These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (2024)

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (1)

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While you may own a canister vacuum that gets hauled out weekly for heavy-duty cleaning, it’s also smart to have a vacuum in your arsenal that’s lightweight yet powerful for everyday floor-to-ceiling jobs—which is where stick vacuums excel. Most are cordless vacuums and run on a rechargeable battery, and are generally pricier than their plug-in counterparts. That said, the lack of tangled cords makes them easier to operate, so you can quickly tackle dirt and debris—even in hard-to-reach spaces—and in much less time.

But like buying any vacuum cleaner or small home appliance, you want to invest in a model that performs reliably and offers value for your dollars, no matter how much you’re able to spend. For the best cordless stick vacuums that deliver on both counts, read on for our recommendations, plus advice on the most important things to consider before you shop.

Looking for more ways to keep your floors and furniture clean? Check out our stories on the best robot vacuums, the best vacuums for pet hair, the best vacuums for hardwood floors, and the best handheld vacuums.

The Best Cordless Stick Vacuums

What to Consider

The main advantages of owning a cordless stick vacuum are easy portability and storage. But what you trade for the convenience is battery life and runtime. Most cordless stick vacuums run for up to 15 or 20 minutes on a full charge, even high-end models.

Be wary of manufacturers’ advertised total runtime because it may represent performance on the lowest setting or using two fully charged batteries, for instance. Battery charging time should also be factored in. Really, it comes down to managing your expectations for what they can accomplish: they’re designed for quick cleanups, not for vacuuming the house.

Budget aside, other important considerations include chow powerful the motor is, the number of settings across different floor types, and the dust bin’s capacity and emptying mechanisms. Most stick vacuums are well under 10 pounds and are also incredibly versatile because they convert to hand vacs and come with multiple tools and brushes for cleaning in crevices.

The majority also come with charging stations to dock the vacuum and all its accessories, whether on the floor or wall. If you have pet or dust allergies, look for a model that features HEPA filtration.

How We Selected

We dug into our own extensive experience researching and testing vacuums, focusing on top names like Dyson, Shark, and Black+Decker, along with well-respected brands that are new to the stick vacuum market, such as Tineco. We also relied on test impressions of dozens of vacuums from editors at our sibling sites, Best Products and Good Housekeeping, and aimed to offer options across multiple price points.

1

Best Overall

Tineco Pure ONE S11 Cordless Stick Vacuum

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (2)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (3)Excellent value for the price
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (4)Three power modes
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (5)Four-stage HEPA filtration
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (6)Six attachments
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (7)Small icons on display may be hard to read

The Tineco Pure ONE S11 cordless stick vacuum wins our top spot for best cleaning power and overall performance, paired with a reasonable price point to match.

It runs quietly across three power modes and reliably sucks up dirt, debris, and pet hair, plus it features a four-stage HEPA filter and converts to a handheld. While this cordless stick vacuum works exceptionally well on carpet, you can also use it on bare floors.

We love that it includes six attachments, including a head with LED lights, a power brush, and a hair-cleaning tool. It also has a large dustbin that empties with a single release button and comes with a wall-mounted charging dock.

While the color display is a step up from what most cordless stick vacuums offer, the icons are small and may be difficult to see for some.

Key Specs

Weight5.7 lb
Listed RuntimeUp to 40 min.
HEPA Filtration Yes
Attachments 6

2

Best Value

Belife Cordless Stick Vacuum

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (8)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (9)Relatively inexpensive with solid features
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (10)Six-stage filtration system
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (11)Motorized head with LED headlight
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (12)Touchscreen control panel
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (13)Only two attachments

This six-in-one budget cordless stick vacuum punches well above its price tag, with features that are similar to options that cost twice as much, or more.

For starters, it has a brushless motor that can reach up to 90,000 rpm and an LED headlight on the head, along with a touchscreen control panel that shows everything from battery level and power to maintenance issue alerts. We’re also impressed by its six-stage airtight HEPA filtration system.

Other highlights include a bagless dustbin that empties directly into the trash with ring pull and a detachable battery pack and wall-mounted charging dock. Its advertised runtime is roughly 40 minutes on average and the vacuum has three power modes.

The cordless vacuum comes with only two attachments, though that’s reflected in the price point.

Key Specs

Weight5.3 lb
Listed RuntimeUp to 40 min.
HEPA FiltrationYes
Attachments2

3

Best for Big Messes

Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (14)

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (15)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (16)Powerful for cleaning large debris
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (17)Two battery packs included
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (18)HEPA filtration
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (19)Converts to hand vac
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (20)On the heavy side

Shark’s Vertex has a brush roll that’s excellent at pulling hair and large debris from carpets, as well as polishing up your hardwood floors. The cordless stick vacuum features an advertised runtime of 60 minutes for each of its two batteries so you can keep cleaning for up to 2 hours (whew!).

It also offers a HEPA filtration system and converts to a hand vac, plus it comes with plenty of accessories for cleaning a variety of spaces. However, this may not be the best choice if you regularly clean stairs, as the cordless vacuum weighs roughly nine pounds—significantly more than other vacuums we cover.

