Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
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Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI is a powerhouse when it comes to cleaning—dealing with pet hair and dust with ease. It can also self-empty its dust bin. Read More
The Dyson Gen5detect is a powerful cordless vacuum with a removable battery, multiple brush heads, and an LCD screen on the back. Read More
This upgrade cordless vacuum pairs powerful suction with a mop. Read More
The Dyson Gen5Outsize is a bulky cordless vacuum with strong suction. It comes with two brush heads and a tool for cleaning pet hair. Read More
Aside from spot on performance, it has comparable battery life to our top pick, and unlike a Dyson, you can buy extra batteries and swap them for more cleaning time. Read More
The best cordless vacuums give you the freedom to track down messes in your home regardless of how close they are to an outlet, fitting into spaces and under furniture that an upright vacuum can't. However, relying on a battery can lead to weaker suction and a smaller selection of features compared to traditional vacuum cleaners.
The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Stick Vacuum (available at Samsung for $999.00) ran circles around the competition, earning our best overall ranking. It has great battery life, powerful suction, and a fantastic spread of attachments and features.
Though the Bespoke Jet AI is the best cordless stick vacuum we tested and the top performer overall it's also pretty expensive for most people's budgets. For something cheaper, the Tineco A10 Hero available at Amazon offers good suction, a removable battery, and bright LED lights to help find dirt. However, there are many great cordless vacuums in our guide for you to choose from.
The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet is the best cordless vacuum cleaner.
The Gen5detect’s LCD screen shows how much battery life you have left.
Powerful suction
Good battery
Easy to use
Cumbersome storage
Expensive
The LG A949 is about more powerful suction and mopping to boot.
Strong suction
Self-emptying
Backup battery
Priced above competition
Heavy
The Dyson Gen5outsize has a fantastic battery life, making it a great option to clean large homes.
Good suction
No-tangle brushes
Long battery life
Bulky
Difficult storage
With highly impressive suction, this cordless vacuum packs a lot of value.
Dirt detection
Excellent handling
Long battery life
Small brush head
Lightweight
Excellent maneuverability
Moderate suction
Hi, I’m Jon Chan, the senior lab manager at Reviewed. I am the resident vacuum expert—I’ve tested hundreds of vacuums over the years, including everything from budget robot vacuums to upright vacuums. When it comes to cordless vacuums, I like models that provide excellent battery life and value.
We create our own dirt to test on our vacuum test rigs.
When we test battery-powered vacuums, we’re looking for longevity, ease of use, and powerful suction. To test battery life, we charge each model for 24 hours, then run it at its highest settings, timing it until it stops working. If the vacuum doesn't meet its manufacturer's advertised claim about its total runtime, we note it.
Read more about how we test vacuums in the Reviewed labs.
We've spent countless hours testing and getting to know vacuums.
While most cordless vacuums don’t offer the deep-cleaning power of upright vacuums, they do have advantages, including maneuverability and convenience. Here are some other things to consider when purchasing a cordless vacuum:
There’s a cordless vacuum for almost any budget. While some of the Dyson models come with a hefty price tag, they also come with Dyson technology. Meanwhile, others cost less but still clean well, such as our best value pick, the Tineco A10 Hero.
A cordless vacuum is only as good as its battery. Most of the models we reviewed had battery run times of more than 10 minutes on the high settings. Using your vacuum on high does drain a battery quicker, but vacuums will run longer on lower settings.
Not all batteries recharge at the same rate, either. When you’re on a roll cleaning, you don’t want to lose power and have to wait until the battery is ready to go again. To combat that, some of the best cordless vacuums come with an extra battery, which can be swapped out when your other battery dies.
Cordless vacuums have smaller dirt bins than uprights, which is one reason some people prefer full-size vacuums. However, bin capacity on cordless vacuums varies wildly. Some of the models we tested hold almost a full quart of dirt, while others hold less than half a quart.
It’s important to make sure your cordless vacuum comes with the tools you need. You may need to clean pet dander, vacuum dust from curtains and upholstery, or care for delicate hardwood floors. Whatever your needs, make sure you have the attachments to meet them.
Cordless vacuums are great for cleaning all sorts of spaces, including cars, since you don't have to worry about a cord to plug in.
Generally, the best cordless vacuums work best as supplementary tools to be used between heavier cleanings, or in situations where a corded vacuum is too cumbersome. That said, if you’re willing to pay a higher price for the privilege, some of the best cordless vacuums can stand toe-to-toe with a full-sized model.
In many cases, the only difference between the best cordless stick vacuums and a hand vacuum is the cordless unit’s long extension, which allows the brush head to reach the floor. Although rare, some two-in-one–models come with a handheld mode that can be removed and used to clean without the floor extension—a real bonus when you're cleaning furniture or a flight of stairs.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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