We Tested the Best Cordless Stick Vacuums—These 7 Make Cleaning Fun (2024)

Our Top Picks

The Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum is the full package: a cleaning machine on hardwood, carpet, tile, and stairs that's also remarkably lightweight and quick to charge. We've tested over 350 vacuums, with 68 of those vacuums being cordless stick picks, and we've never been so immediately and continuously impressed by a vacuum cleaner. This pick not only rivals its upright-style counterparts—that are known for their suction power, particularly on carpet—but also pricier cordless stick vacuums that we've tested and loved from Dyson, Tineco, and other higher-end brands.

On carpet, cordless stick vacuums aren't always the most impressive. However, the Levoit LVAC-200 is quick to leave behind carpet lines, proving that it's getting into the fibers and pulling out the dust that's settled there. After each and every whole-house clean, the dust bin has also been jam-packed, further proving its cleaning prowess in a home that vacuums daily—and sometimes multiple times per day, because of a messy toddler who likes to leave her granola bar crumbs behind. While hair wraps around the filter, it's easy to pop the dust bin out of the vacuum and twist the filter out for cleaning; the hair typically falls right off, too. Having a self-emptying base is the only thing that'd make the emptying process easier.

This vacuum costs just $200, which puts it in the company of our favorite inexpensive vacuums. Compared to our best overall, runner-up pick below—which costs $100 more—it lacks smart features and a digital readout of your home's cleanliness, but those aren't features you absolutely need. The Levoit LVAC-200 focuses on a slew of little touches that make your cleaning experience easier instead: a power button that's practically located, a battery that charges quickly and lasts a long time (it charges quicker and lasts longer, in our experience, than what the brand advertises), and a light on the floor head that illuminates your path.

At 3.2 pounds, including the battery pack, it's also one of the lightest vacuums we've ever tested. We have zero trouble carrying it around a split-level home with so many stairs, and find the lightweight design really nice for navigating it on stairs, under a crib, and around chairs and table legs. All in all, we swear by this Levoit vacuum that's totally a steal.

_{Weight:3.2 pounds |Battery Life:Up to 30 minutes (45 minutes in our experience) | Dust Bin Capacity: 0.75 liters | Attachments:2-in-1 crevice tool, 2-in-1 pet tool}

This Tineco model has been a standout throughout multiple rounds of testing, easily securing its spot as our best overall, runner-up. It was up to cleaning all the messes we created in the lab, zapping up popcorn kernels, cereal, and hair in one pass, which means you don’t have to go over the same spot on your floor a dozen (or more!) times. The light on the vacuum’s head ensures you can see your progress, too. In our experience, it handles both hard flooring and carpet well. But, even better, it seamlessly transitions between them, so you can smoothly take the vacuum from your kitchen to the dining room or bathroom, without having to pause to make adjustments.

Speaking of adjustments, the Tineco Pure One S11 smoothly converts to a handheld vacuum for above-ground surfaces. Along with the multi-surface brush roll (that part of the vacuum that meets the floor and agitates carpet fibers to lift dust and grime), it comes with a crevice tool, 2-in-1 dusting brush, and a mini power brush, too. We came to rely on the multi-tasking power brush the most.

We also found the 40-minute battery life to be right in line with most of our favorite cordless stick vacuums (four of our seven picks have around this same run time).The battery life has also held up after months of daily use, and is enough to clean a two-bedroom apartment on one charge. We have come to appreciate the wall-mounted charging station that allows you to store and charge this machine to capacity in one fell swoop, as well. As long as we put the vacuum away correctly, it’s ready to go next time we need it.

The noise level of the Pure One S11 is impressively quiet. When the auto mode was in use (there are two modes, auto and max), a baby in the next room could easily sleep. While the canister did fill up rather quickly, it wasn’t hard to empty, either. We ran this vacuum where a long-haired cat resides, and there was some fur stuck on the brush roll, but it was easy to remove by hand. For that reason, it might be suitable for those with shedding pets and people. (Although, vacuums for pet hair exist, and we’ve tested plenty and have a recommendation on this list, the Dyson Outsize+.)

If we could change anything about the Pure One S11, we’d opt for on-vacuum storage for the bevy of included attachments. Even without this convenience (you can still stash them on the charging station), the Tineco is still one of our favorites, and falls in the "runner-up" slot purely because of its price tag and smart features—you don't totally need them, they're just nice to have.

_{Weight: 5.96 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Dust Bin Capacity: 0.6 liters | Attachments: Crevice tool, 2-in-1 dusting brush, mini power brush, full-size LED multi-task power brush}

The Dyson Gen5Detect cordless stick vacuum contains Dyson’s fastest motor to date, which translates to incredibly powerful suction in a sleek, technologically-advanced package. When we first powered on the Gen5Detect, we quickly noticed the low noise level of the auto and economy settings—a perk if you want to have a conversation or even listen to a podcast while you’re vacuuming, or if you have sound sensitivities. Boost mode, the highest and most powerful setting, is noticeably louder and higher-pitched, but does help speed the vacuuming process along. (Though, it will likely also drain your battery the fastest.)