Key Specs

Weight9 lb
Listed RuntimeUp to 60 min.
HEPA Filtration Yes
Attachments 3

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4

Most Powerful

Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (21)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (22)Incredibly powerful
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (23)Excellent for bare floors and carpet
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (24)Auto-adjust suction
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (25)Click-in battery
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (26)Slightly heavier than some other models

The Dyson V15 is the most expensive stick vacuum in our lineup, but if you can stomach the price tag, you’ll get a cordless stick vacuum that (quite literally) leaves the competition in the dust across the board. It delivers top-notch performance on floors and carpet to tackle everything from fine dust to messy debris.

Its motor spins up to 125,000 rpm (1.5 times more suction than the Dyson V12) and it comes with two cleaning heads, including an upgraded version of the brand’s “fluffy” head that features a green laser headlight to detect fine dust.

Other highlights include auto mode, which automatically adjusts power depending on the surface and mess to save battery life, an advertised runtime of 60 minutes, and an easy-to-change click-in battery.

Key Specs

Weight6.8 lb
Listed Runtime Up to 60 min.
HEPA FiltrationYes
Attachments 3

5

Best Premium

Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (27)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (28)Powerful on hardwood and carpet
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (29)HEPA filtration
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (30)Six attachments
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (31)Features may not warrant price for some

A step up in power from Dyson’s popular V7 and V8, the Cyclone V10 cordless stick vacuum offers an advertised runtime of 60 minutes with a non-motorized head, as well as three power modes and HEPA filtration.

It also converts to a handheld and includes multiple attachments for various floor types, such as hardwood and carpet. When the job is done, its triggered collection bin makes it easier to dump debris without touching anything dusty. We also appreciate its well-designed docking station.

While there’s a lot to like about this mid-range Dyson, for quick cleanups an earlier model with fewer bells and whistles may be all you need.

Key Specs

Weight5.8 lb
Listed Runtime Up to 60 min.
HEPA Filtration Yes
Attachments6

6

Best for Pet Hair

Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (32)

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (33)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (34)Large capacity
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (35)Motorized brush roll
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (36)Works well on hardwood and carpet
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (37)No HEPA filtration
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (38)No attachments

One issue with stick vacuums is that they don’t have as much capacity to hold dirt and dust in comparison to their upright cousins. However, this Hoover cordless stick vacuum features a larger dirt bin, making it great for pet owners or anyone who wants to take fewer trips to the trash can when cleaning the whole house.

This cordless stick vacuum weights less than 9 pounds, and you can turn off the motorized brush roll to seamlessly transition between carpet and hardwood. But it doesn’t come with any attachments and pet owners with allergies may want to opt for a vacuum with HEPA filtration.

Key Specs

Weight6.6 lb
Run TimeUp to 35 min.
HEPA FiltrationNo
AttachmentsNone

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7

Best For Small Spaces

Shark WandVac Cordless Stick Vacuum

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (39)

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (40)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (41)Lightweight and affordable
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (42)Compact charging station
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (43)Comes in multiple colors
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (44)No HEPA filtration
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (45)Runtime not listed

Most stick vacuums aren’t great to look at when left out of the closet—but Shark’s Wandvac System is the exception to the rule. In addition to its sleek design (available in several colors) and light weight (at 5.8 pounds), this model functions as a stick vacuum or hand vac and has more power than other lightweight models.

Plus, we love that it comes with a boost mode to help you power through tougher messes and is equipped with a low-profile charging dock. The downside is that its small dust cup needs to be emptied more frequently than most other cordless stick vacuums.

Key Specs

Weight5.8 lb
Listed RuntimeNot listed
HEPA Filtration No
Attachments2

8

Best Height-Adjustable

Vactidy Cordless Stick Vacuum

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (46)

Pros
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (47)Lightweight
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (48)Telescopic handle makes some cleaning jobs less awkward
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (49)HEPA filtration and
Cons
  • These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (50)Body doesn't feel as solid in-hand as some other models

It it’s common for a canister vacuum to have a height-adjustable wand. But a cordless stick vacuum? Not so much. That’s where this option shines.

This model has a telescopic wand, which makes directing the swivel head exactly where you want it easy. It’s also less awkward to raise above your head to clean things like door moldings and the top of the refrigerator.

The cordless vacuum is considerably lightweight at just over five pounds, plus it checks boxes for solid features across the board including HEPA filtration, an LED light on the head, plus a wall-mounted dock.

Key Specs

Weight 5.3 lb
Listed Runtime31 min.
HEPA FiltrationYes
Attachements 2

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (51)

Rachel Klein

Senior Commerce Editor

Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups (2024)

FAQs

These Cordless Stick Vacuums Are Our Go-To for Quick Clean-Ups? ›

Yes, cordless vacuums are often excellent choices for cleaning cars, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach places.

