grounds with minimal effort. We were also impressed that its suction power never waned, even when its battery was low and the dustbin filled with debris. 

The vacuum stands out due to its maneuverability—it handles tight spaces and sharp corners with ease, and its crevice tool works wonders on upholstery, removing debris in a single pass. We also found the dustbin surprisingly easy to empty, as most debris—except for hair—fell right out. The only problem? Like many other cordless vacuums, this one is top heavy. It stayed put when we leaned it against the wall (many cordless vacuums don’t), but our forearms still felt sore after cleaning. 

In low-power mode, the vacuum works like a dream. It was quiet enough that we could comfortably chat while using it, and its battery lasted 39 minutes—nearly as long as promised. In high-power mode, however, the vacuum left a lot to be desired. It was noisy and died after just eight minutes of use, which was in sharp contrast to its efficacy in low-power mode. Still, we rarely needed the extra power, so these downsides were easy to overlook. P

After six months of use, this vacuum is still working great. We've noticed no quality issues or changes in battery life, and we haven't needed to clean the filters yet, either. With its powerful performance and budget-friendly price point, this stick vacuum offers incredible value. In fact, some of us were so impressed with it that we even ordered them for ourselves as soon as the test ended.

Weight: 7 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.6 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes

Best for Large Spaces

Dyson Outsize+

Orig. $950 $715 at Amazon Orig. $600 $510 at Walmart $600 at Dyson.com

With its extra-large dustbin and extra-long runtime, the Dyson Outsize+ is ideal for cleaning large spaces. The vacuum’s dustbin holds 1.89 liters of debris—three times as much as our overall favorite—and it lasts about an hour on a full charge. While other models on our list promised similar runtimes, only one other actually delivered (the Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum). Plus, this vacuum has an extra 60-minute battery, which you can use while waiting for the other to recharge.

This model automatically adapts to different surfaces, so you can move from room to room without adjusting settings. During testing, it effectively cleaned hardwood floors, shag-like carpets, denser carpets, concrete, and couch and chair cushions. The vacuum removed debris from every surface in just a few passes, and its brush roll never got tangled, even when we tested it on hair. The vacuum also comes with eight different attachments, including a Hair Screw tool that removes pet hair from upholstery, and a Laser Slim Fluffy head, which pinpoints fine dirt and makes hard floors look polished. After six months of use, the vacuum is still meeting our standards—the device is easy to maneuver, the battery life is unchanged, and the suction is strong, However, some of us found that the smaller attachments became a bit less effective over time.

Though the vacuum was easy to use, it weighs nearly 8 pounds, making it a bit cumbersome to maneuver. It doesn’t have a “continuous use” mode, either, so you have to hold down a button the whole time you clean. Despite rivaling our Best Splurge pick in pricing, we think this expensive model’s effective performance makes it worth every penny. It’s quiet, long lasting, effective, easy to use, and easy to empty—everything a great cordless vacuum should be.

Weight: 7.9 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 1.89 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 120 minutes (with two batteries)

Most Versatile

Samsung Jet 90 Cordless Stick Vacuum

$636 at Amazon $499 at Samsung

It's crucial to find a vacuum equipped to handle all sorts of flooring and types of debris, and the Samsung Jet 90 Complete Cordless Stick Vacuum checks all the boxes. This vacuum required 28 passes to fully clean hardwood and 34 passes for high-pile carpet, though the turbo brush did jam on the high pile. It transitioned seamlessly between surfaces, with attachments that were easy to switch. The extendable stem allowed us to reach hard-to-access locations, while the swivel head made maneuvering tight corners a breeze. We also appreciated the grips at the base of the canister, which kept the vacuum secure when leaned against the wall.

The vacuum offers three suction settings suitable for different surfaces and debris types, each one a bit louder than the previous. While the minimum suction was quiet enough for conversation, the maximum suction proved to be a bit more disruptive. Unlike other models, this vacuum activates with the click of a single button on the touchscreen, so you won't need to continuously hold down a trigger as you clean. It ran for 39 minutes on low power mode and just under 10 minutes on high power mode. The battery life was long enough to last the whole test, featuring three blue lights to indicate the level of charge.

Wig hair did get caught in the brush roll of our soft action brush and turbo brush, requiring manual removal. However, despite these tangles, we were impressed to find that the strong suction power never wavered. Our only complaint involves the emptying process. While most vacuums empty above the garbage can, this one required us to manually take the bin apart and empty it ourselves. The process proved to be rather messy, causing dust and debris to spread through the air. Nevertheless, we think this is a small tradeoff given the vacuum's versatility and impressive performance.

