We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Home Cleaning Cleaning Products The 10 Best Cordless Vacuums, Tested and Reviewed We've tested hundreds of vacuums, but these models stand out for their powerful suction and effectiveness. By Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist is a contributing writer for Real Simple. She covers fashion, home, and lifestyle products, including clothing, decor, furniture, and more. Her work has also appeared on MyDomaine, The Spruce, Byrdie, and Verywell. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer is a commerce writer for Real Simple. She has experience writing content for various digital publications including Parents, and is passionate about home, lifestyle, and beauty products. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 11, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects? Real Simple/Henry Wortock 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. “The most important factors to look at when choosing a cordless vacuum are weight, battery life, disposal system, attachments, and whether the vacuum is best for pet hair or [specific] floor types,” says Jessica Samson, cleaning expert of The Maids. Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority, agrees that attachments are particularly important. “Some accessories or attachments may [include] different types of brushes or suctions,” she says. “Some may even have a mop-like feature, which you can utilize on non-carpet flooring. These options can help clean different types of dirt and other waste, as well as help you clean hard-to-reach places throughout your house or apartment.” 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 Len Morse, president of Vacuum World, and Will Cotter, COO of HappyCleans, in addition to Samson and Stapf. Our Top Picks Best Overall Cordless Vacuum: Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum at Amazon ($300) Jump to Review Best Budget Cordless Vacuum: Wowgo S108 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner at Amazon ($100) Jump to Review Best Splurge Cordless Vacuum: Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum at Amazon ($666) Jump to Review Best Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair: Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($360) Jump to Review Best Cordless Vacuum for Hard Floors: Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum at Amazon ($272) Jump to Review Best Cordless Vacuum for Carpet: Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($230) Jump to Review Best Cordless Vacuum for Large Spaces: Dyson Outsize+ at Amazon ($724) Jump to Review Best Self-Emptying Cordless Vacuum: Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon ($268) Jump to Review Best Anti-Tangle Cordless Vacuum: Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum at Amazon ($291) Jump to Review Best Cordless Vacuum/Mop Combo: Dreametech H11 Max Wet and Dry Vacuum at Dreametech.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Overall Cordless Vacuum Tineco Pure One S11 Vacuum Tineco View On Amazon $300 View On Walmart $329 View On Tineco.com $350 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 5/5 Value 5/5 What Stands Out This is a powerful smart vacuum that works well on various floor types. What Could Be Improved 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 for things like maintenance reminders and 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, we found that it lasted only 31 minutes in our tests. The battery is 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 Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Budget Cordless Vacuum Wowgo S108 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $100 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.9/5 Maneuverability 4.6/5 Ease of Emptying 4.4/5 Portability 5/5 Value 5/5 What Stands Out Don’t let the price tag fool you: This vacuum is quiet, long-lasting, and effective. What Could Be Improved The vacuum’s head swivels liberally, making it hard to control. Though the Wowgo S108 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is the most affordable model on our list, it rivals pricier vacuums in terms of 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. The vacuum proved 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. Plus, we didn’t notice a significant performance difference when switching between low and high power modes. Weight: 4.62 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 1 liter | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 40 minutes Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Splurge Cordless Vacuum Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $666 View On Dyson.com $950 View On Best Buy $950 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 4.8/5 Value 4.5/5 What Stands Out The vacuum is quiet, effective, easy to use, and swivels around furniture without leaving debris behind. What Could Be Improved It’s a bit heavy, and we could do without some of the fancy features. 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 hard floors in 47 to 70 seconds and worked even faster on rugs and carpets, removing debris in 23 to 39 seconds. 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. 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 Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Cordless Vacuum for Pet Hair Samsung Jet 75 Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $360 View On Wayfair $499 View On Samsung $399 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4.3/5 Ease of Emptying 4.3/5 Portability 3.5/5 Value 2/5 What Stands Out This cordless vacuum is almost as powerful as a standard upright model, making it ideal for pet owners. What Could Be Improved The head is a bit bulky, which can make it hard to slide under low-lying furniture. 