What are the disadvantages of stick vacuum cleaner? ›

What are the disadvantages of a cordless vacuum cleaner?
  • Limited battery life. ...
  • Limited suction. ...
  • Cost. ...
  • They can be heavy. ...
  • Environmental impact. ...
  • Maintenance and replacement costs. ...
  • Corded vs cordless: how to choose.
Jul 8, 2024

Do cordless vacuums clean well? ›

Yes, cordless vacuums are often excellent choices for cleaning cars, upholstery, and other hard-to-reach places.

Do any cordless stick vacuums stand on their own? ›

Black + Decker Powerseries+ Stick Vacuum

In terms of features, the Black and Decker cordless vac has a bright line of LED headlights that help illuminate dirt and debris on hard floors, and it can even stand up on its own — a common pain point for many cordless vacuums, even ones that are two to threes times the price.

Which cordless vacuum is easiest to empty? ›

Henry Quick Dust Free Easy Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner.

What is the life expectancy of a stick vacuum? ›

Cordless Stick Vacuums: These are popular for their convenience and lightweight design. However, they tend to have a shorter vacuum lifespan, usually around 3 to 5 years.

Do stick vacuums work as well as regular vacuums? ›

Lightweight stick vacuums are ideal for quick and easy cleaning tasks, working the best in small living spaces. More powerful upright vacuums, on the other hand, are more effective at deep-cleaning carpets and handling tougher dirt and debris.

Is it OK to leave a cordless vacuum plugged in all the time? ›

Yes. The battery is designed to be left on charge permanently, and this will ensure that the vacuum is fully charged when it's next used. Once the battery is fully charged, your machine won't use any more electricity and will enter a standby/idle state.

Is Shark or Dyson better? ›

Those looking for a budget pick that offers big bang for your buck and tons of flexible attachments should consider a Shark vacuum. On the other hand, anyone seeking style and substance in a machine that's built to last for years can't go wrong with a Dyson.

Is Shark or Bissell cordless vacuum better? ›

The Shark clears more debris on bare floors and low-pile carpet, has a larger dirt compartment and an additional upholstery tool, and does a better job of filtering away allergens. It also charges much faster, though the BISSELL has a longer battery life. The BISSELL is also a little more compact and a bit lighter.

What to look for when buying a cordless vacuum cleaner? ›

What to look for in a cordless vacuum
  • Type of cordless vacuum cleaner. ...
  • Battery run time. ...
  • Charge time. ...
  • Manoeuvrability. ...
  • Weight and size. ...
  • Compatible floor types. ...
  • Bin or bag capacity. ...
  • Air filtration.
Sep 1, 2022

How do I choose a stick vacuum? ›

  1. Type of flooring. Buy the right vacuum to clean the type (or types) of flooring in your home.
  2. Battery life and runtime. If you have a lot of home to vacuum, you'll want a model with good runtime.
  3. Weight, size and bin capacity. Smaller vacuums are easier to maneuver but they often give up power and bin capacity.
  4. Warranty.
Jul 23, 2024

What cordless vacuum compares to Dyson? ›

Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

At one quarter gallon, slightly bigger than Dyson V15 Detect's relative 0.2 gallon capacity, this cordless needs emptying much less often, even though it's picking up lots of dust from the floor.

What are the disadvantages of a cordless vacuum cleaner? ›

Depending on the kind you purchase, cordless vacuums can run only up to a maximum of 10 to 30 minutes. Some models are equipped with more powerful high-voltage batteries so that you can run them for longer, but they tend to be more expensive. Less suction power.

What is the vacuum cleaner that doesn't lose suction? ›

HL5 Upright Vacuum

The HL5 upright is as powerful as it is versatile, with *no loss of suction across all common household surfaces. The vacuum is completely bagless, with a large 2.5L onboard capacity - easily enough storage to clean your entire home.

Which vacuum cleaner has the highest suction power? ›

Best Vacuum Cleaners with Powerful Suction
  1. eufy X10 Pro Omni. eufy X10 Pro Omni is a paradigm shift in cleaning technology. ...
  2. X8 Pro Robotic Vacuum. ...
  3. Dyson Ball Animal 2. ...
  4. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E. ...
  5. Miele Complete C3 Marin. ...
  6. Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Bagged Upright Vacuum.
Dec 13, 2023

Do stick vacuums lose suction? ›

Your stick vacuum can start to loose suction power sooner than you might think, but luckily there are a couple of things you can do yourself. This way, you can ensure it retains a high suction power. The following 5 tips are fast and easy.

Are stick vacuums better than canister? ›

Stick vacuums are good for fast clean-ups but not as powerful as canister vacuums. For corded stick vacuums, vacuuming certain areas like stairs might be difficult as you have to handle both the cord and the lengthy stick design of the unit.

Why would I want a stick vacuum? ›

Stick vacuums are easier to use

With most models the body detaches from the wand and you can easily add a crevice or upholstery tool to suck up pesky pebbles and dirt. Some of the tools are flexible, so you can really get into tight spaces with ease. The other bonus, of course, is you're cord-free and ready to go.

What are the cons of upright vacuums? ›

Upright vacuum cleaners offer many advantages, including powerful suction, a wide cleaning path, and a variety of attachments and accessories. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as limited mobility, heavier weight, and difficulty cleaning under furniture.

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