The 12 Best Cordless Vacuums, Tested and Reviewed
If you’re in the market for a lightweight vacuum cleaner, a cordless vacuum is the way to go. They’re much more compact than traditional upright vacuums, so they’re easier to maneuver—and you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet before you start cleaning.
To find the best cordless vacuums, we thoroughly tested more than 100 models on a range of debris and surfaces (hardwoods, carpet, and more), and evaluated them for effectiveness, noise level, battery life, overall value, and more. We even put each vacuum’s maneuverability to the test by setting up a living room obstacle course, complete with furniture, rugs, and floor lamps. For expert tips on choosing a cordless vacuum, we spoke to Jessica Samson, cleaning expert of The Maids; Len Morse, president of Vacuum World; Will Cotter, COO of HappyCleans; and Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority.
Shark WS642AE Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon
$330
$264
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This is a powerful smart vacuum that works well on various floor types.
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The dock can't stand on its own—it needs to be mounted to the wall.
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