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. We think the Samsung Jet 75 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is the best option for pet owners because it was able to pick up 100% of the pet hair, long hair, and coffee grounds on every surface we tested it on—including high-pile carpet. Some of us would even go as far as to say that this vacuum is the best we’ve ever used at eliminating pet hair from carpet, though it did leave some debris behind when used on hardwood. This cordless vacuum’s head is slightly bulkier than some others we tested, which made it a little harder to clean tight spaces without using the crevice tool. Still, it was pretty easy to use, maneuvering well around furniture and other objects in our testing. Just keep in mind that it may miss smaller objects, like popcorn kernels, in the recessed spaces when transitioning between surfaces. Since the brush head is 2.5 inches high, it won't fit under anything lower than that. It’s also worth noting that this vacuum’s battery life didn’t last as long as the manufacturer advertises. While it claims to run for up to 60 minutes, we found that it only lasted 27 minutes on low power and 10.5 minutes on high power in the Lab. After six months of use, the vacuum maintained its powerful suction and battery life. For the price, we think this vacuum should come with accessories like an additional battery or more attachments. Still, its impressive performance makes it a great option for anyone searching for a cordless vacuum that’s powerful enough to pick up pet hair and more with ease. Weight: 6 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.8 liters | HEPA Filter: No | Runtime: Up to 60 minutes Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Cordless Vacuum for Hard Floors Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum Dyson View On Amazon $272 View On Walmart $195 View On Dyson.com $350 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 2.5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Value 2/5 What Stands Out This small vacuum is easy to maneuver on hardwood and tile floors. What Could Be Improved It doesn't work on rugs and carpets, so it can't fully replace your regular vacuum. 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 Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Cordless Vacuum for Carpet Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $230 View On Wayfair $300 View On Walmart $300 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 4.3/5 Value 5/5 What Stands Out The vacuum is fast-acting on hard floors and carpets, offering lots of power at a reasonable price. What Could Be Improved This model is top-heavy, making your forearms do extra work as you clean. 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. The 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. 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 Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Cordless Vacuum for Large Spaces Dyson Outsize+ Amazon View On Amazon $724 View On Walmart $490 View On QVC $850 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Maneuverability 4.5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.9/5 Value 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 What Stands Out The vacuum has a large dustbin and long-lasting battery, and it automatically adjusts its settings based on the surface it’s cleaning. What Could Be Improved The vacuum doesn’t have a “continuous use” mode, so you have to hold down a button as you clean. 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. Though we found the vacuum 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) Real Simple / John Somerall Real Simple / John Somerall Real Simple / John Somerall Best Self-Emptying Cordless Vacuum Shark Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon $268 View On Wayfair $330 View On Walmart $279 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.6/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Ease of Emptying 4.7/5 Value 4.7/5 Portability 5/5 What Stands Out You don't need to manually empty this vacuum’s dustbin thanks to its self-emptying base. What Could Be Improved Its 15-minute battery life is better suited for quick touch-ups rather than whole-home cleaning. 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 trade-off for its compact size, however, is a smaller dustbin, requiring 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 touch-ups and cleaning small spaces. Weight: 13.85 pounds (including base) | Dustbin Capacity: 0.12 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 15 minutes Real Simple / Elise Wang Real Simple / Elise Wang The 10 Best Shark Vacuums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Anti-Tangle Cordless Vacuum Innova Cordless Stick Multi-Surface Vacuum Walmart View On Amazon $291 View On Walmart $229 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4.8/5 Ease of Emptying 5/5 Portability 4.8/5 Value 3/5 What Stands Out It has a long battery life and didn't lose any suction power by the end of our tests. What Could Be Improved Its noise level—this vacuum was one of the louder models we tested. If you’re sick of tangled hair getting caught in your vacuum mid-clean, we recommend the Eureka Innova Cordless Stick Vacuum. We were amazed to find that this versatile vacuum made quick work of cleaning up long hair and pet hair— upon inspection, not a single strand was found tangled in the brush roll. This model performed extremely well on all surface types, sucking up most (if not all) of the debris from the grout floor, the high-pile carpet, and everything in between. Even better, it took us just 11 seconds to clean the upholstery using the vacuum as a handheld device with the crevice tool attached. As for suction modes, this vacuum has three. It also has an LED screen with buttons that allow you to choose the surface type (either hard floors or carpet). In addition to its impressive hair pick-up, it lasted the