The best cordless stick vacuums are light, maneuverable and easy to store while still being capable of delivering a proper deep clean. Plus, many models come with various attachments that allow the device to fit under furniture and into hard-to-reach crevices. For most people, our top recommendation is the Dyson V15 Detect, a powerful model with a spacious dust bin and multiple attachments that works well on hard floors and carpet alike.
Some of the best cordless stick vacuums come from Miele, Samsung and Dyson.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers
Unsure if a cordless stick vacuum is right for you? Compared to traditional upright vacuums, these devices are “a great tool for those looking for an easy-to-use, convenient cleaning item,” says Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority. “They’re usually lighter than other types of vacuums, and because of the cordless design, you can seamlessly move from one room to another without needing to find a new wall outlet.” Whatever you’re looking for, odds are there’s a stick vacuum on our list that fits the bill. Ahead, find the best cordless stick vacuums to keep your home dust- and dirt-free.
Battery life: 60 minutes | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Compatible floor types: Hard floor, carpet | Attachments: Crevice tool, combination tool, hair screw tool and more
Pros:
Powerful suction
Anti-tangle comb
Laser dirt detection
Cons:
Expensive
If you need a powerful vacuum to quickly and efficiently clean everyday messes as well as deep-clean hard floors and rugs, the Dyson V15 Detect is up to the challenge. During our rigorous testing, we found this cordless stick vacuum is a high-tech option that uses lasers to reveal microscopic dust and optimizes suction and run time based on dust level and floor type. In other words, it makes vacuuming pretty effortless. As an added bonus, it works well on just about every floor type: the Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head finds hidden dust on hard floors and the High torque cleaner head adapts to any floor type. One of the coolest features is that it calculates and categorizes particles as it picks them up and shows them to you on an LCD screen. (Interested in learning more about this vacuum? Read our full review here.)
Weighing in at just over 5 pounds, this vacuum is lightweight yet powerful, on top of being affordable. Though it doesn’t have the longest runtime, it has the most important qualities that the best cordless stick vacuums offer: It’s slim and easy to maneuver into tight corners and under furniture, as it can lie flat. And if you need a little extra power while vacuuming on carpet, you can increase the suction with the flick of the button. What’s more, it isn’t too noisy, and it has LED lights to help illuminate poorly lit areas of the house. Lastly, it easily converts into a handheld vacuum, with the usual accessories for cleaning upholstery and crevices.
Best Cordless Stick Vacuum For Hard-To-Reach Places
A Maneuverable Model With A 180-Degree Swivel Head
With its lightweight design, the Samsung Jet 75 Cordless Stick Vacuum is a top pick for cleaning hardwood, tile, carpet and hard-to-reach places. Weighing only 6 pounds, this stick vacuum is easy to maneuver under sofas, on stairs and over the tops of wooden blinds. It has a 180-degree swivel head that lets you change direction without much effort, and a high-capacity dustbin that you don’t have to empty too often.
The five-layer filtration system captures pet dander, pollen and other allergens, trapping dust and up to 99.999% of fine particles so you can breathe better. And the Jet Cyclone technology keeps dirt and debris from building up in the filter, eliminating clogs. A single charge will give you 60 minutes of runtime.
The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal was specifically designed with pets in mind. The vacuum’s main brush head has a 3D “vanes” design to prevent clumps of hair from tightening around it as you vacuum, along with comb-like teeth that smooth out hairs and pull them into the canister. In short, the motor can quickly and efficiently remove clumps of fur and dander from low-pile and high-pile rugs without too much effort. As an added bonus, our testing revealed that the vacuum can also easily tackle long strands of human hair which usually other vacuums tend to struggle with. The vacuums also comes with a hair screw tool attachment that powerfully sucks in fur clumps from smaller surfaces like upholstered chairs and sofas.
The MieleTriflex HX1 can be configured in three different ways, allowing you to use it for more jobs around your home. You can attach the vacuum’s Power unit, which houses the motor, to either the top or bottom of the stick, changing the balance of the vacuum to make it easier to clean under furniture or up along the ceiling. It can also be used as a handheld vacuum and it comes with a variety of attachments, including a dusting brush and crevice nozzle.
The vacuum can run for up to 60 minutes per charge and its Lifetime Filter retains 99.9% of dust. Unlike most stick vacuums, it can “self-park” in an upright position, saving you from having to lean it up against something.
Best Upgrade Cordless Stick Vacuum
A Dyson Vacuum Equipped With The Latest Technology
An upgraded version of the Dyson V15 Detect (our favorite cordless stick vacuum overall), the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute Vacuum is equipped with the latest technology from the appliance brand. During our rigorous testing for best vacuums, we discovered it easily tackled debris from low-pile carpet, high-pile carpet and hardwood flooring. And at 7.7 pounds, it’s fairly lightweight, easy to maneuver and move between floors. The vacuums also comes with a Digital Motorbar (a standard Dyson vacuum head) and a Fluffy Optic head, an attachment that uses a precisely angled arc of green light to illuminate dirt and pet hair. And at 70 minutes, it has plenty of battery life. The coolest feature though? The vacuum’s screen displays the number and size of particles you’ve vacuumed up, that makes cleaning almost feel like a video game rather than a chore. (If you want to learn more about this vacuum, check out our full review of the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute Vacuum.)
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted editors, like all consumers, want products that work efficiently, hold up over time and help make daily living a little bit easier. Because we’ve published plenty of stories on vacuum cleaners, our editors are extremely well-versed on the subject. We’ve conducted hands-on testing of Dyson vacuums, best robot vacuums for pet hair, best vacuum cleaners and so much more.
The authors of this story, Korin Miller and Camryn Rabideau, are seasoned product reviewers who frequently contribute to Forbes Vetted’s home section.
To better understand the utility of these devices, we consulted two experts: Becky Rapinchuk, the founder of Clean Mama, a popular cleaning website that also includes an organic line of cleaning products; and Leanne Stapf, the COO of The Cleaning Authority, a house cleaning service that caters to clients across the United States and Canada.
We regularly update articles to ensure all information is accurate and that products are in stock and correctly priced. We last reviewed this story in August 2024.
How We Chose The Best Cordless Stick Vacuums
To determine the best cordless stick vacuums, we started by consulting with cleaning experts to see which features are important to seek out when shopping for one of these devices.
We identified popular, top-rated models from trusted brands like Dyson, Miele, Samsung and more.
We tested several popular models (including all the winning Dyson vacuums that make this list) to see how they perform in real-world conditions.
When evaluating vacuums, we considered battery life, suction power, ease of use and value.
Reviews from fellow owners were also considered to get a sense of how these machines perform across different households.
What To Look For In A Cordless Stick Vacuum
Thinking of investing in a cordless stick vacuum? Here are the factors to keep in mind as you consider models.
Floor Type
Many cordless stick vacuums can handle all types of flooring. However, they’re traditionally known as being tools that can excel over hardwood, tile and vinyl, says Rapinchuk. That’s why she recommends cordless stick vacuums for “anyone that frequently vacuums and has hard surface floors.”
But Stapf notes that some cordless stick vacuums are also excellent on carpet. “Similar to a regular vacuum, they have various levels of strength and mixed capabilities, which will determine how well they clean different surfaces,” she says. “If you’re unsure if your vacuum is suitable for your floor type, check the product manual prior to using.”
Convertibility
Some cordless stick vacuums have convertible features that allow them to morph from an upright-type vacuum to a tool that’s better suited for tasks other than tackling your floors. The Samsung Jet 75 Complete Cordless Stick Vacuum, for example, can convert to a tool that’s ideal for vacuuming countertops and upholstery, alon
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