Weight: 6.2 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.8 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 1 hour

Best Quiet

Britech Stick Vacuum

Orig. $200 $180 at Amazon

While some vacuums are loud and disruptive, we were amazed by how quietly the Britech Cordless Lightweight Stick Vacuum operated. In fact, it was so quiet that we could easily hold a conversation or listen to music while cleaning. Beyond its unobtrusiveness, this vacuum also boasted an impressive performance, able to pick up 90% to 95% of debris with a single pass. While we found it to be a bit more effective on hardwood than carpet, it excelled on both surfaces.

Navigating this model around furniture was a breeze, and it transitioned seamlessly between carpet and hardwood. Since this vacuum is pretty lightweight, it glided easily and pushing it required little power. Plus, it can transition to a handheld model. We're big fans of the nozzle attachment, which did a great job navigating tight creases and corners. Unlike other nozzles that feel like they fight against you, this vacuum's suction was just right, allowing for easy movement. Detaching and reattaching the nozzle was easy, too.

The top of the handle has a touch screen that indicates the battery life, which showed 60% battery at the end of our tests. We found that the bin doesn't open when attached to the vacuum, preventing any accidental spills and messes, though it does require two hands to empty. There wasn't much hair tangled in the brushes after vacuuming the hardwood, but more accumulated after vacuuming the carpet and high-pile rug. However, thanks to the brush's soft design, we found it very easy to clean remove the hair.

Weight: 8.05 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: Not listed | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes

Best for Carpet

Dreametech R20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

$450 at Amazon View on Dreametech.com

If you're looking for a vacuum to tackle even the highest-pile carpet, you can't go wrong with the Dreametech R20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. This vacuum worked wonders on carpet and hard surfaces, even picking up crumbs from our sofa. It has five attachments: a multi-surface brush, a soft roller brush, a motorized mini brush, an extendable crevice tool, and a wide combination tool. We found the multi-surface brush, soft roller brush, and motorized mini brush to be effective on a variety of surfaces, including hard floors, area rugs, carpeted rooms, and even car mats. The crevice tool, on the other hand, was a bit flimsy.

We appreciate this pick's reliability, adaptability, and sheer power. It's super lightweight at just 10 pounds and can convert into a handheld vacuum, offering additional flexibility. It's worth noting that the handheld vac was a bit bulky, though, making it less suitable for tight crevices.

The vacuum features dirt detection technology, automatically adjusting the level of suction depending on the amount of debris. We found this feature very satisfying, with red lights indicating large quantities of dust and blue indicating lesser amounts. It boasts a 90-minute battery life, long enough to last for heavy-duty tasks. Emptying the vacuum was also easy, requiring just the click of a button to release the gunk. After six months of use, this vacuum is still our go-to pick for quick cleanups. It's easy to use and easy to care for, making it a convenient choice for any last minute task.

Weight: 10.14 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.6 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 90 minutes

Best Vacuum Mop

Tineco FLOOR ONE S2

$330 at Target Orig. $299 $214 at Walmart

If you're looking for a device that can handle both dry debris and stubborn liquid stains, consider opting for a vacuum mop like the Tineco Floor One S2 Smart Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum. This model features smart technology that automatically adjusts its water output, brush roll speed, and suction according to the task at hand. During our testing, it transitioned seamlessly between carpet and hardwood, boasting the same effectiveness on both surface types.

Thanks to its lightweight design, the vacuum navigated effortlessly around chair legs, with the floor nozzle swiveling separately from the handle. It practically propelled itself around our apartment, maneuvering more easily than other options we've tested. The bumper bar on the vacuum's head did prevent it from getting flush against certain surfaces, but we don't consider this to be a dealbreaker. We appreciate that this unit is light enough to use on our pet stairs without tiring our arms and that it operates pretty silently. Plus, it charges quickly and boasts an impressive battery life—after cleaning our entire 600-square-foot apartment, the model still had around 75% battery remaining. Throughout six months of use, we've noticed no significant changes in quality or performance.

This vacuum quickly cleaned up cereal, dirt, and popcorn without spitting out any debris. Some of us did encounter some difficulties on our carpeted stairs and upholstered surfaces, though. While the vacuum had no problem sucking up larger particles, it struggled a bit with the fine dirt. Hair also posed a challenge, occasionally getting tangled in the brush roll. Although we wouldn't recommend this pick for pet owners, we think it's effectiveness, maneuverability, and quiet operation make it a good choice for anyone seeking a two-in-one cleaning device.

Weight: 13.2 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: Not listed | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 35 minutes