entire duration of our tests without needing to recharge with no signs of fading suction power. In fact, it still had 75% of its battery life left by the end of our tests. (The brand says the battery should last up to 60 minutes depending on the settings used.) Just note that this pick is on the noisier end of those we tested. On high power, the Innova had a noise level of 92.2 decibels, which is a bit louder than the median reading of all the vacuums we tested. You’ll need to speak louder than normal to hold a conversation, but you probably won’t need to shout. The high setting would likely disturb anyone watching TV in the same room. Weight: 7.8 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 1 liter | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 60 minutes Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Best Cordless Vacuum/Mop Combo Dreametech H11 Max Wet and Dry Vacuum Amazon View On Dreametech.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.8/5 Maneuverability 4.8/5 Ease of Emptying 4.8/5 Portability 5/5 Value 4.5/5 What Stands Out This vacuum mop cleans your floors as it removes debris, offering a deeper clean than a standalone mop or vacuum. What Could Be Improved The vacuum mop doesn’t work on carpets, and its self-cleaning setting isn’t very effective. Unlike the other models on our list, the Dreametech H11 Max is a cordless vacuum and a wet mop in one. And when we tested 16 vacuum mops in our Lab, this one stood out as the best cordless option. The hybrid tool mops your floors as it vacuums up debris, offering a deeper clean than a standalone tool. It works well on dry debris (like coffee grounds and cereal) and wet debris (like water). The vacuum mop efficiently removed debris and water from every surface we tested—proving especially effective on grouted floors. We particularly liked that it automatically adjusted its suction power and water flow settings based on what we cleaned. But, like many other vacuum mops, this one isn’t designed for carpets. The vacuum mop is bigger and heavier than the other models on our list, housing a 0.5-liter dustbin and 0.9-liter water tank. Although it’s too big to slide under some pieces of furniture, we found it generally easy to maneuver. The vacuum mop’s dustbin is easy to empty, and a handy voice assistant tells you when to empty it. We wish the vacuum mop’s self-cleaning setting worked better—though it removed some debris, to thoroughly clean the tool we had to get our hands dirty. The tool is also somewhat pricey, but we think it’s worth the buy. While it’s more expensive than many cordless vacuums on this list, it’s the same price as most of our favorite vacuum mops. And since it’s two cleaning tools in one, it’s easy to justify the extra cost. Weight: 13.6 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: 0.5 liters | HEPA Filter: Yes | Runtime: Up to 35 minutes Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Real Simple / Henry Wortock Final Verdict Based on our in-depth testing, the Tineco Pure One S11 was the best overall cordless vacuum. Its strong suction power proved to be effective on all surface types, including high-pile carpets and grouted tile floors, and we were impressed by its range of smart features. If you’re shopping on a budget, we recommend the Wowgo S108 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, which removes debris from a range of surfaces in 30 to 60 seconds. Our Testing Process To find the best cordless vacuums, we regularly evaluate the latest models in our Lab—in total, we’ve tested 110 cordless vacuums. First, we timed the setup process from start to finish (from opening the box until the vacuum was ready to use, not including charging time). We followed the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly and, if applicable, attached any bags, filters, or nozzles. Once finished, we noted how difficult or easy it was to set up the vacuum. Once the vacuums were fully charged, we evaluated the runtime of each model by vacuuming a medium-pile rug on the lowest power setting until the battery died, recording the time with a stopwatch. We then swapped the dead battery with a fully charged spare battery and repeated this test using the highest power setting. To measure noise level, we used a decibel reader with the cordless vacuum on both high and low settings and noted their findings. We also weighed each vacuum with a luggage scale attached to the handle. Then, we tested what might be one of the most important factors in a cordless vacuum: its effectiveness. To see how well each vacuum could clean, we poured a mixture of debris (containing Cheerios, coffee grounds, and popcorn) on a grouted tile surface. We set a timer for one minute and used the cordless vacuum to suck up the mess, taking note of how easy or difficult it was to get the surface clean and how much debris remained on the floor after the minute was up. We then repeated this test on hardwood floors and stairs, medium-pile carpet and carpeted stairs, and high-pile carpet. (The Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum impressed us with its performance on medium- and high-pile carpet, sucking up debris in less than a minute.) And since hair is notoriously difficult to clean even with some of the top vacuums, we also sprinkled wig hair—including short strands to resemble pet hair and long strands to resemble human hair—on those same surfaces. For carpeted surfaces, we made sure to press down so that the hair became embedded in the carpet. We then evaluated how much hair each cordless vacuum could remove from the various surfaces in a minute. Once completed, they inspected the brush roll for tangled hair—and if there was, they removed the hair and took note of how easy it was to clear with their hands, scissors, or an included tool (if applicable). To evaluate the maneuverability of the cordless vacuums, we set up a living room