The Gen5Detect is also powered by a button, so there's no need to consistently pull a trigger to operate it (unlike some of Dyson’s other models, including the Outsize+, our pick for the best vacuum for pet hair). The fluffy optic cleaner head shines a laser onto tiny particles you might not usually see while cleaning, which is great for ensuring you’re getting every last piece of visible dust. And for what you can’t see, a HEPA filtration system captures and traps 99.99 percent of dust particles, with the LCD screen at the top of the handle providing details as you go.

This screen also offers insights into the vacuum’s run time and battery life, too. While the screen is certainly a snazzy feature, we suspect that it won’t feel necessary to every user, since it does technically offer extraneous information that other vacuums (like our best overall) skip completely.

Notably, navigating this vacuum is a breeze. You can adjust the head with a simple turn of your wrist, and we were able to suction up a mixture of Cheerio crumbs, orzo, coffee grounds, and wig hair from up against couch and coffee table legs in our lab with zero issues. The attachments that come with the Dyson Gen5Detect are easy to use, too. The crevice tool, for example, made quick work of the cotton ball spider webs we made on top of a bookshelf.

When we were all done, the ejection mechanism of the dust bin was a satisfying way to empty all the dirt and debris we collected (and to ensure we didn’t have to come in contact with any of it, a real perk for those with allergies). The only downside, beyond the higher price tag?The powerful motor made this machine feel heavy after just a few minutes of usage for one self-described petite member of our team.

_{Weight: 7.6 pounds | Battery Life: 70 minutes | Dust Bin Capacity: 0.75 liters | Attachments: Hair screw tool, built-in dusting and crevice tool, combination tool, two cleaning heads}

We’ve tested a lot of vacuums over the years, and the Dyson Outsize+’s ability to pull in dirt and dust by just getting near messes is downright astonishing. Generally, it’s not unusual for vacuums to take two or more passes over spills to collect every piece of debris, but the Outsize+ doesn’t even need to go over crumbs to lift them up. The suction is so powerful that it practically calls the debris over (like a pet owner) and scoops it right up. There’s also an anti-tangling element in the brush roll, which is great for collecting fur, fuzz, and hair of varying lengths.

Another reason we like it for homes with pets is that, even with such a powerful motor, it’s still fairly quiet when it runs, so skittish animals aren’t as likely to be bothered. And, like the Dyson Gen5detect (our pick for best splurge), the laser light on the head illuminates the fuzz and fur in the vacuum’s path, so you can be sure you’re grabbing every last piece. One difference between the two models is that, with the Outsize+, you do need to hold down the power button while you’re vacuuming, which can be tiring. The Gen5detect, on the other hand, stays on for you.

The Outsize+ comes with an additional battery pack which gives you twice the amount of cleaning time (120 minutes total). When one battery is depleted, you can replace it with the other and continue your cleaning session.We’ve also come to appreciate that the dust bin is large enough to hold a few days’ worth of debris without needing to be changed—another plus for pet owners scooping up a lot of hair on a daily basis.

When it comes to potential downsides, one self-identified petite member of our team called out the tall handle as cumbersome. This pick is also tied with our best splurge pick for the highest retail price, but higher price tags are the norm for Dyson vacuums, and the quality typically matches the price.

_{Weight: 7.98 pounds | Battery Life: 120 minutes (2 batteries included) | Dust Bin Capacity: 1.89 liters | Attachments: Dirt brush, wand, hair screw tool, combination tool, mini soft dusting brush, and crevice tool}

If your living space has solid surfaces, like hardwood, tile, or laminate, then we recommend the Shark VacMop, one of our favorite Shark vacuums. As the name implies, it offers dual functionality, serving as both a vacuum and a mop.

We’ve owned and used the Shark Vacmop for two years now and it’s still like new. We wish that the replacement pads were easier to find and purchase (it may be best to set up a recurring Target or Amazon order to keep your cleaning closet stocked), but we’ve found the wet-dry vacuum to be our favorite thing to reach for when doing everyday tidy-ups of our kitchen and entryways. We love how easily the Vacmop moves over hard floors, and how the cordless design doesn’t limit mobility.

To use it, you’ll start with dry vacuuming first and then, using a button on the handle, you’ll spray the included cleaning solution onto parts of your flooring that need attention, and run the vacuum over it again. The solution and remaining residue are captured by the disposable mop pad, which you can simply toss when you’re done cleaning with help from an easy-release button on the floor head. It’s the ideal tool for delivering a one-two punch of cleaning to messy kitchen floors or busy mudroom walkways (or anyway else where messes tend to happen), and is ultimately a really great option for small spaces since it's compact and versatile.

