7 Best Cordless Stick Vacuums to Clean Every Nook and Cranny (2024)

Emptying the dust cup of a bagless vacuum cleaner is an irritating job, especially for allergy sufferers. But when you put the Samsung's Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Stick Vacuum back on its slim and sleek charging station, the .5-gallon dust bin will automatically empty and close the bin door on its own. Where this vacuum really excels though: It spins the filter for more complete emptying (great especially for long hair), so that my hands did not get dirty in our testing.

This winner has a few new advancements from its previous model, including AI technology and sensors to better detect floor type to automatically adjust the suction and brush roll accordingly. Seamlessly switch from soft carpets to hard floors without any extra work on your part — welcome to the new age of tech.

This vacuum is easy to assemble, has three cleaning modes (min, mid and max), ran for one hour and 20 minutes on the min setting and works with the SmartThings App, which is available for iOS and Android. The only downside is the new model only comes with one battery and no attachment caddy.

While it is pricey, I think the convenience of a self-emptying dust bin, the advanced artificial intelligence, sensors and long battery time makes this vacuum a worthy upgrade. Plus, its powerful HexaJet 2.0 motor provides amazing suction power to clean all sorts of debris.

Weight: 6.3 lbs | Run time: 100 min. | Removable battery: Yes | Charging caddy: Freestanding self-empty tower | HEPA filter: Yes | Attachments: Active dual brush, pet tool+, combination tool, long reach crevice tool, 7 dust bags and all-in-one clean station

Great cleaning performance, a lot of cool features and a price much lower than comparable models earned Bissell's IconPet Turbo Edge its spot as our best value pick. It aced our bare floor and edge cleaning tests and did a very good job removing pet hair from carpets too. We got almost a full hour of run time on a single charge (which is comparable to vacuums almost twice its price!), but online reviewers were disappointed to find the battery life is much shorter when using higher settings.

The dust cup was very easy to remove, empty and replace, something I can't say for all the models in our test. I like the extended comfy grip and how well it maneuvered on bare floors and low- and medium-pile carpets. The controls are clear and easy to use and it comes with a wall-mountable caddy that holds all the vacuum's attachments — even a flexible hose — so nothing gets lost.

Other nice touches for the price include a tangle-free brush roll, lighted crevice tool, dusting brush tool and a flexible extension hose for better reach, which can help to clean the stairs. Plus, the sealed system better traps dust and allergens, though we'd have loved to see a HEPA filter included on this model. There's even a parking brake that keeps it from sliding down when resting against a wall.

Weight: 7.4 lbs | Run time: 54 min. | Removable battery: No | Charging caddy: Yes | HEPA filter: No | Attachments: Floor nozzle, extension hose, LED crevice/dusting brush tool and LED lighted turbo brush tool

Dyson's Detect vacuums are some of the coolest. Dirt, pet hair and dust bunnies can't hide from this vacuum, thanks to the innovative laser beam of the fluffy bare-floor roller attachment. Simply turn it on to shine an angled beam of light directly in front of the vacuum to illuminate and nab the tiny pieces of dust and hair you can’t easily see in normal light.

In our tests, I was amazed. Specks and particles that were invisible in regular light — like those in the corners of stair treads — came into clear view when the laser hit them. And just in case you were wondering exactly what it's picking up, the colorful display shows the amount and size of the particles it's grabbing along with run time, power level and maintenance alerts. The only thing that would have made it better was having a second charged battery waiting in the wings.

Like all Dyson vacs we've tested, it's fully featured with powerful suction, great filtration and many useful attachments, including a unique cone-shaped tool that picks up pet hair and spirals it into the bin without tangling. In the Cleaning Lab, this Dyson model aced all of our performance tests for bare floor cleaning, pet hair pick-up and edge cleaning. Plus, it ran on Eco mode for just over 50 minutes.

Each mode and surface has a different battery life, with the Dyson website listing run times as low as five minutes and as high as an hour, but averaging around 20–30 minutes (which is a bit low). The battery can also be removed and charged separately.

At just about 5 pounds, we found it lightweight and easy to maneuver, store and clean. Plus, we applaud Dyson for equipping this model with a push button on/off switch for continuous operation. Gone is the trigger that you had to hold down to keep the vacuum running that many users complained about.

Weight: 5.2 lbs | Run time: 50 min. | Removable battery: Yes | Charging caddy: Wall mounted | HEPA filter: Yes | Attachments: 2 floor nozzles, crevice tool, hair screw tool, combination tool, mini soft dusting brush and stubborn dirt brush

We loved the Miele Triflex HX1 stick vacuum and this newer version — the Triflex HX2 — is even better. No other stick vacuum is as innovative and adaptable as the Miele Triflex. Most stick vacuums can be used in two configurations — upright and handheld. But the Miele can transform into a third design.

With the motor, battery and dust cup (the power unit) placed up top, it works like a traditional pole vacuum, making it easy to reach under low furniture or up high to clean ceiling moldings and light fixtures. But there's more! Move the power unit — and the weight — down by the nozzle and it's now easier to push and maneuver across bare floors, areas rugs and carpets. And with more of the weight at the bottom, it can now do a better job cleaning deep-pile carpets. Finally, you can detach the power unit completely and use it as a handheld for stairs, upholstery and other above-the-floor cleaning needs.

In our testing, we experienced great bare floor cleaning, pet hair pick-up and edge-cleaning performance on all our test surfaces. Though heavier than other vacuums we've tested, the Miele Triflex was easy to use with features like fingertip controls, battery indicator lights, a bright headlight on the wide floor nozzle and a lifetime HEPA filter that never needs washing or changing.

New with this version is the crank on the filter. As you turn it, fine dust is knocked from the filter into the cup for better cleaning and emptying. And a cleaner filter means better, longer-lasting suction too.

The battery offered just under 30 minutes of run time on the lowest power setting with the power nozzle attached, which is less than others in our test. At 8 pounds, the vacuum is heavier than others on the list and the battery is bulky. But it's nice that it stands upright on its own when the power unit is near the bottom.

Weight: 8 lbs | Run time: 22 min. | Removable battery: Yes | Charging caddy: Yes (for battery only) | HEPA filter: Yes | Attachments: Floor nozzle, upholstery nozzle, crevice tool and dusting brush

For those who prefer a more traditional stick vac configuration with an easy-to-grab handheld vacuum that piggybacks on board, this Electrolux WellQ7 is a great choice. Plus, it's slim, streamlined and stands up on its own (which I love!).

It's got tons of upscale extras like two power nozzles, an extending crevice tool and a pedal that you press to snip hair wrapped around the roller brush to prevent tangles in your vacuum. You have the option to store the tools on the vacuum or the stand.

We found it refreshing to review this vacuum among all the other pole vacs in the test. It was simple and straightforward to use and did an excellent job in our bare floor and pet hair pick-up tests. The hand vac and stick vac share the same dust cup with a multi-layer filter system. This design makes it easy to pop off the hand vac quickly when you need it without having to disassemble the entire vacuum.

The Electrolux maneuvered easily on all surfaces and around corners and ran for over an hour on low power on a single charge. The only hiccup was that it stumbled on our edge-cleaning test. To clean along edges, you'll have to attach the crevice tool to the handheld vacuum. Storage and charging are easy — simply set it on its base. I like vacuums out of sight instead of mounted on a wall, and this vacuum tucks neatly away. This also doesn't come with a HEPA filter.

Weight: 6.5 lbs | Run time: 62 min. | Removable battery: No | Charging caddy: Yes | HEPA filter: No | Attachments: Brush roll floor nozzle, soft fluffy floor nozzle, crevice tool and dusting brush

If you are looking to only spend around $100 for a stick vacuum to do occasional or light cleaning, this Vactidy Blitz V8 is a solid option. Weighing in at just over 5 pounds, it's lightweight and has a metal telescopic wand, which we like for cleaning high spots like shelves and ceiling corners, though the plastic body feels flimsier than other models we tested.

With high and low power modes, the Vactidy did a great job cleaning bare floors. And while it did well picking up pet hair from carpet, some hair clung to the nozzle and had to be removed by hand. Sadly, its edge cleaning was among the poorest in our test.

We did find the Vactidy easy to use and maneuver, and the dust cup was easy to remove, clean and replace. All of the filters, including its HEPA filter, are washable which is convenient and saves you from having to buy replacements. The battery is removable for charging, and a small wall dock holds the vacuum but not the attachments, so you'll have to store them separately.

Weight: 5.25 lbs | Run time: 31 min. | Removable battery: Yes | Charging caddy: Yes (for battery only) | HEPA filter: Yes | Attachments: Floor nozzle, crevice tool and dusting brush

Hardwood floors need gentle but powerful cleaning to nab the ultra-fine dust that sticks to them that regular vacuum nozzles and brushes can't seem to grab. This Dyson Omni-Glide is a whiz at cleaning hardwood floors. Its dual soft fuzzy rollers hug the floor and allow you to pick up dirt whether you push or pull it.

The omnidirectional head cleans quickly in any direction — even sideways. It impressed us with how easily it maneuvers around obstacles like table legs and how it fits perfectly on a stair tread for speedy side-to-side cleaning. It has powerful suction and whole-machine filtration to trap at least 99.7% of dust and allergens.

Weighing in at less than 4.5 pounds, its low-profile head (just over 3.5 inches tall when laid flat) goes where others can't, such as beneath low couches to grab difficult-to-reach dust bunnies. I love that it transforms easily into a slim handheld vacuum with just one click and is simple to operate with just two thumb-operated buttons.

Other features include a dust bin that opens from the bottom (though it's on the smaller side), washable components and an unobtrusive wall-mounted charging dock. Just be careful if you lean it against a wall. It will likely fall over, and you don't want it to nick or damage your floors. The run time is also shorter than other vacuums at 20 minutes.

Weight: 4.2 lbs | Run time: Up to 20 minutes | Removable battery: No | Charging caddy: Wall mountable | HEPA filter: No | Attachments: Soft roller head and combination crevice tool

No single vacuum is the perfect choice for every cleaning need, so we usually recommend keeping several styles in your cleaning arsenal, and a stick vac should certainly be part of the mix.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab is constantly testing vacuums of all makes and models, and because there are new ones coming to market all the time, we continually update our reviews. We've tested the best robot vacuums, vacuums for pet hair, budget-friendly vacuums under $100 and plenty of others. Add this to the hundreds of hours we've spent testing uprights, canisters, robots and more, and it's safe to say we know our vacuums.

In our most recent category test of 23 stick vacuums, we gathered and assessed over 500 data points to calculate the highest overall scorers and select the top models to recommend.

When we evaluate a stick or any vacuum, we base our tests on ASTM International standard test methods. As members of this voluntary standards-making organization's F11 Vacuum Cleaner Committee, we meet twice yearly with engineers and experts from the industry to discuss, develop and update the vacuum cleaner testing methods we all use. A major part of Good Housekeeping's role on this committee is to make sure these standards are relevant to how everyday consumers actually use vacuum cleaners and their experiences with them.

Our stick vacuum testing includes evaluations for:

✔️ Performance: We evaluate how well each vacuum removes "pet hair" by evenly spreading industry-standard rayon fibers that simulate and cling like actual pet hair over the surface of a carpet. Each vacuum is passed over the carpet the same number of times and what's left behind gets scored.

In a similar fashion, we assess how well the vacuum picks up large and fine particles of debris (like rice, dry oatmeal and gritty sand) from hard flooring like vinyl and how closely it cleans along edges. The tests on each model are repeated three times to obtain more accurate results.

✔️ Sound: We test models for quietness with the help of Quiet Mark, a global certification organization that aims to reduce noise pollution. They measure the noise output of each model for us.

✔️ Features: We note and test any unique features like whether or not it has a battery charge indicator, a brush roll control button or extra tools and attachments.

✔️ Consumer experience: We recruit consumer testers to rate the vacuums’ maneuverability on bare floors and carpets, around corners and under furniture. They also test the ease of removing the dust cup or bag and the ease of operating the vacuums’ controls.

✔️ Effectiveness in real homes: Finally, we test and review some of these models in my house and in consumer homes as well. This gives us a better understanding of how efficient these vacuums are in larger, non-controlled spaces. Plus, it helps us consider the charging and storage situation in a real house or apartment.

✔️ Battery run time: Today’s lithium-ion batteries have more power and last longer than the nickel-cadmium batteries of older models. Some lasted up to as long as 60 minutes in our tests. On some models, the battery pack itself can be removed for charging which allows you to simply plug in only the battery and store the rest of the vacuum out of sight. Keep in mind that manufacturers report battery run time without any attachments, which is, honestly, not how people clean. Once you add the rotating brush or another attachment that requires power, battery run time goes down. Don't be surprised if the battery doesn't last as long when you are cleaning as is claimed on the box.

✔️ Floor type: Stick vacs work best cleaning bare floors, low-pile rugs and carpets that just need a quick surface clean (to remove crumbs or dust). Those that convert to a hand vac or have hand vacuums on board can also clean upholstery, stairs and even the car. For bigger jobs, like deep cleaning a whole house with multiple rooms, deep-pile carpets or a mix of hard and soft surfaces, you may prefer a full-size upright or canister vacuum. But a good stick vac with max or turbo settings can certainly suffice, especially if you are in a hurry. Just keep in mind that the higher the power setting you use, the less run time you get.

✔️ Brush roll: A rotating brush roll is important to help remove dirt that’s settled down into the tufts of area rugs and carpets. Brush rolls also help collect debris on bare floors but can sometimes cause debris to scatter and should only be used if they're soft enough not to scratch your floors. If you are vacuuming only bare floors, a stick vacuum with a soft, fluffy rotating brush roll is your best bet. Some of the newest stick vacuums, like our Samsung pick, now have power nozzles that combine a rotating brush with a soft roller for a universal head that works on all flooring types.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab most recently tested 23 new stick vacuum models to find the best picks for this guide. Over the years, our cleaning experts have tested hundreds of models and brands to find the best vacuum cleaners, the best vacuums for hardwood floors and more.

Carolyn Forté has tested and reviewed hundreds of vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, mops and other major (and small) home appliances as executive director of the GH Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab. She is an active member of the ASTM Committee on vacuum cleaners and chairman of the consumer information sub-committee.