space (complete with a couch, coffee table, floor lamp, and more) and sprinkled Cheerios, popcorn kernels, coffee grounds, and wig hair along a path. We followed the path with each vacuum to clean up the debris, considering how easy it was to turn, control, and get under furniture, and how well the vacuum picks up debris in corners and tight spaces. Then, we used the vacuum on its handheld mode with a crevice attachment to see how well it could clean torn-up cotton balls (to mimic dust bunnies) from the top of a shelf. We also tested each vacuum’s effectiveness and portability on upholstery by pouring a mixture of Cheerios, popcorn kernels, and wig hair on an upholstered chair, making sure to get the debris between cushions and in crevices. We took note of how easy it was to remove debris from the chair and kept track of which attachments were the most helpful. Once finished, we received the price of each cordless vacuum and scored its overall value, considering its performance in our tests and available features. We then took the top-performing vacuums home to evaluate their performance after one, three, and six months of testing. Real Simple / Henry Wortock How to Shop for Cordless Vacuums Like a Pro Battery Life When shopping for cordless vacuums, one of the most important factors to consider is battery life. “For an apartment or a small house, you want to choose a vacuum with a battery life of at least 30 [minutes],” Samson says. “Some vacuums go up to over an hour in runtime and these are great for larger homes, but for most of us, 30 minutes of runtime should be plenty to clean the floors in our home.” Keep in mind that battery life can vary depending on the settings and attachments that you use, so it might not always be exactly what the manufacturers list. Of the vacuums we tested, the median runtime on low was 33 minutes and 15 seconds, while the median runtime on high was just nine minutes and 43 seconds. (Generally, most models did not last as long as their advertised runtime.) If you have a large home and like to clean it all at once, then we suggest choosing a cordless vacuum with a removable battery so that you can buy an extra, keep it charged, and swap it as needed. Weight Cordless stick vacuums are generally much more light weight than upright and canister vacuum cleaners, but some are still heavier than others. A lighter vacuum is much more portable because it's easier to carry up and down stairs or hold above your shoulder (when used as a handheld model). The median weight of the vacuums we tested was 5.82 pounds, and we felt like most of the vacuums were light enough to carry easily. Just make sure to consider your physical abilities and preferences before choosing a vacuum to buy. “The weight factor can't be underestimated,” Cotter says. “With a lightweight vacuum, you can effortlessly glide around your space and easily maneuver under furniture. The heavy ones might have more power and features, but if they're too heavy to handle comfortably, you might find yourself avoiding the whole cleaning routine altogether.” Dustbin Size Another important factor to consider when shopping for a cordless vacuum is the size of the dustbin. This determines how much debris it can pick up at a time, which also affects how often you can vacuum before the dustbin needs to be emptied into the garbage. “You want to make sure your vacuum can handle cleaning up common dirt, crumbs, debris, etc., regardless of the size of your home or apartment,” says Stapf says. The vacuums on our list have dustbins ranging from 0.1 to 1.89 liters, with our best pick for large spaces (the Dyson Outsize Plus) having the largest capacity. If you choose a cordless vacuum with a small dustbin, expect to empty it after every use. Accessories Most cordless vacuums come with a variety of attachments—like crevice tools and dusting brushes—that make them even more versatile. During our testing, we frequently had to reach for crevice tools to get in the tight corners of staircases and between the cushions on upholstered furniture. You can also use these special attachments to clean curtains, vents, and more. Also keep an eye out for other accessories that your vacuum might come with, like charging docks or wall mounts that keep your vacuum and its attachments in one place. (One of the vacuums we tested and recommend, the Shark Wandvac Self-Empty System, comes with a base that automatically empties the dustbin.) Suction Power When you talk about a vacuum’s strength, you’re talking about its suction power. Suction power is usually measured in air watts, with a higher number indicating a more powerful vacuum. While power is important, all you really need is enough suction to meet your cleaning needs. “If your home is small and messes aren't huge, around 100 to 150 air watts should be good,” Cotter says. “If things are messier or you have pets, aim for 250 to 300 air watts. If you're in between, 200 to 250 air watts is fine.” The vacuums on our list range significantly in suction power, with our best pick for hard floors (the Dyson Omni-Glide) on the low end at 80 air watts and our best splurge pick (the Dyson Gen5detect) on the high end at 262 air watts. Despite falling at opposite ends of the scale, both vacuums performed impressively in our tests, removing most debris in less than a minute. That said, the Omni-Glide can't clean carpets, which often requires more suction power than cleaning hard floors. Surface Type Different surfaces require different vacuums. Hard floors, like tiles and hardwoods, are easy to scratch, so Cotter recommends a gentle brush or soft attachment. He notes that carpets, on the other hand, are great at trapping debris, so you may want a vacuum with strong suction power and a brush roll that goes deep. “If you've got both [floor types], a vacuum that can switch between the two is a win,” Cotter says. Most of our favorite cordless