Now, we were slightly disappointed that you have to hold the power button for the entire time it is in use. This could get tiring over time, especially if you're cleaning a larger room. The other caveat to this vac-mop, as we mentioned, is that replacement mop pads and cleaning solution are sold separately (it does come with four pads and one, 12-ounce bottle of solution), so that’s an added expense to keep in mind.

_{Weight: 3.34 pounds | Battery Life: 20 minutes | Dust Bin Capacity: 0.09 liters | Attachments: None}

At The Spruce, we define a lightweight vacuum as weighing under 15 pounds, but under 10 pounds is preferred. At just shy of 6 pounds (roughly the same as an average honeydew melon), the Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum boasts a streamlined package with room to spare. The lightweight design is expertly engineered, and it rivals bigger, bulkier machines in performance, suctioning up pet fur and general household grime with ease (and not spitting it back onto the floor, like some other vacuums we’ve tried).

There’s also an EasyReach wand on this vacuum that can bend and reach under tables and chairs, and a swivel head that’s great for turning corners and angling around furniture and other obstacles. This vacuum did do better on flooring than upholstery, and its lightweight design translates to efficiency with light cleaning and upkeep, as opposed to deeper cleans and tough messes. That said, it's also incredibly quiet; you can easily use it without having to raise your voice mid-conversation.

With a 40-minute battery, you should be good to go for completing most household cleaning jobs, but a heads-up that using max mode will drain the power faster (remember that this is common among battery-powered vacuums). After using it for six months, we do wish we could count on the battery more, and that the power could be stronger. But, the flexible design is a standout and what sets it apart from our best overall pick, the Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum, that weighs just 3.2 pounds (about 3 pounds less) and is the lightest on our list.

_{Weight: Under 6 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Dust Bin Capacity: 1 liters | Attachments: Combination crevice and dusting tool}

We’re calling out the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum for how quickly and cleanly it handles carpets and rugs, agitating the fibers so it efficiently pulls up dirt and grime in one swift motion. That’s not to say it’s not also impressive on hard floors—it is!—but its performance on carpet was simply next-level among the vacuums we’ve tested.

It also wowed us with how well it does in corners and under stair ledges, some of the trickiest areas to clean in homes. The one caveat here is the vacuum head isn’t tapered, so we inadvertently pulled the back corners into obstacles like chair legs. Anyone who buys this vacuum will likely get used to that over time, but it still struck us as unique.

Another notable feature we discovered was that even when the dust bin is full (as in, filled to the brim with the wig hair we used for testing), we never noticed a slow-down in power or suction, nor did anything but a few strands get wrapped on the brush roll. So, if you have pets (or people) in your home that shed, you’ll likely be pleased with its handling of hair and fur, too. While it didn’t quite edge out the Dyson Outsize+, our top pick for a vacuum for pet hair, it’s another great option (and significantly less expensive).

The battery life did seem to wane more quickly than we would have liked (the brand touts 40 minutes, which is about average for this type of vacuum). But, given just how quickly and consistently this machine works, and how it sailed through rounds of testing in roughly half the allotted time we scheduled, we’re willing to sacrifice a few extra minutes of power since we could still easily get through all of our tasks.

Three months of testing later, the vacuums also proved to be effective on hard floors. We only noticed two potential quirks: the dust bin needs to be emptied every two to three uses (but it's a simple process); and the handle is a little difficult for someone just under 5 feet. Otherwise, we've really enjoyed that this pick. If your home has lots of rugs and carpet, we think you’ll be equally pleased with how the Levoit VortexIQ 40 will help streamline your cleaning routine.

_{Weight: 6.66 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Dust Bin Capacity: 0.75 liters | Attachments: Crevice tool, dusting brush tool}

Final Verdict

The best cordless stick vacuum is the Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum. We've tested over 60 cordless stick vacuums, and this one immediately and continuously impressed us because it's super lightweight, easy to empty, and works on all kinds of surfaces well, including stairs. Another great option is the Tineco Pure One S11. It also handles debris of varying sizes, and has additional tech features that are user-friendly and convenient.

The Spruce Team Tests the Best Cordless Stick Vacuums

How do you clean a cordless stick vacuum?

The best way to clean your cordless stick vacuum is to disassemble it as much as you can and wash each piece separately. Pieces with sensitive electronic parts should be wiped down with a damp cloth or duster, but everything else can be rinsed with a cleaning solution and should be left to dry for at least 24 hours before reassembling. You may need a screwdriver to help you take apart the vacuum head so you can access and remove all the pieces inside.