vacuums fall into this category. Two of our favorite vacuums—our top pick for hard floors (the Dyson Omni-Glide) and our favorite vacuum mop (the Dreametech H11 Max)—should only be used on hard floors. You can use the rest of our selections on hard floors and carpets. Most models we feature come with adjustable settings and attachments, which you can switch out to deep-clean different surfaces. More Cordless Vacuums to Consider Belife V12 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: The Belife V12 wasn’t as effective or as easy to maneuver as we hoped, but we still think it’s a budget-friendly option to consider if the Wowgo vacuum we recommend above is out of stock. LG CordZero Kompressor Universal Power ThinQ Stick Vacuum: Even though this LG stick vacuum performed well in quite a few of our tests, we were disappointed by how difficult it was to empty the dustbin. Even though it comes with a brush for cleaning, we had to use a pencil to try to remove debris that got stuck between the hose and the canister. For the price, we expected better results. Real Simple / Henry Wortock Questions You Might Ask What are the benefits of using a cordless vacuum instead of a corded model? One of the best parts about using a cordless vacuum is that you don't have to worry about cord length or outlet placement while cleaning. “Nothing is worse than vacuuming and getting caught up in your cord,” Samson says. “Having a cordless vacuum will give you the freedom to clean anywhere, anytime.” Plus, they're significantly more lightweight than upright models, which makes them more convenient to grab for quick cleanups. Just take note that when you first make the switch to a cordless vacuum, you might notice a difference in performance. "A battery unit cannot give you the same amount of suction as an electric vacuum," Morse says. How long is the battery life on cordless vacuums? The biggest disadvantage of cordless vacuums is that they can only run for so long before they need to be charged. Of course, the battery life varies depending on the settings. According to Morse, higher settings (like max modes) give you some "extra power for carpeting," but they'll drain the battery much faster than lower settings (which are sufficient on bare floors). Some vacuums have minimum or eco modes that use even less suction power but help make the battery last longer. We tested the battery life of these models on both high and low power settings and found that many have a shorter runtime than the manufacturer claims. Our Best Overall pick, the Tineco Pure One S11, ran for 31 minutes straight before dying. But one of the only vacuums that had a spot-on runtime was the Dyson Omni-Glide+, which lasted 21 minutes on low power—extremely close to the brand’s advertised 20-minute battery life. Luckily, you probably don’t have to get a brand-new vacuum if you notice the battery life of your cordless vacuum diminishing. "If the run time has decreased significantly, it may be time to replace the battery," Morse says. Do you need a cordless vacuum with a HEPA filter? Many—but not all—of the vacuums on our list have high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which trap small particles and allergens and prevent them from recirculating in the air. “For most of us, it isn’t that necessary to have a HEPA filter on your vacuum,” Samson says. “These are really expensive and can often not be worth the cost; however, if you [have allergies] this would be a great idea for you to put in your cordless vacuum. HEPA filters are the best filters you can buy on the market and can really help filter out all the yucky stuff from your home.” Why do cordless vacuums lose suction? Morse explains that cordless vacuums lose suction for many reasons—often because the battery is low, the dustbin is full, or the filter is dirty. He recommends first checking whether the battery needs a charge, then emptying the dustbin. According to Morse, doing so will help maintain the suction and prevent backup and clogging. It's also important to regularly clean your vacuum so that it maintains its performance level. Besides emptying the dustbin when it's full, you can wash removable parts when they're dirty to prevent smells and blockages. Make sure that you keep the filter clean," Morse says. "A dirty filter will reduce the efficiency of the vacuum." Can a stick vacuum replace a normal vacuum? A stick vacuum can definitely replace your go-to vacuum—it just depends on your cleaning needs. “The stick vacuum is great for quick cleanups and small spaces,” says Cotter. “It's perfect for busy folks and small homes. A classic vacuum with a cord is good for big messes and deep cleaning. If you've got a big place or lots of messes, it's an ideal choice.” If you crave the convenience of a stick vacuum—but don’t want to sacrifice performance—look for a cordless model with lots of suction power. Our best splurge cordless vacuum (the Dyson Gen5detect) delivers 262 air watts of suction power. That comes close to the 290 air watts our favorite classic vacuum delivers, but the Dyson Gen5detect weighs one-third as much and runs for about an hour with no cord. Real Simple / Dera Burreson Take Our Word for It This article was written by Amina Lake Abdelrahman and updated by Lindsey Lanquist and Jamie Fischer. To find the best cordless vacuums, we thoroughly tested each model in our Lab and rated them based on their effectiveness, maneuverability, runtime, and overall value. For expert tips on choosing and using a cordless vacuum, we spoke to Len Morse, president of Vacuum World; Jessica Samson, cleaning expert of The Maids; Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority; and Will Cotter, COO of HappyCleans. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums. We Tested 44 of the Best Robot Vacuums, and These 8 Models Are Actually Worth Buying Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit